Flashback

They understood that it wasn't going to be pretty when the fallen man became fully conscious from his ordeal. Most of the elders even questioned whether it was worth it, saving the man, but the father wouldn't let his son die, no matter the repercussions. The transition had been quick, the soul of the dead man converted into a protector. It wasn't much of a stretch from his original position.

But they knew it would be different, no longer did they have his power on their side. They had, however, gained a battle weary whitelighter whose knowledge alone made him special, important. They couldn't let that disappear with him in death.

The man in question lay out of faze with the physical world, floating above the soft shifting floor of the Elder's domain. What was left of it, anyway. The father watched his son, sad eyes looking for any indication of some difference, now that his son was no longer anything of what he once was.

But nothing showed from where the figure laid. Leo knew his mistake when he didn't save Nic as well, or even precious Susie. His heart clenched for that, but given the chance, he would make the same choice in a heart beat.

He would do everything in his power to keep his son alive, even if it meant his son had to be alone.

Leo remembered the last time he had seen Nic. Leo had been hiding in the shadows, knowing full well what would happen if his son caught him, watching his little granddaughter in a little pink dress dance around a park, with her Daddy, Nic. It wasn't the first time he had seen the family there, playing, laughing, talking. Always, even if one showed up, or just two, all would eventually be there. It was usually Nic that lagged behind, coming later. But this one time, it was Chris.

Leo smiled at the memory of his granddaughter's laughter. Warmth coursed through his chest, knowing his son was the reason of her laughter. Chris was so much like his wife; family was the reason of all actions. Chris did what he did to insure the perfect life of his daughter, and husband.

Leo loved Nic all the more for his participation in the happiness of his son and granddaughter.

"Daddy! Swing me like Papa does!" Cried the girl, running toward the swings.

"And how is that, child?"

"Higher than the stars."

"Oh, well, I don't know if I can do that, but I will certainly try." The dark haired man said to his child as he lifted her onto a swing. His denim coat covered his medium frame. A soft breeze ruffled the dark grey tee-shirt. Nic pushed Susie gently at first, allowing her to gain momentum first, before putting any real power into his hands.

"Faster, higher!" She shouted out. Nic didn't hesitate; Susie glided in the air, smiling as wide as the heavens.

Leo's wide smile had shadows cast upon it.

Chris found his family in mid swing.

"I've been replaced!" Exclaimed Chris, faking rejection, "how could you?"

"Don't worry, Daddy's not very good." It was Nic's turn to fake hurt.

Leo gazed at the only happy family within the park. Most of everything had been abandoned. People only walked through the park to get to somewhere, never to play.

Chris had the luxury of being a Halliwell, protecting him from his brother's dominion. He didn't have to worry about disappearing from the streets.

The three vanished from Leo's view, as they headed out of the park.

Leo's gaze went to his son's face.

He won't smile like Piper anymore.

The way she smiled when she played with her sons, radiating complete joy.

Chris opened his eyes, blurry light filtered through. No aches made presented themselves to him, nothing felt wrong, but for some reason, all he could remember was wrong.

Something was wrong.

He looked around himself, instantly recognizing where he was, as well as the figure sitting near him.

"Dad? What am I doing up here?" He asked, trying to get up. Leo lent a hand, but only let him sit up.

"We took you up here. What's the last thing you remember?" Gravely, he asked. Chris didn't answer as immediately, as he did in getting up.

Shouts, chaos, pain, confusion, relief.

What the fuck?

"The children, Nic was taking the children to safety." He hurriedly explained, "some demons decided to hunt.-We- Sean, Eric, and I- stepped in." His gaze met his fathers, "Why did you take me up here?"

Chris was a very observant man, and the sadness in his father's eyes did no go unnoticed, nor did the hesitation.

"You got hurt- badly, very badly."

"I'm dead aren't I?" Leo didn't like his son's tone, it was almost relaxed.

"We made you a white lighter."

"What, is this a perk of being a son of an Elder?" Leo's eyes told Chris the truth, even though his mouth did not. "Is everyone safe? I didn't get to see the end." Again Leo's eyes showed the truth, while Leo said nothing.

Chris' heart seized.

Why did that feel familiar?

"Dad, what happened?" Leo finally noticed some apprehension in his voice.

"Nic got the children out, and Sean and Eric managed to save the rest of the adults, not rest, most." Leo looked to the ground.

Chris couldn't shake an aching in his chest.

Why does this feel familiar?

"I want to see Nic." Leo didn't look up. Chris felt the need to see his family begin to panic him. Something was wrong, something was wrong, something was wrong.

"Where's Nic? He should have taken Susie to a safe place." He tried sensing for them, it was easy since he already had that power when he was living.

"Dad, why can't I sense them?" Chris was shaking, because he knew. A feeling, within his hand, echoed a loss he couldn't forget, but did.

He didn't wait for an answer, and orbed out of the heavens, into his hell.

Silence met him this time, instead of chaos. He saw fallen innocents, and scorch marks thrown here or there. As he moved passed a fallen innocent, he realized they were still living. The need to continue searching made him move passed, and it wasn't like he could-, he stopped his feet and threw himself at the injured man. Chris had never healed before, but now was certainly the time to try. He had seen it done a million times. Strong hands laid themselves on the injuries of the innocent. Thoughts of healing coursed through his head, hoping that would be the answer to the riddle of healing. No light emanated from his hands, and he sighed, concentrating harder. The urgency of needing to find Nic pushed him, and his hands began to glow. Pulling the wounds away from their victim. The innocent breathed deeply, and Chris was up before they opened their eyes.

This time he was running, following memory, because that was all he had.

And then he saw them, clinging to one another, and his memory exploded in his head.

I'll see you soon…

There was no hesitation when he laid his hands on his husband, not doubt in what he had to do. There was no doubt about what he was going to do with Susie. Her precious dress cascaded down onto Nic, covering his in lovely shades of color, dark crimson color.

"Honey, wake up." Cried Chris, as his hands glowed with life, while transferring none to those who needed it most.

In his arms he cradled his daughter, holding the hand of his beloved husband. He continued to try over and over again, until he felt weak, depleted. He couldn't be sure if it was all the trials of healing, or of his crying. But when he could no longer feel the power to heal, he cried. Promising to never leave their side, never to let them go, never to let them fall.

Leo watched from a distance, in the shadows. No smile was on his face.

Where one went the others followed, only this time Leo selfishness kept one from following.

He would do it again in a heart beat.