Leo sat alone in the small bedroom he now inhabited at magic school. It was dark, musty and cramped- he generally preferred not to spend his time there- but today he needed to be somewhere where he could think. The events of the past night- Christmas night- were running through his mind non stop. Things had been going well with Chris…and then he had managed to ruin it all with his angered reaction towards Bianca.
He couldn't help himself…he had been shocked when his son's girlfriend had shimmered out of the room…like a demon…
When he had orbed back to magic school he had done a little bit of research. According to the general definition, Phoenixes were 'demonically natured witches'. He wasn't exactly sure what that was supposed to mean, but he had always been taught that when the word demonic was involved, it could mean nothing good. On the other hand- despite what Chris seemed to believe- he did trust his son's judgement.
If Bianca truly was evil, he refused to believe that Chris would have stuck by her side for the past five months…
Chris knew better than that.
The boy had been right…it was unfair to judge someone based on their origin. It was entirely possible to reject ones heritage…if Wyatt had done it, then Bianca could too…
He just wished that Chris had told him sooner…at least given him some warning…then maybe he wouldn't have made an idiot of himself. But he knew that he shouldn't have really expected that of his son…he had never been there for Chris, why would he suddenly want to confide in him?
And would his reaction really have been any better?
Leo wondered what the other elders would say if they had still been around…he doubted that they would have approved…especially now that there was a child involved. Chris did not seem to realize the amount of responsibility his blood line required- being a whitelighter was something that was supposed to be earned, not inherited- if Chris was going to father a child with Bianca he would have required approval from the council. Chris would have had to fight just as much as he and Piper had.
The only difference was, Chris would not have won.
Maybe that was why Chris had never told him. As Leo thought about it he realized that this was probably a wise idea- if he had still been on the council, chances were he would have gone along with the rest and rejected the idea.
He never would have given Bianca a chance.
He would have acted like an arrogant, all knowing being, with no regard for his son's feelings…
Just as he had last night.
Lucky for Chris, Leo had now lost any authority he had possessed…there was no longer a council of elders that could tear them apart.
And, as Leo continued to think, he realized what a mistake it would have been- Chris obviously loved her…he was happy with her…deep down, Leo knew that Bianca was not demonic…
But if the situation had been different, he would he insisted on their separation.
He probably would have terminated the baby that tainted the whitelighter blood.
…he would have made a huge mistake.
Leo sadly picked up the small frame Chris had given him yesterday to distract him from his dark thoughts. He traced the outline of one of the painted clouds with his finger as he starred down at the family he had lost. His beautiful Piper gazed back at him from the tiny photo, her brown eyes full of pride as she held their youngest son. He missed her so much- he sometimes wished that he had died that day, with the other elders, just so he could see her lovely face again. Never- in life or in death- had he loved another being so deeply.
His eyes flickered over to Wyatt- the boy must have been about seven when this picture was taken. He looked to innocent…so sweet…with his angelic blonde curls and wide blue eyes. He looked so much like his father…and it seemed almost inconceivable that this cute little boy could grow up to do so much harm.
Five year old Chris was nestled comfortably I his mothers arms- he wasn't smiling like Wyatt, but starring out rather seriously…as if his young life had already burdened him with so much. Leo mused that perhaps the little Chris already realized what a complicated journey his life would be…and it must have been difficult, knowing at such a young age that you were different…and that being different meant that you had many expectations placed on you.
Chris had always been a bit like his mother- he just wanted a normal existence.
Leo could not help but feel guilty; if he had not been a whitelighter…if Piper had not been a witch…then their sons' lives would have been much simpler. Maybe the council had had good reason for trying to keep them apart…was it really fair to bring children in to the world, knowing that they would never have a chance for a carefree child hood…a normal life…
He placed the frame back on his night stand and gave a loud sigh. It was approaching the afternoon…he really needed to get back to work. He was doing no good wallowing in his past mistakes.
With one last glance at the picture, Leo stood up and walked out of the room, still haunted by his regretful thoughts.
He never should have left them.
He had been diluted by the elders for nineteen long years…only now was he beginning to realize how stupid he had been…how wrong…
He had lost his chance to have a family…he had pushed them away…let them die…let them turn…
All the while thinking that what he did was for the greater good.
