Not even Leo knew what to do. His healing power wasn't working on Chris. And there was no other known way to heal the poison from a Dark Lighters' bolt. They obviously couldn't tell the doctors what was going on. Who'd believe them? And the doctors wouldn't have any experience working with magic so there was very little they could do about it.
Paige had gone back to her temp job. There wasn't anything she could do to help the situation and as she had so often said before, her temp jobs put her in a position to help others. Although she couldn't see how working at the city morgue was going to be of any help to anyone. Most of the people there were all ready dead.
Leo was with the Elders trying to find some way to help Chris. They were venturing into territory that was virtually uncharted. Chris was half witch half Whitelighter. There weren't that many of them around. And his own body was apparently producing the poison in his system. The best the doctors could do was slow down the process.
Phoebe and Piper sat in Pipers' room talking. There just had to be a way to save Chris. They discussed using a spell on Chris that would remove the poison from his system. Only they weren't sure how that would affect Chris. It could have any number of unforeseen consequences not all of them pleasant.
"Hey," said Leo, walking back into the room. He had gotten into the habit of orbing into a closet so no one would be suspicious when he just suddenly appeared in the room. "I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is we still haven't figured out how to cure Chris. His body is producing the toxin so my healing ability won't work. It's like trying to change someone's eye color or how tall they are. It just won't work that way."
"You said there was good news," said Phoebe.
"Yes," said Leo. "We've been able to confirm Paige's theory. It's definitely Dark Lighter poison in Chris' system. That helps. There are some chemicals and drugs that can help slow down the progression of the poison. Which gives us more time to come up with a cure."
"But will the doctors use those drugs?" questioned Piper. "I'm not sure they're likely to prescribe drugs they aren't sure will help. Especially since we can't tell them the truth of what's going on."
"I don't think that will be a problem," said a man coming into the room. "I've taken over Chris' case and he's all ready been prescribed the necessary medication."
"Alister Crumley?" questioned Phoebe.
"Good, I see you remember me," said Alister.
"It's hard to forget," said Piper. "You helped save Leo when he was injured in front of innocents and couldn't use his healing power."
"Like I said then," said Alister, "just part of my job. And if you'll recall I also told you I was a doctor before I was a Whitelighter. So I can help treat Chris properly."
"Thank you," said Piper. "Is there anything we can do for him?"
"I'm not sure," said Alister. "Dark Lighter poison is usually an external agent in a Whitelighters' body. That's why a Whitelighter can heal someone infected with it. This is a unique case. Since Leo was infected with the Dark Lighter poison when Chris was conceived, it reacts like it's part of his system. So our normal healing power won't be affective."
"We know that all ready," said Phoebe. "We were thinking about maybe a spell to remove the poison from his system."
"I wouldn't do that," said Alister. "It would be like using a spell to remove someone's spleen or appendix. While people can live without either of these, there's just no way to know what affect the spell would have on the rest of their body. Especially someone as young as Chris."
"We might not have a choice," said Piper. "If you guys can't figure out a way to cure him it may be the only way to save his life."
"We'll just keep that as our last possible option," said Alister. "In the meantime, I'm going to do everything I can to find a way to cure your son."
"Thanks, Alister," said Piper. "I appreciate the help. Just let me know if there's anything I can do."
"Rest assured I will," said Alister. "Now, I think I'd better have a look at my newest patient. Something tells me this is not going to be an easy task."
"Don't worry about it," said Leo. "Alister was one of the best doctors around when he was alive. And as a Whitelighter he has access to things a regular doctor doesn't. I'm sure he'll come up with something."
"I can't help but worry," said Piper. "Until Chris is out of danger I'm going to worry every second."
"And we'll be right here to help all we can," said Phoebe. "I think I'll go check the Book of Shadows. Maybe there's something in there that can help us. Leo, can you give me a lift home?"
"Sure," said Leo. "But be prepared in case you don't find anything. As far as I know nothing like this has ever happened before so it's not likely you're going to find anything that can help."
"It's worth a shot," said Phoebe. "Piper, I'll be back as soon as I can."
As Leo and Phoebe went to orb out in private Piper sat thinking about Chris. She was sure this was one of the changes he had made by coming to the past. Otherwise he would have told them what they needed to do to fix it. She only hoped that they would find something soon so that Chris would be able to grow up and become the man she had met. Even as annoying as he could be he was still her son. And she wanted desperately to get to know him all over again.
