Coming Home Chapter 19

AN: I know, I know, but don't worry. So many have been wondering what's going on in the past, but they will be back in the next chapter & you'll find out why we've been in the future so much :)

Future.......

Wyatt orbed them to a deserted lake just outside of San Francisco. Standing on the shore, Chris glanced out at the water bewildered. Just as he was about to turn around and question Wyatt on their location, he lost his balance as he felt his brother's booted foot strike him from behind, and soon found himself tumbling face first into the waist-deep water. He wasn't prepared for this impromptu swim, and so didn't have time to take a breath before landing. He emerged soaking wet while he coughed and sputtered on the water that he had just inhaled. He turned and demanded an answer angrily, "What the hell did you do that for?"

Wyatt was still standing on the shore thoroughly enjoying himself when he looked up and sniffed the air in his direction; "I take it that it has also been a while--since you last had a bath? You stink!" He laughed heartily at the indignant expression on Chris' face.

Watching Wyatt standing on the shore mocking him with that irritating, patronizing laugh made him furious. A very dry Wyatt none the less. 'Not for long...' he thought wickedly. Addressing Wyatt with a gleam in his eyes, "Well I think you could do with one too..." He quickly motioned grabbing Wyatt by his shirt and flung his arm--and Wyatt--behind his head. Chris turned around and watched gleefully as his brother was submerged with a satisfying splash on the far side of the lake.

Surfacing rapidly, Wyatt was no longer amused. He shouted to him from the other side, "Do you remember the day that Victor went fishing and never came home, Christopher? Well let me show you how I killed him...." In rapid succession, he formed large energy balls in his hands and hurled them into the water like torpedoes. The force of the first impact sent shockwaves towards Chris, but the constant barrage of explosions generated a massive tidal wave thundering in his direction.

Instead of being afraid for his life, Chris only felt the rage build inside of him at Wyatt's murderous declaration. He imagined the water swallowing up one of the only persons in his life that ever cared for him at the hands of brother.

When the enormous waves loomed overhead, Chris drew upon a strength he didn't know he had. As the waves built, so did his anger and he raised both of his hands as if to hold them at bay by sheer will. He closed his eyes momentarily, fully expecting the waves to overtake him. When he opened his eyes, he was stunned to find that the water had frozen above him. Not frozen still like his mother's power, but literally ice-cold frozen. "Whoa!!"

Quickly dismissing his shock, he focussed his anger again on his new task-- killing Wyatt. Using the telekinetic powers he knew he possessed, he flung his wrist at the frozen block of ice, hurling it back to where it came from.

Wyatt's eyes widened when he saw the massive iceberg accelerating towards him. He barely had time to deflect it before it hit. After shattering the former wave with an energy ball, he orbed and re-materialized directly behind Chris. He wrenched both of arms behind his back trying to control him and prevent him from using his powers.

Chris: Struggling fervently, he yelled viciously at Wyatt, "LET ME GO YOU BASTARD!!! HE WAS YOUR GRANDFATHER TOO! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Wyatt: Twisting his arms tighter, he commanded him "Calm yourself, Christopher!"

Chris: Still struggling, "I swear you'd better kill me now, cause if you don't, I'm gonna rip your throat out!"

Wyatt: His jaw tightening, he sneered, "Have it your way!" He bent Chris over further and forced his head under the water. Knowing his brother as well as he did, Wyatt knew exactly how long he could hold his breath. Thirty-seven seconds by his last estimation to be exact. He began his mental countdown the second his head hit the water. 'One-one-thousand, two- one-thousand, three-one-thousand.........'

When he hit forty, he pulled him up and spoke quickly while Chris was still coughing the water out of his lungs, "Now that I have your attention. Shut up and listen--I did NOT kill him."

Chris: Blowing out a breath through clenched teeth, "You're a liar! He was always there for me and Lynny, but he NEVER trusted you. And you hated him for it, so you killed him"

Wyatt: "I didn't say that I didn't want to, but I didn't have to. He died in a simple boating accident that had nothing to do with me."

Chris: "Then why would you say it then? Are you trying to piss me off?"

Wyatt: Answering simply, "Yes. You learned how to use a new power didn't you? One that you could never access before? You've never learned to tap into your anger to bring them out--but I forced it out of you today." He cautiously released his hold as he felt Chris' arms relax.

Chris turned to him suspiciously, "You knew about this didn't you? That's why you brought me here to water?"

Wyatt merely raised his eyebrows in response and waded to shore. Sensing that Chris was not following, he didn't turn around before speaking, "Move it. I have business to take care of after I take you back."

Chris sighed and shook his head. 'What have I gotten myself into.' Wading out of the water, he stood next to Wyatt and tentatively reached up and put his hand on his shoulder.

Wyatt turned his head and looked him up and down disgustedly, "You'd better be clean the next time I see you."

Chris rolled his eyes at the comment as he felt the familiar tingle of orbing.

TBC...........

AN: First off: I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far--and hope you keep going :)

And since so many have been asking, it's only fair that this chapter show why we've been in the future, and also and update on their progress in the past. Hope you like it, so here goes.....

Past.....

Paige: Walking away from Phoebe, "....Alright. I borrowed your favorite green sweater."

Phoebe put her hands on her hips and began tapping her foot on the floor. "And what happened to it?"

Paige: Reluctantly, she scrunched up her nose and babbled in one breath, "It was under the table and got destroyed when the scabber demons spit that icky stuff at me"

Phoebe turns to Piper and Leo, "Ok. I'm satisfied that the truth spell works. Paige has been dodging me for weeks about my mysteriously missing sweater."

Leo: Nodding his head, "One down, two to go."

One hour later......

Phoebe: "Try it again. Tell me something totally pointless that I'm not gonna miss..."

Paige shrugged her shoulders and whispered something in Phoebe's ear.

Phoebe: "You did what?!! How is "eyeing" my former boyfriend totally pointless?"

Paige: "Sorry, but the truth spell is still working. I hadn't planned on ever telling you that. But I'm hoping that if the memory spell works on you, then you'll forget all about it. Damn!!." She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Piper: "FOCUS people! There are more important things right now than who is lusting after whom. For instance, oh...I don't know--say like getting my son, YOUR NEPHEW, back home safely!!"

Paige and Phoebe looked sufficiently reprimanded before apologizing timidly.

........ Minutes later, Paige and Piper are heard chanting to Phoebe, ".....remain, unattainable always."

Piper stares at Phoebe anxiously, "Well? What did Paige just admit to you?"

Phoebe: Shaking her head, "Well basically that we'll need a mop to wipe up her drool everytime Jason comes to the door."

Piper shook her head and starting pacing across the attic.

Phoebe: Addressing Piper, "Would you please stop pacing. You're making me nervous."

Piper: Looking at her watch, "I can't help it. It's been nearly three hours since we sent him back. What if he hasn't healed him yet?"

Leo: Sounding confident, "Piper, I'm sure he has by now."

Phoebe glanced at him questioningly, "How can you be so sure?"

