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7. Truths & Memories

The situation was awkward for both Victor and Chris. Victor watched his grandson closely. "Paige is right. You're really Piper's clone." His grandson rolled his eyes and Victor laughed. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

Chris blushed a bit and played with his fingers. "You see, I was caught in my memories recently and these showed me that my Dad was there for me, yet I have other memories. And letters from my Dad who said that we both were tricked. Maybe."

Victor sighed and went with his hand through his hair. "I see. It's complicated. So what happened in the future what I should know about?"

The young man grabbed Wyatt out of Victor's lap all of a sudden. "You have to know, Grandpa, Wyatt is evil in the future and he's like a little dictator. And I lead the Resistance against him."

"So it's like in the Bible: Cain and Abel in the future." Victor sighed. "What led you two into different directions?"

Now Chris sighed. "That's hard to say. All I know is that Wyatt was gone for some time as a toddler but no one explained it. It was a familial secret, yet the last trigger … was Mom's death on my 14th birthday."

"Oh, I'm sorry, son. You mentioned that I was the last one alive." Victor gulped a bit before asking, "Did I survive all my daughters?"

Chris only nodded. "Yeah, even Paige who you see as your daughter as well. You had aged very quickly in the future and the smoking did the rest. You lived longer than expected."

"Right. That's solved." Victor looked at his grandson. "You also mentioned a rocky relationship with your Dad and letters from him. What's that about? Now you two seem close."

Chris put his head briefly in his hands and then looked up again. "Growing up, all I got from Leo was letters – for all important events as a child. You know birthdays, events like games. I was playing baseball as a child. Though Mom and the rest of the clan always had time but Leo." Sighing, he went on, "Now being caught in the memories, I saw that Dad always wanted to be there for me but the Elders stopped him. He mentioned that the letters could be fake and that we both were tricked by an Elder – who knows the family well."

Victor didn't know what to say. "I may not be a fan of Leo but I do believe that he's a protective father. How often did he save your Mom from death? I can imagine that with such a pure good soul as Leo's, well, the Elders wanted him in their ranks. For good. Maybe he's helped you secretly." He looked at Chris again. "Do you have some letters with you? Maybe? We could compare Leo's handwriting if you want to."

Chris barely nodded. "I took some with by accident." He took a deep breath. "I think Dad had the same idea." He put his head on his hands. "I don't know who or what to believe."

"Son, I understand," Victor agreed, putting a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Would you mind to get these letters? That we both can have a look." His grandson accepted nodding. "Thanks. If you don't mind, I'd invite your parents to this issue. It goes about Leo the most, right?"

"Okay," Chris whispered and orbed away, fast.

Victor nodded and called out, "Leo! Piper! You can come now. Chris is ready to share!" A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "Come in!"

Leo and Piper put their heads through the door before stepping in. "So you've managed to convince him. That's great," Piper said, sitting next to her father. "You two are really close."

"What about the letters?" Leo wanted to know curiously. "I was wondering if he'd shared them with us, without you, Victor. No offense."

"None taken," Victor said and Leo sat on a chair finally. The older man sighed. "Though I understand where he and you are coming from. We've had this situation before. With me and my daughters."

All nodded but were distracted as on orb formed in their midst. "Oh, you're all here," Chris greeted his Mom with a kiss, his Dad with a hug and sat next to his Grandpa again. "Where's Wyatt?"

"Out. With your aunts. They needed some fresh air," Piper offered smiling. "Now, peanut. Are these the letters from your Dad?" Her son nodded. "Let us see, please!"

"Okay." He handed them over and then turned to his Dad. "Could you at least tell me who's behind this now? You said you know it."

Leo sighed. "I know I said it, son. But let me see these letters first. If my guess is right who wrote these letters to you in my name, I'll reveal it. Promise. You can count on me, buddy."

Piper shook her head crying all of a sudden. She gulped. "It looks like Leo's handwriting in general but there are differences." She sighed. "I can't believe this. Oh peanut, I'm so sorry." Piper handed the letters over to her husband.

"Mom, what do you mean?" Chris asked irritated and looked at his Grandpa for help.

