It was Christmas Eve at the Halliwell manor. A large tree was shining brightly in the corner of the living room, presents piled under the branches. Tinsel was draped over any available surface while the staircase supported several stings of multi-coloured beads. Mistletoe hung in doorways, eagerly waiting to catch innocent and unsuspecting people in its grasp.

Christmas tunes hummed in the background, the succulent aroma of Piper Halliwell's famous cooking wafting into every room of the house. In approximately five years, three children, ages five, five and seven would stealthily creep towards the tree when they were under the impression nobody was watching, only to be told off by the adult on 'tree duty'. But for now, the peaceful and welcoming Christmas atmosphere filled the entire manor with it's warm grasp…

"OW SON OF A BITCH!"

…For all of ten minutes.

Chris looked up from his stirring and called up the stairs worriedly.

"Sarah?"

"I'm good!" she yelled in reply, a loud thud and more curses following before an ear-piercing roar and then a boom.

Piper abandoned her cooking with her youngest son and hurried up the stairs, close at Chris's heels. When she entered the attic she found Chris extending his hand to his girlfriend. Scorch marks decorated the floor and smouldering piles of ash lay in front of Sarah.

"More demons?" Piper guessed, checking her son's girlfriend for injuries.

"Just a few," Sarah brushed off, scratching seven names off a list beside the Book Of Shadows.

"Oh! By the way, Phoebe said she might have a theory so when she and Paige get back hopefully she will share. Where is she anyway?"

Piper smiled, "Present shopping."

Chris groaned, "Mom, really, Sarah and I don't need presents."

Piper raised her hand and shook her head, "You do. Last Christmas time you and Sarah were hiding in the back room of P3. We will have a nice, Christmas dinner. Together."

Chris opened his mouth and Piper pointed to her bulging stomach.

"Don't make me ground you!"

Chris held up his hands in surrender and kissed his girlfriend gently, clearly uncaring of the third presence in the room. Sarah smiled and glanced down at the Book, flipping a page absently. Blue orbs appeared in the center of the room and Leo's form appeared with several brightly decorated packages in his hands.

"Um. Merry Christmas Eve! I figured I'd bring your presents with me!"

Piper smiled and removed the small objects, leading Leo downstairs with her. She had invited him to celebrate Christmas with the family. Paige, Phoebe and Chris had all been overjoyed that the pair were reuniting. Chris held high hope for Leo being around in the future with the way he was currently acting. Sarah watched the two walk away and sighed.

"Okay, while I really, really, really don't like him," she began, "I think it is nice how he turned himself around for you Chrissy."

The six foot one brunette snaked his arms around his girlfriend's waist and pulled her against his chest. He smirked at her attire for the day before gently dropping kisses across her neck and jaw.

That morning Sarah had gotten out of bed and realized that any shirts she owned to wear were either being washed or were too ripped to be appropriate for public wear. So she had thrown on one of Chris's shirts. It suited her. Piper had been the first to recognize the shirt, her smile lighting up the room.

"I love your outfit." Chris teased, nuzzling her neck.

"Me too. This shirt is so soft and maybe I will borrow it again sometime-"

"CHRIS!" Piper called up the stairs, "Time to put the cookies in the oven!"

Chris looked torn between talking to Sarah and helping his mother, Sarah noted. She smiled and stroked his cheek.

"Go ahead. I know you miss baking with her. Shoo, shoo!"

Chris smiled genuinely and disappeared down the stairs. Sarah sighed happily and looked up as orbs filled the attic. Paige and Phoebe appeared clutching so many bags they seemed to be tipping her over.

"AH! DON'T LOOK!"

Sarah rolled her eyes and closed them; peeking slightly when she heard a rustle and a thud before Paige informed her it was safe.

"Okay, now I hear you have a theory. Spill." The green-eyed beauty ordered with a cock of her hip and a raise of her eyebrow.

"You're so bossy!" Paige teased, following Phoebe down the stairs to the kitchen. Sarah trailed behind, reminiscing as the scent of Christmas cookies and Christmas cakes filled the air. Along with the good, there also came the bad, as the potent smell from Piper's rum balls attacked her senses.

Many Christmases had been spent at the manor. The first few with her mother by her side and the rest with the people she called her family. So many years spent sneaking cookies with Chris or peeking at presents with Wyatt. Her soft smile faded at the thoughts of when Wyatt had been like her big brother. She felt so sorry for Chris. Sarah had seen the things Wyatt had done, the people he had killed.

