So, had a LOT of trouble with this one and I'm still really not happy with it, but I figured you guys were tired of waiting for an update. Hope it's not too bad.

CHAPTER 23

Odd Reunions

The young man looked up to find his older brother standing over him.

"Great. Just who I wanted to see."

Wyatt Halliwell frowned uncertainly at his sibling, not sure why his little brother was taking such a caustic tone with him. He knew the kid had been through a lot lately, but normally his sibling looked up to him, went to him for help. Now it was as though the very sight of Wyatt was making Chris even more upset. It only added to the elder teen's suspicion that something else was going on that his parents weren't telling him. After all, they hadn't told him why they needed to find Chris so badly, why the younger boy had run off in the first place, or why they both seemed so nervous.

Chris rose from his place on the bench, folding his arms over his chest as he looked on his two parents and older brother. His eyes stopped on the blonde teenager in front of him. "You're wearing blue."

The Twice Blessed glanced down at his shirt. It was just a baby blue dress shirt. It wasn't even new. "Yeah, I am. So?"

"Seems strange is all."

"Why? It's my favorite color; you know that."

The brunet shook his head, but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned his gaze to his two parents, who were standing anxiously behind their eldest son, watching the exchange with bated breath. Chris' jade eyes focused on his mother, their rough edge softening. "Mom."

Piper smiled sadly. "I'm here."

"Mom," he breathed again, this time a smile following the word. Chris moved forward, brushing past his confused brother to wrap his arms around his mother. He buried his face in her hair, relishing how she smelled like all the wonderful odors of the kitchen, just like he remembered her. She was warm and soft in his arms and all he could do was smile unendingly at how it served proof that she was really with him again. He didn't even notice his vision blurring. He wouldn't have noticed a giant meteor crashing down into the earth right now. All he could see, feel or hear was her.

Leo watched his lost son holding onto his mother and felt both joy and jealousy. On the one hand, he knew how much Chris loved his mother in any timeline. He knew how scared his son had been at the prospect of losing her all over again when he returned to the future. So, to watch him as he realized his greatest fear was nothing more than a shadow from a past that no longer existed was very rewarding. However, part of him would have given anything for Chris to have been half as happy to see him.

Piper reluctantly pulled away from her son's arms. "We should get back home."

"I know." Chris ran a hand through his hair. "I just needed minute."

"I know, Peanut."

The sixteen year old tilted his head to the side, a confused grin creeping onto his face. "You call me Peanut?"

Piper frowned. "Why shouldn't I?"

Chris shrugged, putting his hands in the pockets of his jeans. "No reason. It's just. . .new."

"New?" Wyatt repeated. "How is that new? She's been doing it since you were a baby."

The younger teenager turned to the older regarding him for a moment. He seemed to be searching for something; however, after a moment, he smiled. "Just having a weird day. You know, one of those days where it's almost as though you're living someone else's life."

"I've never had one of those," the older brother answered, his tone suspicious.

Leo cut in. "We should finish this at home."

"Finish what at home?" Wyatt asked, his frustration bubbling over. "Could someone please tell me what is going on? I feel like I'm stepping into the middle of a movie, and I don't know any of my lines. You two," he pointed at his parents, "are acting all jittery and worried about Chris, just like when you found out he knew about his other life– the one you didn't tell us about. And you," he looked over to his kid brother, "you just pulled a scene like you hadn't seen Mom in years. Plus, you feel funny."

"Wyatt, this isn't the place for this conversation," Leo tried again, moving to put a hand on the boy.

Said boy stepped back away from the touch. "No. No freaking way. I want answers. I'm tired of being left out of our family loop. Don't you guys trust me?"

Chris snorted.

Piper gave him a warning look.

The twenty-two year old trapped in the sixteen year old's body had the decency to look sheepish under her dark gaze.