"I'm sure, everything is okay, son. Believe in your parents for once," Victor offered and watched the scene a bit afraid.

"Okay," Chris whispered nodding but then noticed how Leo's hands began to shake. "Dad? What is it?"

The Elder began to stutter. "I … I was right. As Piper said, it looks like my handwriting but there are slightly differences. And … and I know this handwriting – like the back of my hand." He gulped a bit longer. "This was written … by my old mentor, Gideon who could also be responsible for Wyatt's turning."

"Wait. Gideon?" Chris requested shocked and his father simply nodded. "The Elder who runs Magic School?" Another nod by Leo. "Wow. I can't believe this."

"Neither do I," Leo agreed and patted his son on the arm. "But now that we know who's behind it, we could go against him. With taking you and letting you relive your worst memories, he has crossed the last border for me."

Piper looked at him concerned. "What will you do? I take it, Gideon is much stronger than you and an Elder longer than you are. What can you do, Leo?" she asked afraid.

Leo looked at her furiously. "Don't you think I don't know that, Piper?" He took a deep breath, to calm down. "Anyway, I know that some Elders are already suspicious of him. They know he has plans but not what concrete." He looked at his son. "Gideon could use Magic School as his base though."

"What's Magic School?" Piper and Victor asked at the same time confused.

Chris grinned all of a sudden. "Oh sorry. Anyway, Magic School is a huge place where magical kids from all age can learn their craft. Me and Wyatt went also there but to a normal school as well. No worries, Mom."

"Oh, you let me worry about my kids. Both of them," Piper said smiling. "So what do we do now? I mean, with Gideon and all other stuff around us." She gestured to the space around them.

All didn't know what to say but Chris had an idea. "How about you three ask me one question about the future and I'll see if I can answer and reveal some more? Maybe?" He grinned knowingly.

"Fine," Victor said grinning as well. "Let's start with the eldest member." Looking at Leo, he realized. "Technically." He took a deep breath and started asking, "You said I was the last family member alive and that I died from smoking." His grandson nodded. "Who was there and where am I buried?"

Chris sighed. "Well, let's start with the last question: You're not buried in San Francisco since Wyatt has nearly destroyed the city, except of a few buildings. Like the Manor which is a museum, by the way. Anyway, we buried you on Valhalla where even the Valkyries had respect. And as for who was there: the cousins, who were still alive then, some Elders, mortals, even good demons and my girl Bianca."

"Whoa, two steps back," Piper cut in all of a sudden and all turned to her confused. "This house is a museum in the future?" Her son only nodded. "Has he gone nuts, or what? And who is this Bianca? You said she's your girl. Care to share? And these are not my questions, clear?"

"Crystal," Chris laughed and hid his smile as his Mom glared at him. "Never mind, and no, Wyatt has not gone nuts. For him only power matters and what greater power is there than the Power of Three?" All nodded and Chris gulped a bit. "As for Bianca: She's more than my girl, she's my fianceé." Nothing happened. "Bianca is a Phoenix witch and … around five years older than me." Chris let out a sigh of relief. "Mom?"

"I'm okay," she replied smiling. "You still are my clone, to every tiniest detail. Anyway, my one question is: Did Wyatt ever catch you? And did he torture you?"

Chris shifted nervously on his seat and avoided looking at anyone, especially Leo but his Mom wanted the truth. Not easy. He sighed and then replied, "Yeah, he did. Once. After Dad had died, right in front of me, like Mom. Anyway, I was so lost in grief that a demon or Wyatt himself decided to knock me out. When I came around again, I was in a cell in his dungeon but it was isolated. You know, like his best prize. Wyatt still wanted me as his second in command and tried to convince me to see his point of view."

Piper took his hand. "I'm so sorry, baby. I didn't want you to relive this. What else did he do?"

"It's okay, Mom. Maybe, it helps to speak about it in the end." Chris sighed again. "As I said, Wyatt wanted me by his side but I refused stubbornly. So he threatened me time and again and my brother became angrier naturally, so he slapped me hard in the face. Still, I refused and so he gave me over to his demons who began to torture me now – until he'd seen enough and let me go. It took over two months to get me back in good shape. Well, since then I was more focused to keep the name Halliwell good while Wyatt disgraced it."