"Sarah? Sarah? Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-rahhhhhhhhhhhh?" a voice called distantly.

"Hm?"

Snapping back to reality, Sarah saw Chris leaning casually against the bottom of the banister hiding something in his hand. Curiosity peaked; she wandered down the stairs and smiled coyly.

"What'cha got there, boy?"

Chris returned her smile with a sly grin and held the mysterious object above their heads. A sprig of mistletoe. Before Sarah had time to process the image, Chris's lips pressed down warmly onto hers, pulling her body to his. Slender arms hooked around the brunette's neck and Sarah returned the kiss with equal fervor, sliding her fingers through his unruly mess of hair. Chris's own hand settled in the curve of her hip and he allowed the mistletoe to drop to the floor, forgotten. Seconds ticked by before Chris pulled back and smirked.

"We are wanted in the kitchen. Phoebe's new theory?" he reminded her with a sly smile.

Sarah looked dazed for a moment before sobering.

"Theory, right. Let's go."

Ego suitably boosted Chris followed Sarah into the kitchen. Phoebe was casually eating raw cookie dough from the mixing bowl every time Piper turned her back to check on the first batch of cookies in the oven.

"Okay spill it sister!" Piper ordered, slapping Phoebe's hand away from the cookie dough but smiling when Sarah snagged a small piece. Since very chair was taken, Sarah leaned against the bench. Leo moved to stand but Chris opened his arms to Sarah and she settled herself on his lap with a small grin.

Phoebe took a deep breath and began, "Well, I was doing some research and did you know that statistics show that fifty percent of violent crimes are perpetrated by someone the victim knew? So don't you see? Whoever turns Wyatt evil might actually be someone we know or even care about!"

Silence filled the room before Sarah sighed, "Phoebe might actually have a point there. I mean, what if we were looking at this wrong? A witch could easily put evil in Wyatt and wait for it to grow so powerful his good magic crumbled underneath it!"

Chris tightened his hold on Sarah and groaned, "But that leaves us with heaps of suspects! Nearly every witch in the world knows about Wyatt!"

"But it would take serious magic to put evil in Wyatt." Sarah reasoned to the still-stunned room.

There was a pause and Sarah licked her lips, glancing carefully at the ceiling.

"Hear the words, hear my cry,

Witches from the past timeline

A secret kept within these walls

On heaven's ears a silence falls"

The ceiling glowed a gold before it faded and Sarah looked around.

"What if… what if it is the Elders?"

Leo shook his head immediately, "No. The Elders wouldn't turn Wyatt evil! Why would they even-"

"Not all Elders are perfect Leo!" Sarah intervened abruptly, "in the future several go crazy and make an attempt on my life through you!"

As soon as Sarah shut her mouth she realized what she had said. Piper was darting her eyes between Sarah and Leo while Chris held Sarah tighter to him. Leo was stammering and stuttering in his chair and Phoebe and Paige looked stunned.

"An-an attempt on your life? I tried to…"

"You tried." Sarah stated bluntly, a hard edge on her words.

Chris kissed his girlfriend's neck and sighed, "Okay, let's look at this logically. If it was the Rogue Elders it would make sense but they don't appear for at least a decade!"

"Or they were in this a lot more than we thought. Maybe they had been there since now to prepare Wyatt for whatever sick scheme they were planning."

Another silence filled the room, a heavy blanket of anxiousness.

" If some elders are planning to turn Wyatt evil, that could be any of them. The identities of the Rogue elders had never been told to anyone and once they were found out and captured, the other Elders imprisoned them. Wyatt killed all of them- even the Rogues because he felt he had more power." Chris explained.

Leo rubbed his temples, "So you are basically saying that the Elders could have something to do with Wyatt turning evil?"

"Yes."


Gideon sat in his high backed chair, his teeth clamped down tightly as the image flickered into nothing.

"They are onto our trail. SIGMUND!" he roared.

Sigmund scurried into the room, tripping over his own feet as he ran.

"Y-y-yes Gideon?"

"Phoebe presented a new idea that has lead Chris and Sarah almost directly to our trail. They believe that a group of 'Rogue' Elders may be conspiring to turn Wyatt evil."

Sigmund's brow furrowed, "But we aren't trying to turn Wyatt evil. How does that lead them to our trail?"

With a heavy sigh Gideon rubbed his temples, "Sigmund- something out there is trying to turn Wyatt evil- correct? Well, now they are going to be suspicious of me because I am an Elder, which means that any chance I had of getting near Wyatt is dashed. Which means that I can't reverse this…mistake before something turns him evil."

