Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the television show Charmed. All characters belong to Spelling Television, and The WB.

This is my first Charmed fic. I apologize if I get any of the show's details wrong. I'd love to get feedback! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed the story so far. Please continue to review the story or e-mail me at jeff_langdon@hotmail.com!

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Anguished Soul - Chapter 11

"I've had some experience," Chris answered confidently. "Nothing that I can't handle."

"Excellent," Melanie answered. "Right now, if you decide to join us, you will start off on a part-time basis. As you gain more experience, we may be able to get you in on a full-time basis."

"That sounds fine with me. Actually, part-time would probably work better for me at this point."

"Very good," she answered with a smile. "Actually, you are the perfect candidate for this position. We've been looking for someone like you for a while now. I think that you will be able to fit in with a number of our current projects." Melanie walked over to a filing cabinet and pulled out a file. "Why don't you take this home with you and read up on the information. It basically lists all of our client's requirements and what would be expected of you on this project."

Taking the file, Chris quickly glanced at the information inside. "I think this should be no problem at all."

"Perfect!" Melanie exclaimed excitedly. "In that case, why don't you come in tomorrow morning at around the same time and we can get started?"

"Sounds good!"

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Oh Wyatt, it's okay," Paige whispered. "You mom will be home soon." To her dismay, the baby continued to cry with no sign of stopping any time soon. "Oh come on, Wyatt, don't do this to me," she pleaded in vain.

"You know, maybe trying to feed him would help."

Paige turned to see Chris in the doorway, wearing his trademark smirk.

"Oh, and I suppose you are an expert in babysitting?" she answered with mock anger.

"Just one of my many talents," the young Whitelighter quipped as he handed her a bottle. Sure enough, Wyatt stopped crying as he drank happily from the bottle.

"Okay, you can stop gloating already," Paige ordered as a triumphant grin made its way to Chris' face.

"I wasn't aware I was gloating," Chris smiled as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Well, you were," informed Paige as she followed him. "But enough about that. How was your interview?"

"Good."

"Good? That's it? Good?"

An amused grin on his face, he simply nodded. "What else were you expecting?"

"Details, Chris! Details!"

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

"Must you always be this cryptic?"

"Another one of my talents."

"Whatever," Paige answered, aware that she was wearing a big smile on her face. For some reason, she always felt like this when she bantered with Chris. It was then that she noticed the numerous bags of groceries on the floor.

"What's that? Don't tell me you went grocery shopping after your job interview."

"Why not? It was on the way. And besides, how am I going to make dinner if I don't get groceries?"

"And now you're a master chef too?"

Chris laughed at the comment. "I wouldn't go that far, but you're pretty close."

Paige rolled her eyes and laughed, giving up at last. "And how many days are you planning to take to eat all that food?"

"Oh, that's all for tonight's dinner."

"How much can you eat for one meal?"

"Well, there are four of us, you know."

Paige's eyes went wide as she realized the implications of Chris' words. "Wait a minute here, you're making dinner? For all of us?"

"Uh, that was the idea," Chris answered hesitantly.

"Here? In Phoebe's kitchen?"

"Don't worry. I'm not going to burn it down."

"You do realize you're putting yourself in master chef Phoebe's line of fire, right?"

"I'm not the least bit worried," he answered with a mischievous grin.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"I'm home!" Phoebe's voice echoed through the manor.

"In the living room," Paige called back as she flipped through another magazine.

"So how was your day?"

"Not bad at all, I must say."

"Wyatt give you any trouble?"

"Nothing that I couldn't handle. He's sleeping upstairs."

Phoebe was able to say something when a noise in the kitchen alerted her. "Piper got home early today?"

Paige gave her a confused look. "Nope. She said that she's actually running a bit late today. Things at the club."

"I see," Phoebe answered deliberately. "Then who's in the kitchen?"

"That would be me," Chris announced cheerfully as he emerged from the kitchen.

"Chris? What are you doing in there?"

"Hmmm," the Whitelighter mused, "cooking?"

"Oh no you don't," Phoebe ordered as she marched towards the kitchen. "You are so not messing up my kitchen."

"Chill out, Phoebe," Chris answered. "I've got everything under control."

Ignoring him, Phoebe walked into the kitchen to see food and cooking utensils everywhere. "Oh my god! What are you doing??"

Chris simply smiled and went back to the counter, where he was preparing an assortment of vegetables. "Trust me, Phoebe, you kitchen will be fine. Why don't you just sit back and relax and dinner will be ready in no time."

"Wait a minute. You're cooking?"

"That's what it looks like."

Phoebe's laughter filled the manor. "Well, this I've got to see."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"How's Wyatt?" Phoebe asked as she sat at the dinner table waiting for Chris to emerge from the kitchen.

"Still sleeping," Piper answered. "Which means we can have dinner in peace, hopefully."

"Yeah, assuming we don't starve to death," Phoebe replied with a laugh.

"Hey," Paige protested with a playful punch to Phoebe's arm. "Be nice."

The three sisters continued to talk as Chris finally emerged from the kitchen. "Sorry for the wait," he apologized sheepishly. "Timing was a little off today."

All three sisters' gasped in surprise as they looked at their dinner. Their mouths were open but no sounds came out.

Finally, Chris finished bringing out dinner and took his place at the table. Seeing the looks of surprise, he asked with a tinge of uncertainty, "Is everything okay?"

"Uh, yeah," Phoebe finally answered. "I just wasn't expecting a gourmet multi-course dinner."

"You made this?" Piper asked disbelievingly.

"Unbelievable," Phoebe said in a half-whisper, awe apparent in her voice.

"I had no idea you could cook like this," Paige remarked.

"Well, I've had plenty of practice," Chris shrugged.

"Hmm, this is absolutely delicious!" Phoebe exclaimed. "What exactly is it?"

Chris laughed light-heartedly at Phoebe's reaction. "Chicken à la Chris Perry."

"You've got to be kidding."

"I'm serious," Chris protested.

"Okay. I want the recipe for this. Understand?"

"I'm sure we can work something out."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Chris, you're not washing dishes," Paige and Phoebe ordered.

"Why not? It's not like I'm going to break your dishes or something."

Paige sighed in frustration. "You already spent the whole afternoon slaving away in the kitchen. Now go and get some rest. We don't want the Elders on our backs asking us why we're using our Whitelighter as our maid."

"Okay, okay," Chris conceded. "Call me if you need anything."

"We'll be fine, Chris," Paige and Phoebe answered in unison.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Phoebe? Is that you?" Piper asked as she put her clothes back into the dresser. Getting no answer, she turned towards the door, only to find Chris standing there. "Can I help you?"

"Can we talk?"

"No. I'm busy," Piper answered curtly.

"Well, that's too bad. You're going to listen to what I have to say."

"Get out, Chris," she ordered, her voice low and even.

Ignoring her, Chris walked towards her and closed the door behind him. "I will get out once I've said what I want to say."

"No."

Grabbing her arms, Chris glared at Piper. "I wasn't asking for your permission."

~ to be continued ~