Disclaimer: Yada, yada, yada...I DON'T OWN CHARMED, NOR DO I OWN DREW
FULLER...but I'm working on that.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"We've what?" Paige asked wearily, getting back up on her feet.
"Altered the timeline!" Brian exclaimed. "Don't you realize what you've done, Piper? You ALTERED TIME!"
"So? That's what Chris is doing in 2004 right now," Piper retorted, fuming. "That BASTARD excuse for a future Leo, ooo, I hope he SUFFERS..."
"Piper, he changed the timeline for the greater good! You have no IDEA what you just did! By talking to Leo, who KNOWS what could've happened—in the normal timeline, Leo never hurt Chris in front of Piper to keep their relationship together...Now that Leo thinks the Piper in THIS time has seen him, he might not come back, or something else could happen!"
"He'd BETTER not come back!" Piper shrieked, "Cuz when I'M THROUGH WITH HIM, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO—"
"Piper, GET IT TOGETHER—HE'S UNDER A SPELL!"
They both gave each other fixed, hard glares for a moment or two when they hard an agonized cry from down the stairs.
"Chris," Piper breathed. "Go heal him, Brian!"
Jingle, jingle.
"NO!" Brian protested, looking Up There in hostility. "You CAN'T! He needs me!"
JINGLE, JINGLE.
He grabbed Piper's hand, near tears. "They want me to bring you, Piper...you're going to have a trial with the elders. I only hope that Chris..." he trailed off, eyes darting down the stairs one last time before orbing away.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
BACK IN 2004...
"Argh," Chris moaned, clutching at his stomach. He felt as if something like an energy ball had hit him at full force, and he collapsed by the altar where the Book of Shadows lay. The pain subsided about five minutes later, and he got to his feet to survey the damage.
Now, this was odd; how did he get a huge scar on his stomach?
He disregarded it and returned to the Book. Something had to explain the sisters' disappearance—ANYTHING.
All of a sudden the book began flipping to a page in the back of the book, revealing a spell in Phoebe's handwriting. Chris read through it thoughtfully, then realized what it meant.
"DAMN THEM!"
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Phoebe and Paige gawked at the ground where Piper just stood. "Oh no..." Paige gasped. "What have we done? What if we just killed Chris?"
"No, we can't have," Phoebe insisted, eyes brimming with tears. "We can't have..."
"CHRIS!" Bianca's scream could be heard up the stairs. She shimmered into the attic with his limp form, followed closely behind by the other three younger kids. She was sobbing hysterically and barking orders through her tears. "Prue and Mel, check the Book, Colin, got over here, help me look for a potion..."
Chris moaned and rolled over, revealing a large wound that bled freely through his shirt and dripped onto the floor.
Bianca glanced back at him. "He's dying," she whispered. "Chris, hold on...Oh Wyatt, I'll KILL you..."
Chris shuddered and blacked out.
That's when Bianca went nuts in rage. "YOU STUPID ASS WHITELIGHTERS UP THERE—I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! ORB YOURSELVES DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT! DO YOU REALLY WANT ANOTHER WITCH TO DIE!?"
No one came, and she crumbled to the floor by Chris, sobbing. "He's going to die...if he dies, we'll all die—he's our last hope to save Wyatt! And...I love him."
Just then three figures orbed in, responding to the call; Andy Trudeau, Prue Halliwell, and Samuel Matthews.
"Dad?" Paige gasped.
Phoebe took a step back. "Andy?"
They both exchanged looks, then turned to their past sister. "PRUE?"
Whitelighter Prue bent down and healed Chris hurriedly. "Chris, can you hear me?" she said after a while. The wound was healing slowly but not fully. "Damn it, I can't deflect all of the elder magic," she cursed. "Chris?"
"Yeah?" he said weakly, sitting back up. He was pale and shaking. "What...? Leo. What happened? Where's Leo?"
"He's gone," Andy assured him. "You're safe."
"Is everyone okay now?" Sam asked, looking at the group with concern.
"No, I still can't heal him all the way," Prue complained. "It'll only last for a while."
"I'm okay," said Chris, unsteadily getting up to his feet and sitting on the couch. "You guys...that was too dangerous. We're not doing it again, it put you all in danger. What if we lost one of you?"
"Chris, we almost lost you!" Mel exclaimed.
"That's not what matters," he said forcefully. "What matters is that you guys are safe. I'm supposed to protect you, and I did a pretty damn bad job of it back there."
"No, Chris, that's our job," said Prue, lost for words. How could one kid try to take the weight of all of their lives on his shoulders?
"You're our Aunt!" little Prue said excitedly, barely able to contain her glee. "I've seen all of your pictures, I take some myself—but they're not as good as yours!"