"Oh."

Gideon swept out his cloak and headed for his magical texts. Page after page turned rapidly until it settled on what Gideon was looking for.

"Paranoia demons. Perfect. They haven't been sighted for decades."

"F-forgive me Gideon but- why is that excellent?"

"Because, now I can divert attention by infecting Chris with a life-threatening demon and save the day- throwing any and all suspicion off me."

Without waiting for Sigmund to speak Gideon began to call for a paranoia demon. In a swirl of ash, a busty brunette clad in leather pants and a leather corset appeared before them.

She smiled flirtatiously at Gideon and he cast an image of Sarah into the air, wasting no time.

"Look like her. Your target is Christopher Perry," another picture appeared on the screen, this time of Chris pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven.

The demon's lips curled into a smirk and she purred, "That won't be hard."

Gideon ignored her and continued, "Make sure you infect him so his paranoia is dragged out very slowly. I want this to last."

"Gladly." She whispered seductively, licking her lips at the image of Chris on the screen.

"Now, if you are attacked and killed, the paranoia still takes effect- correct?"

"Mmmmm." She murmured distractedly, biting down on her glossy lip.

"Perfect. Victims of paranoia never realize what is going on from the moment they are infected. While one of the pathetic idiots is busy leafing through the Book Of Shadows, Chris will already be having paranoid thoughts. Perfect." He noticed the demon still gazing at the image of Chris, now pushing his Aunt's hands away from the freshly baked goods.

"GO!" Gideon barked at her loudly, causing her to jump. She rolled her eyes and morphed into Sarah's image. She shimmered out of the room allowing Gideon to sink into his chair and rub his temples.

"This is much harder then planned." He whispered to nobody but himself.


The Charmed Ones, Leo and Chris sat around the kitchen bench. Sarah had disappeared upstairs to check on Wyatt while he was sleeping. She appeared in the doorway, looking around before settling her eyes on Chris. A momentary flicker of lust reached her eyes but was gone before Chris thought anything of it.

"Hey… Chris? Can I talk to you out here for a second?" she asked. A slight edge of nerves could be heard in her tone, almost as if she were afraid he would question her about something.

Cautiously rising to his feet, Chris followed, worried about what was troubling her. There was something about her that seemed different. As soon as he exited the kitchen he felt Sarah push him against the wall, all traces of nervousness gone and replaced by a hunger in her eyes.

"Hey there sexy." She purred before crushing her lips to his.

Chris felt her tongue slide along his bottom lip and he tasted stale cigarettes and beer. Firmly grasping her shoulder's Chris pushed Sarah away from him- because it wasn't her.

"HEY!" a shout came from the top of the stairs. Sarah stood with Wyatt on her hip, an enraged look in her eyes.

"Get your hoe-bag hands off my boyfriend!" she protested with a flick of her fingers. The image of Sarah before him rippled into a busty brunette. She tipped Chris a wink before crushing her lips to his again.

Piper skidded into the living room, her hands in the air and blowing up the demon. Sarah hurried down the stairs and handed Wyatt to Piper, standing in front of Chris.

"And what the hell was that?"

Chris seemed too shocked to process anything so Sarah snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Well? I come downstairs to see you making out with… me?"

Still gaping Chris shook his head to clear a descending fog.

"I don't know she just… was you when she came into the kitchen but when she kissed me I knew it wasn't."

Sarah's lips tilted into a small smile then dropped, "But, no offence, but why would a demon want to kiss you? Honestly? Is that all they want these days? To get frisky with the Charmed Ones whitelighter?"

Phoebe shook her head and began to turn her nephew's face from side to side.

"I don't know, but I think it was more then that. Sarah could you check the Book?"

"On it. Chris… just relax."

Sarah headed up the staircase two at a time and disappeared from view. A weird sensation rippled through Chris's body. It was almost icy and foreboding. Heading back into the kitchen with his family, the brunette sat down on one of the stools around the bench.

"Here, wash out that demon taste," Paige teased, "have a cookie."

Chris's sage eyes lowered to the offered plate and a voice whispered into his ear.

'They could be hot. It might burn you.'

"No thanks," he declined, unsure of why he was doing so. Where had that voice come from?

Paige frowned, "But they are chocolate chip! You're favourite."

"No thank-you. They could be hot. I might get burned" He refused again. Paige didn't have time to question him before there was a thud and a collection of words not suitable for children under fifteen from upstairs and everyone rushed toward it, fearing another attack. Chris however ambled up the stairs slowly, watching his feet so he did not trip.