Leo: "Well despite the evil that we saw in him, I honestly believe that he wouldn't let him die. I mean, it wouldn't make sense for Wyatt to go through so much trouble to take Chris back to the future if he just wanted him dead. He could have done that here, or even had Bianca do it. He want's him alive, and whatever the reason--Chris would be no good to him in the condition he was in."

Piper: "Yeah, But three hours later, Leo? How can we be sure that he's healed him by now?

Leo looks down guiltily, "Because it's been longer than three hours...."

Piper stopped pacing and put her hands on her hips, "What do you mean, "longer than three hours?"

Leo: "Well with the way that time travel works--and calculating how far they are into the future: Basically for every minute that passes here, about twenty-four passes in their time." Looking sheepishly, "So they've been there nearly three days now."

Piper: "THREE DAYS!!! Damn it Leo, why didn't you tell me this sooner? Do you know what could happen to him in THREE DAYS?"

Leo: "I didn't want to worry you any more than necessary since we can't change that right now. You know that too much stress is not good for the baby." Resting his hand on her stomach, "And if something happens to you and this little guy in here, there will be no getting him back--because he won't exist."

Paige: Tilting her head to the side, "He kind of has a point."

Piper: sighs in acquiescence, "Fine. How are we coming with that spell?"

Paige: "We're working on it."

Piper: "Well we're not working fast enough. We should have done this before we sent him back."

Phoebe: "There wasn't time for that, Piper. You know that he probably wouldn't have lasted the night if we didn't do it then.

Piper: Throwing her hands up in frustration, "Well we're running out of time now. I don't understand why this spell isn't working!"

Leo: "You know memory spells can be tricky."

Paige: Still feeling guilty over causing Piper to loose her memory earlier that year, "I can attest to that. We've got to be really careful with the wording. Maybe it just won't work on us. We could try it on a witch who isn't charmed?"

Leo: "No, I don't think so. If it doesn't work on the three of you, it's probably not going to work on Wyatt either. Much of his inherent power comes directly from the Halliwell blood line."

Phoebe: Looking around nervously, "I know you probably don't want to think about it, but maybe..." She pauses, not sure how to continue with her train of thought, "Maybe we should consider other alternatives to prevent him from coming back."

Piper: "We can't bind his powers in the future--He's too powerful."

Paige caught on to Phoebe's unspoken implication. She clarified, "I don't think that's what she meant, Piper." Looking to Phoebe for confirmation before continuing, "I think she meant more of a permanent solution--at least in that time line."

Piper looked to her sisters in disbelief as she finally comprehended their meaning. Her voice wavering and barely audible, "You want me to vanquish my own son?"

Leo seemed to accept the prospect more willingly than his former wife. He took her hand in his and spoke in a somber voice, "Piper--we may have to consider that option. He'll still exist in this time, and when we fix whatever went wrong the first time, it will be like it never happened."

Piper: "But I'll know it happened." She stared absently at baby Wyatt in his playpen, then down to her stomach. She sat down and asked despondently, "How could I do that to my own child? I know that the Wyatt that we saw was....well downright evil. And I still have half a mind to put him over my knee and tear his backside up. But I'm still his mother."

Phoebe: She pointed to baby Wyatt playing with his blocks, "No, Piper. You're the mother of that adorable, innocent, toddler sitting right over there. The person that just left here was not your son anymore."

Paige: Trying to find middle ground in the situation, "Then we'll make that a contingency plan--an absolute last option. And hopefully, it won't come to that. For now, we'll just focus on using the potion and spells on him."

Piper: "And if it does come down to that?"

Phoebe glanced to Leo and Paige, who nodded their heads in silent agreement. "Then you won't have to make that decision."

Piper: "Alright. Let's try this again."

Paige: "Let's try focusing more on the potion than the spell this time. Come here, Phoebes." Taking Phoebe's hand roughly, she pricked her finger with a knife and squeezed a few drops into the bowl. Smiling at her older sister, "See. That didn't hurt a bit."

Phoebe immediately stuck her finger in her mouth to stop the bleeding, "Speak for yourself. I get to do yours."

Paige: Rolling her eyes, "Right, and I'm the baby. Hhm--only in age." She ignored the evil look that she was getting from middle sister. Turning to Piper, "Your turn, big sis." Just as Paige started to reach for Piper's hand, she retracted her arm. "Oh, wait. Maybe you had better sit down first. I don't want you to get lightheaded or anything."

Piper scoffed at her and grabbed the knife, "Oh, give me that." She pricked her own finger and allowed the droplets to flow into the pot. She handed the knife back to Paige for her contribution. When they had finished, Piper filled a vial with the potion and shattered it by Phoebes feet. She and Paige again performed the memory spell. "Well? What was the last thing that Paige just admitted to you?"

Phoebe looks a bit confused, "Piper, you just asked me that."

Piper: "Ok....fine. Answer the question anyway."

Phoebe: "She said that she had destroyed my favorite green sweater."

Paige: claps her hands together, "YES!!!"

Piper: "Finally. Ok. So, in order for the memory spell to work correctly, we just need the blood of all persons involved combined with the potion." Turning to look at her oldest child in the playpen, "Now we just need a little of Wyatt's." She spun to face Leo again, "Can you make him sleep, so that he won't feel it?"

Leo nodded and walked over to the playpen. He waived his hand over the child as he watched his eyelids grow heavy. Moments later, he succumbed to a peaceful slumber and didn't feel his mother prick his tiny finger.

Piper then passed the knife to Leo, who took it wearily, "You want mine to?"

Piper: "Just to be on the safe side. You're his father. So, we may need that extra boost."

Phoebe: "Ok, so how are we gonna get Chris'? When we get there, he's not likely to volunteer any."

Leo: "The stone. We should be able to scrape enough from it. Besides, we'll need it for the last spell. I'll go get."

Piper: "Paige, you go with him. Since you're the only one who knows where it is. And please hurry back. I can't leave him there any longer..."

Paige and Leo nodded and orbed out in search of one of the last items on their list to get Chris home.

TBC...........

AN: See, you really haven't been waiting that long to see what their up to, right? It hasn't even been three whole hours! ;)

Coming Home Chapter 21

AN: Hi, I'm back and still lovin the reviews. This part may start out in the future, but well, ends in the future too I guess. But the point is, the Charmed Ones are gonna be there :) lol.

Future..........

Finally left alone, Chris watched as Wyatt orbed away dropping him off in his old room. Glancing around the room, he noted that it appeared exactly as he left it the day Bianca helped send him back to the past. He walked over the dresser and ran his finger across it. Grinning to himself, 'Hmm. No dust either.' The bed didn't look made though. He muttered outloud, "Look's like someone's been sleeping in my bed"

Sizhen: "Have they now?"

Chris jumped at the unexpected intrusion of the hooded figure. "I didn't hear you come in."

Sizhen: "Good. That's part of my job. And I do it well."

Chris didn't like the vibes he was getting from his brother's second. And he definitely didn't trust someone when he couldn't see their eyes. He backed up a little bit, "What do you want?"

Sizhen: He stepped forward and lowered the lowered his hood, "What did he give you?"