'No,' he realized suddenly. 'Bianca is not the evil one; I am.'
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"…Jane Carlton, Peter Hampton and John Porter." Chris looked up from the list he had been reading off of and glanced around the meeting room. His group had gathered once again and were all listening intently as he divided them into sections according to level of power. "You seven are going to make up the second row- which means you are responsible for secondary offensive attacks and assisting anyone who has fallen in the front lines."
The people he had been addressing nodded and attempted to keep the nervous expressions off their faces. As the day of the attack drew nearer and nearer the level of tension within the walls of the magic school had become noticeably higher. Miraculously, all remained committed to the cause- they were all determined to seize this opportunity to rescue their fellow witches- before it was too late.
Chris had also managed to keep himself focused on the task at hand; he refused to let trivial things- such as his fight with Leo yesterday- to distract him from the ultimate goal. He knew how important this mission was. If they were successful it would be a major blow to Wyatt's authority and an even bigger power boost for the side of good.
"That brings me to another very important topic." He continued. "All of the whitelighters will be at the magic school, waiting to be called. If you, or someone near you is injured call for one of them and they will come to assist you."
A hand shot up near the back of the room, catching Chris' eye. "Is there a question?" he asked, trying to make out who the person was.
"Yes." A male voice replied. Chris tried not to groan as he realized who had spoken. Robert had remained strangely quiet throughout the course of the meeting and Chris had begun to hope the other young man had decided to stop being an irritating pest…it now seemed that he had been wrong.
"Why aren't you going to be doing any healing?" Robert questioned a slight smirk on his face.
Several people looked up. It was obvious that they had been wondering the same thing.
"Oh, that's right!" Robert continued with mock realization. "You can't heal. I almost forgot. Wyatt was always the more powerful one…"
Chris felt a flash of anger flow through him. Robert was really trying his patience and he had struck a sore point this time. He could remember his days in magic school…when he had still been trying to reject what he was...
The other kids- like Robert- had made fun of him for being different, and when the elders had requested that Chris join Wyatt for special whitelighter training Chris had been set against it. He hated going up there. He didn't want to be a whitelighter…he didn't want to be like his father…
But he had paid for his decision dearly- he hadn't been able to heal his mother when she needed it most. She had died because of his stubbornness.
He had learned to heal eventually, Sam had taught him, but by then it was too late.
Chris turned to face Robert, using every ounce of strength he possessed not to lash out. "I'm afraid that you are mistaken." He informed him coolly. "I've come a long way since sixth grade."
Wordlessly, he grabbed a letter opener from the desk he was sitting at and dragged it across his left palm, creating a rather deep gash. Many of the witches looked alarmed by his strange behaviour but Chris soon put their minds at ease as he brought his other hand up to the wound and healed it with a golden glow.
Robert could only glare.
Having proven himself, Chris continued. "As you can see, I am able to heal if necessary- but it is rather important that focus on leading the front lines. If it is an absolute emergency, you can call for me." He paused and noted with satisfaction that almost everyone seemed rather impressed. If Robert knew what was best, he would stop with the annoying questions.
"Now," Chris stated with a slightly cocky glance in Roberts direction. "Everyone open your booklet to page four so that we can go over the basic vanquishing spells for scabber demons…"
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Leo watched from the hallway as Chris worked with his group. He had been there for quite some time, masked by his invisibility, and he was more than a little impressed by his son's leadership. The boy was only twenty, and yet the other witches, most of whom were older than Chris, seemed to hang on his every word- they trusted him- listened to him.
It was remarkable how far Chris had come in such a short time. When Leo had suggested that Chris take on leadership, he had been quite reluctant…but he now seemed to posses the confidence necessary for the task.
He reminded Leo so much of Piper…not really seeking the responsibility but handling it unbelievably well when it was given to him.
Leo turned away from the classroom door and walked silently down the corridor. He knew that everything would soon be okay.
The mission would be a success. Things were going well.
