Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
Author's Note: Wow, wow, wow! I just can't describe how thrilled I am with the response to this story! It's just so amazing... THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Okay, allow me to clear some things up, hehe:
The story will be following Chris and Cole. So we're moving to the future for now. When Chris gets back to the past we'll run into the Charmed Ones again.
Many wondered about Phoebe and Cole: the story isn't about Phoebe and Cole. As you've already seen they eventually get back together, married and have kids; but I won't be showing that in this story-- sorry.
A lot of people wrote in wondering what was up with Leo. Leo is having a hard time accepting the fact that the guy he's been such a jerk to (Chris)is his son; thus making him more of a jerk-- a vicious cycle. Basically, as someone correctly pointed out in a review, I needed a bad guy, and chose Leo since he was such a jerk to Chris in the beginning. However, we will see him work out his problems with Chris later; I'm a sucker for Chris's relationships with his mother and father so don't worry.
And the last popular query was what exactly is the nature of Cole's... being I guess... hehe. Um, Cole is Belthasaur (spelled wrong, sorry) in this story. I haven't seen this episode in a LONG time, but I vaguely remember something about him trapping himself and sisters in another world, where he was just, uh-- the above mentioned demon, and that's how they vanquished him. So we'll just assume that somehow he came back as that demon.
I'm not really dealing with that aspect of Cole. If someone wants to deal with it and his relationship with Phoebe and how it gets to where I've got it in this story-- be my guest!
And finally, we meet the cousins in this section. Wyatt is not around, butthe next chapter will include him.
I hope you enjoy and once again THANK YOU!
They landed with a jolt in the future attic. It was dark and silent and eerily reminiscent of the attic they'd just left.
It was empty.
"Thank god, let's get out of here." Cole whispered and quickly grabbed Chris's arm and shimmered out.
A moment later they were standing in a small, homey looking living room.
"Chris!"
The cry was loud and rich and followed by more screams of delight.
Cole watched as his girls' jumped up from the sofa where they'd been sitting and launch themselves at Chris; wrapping him in a strangling hug and holding on for dear life.
The boy grinned and held them just as close.
"Oh god, we missed you," Mel enthused, pressing a kiss to his cheek and then burying her face in his neck again, "We were so scared, we thought we might never see you again, but we weren't sure; so we didn't know whether to be sad or to just wait and then Daddy said he needed your help and he was going to go get you and we got so excited and we've hardly been able to wait—cause of the excitement and we just… we missed so much, Chris… so much…" She babbled; both girls still held on tight and Chris had his arms around them both.
"I missed you guys too." He said quietly, his voice choked with the dark emotions of his time in the past. Prue pulled back a little when she heard his voice, her dark eyes scanning her cousin's face.
"What happened?" she asked, worried.
Mel pulled back too when she heard her sister's concerned tone, eyeing Chris in the same way.
Chris didn't say anything; he just studied the two identical faces before him.
"He kinda had a rough time in the past, guys..." Cole said softly, "And it's nice to see you too."
The girls shifted and sent their father identical brilliant smiles.
"Hi Dad."
"Hi Daddy."
They chorused, then turned back to Chris— the concerned expressions back in place.
"Rough, how?" Prue asked.
Chris swallowed hard and shook his head, "No big deal..." he told them, then grinned, "You did good on that spell and Mel… that was one great tasting potion."
Mel grinned at him, "I'm workin on making them chocolate flavored!" she said.
"You two look great!" He said, taking a step back and examining them, "So grown up!"
"Seventeen, Chris." Mel reminded him, "We are grown up and we were grown up last year when you left." She added cheekily.
"You don't look great." Prue stated, bluntly, "You look sick and you need a haircut."
Chris's grin widened, "Subtle as always, huh, Prue?" he said affectionately.
"Where's Jeff?" Cole asked.
"He took Adam and Amy with him to get supplies. Apparently you told him not to let them out of his sight." Prue answered.
"Us, apparently, he could ignore." Mel added as she went to her father and wrapped her arms around his middle.
Cole hugged her to him and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "I pity the demon who attacks the two of you together." He said.
"Hell yeah," Mel murmured, then looked up at him, "Did you see Mom?" she asked.
Cole smiled at her gently, "Sort of. She's not "mom" in 2004."
"But you saw her."
"Yeah I saw her."
Mel smiled and laid her head against his chest, "Cool."
Cole chuckled, "Yeah." Then his gaze lifted to Prue who was staring at Chris and Chris who was looking pale again.
"Sit down, Chris. Just take it easy for the rest of today."
Mel jumped back and whirled on her cousin, "Why do you need to take it easy?" she asked.
Prue turned to her father, "What happened, Dad?" she asked.
"He got hit by a Darklighter arrow earlier today. And vanquished a room full of demons with an energy blast." Cole informed his daughters.
"Oh!" Mel cried and immediately went to Chris and grabbed his arm, guiding him towards the sofa and pulling him down with her when she sat. "Poor baby." she cooed, pouting as she hugged his side and laid her chin on his shoulder, "Did it hurt a lot?"
Chris gazed into her caring dark eyes and found himself nodding, "Yeah, it did actually." he said softly.
"Do you want me to make you tea?" she asked.
He pulled back a little and rolled his eyes, "Still believe tea can cure anything?" he asked amused.
She smiled, releasing him, "It can!" she asserted, then jumped up from the sofa, "If you make with lots of good energy and love," she stated and ran out of the room.
His gaze followed her, a small smile on his lips. It was amazing... already he felt better.
Cole moved to the window as Prue moved to the seat her sister had vacated.
"Has Wyatt approached you?" Cole asked, surveying the quiet, empty street below.
"No. And according Jeff's informant he hasn't been by the apartment either."
"Good, good. What about Drew? Is he posing too much of a problem?"
"He sent a guy to the medic, Dad." Prue said seriously, "... blasted him in the shoulder with a fire ball."
"Damn." Cole growled, turning away from the window, "Is the guy okay?"
"Yeah, they got one of the Whitelighter's to heal him; and apparently Drew calmed down a bit after he realized he hurt someone."
"That's something at least..."
"I don't get how in one year Drew could have gotten this outa control." Chris commented, "I mean he wasn't like this last year when I left."
"Last year he had you." Prue told him. Her dark eyes on his face, she was obviously waiting for just the right moment to pester him with questions about what happened in the past— the moment when he least expected it. "This year all he had was Wyatt."
"Are you telling that he wants to be like Wyatt? Doesn't he see…?" Chris asked aghast, "… the destruction, the grief… that Wyatt leaves behind him."
Prue shook her head, "Wyatt has a good explanation for everything." She told him, "And the thing is Chris… when Wyatt tells it, his Empire almost sounds… right."
Chris nodded grimly, "I know, but… my god, he's a tyrant."
"Not to us." Prue stated softly, "Aside from the fact that he behaves as if he owns us, he treats us well and Drew doesn't see past that."
Chris leaned back and closed his eyes wearily, releasing a long sigh.
"He emphasizes family whenever he talks to us; how we should all stick together, how we belong together… how our moms would have wanted us together…" Prue scowled, "It makes me want to claw his eyes out when he takes our moms and pulls them into this; like they would have supported any of this!"
"Drew doesn't remember them that well… he was just eight; so much has happened since then…" Chris stated, his eyes still closed.
"So when is this binding-his-powers thing happening?" she asked after a moment.
"We need the spell… for which we need the book…" Chris stated softly.
"You have the spell to get it, don't you?"
"Yeah, but the book is constantly watched; when it comes to us it comes with a dozen or so demon guards."
"Oh." She said, wryly, "We're gonna hafta to put some thought into this then aren't we…"
Chris smirked, lifting his head up, "I'll leave the thinkin to you Prue, let me know when you're done." He told her.