Prue laughed. "So your Phoebe's daughter? I'm sure your photos are a whole lot better than mine...Uh-oh."
"What?" asked Colin.
JINGLE, JINGLE.
"I've managed to stop the bleeding, but you're still hurt, Chris. Be careful, and call for us if anything goes wrong. We're always listening, after all." She gave him a sad gaze. "And remember...you're not alone."
All three of them winked at Paige and Phoebe before orbing Up There to respond to the elders' call.
The five children stared in silence for a moment, trying to recollect and analyze exactly what had just happened. Chris interrupted the quiet.
"I'd better go unfreeze everyone," he announced, slowly getting up and wincing. He cast his face in shadow so that they couldn't see he was in pain. "I'm hungry. Who else wants noodles?"
They all headed down the stairs, but Chris stayed behind.
"Chris...aren't you coming?" asked Bianca, worried.
"Yeah, sure," he responded with a somewhat forced smile. "Just give me a minute—I, uh, wanna think."
"Okay," she said hesitantly before following the others.
Once he was sure she was gone, Chris slowly rose and clutched his side. "Damn you...Wyatt and Leo..." he gasped, limping towards the door and out of the attic. Phoebe and Paige followed, and, to their surprise, Chris had managed to regain his composure and pretend he was fine by the time he got down into the kitchen.
"Wyatt! Ready for your sleepover?" future Piper called.
"Yeah, coming!" Wyatt responded, carrying his pack and bounding down the stairs.
Chris walked down the stairs after him, and future Piper gave him a double- take. "Honey, are okay? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine, Mom," Chris said casually, "why would you think there was something wrong? Do I have something on my face?"
"Oooh, he's good," Paige commented.
"Yeah," said Phoebe with disdain, "a little too good. Even my empath power couldn't pick up that lie."
"No, it's just...I don't know, you look a little sick."
Chris shrugged. "I feel fine. What's for dinner?"
Future Piper went up and put a hand on his forehead. "Chris, you're burning up! Go straight back upstairs and into your room, you're sick. Why did you lie to me?"
"I didn't!" he protested. "I feel fine, honestly!"
But she wouldn't take no for an answer and dragged him into the room. She pushed him into bed, mumbling something about being too stubborn for his own good. "You get some rest, I'll bring you dinner."
"But—"
"BUT NOTHING."
Chris gave up and laid back onto the pillow, closing his eyes and falling asleep in an instant. In his peaceful dream state, he didn't even notice Wyatt come in quietly.
"Chris, you know you shouldn't fight it," he chuckled softly, sprinkling dust over Chris' face. The sleeping boy's expression changed to one of anger, sadness, and desperation—but more than anything, fear.
"It'll only make it worse."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Phoebe and Paige stood at the doorway to Chris' room, watching Colin came in. Colin saw Chris thrashing back and forth wildly in his slumber and immediately woke up him up.
Chris sprang into a sitting position in cold sweat, then winced and groaned for a moment when he realized he was still wounded.
"The potion," Colin whispered. "The battle plan. We're not doing it tonight, you're hurt. Bianca said we'd try for next week..."
"No, we're doing it tonight. Nothing's changed. I'm fine. Just let me go get everyone."
"But Bianca said..."
"Who's the one leading us all?" Chris snapped in impatience.
"You are," Colin mumbled. "But Chris..."
"I'm in charge, not Bianca. I'll decide whether or not we're doing it tonight and I say we are." He got up and headed towards the girls' room, making sure to freeze the rooms of the sisters' on his way.
"This looks bad," said Paige.
Chris whipped around and stared at Paige, horror-struck. "Aunt Pai..." he trailed off, then shook his head. "Seeing things."
"Don't talk from now on, he's alert," warned Phoebe in a hushed tone. "It was alright before, when they were distracted, but we'd better lay low now."
Paige nodded her agreement and they tiptoed quietly behind Chris and Colin.
"Chris, we can't!" Bianca nearly shrieked when he came in. "You're in no condition to walk into this room, let alone devise a plan to fight Wyatt—"
"Bianca, it's not like we're really fighting him tonight! It's just a spell and potion and battle plan. Think of it this way: we're staying up late for a three part book report. I'll do the plan, Mel and Prue work on the spell, and Bianca and Colin make the potion."
Nobody budged.
"Did anyone hear me? Get a move on!"
They all orbed and shimmered up to the attic. Chris closed his eyes, trying to orb, but couldn't, so he took the stairway.