Nothing could stop them now…
XXXXXXXXX
Bianca sat in the quiet living room of her apartment that afternoon flipping through the newspaper. Chris was still at magic school, and Victor had gone to the doctor's office to get a prescription for the cough that had been bothering him on and off for several weeks, so she was alone, once again, with nothing to do.
She felt so useless, just sitting there. She wished that she could be helping with the mission against Wyatt, but Chris had firmly insisted that it was too dangerous- she had to think about the well being of the baby, not just herself. He was right of course, but it still frustrated her greatly.
Wyatt was gaining more and more support everyday, and she useless to stop it…
Crash
A loud noise from the kitchen caused her to drop the newspaper with alarm. Her heart rate suddenly began to increase as she glanced in the direction of the sound.
She knew that she was being foolish…it was probably just Victor, back from his appointment. Or maybe Chris had come home for a bit…
A little noise really shouldn't get her this worried.
She was being irrational.
"Hello?" she called, forcing her self to her feet and moving towards the kitchen. "Chris?"
There was no answer.
"Chris, is that you?" she asked, he voice wavering slightly. Bianca opened the door to the kitchen and found her self frozen in fear as she saw who had made the sound.
She could hardly breathe.
Her worst nightmare was suddenly coming true.
Elizabeth…
"Who is Chris?" her Aunt asked with mild curiosity from the chair she now occupied at the table.
"No one." Bianca replied a little two quickly. Her mind was spinning; how had Elizabeth managed to break through all of her protection spells? She must have found a glitch…
Bianca wanted nothing more than to shimmer out, but she knew that if she did her aunt would undoubtedly follow…there was no escape once a phoenix was on your trail. "I thought I told you to leave me alone." She said, trying to remain calm. Maybe if she got her out quickly, nothing would go wrong.
Elizabeth shrugged. "Well, I couldn't very well ignore a demand from Lord Wyatt." She said, not taking he eyes off of her niece. "He is very interested in meeting you…"
"Well, you can tell him that he is never going to." Bianca shot back with more bravery than she felt. Inside, her heart was still pounding frantically as she absorbed what her aunt had just said; Wyatt must have sent her aunt here to retrieve her….so that he could get to Chris. "I want nothing to do with him. He is evil."
"And so are you." Elizabeth retorted. "You're tried to escape your destiny long enough darling. It's time to get back to your roots." She paused and looked rather thoughtful. "You'll need some retraining. You appear to be getting out of shape."
Bianca placed a protective hand on her stomach took a few steps back towards the door way. Wyatt had obviously not told her Aunt all of the details…
"You're acting strange." Elizabeth noted coolly as she stood up and moved towards Bianca, her eyes narrowed. "Something is wrong with you."
Before Bianca could move any further away, Elizabeth grabbed her arm roughly and closed her eyes. Bianca knew exactly what she was doing; she was sensing.
She would soon know…
"No!" Bianca cried, jerking out of the older woman's grasp.
But it was already too late.
Elizabeth had discovered all that she needed.
"You are with child." The woman hissed in disbelief, the shock was evident on her pale face. She stepped towards Bianca again, her eyes flashing with rage. "And it is not just any child. It is the child of a whitelighter."
Tears began to well up in the young woman's eyes as she stared defiantly back at her aunt.
This was it.
It was all going to end.
The day she had feared since learning of her pregnancy had finally arrived.
She just wished that she could have seen Chris one last time…told him how much she loved him…
"You have tainted our blood line!" Elizabeth screeched in rage, violently flinging Bianca into the table. "This child it useless. It will never kill. How dare you bring such shame to our family?"
Bianca cried out as Elizabeth kicked her in the side. She felt the pain rush through her body. Blood seeped down her back where the splintered wood of the table had pierced her skin and her tears were obscuring her vision.
Elizabeth was right. She couldn't escape her destiny. She was going to die; just as generations had before her…at least she had a few happy moments to look back on as the life faded from her body.
Moments with the man she loved.
"Chris…" she moaned quietly just as Elizabeth flung her ragged body back into the splintered wood.
"Is that his name?" Elizabeth questioned with a sneer as she towered over her. "The one who did this to you?"
Bianca was too weak to reply.
"It looks like your angel isn't coming to the rescue this time." The woman laughed. "Maybe he has realized how worthless you are."
"Chris…" she choked out again, her voice barely a whisper.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Chris gathered the last of his papers together and walked out of the small class room. He was supposed to be meeting with Leo and Katie in five minutes to discuss his group's progress. He seriously wasn't in the mood to see his father after what the man had said about Bianca, but he knew that he had to be professional about the situation and leave all personal grudges aside for the good of the mission.
Over all, he was pleased by how things were going. Everyone had learned their spells, they had begun to work on the massive potion supply and it seemed that their strategy was fool proof.
None the less, he was happy that it would all be over soon- there was just less than a week left until New Years Eve…
He could hardly wait until he got the chance to spend more time with Bianca and focus his attention on the baby. It was still rather hard to believe…he was going to be a father in six short months.
He was determined to do a better job than Leo had.
"Chris…" the sound of Bianca's voice suddenly echoed in his head. All of the papers he had been holding dropped to the floor as a sickening fear passed through him…
She was in trouble.
With out another moment's hesitation he orbed out of the hall way, hoping that he wasn't already too late.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
When he reappeared in the apartment he was met with a horrible sight. Bianca lay bloodied on the kitchen floor as a woman he had never seen before towered menacingly over her.
At the sound of his orbs the woman turned abruptly, her eyes narrowed in anger. "The whitelighter." She hissed dangerously, conjuring a fireball in her out stretched hand. "You did this to her."
Confused by her words, Chris shook them off and orbed across the room to Bianca's side. It was clear that she was slowly beginning to loose consciousness. He placed his hands over her and began to heal the wounds as he fought back the tears that were threatening to fall.
He couldn't stand to see her like this.
She did not deserve to be treated this way.
"Get away from her!" the woman screeched, sending a fire ball in his direction.
Luckily, Chris managed to orb out of the way in time and he reappeared in the door way, bubbling with rage.
How dare this woman barge in here and hurt his Bianca?
He sent a bolt of lightening in the woman's direction and she screamed as it struck her painfully in the arm. "Get out of here." He demanded in his most threatening tone.
To his surprise the woman managed to suppress her pain and simply laughed.
"Interesting fire power." She said quietly. "But that will not be enough to stop me. Lord Wyatt has demanded that I bring my niece to him and I always complete my tasks. You may have tainted her, whitelighter, but I assure you that the child she carries will soon be destroyed."
Chris was too shocked to respond.
This woman was a phoenix.
Bianca's aunt.
She was going to hurt the baby.
And Wyatt had sent her to take Bianca away from him…
"Come along Bianca." Elizabeth continued as she walked towards her niece. "I have found a much more suitable husband for you."
"No!" Chris shouted, suddenly finding his voice. "You can't take her!"
Elizabeth smirked as she reached down and grabbed Bianca's arm. "I can and will." She sent another fire ball straight at Chris who did not react fast enough this time. He flew back into the wall crying out as he felt the flames burn his flesh.
"Look, Bianca." Elizabeth said as she jerked the young woman's head up roughly. "Your angel is dying…all because of you. That's all you'll ever be good for; causing death."
And with that, the woman shimmered them both down to Wyatt's lair.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I have captured her, my lord." Elizabeth declared triumphantly as she shoved Bianca onto the floor in front of her master. "Just as you asked."
Wyatt stood up from where he had been sitting and made his way towards the pair. "Why is she hurt?" he demanded and he kneeled down and began to heal her remaining wounds.
"I…I am most sorry my lord." Elizabeth stuttered with a slight bow. "I lost my temper…she…she has been impregnated by a whitelighter. You cannot expect me to react well to such horrible news."
"Yes, I know that it is rather unfortunate, but she is less likely to join our side if you injure her." Wyatt replied angrily as he stood back up to face the older phoenix.
Elizabeth returned his gaze fearfully. "I am sorry my lord. But that son of a bitch…"
Before she could finish Wyatt gave a loud laugh and looked down at her somewhat sympathetically. "You really shouldn't have said that." He said, the amusement flickering in his eyes. "No one insults my dearly departed mother and gets away with it."
Elizabeth stared at the young man in shock as she contemplated what he had said…
"He…he is…how?" she gasped in disbelief as it all suddenly became apparent.
