Phoebe felt gloriously happy, she was on a balcony overlooking a glittering city, she couldn't tell what one and a man rested his hands on her shoulders. She could hear a child in the background and when she went to turn to see who the man was, suddenly the dream skipped to him falling off the balcony. She tried to grab his hand but he slips, the child is screaming behind her and he falls, except before he hit's the pavement….
'Miss Haliwell?"
Phoebe lifted her head slightly, it felt like a bowling bowl and a piece of paper from the pile she had been sleeping on had stuck to her face from the drool. She wiped it off quickly and tried to gain some composure. She felt like she needed to hold her head still or it might roll off her neck.
The young intern's look of concern changed to that of awe. Macy had adored Phoebe since she started, she was the one who inspired her to become a journalist and she was very impressionable. It wouldn't surprise Phoebe if she came to work wearing the same clothes as her. They were friendly but out of a strange respect of some kind she wouldn't call her by her first name."
"Hi Macy what is it sweetie?"
She tried not to sound so weak and tried to sound non threatening but she had been feeling like shit the past few days that she couldn't really be concerned for other people's feelings.
She leaned her arm on the desk and rubbed her head. She didn't even remember sleeping but she hadn't been doing anything important. She was distracted by her dream though, she didn't often have such vivid dreams. Those were usually visions but she couldn't imagine being gloriously happy with a guy in the near future. She put it down to a fear of falling or never finding love.
"I was just wondering if you could oversee this fashion design I put together? I did it in my own time, it's just for fun but I would really love for you to see it."
Her smile was so bright that Phoebe felt she had to squint to look at her.
The room was reasonably dark, all the blinds were closed and the only glow was from a small desk light that spotlighted her. It was only approaching dusk but it felt later."
"Can I do it some over time? I am kind of busy."
Macy looked disheartened but agreed. She left quickly and the bang of the door shuddered through her body. She was glad Macy was a bit ditzy because she knew anyone else would have been pissed off that her 'being busy' was actually sleeping.
Although it wasn't like she didn't need it, thing seems to have taken their toll and she didn't sleep well at home that she often dozed off periodically at work, only recently though.
She contemplated going home, she didn't even need to be here, she had no work as she had finished it all for the rest of the week, but here she could have relative piece and quiet and the hum of distant fax machines, phones and computers made her feel at ease.
She was good at what she did and being here reminded her she was needed and worth something. The light aroma of coffee surrounded her and she looked at her own cold cup in dismay. She wasn't really thirsty but her back was sore from sleeping awkwardly and she needed to call home anyway.
It sounded like when she was a little girl and she always wanted to call home in the lunch break to let everyone know what was happening, she was so proud at being independent and on her own that she wanted to boast about her success. Sure it was only her first week of school but it was a big deal, she felt childish calling home now at her age. She knew that they weren't just the run of the mill family though and she extinguished quickly any embarrassment about it.
She got up and straightened her outfit and opened the door. The office floor was so much brighter then she expected and the fast pace of people and machines made her dizzy as her world swirled uneasily before her. She made it to the coffee machine and she was about to pour her redeeming cup when she was tapped annoyingly on the shoulder.
Great, it was perhaps the most bratty thirty year old she had ever met. Angelina Robertson. She was daughter of a Fashion Mogul in New York, she was working here only because her father knew she was too incompetent to be put in his firm and so paid of his long time friend Elise to keep her busy and pretend she was hired on personailty. Her personality was severly lacking however. Angelina had wanted to be a journalist for Vogue, it fortunately never happened and so now she wrote cheesy, sappy and inaccurate love and fashion advice columns that 'coincidently' never gets published.
"Can you tell me why you've been such a bitch later?"
"Excuse me?"
Phoebe was unaware she had had any contact with her, she usually avoided her in fact. She ignored her, instead ready to take her cup and run as well as she could back to her office.
"Don't turn your back on me, I want some answers."
"If I knew the question I would answer but as it is I don't so -"
"Macy admires you more then she admires me even."
She twirled her hair and gave Macy a confident wink. Macy stood behind her shaking her head doubtfully.
Most people knew Macy disliked Angelina but was bullied into a sort of friendship with her by Angelina, she needed a pet to kiss her ass or to be some sort of warped mentor, she had chosen Macy. It was much to Macy's dismay but she was too shy or intimidated to take a stand.
"And Macy will become a fabulous journalist one day, so?"
She felt she needed to give Macy some credit as she felt a twinge of guilt at blowing her off. She didn't think her statement was an entire lie, just slightly exaggerated.