He was halfway up when he stopped to rest, clutching his side and gasping for breath. "This," he croaked quietly, "is going to be one HELL of a night."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
A/N—Hope you all liked it!! Go Drew Fuller!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"We've what?" Paige asked wearily, getting back up on her feet.
"Altered the timeline!" Brian exclaimed. "Don't you realize what you've done, Piper? You ALTERED TIME!"
"So? That's what Chris is doing in 2004 right now," Piper retorted, fuming. "That BASTARD excuse for a future Leo, ooo, I hope he SUFFERS..."
"Piper, he changed the timeline for the greater good! You have no IDEA what you just did! By talking to Leo, who KNOWS what could've happened—in the normal timeline, Leo never hurt Chris in front of Piper to keep their relationship together...Now that Leo thinks the Piper in THIS time has seen him, he might not come back, or something else could happen!"
"He'd BETTER not come back!" Piper shrieked, "Cuz when I'M THROUGH WITH HIM, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO—"
"Piper, GET IT TOGETHER—HE'S UNDER A SPELL!"
They both gave each other fixed, hard glares for a moment or two when they hard an agonized cry from down the stairs.
"Chris," Piper breathed. "Go heal him, Brian!"
Jingle, jingle.
"NO!" Brian protested, looking Up There in hostility. "You CAN'T! He needs me!"
JINGLE, JINGLE.
He grabbed Piper's hand, near tears. "They want me to bring you, Piper...you're going to have a trial with the elders. I only hope that Chris..." he trailed off, eyes darting down the stairs one last time before orbing away.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
BACK IN 2004...
"Argh," Chris moaned, clutching at his stomach. He felt as if something like an energy ball had hit him at full force, and he collapsed by the altar where the Book of Shadows lay. The pain subsided about five minutes later, and he got to his feet to survey the damage.
Now, this was odd; how did he get a huge scar on his stomach?
He disregarded it and returned to the Book. Something had to explain the sisters' disappearance—ANYTHING.
All of a sudden the book began flipping to a page in the back of the book, revealing a spell in Phoebe's handwriting. Chris read through it thoughtfully, then realized what it meant.
"DAMN THEM!"
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Phoebe and Paige gawked at the ground where Piper just stood. "Oh no..." Paige gasped. "What have we done? What if we just killed Chris?"
"No, we can't have," Phoebe insisted, eyes brimming with tears. "We can't have..."
"CHRIS!" Bianca's scream could be heard up the stairs. She shimmered into the attic with his limp form, followed closely behind by the other three younger kids. She was sobbing hysterically and barking orders through her tears. "Prue and Mel, check the Book, Colin, got over here, help me look for a potion..."
Chris moaned and rolled over, revealing a large wound that bled freely through his shirt and dripped onto the floor.
Bianca glanced back at him. "He's dying," she whispered. "Chris, hold on...Oh Wyatt, I'll KILL you..."
Chris shuddered and blacked out.
That's when Bianca went nuts in rage. "YOU STUPID ASS WHITELIGHTERS UP THERE—I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! ORB YOURSELVES DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT! DO YOU REALLY WANT ANOTHER WITCH TO DIE!?"
No one came, and she crumbled to the floor by Chris, sobbing. "He's going to die...if he dies, we'll all die—he's our last hope to save Wyatt! And...I love him."
Just then three figures orbed in, responding to the call; Andy Trudeau, Prue Halliwell, and Samuel Matthews.
"Dad?" Paige gasped.
Phoebe took a step back. "Andy?"
They both exchanged looks, then turned to their past sister. "PRUE?"
Whitelighter Prue bent down and healed Chris hurriedly. "Chris, can you hear me?" she said after a while. The wound was healing slowly but not fully. "Damn it, I can't deflect all of the elder magic," she cursed. "Chris?"
"Yeah?" he said weakly, sitting back up. He was pale and shaking. "What...? Leo. What happened? Where's Leo?"
"He's gone," Andy assured him. "You're safe."
"Is everyone okay now?" Sam asked, looking at the group with concern.
"No, I still can't heal him all the way," Prue complained. "It'll only last for a while."
"I'm okay," said Chris, unsteadily getting up to his feet and sitting on the couch. "You guys...that was too dangerous. We're not doing it again, it put you all in danger. What if we lost one of you?"
"Chris, we almost lost you!" Mel exclaimed.
"That's not what matters," he said forcefully. "What matters is that you guys are safe. I'm supposed to protect you, and I did a pretty damn bad job of it back there."
"No, Chris, that's our job," said Prue, lost for words. How could one kid try to take the weight of all of their lives on his shoulders?
"You're our Aunt!" little Prue said excitedly, barely able to contain her glee. "I've seen all of your pictures, I take some myself—but they're not as good as yours!"
