The man was just over six feet. He was wearing a beard and dressed in a red, three-piece suit and tie. He was carrying an ornately crafted cane in one hand that was obviously used more for appearances than walking. His hair, including his beard, was stark white.
"I apologize for the intrusion," said the man. "I knocked but there was no answer. The front door was open and I heard you in her talking. I hope I'm not intruding."
"That depends," said Prue suspiciously. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"Very direct," said the man. "My name is Chris. And I would like just a moment of your time if I might."
"Chris?" Piper questioned. "Just Chris? No last name?"
"Yes, I have a last name," said the man. "But I think it would be best if we could speak first. Time is short and I'm afraid what I've come to speak with you about is extremely important."
"And if we say no?" Phoebe asked.
"Then I shall leave and never bother you again," said Chris. "But I assure you, it is of the utmost importance. Surely you can spare just a moment of your busy day to hear me out. It won't take long, I assure you."
"Well," said Prue, "I suppose it won't hurt to listen to you. But this better be good or you're out on your ear pronto."
"Always the forceful one," said Chris, smiling. "May I have a seat? I've come a very long way and I'm a bit tired."
"Sure," said Prue. "Piper, why don't you go into the kitchen and see if Leo has finished fixing the disposal yet?"
"What?" Piper questioned. "Oh, yeah, right. Excuse me, Mr., uh, Chris. I'll be right back."
"Certainly," said Chris taking a seat on the sofa.
As Chris was sitting down, Cole came in the front door carrying his briefcase.
"Hey, you know the front door is wide...." he began.
His voice trailed off as he saw Chris sitting on the sofa. Cole got a very strange look on his face.
"We have a guest," said Phoebe, moving over to Cole.
"So I see," said Cole. "Phoebe, can I see you for a moment? Would you excuse us?" he asked Chris.
"Certainly," said Chris. "We have to wait for Piper to get back anyway. Please, take your time."
Phoebe and Cole went upstairs. As soon as they were out of sight, Cole stopped and looked around the corner at Chris sitting in the living room.
"That's weird," said Phoebe. "I don't remember us mentioning our names to him. How did he know Piper's name?"
"What is he?" Cole asked suspiciously.
"What do you mean 'what is he'?" Phoebe asked.
"Just that," Cole said. "Don't you sense it? There's a very powerful magic aura emanating that man. I've never sensed anything like it before."
"I don't know who he is," said Phoebe. "He just showed up here and said he needed to talk to us about something. He doesn't appear to be a threat."
"Be very careful with him," said Cole. "I don't think he's human despite what he looks like."
"You think he's a demon?" Phoebe questioned.
"I don't know," said Cole. "I've never sensed that kind of power before, not even from the Source. If he is a demon he'd have to be an extremely old one to emanate such power. He mentioned Piper getting back. Where is she?"
"She went into the kitchen to get Leo," said Phoebe. "Prue suggested it. I guess she thinks he might have an idea who this guy is."
"That's a good idea," said Cole. "Let's get back down there. Prue's alone with him and if he's up to no good she might need help."
Cole and Phoebe went back downstairs to rejoin Prue and Chris in the living room. Chris hadn't moved. He still sat on the sofa with his cane lying across his lap. Prue was standing in front of him with her arms folded across her chest.
"I should think that Piper should be back any moment," said Chris.
As if this were a cue, Piper and Leo came out of the kitchen. Prue, Phoebe, and Cole looked suspiciously at Chris wondering how he could have known they were coming out of the kitchen at just that moment.
"Leo," Piper said, "this is Chris, the man I told you about. He says he wants to speak to us."
"Nice to finally meet you," Chris said, smiling at them.
"Do I know you?" Leo asked with a strange look on his face.
"In a manner of speaking," said Chris. "It would be more accurate to say that I know all of you. Including your demonic friend here. He is half human, after all."
"You seem to know a lot about us," said Prue. "Which brings us back to our original questions. Who are you and what do you want? And if you know who and what Cole is you must also know who and what we are. I would suggest you not toy with us. We know how to take care of ourselves."
"How well I know," Chris said. "But I'm not a threat, I assure you. In fact, I'm in need of your help."
"Our help?" Piper questioned. "What kind of help and what for?"
"Quite simply," said Chris, "I need you to save Christmas. Without you, Christmas may end forever. And you're the only ones who can save it."