Hi, a new chapter is done - actually, for quite a while now but it was very busy around here and I honestly forgot to upload it. But here it is, I hope you will like it. Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter and to everyone reading as well as to Chris' Adorer for identifying my mistakes :-)

Chapter 10

Patty enjoyed the day sun bathing on the terrace behind the house in the small garden. Actually, the garden was not only 30 square yards with unmown lawn – grass with blooming weeds. Her parents weren't great gardeners.

Her father had eyed her disapprovingly, when she passed him swaying to the music that emerged her earplugs, dressed in her white-green striped bikini with a book in her hand.

Coop refrained from even mentioning his feelings about the way she was going to present herself in the garden. He thought she would have only waved it off anyway. He had discussions like that before with his oldest daughter Prue. It never had had a good outcome plus it didn't change anything. In the end he shouldn't worry. The garden was covered by high fences on all three sides and none of the neighbors seemed to be candidates for voyeurs: a family with two toddlers and one younger child, newlyweds with a new born and an old couple.

The cupid sighed. He realized everything repeated and being father of yet another daughter he was going to deal with the same issues a third time.

He decided he should just be happy Patty was in their garden and not at the beach surrounded by drooling teenaged boys – or worse. He didn't even want to imagine what outfit she wore outside their house when he couldn't see her. No, all he could do was to trust his daughters. Patty was the least to worry about. She was clever and she used to think before acting.

The tall man heard the front door close and a glanced to the clock on the wall which confirmed to him it was Phoebe who came home from work.

He knew she'd throw her key on the small table next to the door. There was a fifty-fifty chance it fell to the floor. If it landed on the floor, she'd search for it frantically the following day. She then kicked her pumps off walking a few steps, returning to put them aside correctly (expensive and so beautiful shoes had to be treated nicely even if they were uncomfortable).

Carrying her light red notebook bag and a small handbag, his wife joined him in the living room. The last days, Phoebe came home from work in a very good mood. She had an elastic walk that reminded Coop very much of the way his middle daughter had walked past him minutes ago.

"Have you had a good day so far?" she asked.

"I did and I have this feeling so did you."

"Absolutely. Working on my columns runs smoothly lately. I have articles done for the next two weeks and today I received a heartwarming thank you letter from a reader. It makes my day to know I could help someone."

"That's fantastic, dear. People feel that your advice comes from you heart. They trust you with their problems."

Phoebe smiled at her husband gratefully. She sat down on the sofa closely next to him, resting her head against his shoulder. Phoebe enjoyed the time together with Coop. It were those short but intimate and intense moments that gave her new strength after leaving the office.

She hadn't talked to Jason or Danielle since he had appeared in her office two days ago. She wouldn't say his presence was giving her fresh inspiration for her advice column but it had to do with him somehow. Meeting her ex-lover after all those years, she remembered herself so clearly; the person she had been while being with him. This person that was no one's mother or wife. Those things had seemed so far away, almost unreachable then. She had been another Phoebe. Someone she had long ago send away to start a new episode in her life. But this past self was the reason why she became the woman she now was. She didn't regret the changes. No, she loved her life. She felt very comfortable in her role as a mother, a wife, a successful and appreciated writer. However, it felt good to know that she hadn't lost herself along the way.

"Aren't the girls home?" she asked.

"Penny is with a friend. She called to ask if she could stay overnight. I told her, it's okay if you don't disagree. But Patty is in the garden sunbathing."

"That's great. They shall enjoy their holidays. I had been thinking, maybe we should go on a family holiday, though. What do you think? I'm sure the girls like to see more than the garden and for us it would be good to get out of our routine for a bit," Phoebe purposed. They had talked about vacation abroad but at some point they had agreed that they'd rather go skiing in the winter. It was a spontaneous idea of her to leave the city during the summer break.

"I think, it's a great idea, sweety. What lovely place do you have in mind?"

"Oh, nothing exactly. I suggest, you and the girls check the internet or go to a travel agency tomorrow or the day after while I'm arranging everything in the office. I'll put my lick in your hands. You can kidnap me to anywhere as long as it is not cooler than here," she laughed.

Coop agreed. "What do you want for dinner? I'll cook," he said.