By the time he had reached the attic everyone was calm. As it turned out, Sarah had had the misfortune of stumbling over a box and crashing into a heavy sewing machine. Chris only half-listened t their conversation while Sarah flipped through the Book, shaking her head and muttering while she clutched her hip, not wanting Leo to heal a simple bruise.

His eyes scanned the room, the voice pointing out potential death traps to him at every glance. When he looked towards the roof, the voice began to inform him of the angers it could pose if the roof were to suddenly collapse.

"If it collapsed we'd die." He mused fearfully.

"If what collapsed?" Phoebe asked her nephew, overhearing his last few words.

"The roof. If it collapsed we would all be trapped beneath the rubble and it is highly likely we could all be seriously injured or die."

A puzzled look crossed Phoebe's features but she let it go. Her nephew was the type to think random things, just the other day he had pointed out to his mother that in her potions cabinet nothing was organized and potions were everywhere.

'Chris, is it really safe to be up here with all these magical people? They could hurt you.'

"But they are my family," he muttered under his breath, "and I am magical too."

'But what if they are actually demons in disguise? Think of what they could do to you. And what about Sarah? She is one of the strongest demons around. What if she hurts you?'

"Demon." Chris found himself hissing as Sarah flipped another page. "They'll all hurt me."

'Good boy, you're learning. Now… kill them.'

Without a second thought, Chris lunged toward his Aunt Paige, knocking het to the ground with a shriek.

"CHRIS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" she protested.

His next victim was his mother; easily pushing her down he was careful to make sure she landed on the couch as opposed to the hard wooden floors. Chris's fist collided with Leo's jaw before a sharp pain in his back forced him around to face his Aunt Phoebe in a self-defense pose.

"I don't want to hurt you Chris," she warned, "but if the demon is making you do this we need to fix it."

"You'll hurt me." He yelled madly, clutching at his head in an attempt to stop the loud voice within it.

He felt two cold fingers press against a pressure point in his neck and all he saw was darkness.


When Chris blearily opened his eyes he found himself lying on the couch in the attic. Sarah sat beside him with the Book of Shadows in her lap.

"Welcome back to the waking world Sleeping Beauty. Sorry about the knocking you out thing, I'll make it up to you."

"Demon." He hissed murderously.

There was no mistaking the hurt in Sarah's bottle green eyes but, to her credit, she hid it well.

"That's not very nice. Whatever this demon did to you must be pretty powerful. It's not in the Book."

"Demon." He spat, louder this time.

"Don't make me gag you." Sarah threatened, " I didn't tie you up but don't make me regret that decision. Now, Piper, Phoebe, Paige and Leo are downstairs trying to make a potion which will hopefully be done soon so SHUT up before I SHUT you up."

The venom in her voice was clearly stating that she knew that it was not fully Chris inside his body. Something was making Chris act this way and she intended to find out what.

Without thinking, Sarah brushed a kiss to Chris's sweaty forehead. Closing his eyes briefly, Chris leaned into it and smiled softly.

A soothing, melodic voice penetrated his thoughts.

'Chris? What about your nightmares? How can you trust her when she is the daughter of the man who hurts you in your nightmares? H0w can you trust that she wants you when Wyatt is so much more powerful? So much more her type?'

Chris screwed up his eyes and whimpered as he jerked away from her touch, a scene from his nightmares flashing into his mind.

Burning aches shot through Chris's body. The iron shackles, pinning him to the cold stone slab, dug into his wrists as two cloaked figures dragged athames over his bare chest, laughing darkly every time he screamed in agony. Usually it was the Source with his twisted, mauled and disfigured face that tortured him. Something about this was different.

As if on cue, the two dropped the heavy hoods of the black capes and Chris choked out a gasp from his bloody lips. Sarah and Wyatt looked down at him, identical pools of onyx boring into his bloodshot green eyes. Sarah's lips curved into a smirk and she sighed heavily.

"Wyatt, baby, he's not screaming loud enough. I don't think we hurt him enough. I want him to hurt," she pouted.

Wyatt snaked his hand around her waist and pinned her to the slab beside Chris, his muscular body holding hers down. Sarah gave an excited gasp and she bit her lip, eyes glazing with want. Chris could feel Sarah's shoulder brushing his, which was how close they were.

Chris saw Wyatt flick his eyes to him and smile, but this was a sick and twisted version of one. Wyatt lowered his lips to Sarah's and began to kiss down her neck. Sarah's head dipped back against the stone and she moaned deeply, her hands curling into Wyatt's hair.

