A/N: a little note about updating – as I'm sure you've noticed, I've been posting about once a month lately. Part of the reason is that I've been struggling with the writing – I know what I want to write but it just doesn't always happen. I have always made the commitment to myself, for better or worse, that I would never leave a story unfinished (hence the hastily finished Redundant). However, I don't want to wind up in the same place as last time, (where I was generally unhappy with the story and had to completely overhaul it) so rather than force myself, I may take a little longer to update.

Special thanks go to all the wonderful people who have left me reviews throughout my writing endeavours – whenever I hit that writer's block I go back to read all the lovely comments left for me and remember why I do this.

Thanks especially go to Sparkling Cherries (times two!), Charmed Ravenclaw, Sensue and charmedtomeetyou for reviewing the previous chapter – Thank God there are still a few of you still reading this!


The End of All Things

Chapter 15


Somewhere in the Underworld…

His palms sweaty, he reached out blindly to feel his way along the tunnel path in the murky darkness. Up ahead, Chris could barely make out the outline of Duncan's form as the two stealthily crept through the network of tunnels in the Underworld.

If he didn't know any better, he would have sworn something or someone was watching him. He'd been feeling eyes on the back of his neck ever since he and Duncan had orbed down to the Underworld. He wasn't sure if he was being paranoid but either way, he was definitely feeling skittish. His stomach was tied in knots and he sternly told it to relax, concentrating on keeping his breathing even in an effort to alleviate the tension.

In all his time as the leader of the Resistance or as the Charmed Ones' whitelighter, he had never felt this terrified before. Sure he had been scared – only an idiot wouldn't be afraid of the danger he had constantly found himself in. Over time, he had learned to control and suppress the involuntary reaction but it had never been like this. Never this stark, cold…almost paralysing feeling of sheer terror.

Then again, the stakes had never been so high.

They were on the brink of war – a war that no longer recognized good versus evil or mortals and witches against demons. At least before…it was clear who the enemy was or so it seemed. The storm that was brewing was culminating in a struggle where the mantra was every man for himself; where former friends were fast becoming enemies and alliances were viewed as weaknesses rather than something to embrace. The world was quickly spinning out of control and Chris knew even if he and Duncan succeeded today in bringing Zankou to justice and prevented the hostilities between the mortals and the valkyries from escalating into violence, it would simply be a delay rather than a resolution. His mouth quirked as a quote rose unbidden in his mind, It's a band aid for a bullet wound.

The reality of the situation was sobering because Chris knew that whatever happened today would forever change the course of history. Would all his sacrifices come to naught? His friends, family…hell, Wyatt – would it all be for nothing if the world erupted into another all consuming conflict?

And even more sobering was the fact that even if they did succeed, disagreements were bound to still occur between the mortals and magical beings. The distrust between the non-magical community and the magical community was deep-rooted and far-reaching. Prejudices still ran deep and it would take more than a simple explanation to prevent further disputes. He fretted that the valkyries would dismiss Darryl as a mediator – Chris' relationship with the valkyries had been rare. The trust and respect afforded to him had never been granted to anyone else before. Adding to that worry, he knew Riley and the other magical beings he represented were wary of Darryl's allegiances. Riley had insisted that Darryl was human and therefore, susceptible to undue influence from Sheridan, no matter how many times Chris had reassured the leprechaun that this was as far as possible from the actual truth. And Chris fretted because he knew he wasn't going to be around to help.

Or, more accurately, be around at all.

Shaking himself lightly, Chris forced himself to focus on the task at hand. Right now, there was no point worrying about what would or wouldn't happen. It was, in some ways, out of his hands. All he could do was do his bit and hope that whatever he did here and now would set in motion for everything in the future.

Everything goes according to plan or not, Chris reminded himself philosophically, grimacing slightly. Swallowing his fear, he glanced heavenward and offered up a prayer, Mom, if you're listening 'up there', I could really use a little attention down here right about now.

Shaking his head clear, Chris forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand. Tracking their demon informant down was proving more difficult then anticipated. They had already checked the usual demon haunts. The cave tunnels they were currently in was their last lead – if it didn't pan out, they were screwed.

OUCH!

Lost in thought, Chris never saw it coming. Smacking his head hard against something sharp, he let out a hiss of pain. Rubbing his head tenderly Chris swore silently before signalling Duncan, who was looking back at him in concern, to ignore him. He glared sourly at the offending rock jutting out from the side of the wall, almost positive that the thing had done it to him on purpose.