Chris: "I don't know what are you talking about?"

Sizhen: Growing angry, his eyes flashed a deep red hue before returning to their dark brown color. "Don't play games with me, boy. What powers did he give you?"

Chris: "He didn't give me anything. Besides, even if he had and he wanted you to know--don't you suppose he would have told you? Being that you are his second in command and all"

Sizhen's eyes flashed again. Only this time, they didn't return to their natural color. "For years, I have been by his side and remained loyal to him, even after you betrayed him. I ALONE have earned that right with the blood of thousands. You have done NOTHING. And you think you can come in here now and take my place..."

Chris knew before he answered that he was going to have to fight his way out of this confrontation. Unnoticeably, he moved his hands from his sides and prepared for the attack he knew would come regardless of how he answered. 'Well at least I can piss him off in the process'. He replied with a smirk, "Well I guess that's too bad. Because apparently, it's my birthright, and I don't have to earn it. But if it makes you feel any better, I'll be happy to have to have you as MY second."

Growling in anger, Sizhen formed a fireball in his hand and hurled it at Chris.

Chris jumped out of the way and deflected it into the corner with his wrist. While Sizhen was distracted with the confirmation of Chris' powers, he mentally recalled the intense anger he felt as Wyatt forced him to use his new power. Drawing on that feeling, he focused his thoughts on Sizhen's wrist as he formed another fireball and threw it. Chris held out one hand and watched again with amazement as it froze in mid air. As he was still a novice with controlling both powers at once, he wasn't fast enough to deflect the softball-sized block of ice hurtling in his direction. He put his arm up to block the impact, but the force of the solid ice shattered his elbow and forearm, sending him crashing into the wall before landing on his bed.

Ignoring the pain radiating up his left arm, he flung the right one out and sent Sizhen flying into the wall dazed. Before he could recover, Chris motioned the heavy wooden dresser in Sizhen's direction. He sighed with relief as it bounced off his head, rendering him unconscious for the time being.

Cautiously, he climbed off the bed and made his way over to the prone figure in the corner. As he approached, he noticed a shiny object lying on the floor glinting from the sunlight beaming in the window. Picking it up, he recognized it as the athame that he kept in his dresser to defend himself for just such an occasion. He held the knife over Sizhen's back temptingly, but quickly discarded any thoughts of vanquishing him. He knew that doing so would hinder his progress in gaining Wyatt's trust.

Pocketing the knife, he warily backed out of the room and wandered through the house to where he hoped his brother's room was still located. Not expecting Wyatt to return anytime soon, he entered and sat down on the bed. As the pain seemed to spread, he laid down lethargically. His last thought before drifting off was of the last guard that dared to trifle with him. Despite the pain, he managed a small smile, 'Wyatt's gonna be pissed. Looks like I'm not getting that Second after all.'

Hours later, Wyatt orbed to his room after meeting with several demons regarding his brother's new "status". He was annoyed to find that his little brother had the nerve to fall asleep both dirty and soaking wet--in his bed. As he stalked over intent on rousing him unpleasantly, he paused when he noticed the odd angle Chris' arm was resting in. On closer inspection, he saw an enormous bruise encompassing most of the arm. Knowing that this was not the condition he left him in, Wyatt shook him lightly and demanded an answer. "What happened?"

Chris was still a bit dazed from both the pain and fatigue as he was roused from his sleep with the question. "Huh?"

Wyatt was annoyed at the response and spoke slowly, "It wasn't a difficult question. What happened to your arm?"

Now fully awake, Chris quickly thought of Sizhen and began to formulate a plan to rid himself of this new threat. Despite everything that Wyatt had done to him, he knew that his brother was fiercely protective of him, especially when it came to his demonic minions. He decided to feign innocence knowing that Wyatt would see right through his facade, "I uh....I slipped in the shower and broke my arm." Holding his arm up, "Would you mind?"

Wyatt locked eyes with his brother and held his hand out, silently knitting the broken bones back together. Still holding his gaze, he replied condescendingly, "Well if you were in the shower, why is it that my bed is covered in dirt--with you in it?"

Chris looked down and tried his best to look guilty, "Alright. Look, don't be mad at him, O.K.? It was my fault."

Wyatt was seething with barely controlled rage. "Who did this?"

Chris ignored his question and babbled on, "You know how I get sometimes. And I kind of provoked him. I tried to deflect the fireball he threw at me, but I couldn't control it after I froze it. I guess you skipped over the "How to Duck" lesson."

Wyatt lost his patience with Chris' rambling and barked, "CHRISTOPHER!!!"

Chris: "It was Sizhen." With his admission, Wyatt orbed out in a rampage, intent on destruction. He crossed his arms behind his head and lay down with a wide grin. 'I would hate to be Sizhen right now.' Staring up at the ceiling, he felt more relaxed than he had in weeks, and lazily drifted off to sleep.

A short while later, Wyatt returned extremely agitated. He bypassed his sleeping brother and headed for the shower.

Chris stirred as he heard the sound of the water running.

Wyatt emerged several long minutes later combing his fingers through his hair. "What are you still doing here?"

Chris: Turning his head, "Well since you won't give me back my ability to orb, and I still don't know how to control all of my powers, I figured this was the safest place for me to take a nap in a house full of demons."

Wyatt glared at him pointedly. He flicked his finger at Chris and dumped him on the floor. "Then you'll just have to do it from down there."

After he landed with a thud, Chris rolled over, "I don't suppose you'd reconsider letting me orb, would you?"

Wyatt: Clasping his hands together, "Very good! You're not as naïve as I thought. Now go and get cleaned up."

Chris: "What is with you and this new obsession with me being clean?"

Wyatt: "Because I have a job for you to do, and I need you to look somewhat presentable if they're going to take you seriously." He looked him up and down distastefully, "You look like one of those rebel sewer rats." He turned and headed toward the shower once again. "Come with me."

Chris wanted to ignore Wyatt, but was again forced to follow with the command he was now becoming accustomed to.

Wyatt stopped just short of the stall when he turned to him and spoke again, "Get in."

Chris hesitated, and soon became aware that his mind did not have the strong desire to obey the command as it did moments ago. His heart soared as a new realization hit him: his body only forced him to follow his brother, not to obey him. He crossed his arms and smiled smugly, "You first. Because apparently, you can lead a dog around on a leash, but you can't make him do tricks..."

Wyatt's eyes flashed in anger as he flicked his wrist at him and held him near the top of the shower stall. He hissed through clenched teeth, "Why must you always try my patience?"

Dangly from the ceiling, Chris decided to concede this small matter in lieu of larger ones to come. He glanced down at the shower knobs and used his telekinetic power to turn on the water. Cocking his head to the side, he grinned innocently at his brother.

Wyatt withdrew his hand and unceremoniously dropped him to the floor of the stall. He grumbled inaudibly and slammed the door behind him.

