A/N: Okay, so since I got WONDERFUL reviews from all of you for the last
chapter and many of them asked me to go on with this fic, I just thought-
what the heck, and decided to try and go somewhere with this. So here's
what I decided to do with this fic, since I'm not good with ideas and my
plot would be terrible if I came up with one. So instead, I'll dedicate a
chapter to each member of the family finding out about Chris. I decided
that since I already wrote Leo first, it would be appropriate to have Paige
find out next, Phoebe after, and in the end Piper. Why am I rewriting the
way the family found out about Chris? Well, allow me to enlighten those of
you who ask:
How PHOEBE found out: In a one minute moment in which she asks Chris if he's Wyatt's little brother. Her reaction: she smiles. What the heck? We, the faithful viewers, have been waiting since the 5th season finale to find out who that very pretty, pretty Chris is, and when we FINALLY find out about the biggest plot of the season, they make it a two-minute thing, and Phoebe's the first one to find out about it. And she smiles. She's not shocked. She SMILES, as though it's just the most natural thing to have your 22-23 year old nephew standing in front of you BEFORE HE WAS EVEN CONCEIVED.I'm sorry, it's not what I expected and I was disappointed.
How PAIGE finds out: Chris blurts it out. Paige looks oh-so-NOT shocked and sits down saying "this has been such a long day" Well, so much for us holding our breaths and waiting for HER reaction! Another two-minute instant for the most anticipated moment of the episode.
How Piper finds out: Now, I have no complaints here. I know some of you expected a hug and I did too at first but then I thought about it- her sisters just told her she's PREGNANT with the man standing in front of her. It would've been really stupid if she accepts it quickly enough to run and hug him. BUT I said no complaints about the REACTION. I can complain however about the way she found out: her sisters told her. Now I know some of you are all into the sister bonding thing, but I truly wanted Chris to tell Piper, preferably accidentally and it would've been much more suspenseful if she'd have found out first. So there's that...
How LEO found out: Now that was the biggest disappointment to me. PHOEBE told him! It should've been PIPER or CHRIS, for sure! Why Phoebe? I was eternally angry when Phoebe was the one to reveal it to him. And I really did not think the way he tried to look shocked was persuasive. Ok, so my complaints about the way he found out: PHOEBE TOLD HIM! (sorry, I'm just so frustrated about that) I mean, I suppose for most of us, the most interesting thing was to see how Leo would find out. I firmly believe either Piper should've told him, Chris, or again, finding out accidentally (which in case ya'll haven't noticed is my favorite.) Now about his VERY disappointing reaction: So, newsflash. Leo's been trying to find out who Chris is for SO long, he's the one who was the most concerned about that. I would think that finding out about that would, I don't know, blow him away! See him REALLY shocked right there. I mean, shocked as in- don't just ask STRAIGHTAWAY "why's he angry at me", when a couple of minutes ago you found out he's under a spell! Anyway, all in all, I think we'd all agree that Season 6 had possibly the best plot- Piper and Leo divorced- Wyatt turning evil- Chris being his little brother. I really thought that the writers could've done SO MUCH more with that plot! Aye, I was disappointed indeed. I really think what most of us expected after Chris-Crossed was for future Wyatt to come back to the past to try to stop Chris. I mean, they describe him as the most powerful being ever! He's ruling the world or something, no one dares to confront him. And I really thought that there should've been a lot more to do about that. Oh welll... enough criticizing the show, let's move on to the second chapter, shall we?
Oh, and one more thing! In this fic, the reason Chris doesn't hate Leo is because it happens before Spin City. In case you haven't observed this, before that Chris wasn't showing any signs of hating his dad, except for the couple of first episodes. Then they got all friendly and stuff, remember? I think his hatred resurfaced because he thought his dad's changed, and then he went and left them after Courtship of Wyatt's father. So there's my explanation. But don't worry; Chris still has some... hidden anger to disclose. I won't let ya'll down. I hope so anyway...
o.o
Chapter 2
Chris was chatting with his dad over some beers when he heard a jingle, followed by his aunt Paige calling him. His dad looked up sharply.
"Paige's calling me." he announced.
"Me too!" answered Chris, as both men orbed out together.
