Thank you for the reviews and suggestions, I know that I have written it before but I really do appreciate the feedback. Your comments helped and so I promise I won't whine anymore and I will just get on with the story
Chris is making a sandwich, deep in thought when Wyatt orbs in, still drunk on adulation. His orb cloud swirls teasingly around his brother. Unable to resist, Chris joins in and they streak around the house playing a magical version of tag until exhausted and laughing they collapse on the sofa in the living room.
When he can finally speak Chris says. "You're in a good mood"
"I've had a good day, I've got another new power, the third this week"
Chris becomes more serious "Wyatt, I...."
He doesn't finish the sentence, Leo orbs in looking more livid than Chris has ever seen him. Pointing at Wyatt he says, "We need to talk, Chris please would you leave us"
Chris, not wanting to be overlooked again, starts to object.
"NOW!"
With a questioning look at his brother he goes.
......................................
"You just don't understand".
Wyatt sounds angry now, the argument has been raging for over an hour. Chris stands in the hall listening, not knowing what to do. He had never known either Leo or Wyatt so furious before and if anything their voices are getting louder, angrier.
"You're right. I don't. I don't understand how you can do this. To yourself, me, your mother. Wyatt you have to understand where this will lead......"
"I've got to do this. I need to get more powers".
"It's insane, this is insane. You are already more powerful than the rest of us combined"
It's not enough. I can't protect you, stop them from hurting you, any of you."
"Protect us from whom, the only person hurting us is you. The only person that you are doing this for is the greater glory of Wyatt. I saw you basking in the cheers of your admirers. Wyatt this cannot go on. You have a duty to...."
Don't you think I don't know that? All my life I've seen how people look at me, even you and Mom. I know what you all expect, the power foretold in the prophecies. But its my duty, my destiny. Why can't you see that it's up to me now. I am not a child anymore and you cannot tell me what to do. This is my life, my decision and I will do whatever it takes to fulfil my potential"
"Wyatt you are wrong, you don't know where this path leads. I cannot let you do this, I cannot let you destroy this family"
"Why not? Is that your job? You're so good at telling us how we should live, but where are you when Chris needs you, when Mom needs you, when I need you."
There is a loud crash and unable to bear this anymore Chris goes to the kitchen door to see Wyatt, stood in a pile of broken crockery, his fists clenched, glaring at his father, Leo stands facing him, his hands gripping the table, obviously trying desperately to regain his temper and control."
He takes a deep breath and tries again, this time more calmly "Wyatt, I do know how you feel, its just..."
Wyatt just looks at him sadly, "No Dad, you really don't" and shimmers out.
"NO!" He grabs for his son but Wyatt is gone, Leo's head drops in despair
"Aren't you going to go after him?" Chris needing to say something to break the awful silence.
Leo doesn't look up "No. There is no point, he has cloaked himself and I can't follow a shimmer. I guess you heard all of that"
Chris nods; there is no point in trying to hide it. "Is this why you wanted to find him before?"
Leo laughs bitterly "No. I needed to talk to him about something even worse". He recollects himself and Chris; visibly making an effort to appear normal he looks at his son for the first time
"It was Wyatt that you wanted to discuss earlier wasn't it? I am sorry I didn't listen. Do you still want to talk?"
Chris just shakes his head. "What can I do, to help? To save him?"
For some reason this makes Leo smile and he gazes at his son, tracing in him the man that he had known too briefly 14 years before. "You've already done more than you'll ever know" Chris looks confused, Leo continues "but there is something that only you can do which will really help, a lot."
"What?"
"You can give me a big hug." T
hey are still holding the embrace when the sisters return laughing, adrenaline high from the vanquish.
"I still can't believe that you did that to those people"
"What! He was frozen, sometimes you've just got to do whatever it takes" Piper sees Leo and Chris "Hey if there are hugs going around, I think that the conquering heroes should get a share"
Chris makes a show of rolling his eyes, but moves obediently towards his mother, as he walks away he just catches Leo's softly spoken aside, "OK Phoebe you win, we try plan B".
The next day is Chris's birthday, still not wanting to face his family Wyatt orbs into Chris's empty room with a present, he looks at his brother's familiar possessions with affection and sadness. He thinks about his family, wonders where they all, what they are doing and saying, how they are celebrating, are they thinking of him? This estrangement hurts him more than they could believe, but he knows that he is right.
A thud from the attic alerts him. He thinks about just leaving, not investigating, but can't. Orbing to the attic he sees a group of Swareth demons trying, and failing to touch the book. Grabbing Excalibur from the stone he runs forward holding it aloft. Shouting a war cry he does not see Piper enter the attic, coming to help him. Tentacles of electricity shoot from the sword interweaving around the room, piercing the Swareth demons who shudder and jerk as the power jolts through them. Smoke and the stench of burnt flesh fill the attic. Finally Wyatt lowers Excalibur and the bodies drop to the floor. He laughs triumphantly and turns to replace his sword only to find Piper lying behind him. Dead.
"Mom! Mom!" He is on his knees pulling at her, shaking her, trying to make her wake. Trembling he places his glowing hands over her heart, willing her to breath, begging her to live. He is crying now, tears streaming down his face.
"Please. Please. Please don't die. Please don't die. Please Mom. I will do anything. Don't leave me. You can't leave me. Please".
But it's no good, it's too late nothing can save her now. No longer the victorious demon fighter, he's just a frightened boy and he cries out for his father, needing him to be there, needing him to make this right.
Suddenly Leo is with him, holding him tight as Wyatt cries in his arms. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do it. I am so so sorry" His body wracked with sobs he clings to Leo with all his might.
Leo strokes son's hair, murmuring in his ear "Its ok. Its all ok."
Wyatt pulls back to stare at him. How can it be ok, nothing will be ok ever again. Then he realises that he is not in the attic, but in his room, in his bed, his father by his side and Phoebe stood by his head. "Mom?"
"She's fine" Leo says quickly, exchanging a look with Phoebe
Wyatt's body slumps, too week to sit up, he is sick with relief. But the image is too vivid to leave him, the fear too real to dismiss. He still holds on to Leo knowing with his father he feels safe and terrified that if he goes this nightmare will revive.
Finally he sits back, slightly embarrassed in front of Phoebe, who has been silent all this time. Wiping his face he tries to ask casually "Was it a dream?"
"No." Leo pauses, uncertain how to continue and for a second Wyatt's fears return.
"It was a premonition. Phoebe's premonition. She replayed it into your mind"
Wyatt is dumbfounded. Not knowing what to say, how to feel, all he can finally manage is "Why?"
"We, I needed to make you see, make you know what would happen before it was too late?"
How could they do this to him, violate him, torture him like that. Phoebe, feeling his rising rage, places her hand on his shoulder. He shrugs it off angrily and she speaks for the first time.
"Leo, its time to tell him everything, he is old enough and he has a right to know"
So they do. They talk into dawn, relaying all about Chris and his mission, the future he foretold, his relationship with Leo, his brother's tyranny and finally Piper's death. Through it all Wyatt just listens, shaken and frightened and ashamed. When they finally stop Leo gently takes his son's hand, he doesn't pull it away. "Do you want to talk?"
Wyatt shakes his head; only just trusting himself to say, "I think I'd like to be alone now" and they leave him staring at the ceiling.
I nearly ended this part on Piper dying, but I thought that was probably too mean.