After his shower, Chris entered the bedroom and looked around for clean clothes to put on since his were destroyed by Sizhen's fireball. Rifling through the closets, he frowned at finding only black shirts and jeans. Chris has never been a fan of all black, as if sporting the combination somehow signified an evil nature. However, the lack of alternatives made him put them on. Glancing in the mirror, he thought the outfit made him look more imposing, powerful even. He muttered outloud, "I see why he likes it. Hmm. Not bad if I do say so myself."

He was still admiring himself in the mirror when Wyatt orbed back in. "Alright. I'm clean. So what now?"

Wyatt either didn't care or didn't take notice of his identically dressed sibling. "No one else will ever accept you like I can, Christopher. That little stunt you pulled by going back has cost me the loyalty of certain followers. There are some that you will have to earn their respect--and you will do so by ridding me of the others." He put his hand on Chris' shoulder before asking, "Do you understand what I'm telling you to do? If you do this right, I may allow you to orb again."

Chris was surprised with Wyatt's sudden change of heart at giving him back his ability to orb. Knowing his brother, he knew that his freedom would not be given lightly. And that it would come with a high price. He made up his mind in that instant that whatever the cost--he would pay it. He thought that the sooner he got all of his powers back, the sooner he could get back to the past and fix any damage he might have to do. Chris nodded his head in affirmation as Wyatt orbed them away.

Wyatt orbed them back to the deserted lake that they were in earlier.

Chris: Looking around, "What are we doing back here? I thought you had a "job" for me?"

Wyatt: "You can't do your "job" until you learn how to control your powers."

Chris: "Well, I already figured out how to freeze. I just need to get really mad first."

Wyatt: Grinning, "You won't have to rely on anger to freeze something. That's just the best way to tap in to it. You can use other emotions. Pleasure, for one. That's usually what I use. Because I enjoy what I do." He held out his hand and a small vial materialized in it. "Drink this."

Chris eyed the glass and took it reluctantly, "What is it?"

Wyatt: "It will allow you to feel and focus on the power within you."

Chris held up the bottle, "Is this how you learned?"

Wyatt: "No. But we don't have time for that way right now. Take it."

Chris closed his eyes and let out a deep breath before he downed the bottle. Almost immediately, he shivered as he felt a tingling sensation rushing through his veins. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the world around him through new eyes. Everything seemed crystal clear. With perfect ease, he could sense his inherent powers--feel exactly where they seemed to originate within him.

Wyatt sensed the change in his brother and formed an energy ball in his upturned hand, offering it to him.

Chris inspected the ball of energy, as his very own eyes seemed to see past the crystal blue haze he normally saw when looking at one. Without effort, he waved his hand over the ball and froze it.

Wyatt: "You need practice before you go up against them."

Chris: "On?"

Wyatt: "Me. So you'd better learn fast, because I don't intend to heal you if you fail."

For the next few hours, Wyatt continually orbed away and reappeared. Each time, hurling an energy ball at Chris from different directions. And each time that Wyatt reappeared, Chris froze, deflected, and returned the energy back at Wyatt with superior ease. When Wyatt was satisfied that Chris could hold his own, he orbed them both down to the underworld to secure his brother's place by his side.

Past............

When Leo and Paige returned a short time later, they brought with them the stone and the bottle with Chris' dried blood in it. Paige began to mix the contents with the potion boiling in the cauldron.

Leo noticed that Piper seemed distracted and took her elbow, leading her over to the corner while her sisters bottled their concoction, "Hey. How are you doing?"

Piper: "I'm OK, I guess." Rubbing her stomach with a grimace, "Chris is doing somersaults in here, so he's probably telling me that he's definitely ready to go get his older self back."

Leo closed his in self reproach again, "What are we going to do when we get him back? You saw the look in his eyes. He hates me. And with good reason after everything I said and did."

Piper: "I don't think he hates you, Leo. He's just never really had a chance to get to know you. I can't say the same for myself, though. I had finally just started to get him to open up and trust me. Things were going great! But then he wouldn't even listen when I tried to tell him that we'd get him back." Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned into Leo's chest. "I'm a terrible mother. I betrayed one son, now I'm considering vanquishing the other."

Leo held her and tried his best to comfort the love his life, "You're a wonderful mother, Piper. Don't ever doubt that. Only a person, "a mother", so loving and caring as you could do whatever it takes to keep her child safe. You have to believe that this will work out somehow."

Piper seemed unconvinced but nodded her head anyway. She turned when Phoebe called her name.

Phoebe: "Piper. Did you hear me? I said I think we have the spell finished"

Paige sat down on the stone, careful to avoid the bloodstains. Glancing at it disgustedly, "This is kind of freaky. Are we really gonna lug this thing with us?"

Leo: "It may be the only way to make sure that Excalibur travels with us to the future. We don't know if Wyatt put some kind of spell on it or something to keep it with him."

Phoebe: "Are we sure that taking Excalibur out of this time isn't going to screw up the future..." pausing to wiggle her fingers at Chris' famous words, "...in even worse ways?"

Leo: "That's why we need the spell. To make sure that it goes where we need it to go so Piper can give it to Chris."

Piper walked over the original stone in the attic that housed Excalibur. Extracting the gleaming sword, her eyes raked over it greedily.

Everyone noticed her reaction and called her name to snap her out of the trance.

Paige motioned her arms inward, "Piper. Bring it over here before you get all crazy on us."

Piper quickly came to her senses and thrust the sword through the backside of the stone. Looking apologetic for her momentary lack of control, "Sorry about that. I guess I had it a little too long last time."

The three Charmed sisters locked hands around the rectangular stone and began to chant: "Excalibur--The Power of Three,
Commands Thee,
Conceal thyself,
with this rhyme,
until such occasion,
as this keeper releases you,
in another time."

Leo touched the spot where he had last seen the sword to make sure it was still there. He nodded excitedly as his hand brushed the hilt of the now unseen Excalibur.

Phoebe: Doubtfully, "Are we sure we need to take Wyatt?"

Leo replied confidently, "He's the safest of all of us. Wyatt wouldn't dare hurt himself. Besides, he can always put up his force field if he senses danger." He quickly walked to the playpen and reversed the sleeping spell that he put on the child with a wave of his hand. Picking up baby Wyatt, he brought him over to the stone and sat down with him in his lap. The sister's climbed onto the stone and also sat down, each placing one hand on baby Wyatt, with the other on the stone.

Piper leaned in close to Wyatt and spoke softly to him, "Hi Sweetie. We're gonna have some fun. Remember the little game that you and Chris love to play? The one where you find him and orb to him..." Wyatt grinned playfully and clapped his hands to together. "Chris is waiting for you. He wants you to come find him—but not too close, because he wants to play too. We all want play. Can you do that, Honey? Can you take us to Chris?"

Paige smiled at the excited expression on Wyatt's face, "Hold on, cause this is gonna be one hell of a ride....."

Disappearing in a swirl of blue lights, baby Wyatt giggled as he transported his family to the future for the best game of "Orb and Go Seek" he had ever played with his younger-older brother.

TBC...........................

Coming Home Chapter 22

AN: There is a bit of gory scene at the end of this chapter, but probably no worse than you'd see on the show. But just in case, I'll rate this chapter as "R" to be on the safe side.