They appeared in a cave. Paige was being attacked by what looked like a five-headed demon. It was breathing fire and ice out of his multiple mouths. She was trying to deflect his attacks and rebound them on him unsuccessfully. Each time she'd try to orb, the demon would manage to exhale fire at her and make her come back.
Chris telekinetically sent the demon flying against the wall. He then made a fist, effectively choking the demon as it erupted in flames.
"Not bad." said Leo, looking impressed.
"A little help here, please?" called Paige.
Leo ran towards her and put his hands over her bruised shoulder. He then orbed them back to the manor.
"Do you think there's more of his kind? Should I go check the book?" asked Chris.
"No, I don't think that's necessary. I was just helping this woman at my new temp job and she led me to this cave and turned into that demon." She sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway, I think I'll stop with this fruitless search for happiness. The temp jobs obviously haven't worked. Maybe I'll just go back to super witch status..." she trailed off.
"You know what I think... I think we haven't taken a break for awhile. Who wants Chinese? I think mo –Piper is tired enough as it is, she doesn't have to cook for us. You guys wanna go somewhere?" asked Chris.
Paige looked at him in surprise.
"What! I eat, you know!" he exclaimed.
"Could've fooled me..." murmured Paige. "Ever since you got here you haven't taken a break. Well, I'm all for going out."
o.o
Twenty minutes later, Chris, Leo and Paige found themselves sitting at a table, waiting for their orders to arrive. Meanwhile, Leo kept looking at Chris strangely. Paige, noticing this, dropped her menu on the table and exclaimed: "Alright you two, what's this all about?"
"What's about what?" asked Leo innocently.
"You're looking at Chris like he's an alien! Am I missing something here?"
Leo looked at Chris inquiringly. Chris shook his head frantically in what he thought was a discreet way but Paige saw it anyway and narrowed her eyes. Leo got up suddenly and muttered: "I'm going to the bathroom", before giving Chris a pointed look and walking away. Chris looked at his hands and shook his head before getting up and following his dad, leaving a confused and clueless Paige at the table.
Chris walked over to where Leo was standing by the sink in the bathroom.
"Leo, I mean dad, I mean –can I call you dad?" asked Chris.
"Of course!" said Leo. "So, are you going to tell your aunts or mother any time soon or do you have to keep this a secret?"
Chris sighed. "I don't know... it's been so hard keeping this from all of you since I got here. What do you think I should do?" he asked the man he was now looking up to as opposed to hating. Ever since he got to the past he'd learnt to really like Leo. In the future he never really got to know his dad because he was never there for him, but for the first time in years Chris saw Leo around almost all the time despite being an Elder, and seeing how hard it was for his dad to obey the rules and really leave and living through everything his family went through once Leo became and Elder made him understand that his father had to make a sacrifice that hurt him just as much as it hurt Chris. And he forgave Leo, believing that this time around, since he came here to change Wyatt's fate, Leo would remain as he is today and be there in Chris' future.
"Chris? Chris?" Leo waved his hands in Chris' face for the second time that day.
"What? Oh! Sorry, what'd you say?"
"I said I think it's up to you to decide whether you want to tell Paige or not!"
"I don't know, I can't decide!"
"Ok, ok, you don't have to decide now. Let's just go and eat before Paige gets fed up with us and leaves." said Leo, looking at his son with kindness. He put his hand on his son's shoulder as they headed back towards the table.
Paige raised her eyebrows at them suggestively. "You know, you two hated each other when Chris first got here. I'm starting to think I liked it better that way –now you're sharing secrets and being buddies with each other. Mind sharing?"
Chris looked away uncomfortably, letting his dad answer. "It's just... Chris has been doing a lot of good since he got here and I'm really proud of him, that's all."
Chris looked at his dad strangely. His entire life, he'd been waiting to hear these words come out of his dad's mouth if only but once. And now he was hearing them before he was even born. He smiled to himself, murmuring a "thanks".
When the three were eating, Leo and Chris seemed to be taking turns looking at each other strangely –almost.... Admiringly, Paige thought, feeling very much left out and bewildered. 'What's their big secret?' she kept asking herself, but she kept her mouth shut, feeling that she won't get any answers from them right there.
o.o
When they got back home, Phoebe was already back from work and watching TV. She told them that Piper had come back from work a while ago and was now out with Wyatt. Paige settled in the couch next to Phoebe and Leo took the opportunity to give Chris a signal before orbing to the attic.
