Disclaimer: I still don't own Charmed. Or Drew Fuller, which is good cause that's just wrong. I do own my sanity, though! Nope, wait, I lost that years ago.

Chapter 7

Chris had been walking for hours, trying to get his head straight. He regretted the way he'd treated his family before storming out, the things he'd said, but he just couldn't take it. They'd kept coming to him, telling him how sorry they were and how much they cared about him, and all that kept repeating itself in the back of his mind was that they'd rather have the baby there.

He'd just wanted to get away from them, get some air, some space. He'd even tried orbing a few times out of sheer frustration, knowing it wouldn't work. All he'd ended up with was a major headache, which hadn't helped his mood much. He felt Leo trying to sense him once again and was glad he had remembered the words to the blocking spell. He wasn't ready to be found.

He came across a familiar scene: a green garden with a stone bench in the middle. Flowers bloomed everywhere around marble statues. He stared. He hadn't meant to come here, he'd just been walking aimlessly. This was probably the last place he wanted to be.

His mother used to take him here when he was little. It had been their special spot, their secret spot. It had been his favorite place in the world. After his mother had died, he had avoided this spot; it was too painful. And then he'd met Bianca and it had surprised him how much he'd wanted to share this with her, he had thought he'd never be able to share it with anybody ever again.

Chris sat down on the bench as realization hit him. If he stayed, Piper would never get to take her little boy here and make this spot so special. Bianca would never be included in its mystery. He finally understood all that he'd be denying the baby; it's childhood.

He realized that if he stayed, he could never go back to his future, changed or not. But his alternative was death; he still wouldn't be going back. He was never going to sit here with Bianca again, regardless of whether he saved her by changing the past. Chris took a deep breath, stood up, and headed home. It seemed that even in death his existence would always be about sacrifice.

The sisters and Leo were sitting uncomfortably around the living room. No one had gotten much sleep the night before and they were all on edge. Last night had been an unpleasant one after Leo had broken the news to Chris about his powers. Everyone had tried comforting Chris and he'd snapped and yelled at all of them in turn, until he finally turned and walked out the door, slamming it loudly behind him late in the evening. The noise had woken Wyatt up and it had taken quite a while to get him back to sleep.

"I swear, when that kid comes back through that door I'm going to kill him." Piper growled. "He was way out of line last night."

"What did you expect, Hon?" Paige asked. "The kid inherited Leo's tendency towards repression and your temper. Deadly combination. No wonder he's a walking time bomb."

"But where could he be?" Piper asked miserably. "He's defenseless, he can't orb, and he doesn't have any money. What if he's in a ditch somewhere?"

"Wow, now you sound like a mother." Paige sniped.

"I AM a mother!" Piper snapped back. "Leo, are you sure you can't..."

"For the hundredth time, no I can't sense him." Leo said tiredly. "He must know a spell to block me. Makes sense with how much he seems to hate me in the future. Don't worry so much, Piper. I'm sure he's fine. He can take care of himself, powers or no. He'll be back soon. Where can he go?"

As Leo said this, the door opened and Piper jumped up. "Chris! Thank God you're ok!" She cried as she ran over and embraced him. He smiled and returned her hug.

"Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Pretty creative way to kill a guy." Paige muttered to Phoebe, who slapped her arm.

"Where have you been all night?" Piper demanded.

Chris shrugged. "Just out. I needed some time to process. I'm really sorry for the way I behaved yesterday." He said sheepishly.

Leo put his hand on Chris's shoulder. "It's ok, Chris. We understand. It's been a very confusing couple of days. There's a lot to take in. I know this has been hardest on you."

"No." Chris shook his head. "It's been the hardest on the baby. Let's get him back."

Piper smiled as her eyes filled with tears. "You mean it?" She asked. "Thank you. Thank you for understanding." Chris smiled at Piper and took her hand, leading her up to the attic.

"Must have been some serious thinking time." Phoebe remarked. "That was a complete one-eighty."

Piper and Chris were sitting on the couch in the attic. Piper was holding a pencil and pad, sitting next to a pile of wadded up paper, and Chris was dejectedly flipping through the book.

Paige poked her head in the door. "How's it going?"

"Not good." Chris responded. We've tried every spell we can find in the book, and Piper's written a few new ones, but nothing's working. I think it's time to move on to potions."

Piper looked up, alarmed. "Are you sure, Chris? Potions are a little risky, what if we accidentally vanquish you? No, I think we should avoid the potions until we're absolutely sure."

Chris smiled. "I appreciate your concern, Mom, but I think we're out of other options." He stood up, replacing the book on its stand.

"Come on." Paige said, motioning them to follow her. "I'll help you; we'll make sure we don't mix anything that could even possibly be lethal." Piper sighed and got up to follow. "I still think this is a bad idea." She muttered.