After dinner Leo pulled the girls aside,
"Why don't we wait until after the boys are in bed, then ask Penny to finish explaining her part and asking Chris to tell us what happened?".
Paige was happy Leo brought it up she wanted some time with Penny, before they got into the heavy topics again. She started to nod eagerly.
"That's a great idea Leo. We won't have to worry about the boys barging in." Piper said poking her head around the corner to check on the kids, "Wyatt Matthew Halliwell put that down now."
Phoebe was not to happy about waiting she wanted to know exactly what was after them and why, but she nodded her head in agreement.
Penny and Chris sat in the sitting room and kept one eye on the buys while Penny freaked out.
"Chris," she whispered "I can't answer that question it's impossible."
Chris was sitting on the lounge with his legs crossed staring at his younger self listening half heartedly to Penny.
"Chris?"
"I don't know Pen. Would it be so bad to tell them?" he asked.
Penny threw her arms in the air,
"What do you think. You know what happens. You know who Daniels is." she hissed, fed up with his nonchalance.
"I'm just saying, you've already told them what he's done, where he works etcetera. Why not just give them the last little detail?"
She stared at him then waving her hands in front of him she continued,
"Are you even here? You… I …'' she stopped she was getting to irritated with his lack of concern, getting off the lounge she walked to the doorway looking out and checking where the others were, turning back to face him.
"Chris, can't you tell them?" she asked.
"No way! Not even if you begged me." he answered perturbed.
Looking back out into the hallway she let out a nervous giggle, and shook her head. 'That'd be right, he doesn't want to tell because he knows they'll all freak out.' Just then she saw mom and aunts coming, turning back casually she leant against the wall. When they walked in the room she stayed where she was.
"Chris, Wyatt, Bed time." Piper told them clapping her hands together. With out fussing both of them jumped up gave their aunts hugs and ran up stairs.
"Be back soon." Piper said following them out.
Phoebe took a seat next to Chris and started up a casual conversation, but Penny still didn't move, Paige watched her intently.
"Penny!" she called softly, "Why don't you come sit down?"
Penny just looked at her, then gazed over at Chris who was staring at her
"Sit Down!" he mouthed.
Penny stood up straight and walked slowly to the chair, hovering for a moment before sitting. Paige smiled at her, taking a deep breath, Penny smiled back.
"So what's it like in the future?" Paige asked trying.
"It's ok. Not so different from now."
"Do you want to tell me anything about you? Or do you want to know anything about me?"
"I don't know. I mean what can I tell you?"
Paige smiled slyly.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Penny blushed deep red, Chris and Phoebe looked up from their conversation.
"Tell her Pen. She wants to know." Chris teased.
"Yes!" She said glaring at Chris, who looked very pleased with himself.
"What's his name?" Paige asked, endeavouring not to be too obtrusive. Penny rolled her eyes, she hated these questions.
"Sam."
Paige raised her eyebrows.
"That was your grandfathers name."
"I know." Penny responded as she looked at her finger nails.
"So how old is Sam?"
"25."
"Do you like one word answers?" Paige asked, slightly joking.
"Not always. Just during the Spanish Inquisition." Penny said smiling. "I guess I could tell you, I'm at college studying hard, although I don't as yet have a major. I was in the top fifth percentile of my graduating class, and I beat Chris and Wyatt every time we play Monopoly."
"She's a cheat that's why!" Chris accused laughing.
"I am not, you both just suck."
"I'm impressed."
"Don't be Monopoly's an easy enough game. You just have to get all the good streets." Penny said trying to dodge the obvious meaning of Paige's comment.
"I meant the school stuff. Top fifth percentile that's pretty good."
"No. Top fifth percentile in the country is pretty good, individual school rankings -not so important."
"Well I'm impressed!" Paige said defiantly.
"I, agh. What I'm going to tell you later isn't exactly the most pleasant news." Penny said changing the subject.
"We'll handle it. We always do."
A sudden uncomfortable silence hit the room, both groups had run out of non specific topics to talk about. Shifting awkwardly, Penny prayed that Piper and Leo wouldn't be long.
In a dark room on the other side of town, a tall handsome man sat alone in his office. His table was strewn with paperwork, knocking it all to the ground he picked up a letter opener. Cutting his hand he produced a small dish and candle from the draw, letting the blood flow into the bowl, he lit the candle.
"The secrets hid within in the night
The oldest of evils I invoke
The great malevolence is sought here tonight
Blood and pain, but not in vain.
Return now to whence it began."
He whispered, hate and self loathing clearly present in his voice. A cloud of flames and smoke emerging in the office.
"It is time." said a voice from the cloud.
The man hung his head in shame,
"Yes my liege."
The cloud then disappeared as if it was never there. Someone knocked on the office door.
"Yes?" he asked putting his hand under the desk and pushing the candle and dish back in the draw. The door opened just enough for the young woman to pop her head through.
"I'm leaving now Sir, is there anything else you need before I go?"
"No! I'm fine."
"Ok Sir. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye Sue." he said his patience wearing thin. As she closed the door, the rubbed his temples and rested his head on the desk.
"Tomorrow it all begins!" he told himself.