"Then let's make him hurt." Wyatt suggested as his fingers worked on the buttons of her shirt, opening it and discarding it on the floor before sliding his hand down to undo the button of her jeans. Sarah gave a moan of agreement before she turned her head to Chris's wide eyes.

"Enjoy the show Chrissy." She hissed before her words were drowned out by a clearly lustful cry of Wyatt's name.

Chris jerked back to reality, only to find Sarah sitting in front of him with his hand in hers. His cheeks were damp with tears and he furiously scrubbed at them with his free hand.

"Chris, I promise you that everything is going to be okay. Alright?" she murmured, stroking his hand with her thumb. His tears had begun seconds after closing his eyes and she was genuinely frightened for him.

'She wants Wyatt. She has always wanted him over you, in fact, what is to say that she isn't selling information to him now? She is evil after all. She wants Wyatt, TELL HER YOU DON'T LOVE HER!' the voice demanded, getting to a booming volume at the last few words.

"I HATE YOU!" Chris roared, throwing his arm out at her to send her flying into the bookcase before he continued his attack.

"I COULD NEVER LOVE A DEMON!"

Chris watched in satisfaction as her eyes widened in fright.

'That's right, Chris. Now go, before she attacks you again. You can't trust anyone Chris. Only me.'

Orbs encircled Chris's body, leaving Sarah alone in the room. Her shoulder ached but she pushed the pain away. They needed to know what was wrong. NOW.

Footsteps thundered up the stairs for what seem to be the millionth time that day. Piper swayed unsteadily, only to be held upright by Phoebe and Leo orbed in seconds later.

"Where's Chris?" he demanded, outstretching his hand to heal Sarah only to have her jerk back stubbornly.

"Gone. I don't know where. He said… he said he could never love a demon and that he hated me then he orbed out. We need to find someone who will know what is making Chris act so rashly. I mean, this morning he just freaked out. Chris doesn't do that. Even when he is totally stressed his blow-ups are nothing like that. He was being really weird."

Paige frowned, "And he wouldn't touch the cookies I handed him because he said they might be too hot and burn him."

Phoebe followed their train of thought and racked her brain.

"OH! Just before he went all 'attack-us' and all, he was muttering something about the ceiling collapsing and demons or something."

"What's got him so paranoid?" Piper asked, not realizing what she had said until the words left her mouth.

"Gideon will know. The potion idea was a bust, we couldn't think of anything that would reveal a demon. Especially one we killed." Leo stated firmly, orbing out with the rest close behind. Sarah sat up slowly and let her eyes rest on the floor where Chris once sat.

'I COULD NEVER LOVE A DEMON!'

Demon.

Demon.

That word made her insides twist and her eyes fill with tears she refused to shed. Chris wouldn't say something like that. So what was making him do it?


A heavy book slammed onto the table in Magic school and Gideon immediately began to rifle through its pages.

"Paranoia demons have been around since early witch hunts and would infect men and women to make them suspect anybody as being a witch. Back in those days a single accusation could have someone hanged. They can control how far the paranoia goes by becoming a comforting voice in someone's head but if they let loose, the paranoia will send the infected to an early grave" Gideon explained, continuing to shuffle each page while Sarah paced anxiously, ignoring the throbbing in her shoulder.

"Paranoia demons had no known cure once they had infected someone. But- towards the end of the witch-hunts in Salem, a young man was infected and immediately informed the hunters that his wife was a witch. Failing to mention he was one too, his wife automatically suspected something was wrong with him and stumbled onto the paranoia demon. Ah- excellent."

Gideon opened at a large passage of writing and began to speak, "Fearful of her and her husband's lives, she searched for a cure. Knowing she only had a limited time before her hanging, she discovered how paranoia demons spread their disease, and tried to find a way to reverse it."

Piper shook her head, "How do they infect? How do we cure it?"

Gideon looked up, "They infect their victims through a poison in their saliva. Paranoia demons also have the ability to transform into someone else so it would be easier them to infect husbands and wives."

Sarah paused, "The demon I killed this morning who looked like me. She was kissing Chris when I came down the stairs."

Gideon was quiet, "Well if he was infected this morning… you still have a chance. But it is slim. Paranoia demons only hold onto their victims for so long. You might be about save Chris."

Leo glared at Gideon, "You mean we can save Chris."

"No Leo, Sarah can save Chris. In the story, the wife managed to escape from her bindings and flee where she was being held. When she found her husband she kissed him in order to reverse the magic he was under and remove the poison."