Future............

As they approached a dimly lit cavern, Wyatt grabbed Chris' arm and cautioned him, "You can't hesitate, or they will kill you! They will try to find your weaknesses and use them against you. Don't show any, or it will be the last mistake you ever make."

Chris: Growing impatient, "Fine. Just tell me who I have to kill around here."

Wyatt began describing them, "....and a darklighter who goes by the name of Kell.......and last but not least, a Maxil demon, who hides in childlike form. Makes it easier for them to kill their targets. But with what I gave you—you'll still recognize it. But they're easy to kill—when they take human form, they die in human form. This particular one, you should remember."

Chris: "Why?"

Wyatt: "Because this is the one that tortured "Your" Auntie Paige to death."

Chris steeled his gaze and nodded.

They followed a long corridor that emptied into a large circular room. Both seemed unaware of the small group stealthily tracking them distantly in the shadows.

Most of the demons in question seemed to be occupying the space in the cavernous room. Wyatt stepped into the center and pulled Chris behind him.

A gravelly voice hissed from the shadows, "Why did you bring him here?"

Wyatt ignored the question and began circling his brother. Addressing the demons in a commanding voice, "Many of you have a price on his head. Many of you have vied for the position by my side for which he was born. And for this night..." Pausing for effect, "....and only this night---I give those of you who wish---one chance---to eliminate him---and take your rightful place and rule this world at my side. If you fail---you will die. The rest you will serve us both until the day I burn your ashes. Agreed?" Wyatt stopped circling Chris to take in the eager faces in the demonic crowd.

Chris flexed every muscle in his body at hearing the hushed whispers circulating the room. With the euphoric feeling he had, he smiled on in anticipation at the destruction that was about to commence.

The small group tracking the brothers arrived on Wyatt's last word, and didn't catch the gist of his tirade. They did however arrive just in time to witness as several very large and ominous looking creatures quickly surrounded the youngest member of their family.

Piper watched in horror as her youngest was cornered, while her oldest quietly retreated to observe what she knew would be a slaughter. She whispered to the others, "I have to get him out of there."

Phoebe: "No, Piper. WE have to get him out of there. There's just no way you're going out there carrying little Chris. You have to stay here and let us handle it."

Piper ignored her sister's words of caution as her instincts wouldn't allow her to remain hidden any longer. She raised her hands, blew up the demon closest to her son, and cried out, "Chris! Get out of there!"

All of the demons in the cavern turned to eradicate the new threat, but Chris quickly held up his hand and ordered Piper to stop before the situation got out of hand. He was surprised to hear the voice, but wasn't prepared to deal with it at the moment. He turned to find his mother, father, and aunts in the corner holding his brother's younger self. He locked eyes with the boy and gave him a familiar instruction, "Danger!"

The younger Wyatt immediately put up his protective force field and surrounded his family.

Chris addressed the boy again, "Don't put down your shield unless I tell you to, OK little guy?" Satisfied that the younger Wyatt understood when he cocked his head to the side, he began again to focus on the task at hand—destruction. Turning away from the child, he purposely ignored his father and aunts, allowing his gaze to fall upon his mother.

As Chris' eyes locked with Piper's, she noted that he did not seemed bothered by what she feared was his imminent death in the slightest bit.

Piper: "No...." She reached for baby Wyatt's hands and held them in her own, "Sweetheart, put your force field down and let mommy out of here. Your little brother needs our help, OK?"

Baby Wyatt remained wide-eyed and curious, but did not follow her instructions.

Paige was still intently looking on as the demons surrounded her younger nephew. "Why is he smiling? It's like he doesn't even know that he's outnumbered."

Leo looked around and saw his oldest son in the corner also smiling contentedly. He called out for him, drawing Wyatt over to them curiously.

Wyatt: "Well. I must say that I am surprised to see you all here. But don't worry, you've got the best seats in the house." Staring down at his younger self, "And you will do exactly as Christopher asked, won't you?"

Leo: "Please don't let this happen, Wyatt. Help him—he's your own flesh and blood...."

Wyatt: Shaking his head, "He doesn't need my help right now. Most importantly—he doesn't need any of you. You betrayed him. A fact which made him so angry, that he wanted to kill you all personally. But I talked him out of it...." Enjoying the shocked looks on their faces at his harsh words, he stepped closer to the force field menacingly, "Go back where you came from, or you won't live to regret it."

Wyatt immediately turned his attention back to the center circle and gave the command, "KILL HIM!!!"

As soon as the command was given, all of the demons who coveted his position began to attack. Chris sensed a presence charging for him and telekinetically reached behind his head to pull the demon to face him. He quickly froze him and several others near him to ice, while his family behind the force field all stared incredulously at Chris' apparent new power.

Paige's jaw dropped when she saw this, "WHOA!!! That's definitely a new one." She turned to Leo and her sisters who were watching anxiously as Chris deflected a fireball, vanquishing the demon it came from.

Chris didn't seem to break a sweat at the influx of demonic attacks. From the corner of his eye, he saw a fireball headed in his direction, and quickly froze it, then motioned it into the frozen demons—shattering the once lively foes into tiny pieces.

Looking down, he saw an athame in the boot of one of his opponents and telekinetically relieved him of it. Seeing two more opponents charging him with weapons, he swept his arms together and motioned all three of them in a single line, holding them there. Before they could break free of his control, he threw the athame with such force that it penetrated each of the three demons, reducing them to ashes as it passed.

As all that had vied for Chris' position continued to be eliminated in turn, everyone in the cavern watched in awe at the rapid succession in which they were slain by Chris' hand.

His last demonic victim, Chris decided to finish off in a particularly brutal manner for two reasons: to discourage any further opposition, and for what it did to his family. He glanced down at the Maxil demon now taking the form of an adolescent female cowering on the floor. Wyatt was right--he did remember this one.

Leaning down to whisper in its ear, "Do you remember Paige Matthews, the magic school teacher. The Charmed One you killed?" Chris gloated as the demon's eyes grew wide with fear, and taunted her further, "The day you decided to take the life of a Halliwell, was the day you signed you own death warrant. I'm going to enjoy this...."

He held her at bay, high enough for all to see, with one hand and motioned his right hand as if pulling on a rope. Slowly, the demon began screeching and writhing in agony as elongated droplets of blood emerged from every pore of its body and suspended in mid air. He waived his hand again in front of the floating blood daggers and turned them to ice. Swiftly, he pushed at them and sent the millions of tiny knives careening back into the Maxil demon, shearing off its flesh on impact. Chris grinned sinisterly as he watched the demon that murdered his aunt gurgling as it took its last painful breath. He ignored the horrified gasps his family gave at his actions. Instead, he turned and shared a sadistic laugh with the older Wyatt who stood up clapping proudly.

All demons remaining immediately dropped to their knees at the transformation that they had just witnessed. They were all accustomed to seeing the younger of the Halliwell brothers reluctant to use his powers in anything but self-defense. This day, however, Chris had quite oppositely employed more powers than they had ever seen him use for one purpose; and that purpose most definitely was not self-defense. Chris had used his powers as his brother had so often done for the sole purpose of annihilation, and seemed quite pleased to do so.

