Charmed Ravenclaw, mip3 (I'm going to go with the answer that Chris knew he could handle it…or not), chattypandagurl - Thanks for the warm welcome back!
The End of All Things
Chapter 1
The Manor…present day…
He was dreaming.
The sky was an orange fireball now, fiery sparks streaking across the air, erupting in a shower of fire. Everywhere he turned, he could only see dense pillars of swirling black smoke, dirt and debris spinning upwards in towering clouds. Nearby, a fireball rose and mushroomed, causing dust to rise in a low haze from the ground, deafening and blinding all those around them. Energy bolts crackled and hissed in the thin air, buildings burned, and blast after blast continued to rain down from the skies.
The enemy surrounded them; chaos erupted all around as the demons shrieked with renewed rigor.
His hair was a dirty blonde, hanging in tendrils past his shoulders in an unkempt mess. His pale blue eyes were icy cold, and his entire bearing seemed to personify arrogance. There was a focused, almost cold, quality to his gaze; a sneer of contempt that curled his lip.
No! It wasn't possible!
Bruised, battered, his clothes tattered, Wyatt was staggering his way across the clearing; there was a cut above Wyatt's eye, deep enough that blood slowly dripped down the side of his face, lending him a most sinister air.
It couldn't be.
They had saved him.
Changed his destiny. Changed fate.
He saw the blade catch the sunlight, and arc down, and knew it for the one that would kill him.
Green eyes stared up sightlessly at him.
He woke up, sweating profusely.
The images were still vivid in his mind's eye. Swinging his legs over the side of his bed, he put his head between his knees, breathing deeply. The dreams had been coming more and more frequently of late. And always, they ended the same way.
Shivering despite the warm night air, he wrapped his arms around himself, trying to hold the nightmares at bay. His shirt was damp against his back and his hands were clammy from his perspiration. He desperately tried to control his breathing, as his heart raced a mile a minute.
It won't happen, he thought. I won't let it happen.
He started, as he heard a creak from the bed and then felt a gentle touch on his shoulder.
"Leo, is everything okay?"
In the future…
He was tired.
Although he wanted nothing more than to orb back directly to base, Chris had a couple more meetings to attend before he could return. It seemed his days kept getting longer and longer, instead of shorter. Even with Wyatt…gone…the days were still fraught with tension, with never a respite and the hectic schedule was just one more burden beginning to take its toll on him.
He sighed again, before orbing to his next meeting.
"Chris – it's good to see you," Kate's melodic voice rang clear across the green meadow.
Smiling, Chris strode forward to clasp the slender brunette's hand in greeting. "Kate. It's good to see you. How are you and your sisters?"
The valkyrie shrugged slightly, "As good as can be. Most of Valhalla was left untouched. Much of it is exactly how we left it."
Chris nodded seriously, "I'm glad. One less group for me to worry about."
Kate laughed musically. "Of course," she teased, "anything to make your life easier."
Chris laughed good-naturedly at the gentle ribbing, "I guess that did sound a little selfish, didn't it? I'm sorry. Truly, I'm glad your home wasn't destroyed."
Kate smiled gently at the young man, "I know what you meant, Chris. I was just teasing you. Anyways, come, come. We have much to discuss."
Leading him deeper into the woods, the two walked along a path that would lead them to the valkyries' main living area. Luxuriant plants and wildflowers littered the path to Chris' left and right, gifting the slightly humid air with a fragrant, sweet scent. The air was filled with the slight buzzing of bees and the soft cries of birds. Ducking under a low hanging branch, the two emerged into a grassy clearing. Multiple huts made of wood with roofs covered with straw lined the rough circle. Everywhere he looked, valkyries were laughing and getting on with daily life.
He paused to take in the rare scene.
It was nice.
Swinging his eyes back to Kate, Chris followed her into one of the huts, where a small table and a couple of chairs had been set up. A pot of tea sat in the middle, and as Chris took a seat, Kate poured some of the steaming liquid into a nearby cup, nodding with her head for him to help himself.