Before Phoebe could answer a swirl of orbs appeared next to her.

"Thank you, Aunt Phoebe," Chris said before the last lights disappeared. "Why did you advise me to tell Wyatt?" The young man dropped into an armchair.

Phoebe sat up straight facing him with a surprised look. "What me? Sweety, I never said that. I told you to do what you think was right."

"But you knew I have no idea what was the right thing to do."

"If I had told you that, you would have laughed at me. I knew you, my dear nephew."

Phoebe watched him play with the small fluffy green pillow that rested on the armrest of the chair. "I understand the conversation with your brother did not go very well."

"He's such a fool. A know-it-all, arrogant fool."

Phoebe sighed.

"Do I want to know what we are talking about?" Coop asked confused.

"See," the woman exclaimed pointing at her husband. "I'm no risk factor. I told him nothing."

"Great, Aunt Phoebe, I present you an award."

"Hey, don't take your frustration out on me," the Charmed One scolded. "Spare me the sarcasm, okay? Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"Should I leave you two alone?" Coop offered.

"I don't think it's the worst idea to have another male point of view," Phoebe said.

"I got a male point of view from my brother. A pissed off one. But you can stay, Uncle Coop. I confessed to Wyatt that I slept with Noelle. After they broke off. Though, I don't think that made it any better. And he's already seeing someone else. Such a hypocrite."

"Oh."

"See, I should have talked to Uncle Coop and not you."

"If I remember correctly, I didn't ask you to tell me anything. And the only statement you got from your uncle so far is 'Oh'. So you really think that's better than what I told you."

"It sums it up."

"Do you want to hear my opinion?" Phoebe asked. It was a rhetorical question as she continued without hesitating. "You give too much on what your brother thinks about you. Your life is not dedicated to please him. You made a mistake, you were honest, you apologized. Let him be mad for a bit. He'll get over it and so will you."

"I agree with Phoebe. I'm sure it is not as bad as it seems in this very moment," Coop said.

"Moreover, you argue so often about anything; it's not unusual. And it is obvious because you are so different and have different ways to look at things. That makes you strong. I admit it is not the easiest relationship. But in the end you are brothers and when you need each other, such stupid discussions don't stand between you. Don't worry as soon as Wyatt understands he's not the most eligible man, you'll make up. Believe me, after all, I have siblings, too, remember?"

Her husband nodded. "I could imagine that not what happened itself made him upset. It also shows that what he had left behind here, is lost. When he'll come home, things will have changed, people will have changed and moved on."

"That's a good point," Phoebe said.

"So, in the end, what you say is, I should not worry. Eventually, we will come on good terms and when a demon tries to kill me, someone will come to save me no matter what I did."

"I have no doubt," Chris' aunt assured.

"And I learned that honesty treats me bad."

"No, you learned some truths are hard to accept. However, we should be honest. Especially, to people we are close to."

Patty entered the house, waving her hand in front of her face. "It is so hot outside today. Really, I sweat doing nothing."

"And wearing nothing," Chris mumbled.

"It's called a bikini, Chris. It's common summer wear," the teenaged girl replied. "Moreover, I'm only in the garden. I'm not going shopping. So no one sees me anyway. Not that I have anything to hide," she said offended.

"You didn't forget to use sun protection lotion, did you?" Phoebe asked.

"Of course not. I never forget."

"That's all I need to know," her mother said. She turned to her nephew. "What did I tell you about being so over protective?" Just to be on the safe side, she also gave her husband a look that told him to not say anything.

"Well, I can tell you a story," Chris suggested.

Patty rolled her eyes. "But you don't have to, do you?" She dropped on a chair that stood at the dining table. She knew she would have to listen to whatever "story" was to come anyway.

"The story is about a girl that sun bathed topless in her garden positive that no one could see her. All I say is, I spent three weeks at my friend Matt's house on the balcony of his bedroom."

"Did you weird perverts observe the topless girl from that balcony?" Patty asked disguised.

"We had summer vacation."

"Is that your excuse?" the girl shrieked wrinkling her nose. "Does summer break stand for 'I turn off my brain and sense of decency'?"

Chris shrugged. "When you are 16 or 17 and it comes to topless girls." He took his mobile phone out of the pockets of his pants.

