Chapter 1

Chris sighed heavily as he leaned back onto the couch in his mother's office at P3. He made himself comfortable in the small space that had become his home for the past six months during his stay in the past where he was still having trouble finding the exact cause for his brother's less than angelic behavior. As he began to undress his mind drifted back to all the many times he thought that he was close to finding the big bad evil who stole his brother's innocents only to find out that he was wrong and that he had to go on to the next demon hunt. Not to mention the fact that he had to deal with the hatred and distrust coming from his family at every turn, something that was only adding to his stress, but there was one thing that kept him together during these hard times, the thought of going back home to her.

Pulling the diamond engagement ring out of his pocket Chris started at it in silence for quite some time before speaking. "I won't give up Bianca, no matter how much it hurts or how tired I get. I'll save Wyatt and give us the happy ending that we all deserve. I promise"

The boy continued staring at the ring willing it to give him the comfort that it did on so many other occasions, to no avail. He could feel the familiar warmth and tightness growing in his chest as the tears fell silently down his face causing him to jerk slightly as the tears came faster and threatened to throw him into a full on hysterical breakdown. He was so lost in the sadness and pain that he didn't hear the woman come in.

"Chris" the woman called out softly. "Are you ok" she questioned as she sat down next to him and brushing the hair out of his face. Although Piper was angry at the boy for his latest antics, something deep down inside of the woman compelled her to comfort him.

"I'm fine!" he said in a raised voice as he slid over and out of her reach, not wanting his mother to see him in his current state. Everything in the boy wanted to reach out to his mother, become a little boy again and allow her to take care of him like she had so long ago. His body ached for the comfort that could only come from her sweet embrace, but he knew that it would just compromise his quest to save his brother so he would just have to find solace else where.

"What are you doing here Piper?" the boy said returning to his usual cold and emotionless state.

"I just came to grab some paper work but if you want to talk about anything Chris, I'm here for you" the woman finished with a slight smile that would have broke her son's will had he been looking in her direction.

"Piper I'm fine, really"

"No Chris you're not. You were on the verge of hysteria just a minute ago so put that male ego of yours aside and tell me what's wrong. Come on Chris you can trust me" the woman pleaded.

Chris turned around and looked the only person that he loved more than his fiancé in the face and suddenly all of the stress that he was feeling seemed to fade away in that instant which didn't surprise the boy one bit, after all Piper Halliwell was the best mother in the world and could take away all of the pain and sadness away with a simple smile.

"I can honestly say that I'm ok now" the boy said finishing with a small smile.

"Well who knew that our neurotic little whitelighter's mouth could actually form a smile"

"Ha, Ha. I'm doubling over with laughter, really"

"Ah, there's the surly young man I know. Hey Chris whatever it is, it will get better"

"I hope so"

"Well I know so" she said giving the boy a squeeze on the shoulder before standing. "Remember whenever the quest to save Wyatt becomes too much for you to bare, just tell us and we'll help you Chris. You don't have to do it all on your own, after all he is my son, if anyone should be handling the situation, it should be my family" The woman couldn't help but noticed the way that the boy tensed up when she said the word family.

"Chris, is there something that you're not telling me?"

As much as he wanted to tell his mother the truth, the youngest Halliwell child believed the revelation would do more harm then good but then again he also knew that it was obvious that he was hiding something more, that he could admit without going into any further detail.

"Actually there is but I can't tell you Piper. I'm sorry, really I am. It's just that there's too much at stake already without me saying or doing something that could jeopardize the future in even worse ways" the boy said holding his mother's gaze.

Although she wanted to continue with the interrogation, she thought that it was best to let it go and figure out what the boy's connection to her family was later.

"Ok I won't push" she replied.

"Thanks. I know how hard it is for you not to know everything"

"Hey, what are you trying to say young man?"

"Nothing Mom" the boy joked, but the way he said it hit a nerve with the woman and again she would let it go for now.

"Cute, very cute" she said reaching into her desk and pulling out some files. "Alright, I'm off. Are you sure that you're ok?"

"Hey if not I'll just orb over to the manor and talk your ear off all night" the boy said with a smile.

"I'll be waiting" she winked. "Good-night Chris" Piper said before disappearing through the office door.

"Good-night, Mom" the boy whispered as he stretched out over the full length of the couch.

The second that Chris was comfortable he heard a familiar voice ring out in his head.

"Hello Christopher" the man's voice echoed. "No, it can't be" Chris thought sitting up as beads of sweat formed on his brow.

"I'm the most powerful being in the universe little brother, anything is possible. Come now you should have known I'd find you sooner or later" Wyatt's words pounded through the boy's head followed by his cruel and devious laughter.

"Leave me the hell alone you sick freak" the boy shot back trying not to show his fear.

"Freak, ha! Such harsh language coming from one almost lover to the other, I swear if I had a heart little brother it would have been crushed by your nasty little words. But don't worry, I still love you. Always have always will and that's why I'm coming for you Chris. Soon we'll be together again and this time there will be no escaping me. So make sure you get a good night's sleep little brother, I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a very big day for you and an even bigger night for the both of US" the man erupted with laughter once more as he left his brother to dwell on his last words.

Nothing in this or any other world had the power to scare Christopher Halliwell into submission, except his older brother who was now on his way to the past to collect him. Every muscle in his body tensed up as he thought about the amount of hard work he put into rescuing Wyatt that seemed to be going down the drain minute by minute. He had to do something and fast other wise the life he sacrificed with Bianca would have all been for nothing.

"I have to find a way cloak myself from him" the boy spoke out loud knowing that there was nothing that he could do since he was unable to use his powers against his brother. Suddenly a cloud of orbs appeared in front of him.

"So Chris what's got you so on edge" the Elder spoke with venom in his voice as he took a step in the boy's direction.

This couldn't be happening, Chris thought to himself. On top of dealing with Wyatt he now had to listen to his father's accusations and deal with the intense scrutiny. No he didn't have to put up with it and he would let Leo know exactly how he felt

"What the hell do you want Leo and it better be good" he spoke with an equal amount of disgust in his voice. He just hoped it was enough to distract his father from his true feelings.

"Come on Chris, it's written all over your face. So tell me who's after you? Is it another one of your demon friends?" the Elder said pulling the boy to his feet.

"Get the hell off of me"

"No, not until you tell me what plotting to do to my son this time"

"It doesn't concern you Leo"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah really so get your hands off of me or you won't like what happens next" the boy spoke causing his father to release his hold.

"I'll figure out your secrets Chris and when I do, there'll be no place in heaven or hell that you'll be able to hide from me" the Elder warned before orbing out.

The moment that he was gone Chris sank down to the floor, pulled his knees into his chest and did the only thing that he could do at the moment, cry out in fear, pain and everything else in between.