Hushed voices murmured that Chris was a powerful and dangerous being in his own right. No longer one to be scoffed at as the Halliwell Pacifist, but revered as Wyatt's equal.

In their eyes, Christopher Halliwell had come to rule by Wyatt's side and rightfully so.

Wyatt stepped forward and picked a dark-lighter of off his knees. He asked him daringly, "Whom do you serve?"

Dark Lighter: "You, Master Wyatt." He replied nervously.

Wyatt nodded, apparently accepting the answer. So it was with surprised gasps when he shoved the dark lighter back to the ground and vanquished him with an energy ball. His screams still echoing in the cavern, Wyatt stepped forward and stood proudly next to his brother. He addressed the entire cowering crowd, "I say again--Whom do you serve?"

Though the crowd was immensely smaller than it had been when the Halliwell brothers arrived, a cacophony of voices could be heard chanting as they bowed their heads, "Master Wyatt AND Master Christopher"

Piper suddenly felt nauseous at the horrific scene before her--both of her beloved sons claiming dominance over a legion of demonic minions. Never in her life, did she ever imagine such an event. Tears in her eyes, she accused Leo with a grief that only a mother could possess, "Three days, Leo. And we've lost them both...."

Phoebe wrapped her arms around her older sister, "Honey I think we'd better get out of here before they remember that we're still here."

Leo looked as distraught as Piper felt. Tears welled up in his eyes before he straightened his shoulders and said determinedly, "It's not over. We'll save them both. I swear to you, Piper that I will not rest until we save our sons from this future."

Leo felt the need to wrap his arms around the baby in his arms tighter. Kissing the top of his head, he nodded to Paige before they both reached out and orbed Piper and Phoebe away.

TBC...................................

AN: HA! That's it for now. No, I don't mean that the story's over, but I do mean that with the 2 jobs, it's getting harder to write and post frequently. But if you really liked this chapter, I might be able to be persuaded to stay up late & write :) Oh, and is Chris evil, or isn't he? Hmmmm. For that matter, Am I? insert evil laugh here No, of course not--I just love feedback since it gives me ideas for the next chapters. Hint Hint. Yeah, can you tell I'm in a goofy mood today? I guess I'm just so hysterical after what the official writers have done with Chris. Cross your fingers for next season everyone.......

Coming Home Chapter 23

Just as Chris starts to bond with his family in the past, Wyatt gets other ideas in the future--all parts are "pg13" except 5 (and maybe 22) , which is "r" for a bit of violence. .

AN: This is soon to be over, because I just can't wait to start on my next one & my fix for the season finale. (I'd write it in here but their theory kind of clashes with mine in this story--so I'm just going to ignore everything after Spin City) I just can't leave their writers up to their own devices---look what they've done with my favorite character so far!!!!!! Sorry, still venting & hysterical.....but on with it......

Wyatt turned to the crowd still bowing and demanded, "Leave us!"

Immediately, demons dissolved, shimmered, and scurried away leaving only Wyatt and Chris standing together in the center of the cavern.

Chris had started to calm considerably after everyone had gone. He touched his hand to his chest as he felt his heartbeat slowing to its normal pace.

Wyatt turned to him sporting the same cheshire grin that he himself often wore, "You did well, brother. They fear you..."

Chris' expression matching his brother's, "As they should. They'll think twice about coming after any of us again." He glanced distracted over Wyatt's shoulder to the corner where he had last seen his family, "They left, you know."

Wyatt: "Of course they left. There's nothing here for them. And I'm absolutely certain that after that little display you put on, they won't want to take you back with them, either. They're going back where they belong."

Chris: "But what were they doing here?"

Wyatt laughed, "You know them. They could never resist a mystery. They're just here to find out what we were up to. It's not like they actually care about you."

Chris stared at his feet sadly. "Mom did."

Wyatt put his hand on Chris' shoulder. "Would she have helped send you back to an uncertain future if she really cared about you? They just wanted you out of their way. You were a mere nuisance to them. Always have been. "This" is where--and when--you belong, Christopher. With your "real" family. Not back there with a group of walking ghosts who've been dead for years."

Chris looked up at Wyatt, "Well there's more to our "family" than just you and me. I want to see Lynny."

Wyatt blew out a frustrated breath, "Why?"

Chris: "Because she's our sister and she doesn't deserve to be rotting down there in that prison, that's why."

Wyatt : "Well in case you forgot, she's not our sister."

Chris grew angry at Wyatt's denial and slapped his hand away from his shoulder. "Damn it, Wyatt! I don't care who gave birth to her---she was, is, and always will be our sister. I don't believe that you don't care about her. You grew up with her. You took care of her when there was no one else. And you're the one who threw an energy ball at a teenage boy who dared to plant an innocent kiss on your baby sister. You were just lucky that she absorbed it in time, or she would have never forgiven you."

Wyatt grew angry at Chris' retort and drew an energy ball and held it threateningly, "The boy. Pissed. Me. Off. Something you seem to be quite fond of doing."

Chris glared back at him with a challenging look, "Seems that way, doesn't it. And it will continue to seem that way until you let her out of there. Get me?"

Wyatt's hand shook with fury as the ball grew larger.

Moments passed as both brothers continued to glare into the other's eyes, each refusing to back down.

Several minutes later, Wyatt broke contact and roared as he hurled the energy ball at the nearest wall.

Taking deep breaths to calm himself down, Wyatt sneered, "She's safer down there."

Chris: "Safer from what, you? Well if you would learn to control your temper and stop trying to "kill" us, she would be safe up here too."

Wyatt steeled his gaze walked over to Chris. Leaning in close to his ear, "I have never tried and failed to kill anyone. If I wanted either of you dead--you'd be visiting the rest of the Hallliwells at this very moment."

Chris feigned surprise as he crossed his arms, "Really? Because I could have sworn that I was ducking energy balls last time I took that dive through the portal."

Wyatt: "That was a low level charge. Maybe just enough to scramble that feeble mind of yours, but not enough to kill you."

Chris: "And when you hit Lynny in the back with one? What was that, huh? A massage?"

Wyatt stated coldly, "A lesson. She didn't listen."

Chris threw his hands up, "She's a teenager! What did you expect? "None" of them listen. So what now--you fry her every time she refuses to do what you say?"

Wyatt: "No. Out in the real world, she's as helpless as an infant."

Chris: "She can take care of herself."

Wyatt: "But she won't"

Chris: "Since when?"

Wyatt: "Since she refuses to use her active powers. All thanks to you."

Chris: "How is that my fault."

Wyatt: "Because she worships the ground you walk on. She always does whatever you tell her. Whatever you show her." He looked at Chris disgustedly, "She may as well be your clone."

Chris grinned conspiratorially, "Then I guess I'll have to show her." He turned and added smartly to provoke a response, "I always knew you had a soft spot for the kid." His only reply came in the form of an index finger prodding him, sending a tiny electrical charge through his back.