"What are you doing now?" Patty stood up and hurried to her cousin trying to get a glimpse of what he was doing.

"I just remembered to ask Trevor what he is up to. Maybe he likes to position himself on the balcony upstairs."

The 16 year old girl blushed deeply but replied firmly. "He would never do such a horrible thing."

Phoebe and Coop having watched the interaction smirking to themselves exchanged a surprised look. They hadn't noticed her daughter had a crush on anyone, especially not on Leo's partner Amber's son.

"You are right. Trevor is a good boy." Chris locked the phone and put it aside. "You know, maybe he'll grow 1.5 foot during the holidays so when school starts, Patty, he will finally be a few inches taller than you. And then, who knows, anything is possible," Chris said with a smug smile.

Patty whose cheeks couldn't turn darker pink, gave him a killing glance before turning around. "I'll get dressed," she called exciting the living room.

"I'll fix dinner. I should have left earlier," Coop said standing up. "I have too much to worry about now."

"Uncle Coop, you really don't have to worry about me. I feel much after talking to you."

"Who is talking about you? I mean Patty."

"What's wrong with Patty?"

Coop squinted his eyes and left the room.

"See, Chris," Phoebe said. "That's another truth that's hard to accept. A father understanding his daughter is growing up and will find a man that means more to her than him."

"Wyatt and I had scared off so many inappropriate boyfriends of all of our cousins, he can trustfully turn to us."

"So I've heard." The woman shook her head. She was glad, she and her sisters never had brothers or cousins with all the men that turned out to be inappropriate. She or Prue, Piper and Paige had dated: Demons, shapeshifters, ghosts and gone crazy witches, it would have been a lot to scare off.

Coop poked his head out of the open door that separated the living room from the kitchen once. "I should invite my nephew for dinner to discuss possible plans."

Wyatt put the cordless electric drill into its plastic box. He stepped backwards and surveyed his work. Who would have thought that fixing a curtain rail would take so much time? Of course, he had spent most of the time talking to the landlady. He had never lived in a rented apartment but he decided to rather ask if it was okay to drill holes into the wall than just doing it and getting into trouble afterwards. Mrs. Archer was glad to have a visitor. She had offered him a beer and started talking about how she got this house and other stories of her moving life. After one hour, Wyatt finally got the chance to ask what he had come for in the first place. She had agreed and even offered him to check the basement if the found something he needed. The basement was a mess. It was one large room with sandy ground. Wyatt decided to buy the few things he needed instead of searching around in the dirty place. He had too much time today anyway. After what he had been told by his brother in the morning, he had too much to think about as well. Too much time and too much thinking was never a good combination. The best way to avoid it, was to busy himself.

The young man unwrapped the curtains. He thought back to his conversation with Brooke. She was indeed an interesting person. She appeared so young and innocent but she was smart. She maybe didn't know how to act in certain situations but he shouldn't underestimate her. Plus, she was a reporter and he was someone who had to hide something.

He hung up the curtains. He sat down on the edge of the sofa looking at the finished new decoration of the room. He had to admit, it gave a more comfortable, warm atmosphere. However, it got a bit darker.

The 25 year old went to the window and looked out through the colorful cloth.

His task for the day was done. Now, he had to confront the reason for his need of distraction. What would he do with the situation with his brother and Noelle? He knew the way he had reacted, was childish. His pride was hurt and he was upset. However, that gave him no right to downgrade Chris or his ex-girlfriend. But on the other hand did he really behave so wrong? Wasn't his reaction understandable?

Wyatt had never thought sex was that important. It could mean nothing but a leisure activity. The main thing was that both people involved agreed on the meaning in that very moment. He always made sure to communicate his intentions openly and clearly. He didn't want to trick anyone or raise false hope and later on had to deal with hurt feelings. So far, he never got problems with that policy.

The only time, he had hurt someone was in his college days when he couldn't keep his hands off Julie. He had known how his best mate Ray felt for that girl but he had shaken off the thought. How had he and Ray worked out their issues?

One aspect was probably that both of them knew that Wyatt had never the chance of a relationship with Julie. Of course, nevertheless, Ray had been angry – and he had had every right to. Surely, they had fought but they had made up long before Julie's and Ray's marriage. Even before Julie knew about her future husband's feelings.