"You did good," Leo said half in tears."We're very proud of you, son. And now to my question which is not easy now." He sighed. "When we were in your memories, we saw that I tried to be there for you. Do you maybe know more about me before I died?"

"You're not going to make it easy for me, are you?" Chris whispered and put his head on his hands. "But okay," he said, pulling up strength. "I asked for it. Plus, the memories brought up enough questions, even for me." He looked directly at his Dad. "Well, I mainly knew you through Wy since you spent most of your time with him, or so I thought. Still, you were my hero and I always looked up to you from afar. Though, when you were at home and spoke with Mom or Wy, I ran to you and wanted you to play with me but you were called away by the Elders. As if they knew I wanted to be with you. We could never form a bond when I was a child. I could never understand it though but still, I wanted to be just like you."

"I'm still proud of you, son," Leo said smiling and hugged him briefly. "But with you being here, the future is already changing, I'm sure. And I promise, your future is going to be different."

"Don't make promises, you can't keep, Dad."

"Don't worry," Piper cut in amused. "If he doesn't change, I'll make him change. Family is more important than any job. Got it, Leo?"

"Loud and clear," the man said saluting, making all laugh.

"All right, enough dramatic and emotional stuff for you, peanut," Piper said after some silence. "Though, slowly I begin to wonder where your aunts and brother are. They should be back by now."

"It's okay, Mom. The later Phoebs comes, the better, believe me," Chris argued and leaned onto his Grandpa. "If you don't mind, I'm going to sleep for a while."

"Sure, baby. Take all the time you need. We'll call you when we need you again." Piper shushed the men and gestured them to go out, leaving the young man alone sleeping.

Victor, Leo and Piper looked at the boy smiling before the woman closed the door.


MEANWHILE, IN A PARK

"I still can't believe that we're going to have another nephew," Phoebe said astonished and looked at Wyatt. "That he's going to have a little brother."

"Believe it, sis," Paige sighed and looked at Wyatt as well. "We should have seen it from the start." She sighed again. "After all, Chris is a good mix of Piper and Leo."

"True. It's so unreal."

"Iss," Wyatt announced proudly and slowly walked to his aunts. "Iss!"

"Yeah, we know, buddy," Paige agreed, taking him in her lap. "You love your little brother, don't you?"

"Iss!"

"It's okay, Wyatt," Phoebe said smiling. "You'll see your brother soon again." But then his little finger pointed into a different direction. "Wyatt?"

Paige turned around and watched into the shown direction. "Okay, who's there? Show yourself! Right now!"

"Uh, I didn't notice you could see me," a woman said, stepping out from a bush but then she noticed the child. "Forget it. With him, it's no wonder though."

"Okay, who are you and what are you doing here? And how did you find us?" Phoebe requested shocked and sat next to her sister. "You know who we are, don't you?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "Of course. You two third of the Charmed Ones and he's the Twice-Blessed. Anyway, I'm a demonic Seer named Kira and I'd really speak with your current whitelighter if you don't mind," Kira explained and wanted to take Wyatt but he refused. "Never mind."

Phoebe and Paige looked at each other, not knowing what to say. However, the youngest sister spoke up, "What do you want from him, Kira? What brought you to us?"

Kira looked down. "It's kinda complicated, and it has to do with the future."

"How exactly?" Phoebe asked curiously.

"Well," Kira began sighing. "For one, with Chris' future, the near one and my own but I'd rather speak with Chris about it. So could we go to your home?"

"Why should we trust you?" Paige asked and played a bit with her nephew. "You need to give us a good reason to let you come with us."

The Seer stood up. "Well, how about I tell you that your new nephew is going to die at the end of his journey? Does this bring your asses up?"

Immediately, the women were up and Wyatt squealed in their arms. "What do you mean? And how?" both sisters asked at once.

Kira tapped her foot a bit impatiently. "I'd rather discuss this at your home if you don't mind." She gestured around them. "This is not exactly for the public, you know."

"Okay, you can come with," Paige decided in the end. "But we walked here, so you can use your feet as well."

"In that case: Can one of you walk bare feet? I'd really feel the grass and all," Kira begged and looked at the two Charmed Ones as they walked to the Manor.