To be a fabulous journalist you have to take criticism or even sometimes a beating from the public but she knew any real criticism or rejection would break her spirit.
"So why did you turn her away when she did extra work to impress you and to seek your 'expert advice'. She doesn't even do that for me!""If Macy has a problem she can talk to me directly tomorrow. So I don't see how it's any of your business."
"I'm everyone's friend and I look out for them. I am just telling you, you are too big for your boots now you're the 'it girl' around here."
She didn't dignify her justification with an answer. She knew full well no one liked her.
She strolled back to her office with her cup of coffee as Angelina called after her.
"Hey, don't walk away from me!"
"Macy can you just fuck off?"
The whole office seemed to have gone into a stunned silence. Sweet, sunny Phoebe had seemed to have momentarily disappeared under a tired and frustrated cloud. She didn't even realised what she had said until she had done the damage.
Macy walked in front of Angelina who was standing there with her hands on her hips and her mouth open.
"I didn't mean for her to -"
"Its okay Macy, just drop your design in my office tomorrow and I'll promise to give it my full attention then."
Macy seemed extremely relieved and grateful.
Phoebe couldn't help but go one step further.
"That pastel look is very you Macy."
Macy beamed and Phoebe felt morally restored. Angelina wasn't.
"My father will make sure you never make it in New York you know!"
"I don't want to go to New York Angelina I just want you to fuck off!"
Angelina turned on her heel and strutted loudly away in her in her purple stilettos.
Phoebe resisted the urge to throw her hot coffee at her back but the whole of the office was still in silence.
Phoebe felt even worse.
Then a roar of applause grew once Angelina was safely out of the door.
Then she knew that that this was the office that was her second home and these were the people that were her second family.
Her closest friend Jill who was only slightly below her came up to her and hugged her.
"Glad you finally came out of your workaholic cocoon and emerged a swearing butterfly."
Phoebe looked at her uneasily.
"We're all just glad you finally told Angie where to stick it."
"Thanks."
Jill returned to her seat and gave Phoebe a reassuring smile.
Phoebe turned back into her office and sat in her chair and drunk her coffee. It warmed her body and she felt marginally better, though she was still processing things, it felt like her memory and brain was functioning and processing ten minutes after her body and mouth.
She picked up the phone and dialled home. The phone wasn't really supposed to be for social calls but everyone ignored it, she didn't get why she bothered trying to find the payphone she had never used.
Paige was woken by the high pitch ring of the phone, it echoed into her and she immediately snapped into action. She ran across the corridor still in a half daze and grabbed the nearest phone to stop it waking up the sleeping Piper. She had no idea where Chris was and she didn't even know she had nodded off next to her sister. Worrying takes a lot out of you.
"Hello?"
"Hi Paige, its Phoebe."
"Oh hey hun, please say your home for dinner because I really need your company and I -"
"I wish I could but I'm really swamped here sorry. I just thought I'd call and let you know."
Paige tried to overcome her irritation.
"Wow are they suddenly working you to the bone for any reason? I mean it was never that hectic for you before."
"We have some new management that are pushing pretty hard, it should calm down soon."
Phoebe felt horrible lying but she didn't think she'd be much company anyhow, she needed her space, somehow it didn't really change things but she was willing to keep it up for a while longer.
"Well good because our sister is in trouble and we really need the power of three.""What did a demon attack? Is Piper alright?"
Phoebe felt a lump of guilt and fear rise in her throat and her mouth had suddenly dried up.
"No, she's not fine but it wasn't a demon, it was life Phebes and I mean she needs you as well as mean okay? We need to be together right now."
"Look, I'll see what I can do but don't hold your breath."
There was a tense pause.
"I wont."She heard Phoebe sigh heavily and felt she was perhaps too harsh, after all she was the bread winner of the family and she knew Phoebe would be home if she could.
"Look I want you to come to a picnic with me on Friday."
"But that's a work day -"
"If they wont give you one day off after you have been working your butt off I will personally come in and orb them into a Cambodian sweat workshop and show them the meaning of real work."
"Okay, I'll see what I can do. I have to go."
And with that she hung up.
Paige felt like she was losing everything and that she couldn't hold on to anything. She was about to go and search for her boyfriend who had mysteriously disappeared when the phone rang again. She picked it up quickly hoping it was Phoebe reconsidering camping out in her office.
"Hey, long time no talk wild cat!"