She grinned and scooted closer to him, then shifted down a little and laid her head on his chest, "I really did miss you, Chris…" she said softly.
He grinned giving her a tight squeeze, Prue wasn't the mushy one—any emotional expression the twins had to make was traditionally expressed by Mel—so this was a big thing for her and Chris knew it.
"I missed you more, babe…" he said affectionately, "… had to do my own thinking for an entire year."
She chuckled, before pulling away, then she brushed hair away from his face, "You really do need a haircut. Let me go get my scissors." She stated, pragmatically.
He shot up, "Nuh-uh, no way…" he cried, "I don't think so!"
"Oh come on Chris! I can do it!" she cried.
"Can do what?" Mel asked, as she wandered in with a full service of tea.
"Jeez, Mel!" Chris cried.
She grinned, "I can't help it… I always remember Aunt Pip and her presentation lecture…"
Prue grinned too, "How presentation is key even if you can't cook!"
"I can cook!" Mel argued, as she set the service down on the coffee table, "I just can't cook that good!"
"Well." Her sister corrected.
Mel stuck her tongue out at her, "Can do what?" she repeated as she started pouring and mixing things in a teacup for Chris.
"-can cut his hair." Prue answered, helping herself to tea.
Mel looked up sharply, frowning, then looked to Chris and frowned more deeply, "If you let her near your head with scissors you're an idiot!"
"Hey!" Prue cried, "I can cut hair! I cut your hair!"
"Once! I wore a hat for three weeks!" she stated, as she stirred the contents of the cup and handed it Chris.
"Fine. If my talents won't be appreciated then I won't offer." She shot Chris glare, "Get a haircut elsewhere."
Chris was staring at the cup Mel was holding out to him, so he didn't comment on Prue's statement, "Mel…" he began softly, "I'm actually pretty full; before we came…" he trailed off when she lifted a wounded expression to his face.
"You don't want it?" she asked pitifully.
He stared at her a moment, then shook his head, "Of course I want it. You made it for me."
She smiled, "I did." She said as she proceeded to fix it for him.
"Early tomorrow morning is probably our best bet." Cole interrupted, he was standing at the window again. "You should rest until then, Chris."
Before the younger man could respond Cole turned towards the trio on the sofa and continued, "You three stay here, when Jeff gets back with Adam and Amy you can go back to the apartment if you want. I'm going to see Drew."
Chris straightened, "I'll go with you."
"NO. I don't want anyone to know you're here, Chris. Not even Drew, okay. Hopefully we can get this done and you back to 2004 without anyone being any wiser, okay."
Chris looked doubtful, "Wyatt… when I call the book, Wyatt will know that I'm here… I'm the only one who knows how to do that."
"We'll get you out immediately afterwards. Prue, you'll write a spell to send the book back, by the time he appears in front of us the book will be in its spot, you'll be gone, and I'll have vanquished the demon guards that follow the book."
"Sure Dad, no problem." Prue said a touch of sarcasm in her tone, "I don't mind working under pressure at all."
Cole flashed a quick grin, but his eyes remained serious.
"What can I do Daddy?" Mel asked, quickly.
"Whip up some vanquishing potions." He answered, then his eyes fastened on Chris again, "Until then, I want you to take it easy Chris." He repeated, "Don't wander around the city..."
"But I have to check in with the Resistance!" Chris cried, putting the tea down. "I can't just be here for a day and not check in."
"We'll take him, Dad... and make sure he doesn't take on any last minute kamikaze missions."
"No, I've told you I don't want you around all that." He answered firmly, then shot Chris a quick glare, "They've been fine for over a year without you, I'm sure they can handle another five months."
"But-"
"Whatever problems they have Chris, you aren't going to have time to fix them anyway." He cut the boy off.
"I need to meet with the Luke. Just to be updated. I won't do anything," the boy assured.
Cole eyed him suspiciously.
"I just want to know what's going on."
"And Mel and I should be allowed to go, Dad. We're just as capable as Chris."
Chris snorted, "I wouldn't say just-"
An elbow to the ribs, cut off his words, "We are." Prue stated emphatically.
Chris frowned rubbing his side, "Okay, ok... I believe you."
Cole sighed, "I need you well, Chris, not exhausted. Remember that."
Chris nodded, "I know. I just want to find out what's going... you know statistics and stuff... and to see some people." He added, a bit more solemnly. "Have there been many losses since I left?" he asked after a moment.
"I'm not officially involved in the resistance, I don't know-"
"But you keep track of it," Chris interrupted, "You must know."
"Of the staff you left four are dead." Prue stated, when her father remained silent, "And two are captured. As far as we know retrieval missions haven't been organized."
"Why not?"
"Wyatt upped security recently. And he's screening his employs more carefully, the people on the inside can barely reach out and no one new has been placed in weeks."
"It's because of Bianca." Chris whispered after a moment.
"We heard about that," Mel whispered softly, her hand reaching out to his arm, "We're so sorry Chris. We know how much you..." she trailed off, but continued a moment later, "We've all missed her a lot."
Chris nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat, "She managed to get him to think she'd turned— now he's extra suspicious of everyone." He continued, refusing to examine the feelings of grief that welled up inside him whenever he thought of her.
Prue nodded, Mel continued to rub circles on his arm.
"It sounds like you've disobeyed me, Prue." Cole stated suddenly. "You sound much too well informed for someone forbidden from going to headquarters."
Slowly Prue turned to face her father, "Somebody, a Halliwell somebody, has to help them out, Dad. All I do is give my opinion after Luke briefs me."
"I told you-"
"We're not little kids anymore, Dad." Prue interrupted, "We know how to handle ourselves and this is our responsibility too."
Mel nodded, she was sitting on Chris's other side now, hugged against his arm, "Yeah, what she said." She stated shooting her Dad a grin.
"Come on Daddy; face it: your little girls are all grown and dying to vanquish stuff."
Prue rolled her eyes, "That is not what I said... all I'm saying is that we should be given more responsibility, because we can handle it."
Cole stared at her at a moment, then a small smile tugged at his lips, "Fine; but the next time Luke brief's you on something I'd like to know about it." The small vanished suddenly and was replaced by a scowl, "How long has he been briefing you anyway?"
Prue shrugged carelessly, but studiously avoided her father's gaze, "Not long..."
"Since two months after Chris left." Mel replied, reaching over, getting the teacup and handing it back to Chris, "You didn't finish."
He sighed softly and brought the cup to his lips without comment—no point in arguing anyway.
"FOR A YEAR!" Cole yelled, and Prue cringed.
"YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RESISTANCE FOR A YEAR!"He continued.
"Well... not involved exactly..." she hedged.
Her father did not look pacified.
"It's okay, Daddy. Prue never goes to headquarters; Luke comes to the house…" Mel interjected.
"Mel." Prue hissed, through clenched teeth, "Let me tell it, okay." She grit out.
Mel sent her a sunny smile, then rolled her eyes when Prue shifted to look back at their father.
Chris chuckled a little, being around the twins was always amusing.
Cole sat down across from them, "Yeah, Mel… let Prue tell it." He stated, the words were slightly menacing coming from him though.
"It happened by accident almost. He came by to see if Chris had left any papers with us for him…"
"I didn't…"
"Yes. I know that now. But then we didn't know… so we looked and meanwhile I asked questions and he answered. We discussed options and possible strategies… it just, happened. He comes about twice a month and let's me know what's going on; sometimes more if there's a problem."
"You could have told me this."
"You would have told me to stop."
"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission." Mel chirped, loading everything back on the tray.
Cole glanced at her, "And you didn't tell me because…?"
She looked up, grinning at her father, "Luke's hot, Daddy." She stated.
"Ugh!" Chris cried, "Jeez, Mel… respect the guy a little! I hand-picked him to lead in my absence!"
