THREE

A nurse eventually came in and told Piper and Leo that Chris had been stabilized and was resting comfortably. They wouldn't be able to see him for a while because he was still in the pediatric ICU ward. She said a doctor would be in shortly to explain everything to them. Still, it was more than two hours before the doctor came in to see them. The look on his face told Piper the news wasn't good.

"How's my son? Piper demanded as soon as the doctor walked through the door.

"He's fine for now," said Lyman. "We've been able to stabilize him and the episode seems to have passed for the moment at least. We're keeping him in the pediatric ICU as a precaution."

"Thank goodness," said Piper. "Oh, this is Chris' father, Leo Wyatt."

"Nice to meet you," said Dr. Lyman. "I'm afraid the news isn't very good. We performed some tests and we think we've figured out what triggered Chris' respiratory distress."

"What was it?" Leo asked.

"He has some form of toxin in his system," said Lyman.

"Toxin?" questioned Piper. "What kind of toxin?"

"We don't know," said Lyman. "He's on oxygen and some special medication that seems to be helping for the moment. But that's really only a band-aid. Unless we can figure out what the toxin is and provide him with an antidote, the prognosis isn't good."

"You don't know what it is?" Piper asked.

"Frankly, no," said Lyman. "All of our tests have come back negative. It's not like anything I've ever seen before. It reacts like a virus but we know it's not organic. If I had to guess I'd say it was some kind of poison but it defies all of our attempts to identify or catalogue it."

"What will happen if you can't find an antidote for it?" Leo asked.

"I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before the treatment won't be any use," said Lyman. "Unless we can identify what poison it is Chris is going to die."

"How long?" Piper asked.

"That's hard to say," said Lyman. "His condition is stable for the moment but that's not going to last. We'll do everything we can for him, you have my word."

"Where did he get this toxin, doctor?" asked Piper.

"We don't know," said Lyman. "There's no sign of it in your tests. And we've checked everything he's been given since he was born. Frankly, we're stumped. All we can figure out is that he was born with it which doesn't make any sense because you don't have it. We're going to keep checking and I'll let you know if there's any change."

"Thanks, Doctor," said Leo. "We appreciate everything you've done."

They waited patiently while Lyman left the room. After he left, Leo turned to Piper.

"Don't worry," said Leo. "Chris seems to be out of danger for the moment. I'll orb in later and heal him. That should take care of whatever toxin he has in his body. Once he's healed he should be fine."

"Do you think you should wait that long?" Piper asked. "What if he has a relapse?"

"You heard Dr. Lyman," said Leo. "Chris is stable for the moment. I'll keep an eye on him. If it looks like he might be in danger again I'll do what I can. Don't worry. He's going to be fine."

"Okay," said Piper weakly. "Let me know as soon as you do."

"I will," said Leo.

He kissed Piper and then orbed out of her room.

Piper had a restless night. She couldn't sleep for thinking about Chris. She was worried that something would happen before Leo could heal him. She knew Leo wouldn't let Chris die. But there were so many variables they couldn't control she couldn't help but worry.

Finally Leo orbed in. It was well after midnight and he startled Piper when he did. In a way she was relieved to see him. She knew he would have healed their infant son by now and was just coming to tell her everything was going to be okay.

"Piper, I," began Leo a look of pain on his face.

"Leo, what is it?" asked Piper in fear. "Chris? He's okay isn't he? You said you were going to heal him. You did heal him, didn't you? He's cured now, isn't he?"

"I orbed into the pediatric ICU a few minutes ago," said Leo. "The nurses were busy filling out forms and such so they didn't see me. And, yes, I used my healing power on him. Piper, it didn't work. Whatever is wrong with Chris, I can't heal him."

"No," cried Piper tears welling up in her eyes.