"You can do it in our garden, I promise," Phoebe said smiling. "But maybe you can show us more. I mean, I can see in the future as well."

"I know, but all in due time." Kira saw the houses and all people. "Wow. All this is so good, and so lovely. I could live with that, I think."

The two sisters looked at each other. "You should know there's also a bad side of the human being," Paige simply said and opened the door, "Welcome to the Halliwell HQ!"


BACK AT THE MANOR

Kira looked around in awe. "Wow. This is the big magnet for good and evil. No wonder that anyone wants it. Can I see your secret, maybe?"

"No," Phoebe said and called out, "Piper! Leo! We could use your help here. It's important, very important."

The parents came down running. "Shsh, not so loud! Chris is sleeping," Piper said angrily and Leo stood next to her. "What is so important and who is she?" the eldest sister asked confused, taking her older son from her sister.

"Well," the woman began smiling. "To make it short: Both your sons are in danger, I want to be human and I'd like to speak with your other son first. My name's Kira, by the way."

The three sisters were in shock and so was Leo. "What do you mean? And explain yourself first!" Piper demanded furiously, tapping her on the chest. "And step by step, please! Are we clear, Kira?"

"I think I'm impressed," the Seer simply said.

"Hey," Chris said sleepily as he came down as well. "I was sleeping, you know." Immediately Wyatt orbed to him. "Hi Wy." He kissed him briefly and then looked around finally. "Kira? What are you doing here? You're kinda early."

"See. He knows me," Kira replied grinning and she looked at him directly and pleadingly. "Could we please talk alone first? Though I already revealed some things. It's about the future. Yours, mine, the world's."

"That's why I'm here, dude." Chris scratched his head and yawned. "Anyway, I'd sleep now, so could we talk about it tomorrow? I had a long and eventful day already. Okay?"

Kira looked around nervously. "If I'm allowed here, that is. Hehe."

Phoebe immediately stepped in. "She can sleep in my room if you don't mind. After all, we have similar powers."

"Right. Do that," Piper said sighing. "We should all go to bed now." She turned to her son. "Dad is back at his loft but he said that you could come to him anytime you want. Even orbing in."

"That's good to know," her younger son agreed nodding. "And what now?"

Leo decided to make a decision for his son. "How about you talk with Kira briefly at least? So you're informed for the moment, son."

"Sounds good," Chris agreed and handed his brother to his mother. "Kira, come with me!" He grabbed her hand and guided her to the living room. "Good night, folks!"

"Night, baby," Piper said, kissing him briefly. "But don't be up too long anymore!" She gestured to the others to follow her upstairs, leaving Chris and Kira alone.

Chris sighed and sat down. "So Kira. What is so damn important to come out a year earlier than usually?"

"You might think I'm crazy, which I'm not, but I received several messages from my future version through our pool," Kira explained smiling. "And she suggested, we should start our dream project earlier but this time maybe with success."

Chris put his head on his arms. "Could be true, I have to admit. So what are the messages? Short, please. I'm so tired."

"Right. For one: You could die at the end of this journey. For two: Fate has decided that no one can interfere with your destiny, and for three: Bianca could come back in time soon."

"I was afraid of it, and the risk is always there. Bianca and I know this. We took the risk."

Kira looked at him sadly. "But you know already who's behind this. Gideon, right? You could stop him earlier now."

"We will see." Chris sighed. "Let's just go to bed. We could go into further details tomorrow." He stood up and walked to his room. Finally.

Kira sat alone for a while, still thinking about it. But then she followed her instincts to get into Phoebe's room. The two women still talked a lot about all they could.

Though the rest of the Halliwell clan couldn't sleep well either. Piper and Leo were thinking about what Kira had revealed briefly, though they knew the reason behind this. Paige had the same thing in her mind. However, Chris and Wyatt were sleeping and dreaming like little babies. At least, for two of the family, the night was quiet.

TBC ...


Now we have Kira in as well. It's getting more and more interesting, don't you think?

Next time: Future Prospects

Reviews are welcomed!

FYI: I already started writing my new S7, following this one. Hope you don't mind, do you? ;-)