Mel nodded solemnly, "And you picked a good one, Chris!" she stated, her dark eyes twinkling as she stood. "Plus he has the hots for your cousin… not this one though…"
Both men whirled on Prue, "What?" they both cried.
Prue cringed a little, then shot her twin a scowl, "What the hell's wrong with you!"
Mel shrugged, "I figured when a guy asks a girl to marry him a girl's family should know." She stated simply, then walked to the kitchen with tray.
The room was silent for a moment.
Then Cole shot up off the sofa, "YOU'RE SEVENTEEN!" he roared.
Prue pouted, "I didn't say yes. And it's not like we'd get married tomorrow."
Cole just stared at her. After a moment he shook his head, "I can't believe this."
"I can't believe I confided in Mel," Prue mumbled.
"Were you going to tell me!"
"Of course!" Prue cried, "Later on…"
Cole glared at her, "There is so much going on right now that you've been spared the joy of discussing this with me now— I have to go check on Drew," he told her, "But this conversation is so far from over that it hasn't even begun yet, got it?"
Prue sighed, "Got it."
"Good." He said, then eyed Chris, "I'll be back around…" he glanced at his watch, "By 12:30 at the latest okay."
Chris nodded, "okay…"
"And while I'm gone you're going to…" Cole prodded.
"Go lead a couple rescue missions and analyze strategic points of attack?"
Cole stared at him in silence.
Chris sighed, "Rest. I'm going to rest… jeez, just cause Prue's getting married doesn't mean you hafta take it out on me…!"
Cole rolled his eyes, but didn't comment on that. After a moment, he stated, "I'm going; if the three of you could refrain from creating a catastrophe while I'm gone I'd appreciate it."
"We'll do our best, Daddy." Mel cried as she strolled back into the room. "Our very best."
The older man surveyed the three, and sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I'll see you guys at the house—" to Prue, "We'll talk later."
Then he shimmered out.
"You're a real brat!" Prue hissed at her sister as soon as their father vanished.
Mel grinned, "At least now it's out in the open."
"Getting engaged at seventeen is a real stupid thing to do." Chris told his cousin.
"Says the guy who got engaged at twenty."
"Right, see how well that turned out." He said softly.
Prue sighed, hating that sad look in his eyes, "I didn't say yes… I said maybe, that I had to think about, that I was young-"
"Did you tell him I was gonna rip him a new one, for makin moves on my little cousin?"
"No, but I mentioned that Wyatt would very likely kill him first." Prue said softly, her eyes downcast. "He acts like he owns us…"
"Let's not talk about Wyatt…" Mel commented.
"Yeah, let's talk about why you had a rough time in the past?" Prue stated.
Chris jumped a little, caught off guard—just as Prue had wanted it to be.
Mel sighed as she slumped into the sofa, "I had hoped for a more lighthearted topic, but I guess that will do…"
"What happened?" Prue persisted.
"Nothing happened-"
Prue eyed his skeptically, "Dad said you had a rough time…"
"Was it because of them? Did it hurt very much to see them?" Mel asked gently, her dark eyes inquisitive, "I can't imagine meeting Mom before she was Mom… were they very different?" she asked.
A bitter chuckled escaped Chris, "Yeah…" he said hoarsly, "they were different."
"Were they shocked when you told them about Wyatt?" Prue asked.
"Did Aunt Pip cry?" Mel continued, "I always… when I think about them… knowing what Wyatt's become… I always think that… that they'd cry." A glimmer of tears twinkled in her eyes, "They'd be so heartbroken."
Chris stared at his hands, focusing on his breathing so as not to burst into tears. Their questions were slicing into his heart; flooding his mind with memories, with the sorrow of those months.
"Chris?" Mel's voice was soft and he felt her hand on his arm, "What is it?" she asked tenderly.
"What happened?" Prue asked, her voice for once as gentle as her sisters.
"They were angry." He whispered, doing nothing to hide the pain in his voice—he didn't have to hide with them, "They didn't believe me."
"What?" Prue's voice was sharp now, "Didn't believe you? Why the hell not?"
Chris said nothing.
"Dammit, Chris I'm talking to you!" she hissed at him.
"Prue." Mel admonished, her dark gaze fierce.
"I didn't tell them," Chris said softly, after a few moments of silence.
"Didn't tell them what?" Mel asked gently.
"Who I was."
"You didn't tell them who you were." Prue clarified.
"I just told them I was there to help; I told them I was there to save Wyatt… but I didn't tell them who I was." Chris explained.
Mel frowned, "But Chris if you didn't tell them-"
"They wouldn't have believed you." Prue finished, for her sister.
He drew a deep breath and lifted his gaze, "Exactly."
Prue shook her head as she stood and paced a little, "You didn't tell them…"
"I didn't know how," Chris admitted, "I got there… and they… jeez, if you guys could just see them. Young and strong and independent and so… so free…" he whispered, "They had nothing to hold them back—they were trying for normal lives, they were dating and wearing tiny skirts and halter tops… I just, I didn't know them at all."
"Oh god Chris…" Mel whispered, ever the intuitive one, she scooted closer and pulled her cousin into a hug.
"It was damned stupid of you not to say anything." Prue growled.
"Prue stop it!" Mel cried.
"It's true!" her sister retorted, "Why put yourself through that?"
Chris's suddenly angry green eyes sought out hers, "I was blindsided by the complete and utter loathing they felt for me on sight, okay! I didn't know how to get past that and suddenly I was the enemy…"
"You should have told them!"
"By the time I wanted to they wouldn't have believed me!"
"You could have made them believe you!"
"I didn't-"
"STOP IT!" Mel cried, her eyes shooting sparks at her sister. "In case you haven't noticed Prue, he's hurting enough over this you don't have to rub it in!" she cried.
Prue glared at her sister, but when she transferred her gaze to Chris she saw what Mel meant, "I just…" she sighed, and moved to sit on the coffee table across from Chris, "I don't like the idea of you being all alone in the past." She whispered. "I didn't mean to… rub it in." She added after a moment.
An apology.
Or as close to it as Prue could manage.
"I know it's just that… they hated me. I mean like really hated me. They wanted me gone; didn't want me in the house or even around them in general."
"Jeez, it sound like they were complete bitche-"
"PRUE!" Mel interrupted.
The girl sent her a shrug, "What?"
"That would be our mother and aunts you're talking about." Mel reminded her, "Don't call them that."
"Hey, I call it like I see it. You don't treat someone who time travels for you like shit; at least you shouldn't and if they did then that makes them bitches, don't you think?"
Mel rolled her eyes, then focused on Chris again, "Your not going back unless you promise to tell them, got it."
He smiled a little at her, pushing the memories of his time in the past away, "Yeah, well, don't worry. Your Dad took care of that."
Mel stared at him a moment then giggled, "Daddy spilled the beans huh?"
"Understatement of the year; he didn't just tell them, he showed them. It was a disaster." He groaned.
Both girls grinned.
"Well. I'm glad someone put them in there place." Prue stated, then frowned a little, they did believe him right?"
"The sisters did. Leo didn't." He told them.
Mel frowned, "You're calling him Leo now?"
"It's what he is. All he is." Chris stated, his voice cold.
Before either girl could respond the door opened. A tall blonde man entered the room. He face was creased in an ever present frown and his clothes had the grungy look of someone who washed only when necessary and worked hard. In front of him two dark-haired children walked.
They spied him before he stood and the grins that split their faces made something inside him melt.
"You're home!"
"You came back!"
The screams were followed by them shooting across the room and into his arms.
He laughed as they attacked him, "Whoa there! Easy…" he murmured as he hugged the children to him.
Adam pulled, his dark eyes shining brilliantly, "You have no idea how boring it is in a house full of girls!" he cried.