She immediately knew who it was by his voice and nickname.
"Glenn! Wow nice of you to contact me for once jackass."
"What is that my new nickname?"
"Depends on why you called."
She loved talking to Glenn, he was a part of her past she sorely missed and she was surprised he called now of all times. It was such a shock hearing from him out of the blue like this that her heart began to race with excitement.
"Can't an old friend chat with his magically gifted prodigy?"
"You haven't forgotten flattery will get you everywhere."
"Well that's the reason you fell in love with me right?"
Paige was silent unable to reply, the last time she saw him they parted on awkward terms after she tried to kill his fiancé that was now his wife and probably baby machine. She was under a spell but she had lived up to her nickname 'wild cat' and he had been anything but a jackass, he had forgiven her and kept her secret, but she didn't blame him for not wanting to be bosom buddies, her line of work was unpredictable and dangerous and he was just securing his future with a woman he loved.
She loved him then and she still loved him now, not in the same way but too much history had passed between them for them to be anything less.
"That's probably is the reason I loved you, but hey it's water under the bridge. I hope your wife has forgiven me. So what's the kiddie count? Six?"
"No wife. No kids."
"Well I definitely remember you had a wife, I sabotaged the wedding if I'm not mistaken."
"Now my ex wife."
"Why? You two seemed perfect, I mean you gave up your beautiful best friend for her, what happened?"
"Haha good to see your ego hasn't died down. Not that I can blame you. You do save the world every so often."
"Not so often these days I am on a break which is great!"
"They give you time off? Well that sounds like a cue for a visit!"
There was silence, Paige's mind was reeling, Paige, Chris, Phoebe, Wyatt even Ben everyone was so distant and dependent or counting on her, she didn't need another distraction.
He sensed her hesitation immediately. He had known her inside out and he could still read her, even her lack of answer was a flashing neon sign to him that it wasn't a good idea.
"But hey if I am too cool for you, don't worry about it."
Paige laughed desperate to change the subject.
"So what did happen with, Jen what is?
"Jess. We just grew apart and our connection disintegrated, married life suited neither of us, we were just kidding ourselves. We are still young and free spirited and we realised when you're not meant to be with someone then it's fate and so we called it quits and are still friends."
"That's so sad, no one seems to live happily ever after these days, even normal couples without demons on their asses."
"Well we are actually happier and better together as friends. Less on the demon talk though, there are some things ignorant folk like myself are better off not knowing."
"I hear you, less satanic conservation, got ya."
"So, can I come around or do you have a husband and children hidden away?"
"No none of the above, boyfriend though. How far did you think I'd get in a year anyway?"
"Really? Is he human?"
"No he's not really my boyfriend, I just met him, he's called Ben, but of course you can visit."
She applauded herself for her quick recovery though felt like she was ten again saying he was her boyfriend and then changing it, hopefully Glenn wouldn't think she sounded childish or desperate.
"Cool, just tell me when and where."
She was relieved he had skipped over it or ignored it, she knew he would have picked up on it she was just happy he was considerate enough not to make a smartass comment. She then realised how alike Chris and Glenn actually were.
"Well if you come around you have to know the situation and it includes talk of the supernatural, you think you can take it jackass?"
There was a pause followed by a chuckle.
"Hey I have jumped out of planes, I am sure I wont wet myself."
"Good."
She explained briefly about Leo and Piper, Wyatt's abilities, vaguely about Chris and what she knew of Phoebe's current state. Afterwards Glenn was less enthusiastic almost hesitant about visiting, but Paige told him if he visited around the end of the week things should be fine. There was never any guarantee but Glenn was a dare devil, a danger loving exhibitionist and by the end of the telephone call he was almost excited to see her orb things about and quite dumbfounded about Wyatt the boy or rather baby wonder.
"So around midday then?"
"Sure thing wild cat."
Paige couldn't help but smile at who she was before the charmed ones, she was proud of that part of her life, that part of her. She knew the care free, high spirited part of her was diminished but she could still savour the past and through Glenn she could relieve the times through memories that she would probably never have again. It wasn't a bad thing necessarily but she still loved to reminisce.
"Great, see ya then Jackass!"
"What so Jackass is a permanent fixture?"
"Bring me a belated birthday present and I'll make it something more truthful."
"Fine, like what? Handsome mysterious stud? Exciting, sexy stallion?"
"They don't really have that 'X factor' ring to it."
"What do you suggest then?"
"Maybe nose picking slob, truthful, or last time I checked."