Wyatt lent his forehead against the window. They fabric of the curtain was silky an thin. There was no cold coming from the glass, though. It had once again been a hot, sunny day.

So, Wyatt had apologized and Ray had finally accepted. Retrospective, Wyatt could say for sure their friendship wasn't seriously at risk at any point because Ray knew his friend. He understood that Wyatt didn't necessarily involve feelings in sex; apart from lust obviously. When Wyatt said it meant nothing but fun, then that was exactly how he felt about it. His mate knew that. But Ray wasn't like that himself.

And neither was Chris.

These two were searching for something that lasted, something steady. There was nothing wrong with that wish. Sure, they had their rare one night stands (Ray of course not anymore now that he was married) but they wanted a partnership, something constant, something to rely on.

Wyatt stood up straight. Maybe that was his problem. He wasn't sure if Chris told him the truth when he insisted his time with Noelle had no emotions attached. Wyatt wouldn't if it was a lie? When anyone could put on a poker face it was his little brother and he couldn't even play poker. Even as kids, Wyatt would never notice if Chris tricked him or cheated during a board game. He only knew because he was told so years after.

He sighed and went to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

Anyway, Noelle definitely wasn't in love with Chris. Why she got intimate with the younger brother, Wyatt didn't know. He wondered if he ever knew her as good as he thought.

Anyway, whatever motivation either of them had, what happened happened. It couldn't be changed. Was it even that important?

Chris had been honest; he didn't want a lie standing between them. His priority had always been to live up to Wyatt's expectations. He wanted his big brother to be proud of him. A fact that remained a mystery to Wyatt. On the one hand, his opinion wasn't important and on the other, he was already proud.

Wyatt shouldn't have treated him like this. Especially not because of a girl.

He should call his brother to work things about. He checked the time in San Francisco with his smart phone. It was still early. Chris was probably not in P 3 yet. Maybe he was eating or sleeping. Wyatt didn't want to disturb either.

Before he could make a decision, a knock on the door startled him.

Wyatt frowned. He didn't expect anyone. Frankly, he'd rather be alone now. He still opened. He would find a way to get rid of the visitor.

It was Michael. The half Manticore that was saved as a baby from his demonic destiny by the Charmed Ones.

"Wyatt, you need to go out with me. Really, I'm so in the mood to party," the slightly younger man whined.

The 25 year old let his re-found friend in. "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood at all. I don't think, I'm a good companion tonight."

"Oh, come on. Okay, let's just grab some dinner and go for a beer. Let's get wasted."

The young witch contemplated the option. It wasn't the worst idea, he had to admit. But he shouldn't drink is frustration away. He should talk to his brother first.

"Just a beer. I'll invite you," Michael persuaded. "What's the problem?"

"I had a fight with my brother. Something I really should deal with before it gets worse."

"I know. I've been there, remember?"

The blond man frowned. "You had been there? Oh, no. we had solved that issue. This is a new one; developed just today."

Michael sighed. "Man, I'm sure I'd be fighting with him, too, if it was my brother. Or just someone I had to spend time with. A personality that can drive you nuts, right?"

Wyatt smiled a bit. "Let's say a complicated character. However, I'm afraid I have to admit, I'm not better."

"Let him sulk a bit. Relax and tomorrow you can discuss everything. You'll have a more neutral view on the situation then. You know, when you see it with distance."

The witch thought about his friend's words. "I guess, you are right. Chances are high that our fight will escalate at this point no matter what I say. Give me a second. I'll change." Wyatt went into his bedroom.

"I'll prefer you wouldn't look too good. I'd like to get some attention from the ladies tonight, too. Make that one lady."

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in girls, anyway. I mean tonight; not generally," Wyatt said when he came back after a few moments dressed in black jeans and a short sleeved blue button down shirt.

"Tell that the girls," Michael muttered when they left.

The two young men went to a small bar after eating in a diner close to Wyatt's apartment. The place was comfortable dark, not too loud and not too crowded.

Michael and Wyatt had chosen seats at the bar. They ordered two cold ones.

"So, just for me to know what topics I rather avoid to put you in an even more depressed, do you want to tell me what you fought about with your brother?"