Chris chuckled reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair, "A man like you should be able to handle it." He stated. "You've shot up at least two feet while I've been gone."
"What about me, Chris! Have I shot up! What about me?" Amy cried, jumping up and down in front of him.
He grinned, lifting her up with him as he stood, "You've turned into a little lady!" he told her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm glad your home." She whispered.
He smiled, then his eyes landed on Jeff, he sent the man a nod, "Good to see you." He called out.
The older man nodded and made a grunting sound as he deposited his sacks on the table.
"How is everything out there." Chris asked.
"Quiet." Jeff stated.
Jeff was a man of few words; a man not to be trifled with. He worked security for Wyatt's Manor and kept the Resistance up to date on all the related happenings. He also occasionally managed to place people on inside.
Chris nodded, it was always quiet outside—unless something was being destroyed. Witches hid underground, coming up only at night when they had a better chance of hiding.
Mortal skulled in shadows and walked close to buildings, wore dark colors, and avoided open spaces. Children were discouraged from running or screaming outdoor, they were taught by parents and aunts and uncles—whatever relative they had left after The Rebirth.
The Rebirth— a blood bath. Wyatt's rise to power…
"Well? Are ya?" a tugging on his hair, brought his thoughts back to the present. Amy was staring at him with hopeful eyes.
"Yeah, Chris, please." Adam continued.
"Pretty please Chris… nobody makes chocolate-chip cookies as good as you…!" Amy pleaded. Chris blinked a little – they were asking him to bake cookies.
Mel laughed, "I second that! Will you Chris?" she added her plea in with the others.
He rolled his eyes at her as he set Amy down on the ground, "I don't think we'll be able to find all the ingredients for them—chocolates pretty thin on the ground." He reminded them.
"Oatmeal then…!"
"When was the last time you saw a raisin, Mel?" He asked her.
"We won't put raisins in them. Just… oatmeal…" she said brightly, shrugging, "They'll be just oatmeal cookies."
"That'll taste really gross," Prue piped in as she helped Jeff unload the sacks.
"It will not!" Amy cried, shooting her older cousin a glare, "Chris can make it taste good, can't you Chris?" she cried looking up at him.
Prue snorted, Mel giggled, Adam rolled his eyes.
And Chris just sighed, "Well… I guess I can give it a try…" he told her.
She grinned at him. He grinned back, "You're so big!" He cried, his gaze travled to Adam, "You too, kid! Soon you'll be as tall as me!"
Adam grinned, "I'm ten now." He told his cousin, "And guess what?" he cried.
Before Chris could guess Adam was talking again, "I got a pet rat! His names Huey!" he told Chris.
Chris made a grimace, "In the house?" he asked, then realized suddenly how much he sounded like his mother and cringed again.
Mel laughed, "He's in a box, Chris." She told him.
"And I got a new power, Chris!" Adam told him, "Wanna see!"
"NO!"
Everyone in the room, but Chris, cried the words simultaneously. Chris jumped, startled, Adam turned around and scanned everyone's face with a glare.
"I'm gettin better at it." He said, frowning.
"Jeez, what's the kid's new power." Chris asked eyeing them all strangely.
"Molecular acceleration—whitelighter style." Prue informed her cousin, "It draws too much attention."
Mel sent Adam a tiny frown, "Which is why he knows he can only practice it underground."
Adam shrugged, "Just wanted to show Chris." He commented.
"It draws too much attention?" Chris asked.
"Lights, Chris…" Prue stated, "Very bright lights that he can't control into a concentrated area. He fills up an entire room with them while heating up a cup of coffee."
Adam glared at her, "I'm gettin better."
"I'm sure you are," Chris stated, "We're going to headquarters later… you can show me then."
Adam's eyes lit up, "I get to go to headquarters!" he cried excitedly.
It occurred to Chris that if Uncle Cole didn't want the seventeen-year-olds' at headquarters' he probably didn't want the ten year old there either.
Amy tugged on his shirt, he looked down into disapproving, dark eyes, "Adam and I aren't allowed to go to headquarters. Uncle Cole said."
"Shhhhh Amy!" Adam cried.
"It's true. They can't go." Prue confirmed, "And you can't either. You're gonna rest. We take him to an underground cavern to practice." shestated.
Adam sighed and looked down, muttering, "So close…" then shooting his younger sister an angry scowl.
Amy promptly gave him a sunny smile and skipped over to the table, to watch Jeff and Prue organize items.
"Daddy told us to meet him at the apartment." Mel told Jeff, "Will you be okay here, Jeff?" she asked sweetly.
The older man looked up at her and Chris's jaw nearly dropped when he sent Mel something that looked like a smile, "I'll be fine; you get going and remember to stay outa trouble." He admonished.
She grinned, "Always, Jeff." She said cheekily. Then turned to Chris and sent him a sweet smile, "I have an idea." She said.
He groaned—it was instincitive, a gesture he'd perfected at the age of nine when he'd realized htat his little cousins ideas were always going ot get him in trouble.
She frowned a little, "Not htat kind of idea." She admonished.
"All your ideas merit that reaction," Prue called out.
"Like your any better!" Mel cried.
"Actually… yes, I am."
"Uh-huh! Sure; I believe-"
"Mel. The idea." Chris interrupted, as he sat back and down and Amy crawled onto his lap.
He hugged her to him and waited for Mel to continue.
"Let's go back to the apartment and watch the movie." She stated almost jovially.
Chris turned to stare at her in astonishment, "Are you serious?" he asked.
She nodded, sitting on the arm rest, "Yeah, why not?"
Amy nodded vigorously in his arms, "Yeah, why not?" she echoed.
"Off the top of my head I can think of five reasons." Chris stated, looking at Mel, "One: your broth-"
"I missed you Chris!" she interrupted, "And we're going to have to immerse ourselves in magical problems later tonight… why not enjoy the rest of the evening! Together!"
"Because you have a potion to make and Prue has a spell to write and I have to rest."
Mel rolled her eyes, "I wasn't suggesting we watch the uncut version of Titanic… come on… two hours, an hour and a half…"
Chris met her dark twinkling eyes and then shifted to look at Prue across the room, "You're the thinker…"
Prue sighed, "I missed you too," she whispered, "I guess… if we just allot 2 hours and no more to the movie-"
Mel cut her off, "YES! Oh this is great!" she exclaimed happily, "Okay, she glanced at the clock—time's ticking… let's go…" and with that she shimmered out.
Chris chuckled as he stood. Amy and Adam practically bouncing with excitement. He met Jeff's eyes, "Thanks for watching them." He told the older man.
The man nodded, "Any time." Then his gaze sharpened, "Good luck." He stated.
Chris nodded back. The older man didn't' know the particular's of Chris's mission. Very few people did. His family, Bianca, Luke…
But he did know that Chris was the kind of person who got things done.
Prue sighed patting Jeff on the arm and moving across the room to stand by Chris and the kids, "Oh yeah this'll be great…" she deadpanned.
Chris tore his gaze from Jeff and grinned at her, "She got all the enthusiasm and you got all the sarcasm…"
Prue smiled a little, "I got all the brains… you got the sarcasm." She winced suddenly before Chris could respond, then scowled.
"She says, time's ticking…" she told Chris, holding out her hand to Adam.
Chris's smile faded a little, "You two shouldn't do that… it sends out magical energy that could be used to track-"
"I know that, you try telling her not to use it." Prue grumbled, then stretched out her hand to Chris, "Come on, I'll shimmer us."
Chris nodded, taking Amy's hand and then placing his hand in Prue's, "I will tell her." He stated as they began to shimmer.
Prue chuckled softly, "That'll be fun to watch…" she murmured.
The room he shimmered into was buzzing with activity. Men and women dressed simply, in dark clothing and moving quickly into and out of the great cavern.