"hey it's still true, but it's still better then jackass."
"Hey I know you watched the television series."
"You know me to well."
"Bye Glenn."
There was a pause a slight longing between them, they had known each other inside out for a long time. But Paige knew that was behind her, she had Chris but old habits and feelings still die hard.
"Cya Paige."She felt like she was trapped in a nostalgic bubble unable to get her head out of the past. She hesitantly checked on Wyatt, from the lack of coughing she hoped he was asleep and the last thing she wanted to do was wake him.
His medicine was due for another couple of hours and Piper might even be up for dinner around then. Paige had never felt such a pivotal figure in the family, if it wasn't for Chris's support though she probably would have gone insane coping alone.
It was times like these that she wanted to curse Leo. She had never had so much responsibility. Before the charmed ones the only responsibility she had was a pot plant, and even then it died. Being a witch was a shock to the system but they were an ensemble in most things they did. That had changed lately and Paige didn't like it too much. A mouth watering smell distracted her from her thoughts.
"Chris?" Chris?"
Paige walked slowly downstairs half whispering half shouting his name down the stairs.
"You called honey bunch?"
He emerged from the steaming kitchen wiping a stray piece of hair from his brow with his arm as his hands were holding an oven tray. His forehead was sweaty but his eyes had a spark of determination in them.
"What the hell are you doing in there?"
"Cooking."
"Excuse me?"
"To prepare and make food, to provide the necessities to human beings, primarily some sort of meat."
"Yes I know what cooking is Chris, I was just shocked you're doing it."
"What? I can cook. You don't know everything about me, or all my hidden talents."
"Far from it, I know nothing about you."
She couldn't believe she had fallen in love with him despite the lack of information on his part and it made her uneasy momentarily.
Chris must had sensed her doubt.
"You know that I love you. And for now that will have to be enough."
His serious tone after his sarcasm snapped Paige out of her daze. He said he loved her again and it sounded fantastic.
Chris dashed back into the kitchen as a loud hiss erupted from it's direction. A smell of spices and garlic wafted up to her and she retreated back upstairs to check on Piper.She sat on the bed with her and the new weight on the bed stirred Piper from her sleep.
"What's the time?"
The grogginess was evident in her voice.
"Around six o clock."
"It's so late."
"Not really, you've only been out of it an hour."
She stroked Piper's hair.
"I just wanted to know if you wanted me to bring up dinner later?"
"I'm not an invalid I can come down and -"
"Chris has taken control of the kitchen and I don't think he wants anyone near the first floor."
"What's this new unity with Chris? You guys weren't even talking last time I checked and now he's in our house cooking?"
"Well you know crazy story.. not really suitable now but the point is I want you to go back to sleep and I'll bring you something up later if you'd like?"
"Okay but I want to check on Wyatt."
"He's sleeping."
"I know but -"
"Don't get up sweetie, when he's awake I'll bring him into you."
"Promise?"
A sort of hollow carved out because of pain and suffering, a sort of shell that looked strong but had nothing inside.
She knew Piper wasn't beyond recovery but that depended on her and right now she couldn't control herself let alone her business.
"Of course I promise."
"Hey about earlier - before I fell asleep I'm sorry for the hysterics it's just -"
"Don't be sorry you've dealt with a lot."
Piper regretted opening up to Paige, because in her eyes to show her pain and admit weakness was to lose any self dignity she felt she had left.
"Well I'm great now so -"
"Piper, please don't pretend like things are fine because they are not, you know it and I know it. It's not fair on anyone if you don't come to terms with things and let yourself heal, you've run yourself into the ground lately and you need time to recuperate mentally and physically."
"But I'm -"
"It's not fair on your son or you or your business. It wont just go away Piper, you know you need to take some time off and get your head together."
"Hey I know what I need, and that is not a sister who thinks she is superior, I might need your help with Wyatt, but not your advice. You haven't even held down a proper relationship let alone have any experience with proper love."
Paige felt anger churning up inside her but she ignored it, the pity and love for her sister soothed it but Paige couldn't help the hurt look on her face. She knew that Piper had hit rock bottom. At least hopefully the only place from there is up.
Piper sighed.
"I didn't mean that."
"I know you didn't"
"I don't deserve you."
"Yes you do, but you know what I am saying is the truth, you're the strongest women I know Piper but even the strongest people need to have a break once in a while."
"I'm not strong, I'm weak."
Piper dropped her head and stared at her hands, trying to resist new tears forming in her eyes.