"Ah, it appears that you are a bit smarter than I thought." Wyatt said with a smirk as he circled her like a hungry vulture. "Yes, the 'whitelighter' that has been sleeping with your niece is my brother…he's the reason that I needed you to bring Bianca to me. You see, I'm still rather fond of the boy and I intend to get him on my side…he loves your niece and if I can turn her, it will make it much easier to turn him."
Elizabeth said nothing and merely stared blankly ahead as she tried to process what she had just been told.
"Now, Elizabeth." Wyatt said coolly. "Since you have both served your purpose and called my mother a bitch…" He trailed off and sent a huge energy ball directly at her stomach.
The phoenix screamed in pain before her body shattered into tiny brown particles which settled lifelessly on the floor.
Wyatt smiled satisfactorily at his work and turned his attention back to the still groggy girl. He crouched beside her and ran a hand gently down the side of her smooth face. "I can see why my brother is so infatuated with you." He muttered with a small smile as he looked down at her. "You are very beautiful. The perfect Guinevere."
He stood backup, knowing that it was best to seize every minute he could for the sake of his plan. There would be time to admire the girl later. He waved his hand in front of him, summoning another figure into the room. "Barbas." Wyatt began, addressing the demon. "Take this girl to the room I have set up and begin your work."
"Gladly." Barbas replied as he stepped forward. "I sense much fear in this one…yes, she will be easy to convince."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Chris orbed himself to the magic school library, clutching his abdomen in pain. The fire ball had knocked him out for several minutes….and when he had woken up, it had already been too late to save her…
His Bianca was gone.
Luckily, he had still had enough strength to make it here when he had regained consciousness- and if he could be healed, then could find a solution….
She was still alive. And so was the baby.
He could feel it.
"Chris!" Leo exclaimed as he ran to his son's side and instantly began to heal him with a golden glow. "I sensed you arrive…what happened? Where were you?"
Chris drew several deep breaths and slowly forced himself into a sitting position. Now that the physical pain was gone, the mental pain was beginning to over whelm him.
The woman he loved had been taken.
He felt weak.
Useless…
"Bianca." He choked, tears welling up in his eyes. "Someone took Bianca. Wyatt wanted her."
Leo stared at his son, first in shock and then in sympathy. He was not sure if he should reach out to him or not…maybe Chris didn't want him there right now. He was mad at him, after all- maybe it would just make things worse…
Before Leo had any more time to think Chris threw himself into his father's arms and began to sob uncontrollably, clutching onto his shirt for dear life.
The boy had been through so much and it seemed that he had almost reached his breaking point…
These were tears of defeat.
"Daddy, I can't do this any more." Chris whispered between sobs. "Make it stop."
"We'll get through this, Chris." Leo soothed, stroking his sons dark hair as if he were a little child. "I promise that I'll make everything okay."
The two remained in that spot for hours, not noticing when the sun set and cast darkness over the room, not noticing when the last candle burnt out…
The father comforted the son.
For once, he was just where he needed to be.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A/N Muhahaha, and the climax begins…hoped you like it, this was a difficult chapter to write. I'm sorry that I'm so mean, but I never said that this was a happy story. Much action to come! You may be wondering why the baby didn't orb Bianca out in time...and my answer to that is: because that would be to easy.
PLEASE REVIEW!
Patricia L. Bryans- Oh yes, Barbas is most defiantly here, and the next few chapters are going to be all about the horrible things he makes them see. Yes, I am much too evil. Thanks for another review!
Quillsandbolts-Thank you.
charmedchick4eva- Aww, thanks. Glad you liked all the warm fuzzy stuff; sorry to say there won't be any more for awhile.
phoebe turner- Thanks once again. So glad that you're still reading after all this time!!
ilovedrew88- You like the warm fuzzy stuff too, eh? Lol, sorry to disappoint with this chapter…and sorry that Elizabeth did find a way. Maybe I shouldn't have put such a sad chapter next to a happy one…:) Thanks for the review!!
NOTE- If you review, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me if you'd prefer a happy or sort of sad ending…I have about three alternates in mind, but I'm not sure what people would like best…I'd love to know!!