Instantly, he was the center of attention. As he knew he would be. Only those who'd registered with the Resistance Headquarters database were able to enter it magically. So he wasn't greeted with weapons, but still he was observed with great care.
A few greetings were called out by those who recognized him. Those that didn't eyed him warily and would for awhile—they trusted no one.
He returned a few greetings as he made his way to Luke's office—he had a bone to pick with that kid…
"Cole!" A relieved voice called out, before he'd made it to the younger man's office, "Oh thank god!"
Cole turned and found Michael, a senior officer of the Resistance, rushing towards him an expression of utter gratitude on his face, "Thank god." he murmured.
"What happened?"
"You've come for your son, right?" the man asked almost urgently. "Please tell me you've come for him!"
"Has he hurt someone else?" Cole cried alarmed.
Michael shook his head quickly as he finally reached Cole, "No, not physically. But Cole—jesus christ, you should'a told us the kid was plannin to join Wyatt! We've got people wantin to throw him in a holding cell!"
"He's just a kid!"
Michael made a snorting noise.
And Cole sighed, "What's he done?"
The other man sighed as well, "Follow me." He said and quickly led Cole back out into the main room and down a different hallway.
A moment later they entered another open space, not as large as the main area but just as busy... or at least it would be, if it weren't for the teenage boy standing in the middle juggling with fire balls.
Cole watched as his son threw one of the balls in the direction of an older man, watched the way the older man froze and flinched, the way his son made a pulling motion with his hand and stopped the fire ball mere inches away from the man's face.
The man stared at it a moment, before quickly moving on. Drew smirked and pulled the fire ball back to him; once again juggling it along with two others in the air.
A moment later it appeared like he was about to do it again.
Cole's temper blew up.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" he roared at his son as strode forward him furiously.
The fireballs instantly vanished and Drew had the good grace to look slightly ashamed.
"Dad!" he cried, taking a step back as he realized the extent of his father's fury, "Wasn't expecting you-"
"You could have killed that man!" Cole continued.
"I had it under-"
"If you'd been off by a centimeter he'd be dead!"
Drew's dark eyes, identical to his father's, flashed, "I wasn't off!" he yelled.
Cole reached him in two strides and grabbed the boy by both forearms, "How many people have you done that too?" he asked fiercely.
Drew struggled against him, "Let go! How am I supposed to know! It's been a long couple of days!"
"Oh you'd better know!" Cole growled, "Because you're going to find every single one of them and apologize! Do you understand?"
"Like hell!" Drew growled back, glaring up into his father's.
Cole gave him a good hard shake, "You will Drew! Or I swear to you, you won't see the light of day for the next six months!"
"You can't keep me here!" The boy hissed, "I'll send for Wyatt! Wyatt will come for me!"
The room froze at the mention of that name and Cole looked at his son like he'd never seen him before.
He dropped his hands from the boy's arms and when he spoke his words reverberated around the now deathly silent cavern.
"You would do that?" he questioned his son, "You would lead Wyatt here? Knowing that it would be like sentencing everyone here to death; knowing that your sisters and I would be labeled traitors for participating. Would you knowingly extinguish the last light of hope this world has?"
Drew's fury had faded as his father spoke, his dark eyes seeming darker in his suddenly pale face. His arms hanging limply by his side as his chest heaved to draw in breaths.
"Wyatt wouldn't-" he began almost fearfully, because even as he formed the words something deep inside him rejected them.
"NO." Cole hissed at him, his dark eyes burning, "If you're planning to join him—you will join him, Drew—and every thing that he is. You won't close your eyes to reality. I won't make it that easy for you. Wyatt murders and you know it."
The boy's gaze dropped and for a moment Cole thought he'd reached him. Then Drew looked back up and his eyes were dark and hard.
"Only those that oppose him!" Drew defended.
"He kills indiscriminately. He'd kill you if it served his purposes."
"No! Never! Not Family. Family is the most important thing we have!"
"Until it's no longer useful!" Cole yelled, "Until it opposes him!"
"NO!"
"YES! And I'll be damned if I let him use family to blind you!"
"You're wrong! He doesn't-"
But his words were cut off as his father grabbed his arm and yanked him along side him as they began to walk.
"Hey!" the boy cried, struggling against his father's hold, "Stop it..."
But Cole's grip only tightened as the boy struggled.
His eyes met Michael's, as he walked quickly out of the large room, "A holding cell doesn't sound so bad." He said grimly.
Michael nodded his face just as grim, "I'll get one ready." He said running ahead.
"You can't do that!" Drew cried, as his father pulled him along at a rapid pace, "You can't put me in jail! I'm your son! What's wrong with you?"
They'd reached an empty hallway now and Cole roughly swung the boy in front him, "Me?" he questioned, his voice deceptively soft, "What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked, "Have you lost your mind? Since when is okay to terrorize people with your powers, Drew? Since when is it okay to inflict yourself on those who are weaker? Since when is it acceptable for people to be put to death for disagreeing with the majority? When did these things become okay to you? Because it sure as hell wasn't while you were growing up!"
"Oh please Dad! Don't give me that lecture! You're a demon!"
"And you're a Halliwell... ironic isn't it?" Cole hissed.
Drew whirled away from him, intent on heading back to where they'd come from, but Cole grabbed him again.
"Let go of me!"
"No. Not till I find out what happened to you! When did you become so pro-Wyatt that you're actually considering joining him?"
"What's wrong with that, huh! What's wrong with wanting to join his empire! I could stop hiding what I am! Stop scourging for food and running from probes! What's wrong with wanting to be accepted? Wyatt is family, Dad! He wouldn't hurt me or even you... any of us..."
"It's not just about you or me or us, Drew!"
"It can be! Why do we always have to think of others, huh? Why is the world always our responsibility! I'm sick and tired of innocents and personal gain! We have enough power to change things! To create things! Why not use it!"
"Because it's not who you are Drew! It's not what this family is about!" Cole yelled.
"This family is has always made the sacrifices!" Drew yelled. "Always! From the beginning, Melinda Warren let herself be burned at the stake! We're always the ones that suffer— why not let the world take its turn at suffering!"
He believed it.
Cole realized with a jolt— Drew believed every word he was saying... words that had originally come out of Wyatt's mouth.
Cole knew that. This was Wyatt's spiel, Wyatt's sales pitch... and his son had bought it.
Without another word he tightened his grip and hauled the boy towards the holding cells.
Drew struggled less this time and remained completely silent as they made there way through the various caverns and hallways that made up The Resistance Headquarters; quickly they descended into the lower level.
The place was set up almost like a honeycomb, with the lower honeycomb used to hold prisoners.
Cole made his way to one of the less protected zones and found Michael... along with Luke… waiting for him.
"Get in," he growled and swung the boy into the darkened cage.
Drew scowled, "I'll get out."
"The holding cells are magically protected." Cole told him, "Unless your magic's registered here, which yours isn't it, you can't come and go as you please. You'll be there till I come and get you."
"I-"
"Don't bother calling for Wyatt. He won't hear you; no one will."
"You can't do this!"
"I can. And I will." Cole stated, "This is for you own good, Drew. You could join him... but you wouldn't be blind forever, your too smart for that... and then-then you wouldn't be able to live with yourself."
The boy remained silent.
Cole turned away, then abruptly turned back, "Don't throw fire balls at the walls... it repels them back." He warned.
"We'll keep an eye on him," Michael stated.
Cole nodded gratefully then his gaze landed on Luke. His eyes narrowed, "I need to talk to you."
Luke nodded, "Yeah, sure... how about in-"
"NOW. I'll be in your office." He told the younger man before shimmering to the upper level.
Luke frowned, "What's up with him?" he asked Michael.