"Don't say that."
"It's true, my strength is used to deny the truth and when I face it I only feel myself dying inside so I deny it again, that isn't been strong it is running scared."
A few quiet sobs left Piper. Paige hugged her and whispered into her ear.
"You are only denying the inevitable and I don't know if I could have handled it in your situation but face it Piper. Perhaps a part of you will die and will be reborn a stronger more independent woman, with your families support who love you, I know that this time next month you'll be the bubbly Piper we all miss so much."
Piper nodded silently.
"I might go back to sleep for a few hours. I'll skip dinner but wake me when Wyatt wakes."
"Will do."
She kissed Piper's head and left the room.
Paige applauded herself on her pep talk, it seemed to help but she didn't know where her new found wisdom was coming from.
She popped her head in on Wyatt before going to the kitchen. She felt proud of herself.
Chris was stirring a few pots on the stove before alternating between laying the table and pouring three glasses of wine.
"Dinner for two I am afraid tonight."
Paige rubbed her neck and rolled her head, trying to relieve some of the mounting tension.
"Oh well more for us, it can be our first official romantic dinner.""It sound's nice but I'm really not in the mood for wine and a large dinner. I'll feel bad."
"I know Piper's got it tough but do you think she wants you moping about feeling sorry for her?"
Paige considered it.
"Okay but I need to listen out for Wyatt."
"Fine just enjoy this evening if you can. Go watch television and I'll call you in when it's ready."
Phoebe put her head around the door, the office floor was empty now save a few offices down the hall. Phoebe felt her stomach rumble angrily and so she made her way to the vending machine. A few stale sandwiches, chips and fizzy drinks. It had sustained her over the past few days and she saw no reason to doubt it again.
She put in a note and punched in the numbers of her choice. smoked chicken sandwich and a Dr Pepper. It wasn't anything flash and the sandwich was pretty soggy but a home cooked meal meant conversing with her family, it mean opening up and she was too embarrassed to do that right now.
Paige wouldn't understand and she didn't want to remind Piper about losing a guy she loved so her voluntary isolation continued. She'd agreed to the picnic because Paige had guilt tripped her into it, although it might be a nice distraction from her own difficulties, at least it wasn't the house and she might feel up to it then. Besides she missed spending time with Wyatt, he didn't ask questions and always listened, in fact she could say he is the only boy she'd ever truly love. She missed her sisters too but she didn't want to burden them with her troubles, especially now Piper was apparently hitting a rough patch. She heard footsteps down the hall…
"Ready!"
Paige clicked off the television and walked cautiously into the dining room with the beautifully decorated table laid out with dishes of chicken, fish and vegetables all with a European theme.
Paige was speechless and Chris eyed her up, searching for her approval.
"Are you half Italian because this is brilliant!"
"Nah I just have naturally tanned and oiled skin."
He winked at her mischievously and motioned for her to sit down.
The atmosphere was romantic, but also slightly awkward, they had never been this normal before, like any other young lovers in San Francisco.
She sipped her wine and started to fill her dish with different bits of food while Chris's eyes didn't leave her.
Ten minutes of eating in silence and Paige decided to make deep conversation.
"So are you going to tell me the reason your in my life anyway?"
The wine made her bolder then she had expected. She had wanted to say 'what's the recipe' but this came out first.
Chris looked like he was half choking on his food and swallowed it quickly before looking up.
"Wow that's a pretty big and unromantic topic."
"Yes but it's pretty important too and I would like to be clued in."
"I don't know how to tell you, without changing things."
"Well can you tell me everything, I promise I wont tell anyone, not even my sisters if it is necessary."
Chris looked long and hard at her, she could tell his brain was ticking over. She swore he was looking straight into her soul and making sure she could be trusted completely with a task of this gravity.
Chris sighed and put his hands together dropping his utensils.
"Fine this is everything."
Paige felt the anticipation rising in her and she was scared her dinner might regurgitate back up but she stayed still waiting.
"Wyatt is one of the most powerful individual sources of magic ever to be born into this world, after all he was made by the oldest charmed one and a powerful white lighter that is now one of the head elders."
"isn't that a good thing, it mean's he's good?"
"Paige will you just let me finish."
"Sorry."
"Anyway, yes at the moment he is good, he has no reason to turn evil. But the truth is, the time I come from, I used to be Wyatt's closest friend."
He took in a deep breath as if plunging into water.
"Are you sure you want to hear this?"
Paige quickly blurted out a "yes" before she changed her mind.