"A kiss?" Sarah said doubtfully, "Sounds like a bloody fairytale!"

"It is," Piper, whispered, "Grams said that fairytales are battles between witches- just written differently. No wonder it is always a kiss to save the day!"

Sarah snapped and her eyes darkened slowly, "I DON'T CARE! NOW THAT WE KNOW HOW TO FIX IT WE NEED TO FIND HIM SO STOP WITH THE SMALL TALK AND TELL ME HOW TO FIND CHRIS!"

Gideon coughed and ran a hand through his hair, "Well, I suppose Sarah, you should go to P3. Even while under the paranoia demon spell the victim will eventually retreat back to somewhere they spend a lot of time. Normally I would send you to the manor but seeing as his last experience there was…colorful he is likely to head to P3. Everyone else head back to the manor; if something changes and Chris does go there, Paige can orb him to P3. Any questions?"

Tears tracked down Piper's cheeks; Leo gazed worriedly at his wife- ex wife- he reminded himself automatically. Phoebe and Paige had their heads hung low but Sarah was emotionless. Her face set like stone she silently shook her head before flaming out.

"Piper?" Leo whispered softly to her, not wanting to shock her.

"Leo? Leo- he- he can't-" hiccups punctuated her words while her sisters hurried to comfort her.

"He won't." Leo promised as he brushed a kiss over her knuckles, "Have faith in Sarah honey. She won't let any harm come to Chris. Trust her. I do."

And he did.

Placing his hands around her shoulders, Leo orbed away and Paige and Phoebe followed behind them. Gideon closed the book with a heavy thud and smirked.

"I do think they bought it Sigmund. I highly doubt they will suspect the kind and caring Elder who supplied the information on how to save their precious baby son."

Perspiration dotted Sigmund's brow and he stammered over his next words.

"G-Gideon, W-w-w-w-what if they find out?"

Gideon turned his eyes to Sigmund, who flinched away at the blank emptiness in them.

"They all die."


Hunched up with his arms wrapped around his knees, Chris fought the frigid night air at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge. A simple cloaking spell had done wonders for him; Sarah had flamed up here minutes before and looked directly at him without seeing a thing. A particularly strong gust of wind rushed around him, forcing him to grab hold of a pole to stay where he was.

'What if the wind pushes you off the bridge?' the voice hissed, 'or someone sees you up here and you expose magic?'

The words made perfect sense and he orbed out as quickly as possible, forgetting that the cloaking spell only worked on the bridge because he had only cast it there. The back room of P3 wasn't empty when he returned.

"NO!" he shouted at the figure before him and attempting to orb.

Sarah had always prided her ability to chatter away at one million miles an hour so the second she saw the orbs begin to appear, she took a chance and recited a no-orbing spell. When Chris materialized before her she nearly cried for joy.

Once Chris realized he was trapped he began to hurriedly step backwards, tripping over his feet and landing on the floor.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" He shouted fearfully, scrambling awkwardly to his feet.

"Chris, I won't hurt you." Sarah promised as she tried to get closer. Chris shifted back every time she moved toward him until his back collided with the wall.

"NO! YOU'RE THE DAUGHTER OF THAT…THAT THING IN MY NIGHTMARES! YOU'RE A DEMON!! YOU'LL HURT ME!"

Sarah frowned and approached him again.

"Nightmares?"

Chris clutched at his hair and groaned, "It hurts! My body hurts and my head is sore and they won't go AWAY!"

Somewhere inside her head the pieces clicked together for Sarah. Since the Source attacked Chris had been getting up early, she assumed, it had never occurred to her that maybe nightmares were keeping him awake. Chris hadn't told her that. He had deliberately kept something like that from her. Sarah watched Chris press his hand flat against his shirt and screw up his eyes.

"It still burns! Things could go wrong! STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

Her heart squeezed painfully at the sight of her best friend in so much pain. He was obviously beginning to feel the effects of the paranoia demon full force. Chris's skin was pale, his cheeks sunken and eyes wide with fear. Scratches marred his skin making it obvious that he had been clawing at his arms. The sight made bile rise in Sarah's throat…Chris could die. He would leave her here all alone. Like she had done to him.

"Chris," she whispered gently as she slowly made her way over to him, "I am here to help you. You need to trust that of me, okay?"

Chris jerked away from her as she came closer but he was too weak to move. Whimpers left his lips and he turned his gaze onto her.

