A/N: Special thanks to pinkrockprincess, who called me "the queen of evil cliffies". I like that... : )

Small programming note here- With the upcoming holidays, I'm probably not going to be able to update as often as normal. I will try for at least 2-3 chapters a week until after New Years, and then I'll try to get back to my normal daily updates.

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Chris tensed and immediately stepped in front of his cousins to protect them, as he flung his right hand out with a quick motion, sending a nearby trunk sliding towards the voice. Patience touched Chris, and sensing his tension, used her own powers to form a protective shield around the four of them.

They watched as the trunk was stopped, and sent sliding back to its original place harmlessly. A rusty chuckle came from the shadows, and a tall black haired man stepped from the shadows. Phyra gasped as she stared at the figure, a perfect image of Chris, only years older. Other than the slight graying at his temples, and a few fine wrinkles, he looked exactly the same as the one standing next to her.

"Hello, Chris, Phy, Patience & Pey. It's good to see you all again."

"Um, you too, Chris." Phyra was the first one to respond. She took a step forward only to be blocked by Patience's shield. She sighed audibly. "Put your shield down, stupid. It's just Chris."

Patience looked over at their Chris, getting his nod, and released her shield.

"So, I assume you know why we're here?" Chris asked.

"Yep. Konix and her assassins, right?"

"Yeah. Can you tell me…?" Chris' voice trailed off, leaving the question unasked.

"Oh, come on. You are me. You know as well as I do that I can't answer that. I can't tell you the outcome, it might change it."

Chris nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I know."

"However, Chris, I will tell you this much. There is one couple in the family that's not as safe as you think. Make sure all the issues are worked out, or there's lots of drama in store."

Chris got a sinking feeling in his stomach. This just didn't sound good. "Just what we all need in our lives- more drama."

Future Chris chuckled darkly. "Yeah, I remember. They'll be perfectly safe in the White Zone." He motioned to the girls, still standing next to the portal.

"The White Zone?" Phyra asked curiously.

"Yeah, that's what we call the space that only good magic can be used. It's great. Our kids love it there. It's like Magic School without the authority figures."

"Wait… No one is going to be there with them?" Chris asked, slightly aghast.

"They'll be fine, Chris. We've got a problem of our own to work on right now." Future Chris' face tighten in obvious distress.

"If you have too much to deal with, or if they're going to be in danger…" Chris started.

"No. No, they'll be fine. Like I said before, nothing evil can permeate the White Zone. And as far as the issue we're working on… well, it's just another day in the life of the Halliwell's, you know?" He offered a self-defacing grin.

"Are you sure? Aunt Paige & Aunt Phoebe will kill me if anything happens to them."

Future Chris snorted. "And you wouldn't feel guilty at all, right? Listen, I swear to you, nothing bad will happen to these girls while they're here. I had the same worries that you do. But now I know… they'll be fine. In fact, they might just learn a few tricks here that they can use in the past. All in all, just don't worry about them. You're needed at home now. Focus on that, then come back and get them when it's safe."

"Yeah, okay. I know you're right." Chris looked at his cousins. "All right, listen up, you three. You guys be good, and don't snoop around. There are some things in the future that you just shouldn't know. Listen to what Chris tells you. If he says you can't do something, there's a really really good reason. I know I don't have to tell you that the things you learn when time traveling can have serious repercussions when you get back home. So, just…be good. I love you guys."

Phyra ran to him and hugged him tightly. "I love you too. Don't worry about us. We'll be okay." She teasingly blew lightly on his cheek, and knocked him back a few steps. She started to giggle as he walked back to her and pulled her ponytail lightly. Patience and Peyton were more reserved in their good byes, not wanting to look like children, settling for simply saying "bye, Chris."

Chris turned to his future self. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"No problem. Any time."

Chris grinned and turned back to the portal. Phyra's voice stopped him. "Chris! Wait! I almost forgot. Listen, before we left, I thought of a potion that might help you guys. You need elderberry root, chive, 3 oysters, 4 olives and a cup of goat's hair. Mix enough for all of you. Make sure all of you take it!"

"Oysters and olives? Phy, that sounds like you're mixing an aphrodisiac." Chris said doubtfully.

"Well, it sort of is. Actually, it's a potion I made to help vamp up the feelings of being in love."

"Why would you make a potion like that, Phy? Love isn't generally demonic in nature."

"I know. But it was back when Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Les were fighting all the time. I thought if I could make them remember what love was like, they'd make up. It didn't work though. It only made them happy for a week or two, then they were even worse." Phyra looked down at her feet in embarrassment.

"Phy, look at me." Phyra slowly looked up. "It's not your fault that Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Les got divorced. It's no one's fault. Honey, no potion could have changed what was meant to be."

"I know that now. But none of that is the point. The point is, my potion worked Chris. They did fall back in love for a little while. And Konix and the others can't get you if you're in love. So please, just make the potion, okay?"

"Okay. I'll make the potion. Thanks, kiddo."

"You're welcome. Be careful!" she warned nervously.