Blowing on the hot water, Chris cautiously took a sip. Strong, fragrant and dark – it was obvious that it had been brewed to perfection. Looking over the rim of his cup, he watched as Kate took a sip of her own before setting the cup back down. Studying her from beneath his lashes, Chris could read her nervous body language. As the silence stretched, Chris decided to take the initiative, "Well? Why did you want me to come here, Kate? Why have Jack tell communications you needed to see me personally? He's your liaison for a reason, Kate."
"It's not that I don't trust Jack, you know that. And I appreciate you assigning a telepath to us. But…," Kate heaved a small sigh, her eyes sliding away from Chris' to where her sisters were drawing water from one of the many wells in the compound. "I'm…it's probably nothing."
Chris took another sip of his tea, waiting. Kate would reveal to him her reasons for him being there in her own time. As he waited patiently, his hand began to shake. Slowly putting his cup down, he gritted his teeth as the tea cup rattled noisily against the saucer.
"Chris?" Kate's voice was full of concern, "Are you okay? Why is your hand shaking?"
Chris smiled reassuringly at the valkyrie, "Sorry. A combination of lack of sleep and caffeine tends to make me shaky. You were saying?"
Pausing, Kate let her eyes rest on Chris' face, as if judging his answer. Seemingly satisfied, she took another sip of her tea. "I'm…nervous."
"Nervous?" Chris asked, shaking his head in amazement. He clutched his chest in mock horror, "A valkyrie nervous? Great Zeus, the world as I know it must be coming to an end."
"Funny," Kate gave him a derisive look. "I'm serious, Chris. Something…something's in the air."
Rather than ignoring Kate's vague implication, Chris contemplated the valkyrie seriously. She wouldn't have asked him to meet her here if there wasn't something serious bothering her. Chris shook his head, "Kate – I could do without the cryptic talk. Tell it to me straight. What's going on?"
Taking a slow sip from her tea, Kate gazed out at the clearing before her, "This place is paradise."
Chris nodded in agreement, saying nothing, keeping his face carefully blank yet open.
"This place is our paradise."
Again, he said nothing.
"It hasn't changed in thousands of years. It's always remained the same. Beautiful. Peaceful…safe," Kate paused, before saying in a low voice, "Because no one knew about it."
"You're worried because it's no longer a secret," Chris said flatly, following her logic.
"Magic was exposed. I accept that," Kate shrugged nonchalantly. "My sisters and I…when we joined your forces to rise against Wyatt, we knew we were exposing ourselves. We knew we were exposing our home."
"You and your sisters are warriors," Chris reminded her, still slightly unsure where this discussion was leading. "The best of the best. So the demons know where Valhalla is. Surely you don't think they would be so foolish to try and attack you."
Kate closed her eyes for a long time. Taking a deep breath, she set aside her tea, staring into Chris' green eyes, "It's not the demons I'm worried about."
The Manor…present time…
"Good morning," Phoebe sang, as she breezed into the kitchen.
Looking up from feeding the newest addition to the Halliwell family his bottle, Piper replied, "Good morning. You're up early."
"Yep. Got lots of things to do today." Phoebe picked up the coffee pot and began to pour herself a cup of coffee. Blowing on the hot liquid, she started to list, "Have to drop off my clothes at the dry cleaners, stop at the jeweller's to get my watch fixed and then check in at work. How about you?"
Glancing at Wyatt to make sure he was behaving in his high chair, Piper shrugged. "I've got to get to the club later, and then take Chris and Wyatt to the doctor's for a check up."
"And how are my two favourite nephews doing?" After dropping off her now drained cup of coffee in the sink, Phoebe walked over to Wyatt, reaching down to gently pinch his cheek.
Munching away happily, Wyatt reached up to swat at his aunt's hand, before returning his attention to his bowl of cheerios. Chuckling, Phoebe ruffled her nephew's hair, before turning her attention to her sister. "And Leo? How's he doing?"
Piper quirked her eyebrow at her sister, "Fine. Why? You know something I don't?"