"Listen, Wyatt," Chris started, "I can answer all your questions right now, okay? Firstly, Mom and Dad are freaked out because I left the manor after being so sick. They were worried I wasn't ready to be up and about. Secondly, I left because when I woke up I was pretty disoriented– probably what you sense different about me is that. Anyway, just needed a moment to myself to breathe. Lastly, I believe you asked why I was acting so weird with Mom? Well, I know I'm a teenager, but I've had a rough day what with the being poisoned by the girl I was falling for, and sometimes I just need Mom, to hell with being macho."

Wyatt's eyebrows shot up. "Oh." He frowned. "That's it?"

"That's it."

Piper and Leo exchanged looks, both suddenly remembering how smooth their son's tongue used to be when backed into a corner.

The blonde ran a hand through his hair as his face turned a little red. "Okay. I feel stupid."

"It's all right as long as it doesn't become a chronic condition."

"Smart ass."

Chris grinned. "Better than a dumb one."

Piper let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. It seemed her boys were going to be all right. Chris really was capable of giving his brother a clean slate. She was proud of him. "Ok, ok. Let's go. It's getting chilly."

"Ready when you are," Wyatt replied, twining his arm through hers.

Piper nodded, and he orbed the two of them back to the manor.

Chris started to orb himself back when he heard his father tell him to wait. He reformed, a frown on his face. "What?"

"I know you hate me for being a horrible father, but could I at least get a lift back?"

"Orb yourself." Chris started to orb out again when his father's voice made him stop and reform once again. The man frowned at his father. "I didn't catch that. What is it?"

Leo sighed. "I can't. I'm mortal."

"Mortal? What?"

"Since you were a baby actually. I gave up my wings to be with your mom and raise you boys. I promised you in the past that I was going to be a good father to you, and I think I've done that this time."

He's a great Dad. Play nice.

Chris frowned at his own voice. He had a theory about where it was coming from, but wanted to check out the Book of Shadows and the library at magic school just in case. For now, he would simply take what it said into consideration.

"Chris?"

"Mom would be pissed if I left you here, so you might as well hitch a ride. Hell hath no fury like Mom." Chris raised a hand to put on his father's shoulder and then pulled a face. "This sucks already."

"Chris."

"I'm going, I'm going."

000

Shadow paced nervously outside Chris' bedroom, waiting for the kid to return. If this was the Chris he met in limbo, the young man was going to need someone he could and actually would be honest with. Hopefully once the teenager. . .young man? Shadow tilted his head to the side. Huh. What was Chris now? Well, whatever he was, hopefully he would realize that Cole was one person who would listen to anything he had to say and not judge.

"Hey there, Puppy," Prue greeted as she stepped out of the room she shared with her sister.

The young girl squatted down in front of the animal and started petting his ears. "You are just so cute."

Her older sister came out next and smiled at the dog as well. After a moment of observing her sister petting the dog, she came up with an idea. "We should take the poor guy out for a walk or something. He's probably been stuck inside all day since Chris is sick and can't take him out."

Shadow growled, trying to give the hint that he didn't want to go anywhere.

"Shhh," Prue admonished.

Melinda frowned. "I wonder if he has a leash yet."

Prue held out her hand, a leash instantly appearing.

"Hey hey hey. No conjuring for personal gain."

"It was for the puppy."

Melinda rolled her eyes. "You've been spending way too much time with Wyatt."

"Why?"

"Because you're starting to use his excuses."

Prue shrugged. She handed the leash to her sister. "Here. Just put it on him, and then we can go for a walk."

"Fine."

Shadow backed up, trying to avoid the leash. As the clip that would attach it to his collar came closer, the dog would dodge his head this way and that, making it impossible to put on the leash.

This is ridiculous. Former Source of All Evil and all powerful being reduced to being put on a leash. No way. I am not being dragged around San Francisco by two little girls. Not when Chris needs me here.

Melinda sighed. "Oh forget it. I'm breaking the rules too." She waved a hand, freezing the dog in place. Then, she easily attached the leash. Once it was ready, she waved her hand again, effectively unfreezing Shadow.

No, no, no.

Prue grabbed the leash from her sister's hands and started tugging Shadow down the stairs. The dog tried to resist at first but found breathing to be more difficult the more he struggled. Great.

So, apparently, Cole was going for a walk.