If that wasn't an omen – he didn't know what was.

"Psst!"

At Duncan's signal, Chris darted forward, coming up to crouch beside his friend. The huge boulder they were hiding behind allowed them to conceal their presence from detection. Cautiously peeking around the convenient shield, Chris' eyes narrowed as they took in the scene unfolding in front of them.

It was Phinks, alone, pacing the cave floor back and forth muttering to himself. The light from the nearby torches revealed that the cave was some sort of lair for the demon – assorted junk and knick-knacks littered its floor and a bubbling cauldron occupied the pride of place smack in the middle of the cluttered cave.

Chris signalled a sequence of complex hand gestures to Duncan, who nodded. With one last look, his friend was off – pressed up against the shadowy cave walls as he made his way to the other side of the cave. Chris continued to observe the demon as he patiently waited for Duncan to get into position.

It's now or never…

Palming the potion vial in his right hand, Chris rose up swiftly from his hiding position and gracefully leapt over the barrier. On the opposite side, Duncan revealed his position, catching the eye of the demon. Phinks made a short strangled noise before trying to shimmer out, clearly realizing he was in trouble. Practically tripping over his feet, Chris sped towards the escaping demon and hurled the potion vial with deadly accuracy. The glass, powered by his telekinesis, shattered on impact.

As soon as the liquid made contact with the demon, his half formed orbs swiftly corporealized – the potion made to stop the demon from shimmering out. Phinks' head whipped around in the direction of where Chris was swiftly closing in and his eyes widened. The demon managed to squeak out as Chris' hand closed around his throat, "Eck!"

"Hello, Phinks," Chris replied calmly, staring into the demon's terrified face. "Long time no see. What have you been up to? Getting into trouble, no doubt."

A muffled noise emitted from the demon's throat as Chris' eyebrow rose. "What's that, Phinks? Can't hear you." In response to the demon's inaudible gurgle, Chris relaxed his grip slightly, "Oh that's right. Guess you can't speak with my hand around your throat, eh?"

Phinks' eyes darted anxiously from side to side and seeing only Duncan's grim visage, Phinks eeked out, "I not been up to nothin'. Nothin'! I swears!"

"Don't lie to me, Phinks," Chris' eyes narrowed. "I happen to know for a fact that you work for Zankou."

Phinks whimpered, "I dids what he asks, sometimes. That's it! I swears!"

"I'm more interested in what you've been doing in the new San Francisco area," Chris glared down at the demon. "Specifically, Jeremiah."

"Who?" the demon questioned coyly, still not fully appreciating his precarious position.

Impatient, Chris felt his fingers clenching into the demon's neck and effectively cutting off Phinks' air supply. "Tell me what I want to know, Phinks!" Chris said softly, his tone deadly and his grip tightening around the rapidly purpling demon. "Now!"

"I swear – ," Phinks began to choke out, "I swears I don't know nothing."

Chris' eyes narrowed, "I don't believe you. You and I – we've played this game way too often. Now you either tell me what I want to hear or I'll vanquish you." Chris' eyes bored into the terrified, snivelling demon as he said harshly, "You know I mean what I say. Now tell me what I want to know!" He pressed his arm against the demon's trachea hard, unsympathetically watching as the demon's eyes bulged in terror.

"Please, please…" the demon choked, tugging at Chris' arm ineffectually. "I don't know nothing. I swears!"

"I don't have time for this," Chris swore. His gaze remained on the struggling demon as Chris directed Duncan, "Give me the vanquishing potion."

"No! No!" Phinks began to blubber. "Please…I swears! I swears I don't know nothing!"

Duncan ignored Phinks babbling, reaching into his pocket to withdraw the vanquishing potion. Phinks' eyes widened in terror as Duncan casually pulled the cork out with his teeth before calmly placing the vial into Chris' outstretched hand.

"Please…please…" Phinks began to beg, sweat pouring down his face. "Why woulds I lies to you? I nevers before. You and me – we're pals."

"Listen to me carefully, Phinks. We were never pals." With one hand firmly securing the demon against the wall, Chris slammed Phinks head back against the wall, his teeth bared, "I don't have time for this. I'm going to ask you one more time. