Chapter nine

Across the hall the dark haired witchlighter picked up his extension and pressed 1 on his speed dial, a few seconds later a weary voice picked up the phone, "Hello?"

"Aunt Phoebe, can I talk to you?"

"Chris it's like two in the morning."

"Please Aunt Phoebe, my headaches are back."

"Can you orb to the living room?"

"Yeah. See you soon aunt P."

Chris scribbled a note to his mother and orbed out, reappearing in his aunt's living room he waited as she climbed down the stairs and snapped on the light, "Chris what's wrong?"

Pained green eyes looked up at his Aunt, "Either my whitelighter powers are going haywire or I'm developing empathy."

Phoebe's eyes widened, "Empathy?"

He nodded, "I can feel Wyatt inside me." He whispered, "And it's different then with our bond, clearer. I know he's hurting… that mum's hurting, everyone's hurting and it's all my fault."

Phoebe sat down beside him, "It's not your fault Chris." She took his hands in hers, "Wyatt should have never-"

"He's leaving, and Aunt Phoebe, as messed up as it sounds, I don't think I want him to."

He turned to face his aunt, sitting cross-legged on the sofa he chuckled, silent tears running down his cheeks, "I'm a total freak huh?"

"No Chris. Don't ever think that." Her brown eyes searched Chris' green, "You're hurting. It's only natural to be confused. It's not necessarily empathy, but to be on the safe side I'll give you one of these…" she reached down opening one of the draws on the coffee table and pulled out a potion.

Chris studied the liquid, "What is it?"

Phoebe grinned, "Empath blocking potion sweetie. Let me know if it makes a difference okay?"

Chris nodded, "Thanks Aunt Phoebe." A warm smile graced the angel's features as he orbed out.

Landing back in his room he downed the potion, stashing it under his bed, waiting a second the young witch let out a sigh of relief when it went silent. The only emotion he felt was his own trouble.

Empathy. He was receiving a new power; why of all the times in his life did he have to receive this power now?

He picked up his mobile and texted his Aunt, Potion worked. Guess I got a new power.

Sighing in frustration he threw himself back into the cushions and tried to fall asleep.

Phoebe's POV

Chris' orb trails faded leaving me alone in the lounge, Chris was getting a new power. I didn't want to frighten the hell out of him, how would you take it? Being told that the reason you can feel the man that hurt you inside you not because of your bond but because the Elders decided you were to receive a new power?

I heard a soft buzz, looking across the table I saw the light come on on my mobile, one new message, from Chris.

Potion worked. Guess I got a new power.

I closed the phone and walked up to my room, I smiled at my sleeping husband and climbed back in bed beside him.

"How is he?" Cole whispered to me as he rolled over. His eyes staring into mine.

"As well as can be expected, he's getting a new power."

"Which one?"

"Empathy."

"Poor kid." He yawned as his eyes closed and he slipped back into sleep.

"I know." I whispered as I fell asleep.

Chris' POV- Wyatt's room.

He's leaving. Going to Grandpa's; I can see the bags by the wardrobe. He's running.

I don't know why I'm in here. What am I doing in this bastard's room? I can see an envelope on the table, curious I walk over, small, quiet and quick.

My name. Chris.

It's a letter for me.

Oh Wyatt. I think to myself, how did this happen to us? Clutching the envelope I bent down and kissed his forehead.

"Goodbye my brother." I whispered softly and walked back into my room.

Wyatt's POV

I could feel him as soon as he stepped into the room, I always could despite how quiet he thought he was. Kittens are always heard by someone.

It took all my self control to keep up the illusion I was asleep, I didn't want to frighten him out of the room. I could hear him walk toward my desk and then the sound of paper rustling. He found the envelope. Oh well hopefully he'd understand how sorry I was.

He's standing over me now, he comes closer, I can feel his breath on my cheek then he pressed his lips on my forehead.

"Goodbye my brother." He whispered in my ear and then just like that he was gone.