"No, ah, nope, well –," Phoebe began to sputter. "Okay, promise you won't get mad?"
"Why? Why would I need to promise that?" Piper remarked, offhandedly, her attention now focused on putting Chris over her shoulder to burp the baby.
"Because, because…" Sighing, Phoebe pulled up a chair next to her sister, trying to find the right words to frame her response. "You know I can't read you, right?"
"Are you talking about your empathy stuff again?" Piper handed Chris to her sister, as she turned to help Wyatt with his cheerios.
"Yes…" Phoebe gently juggled Chris in her lap, cooing at him gently, "And just where the heck is Paige?"
"You're changing the subject," Piper said absently, as she began to pick some of the cheerios off the table and placed them back into Wyatt's bowl. "And she's at Magic School, where else?"
"So much for stay at home auntie…" Phoebe sighed, as she made funny faces at Chris, trying to get the baby to smile at her.
"You know, one of these days your face is going to freeze like that…" Piper grinned, as she focused her attention back to Phoebe. "Besides, cut her some slack – you know she loves her new job."
"Yeah, I know…" Phoebe dragged, "but it also means we only have income from my job at the paper and your club now. And no offensive to my super cute little nephew, but he is another mouth we have to feed."
"It's important to her," Piper shrugged, and reaching over to take Chris back into her arms, "and it's important to Chris. Remember?"
"I know!" Phoebe threw her hands up defensively. "It's just with all the people in this house, I almost kind of wished you had married a millionaire. Are you sure Leo doesn't have some money tucked away somewhere? I mean, can you imagine what his savings would be by now?" she joked.
"Phoebe!" Piper exclaimed, exasperated. "Why don't you marry a millionaire?"
Phoebe's smile dimmed, just a bit. "I think – I think I'm going to give dating a bit of a break."
Piper frowned at her sister, "Is this about Les? I mean, you knew him, for what? A day?"
"My guess, with all the time travel – errrr…two and a half!" Phoebe smiled weakly, "But who's counting? I don't know…I just…I felt this connection with him; something that I hadn't felt with anyone for a very long time. It was…like, we clicked or something."
"Well –," Piper tried to bring Phoebe's spirits up. "You could probably go looking for him. He'd be what? Almost 10 right now?"
Phoebe was horrified, "Ewwwwwww! That is, just – ewwwwww! Piper!"
Laughing at Phoebe's horror-struck face, Piper almost keeled over with laughter as Phoebe began to mimic hooving in her disgust.
"Enough! Okay, please! Enough!" Piper choked with laughter, as she felt her eyes began to tear. "Didn't you want to talk to me about Leo?"
Ceasing her antics, Phoebe sobered. "I can feel Leo. At night."
"What?" Piper was amazed, "Don't you have to be within a couple of feet or something before your powers kick in?"
Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, but I think because whatever Leo's dreaming at night is so…disturbing…it's strong enough to project itself so that I've been picking up on it."
Piper blinked. "Can you tell me what he's feeling? He won't talk to me about it, at all. He's been waking up almost every night from these nightmares, and he won't open up to me about them."
"I don't know…" Phoebe said, doubtfully. "I don't want to intrude on Leo's privacy…"
"So why did you bring it up in the first place?" Piper glared at her sister, cuddling Chris on her lap at the same time as the baby began to fuss.
"Because I thought you already knew! I thought I'd just be telling you that I could feel his emotions too and that maybe he'd want to watch it!" Phoebe defended.
"I'm his wife, Phoebe. Husbands don't have privacy from their wives," Piper stated.
"I guess. Works for me." Frowning, Phoebe said, "Seriously, though, Piper. I think Leo really needs to talk. These nightmares, they're not just recurring for him, but now for me too! Or at least the emotions I keep feeling from those nightmares. Every night I feel like I'm going to wake up screaming too!"
"Well, what is he feeling?" Piper asked, bewildered.
"It's hard to explain," Phoebe paused, thinking deeply.
"Try."
"I'm trying!"
"Try harder!"
Rolling her eyes, Phoebe shrugged. "I feel…pain. Fear. Some self-guilt. Sorry – that's all that I can think to describe it."
"It's enough," Piper frowned, concerned. "He won't talk to me about it at all. I'm beginning to think it's got something to do with our trip to the future. Don't you?"
Phoebe got up from her chair, picking up her handbag. "I have nightmares from our trip as well. So, no, it wouldn't surprise me."
"You have nightmares? How come you didn't tell me?" Piper asked, worriedly.
Phoebe rolled her eyes again. "Unlike Leo, I know enough to share. Paige and I have been talking. How about you?"
"What? Nightmares?" Piper shook her head. "None."
"None?" Phoebe asked in disbelief, as she checked her lipstick in her compact once more.
"None," Piper said, firmly. "Because none of that is going to happen. Because I know that the kids are safe, and we're going to keep them that way."
Opening her mouth to argue with her sister, Phoebe's mouth snapped shut with a click, as she recognized the stubbornness in Piper's face. Instead, Phoebe replied, "I've got to go to work. We'll talk later, okay?"
"There's nothing to talk about!" Piper shouted at her sister's back.
"Bye!" Phoebe shouted over her shoulder, as she rushed out the door. "We'll talk about Leo when I get back!"
And the door slammed shut.
"Talking about me?" Leo questioned, as he materialized into the kitchen, leaning down to kiss Wyatt's cheek. "Hey buddy."
Startled, Piper jumped a foot. "Geez! Don't DO that!"
Pulling up a chair in front of Wyatt, Leo began to assist his son with eating. "So what were you two going to say about me?"
Cursing silently, Piper gave her husband the evil eye. "Your nightmares. You need to deal. I need you to open up to me. Talk to me."
"Piper," Leo started to protest, tiredly. The heavy bags under his eyes clearly indicated it had been another sleepless night for him. It was getting harder now, trying to sleep. When the nightmares had first started, Leo would try to fall back asleep. But now, he would get up and walk around. He dreaded sleeping because every time his head hit the pillow, he saw the horrible future that was coming.
"No –," Piper shook her head. Damn it, she was tired too. Tired of trying to be supportive, tired of holding their family together, and tired of being the strong one. "Leo, your nightmares aren't just affecting you anymore. Phoebe's powers are picking up on it too. So much that she's having problems sleeping as well now."
Setting Wyatt's spoon down, Leo turned to look at his wife. "I'm sorry. Tell Phoebe I'm sorry."
"Leo, it's not about being sorry. Phoebe's worried about you. I'm worried about you. And the kids know you're not yourself. They pick up on stuff like that. I think you need to talk to me about what's bothering you. Maybe I can help you through whatever it is you're going through," Piper juggled Chris in her lap, as she watched him sleep.
"I keep seeing the future, Piper. Chris' future. The one he showed us. And I'm terrified that it will come to pass. That we won't change their future, the way Chris needed us to," Leo sighed, running his hand wearily through his hair. "I know that we won't let it happen, but the images – they just won't stop. I…I don't know what to do."
Piper was silent. She too worried about their sons' futures. The short time that they had spent with their son from the future in his timeline had been a revelation. And not a comforting one. The death and destruction, the constant barrage of attacks…it had been a war zone. "I'm worried too. Actually, I've been thinking about this for awhile, but I wasn't sure what you'd think, so I haven't said anything."
"What?" Leo asked, puzzled.
"I think we should make a trip to the future," Piper held up her hand as Leo began to protest. "I know, I know. Personal gain, blah, blah, blah. But I really think the circumstances warrant it. I…I think I need to know our boys are going to be okay, that Wyatt is still good and that Chris…that Chris has the happiness he deserves. I really think this could help us put our minds at ease. And for you to get some sleep."
"Are you sure? Do you really think this will help? Are you positive?" Leo asked, doubtfully.
