Chapter 32: Trouble Letting Go

A/N: This chapter seems to me kind of uninspired, but you'll probably love it. Thanks for the great reviews! You are so nice. This story is almost over, but I have an equally good one in the back of my head which is equally good. Enjoy!

They had all returned to the manor after the ghost had been successfully banished. There had only been muttered congratulations since then. None had spoken about what they all knew what must come. Future Piper had to go home, there was no question. She was out of time, and staying in the past longer than necessary could have disastrous consequences. She had fulfilled her mission, and there was nothing else to be done. It was Past Piper who had mentioned it. She really didn't want to, but her future counterpart had been staring into space the last few moments. She knew herself, and she knew that someone had to snap her out of it.

"So…how are you going to…um…go home?" Past Piper said slowly. Her future counterpart looked up and Past Piper was shocked to see that she had tears in her eyes. Future Piper quickly wiped the tears away, trying to hide the fact that she'd been crying. She was just thinking about what leaving this time would mean. Her adult son Chris had died on the very day that he was born and it had almost destroyed her. It still hurt every time she even thought about it. Now he was here, alive and well. The temptation to warn him of what was to come was almost too great.

"I think we can make a potion and a spell that will send you back", Past Piper said, trying to make another brave stab at conversation. Future Piper stood up so quickly that her past self jumped a bit. "I have to go talk to Chris", Future Piper said quickly. She got up and left without another word. She left her past self sitting stunned as she walked up to the attic. Chris was there doing what he always did, consulting the Book of Shadows. As she walked up the stairs, she couldn't help but wonder if she was doing the right thing. She wasn't stupid enough to tell him everything, but she couldn't sit and do nothing either.

After what seemed like an eternity, Future Piper reached the attic. Timidly, she knocked on the door. It opened on its own accord, or rather, with a little help from Chris. He looked up from the book. He broke into a huge grin when he saw that it was her. "Hi mom", he said happily. "Maybe you should sit", Future Piper said gently. Chris sat cross legged on the attic floor and future Piper followed suit. Chris' smile immediately vanished when he saw his mother's serious expression. He recognized the look. It was the look she got when she was about to start a very serious conversation that usually ended in tears. He wasn't quite looking forward to this.

"I need to talk to you", Future Piper said very seriously. Chris hated when she used that tone of voice. This was really serious. His mind raced. What else could have happened? He was silent as he let his mother continue. "You're here to save Wyatt. You don't know if you will succeed or what will become of you. I do", she said. Future Piper swallowed hard. Her eyes became misty as she struggled to continue. It was if what she was going to say next was very difficult for her. She stammered, "Just…you have to be…you have to be careful…okay?"

Chris knew that this was not what she had meant to say. Although not as bad as his aunt Phoebe, his mother is a terrible liar. The moment she gave him that half-hearted warning, he knew what she was talking about. He had guessed it long ago. He was going to die and his mother wanted to warn him. He knew how it felt. His mother had died in his arms, and every day he had to resist the temptation to warn her of what he knew was to come. Knowing this, he also knew that he couldn't change destiny. If he had to die in order to save Wyatt, so be it. "I know what you were trying to say mom", Chris said, "please don't tell me. We can't risk changing the future."

Future Piper looked quite taken aback by this. She hadn't expected this reaction. She wanted so much to save him. She couldn't live through losing her baby boy again. Despite this, she still had to respect his wishes. "I love you Chris", she whispered, turning to leave. She wouldn't leave for her time, she couldn't handle that yet. Before going downstairs to see how the rest of her family was doing, she slipped a crumpled up slip of paper into her son's hand. She didn't stick around to watch him read it.

Chris unfolded the paper after his mother had left. It was very brief, written rather untidily. His mother seemed to be in a rush to write it. It was a rather complicated potion and there was one word on the top. Antidote. Underneath the potion were a few more words in his mother's handwriting. You'll know when you need it. Keep it with you always. Chris didn't know how, but he knew his mother had just saved his life. She loved him just as much as she loved Wyatt. For that, he was eternally grateful.

Future Piper stopped near the door of her room when she reached the second level. She had done it. She had warned Chris without really warning him. Perhaps now he would be safe. Future Piper thought of all she had accomplished, she felt a great sense of pride. She had really saved everyone. All of her efforts had not been for naught. Maybe soon she would be able to go home and return to her once happy life. Future Piper smiled for the first time since she got into this mess.

She was about to continue walking when she heard someone crying, no sobbing, on the other side of her bedroom door. With a gasp of horror, she realized that the person crying their eyes out was none other than her past self. What could her past self be so upset about?

Up next…Chapter 33: Forgotten Problems…Future Piper helps her past self deal with the same issues she once had to deal with. It is strange comforting yourself.