"What's up?" asked Chris when he orbed after his father.
"Listen, Chris... I've been thinking while we were eating... I never really apologized for the way I treated you in the past couple of months, when you first got here... I mean, blaming you for making me and Elder, and killing a Valkarey and all..." Chris looked away guiltily, knowing that his dad had rightfully accused him.
"Um... forget it, it's nothing, you were just doing your job and protecting your family." He answered hesitantly, wondering if he should tell his dad the truth.
"It still doesn't excuse any of it – you're family, I hit you –I'm sorry, I wish I could take it all back..."
"Don't – don't..." choked Chris.
"Chris? What is it?" asked Leo, concerned as he saw his son drop his head shamefully.
Chris drew a deep breath. "Those things you accused me of – you were right... I did do those things... horrible things." admitted Chris.
"Huh? But... but why?" asked a befuddled Leo.
"Because! Because, I had to get you out of the way so that I could become the girls' whitelighter. And I did send you to Valhalley, so that I could execute my plan to save Wyatt without you watching my every move... and I did kill that Valkarey... I needed her amulet for the sisters to go and save you once they found out where you were... And I'm sorry, I really am..." stifled Chris.
Leo looked at his son for what seemed like forever before he told Chris reassuringly. "Well, you're my son Chris... and everything you did, you did for the right reasons, and I know you'd never hurt anyone on purpose, so if that's what you want to hear – I forgive you."
Chris looked at his dad gratefully up from the couch. He got up and moved hesitantly towards Leo. "But... you don't know the entire truth... I did do some of that stuff to –to hurt... someone."
"Who?" asked Leo.
Chris swallowed before answering. "You..." he said very quietly, almost to himself. Leo looked at Chris in shock. "But... Chris, why?" he inquired.
Chris made up his mind and sighed. "Sit down, dad. This could take a while to explain."
o.o
A/N: Okay, that's not a REAL cliffhanger people so don't go nuts on me, okay? :P So this chapter wasn't really about Paige finding out, I know, but I just went with what I had in mind while I wrote so I'm hoping you'll all forgive me. And I know I'll forgive any of you for anything if you just take a tiny minute out of your presumably busy life and review! Hugs reviewers in advance Thank you for reading!
How PHOEBE found out: In a one minute moment in which she asks Chris if he's Wyatt's little brother. Her reaction: she smiles. What the heck? We, the faithful viewers, have been waiting since the 5th season finale to find out who that very pretty, pretty Chris is, and when we FINALLY find out about the biggest plot of the season, they make it a two-minute thing, and Phoebe's the first one to find out about it. And she smiles. She's not shocked. She SMILES, as though it's just the most natural thing to have your 22-23 year old nephew standing in front of you BEFORE HE WAS EVEN CONCEIVED.I'm sorry, it's not what I expected and I was disappointed.
How PAIGE finds out: Chris blurts it out. Paige looks oh-so-NOT shocked and sits down saying "this has been such a long day" Well, so much for us holding our breaths and waiting for HER reaction! Another two-minute instant for the most anticipated moment of the episode.
How Piper finds out: Now, I have no complaints here. I know some of you expected a hug and I did too at first but then I thought about it- her sisters just told her she's PREGNANT with the man standing in front of her. It would've been really stupid if she accepts it quickly enough to run and hug him. BUT I said no complaints about the REACTION. I can complain however about the way she found out: her sisters told her. Now I know some of you are all into the sister bonding thing, but I truly wanted Chris to tell Piper, preferably accidentally and it would've been much more suspenseful if she'd have found out first. So there's that...
How LEO found out: Now that was the biggest disappointment to me. PHOEBE told him! It should've been PIPER or CHRIS, for sure! Why Phoebe? I was eternally angry when Phoebe was the one to reveal it to him. And I really did not think the way he tried to look shocked was persuasive. Ok, so my complaints about the way he found out: PHOEBE TOLD HIM! (sorry, I'm just so frustrated about that) I mean, I suppose for most of us, the most interesting thing was to see how Leo would find out. I firmly believe either Piper should've told him, Chris, or again, finding out accidentally (which in case ya'll haven't noticed is my favorite.) Now about his VERY disappointing reaction: So, newsflash. Leo's been trying to find out who Chris is for SO long, he's the one who was the most concerned about that. I would think that finding out about that would, I don't know, blow him away! See him REALLY shocked right there. I mean, shocked as in- don't just ask STRAIGHTAWAY "why's he angry at me", when a couple of minutes ago you found out he's under a spell! Anyway, all in all, I think we'd all agree that Season 6 had possibly the best plot- Piper and Leo divorced- Wyatt turning evil- Chris being his little brother. I really thought that the writers could've done SO MUCH more with that plot! Aye, I was disappointed indeed. I really think what most of us expected after Chris-Crossed was for future Wyatt to come back to the past to try to stop Chris. I mean, they describe him as the most powerful being ever! He's ruling the world or something, no one dares to confront him. And I really thought that there should've been a lot more to do about that. Oh welll... enough criticizing the show, let's move on to the second chapter, shall we?
Oh, and one more thing! In this fic, the reason Chris doesn't hate Leo is because it happens before Spin City. In case you haven't observed this, before that Chris wasn't showing any signs of hating his dad, except for the couple of first episodes. Then they got all friendly and stuff, remember? I think his hatred resurfaced because he thought his dad's changed, and then he went and left them after Courtship of Wyatt's father. So there's my explanation. But don't worry; Chris still has some... hidden anger to disclose. I won't let ya'll down. I hope so anyway...
o.o
Chapter 2
Chris was chatting with his dad over some beers when he heard a jingle, followed by his aunt Paige calling him. His dad looked up sharply.
"Paige's calling me." he announced.
"Me too!" answered Chris, as both men orbed out together.
They appeared in a cave. Paige was being attacked by what looked like a five-headed demon. It was breathing fire and ice out of his multiple mouths. She was trying to deflect his attacks and rebound them on him unsuccessfully. Each time she'd try to orb, the demon would manage to exhale fire at her and make her come back.
Chris telekinetically sent the demon flying against the wall. He then made a fist, effectively choking the demon as it erupted in flames.
"Not bad." said Leo, looking impressed.
"A little help here, please?" called Paige.
Leo ran towards her and put his hands over her bruised shoulder. He then orbed them back to the manor.
"Do you think there's more of his kind? Should I go check the book?" asked Chris.
"No, I don't think that's necessary. I was just helping this woman at my new temp job and she led me to this cave and turned into that demon." She sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway, I think I'll stop with this fruitless search for happiness. The temp jobs obviously haven't worked. Maybe I'll just go back to super witch status..." she trailed off.
"You know what I think... I think we haven't taken a break for awhile. Who wants Chinese? I think mo –Piper is tired enough as it is, she doesn't have to cook for us. You guys wanna go somewhere?" asked Chris.
Paige looked at him in surprise.
"What! I eat, you know!" he exclaimed.
"Could've fooled me..." murmured Paige. "Ever since you got here you haven't taken a break. Well, I'm all for going out."
o.o
Twenty minutes later, Chris, Leo and Paige found themselves sitting at a table, waiting for their orders to arrive. Meanwhile, Leo kept looking at Chris strangely. Paige, noticing this, dropped her menu on the table and exclaimed: "Alright you two, what's this all about?"
"What's about what?" asked Leo innocently.
"You're looking at Chris like he's an alien! Am I missing something here?"
Leo looked at Chris inquiringly. Chris shook his head frantically in what he thought was a discreet way but Paige saw it anyway and narrowed her eyes. Leo got up suddenly and muttered: "I'm going to the bathroom", before giving Chris a pointed look and walking away. Chris looked at his hands and shook his head before getting up and following his dad, leaving a confused and clueless Paige at the table.
Chris walked over to where Leo was standing by the sink in the bathroom.
"Leo, I mean dad, I mean –can I call you dad?" asked Chris.
"Of course!" said Leo. "So, are you going to tell your aunts or mother any time soon or do you have to keep this a secret?"