"Well, it can't hurt, can it? I'm sure," Piper smiled gently at her husband. "I need to know too. I need to know that we saved Wyatt and that Chris – that Chris is okay. You take the kids to dad's. I'll get Phoebe and Paige to come home. This is going to have to be a Power of Three spell."
"All right then," Leo nodded back gravely, "We're agreed."
"And then we'll know for sure whether or not we saved Wyatt."
In the future…
Fire from the torches licked the walls, creating shadows and leaving him half sheltered in the darkness. Deep in the bowels of the earth, the demon stretched, eyeing his nervous companion, Phinks. "Something the matter?"
Phinks shook his head vehemently, stuttering nervously, "No. No! Of…of…of course nnnn…not, my…my…lord."
After the Resistance had defeated Wyatt, most of the remaining demons had fled from their pursurers into the Underworld once again. Without the firepower of the twice blessed to back them, the demons knew they were at a distinct disadvantage. In the confusion of the retreat, the demons had quickly reverted to their basic nature – every 'demon' for himself. It was into this void of leadership that Zankou had quickly stepped forward, taking advantage of the chaos of the situation before the others could even think of instituting a power struggle.
You've done very well for yourself, Zankou congratulated himself silently. Establishing himself as ruler of the Underworld during that time of uncertainty had been risky, but it had paid off. He was, once again, feared and respected by the others. Reclining lazily in his chair, he surveyed one of his current minions through half-lidded eyes.
Although there were the inevitable pockets of demons who refused to follow anyone, Zankou had ruthlessly removed all…obstacles…to his path of rule. After all, he was one of the most powerful demons to exist. And with the twice blessed gone…it was only natural for him to fill the power vaccum.
But it wasn't enough.
It would never be enough.
His fists clenched involuntarily. Not until all the witches were dead and the humans enslaved and every living being bowed down to him.
Then, maybe, it would be enough.
"Well?" he asked impatiently.
Cowering in front of Zankou, Phinks could feel his knees knocking together. Clasping his hands together and keeping his head bowed, Phinks stammered, "The Resistance…they vanquished the trackers at the site you sents them to. And the team of brute demons weren't no better…" Phinks swallowed, hoping his master wouldn't kill the messenger, "And they says they too scared to try again."
"Bah!" Zankou spat. "All fools. Never send idiots to do a demon's work."
Peeping up quickly, Phinks quickly dropped his eyes to the floor again as he saw Zankou was pacing the cavern now. Timidly, Phinks cleared his throat, "What should I do now, my lord?"
Halting abruptly, Zankou whirled on his minion, his eyes narrowing, "I am tired of being driven underground. I am tired of these…humans…who think they are better than us."
Trying to inject a little ill-timed humour, Phinks said half-jokingly, "Well, they thinks they're better than witches too."
Grabbing Phinks by his throat, Zankou slammed the lesser demon into the wall, "WHAT did you say?"
"Nothing…" Phinks began to blubber, clearly terrified. "Nothing, my lord. I swear, I said nothing. Just that…the humans…I heard they ain't fond of the Resistance either."
Studying the pathetic excuse of a demon, Zankou's curiousity was invoked. "Explain," he ordered, slowly releasing his death grip around Phinks' neck, the imprint of his fingers leaving red marks on Phinks' skin.
Rubbing his neck tenderly, Phinks cleared his throat a couple times before squeaking, "Just that I heards some of the humans…they was made that the Resistance weren't giving them the supplies they wants. They says the Resistance don't know nothing about nothing. That them witches were freaks."
Zankou regarded Phinks thoughtfully, "They do, do they?"
Nodding vigorously, Phinks continued, "I heards they says it's all the Resistance's fault for the way things is. Them were ready to pound those folks for talkin' so."
Phinks twitched and squirmed under Zankou's intense stare. As an idea began to percolate in his mind, Zankou asked with a distracted air, "You're sure about this?"
Phinks blinked stupidly.
"About the humans being upset with the Resistance," Zankou growled.
Phinks nodded so rapidly he thought his head would fall off. He gulped, "Yes!"