Chris jumped at the shock, "OW!"

"Knock it off!"

"Would you STOP that!"

"Dude, you are SERIOUSLY starting to piss me off...."

Wyatt never did respond verbally as he orbed them to Lynny's cell.

TBC.......

AN: Thanks to everyone who as reviewed so far. I know this one was real short, but I have the sequence all ready played out in my head for the interaction with Lynny, & the reactions with Piper & crew, and hopefully soon--the end. I just.....have....to....type it out.....fading fast....tired...night. Tomorrow maybe? :)

Coming Home Chapter 24

Just as Chris starts to bond with his family in the past, Wyatt gets other ideas in the future--all parts are "pg13" except 5 (and maybe 22) , which is "r" for a bit of violence. . ....................

Lynny was sleeping fitfully in the corner of her cell. She had laid down worriedly ever since Sizhen had walked Chris out nearly a day ago. She didn't hear her brothers orb into the cell.

Chris saw her tossing uncomfortably and glared at Wyatt. His brother merely shrugged and retreated to the opposite corner as Chris tip-toed over and softly stroked her hair from her forehead. "Lynny? Wake up."

Hearing his voice, Lynny blinked her eyes sleepily as she was pulled from her slumber. "Chris?" She sat up and immediately punched him in the arm. He rubbed his arm, "Ow. What is with the two of you today?"

Lynny: "What did I tell you? My name is LYNN."

Wyatt folded his arms and laughed at their childish interaction.

Lynny jumped when she heard Wyatt's familiar laughter echoing in the room, as she thought they had been alone. Looking over to him suspiciously, "What are you doing here?"

Wyatt: "Ask Chris. He's the one who insisted we come down here."

Lynny crossed her arms and stared pointedly at Chris. "Well?"

Chris: "Wyatt told me that there was a reason for you being down here. Do you know what that reason is?" Her suddenly shy and guilty look told him that she did. He asked again, "Lynn?"

Lynny uncrossed her arms and started twirling her hair around her finger, "What?"

Chris: "Answer my question. Did you know?" Still getting no response, he questioned further, "Is it because you refuse to use any of your active powers? Even to defend yourself?"

Lynny jutted her chin out petulantly, "So what if it is?"

Chris threw his hands up in frustration, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Lynny yelled back defensively, "What's the big deal? You don't use yours! So why should I use mine?"

Wyatt intervened before Chris could answer, "Now that's not true, is it, Chris? Why don't we show her?" He snapped his fingers and a small probe waded through the hallway and positioned itself in front of the bars. He spoke in its direction, "Location 1013--Today, Fourteen Twenty Seven Hundred Hours. Image only."

As he finished his sentence, an image was projected from the probe onto the back wall of the cell.

Chris was surprised to find that the image it displayed was of him just before Wyatt gave the command to kill him. Nervously, he turned to Wyatt, "Turn it off."

Wyatt replied innocently, "Why? You were defending yourself. Making sure that they wouldn't come for any of us ever again. She has the right to see that, don't you think?"

Chris frantically threw his arm out to try and destroy the probe before it showed her something he would rather her not see.

Wyatt anticipated his actions and flung him against the wall before he could intercept the images.

Chris sagged against the wall as he watched himself dispatching the crowd of demons. He gazed intently down to his feet when he heard Lynny gasp at the savageness of his last victim's demise.

Lynny stared at him accusatorily, "She was a child, Chris! How could you?"

Wyatt defended him, "She was no child. She was a Maxil Demon. A shapeshifter who took the form of a child. In particular, the one who murdered Paige."

Lynny shook her head, "Aunt Paige died in a car accident."

Chris mumbled distractedly, "You were too young to remember what really happened. She brought that thing home when it pretended to be helpless. Even took it out for ice cream. There was barely anything left of Aunt Paige when it was done with her. At least that's what I heard Leo telling mom when he couldn't heal her." He looked back at Lynny who stood rigid with shock.

Chris stood up pleading with her, "You have to understand. I did it for us. We'll never be safe from them unless we make them stay away. And the only way they're ever going to do that is if we make them afraid to come near us. It's no worse than what the Charmed Ones did. I know you don't remember much about them, but I saw them--lived with them for months as an adult. They felt no remorse at killing a demon, especially one that attacked our family."

Chris could almost physically see the inner turmoil raging through her. He knew that no matter how feisty and confident she appeared, Wyatt had still accurately gauged his little sister's dependence on him. He held out his upturned hand to hers, "We have to show them that they can't mess a with a Halliwell and live to tell about it."

Biting her lip nervously, she slowly reached out her left hand and placed it in Chris'.

Chris glanced to Wyatt moving to stand next to Lynny, mimicking his actions on her opposite side.

Chris spoke to Lynny while looking over her into Wyatt's eyes. "Wyatt's done it. I've just done it. And..."

Wyatt interrupted, "And now it's your turn. Sis." Wyatt allowed his lips to curl up slightly as she hesitantly placed her right hand in his.

Lynny darted her head back and forth between her two brothers holding her hands. On the one hand, she a brother that she trusted implicitly. On the other, she had a brother that she--well she didn't know what to think of him most of the time. But if Chris thought that this was for the best, she would follow him anywhere. At least it meant that she wouldn't have to kill him as he asked.

She tightened her grip on their hands as she felt the familiar tingle of Wyatt orbing them all away.

An enchanted forest......

Piper sat down heavily on that had carried them all to the future. Still shaking her head in disbelief, "How could this happen to my babies. What have I done wrong?"

Phoebe sat down next to her and rubbed her back soothingly, "Sweetie, this is not your fault. You haven't done anything wrong."

Piper: "I failed them. It's one thing to just think you're a terrible mother. But it's totally different to see the proof walking around torturing innocent children to death."

Leo: "Maybe it's just a spell he has him under. If it is, we should be able to break it when we give him Excalibur."

Piper: "We CAN'T give him Excalibur now, Leo. If he's evil now, he'll still be just as evil when we give it to him. The only difference will be that he'll be unstoppable with it."

Phoebe: "Piper, it's too soon for it to be anything other than a spell. He wouldn't murder an innocent for no reason, otherwise."

Paige shifted uncomfortably on her feet, "I don't know, guys. I just get this really weird feeling that the kid wasn't as innocent as she looked. I mean it doesn't quite make sense that she was down there in a room full of demons. Right, and not one of them thought to kill her before Chris did?" She watched the others nod slightly in agreement. "Even though...he did kind of seem to enjoy it---But hey! That doesn't mean anything. He is a tad bit--neurotic."

Piper replied sarcastically, "Thanks, Paige."

Paige shrugged, "I'm just trying to help..."

Leo: "We can get him back. And then we can save the future for both of them."

Phoebe: "Yeah, but--how are we gonna do that? We just thought we were gonna have to bust him out of where ever he was being held. Not fix him, and then bust him out."

Leo replied defensively, apparently annoyed with Phoebe's skepticism. "So it will take longer than we thought. But we'll do whatever we have to do!"