Michael shrugged, Drew snorted from inside the cave, "Maybe he finally figured out your screwing my sister." He hissed at him.
Luke neared the cage, "That is not what's going on and you know it?" he hissed, "But exactly where would he get that idea?" he asked the boy threateningly.
Drew shrugged, "Beats me. I don't bother to care— you haven't got a chance with her anyway. You're not good enough."
Luke made a growling noise, but Michael put a restraining hand on his shoulder, "Let it go."
Luke pulled away roughly, "Watch him. Have a guard posted in front of this cell at all times." He ordered then quickly walked away.
Drew chuckled, sitting down on the floor, his back to a wall, "Doesn't have much of a sense of humor, does he?"
"I wouldn't push it, kid. Once your dad goes topside... you're at our mercy..." Michael hissed.
Drew shrugged, his dark eyes glinting menacingly in the darkened the cell, "We'll see." He said softly; and the utter arrogance in those two words sent chills along Michael's spine.
Quickly he reached for his radio and ordered for two guards to be kept on this kid at all times.
The kid was a Halliwell, after all.
"So, Cole, what's up-" Luke's friendly question ended on a gasp of terror as the door shut behind him and he found himself staring into the face of a growling red and black demon. A moment later the demon used one hand to grab him around the collar and lift him up off the floor.
"Did you forget I was a demon, Luke?"
"Jesus Christ! Cole! What the hell!" he cried, kicking out his feet.
With flourish Cole swung the man to the side and promptly dropped him on his ass. A moment later he resumed his human appearance.
It said a lot about the state of that appearance that instead of being relieved he was no longer facing a demon Luke was suddenly more nervous— he was now facing a furious father.
For there was no doubt in his mind—Cole knew…
"It's not what you think-" he started, but never finished.
"So you haven't been briefing my daughter behind my back?" Cole hissed at him.
"Well, okay-"
"You haven't been involving her with Resistance missions?"
"Technically, yes but-"
"You haven't been dating her without telling me?"
"Okay, kind of, but-"
"SO YOU DIDN'T PROPOSE TO HER WITHOUT CONSULTING ME!"
The younger man swallowed hard, backing away, as Cole slowly began advancing on him, "You gotta calm down..."
"CALM DOWN?" Cole roared, advancing more quickly on the fallen man, "SHE'S SEVENTEEN!" He growled.
"I know, it's not-"
Cole bent down and grabbed the man's shirt front with both hands, lifting him to his feet, "If I were still a practicing demon I'd rip your heart with my bare hands!"
Luke's eyes widened, "Get a grip, Cole!"
"Oh, I have a grip, thus you have a heart!" he yelled, then shook the man a little, "What were you thinking?" he roared, feeling suddenly like he'd spent the entire day asking that question—apparently the world had gone insane.
With a quick defensive maneuver Luke pulled himself free of Cole and took several quick steps back, "I love her!" he yelled.
Cole scowled, letting the man retreat, "I don't give a shit!" he hissed, "She's a kid!"
"Only in your eyes!"
His scowl intensified, "Wrong thing to say." He growled approaching the younger man again.
"Okay, okay… just… relax for a second!" Luke cried, putting the desk between them, "Let me explain."
Cole blinked at him, "Explain?" he asked, drawing in a deep breath, "Okay. Fine." Carefully he pulled back a chair in front of the desk and sat. He waved at the chair across the desk, "Explain." He stated, as he worked at controlling his temper… which admittedly had been out of control since he's seen Drew playing with fireballs.
He had to calm down. If he didn't, he'd up doing something he'd regret— like killing Luke, which probably wouldn't go over too well with Prue, but also would land them in a jam as to who would run The Resistance.
He had to calm down.
He took another calming breath… okay, it was, okay. He could put the fear of god in the kid while being calm.
Luke took a seat but before he could speak Cole continued. "Explain to me why you felt that you had to carry on a clandestine relationship with one of my daughters. Explain how you had the sheer gall to look me in the face once a week and not mention that you'd like my child to be your wife?"
The young man swallowed hard, "It just… I swear Cole it just happened... at first it was just business; she's got a great head on her shoulder and it was useful to me, to bounce ideas off her. I didn't realize how much Chris worked to just keep this place running smoothly let alone keep it concealed. She was good to me, encouraging and supportive. We became friends, Cole."
Cole stared at him, "Let's forget for a minute that she's seventeen and you're twenty-five… not a big deal, age is just a number and all that." He began, "Let's forget that I've discussed with you on various occasions the fact that I don't want my kids around all this-"
Luke sighed interrupting, "Cole don't-"
"I'm not finished." Cole interrupted right back, his tone lethal, "The simple fact that you've been seeing my daughter behind my back is enough to get me seeing red. The fact that you proposed to her is an entirely different subject that I'm only going to be only too pleased to discuss with you as soon as this problem with Drew clears."
He stood up, Luke followed his lead.
The two men stared at each other.
"Until then: you will stay away from my daughter." He ordered.
It wasn't a request.
Luke treated it as though it were, "I will inform you when I plan to see her."
"No. You won't-"
"I will." The younger man interrupted, "I won't stop seeing her. In case you missed it the first time: I love her. I'm not going to disappear from her life until you decide that it's okay for me to come back. You're right, I did it wrong. I should have told you. But what's done is done and I'm not backing away. I'm here for her; that won't change."
Cole stared at him. His anger finally completely receding. His temper firmly in control. About time the boy showed some back bone—he'd never survive in the Halliwell family if he cowered every time someone turned into a demon.
"Fine. Let me know." He growled and then just for good measure, so the kid wouldn't get cocky added a menacing, "Or else," before shimmering out of the room.
"They actually almost smell like real cookies." Mel commented as she peered into the oven.
Chris rolled his eyes, "They are real cookies," he told her, "Isn't there any way you can fix that thing?" he asked, eyeing the television set.
Now it was Mel's turn to roll her eyes, "Oh yeah, sure, 'cause static on a vcr and tv set that are over 40 years old is fixable."
"Drew could fix it," Adam stated mildly, "he's the one that fixed the tape." He informed them.
He was sprawled out on the floor, his chin in his elbows watching the movie that was playing.
"You know when you said let's watch the movie. I kinda figured… you meant lets watch a movie, not literally the movie—as in the only movie."
"You've been in the past too long if you think we'd have a video collection." Prue told him, "We're lucky to have a vcr."
"But this is…" he glanced at the fuzzy screen, "-this is… Ghostbusters… there's only so many times you can watch Ghostbusters."
"I stopped counting at 2,401." Mel stated happily, "I used to keep a tally, but I ran out of scrap paper and Dad won't let me use regular paper."
He rolled his eyes, but a smile still lingered on his face. It was nice, to be here—with his family.
"When are the cookies gonna be ready?" Amy asked, she was sitting on the counter.
"Um, another five or six minutes, babe." He answered, smiling at her.
"We haven't had cookies in forever." She informed him, then added in a wistful tone, "I wish we had milk, real milk…"
He reached over and dropped an arm around her shoulders, staying silent. That simple comment had made him realize that maybe he had spent too much time in the past—he'd started taking things for granted like real milk.
"We'll put extra powder in the water," Mel said smiling at her little cousin, "It won't taste as watery, okay?"
"Really!"
"Yeah, sure why not? Like you said, we haven't had cookies in forever…" she said it with the same drama that Amy had and the little girl giggled.
"Wyatt has real milk." Adam said, his eyes still on the tv, his voice bored.
Everyone quieted. "Who told you that?" Chris asked.
"He did and Drew."
Amy sighed, "You're not supposed to listen to Drew or to Wyatt. Uncle Cole said."
"I know… I'm not listening, I'm just hearing them." Adam stated, still without bothering to turn around. "It's not like either of them make sense, anyway."
"Why don't they make sense?" Chris's voice was soft.