"Once you hear this there is no turning back."
"Just tell me Chris."
"Fine here are the facts."
He looked straight at her again.
"In the near future, Piper will get over Leo and fall for a handsome guy, she'll be happy and get pregnant again only this guy is a demon. Very clever powerful one. I'll give you the bare bones of this because I don't know the intimate details. Anyway she gave birth to this abomination, it looked human but was still an evil demon. The guy or demon leaves her and she is unaware she was carrying a dark spawn. Don't worry she does not change to the dark side as she is too powerful for the side of good. Anyway years go on and slowly this evil child turns Wyatt over to the darkness, not even Piper can realise and by the time he is twenty he will rule the underworld with his brother and return to his demon father to be manipulated and used as the turning stone for the forces of evil.
When Piper realises what she has done to the world even though it wasn't her fault, she kills herself, again tipping the scales towards the success of evil. There is also no power of three and you and Phoebe are killed by Wyatt shortly after. This is what I have to stop, If I can stop the conception of the child then all will be saved, she must stay with Leo other wise it may just continue to be attempted, Leo is her soul mate and destroying their marriage started a chain reaction that will affect the world and it wasn't supposed to happen in the first place."
Paige sat in utter shock and fear.
"How can I ever look at the baby boy I love the same way again?"
Tears began to fall down Paige's cheeks.
"You have to trust in him and yourself to stop what will already begin soon.
"Oh no!""What?"
"Upstairs earlier I was telling Piper to move on and forget about Leo. What have I started?"
She put her hands to her mouth and closed her eyes.
"Its not your fault, you can't stop what you didn't know but now you can.
Neither sister must ever know though, it is up to us, can you do this?"
Paige wasn't sure, she felt the pressure and wished she hadn't asked, it felt like the ground was faltering from underneath her.
"Okay."
She said uncertainly.
Chris held her hand.
"The hard part isn't stopping the conception it's getting Leo and Piper back together to prevent Wyatt or any of this ever happening again.
Paige nodded, her head still reeling.
"Can't we just tell Leo?"
"No, he must sacrifice everything for love not for duty other wise they will never be truly happy like they were. Besides he is such an integral part of what will happen that telling him will make the future uncertain."
"But wouldn't it stop everything?"
"It would stop a conception yes, but it was not Leo's destiny nor purpose to know, you see only I and now you can change things as if anyone else knows they can changes things to drastically or do the wrong thing that would be catastrophic as it would make the future uncertain.
"What?"
Chris sighed, he knew he sounded dramatic and knowledgeable and he knew it wasn't that sexy at the moment.
"Basically, certain things have to happen naturally in order for there to be consistency in their futures, sure we're going to force their hands slightly but that's because it was their destiny's that changed because of the titans, we are re aligning them - nothing more really. Besides I need to control the events that take place at least partly and if things change too much things will be out of my control."
Paige nodded again. It's all she could attempt.
"But -"
"But what?"
Paige didn't need a but right now.
"We have to act fast."
"Why? You said it wasn't until the nearer future."
"Yes but now the underworld knows I am here and probably know what I have told you they will attack consistently to distract us from our goal."
Paige swore under her breath.
"So you and Wyatt were friends?"
"Yes, my mother was a witch like Piper and we were family friends. Then when Damien was born Wyatt became withdrawn and I noticed what was happening to him. No one knew but me and my slightly older sister Lindsay. When he finally took the throne of evil he wished her for his wife. She refused of course and he murdered her. Ever since then I left his side and swore him my enemy, he attacked my home and family. My mother was killed and I fled. Eventually the elders heard my plea and the upper beings granted me the task of changing the past to help the future. And so here I am."
"That means you're a toddler somewhere right now?"
"Yes."
This evening was not turning out well.
"What about us? Do you have to return to the future?"
"No."
Paige sighed relieved.
Chris looked down.
"I will disappear if everything is put right and reappear in the right time I was supposed to be whenever that is - in like 20 years"
"Oh god, I'll be in my forties! How can you be with me knowing you'll have to leave some time?"
"The future is an uncertain thing like I said, who knows maybe I wont have to leave and my destiny will change or -"
"And all that talk about marriage, you fooled me into believing we might get that far."
Paige couldn't help the silent tears that trickled down her face.
"Look, lets just eat and talk later -"
"I have lost my appetite."
Paige threw her napkin on the floor and ran upstairs. She was right, things never lasted, especially if they were the best things that had ever happened to her.