He had tried to leave the subject but he was too curious. Moreover, his friend was not very talkative and he didn't want to stick to the monologues.

"It's stupid. It's not really a fight. It's…I'm angry. I'm not sure why exactly. See, I split up with my girlfriend before I moved her. Chris admitted to me that he had slept with her."

"Well, I understand you are mad. I mean they practically cheated on you."

"I should add that this was after we separated."

"Oh, yes but still. That's not…cool. Sorry, that's not the right word. You know what I mean. You have every right to be angry."

"Angry at what or who?"

The half demon wasn't good in finding the right words in most situations – especially when he wanted to cheer someone up, show sympathy or tell someone something awkward. Plus his experience in love matters was low but he felt he had to reply something. "On the situation?" he offered. "You know, Wyatt, forget about them for now. it won't change anything if you keep on thinking about it. You are free, enjoy yourself. See those chicks over there?" Michael pointed at two dark haired young women with his beer glass. The bar was in a U-form and they could see past the beer dispenser in the middle at the people on the other side.

Wyatt followed his friend's gaze. The girl on the left looked right back at him and said something to her friend.

"Didn't I say I'm not interested?"

"You did. But they check us out since we came in and I am interested. But I can't go over by myself. They area twosome, they expect we'll meet them together. Come on, you are my wing man. Let's sit with them."

Wyatt grinned at him. "Fine, you loser. But I have to warn you, I'm, a bad wing man."

Chris had enjoyed the dinner with his aunt, uncle and cousin. He had even forgotten about his fight with his brother. Of course, he had not really forgotten about it but it had appeared unimportant.

So what? He had made a mistake, acted stupid and the apologized for it. Now it was up to Wyatt, to deal with it.

Brandon looked up briefly from his newspaper when he heard someone entering the living room. "Did your mood lighten up since this morning?" he asked.

"Barely. Yours?"

"No, I try to make myself feel better by reading about the mess the world is in."

"Does that help?"

"No, I'm even more depressed. But at least the future looks dark anyway, so my issues seem not that huge. I mean compared to the inflation rate." He folded the newspaper. "Some days are just for shit."

"Agreed."

"You know, I should just go and get drunk."

"Go to P3. I'll be there, too, I can orb you home later."

"Sure. Thanks. Although, I have to work tomorrow. Oh, what the hell. I just call in sick."

"You will be sick if you drink too much."

"Good. I don't want to lie, anyway. Okay, so I'll see you there. Is 10 pm a good time?"

"During the weekdays it's okay. We'll meet there. I will drop by my grandfather's before."

Brandon stood up. "Alright." He looked at his housemate who seemed worried all of a sudden. "Something wrong?"

"No. I just have a weird feeling right now. it's probably Uncle Coop's stew. Isn't there a saying that love goes through one's stomach? Apparently, not when a cupid is involved."

Chris rang the bell to his grandfather's apartment while searching for the right key on his bunch. Organized people marked their keys to find the right one easily. Maybe he should color them. But that would mean he'd have to remember which color stood for which door.

He tried one which didn't work of course. He used the bell once more. He wondered if his grandfather hadn't heard him the first time. The old man wasn't that slow on his feet.

The young witch felt his heart beating slightly faster than necessary. Why did he feel so edgy anyway?

He finally found the right key to unlock the door.

The apartment was quiet and no light was on. Maybe Victor was sleeping. However, he used to be a night person. He never went to bed earlier than midnight.

"Grandpa?" Chris switched on the light in the living room. The moment it lit up, the young man was sure something was wrong. He felt sickness when he stepped further into the room. He saw his grandfather lying on the floor at a spot between the TV and sofa.

He hurried at his side, dropping on the floor. "Grandpa, what happened? Are you hurt?" he raised his hands over Victor. "I can heal you," he breathed. Then why did he worry?

The old man opened his eyes slowly and took one of his grandson's hands. "I can heal you," Chris repeated. He should just do it. What stopped him? Victor turned his head and looked at a spot at the wall behind Chris; a tiny smile on his lips.

The 22 year old turned around as well to see what his grandfather was seeing. In this mere second, he felt the hand holding his become limp. When he faced his grandfather again, Victor's eyes were closed.

Feel free to leave your thoughts on that!