Edge of Evil
By Charmed LitWitch
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DISCLAIMER: I own NOTHING Charmed. All charmed references are copywrited and owned by Warner Bros., Spelling Productions, Brad Kern and Constance Buergi and all the other really rich folks in hollyweird!
All new characters and subsequent stories belong to me.
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Prologue
The year is 2022. The future that Chris saved is now threatened by an infection that has woven its way into his being. The usually peaceful whitelighter-witch, has not been acting like himself. Having no memory of saving Wyatt from a future of evil, Chris has just welcomed the birth of his first child; a girl, into the Halliwell household.
Bianca, his wife has started to notice little changes in her beloved. At first the subtle differences are so small that they are quickly overlooked, but as each day passes Chris finds himself perched precariously close to the edge of evil. Fearful for her baby and herself, Bianca turns to the only person who is close enough to the situation to possibly help; Chris's brother Wyatt.
Chapter One
Filled with a sense of foreboding and a little nervousness, Bianca walked liked a prisoner on death row toward the looming mahogany door. The sight of the large Victorian house always made her nervous. It always had and she supposed it always would.
She mentally shook off the butterflies in her stomach and took a deep steadying breath. The sunlight glinted brilliantly off the familiar stain glass windows; the sight of which tugged little strings on her heart and brought forth a swell of memories. She closed her eyes for a moment absorbing the sensations.
The smell of the cologne Chris doused himself in the first time he took her on a 'real' date; his Aunt Phoebe's laughter and quick hugs; the misty fog of a spell gone awry and the frazzled look of a frustrated Paige; the warmth that radiated throughout the house whenever Piper decided to try a new recipe.
Bianca smiled, and thought, 'All memories tied to this house.' She reached down and picked up the newest addition to the Halliwell line and smiled with pride.
Juggling her newborn in one arm, she slowly reached her hand out toward the knob. The door opened silently before her touch showing off the gleaming hardwood foyer and mirrored coat rack. The grin was second nature along with the slight roll of her eyes; of course Wyatt would know she was there.
Chuckling to herself as she crossed the threshold, Bianca called out for her brother in law, stowing the baby stroller and various other paraphernalia off to the side. As usual the house, the floors and the table in the entryway were gleaming and smelled of lemon beeswax.
Wyatt rounded the corner of the kitchen wiping his hands on a dish towel that was looped in his jeans. He hadn't changed much since they were kids. Same curly blonde hair clipped close, same warm blue eyes bright with laughter . . . .
"Heeeey! There's my beautiful niece. Come to your favorite Uncle." Bianca smiled and handed Athena over to Wyatt. With newly experienced hands he confidently tucked the little pink bundle in the cradle of his arm. He leaned in and bussed both of Bianca's cheeks in greeting.
"What brings you by Binks?" Wyatt nonchalantly flicked his finger and the door closed behind Bianca.
Startled, she pivoted quickly toward the sound, her hand instinctively reaching for her heart in surprise. She laughed nervously at herself.
"Ooh! I absolutely hate it when you do that!" She breathed a sigh of relief as Wyatt moved in front of her. He chuckled as he flicked that same finger lovingly over the pert little nose in his arms.
"I know."
Bianca followed him to the kitchen where her senses were assaulted by a variety of wonderful smells. Wyatt placed Athena in the small wicker bassinet that floated through the opposite door of the kitchen as they entered; then tucked the old blue blanket with the family insignia firmly around her.
Bianca smiled and wondered for the umpteenth time if a charm had been placed on that ancient family heirloom. 'How had it survived each generation? Didn't Piper once tell her that their Grams had told them it had been tucked around each newborn generation of the Warren line since the beginning?'
"That's why I do it, Binks."
"That's why you do what?" Bianca turned from staring at her daughter confused.
"That's why I call you Binks, Binks." Wyatt studied her closely.
"Oh yeah, why do you insist on calling me that?" Her heart wasn't in their normal bantering. Bianca seated herself on one of the stools positioned in front of the cooking island.
"Ice Tea?"
She nodded preoccupied and sliding quickly toward brooding. The tea appeared cold and refreshing right in front of her. A cheap parlor trick for Wyatt that illicited the response he was shooting for. She laughed as she rolled her eyes again and lifted the drink for a sample.
"I call you that because I have always called you that brat, no matter how many times you bitch about it. Just deal." Wyatt telekinetically moved a small vial of oregano from the cabinet behind him. The bottle opened itself and tapped out two small dashes.
"So, Binks what's shaking? You fiending for my culinary skills?"
"Keep dreaming wonder boy." She stuck her tongue out at him, annoyed slightly.
"I was only like that while I was pregnant." She said defensively. "I'm worried about Chris."
"Why? He forget to take out the trash or something?"
"Yeah smart ass, I decided to drag myself and my newborn baby across town to put up with your delightful quips about my marriage." She rolled her eyes and reached for a bread stick.
"Besides Chris never forgets to take the trash out, he's an excellent husband. It's just, . . ." Bianca's eyes welled up with tears.
"He just hasn't been acting himself lately. He refuses to have anything to do with Athena or me. He doesn't talk at all except for the occasional curses to himself. I think he might be seeing someone else." She wiped a stray tear angrily away. "I'll kill him if he is."
"Hang on. Don't get your demon in an uproar. You're telling me that, he who has always been head over heels for you and now this baby, is possibly seeing someone else? No way, I don't buy it. There has to be another explanation."
Wyatt stood still, closing his eyes in concentration. Bianca knew he was empathically reaching out for Chris. He had always done this for as long as she had known the Halliwells.
"Ok, he's physically fine." The tension that had built suddenly in Wyatt's stomach dissipated. Concern for his little brother was always a serious matter. Their father had instilled in him how important it was to always protect Chris.
"So what do you really think is wrong with him?"
"I'm not sure. Like I said, it's just been little things. I can't put my finger on it. Something is just . . . off."
"I wouldn't consider his neglect of Athena as a 'little thing' Binks." Wyatt lifted the lid on the copper pot between them. Bianca unconsciously closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply. Her stomach growled loudly, betraying her.
"You know he loves that little girl. She's the best thing to come out of this family since . . . well for a long time. God knows we were due something good." He stood there a moment, thinking of everything that had transpired over the years and wishing like crazy that it hadn't.
Bianca knew exactly where Wyatt's mind drifted and was smart enough to let him go there in peace. Life hadn't been kind to the Halliwell's and she could only hope that Athena would never have to weather the sadness they all knew too well.
Wyatt shook the memories off and straightened himself. This was not the time to dwell on the past.
"Ok, when did you first notice a difference?"
Bianca thought back. It hadn't really been that long. The baby was over a month old now and Chris had been acting strangely for the past week or so. She told Wyatt everything she could think of regarding Chris's behavior, his comings and goings, things he said or didn't say that were out of the norm.
"Maybe it's just the realization that he's a father now. It sounds to me like he's just having difficulty adjusting to having the baby around. Maybe something triggered it. Is he having the nightmares still?"
Bianca shook her head, "Not that I know of; if he is, he's not waking me up like before." She sighed. "Maybe you're right." She took a sip of tea. "Maybe it's all in my head."
"Let's call him and see if he can spare a few minutes to come over for dinner. I'll keep an eye on him and see if I notice anything strange. Ok?"
"Sounds good," Bianca slyly eyed the steaming pots, her mouth watering in anticipation. "So Wy, what're we having anyway?"