Chris sighed. "I don't know... it's been so hard keeping this from all of you since I got here. What do you think I should do?" he asked the man he was now looking up to as opposed to hating. Ever since he got to the past he'd learnt to really like Leo. In the future he never really got to know his dad because he was never there for him, but for the first time in years Chris saw Leo around almost all the time despite being an Elder, and seeing how hard it was for his dad to obey the rules and really leave and living through everything his family went through once Leo became and Elder made him understand that his father had to make a sacrifice that hurt him just as much as it hurt Chris. And he forgave Leo, believing that this time around, since he came here to change Wyatt's fate, Leo would remain as he is today and be there in Chris' future.
"Chris? Chris?" Leo waved his hands in Chris' face for the second time that day.
"What? Oh! Sorry, what'd you say?"
"I said I think it's up to you to decide whether you want to tell Paige or not!"
"I don't know, I can't decide!"
"Ok, ok, you don't have to decide now. Let's just go and eat before Paige gets fed up with us and leaves." said Leo, looking at his son with kindness. He put his hand on his son's shoulder as they headed back towards the table.
Paige raised her eyebrows at them suggestively. "You know, you two hated each other when Chris first got here. I'm starting to think I liked it better that way –now you're sharing secrets and being buddies with each other. Mind sharing?"
Chris looked away uncomfortably, letting his dad answer. "It's just... Chris has been doing a lot of good since he got here and I'm really proud of him, that's all."
Chris looked at his dad strangely. His entire life, he'd been waiting to hear these words come out of his dad's mouth if only but once. And now he was hearing them before he was even born. He smiled to himself, murmuring a "thanks".
When the three were eating, Leo and Chris seemed to be taking turns looking at each other strangely –almost.... Admiringly, Paige thought, feeling very much left out and bewildered. 'What's their big secret?' she kept asking herself, but she kept her mouth shut, feeling that she won't get any answers from them right there.
o.o
When they got back home, Phoebe was already back from work and watching TV. She told them that Piper had come back from work a while ago and was now out with Wyatt. Paige settled in the couch next to Phoebe and Leo took the opportunity to give Chris a signal before orbing to the attic.
"What's up?" asked Chris when he orbed after his father.
"Listen, Chris... I've been thinking while we were eating... I never really apologized for the way I treated you in the past couple of months, when you first got here... I mean, blaming you for making me and Elder, and killing a Valkarey and all..." Chris looked away guiltily, knowing that his dad had rightfully accused him.
"Um... forget it, it's nothing, you were just doing your job and protecting your family." He answered hesitantly, wondering if he should tell his dad the truth.
"It still doesn't excuse any of it – you're family, I hit you –I'm sorry, I wish I could take it all back..."
"Don't – don't..." choked Chris.
"Chris? What is it?" asked Leo, concerned as he saw his son drop his head shamefully.
Chris drew a deep breath. "Those things you accused me of – you were right... I did do those things... horrible things." admitted Chris.
"Huh? But... but why?" asked a befuddled Leo.
"Because! Because, I had to get you out of the way so that I could become the girls' whitelighter. And I did send you to Valhalley, so that I could execute my plan to save Wyatt without you watching my every move... and I did kill that Valkarey... I needed her amulet for the sisters to go and save you once they found out where you were... And I'm sorry, I really am..." stifled Chris.
Leo looked at his son for what seemed like forever before he told Chris reassuringly. "Well, you're my son Chris... and everything you did, you did for the right reasons, and I know you'd never hurt anyone on purpose, so if that's what you want to hear – I forgive you."
Chris looked at his dad gratefully up from the couch. He got up and moved hesitantly towards Leo. "But... you don't know the entire truth... I did do some of that stuff to –to hurt... someone."
"Who?" asked Leo.
Chris swallowed before answering. "You..." he said very quietly, almost to himself. Leo looked at Chris in shock. "But... Chris, why?" he inquired.
Chris made up his mind and sighed. "Sit down, dad. This could take a while to explain."
o.o
A/N: Okay, that's not a REAL cliffhanger people so don't go nuts on me, okay? :P So this chapter wasn't really about Paige finding out, I know, but I just went with what I had in mind while I wrote so I'm hoping you'll all forgive me. And I know I'll forgive any of you for anything if you just take a tiny minute out of your presumably busy life and review! Hugs reviewers in advance Thank you for reading!