Disclaimer: Story's mine. Characters aren't.

Summary: No-one can ever have that perfect a cover on their first go. What if Chris blew it the first time round?

Recap: Without another word, Leo took Piper in his arms, and Phoebe caught hold of Paige. The group dematerialised into sparkling blue and white orbs, and headed over to the Manor.

Chapter 8

They reappeared in the attic. Bianca, sitting on the couch, leapt up and into Chris' arms.

"Is he gone?" she asked, voice muffled by Chris' chest.

"Yes, he is." He reassured her. "Bi, there's some people I'd like you to meet." She pulled back and looked at her fiancé's relatives sheepishly.

"Sorry." She apologised. "It's been a long day."

"I'll bet." Piper said wryly.

"Mom, dad, Aunt Phoebe, Aunt Paige, this is Bianca Ryan." Chris introduced. Phoebe glanced sharply at him, as did Bianca.

"Hold on. You told them?" she quizzed Chris. He looked guiltily back at her.

"Umm, actually, they found out. By themselves, I didn't tell them." He defended himself. Phoebe inserted her own question before an argument got started..

"Bianca. As in your fiancée Bianca?" she asked for confirmation.

"What, wait. You're engaged? Why didn't you tell us this before? Isn't it traditional for the parents to meet the fiancée before you get engaged?" Piper demanded. Chris rolled his eyes.

"Mom, right now I'm minus two. Bianca's not born either. Who was I going to introduce?" he argued reasonably.

(A/N: Yes, I changed Bianca's age. I felt like it, and I do have a reason, which will be revealed later. It doesn't really matter at the moment:-) )

"Yes, but still. You can't just spring this on us. Why didn't you even mention it?"

"Why? Have I not already told you that the more you know about our future, the more you risk destroying it? And when exactly was I going to tell you? Before my evil older brother showed up to kidnap me?"

"Well, well, you still could have said something!" Piper retorted angrily. Phoebe laughed, and Paige imitated her nephew in rolling her eyes, a grin on her face.

"Give it up, Piper. You've lost the argument. Hi, by the way, Bianca. It's nice to meet you." She finished, leaving Piper glaring at her as she stuck out her hand. Chris' fiancée took it, smiling herself.

"Thanks. Nice to meet you too." She replied. Phoebe, in turn, gave Bianca her hand.

"I'm presuming you've never met me before. I think I'm dead in your future. So it's good to meet you. I'm Chris' aunt Phoebe."

"I – well, yeah, I've met you a few times. I went to school with Chris. And Pe –" Chris clapped a hand over her mouth.

"See, it's not as easy as you would think." He told her as he removed his hand.

"Wait, wait! I want to know who else she went to school with!" Phoebe cried. "Was it one of my kids?" Bianca nodded absently, still looking at Chris.

"You're right, it is ha – oh, shit." She looked shamefacedly at Phoebe.

"You didn't catch that, did you?"

"What? You mean the fact that I have more than one kid? Yeah, sorry. Caught it."

"Damn." Bianca swore. Chris looked triumphantly at her.

"I don't think there's any harm in telling us now. I mean, you're going to make us forget everything anyway." Paige pointed out. Chris shook his head resolutely.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Paige. I can't. It's far too risky."

"Oh, well. It was worth a shot. You can't blame a girl for trying." She shrugged. Chris and Bianca smiled.

"So, umm, where's Wyatt?" he asked.

"Little Wyatt? He's at Sheila and Darryl's." Leo informed him.

"Do they know about me?"

"No, we hadn't told them yet."

"Ok. We'll pick him up after I've dealt with you. Uhh, well can I have the memory dust now please?" Leo nodded and handed a small bag over.

"Thanks. Aunt Phoebe? Next time try not to recognise me, please." Phoebe laughed. She moved forward and hugged Chris, then after a moment's hesitation turned and hugged Bianca too.

"I'm gonna miss you." She told her nephew. "Even though I know you're going to be right here. It's just weird." Bianca and Phoebe pulled back out if the hug as Chris turned to Paige.

"I'll see you soon, Aunt Paige."

"You know, from what I've seen, even though you're neurotic and cocky, and –"

"Paige." Phoebe warned.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you're not a bad guy, Chris."

"Gee, really? Thanks. Because you're absolutely perfect." Chris deadpanned.

"Heh, sarcasm. You really take after me, kiddo." Chris looked pleased and pleasantly surprised.

"Really? Cool!"

"Yeah, because no one's told you that before." Bianca said, nudging his side. Paige gave him a brief hug and ruffled his hair. She repeated the motion with the Phoenix witch before stepping back.

Lastly, Chris faced his parents. Without a word, he threw his arms around both of them. It seemed doubly hard to face them now then when he had first arrived. Especially now that he was just getting to know Leo. After only a few short seconds, he stepped away sadly, and fumbled with the memory dust.

"Wait." Piper stopped him. "Don't you need any help sending Bianca back to the future?" The couple exchanged glances.

"No, it's ok, Mrs. Halliwell. We'll manage."

"Are you sure? Because it's not a problem." Piper replied.

"Mom, stop stalling." Chris told her.

"Fine." Piper desisted. "Bianca, I haven't been very polite, but I'm sure you're a good person. And Chris loves you, so that's all I really need to give my blessing to you."

"Thanks, Mrs. Halliwell." Bianca said gratefully.

Chris once again reached into the small bag. Bianca stepped behind him. He sifted some dust into his hand and blew gently. As the dust swirled into his family's faces, their eyes drooped and they fell to the floor, asleep. Chris stepped backwards. Bianca took his hand comfortingly.

"Goodbye, for now." Chris whispered, before orbing out.

AnimeAlexis: One more chapter to go, and then Arrival is finished. Sad. Review please!