The sighed dramatically tearing his gaze from the tv and fastening it on his older cousin, "'Cause how're you supposed to be happy when everybody else in the world is miserable? I mean if I've got real milk and Amy wants it but doesn't got it, how am I supposed to be happy drinkin it? And how come we're all supposed to be watchin the movie and you all keep talking?" the boy finished frowning.
Chris blinked at him a little, then grinned— god life was simple at ten.
"I don't get the appeal," he told everyone, "If you've seen this movie more than 2401 times why watch it again?"
Once again Adam rolled his eyes, "So we can watch it together." He stated, then with a sigh that said the older men in his family were simply hopeless, he turned back to the movie.
Chris grinned, turning to the twins and Amy.
"It's true. Watching that movie is the only thing we can all do together. It gets kinda boring around here, ya know." Mel stated simply.
Prue glared at her, "You could try volunteer at som-"
"Uh-No." Her sister interrupted her, "That's okay, I'll leave the good works to you, dearest twin."
Amy nodded, "Yeah, Prue, plus if Mel volunteered who would cook and play with us?" she asked.
"Thank you my sweetheart, at least someone appreciates my hard work."
Amy giggled, Prue rolled her eyes.
"Guys, the marshmallow!" Adam called from the living room, "You gotta come see the marshmallow!"
"Ooooh! Ooooh! Chris, down! Let me down!" Amy cried, waving at Chris to lower her from the counter.
He grinned and promptly lowered the small girl to the ground, she rushed into the living room and plopped down next to Adam.
"I can't believe she's gonna be eight." He whispered, "I still think of her a toddler…"
"Better get over that," Prue stated, "She'll be boy crazy before you know it!"
Chris's gaze narrowed, "Like you?" he asked.
She shook her head, "No, like Mel. I'm only crazy about one boy." She said firmly.
"You'll be lucky if you Dad doesn't tear to shreds."
"Daddy won't," Mel defended, "At least not until we bind Drew's powers."
"Thanks, that's comforting!"
"The MARSHMELLOW is ON!" Amy cried, obviously upset that the older members of the family weren't coming.
"You two go, I gotta get the cookies out of the oven." Chris told them.
Prue nodded and left, the kitchen was not her strong her suit. Mel however, set about to make glasses of milk.
"You don't have to make me one," Chris said as he carefully pulled their makeshift cookie sheet out of the oven.
"It's okay. I hate to bring it up, but… Uncle Leo keeps-"
"Then don't." Chris interrupted.
She sent him a glare, but didn't finish. They all knew and understood Chris's issues with Leo. It was just a given. She let it go.
A moment later they both entered the living room; Chris carrying the warm cookies and Mel with the glasses of milk.
"This is so cool!" Amy gushed, reaching for a cookie as Chris set it down and sat down.
Adam nodded, "Almost like before!" he cried reaching for a cookie too.
Chris froze, a glance at the twins showed they too had frozen. "Before?" he asked, but in his heart he knew the answer.
Somehow Adam remembered… he'd been young, three—when the Charmed Ones had died, but a night like this. Family gathered around the TV with cookies and smiles had been a regular event, at least once a week; and somehow Adam remembered.
The young boy nodded, "Yeah, all of us together…" he stated.
"Nuh-uh!" Amy cried, frowning, "Drew's not here!" she protested, then she added, "And Wyatt either… he's one of us… sort of," she looked to Chris, "Right Chris?"
He nodded, slowly, "Yeah… sort of…" he agreed.
She nodded back, pleased.
They were silent as they ate and drank and watched the fuzzy screen. Chris sighed, feeling something deep inside him unwind; it took a moment for him to understand what it was—his guard.
He didn't have to put up his guard here, didn't' have to shield his emotions and thoughts. All of Phoebe's kids had inherited heightened senses of awareness and perception… but it didn't matter, he didn't have to guard against them.
He could relax.
For now at least.
"How's the spell coming?" he asked Prue a few hours later. The movie had ended; they'd cleaned up, and put the younger kids to bed. Then promptly activated the protection crystals and cast an outward silencing spell—Adam and Amy wouldn't hear anything from outside their room, but those outside would hear if the children called out.
He'd hugged them tight before he'd put them to bed, acutely aware that he truly might never see them again. He was meddling in the past, changing the future—their future; he was changing them.
They hadn't asked if he'd be there when they woke up, they'd learned not to do that—to not expect more than right now.
They'd hugged him back and watched with quiet dark eyes as he tucked them in. He'd pressed a kiss to each forehead and told them to sleep tight; told them he loved them.
They'd kept silent.
He'd reached the door, then the tiny voice, "We love you too, Chris." Amy stated. And he knew, by her voice, that they knew—he'd be gone in the morning.
He avoided looking at the closed door now; sitting with his back to it. It made it easier.
"Not bad, it's pretty much done, I'm just tweaking it." She told him, not even looking up.
He nodded and got up heading to the little kitchen, "What about you Mel, how're the vanquishing potions coming?"
She rolled her eyes, "Come on Chris, I've been making vanquishing potions since I was seven." She stated.
He nodded, "I know, but these have to be really potent, Mel. Wyatt wouldn't just let anybody guard the book. They're gonna be powerful."
She nodded, "Yeah, yeah I know. I can handle it." She muttered, then her gaze sharpened, "You're supposed to be resting, not buggin me. Go sit over there and pester Prue."
He grinned, "I'm rested up." He proclaimed, an assertion that wasn't entirely true, but he was as rested as he was used to being in the last couple of months, "And Prue has to concentrate more… her work is creative… you're just mixing stuff—hopefully the right stuff." He teased, "Should you be putting that much mandrake in there?"
She stuck her tongue out at him, before he could respond though, the air shimmered and Cole appeared.
"Your back!" Mel cried happily.
"Hi Dad." Prue stated, still not really looking up.
"Hey, guys," Cole said his gaze scanning the three occupants of the room; noticing that his girls were busy and that although Chris was still too pale, he did look less haunted somehow. "… kids in bed?" he asked, quietly, after a moment.
Chris nodded, "Yeah, and protection crystals in place."
"Good, good…" he said, "We should get to the manor soon… how're the potions coming?"
"Well, now that Chris is here advising poor, uneducated little me on the art of potion making everything is going extra smoothly…" Mel replied sardonically, shooting her cousin a light glare.
A smirk crossed Cole's face as she approached them, "How many?" he asked.
"Forty-five and counting," Mel told him.
Chris's eyes widened, "Jeez, I think that's enough…"
She shrugged, "Better to be prepared."
"Where are gonna carry forty-five potions?" he asked.
"In a sack, Chris. Jeez, you really have been in the past too long."
That garnered a chuckled out of Cole and Chris rolled his eyes.
"We should be heading out soon. I took longer than I expected to." He commented after moment of watching Mel put things prepare to put things away.
Chris nodded, "Yeah, we expected you like an hour ago. What happened?"
"Drew's outa control. I had to put him in a holding cell."
"Dad!" Prue cried, standing, "You can't do that!"
"I had to. He was literally, terrorizing people." Cole explained, running a hand over his face.
"Wyatt would be proud," Chris hissed bitterly.
"Unfortunately he would be." Cole stated.
Then turned to his daughters, who were now standing side-by-side, "Just so we're clear, you two are staying here with the kids while I do this with Chris, okay."
"Aw Daddy! Come on!" Mel groaned, "You said I could help vanquishing!"
"I said you could help by making vanquishing potions," Cole clarified, "There's a difference."
"You didn't hear a word I said to you at Jeff's did you?" Prue accused.