"I will be. You too." Chris winked at her before he stepped back into the portal.

"I'm scared, you guys. Something just isn't right." Phyra said quietly as they watched the portal close.

Future Chris walked over to them, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It's okay, I've been through this before. It's going to turn out all right."

"I hope so." She said quietly, before allowing herself to be led out of the attic behind her sister and cousin.

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(THE PRESENT)

"Yo! I'm back!" Chris yelled as he stepped through the portal back into his own time.

"CHRIS! HURRY!" Chris heard Wyatt's shout echo through his mind. He knew that yell, it was the 'demons-are-attacking-and-about-to-win' yell. He orbed as fast as possible down to the dining room, just missing orbing into a dark lighter's arrow mid flight. Piper yelled, and froze the dark lighter, giving Chris a chance to zap him with elder bolts. Chris tensed as he saw Wyatt fighting four demons by himself, hurling energy balls at them.

"Wyatt! They're Barsi demons! Don't use your energy balls!" Chris yelled.

Wyatt immediately stopped, and started using his telekinesis instead. "Why not?" Wyatt yelled back.

"They feed off them. The more energy balls you throw, the more… ugh….powerful they'll get." Chris yelled back dodging a fire ball the demon nearest him had sent. Chris deflected it with his own TK, sending the demon screaming in pain and exploding in a messy fireball.

"Blast them, Mom!" Chris yelled, trying to help Wyatt, but still busy with the other fire ball thrower. Piper nodded and flicked her hands a few times, sending two of the Barsi's up in flames. The other two started to shimmer away, but Wyatt hit one of them with an explosion of his own before he could escape.

"Chris, duck!" Wyatt yelled, seeing the fire ball demon start up another one. Wyatt hurled an energy ball at him, whizzing it over Chris' head. It hit the demon squarely in the chest, extinguishing his fire ball, and vanquishing him immediately.

"Whew…what the heck was that?" Chris sighed, seeing no other demons around.

"I don't know. They just attacked in a pack. It was weird, it was like they knew you weren't here. Demons that never attack together were all of a sudden all here at once. Weird…but anyway…Are the girls safe?" Wyatt asked.

"Yeah, Future me met us at the portal. He's going to take them to the White Zone. That's the place that only good magic can work from."

"Good, good. That's one less thing we have to worry about then."

"Where is everyone anyway?" Chris asked, still feeling twitchy from the demon attack.

"Well, we kind of all had a small epiphany. If these assassins manage to get to one of us, the others should all see it, and maybe snap them out of it. So we were thinking, it would probably be best for us all to be in the manor for awhile. So, Abby and Maya are over at the house, packing for the four of us. Dad is gone to Magic School. He had to check over a couple of students, and he should be right back. Aunt Paige and Uncle Jax went grocery shopping, since there's going to be more people than normal around. And Aunt Phoebe took Cole to Heavenly Offerings to get some extra potion supplies."

"How come you didn't go to Heavenly Offerings? You love that creepy, musty magic supply store."

"They said I would just take too long! Can you believe that? Whatever." Wyatt protested, acting upset. "Anyway, so I stayed here with mom to help her make beds up and all. I guess it was better that way anyway, what with the demon attack."

"Oh, all right. Listen, I've got to make a potion. Phy told me about it right before I left them. It sounds kind of hokey, but I think it will help in the long run." Chris proceeded to explain Phyra's potion and ingredients.

Wyatt started to laugh. Chris and Piper just stared at him, not understanding his humor. Wyatt stopped to wipe tears of laughter off his face, gasping for breath. "What? No one finds it the least little bit funny that our thirteen year old cousin made an orgy potion?"

Chris shoved Wyatt with a laugh. "It's not an orgy potion. She was trying to make something that would help make love last. I don't think she quite realized the significance of the ingredients."

"Ah. Okay. Well, let me help you with the potion so we can get our freak on, then."

"WYATT MATTHEW HALLIWELL!" Piper yelled, exasperated. "Do you have to tease your cousin, when she's not even here?"

Wyatt grinned shamelessly. "I have to keep my skills honed, Mom."

"Oh, go help your brother." Piper growled, a little annoyed, even though she was amused.

Wyatt grinned again. "Yes, mommy. OW!" He walked into the kitchen muttering about child abuse as he rubbed the spot on the back of his head that Piper had slapped.

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The shimmering circle appeared in front of the group of demon assassins. The young man stepped out, and surveyed them calmly.

"As you all know, I have hired you to destroy the Halliwell's. You all have your targets. However, be certain not to be caught. As you know, I have no name and no identity that would be found in their Book of Shadows. You will seem liars, and will face more of their wrath for the trouble."

Konix stepped forward calmly. "You have hired us all. However, you have left out a key target in the Halliwell line. You have given none of us the assignment of Chris Halliwell, the Thrice-Blessed. You cannot mean to let him live. He will destroy us all, and you with us."

"Chris Halliwell will know what it is to be alone! No longer will he have a loving family who cherishes the ground he walks on. He does not deserve it! And he will get exactly what he deserves. That is my destiny."