'She's evil Chris and she will hurt you. RUN! She doesn't love you; she never has. Chris… I can help you…you just need to trust me.'

The voice was whispering in his ear again in the same, innocent tone but this time with obvious irritation. It didn't seem as strong anymore.

"Chrissy." Sarah said again, this time gently touching his cheek with her hand. Her boyfriend turned his head away from the touch but Sarah placed her hands on either side of the wall beside his head, trapping him.

"I don't want to hurt you." She said levelly. Chris's breath was coming in short gasps while his eyes began to glaze over slightly. Sarah knew she wasn't going to be able to persuade him to let her kiss him.

So she resorted to the one thing she had prayed she wouldn't have to do.

His eyes wide and fearful, Chris moved to push her away only to have his hands slammed against the wall by magic and Sarah's lips over his.

Sarah hated using her magic against Chris in a forceful manner. Pinning his arms against the wall she brought their lips together in a kiss. Chris stiffened against the wall and struggled but the magic pinning his arms was too strong. It seemed to be forever until Chris's lips moved back against hers; prompting Sarah to release the hold she had on him. Instead of breaking the kiss Sarah curled her hands in his hair while Chris snaked his around her waist to draw her closer.

He remembered everything.

The demon comment, the freak-out and telling Sarah about his nightmares. All of it.

Their kisses were deep and passionate; clearly showing how worried Sarah had been for him. Sarah sighed against his lips before she slid her hands down his chest, over his stomach until she reached the loops of his jeans. With a quick tug, she pulled his body closer to her and moaned softly. Chris's hands tightened around her and reversed their positions so she was pressed against the wall. Moans and whimpers fell from Sarah's parted lips and Chris felt warmth pool in his stomach when she moaned his name and her hips shifted slightly against his. Sensing things were very quickly escalating Chris forced himself to pull away despite his body's rather loud protest.

When they finally broke apart Sarah wrapped him into a tight hug, squeezing him until she eventually burst into tears against his chest. Chris held onto her and shushed her gently, stroking her hair.

"I should have told you." He whispered regretfully, "You shouldn't have found out like that. But I'm okay now, I am not going anywhere."

The tears slowed and her shoulders steadied. Chris let her go gently before cupping her chin and raising her face to his.

He didn't expect what he got.

"You…you… MORON!" she screeched, slapping his chest and pushing him against the wall.

Startled at the turn of events Chris's heart began to pound at the wild and deathly look in Sarah's deep green eyes.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME? YOU…YOU JUST LET ME SLEEP BESIDE YOU, NOT KNOWING THAT YOU WERE PROBABLY TERRIFIED OR IN PAIN? AND THEN YOU NEARLY DIED! YOU CAN'T DIE, CHRIS! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HERE ALL ALONE!"

"Sarah-"

"I'M NOT FINISHED! You made me sit here, complaining about insignificant things when you were in pain?"

His head hung low, Chris nodded shamefully. He knew when Sarah found out about his nightmares she would be hurt.

"I'm sorry." He croaked.

"I don't care." She spat.

A sudden flare of anger had Chris staring down at her as he raised himself to his full height.

"I'm trying to apologize! You could at least pretend to accept it!"

"WHY? SO I CAN HAVE YOU LIE TO ME AGAIN? CHRIS I HAD TO WATCH AS YOU WENT PARANOID ABOUT EVERYTHING! YOU COULD HAVE DIED!"

"WELL I HAD TO WATCH YOU DIE!" he threw back at her, effectively silencing her and giving him room to get his words in. " I DIDN'T TELL YOU BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WOULD REACT SOMETHING LIKE THIS! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP WITH EVERYTHING SARAH!"

Silence descended on them, broken only by their ragged breathing. Standing barely a foot apart the couple stared at one another. Sarah's now forest green eyes held Chris's penetrating green gaze with an anger and betrayal Chris was sure he mirrored.

"Chris? Sarah?" Piper's panicked voice echoed in their heads.

"She will want to know if you are okay." Sarah said icily.

"Well then we better go."

"Okay. Maybe we should at least try to be civil until we get back, they don't need more to worry about."

Chris held her firm gaze and nodded.

"Fine."

Chris was the first to leave, the blue lights rushing around his body. Sarah eyed them for a brief second before flames encased her body and she reappeared in the manor. Chris was already in the center of a large family hug. Piper pulled back and pinched his cheeks, ruffling his hair and crying.

"I thought I might have lost you." She sobbed quietly.