Everyone was taken back by Leo's outburst and jumped in surprise.

Phoebe's eyes went wide at the anger she felt emanating from Leo. She stammered, "I.....I'm sorry Leo. I didn't mean it the way it came out. I just meant that it's gonna take a bit more than we planned. I want to get him back just as much as you do."

Leo put his hand on his forehead and sighed, "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to blow up at you. It's just so frustrating. I haven't even gotten to know him, gotten him to forgive me for everything I've put him through. And now I guess I'm worried that I may not get the chance."

Paige tried to break the tension by changing the subject. "I think we should follow them for a little bit and find out what we're up against." She reached out and picked up baby Wyatt.

Piper arched her eyebrows inquisitively, "What are you doing?"

Paige: "I'm taking him with me. If we run into the older version, he won't be stupid enough to hurt us--and himself in the process. And if we run into anyone else, he can shield us long enough for us to orb. I think you and Leo should stay here...."

Both Piper and Leo protested at the same time, "What! No!"

Paige: "Calm down. Both of you. Piper, you have to keep little Chris safe, and you are the only one who can give him Excalibur when we break whatever spell he's under. And Leo, you need to stay with Piper in case you need to orb her out quickly. We don't know what kind of demons could be lurking around here."

Both parents grumbled but reluctantly sat back down on the stone.

Phoebe held out her hand for Paige and they orbed out together to trail their nephews.

A San Francisco Street Corner......

Lynny turned to her brothers, "I don' get it. Why do I have to wear Bianca's clothes."

Chris grinned, "Because you don't own anything black."

Lynny glanced disgustedly at the revealing black leather bodice she now wore, "Maybe not, but I look like the only thing missing is a whip and some chains. I happen to like bright colors. Ooh, and pink is my favorite!"

Chris: "Yeah, but the problem is--I don't think that you'd look very "scary" in pink lace. In fact, I think some of the demons you'll face may just laugh at you."

Lynny: "But..."

Wyatt interrupted, "Enough already. Lynny...", he paused and blew out a breath at the intense glare she gave him, "MELINDA---has some work to do. Do you remember what I taught you at Magic School?"

Lynny flashed a sarcastic smile at him, "Of course. It wasn't that long ago that I should be getting senile."

Chris looked to both with a bewildered expression, "What do you mean? What did you teach her at Magic School?"

Lynny shrugged, "Wyatt showed me how to expand my empathic power."

Wyatt: "I taught her how to defend herself. And maybe a few offensive strikes as well."

Chris stared at them in disbelief, "Ah. When was this? And why didn't you teach me?"

Wyatt: "I DID teach you, Christopher."

Chris: "Yeah, this morning!"

Wyatt raised his voice, "You didn't want to learn! Why do you think I assigned Bianca to watch over you?"

Lynny stepped in between the brothers to calm them, "Guys? Something else we should be doing, perhaps?" She turned to Wyatt, "We're not going to make this a habit, right? This is just for show--this one time? Just to make sure they leave us alone?"

Wyatt nodded, "As long as they remain in their place, there will be no further problems--or necessary displays."

Lynny looked to Chris for confirmation, who also nodded. "Ok. Here goes." She strolled off around the corner while her brother's remained behind and watched from the shadows.

Moments later, she heard a few demons by the dumpster mumbling about her.

Demon 1: "It's the witch, I tell ya." He smiled predatorily, "And she's by herself. She ain't got no powers, except that "touchy feely stuff". Lot a good that'll do her. Come on. If we take her out now, we can make sure that there ain't never gonna be no triad. And we'll be back on top..." He punched his fist into his other hand and waited for a mutual agreement. When the consensus was reached, they all shimmered out to surround Lynny.

When a dozen or so demons surrounded her, Lynny jumped in surprise. Trembling, she meekly asked, "What do you want?"

Demon 1: "What are you doing out here alone? You know this is our territory."

Lynny stammered, "Ye..aah. But, you can't touch me. If you do, Wyatt will kill you, and everyone you know."

Demon 2: "Well he ain't here, is he?" He drew a fireball in his hand, "And he ain't never gonna find out."

Lynny inhaled and took a step back as he raised the fireball to throw at her. In a terrified voice, she cried out, "WYATT!!!"

The demons surrounding her laughed as she called for her brother and held her hands up in defense to brace for the impact.

They laughed harder when her oldest brother never responded to her desperate pleas.

They stopped laughing when the fireball that should have disintegrated her, disappeared inside her body and emitted an orange glow.

Lynny lowered her hands and hardened her expression. "Now that wasn't very nice." She closed her eyes briefly and held her hand back up. The demons watched in stunned silence as the fireball reconstituted itself in her palm before she threw it back at its surprised owner. As his ashes scattered to the ground, the others broke out of their reverie and bombarded her with fireballs, jolts of electricity, and poisonous venom.

Demon 1 muttered to himself just before he was vanquished, "Damn. This was supposed to be easy."

Chris: "How did she do that?"

Wyatt smiled proudly, "Her empath abilities used to allow her to absorb only feelings. I showed her how to extend it to absorb objects too. Then to reverse it and expel them."

Lynny absorbed everything they threw at her, and returned it with equal momentum. Quickly bored of the vanquishes, she turned and cleared a path in the direction she had left her family. She felt a slight twinge of another fireball hitting her from behind. She put her hands on her hips and spoke out loud, "Do I have to do everything myself?"

Chris turned to Wyatt grinning mildly, "Aww. Our little girl is growing up..."

Wyatt chuckled a bit as he orbed them to her side. All traces of humor vanished from the brothers faces as they stood on either side of Lynny. The remaining demons in the alley momentarily froze in fear at being caught by Wyatt. Some decided to make themselves scarce, while others opted to fight and face Wyatt now. At least this way they would have a fighting chance compared to when he and his "new" second in command hunted them down later.

Wyatt drew an energy ball and took one step before Chris grabbed his arm, "Remember--leave a few to tell the story to the others."

Wyatt: "Just a few..."

Phoebe, Paige, and Baby Wyatt orbed into the exact same hiding spot that had been occupied by Chris and the Older Wyatt only moments before.

Paige's jaw dropped when she saw the black clad trio down the alley, laying waste to everything that crossed their path. "I sure hope those are all demons."

Phoebe: "Who's the girl? You think she's Wyatt's girlfriend?" Baby Wyatt cocked his head to the side at her mention of his name. "Not you, little guy. We know another Wyatt."

Paige shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I've never seen or heard of a power like hers before."

Phoebe looked on distractedly, "I wonder if she's a Phoenix like Bianca? She seems familiar somehow..."

Paige seemed to ignore Phoebe's interest in the girl, "Damn. Look at that firepower. We can't go up against them like that--when they're together. Even as the Charmed Ones. We're going to have to get them separated."

Phoebe: "Good idea. We'll have to come up with a plan to get them all alone. Now let's get back to Piper and Leo. They must be worried sick." She held out her hand as Paige orbed them back to the forest.

TBC.....but not for much longer.

AN: almost done. :) Since chapter 23 was so short, I extended this one.