Prue laughed. "So your Phoebe's daughter? I'm sure your photos are a whole lot better than mine...Uh-oh."
"What?" asked Colin.
JINGLE, JINGLE.
"I've managed to stop the bleeding, but you're still hurt, Chris. Be careful, and call for us if anything goes wrong. We're always listening, after all." She gave him a sad gaze. "And remember...you're not alone."
All three of them winked at Paige and Phoebe before orbing Up There to respond to the elders' call.
The five children stared in silence for a moment, trying to recollect and analyze exactly what had just happened. Chris interrupted the quiet.
"I'd better go unfreeze everyone," he announced, slowly getting up and wincing. He cast his face in shadow so that they couldn't see he was in pain. "I'm hungry. Who else wants noodles?"
They all headed down the stairs, but Chris stayed behind.
"Chris...aren't you coming?" asked Bianca, worried.
"Yeah, sure," he responded with a somewhat forced smile. "Just give me a minute—I, uh, wanna think."
"Okay," she said hesitantly before following the others.
Once he was sure she was gone, Chris slowly rose and clutched his side. "Damn you...Wyatt and Leo..." he gasped, limping towards the door and out of the attic. Phoebe and Paige followed, and, to their surprise, Chris had managed to regain his composure and pretend he was fine by the time he got down into the kitchen.
"Wyatt! Ready for your sleepover?" future Piper called.
"Yeah, coming!" Wyatt responded, carrying his pack and bounding down the stairs.
Chris walked down the stairs after him, and future Piper gave him a double- take. "Honey, are okay? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine, Mom," Chris said casually, "why would you think there was something wrong? Do I have something on my face?"
"Oooh, he's good," Paige commented.
"Yeah," said Phoebe with disdain, "a little too good. Even my empath power couldn't pick up that lie."
"No, it's just...I don't know, you look a little sick."
Chris shrugged. "I feel fine. What's for dinner?"
Future Piper went up and put a hand on his forehead. "Chris, you're burning up! Go straight back upstairs and into your room, you're sick. Why did you lie to me?"
"I didn't!" he protested. "I feel fine, honestly!"
But she wouldn't take no for an answer and dragged him into the room. She pushed him into bed, mumbling something about being too stubborn for his own good. "You get some rest, I'll bring you dinner."
"But—"
"BUT NOTHING."
Chris gave up and laid back onto the pillow, closing his eyes and falling asleep in an instant. In his peaceful dream state, he didn't even notice Wyatt come in quietly.
"Chris, you know you shouldn't fight it," he chuckled softly, sprinkling dust over Chris' face. The sleeping boy's expression changed to one of anger, sadness, and desperation—but more than anything, fear.
"It'll only make it worse."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Phoebe and Paige stood at the doorway to Chris' room, watching Colin came in. Colin saw Chris thrashing back and forth wildly in his slumber and immediately woke up him up.
Chris sprang into a sitting position in cold sweat, then winced and groaned for a moment when he realized he was still wounded.
"The potion," Colin whispered. "The battle plan. We're not doing it tonight, you're hurt. Bianca said we'd try for next week..."
"No, we're doing it tonight. Nothing's changed. I'm fine. Just let me go get everyone."
"But Bianca said..."
"Who's the one leading us all?" Chris snapped in impatience.
"You are," Colin mumbled. "But Chris..."
"I'm in charge, not Bianca. I'll decide whether or not we're doing it tonight and I say we are." He got up and headed towards the girls' room, making sure to freeze the rooms of the sisters' on his way.
"This looks bad," said Paige.
Chris whipped around and stared at Paige, horror-struck. "Aunt Pai..." he trailed off, then shook his head. "Seeing things."
"Don't talk from now on, he's alert," warned Phoebe in a hushed tone. "It was alright before, when they were distracted, but we'd better lay low now."
Paige nodded her agreement and they tiptoed quietly behind Chris and Colin.
"Chris, we can't!" Bianca nearly shrieked when he came in. "You're in no condition to walk into this room, let alone devise a plan to fight Wyatt—"
"Bianca, it's not like we're really fighting him tonight! It's just a spell and potion and battle plan. Think of it this way: we're staying up late for a three part book report. I'll do the plan, Mel and Prue work on the spell, and Bianca and Colin make the potion."
Nobody budged.
"Did anyone hear me? Get a move on!"
They all orbed and shimmered up to the attic. Chris closed his eyes, trying to orb, but couldn't, so he took the stairway.
He was halfway up when he stopped to rest, clutching his side and gasping for breath. "This," he croaked quietly, "is going to be one HELL of a night."
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
A/N—Hope you all liked it!! Go Drew Fuller!