"I'm okay mom," he assured her and his aunts with a quick glance to their worried faces, "Sarah helped me out."

Piper's chocolate eyes landed on the small green-eyed girl hanging back from the group and beckoned her closer. Warm arms held her tightly and Piper thanked her again and again.

After several tense minutes of hugging and tears Piper clapped her hands and sniffled.

"Okay, we said we would celebrate Christmas so let's celebrate Christmas!"

"Piper-" Sarah began hesitantly only to be silence by Piper's hand.

"No. Today has been tough but that does not mean we cannot enjoy the spirit. This day is about family. So let's make it a family time. Who cares that it is only Christmas eve huh?"

With those words of wisdom everyone followed Piper into the living room and sat under the tree. As Piper passed out the presents Sarah cast a small glance to her boyfriend. If he was still her boyfriend. He ignored her and set about tearing his presents open with a childish wonder.

A childish wonder Sarah saw right through.

But at the sight of Piper's face alight with happiness, Sarah pushed all bad thoughts out of her head and dove into her pile of presents.


Piper watched Chris and Sarah tear open their presents with smiles on their faces like nothing had happened today. Like everything was one hundred percent normal.

She knew better.

Piper wasn't stupid; she had seen through the forced smiles and faked laughs the second Chris had orbed in with Sarah behind him. While everyone hugged Chris making sure he was okay and really there, Sarah had hung back and surveyed Chris with a look that was pure regret and vulnerability. Something had happened with them before they came back. It was just a case of what.

Had Chris said something else while in his paranoid state? Something more about her being a demon? Maybe they had argued or when Sarah had saved him something had happened?

She wouldn't know. Chris wouldn't tell her and neither would Sarah. They kept their relationship to themselves and rarely spoke of anything that happened between them outside of the sister's view. Apart from the exchanges of kisses in the manor, the sisters neither saw nor heard anything about them as a couple.

Chris received a selection of demonic tomes from his parents while his Aunts had apparently ransacked his room for his sizes and bought him several shirts and jeans to wear.

Sarah's presents were relatively the same with the only difference being a new set of pajamas and several new shirts. While her presents from Piper and Leo consisted of a heavy book filled of ancient demonic lore and a small diary of essential healing herbs and their uses.

Phoebe, Paige's and piper's gifts were mostly magically related as well. The only exception was the spa certificates Leo had bought for Phoebe and Paige. Piper had received a diamond necklace from her ex-husband, which earned him a light kiss on the cheek.

Amongst the wrapping paper there were several infant outfits Chris had threatened to burn if he got his hands on them before he was born. Time ticked by filled with laughs and smiles from most occupants. Piper continued to glance in her son's direction and was surprised when she glanced over to find Chris whispering something into Sarah's ear. Phoebe raised her glass of champagne; Piper clutched apple juice, as did Paige and Sarah, whereas Chris held beer and Leo had settled for water.

"OI! Lovebirds! Share it with us or don't share it at all."

Sarah laughed and tossed her hair before she smiled tightly and glanced nervously at the clock. 11:55PM 24th of December 2003.

"Chris and I were just discussing your joined Christmas present. Actually it is more Chris's gift to you but, hey!"

Chris shook his head, "Sarah pulled the strings. I just gave her the idea."

Piper waved her hands impatiently, excitement bubbling up inside her.

"So? Huh, huh? What is it?"

Sarah stood up and collected three candles and a box of matches while Chris removed a small piece of paper from his pocket. Sarah arranged the candles into a triangle and stood outside the shape, clutching the paper Chris had handed to her.

"Across the planes,

An entity dwells

A spirit I call upon with this spell

From strike of twelve to time again

A life becomes a life again"

Bright white lights swirled around the triangle and gradually formed into a person. Phoebe dropped her glass, champagne spilling across the floor; Piper gasped and clutched her stomach out of habit; Paige's jaw dropped and Leo's face broke into a smile.

In the center of the triangle stood Prudence Halliwell.


A/N- YAY! I actually updated! But to be honest I was very disappointed in this chapter and felt it all moved too fast so do not be shocked if it gets rewritten depending on my reviewers reactions. I haven't been very confident in my writing lately so I apologize. Anyway, thanks for all of the reviews for the last chapter and I passed my original goal of 250! Now I aim for 300! –Hint hint- thanks so much to all the people who contributed.

Anyway, the next chapter will contain Prue/family catch-up and Sarah and Chris's relationship takes a serious edge when they talk about what Chris was keeping from her. I can't give you a certain date, could be weeks- maybe months. Sorry.