So the humans are getting agitated…how do I use this to my advantage? Stroking his chin, an evil grin began to stretch across Zankou's face, "Excellent."
"My lord?"
Zankou waved his hand dismissively, "Leave me. I need to think upon this further. And your snivelling is distracting me."
Relieved at the reprieve, Phinks bowed deeply before shimmering out.
Alone, Zankou swept towards his makeshift throne and sat down carefully, still deep in thought.
Once again, he was trapped in the underworld.
And once again, he was being handed the opportunity to find his way out.
In the present…
"Victor," Leo called out for his father-in-law as he materialized into a hallway.
A head poked around from the doorframe, "Leo? That you?" Venturing from the kitchen, Victor stepped into his hall to eye his son-in-law. "You couldn't phone?"
"Err, not really," Leo said, slightly apologetic.
"Grandpa!" a young voice insisted.
Before Victor could blink, blue orbs next to Leo disappeared before reforming in Victor's arms. Gathering his wits, Victor quickly formed his arms into a hold to catch the toddler, "Hello, Wyatt."
The blonde, blue eyed toddler giggled, "Grandpa!"
Leo's mouth quirked as he tried to scold his errant son, failing miserably, "Now Wyatt. What did we talk about using your powers outside the Manor. It's a no-no, remember?"
Wyatt's head swivelled between the two stern looking adults. The little tyke pouted, his head dropping against his chest.
Patting his young son awkwardly on the head as he juggled with baby Chris who he was holding in his other arm, Leo smiled warmly at his two-year-old, "That's my boy."
"Okay," Victor turned the toddler in his arms to face him. "You are really growing, aren't you big guy?" As Wyatt smiled at him, Victor weezed slightly, "I think I'm going to have to put you down."
"I don't suppose you're going to tell me what this is all about?" Victor eyed Leo who transferred Chris into Victor's now free arms.
"We, ah…, the sisters and I, that is," Leo struggled to explain, "Piper thinks…believes we should check up on…the future."
Victor's eyebrows into his hairline as he sputtered, "Is that wise? What about…future consequences?"
Leo bent down to press a kiss against the downy soft head of his newborn son. "It's because of Chris that we know what we do. We won't be there long, Victor. Just long enough to reassure ourselves that Chris and Wyatt are both happy and healthy."
Looking down at the napping baby in his arms, Victor sighed softly. "Did you at least bring me some diapers and formula?"
Leo grinned. "I put the bag next to the door over there," Leo pointed at the bag packed chock full of baby supplies. "Some of Wyatt's toys are in there, too. In case he gets bored."
At the sound of his name, Wyatt looked up, "Daddy!"
Crouching down so that he was on the same level as Wyatt, Leo smiled into his eldest's eyes, "Hey, buddy. You remember what we talked about, okay? You're to be really good for Grandpa here, right?"
Wyatt nodded solemnly, clutching the teddy bear he had brought with him to his chest tightly.
"And no using powers, got that?" Leo reminded his son. "You can use your shield if you have to protect yourself, your baby brother and Grandpa, but that's it. Right?"
Again, Wyatt nodded, hearing the seriousness in his father's voice.
"That's my boy," Leo said proudly, holding his arms out. Wyatt walked into them and Leo enclosed his son in his arms for a tight hug. Pressing a hard kiss against the toddler's forehead, Leo released his son and stood up. Nodding at Victor, "I've got to go."
Victor nodded, "Say 'hi' to Chris for me."
Leo shook his head, "If the future's changed, he won't remember you."
Victor shrugged, "Regardless, tell both my grandsons I love them."
"Will do," Leo squeezed his father in law's arm reassuringly, "Thanks, Victor. We really need to do this."
"If I didn't agree with you, these two wouldn't be staying here," Victor gave Leo a pointed look.
Stepping back, Leo orbed out, "I'll come get them as soon as we're…back."
Sighing, Victor looked down at the grandson cradled in his arms, "Looks like its just your brother, you and me, kiddo."
To be continued….
