Thanks for reading this. It will get better I promise. Don't know when I will be able to put up the next chapter, hopefully in the next few weeks. Again thank you for the reviews.

Patriarch chapter two

Chris walked into the living room with the girls to find everyone waiting. Piper, phoebe and Paige were sitting on one couch opposite Prue and penny who were sitting on the other. Leo was standing behind the charmed ones in what could only be described as a defensive posture; Lincoln on the other hand was standing behind Prue looking claim, cool, collected and frankly a little bored.

Chris waited a few moments before speaking. 'So ….. Guess there's a few things that we need to talk about huh?' not receiving any reply he continued, 'um Promise, patience why don't you go into the conservatory and play for a while, ok.' 'Ok,' said promise as she took Patiences hand and went off to play.

Turning back to the others Chris's demeanor changed from the obvious delight and joy at being with the twins to a more serious one now that they had gone

Turning to look at Prue it was her he directed his first question to, 'what happened up there Prue?'

'It was just a day trip, nothing was meant to go wrong. We thought the kids needed to get out of Tanis so we split them into groups and took each group one by one to Valhalla.'

'Valhalla? You took the kids to Valhalla? Prue what the hell!' interrupted Chris.

'Valhalla was safe Chris,' continued Prue, 'al least it was supposed to be. There were no problems with the first groups then the last one…. he must have sensed us. The next thing we know his demons are all around us. Penny managed to call the others for help but we get cut off.' Prue suddenly got up and faced Chris, 'they herded the five of us, and he planned it to end up like that. The rescue team managed to get the others back to Tanis but we didn't have a chose but to use the portal.' Looking drained and emotional Prue sat back down.

Sensing how upset Prue was Chris softened and said, 'I'm sorry Prue I shouldn't……. are you ok?'

'I don't know any more,' she answered.

Having observed the last few minutes the charmed ones were just as confused as before. 'What's Tanis?' asked Leo.

Prue looked straight at Leo. 'Tanis is our home, it's where we live.'

'I don't know of any city named Tanis.'

Prue laughed slightly and replied 'that's because it doesn't exist in this time. Tanis is underground it's……,' suddenly she turned and looked at Chris, 'did you tell them anything about our time?'

Looking a little sheepish Chris looked down and replied; 'only what they needed to know.'

'What exactly did you think they needed to know Chris?' Prue looked up at him with a questioning look and realized, 'you didn't tell them anything did you? God damn it Chris what the hell have you been doing all this time?'

'I told them exactly what they needed to know that I was here to stop someone or something from turning Wyatt they didn't, and still don't need to know anything else.'

Prue by now a little angry jumped up and turned to Chris. 'What you thought they needed to know?'

'Yes,' countered Chris, 'what they needed to know and nothing else, you know the rules Prue. As for what I've been doing, I've been doing exactly what I was supposed to do.'

Silence fall upon the group once again.

'Uncle Chris,' said a quiet voice from behind them, 'why are you shouting at aunty Prue?'

Chris and the group turned to see promise who stood in the doorway to the conservatory with patience by her side.

Penny was the one to answer, 'they don't mean to shout kiddo they're just a little emotional right now that's all, right guys?' Seeing the look on Penny's face that said you had better agree with me, both Prue and Chris nodded their agreement of Penny's statement

'Come on why I don't play with you for a little while ok.' And with this she followed the girls back to the next room.

'I am sorry Chris I didn't mean to say that.' 'Its ok,' said Chris.

'I'm sorry too but you were in the middle of answering my question,' said Leo.

Prue turned and sat down on the couch and Chris followed into Penny's seat. Realizing Prue and Chris weren't in any hurry to answer Leo, Lincoln thought he should.

'Tanis is the city that we live in. It's underground and protected by magical shield that offers us protection from attacks.' 'Attacks from who?' enquired Paige. 'Wyatt,' Lincoln simply stated.

Piper let out a gasp as did the others.

Not really wanting to believe what had just been said Leo asked another question. 'Why would Wyatt attack you or the people in this city? What about San Francisco and the other cities in the country. Why aren't you living there?'

Again it was Lincoln who addressed Leos many questions. 'San Francisco along with most other cities not only in this country but the world is in ruins. Demons control those cities that have managed to survive, all answering to Wyatt and his league of commanders. Tanis is the only free city there is. Within it resides the remaining magical beings that haven't been killed along with as many humans as we have been able to save.' Lincoln paused to give Leo and the charmed ones time to digest what he had just said. 'Those humans who have survived outside live in compounds under strict rule by Wyatt. Those who oppose him are killed.'

'Why didn't you tell us all this Chris?' asked piper, by now looking straight at Chris. He lifted his head and looked her straight in the eyes, 'would you have believed me?' the truth was probably not thought piper, but instead she didn't say anything.

'Um excuse me,' the words came from phoebe, 'I'm just curious, your names, they all begin with P. Um so you are helliwells right? I mean the four of you your our…. Children,' she enquired somewhat hesitantly. Looking at Chris, Prue answered, 'yeah the… four of us are halliwells,' turning towards Paige she amended, 'except promise and patience who are technically Halliwell-Matthews.'

Paige looked up shocked, 'the twins, their mine?' 'Technically yes,' replied Prue. 'Wow I think I need to sit down,' said Paige. Phoebe laughed briefly, 'sweetie you're already sitting.' Then something suddenly occurred to phoebe, 'if the twins are Paige's what about you and penny who are your parents?'

Turning away from Chris, Prue answered, 'technically….. My mother is you Phoebe and Penny's is piper.' 'Wow,' said Paige, 'this is information overload.'

'Then it's probably a good time for me to interrupt,' said penny as she came in from the conservatory with the girls. The girls immediately ran towards Chris who was still sitting with Prue. 'Its getting late and their both pretty tired,' continued penny, 'me two really.'

Piper who ad been sitting quietly and in a somewhat shocked state suddenly regained her composure and began to take charge again.

'Ok, of course it's getting late, um….well you guys need somewhere to stay. So, phoebe you want to bunk with Paige and the girls can have your room.' 'Ok with me,' replied phoebe. 'And Lincoln, I think we have a pull out bed for you we can put up in the attic, is that ok with you guys?' enquired piper. Receiving no reply piper asked, 'what's wrong?'

It was penny who answered, 'where's Chris staying?'

The charmed ones stole a look at each other. 'Um… Chris stays at P3,' said phoebe. 'Why?' asked penny sounding confused, 'why doesn't he stay here?'

Leo made it quite clear why, 'we don't really like people we don't know that well, 'and trust he added in his mind, 'staying in the manor.'

'People you don't know?' penny said, 'he's your whitelighter; he came from the future to save your son.' Penny couldn't believe what she was hearing and frankly it was starting to piss her off.

'It doesn't change the fact that Chris hasn't been very forthcoming with information and I'm not comfortable having him in my house.'

This seemed to tip penny over the edge and she moved forward with what seemed the intention of getting ready to hit him, it was up to Lincoln to hold her back.

'It's not your house!' she shouted, 'you have no say in what happens in it.'

This outburst caused piper to jump up out of her seat. 'That's enough young lady, you don't talk to your father like that.'

Penny turned her head, as she was still being held back by Lincoln, and with obvious anger and venom in her voice said, 'he's not my father and you're not my mother. You have no say in what I do.'

Piper was shocked how could her own child talk to her like that, what had she and Leo done to provoke such anger in their daughter.

'That's enough Penny,' shouted Chris,' they may have no say but I do.' By now he had risen up from his seat but not relinquished his hold on the twins. 'You may not like them right now but you will show them some respect. Is that clear?' receiving no answer repeated, 'is that clear penny?'

Penny stopped struggling with Lincolns hold on her and looked at Chris before replying, 'yeah it's clear.' And with that Lincoln let go of her.

Prue slowly stood up, surveyed the people around her and turned to face piper. 'Thank you for the offer piper but we'll be fine staying with Chris. We've slept in worse places then a storeroom.'

'Look I don't understand what the problem is,' said Leo, 'you're family; of course you can stay here but Chris...'

Before he could continue Prue jumped in, 'if I were you I'd stop while I could Leo. You're not doing yourself any favors and next time Lincoln won't her back… and neither will I. Chris may not be family to you but he is to us. You might want to remember that before you say or do anything else.'

Phoebe, fully conscious of the stand off between Prue and Leo had a solution, Chris can stay in the attic with Lincoln, will that be ok?'

Breaking eye contact with Leo Prue replied, 'yes, thank you.'

'Ok then,' chirped phoebe, 'lets get this party started.'