I in no way own the Charmed characters, plots, and powers, although I wish I did. They belong to Spelling Co, Brad Kern, the WB Network, and their affiliates. Sorry if I somehow broke a copyright law and I didn't know it. Please, don't sue me.
A/N: Wow! Three chapters in one day! Aren't you all special people? Hee! Thanks to Halliwellgirls1, AK8, and buffspike for reviewing my first two chapters!
Eri, this chap and next chap are for you chickie! Hehe!
AK8: Yes, this is not the last chapter. That would be mean! Haha yes many more chapters to come!
Buffspike: Thanks for the kind words!
Chapter 3
Chris orbed into the manor living room, where Leo was waiting, alone. Chris looked around, expecting to see the sisters, but they weren't there.
"Just us," Leo said, motioning for Chris to sit down. Chris sat on the couch next to his father, feeling a new sense of apprehension wash over himself.
"Where are the girls?" he asked.
"Piper is upstairs with Wyatt, Phoebe is at P3, and Paige is shopping," Leo replied. Chris dropped his gaze to the floor. "Come on, Chris, you said you wanted us to talk."
"I know, it's just…" he trailed off.
"Just… what?" Leo inquired.
"Nothing…" Chris insisted. "Nothing."
They sat in silence for a moment. "I orbed up on the Bridge a couple times to check on you… you were screaming horrible things."
Chris reddened. "How much… did you hear and see?"
Leo drew his son close. "I tried not to pay attention," he replied. "If you don't want to tell me anything, you don't have to. I understand. I just want us to get close. You're my son, and you're going against all the odds to save your older brother. If the memories are too much for you, I understand."
Chris looked up at his father. He sighed. "I think…" he trailed off.
"Hmm?" Leo asked.
"I think… I just want a hug," Chris said, blushing sheepishly. He leaned onto Leo, who held his son close.
"Whatever you need, Chris, I'm right here," Leo said, holding his son. "Don't be afraid to tell me anything, or to cry on me, because if you don't want the girls to know what you say or do, everything you say or do will remain right here, if you want."
Chris sniffed into his fathers' shirt. 'Just like it used to be…' he thought.
"Anything particular you want or need to talk about? Or do you just want to sit here?" Leo inquired.
Chris sighed. "Just… please, Dad, don't think of me as a big baby." Leo looked at his son in surprise, but said nothing. "I'm not normally like this… and I don't want you to think I'm usually a crybaby…"
"Of course not, Chris," Leo murmured. "After all that you've been through, you deserve a nice cry." He stroked his son's hair, unsure at first, but with each stroke, more confident that this was right.
"I'm…" Chris gulped and slowly continued. "I'm just so scared…. That I will fail and Wyatt will still be turned… or that I'll lose you guys all over again…"
Leo squeezed his son tighter, unsure of what to say. Chris made up for Leo's silence. "I mean, what if my coming back here was pointless? What if it doesn't make a difference? Or, what if it makes a BAD difference, with everything that I've told you of the future?"
"Chris, don't cloud your vision with 'what ifs'," Leo said with Elder wisdom. "I believe you did the right thing, I think the girls believe you did the right thing…. And I bet little Wyatt would agree with us as well."
Chris nodded. The two sat embraced in silence for a while, sorting through what the other had just said. "Dad… what about you and Mom?"
Leo cringed. He knew the question had been coming. "What about us?" he stalled.
"In… In my future, Aunt Paige had died, the Titans ruled, and the only thing that saved Aunt Phoebe and Wyatt was the love between you two. You had all gone into hiding. You and Mom had me. We managed to get the house back. But then… you started…" Chris broke off into a fit of renewed sobs.
"Its okay," Leo shushed his son. "Its okay."
"Its just, you started playing with Wyatt, all the time. Mom didn't really seem to like me that much… it was like I was a mosquito to her: sucking up her air, taking up her space, being in the way… and Aunt Phoebe was too obsessed with herself… but at least in my future, you and Mom were together, but now, you and Mom are separated… and its horrible to see that I almost erased my own existence and forced you and Mom apart..." Chris' voice rose and cracked.
Leo paused. "Chris… why did you… send me to Valhalla?" Leo asked uncertainly.
Chris dropped his head. "I don't know what exactly I was thinking. I…. I felt like it was for the best… if I could redo it I would in a heartbeat… it was what separated you and Mom…"
Leo sighed and pulled Chris closer. "I… I still love your mother… I just don't know if she still loves me back… ever since…" Leo cleared his throat and dropped his voice. "… you know."
Chris nodded sympathetically for his father. "Women are hard to understand… especially Mom. You need to talk to her about it. You need to see where the two of you stand."
Leo nodded, then smiled. "Since when are you the one giving advice?" Chris grinned.
A silence followed. "Dad… you should go talk to Mom… now…" Chris said. "The sooner, the better." Leo nodded and the two let go of each other. Leo stood up and Chris followed. "I'm off to bed… thanks, Dad." He hugged Leo again. Leo hugged his son back in all awkwardness.
"Thank you, Chris." Chris smiled and orbed up into the attic, where he had set up temporary living quarters since Paige and Phoebe had moved back in and Piper had become pregnant.