All That Matters

Chapter02 - Spacing School & Ticking Timebombs

Disclaimer: All disclaimers apply

"I…you…What the Hell possessed you?"

Wyatt Matthew Halliwell was leaning against the living room wall, his dark brown eyes disbelieving as he stared at his younger brother. Chris was sitting on the sofa, his left arm outstretched, while their father, Leo, held his hands over the wound. Pale gold light encased his wrist, then dissipated, leaving the skin complete…whole…healed.

Chris examined his arm closely, then glanced up at Leo. "Thanks, Dad," he said cheerfully, a grin on his face, before bouncing to his feet and flicking his hand experimentally at the remote. It practically jumped off the coffee table and sailed neatly across and into his outstretched hand. He smirked at his brother.

"Perfect," he remarked, collapsing languidly into the armchair and beginning to channel surf. Wyatt glanced at Leo, then raised his hand and telekinetically yanked the remote out of Chris' grip. His younger brother stared at his left hand, then slowly turned his head to look at Wyatt. "What?" he asked, gesturing with his hands. Wyatt glared at him.

"I said, 'What the Hell possessed you?', remember? I'm still waiting on a reply!"

Chris sighed and rolled his eyes. "Wy, I'm not a baby, I can take care of myself…"

"Uh, yeah. Sure. And get a mangled arm in the process!" Wyatt yelled. Chris shot him a look.

"My arm was not mangled. It was…"

"Mangled."

"NO! It was…severely…maimed."

"Oh yes, and that is so much better," Wyatt said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Chris gave him an irritated look.

"Anyone would think you didn't believe I was capable of vanquishing demons after…how many years? And how many vanquishes?" Chris looked at his father. "Come on, Dad, tell him I'm fine...that I can look out for myself and he doesn't need to worry!" Leo shook his head.

"Can't do it, Chris."

Chris stared at him. "Why the Hell not? I'm fine, not a scratch, a mark, not a blemish…"

"Except for that thing on the front of your head," Wyatt observed. Chris frowned.

"What thing?" he asked warily.

"Your face," Wyatt said with a quick grin before becoming serious. "Look, it's not that I don't think you can take care of yourself…"

"Yes it is," Chris retorted, his eyes narrowed.

"No, it's not, so just shut up and listen!" Wyatt snapped, exasperated. "I know you can look after yourself. But you're my kid brother. I'm allowed to - supposed to - worry about you."

Chris glared at him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I guess you're right…" he said grudgingly, then frowned and said, "I object." Wyatt and Leo exchanged looks, then Wyatt sighed.

"What to?"

Chris gave him a dirty look, and he spoke very, very slowly. "Don't call me a kid." Wyatt laughed.

"Oh, god, is that it? Jesus, bro, you are one strange kid." He emphasized the word 'kid'.

"Bastard," Chris shot at him.

"Watch it, Chris," Leo said sharply. Chris glanced at his Dad, then glanced down.

"Sorry, Dad," he muttered, kicking at the leg of the coffee table. Leo's eyes narrowed as he watched his youngest son. Something had just struck him.

"Chris, what day is it?" he asked casually. The seventeen-year-old stared at him.

"Ummm…it's Wednesday, Dad," he replied, slightly confused.

"Right. And, uh, what do you have from 8.45 'til three o'clock on weekdays?" he queried. Chris' face paled.

"Oh, crap," he hissed, scrambling out of the chair and grabbing his bag from the sofa. "I totally spaced on school!"

"Want me to give you a lift?" Wyatt asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Uh, no, I'll orb, it'll be quicker," Chris said, his voice echoing as his body turned to orbs, before dissipating. Wyatt sighed.

"One day someone's gonna see him orbing, and then all Hell is gonna break loose," Leo observed. Wyatt shrugged.

"Yeah, but this is Chris we're talkin' about, Dad. He'll be fine." Leo nodded reluctantly, then glanced at his watch. Wyatt noticed. "Somewhere to be, Dad?" he asked. Leo grinned wryly.

"One of my charges is in some trouble. Something happened to them, but they sent me a message telling me to meet them at a specific time, and that time is...well, right about now. And speaking of charges…" He arched an eyebrow at Wyatt. "Don't you have one of your own charges to look out for…to protect?" Wyatt snorted.

"Are you kidding?" he asked darkly. "It's more like I need protection from her…the girl is a ticking time bomb!" Leo shot him a look. 'What, I'm serious!" he protested. Leo nodded.

"I know, that's what's worrying me…" he trailed off as Wyatt laughed. Leo smiled. "Good Luck, Wy." Wyatt nodded.

"Good luck to you, too, Dad. I think you'll need it more than me."

"Thanks," Leo said with a quick nod as he orbed out, leaving Wyatt standing alone in the middle of the living room. He sighed, glanced around, and orbed out.