"I heard, Prue, I heard every word you said." He told her with a slight emphasis and the girl blushed a little, he continued though, "I know that you and your sister are very capable and that you can handle everything Chris and I can, but the point is that I'm your father. And it's my job to keep you safe. For my peace of mind I need to know that Adam and Amy are safe. I need to know that the two of you are safeand I need to know that if the worst comes to pass, Wyatt can't tie you to any of this."
Prue sighed, "He'd be an idiot to think that you came up with the spell and potions by yourself... they've got our mom's and Aunt Paige's touches all over them."
Cole tilted his head to one side in acknowledgement of that, "Okay, let me rephrase... I need to know that he has a choice to ignore your obvious involvement. If you're actually there when this goes down than he can't ignore that, he has to act..."
"This isn't... uh, dangerous is it?" Mel asked, moving closer, her tone suddenly worried, "I mean I know it's dangerous, but it's not like... deadly or suicidal or anything is it? I mean it's going to work, right? Call for the book, vanquish demons, bind powers, send book back, send Chris to 2004, get out— that's it, right?"
Prue nodded, "Yeah, that better be it; cause if it is like suicidal or something—it's not worth it. Binding his powers isn't worth it, Dad." She stated.
Cole smiled at them comfortingly, "That's the plan, Mel; simple and quick." He stated, turned away from them and pinned Chris with a look, "Did you rest?"
The younger man nodded, "Yep."
"He baked cookies." Mel replied.
"He what?"
"Baked cookies."
"With what?" Cole asked, "It's not like we have cookie ingredients lying around…"
Chris shrugged, "Well, they weren't top quality cookies but they were edible… flower, oatmeal, some sugar… they were okay…"
"We used some spices too." Mel added, "We have a lot of spices."
Cole met her gaze, "For potions."
"We made a tiny sacrifice," Prue stated, "It was nice Dad, we save you some; and Adam and Amy had a ball."
Cole sighed, a smile appearing on his lips, "Well… as long as you saved me some…" he stated.
Mel giggled.
Prue sighed, "I'm finished. This will send the book back to wherever Wyatt keeps it." She stated, handing the spell to her father.
He read it and passed it to Chris, who did the same and then passed it back.
"It's good." Chris stated.
She nodded, "Of course it is." She stated, in all seriousness, a glimmer of amusement in her dark eyes.
Chris grinned at her.
"It's past one-thirty, we should do this now." Cole stated; wishing he could give Chris more time… the boy deserved it, to be around his cousins, to grin and laugh and hell, bake horrible cookies too!
But he couldn't; the more time he spent here, the higher the risk of Wyatt finding out he was here—and then all hell would break lose.
Binding Drew's powers was important though. The girls didn't realize how important. If Drew fell to Wyatt's influence…
The consequences could be horrific; Drew had inherited mental abilities from his mother—the girls had too—but if Drew used those abilities to help Wyatt's cause…
The thought was not to be entertained. He would stop it from happening. He couldn't let his son become yet another monster in this family—one was more than enough.
Chris's grin faded slowly as he sighed, "Yeah, I guess we should." He said softly.
The smiles and amusement fled from both girls. They knew what was coming—a goodbye, perhaps a final one.
"Shit. I hated doing this the first time." Prue muttered, her gaze downcast.
Chris swallowed past a lump that had risen in his throat, completely and whole-heartedly agreeing with her. Saying goodbye had been hard enough the first time.
"I'm going to make things better." Chris stated, almost trying ot convince himself.
Mel nodded, "We know… but we… we're still going to miss you Chris; things aren't the same without you." She whispered as she stepped forward and pulled him into hug.
After a moment she whispered, "I love you Chris, don't forget that, okay; your family loves you—no matter what."
His hold on her tightened a little, she would never know how important those words were to him.
When she pulled back she gave him a shaky smile, "And I'm a much better potion maker than you…" she told him.
He smiled a little, doing his best to put up a brave front—as brave as hers, "Hey, you've moved on to flavored potions; I'm left in the dust…" then he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I love you too," he whispered.
Prue was next.
She didn't say anything, just hugged him. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, then whispered in her ear, "He's a good guy, babe; he'll take care of you and the others if you ever need it."
She nodded; pulling back and looking up into his face, "I know." She whispered, then, "… and you… you'll take care of yourself, won't you Chris?" she asked worriedly, "Please… for me… I hate the thought of you… of you not…" she trailed off her dark eyes expressing all the things she couldn't bring herself to say.
He sighed, nodding slowly, "I'll try, Prue."
"Promise?"
"Promise." He confirmed.
She nodded, pulling away and looking to her father, "How long do you think this should take?"
He met her gaze, "If I'm not back in an hour and a half, take the kids and go to Headquarters."
"Daddy!" Mel cried, seriously worried now, "You said-"
"I know what I said, Mel, and I meant it. Everything should be fine. Everything should move smoothly. But if it doesn't, if I'm not back here in an hour and a half you will take the kids and go to Headquarters."
Prue shook her head, "Dad, we should come to the Manor to see if you need help-"
"NO." Both men cried simultaneously.
"You have to do what Uncle Cole says," Chris told them.
"Chris if you're in trouble-"
"You can't come to help. You can't get caught."
Mel released a longsuffering sigh, "You're being unreasonable. Prue and I can help, we-"
"He'll kill you." Chris interrupted her, his tone dull, "If he ever catches you… if you ever defy him, betray him in front of his regime… he'll kill you. He won't care. He almost killed me."
That was true. They'd all heard about how narrow Chris's escape had been last time; how close Wyatt had come to killing him.
"And that can't happen." Chris continued, "Someone has to carry on the Halliwell name the way it was meant to be carried on. Someone has to live up to the Charmed Ones' legacy; someone has to do it right." He whispered.
Prue shook her head, "Of course, but your assuming that we're going to get caught and-"
"LISTEN TO ME PRUDENCE," Cole's voice was soft, but implacable as he glared at his daughters, "YOU TOO MELINDA," he continued, "BECAUSE I'M GOING TO REPEAT THIS JUST ONCE MORE: IF I AM NOT BACK IN ONE HOUR AND A HALF, YOU WILL TAKE ADAM AND AMY AND GO TO HEADQUARTERS. NOT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO, NOT BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA, NOT BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY SAFE PLACE FOR YOU IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG—BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE I'M TELLING YOU TO."
Both girls looked suddenly very subdued.
"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Yeah, Dad."
They said simultaneously.
"Give me your promise. Your word." He said, his tone more gentle now. He knew his daughters' rebellious streaks, their desires for adventure, their thirsts to practice what they knew—they were Phoebe's girls after all; but he needed them safe most of all, and he knew they would never break a promise.
They hesitated, then each girls said quietly, "I swear."
Cole sighed, nodding. "Okay then. We should go."
"Here." Mel told them, going back to the counter and picking up two vials, "Cloaking potions. You should take out the demon guards in the entire Museum before you summon the book."
The two men accepted the potions and drank. Both smiled a little when they were done.
"Haven't gotten that chocolate thing down yet, huh?" Chris asked.
"It's hard to make something taste like chocolate when you don't actually have chocolate," she stated.
"Isn't' there a way to summon the book here?" Prue asked, "It seems so much more dangerous to go to the Manor. That's his territory."
Chris shook his head, his mind back on business, "The spell summons the book to it's rightful place—the pedestal in the attic. And anyway, there's that portal right there that I can just open up."
Prue sighed, "Oh. That sucks."
Chris shrugged, but didn't comment.
"Let's go." Cole stated, eyeing his girls one last time, "Remember—you promised."
They nodded.
Carefully, Cole reached out and placed his hand on Chris's shoulder. "You ready?" he asked.
Chris met each set of eyes that was watching him—wishing he could stay; then he nodded firmly—this had been nice, but it was time to get back to work, "I'm ready." He told his uncle.
A moment later he felt the funny sensation of shimmering through space and prepared to land in the Manor attic once again.
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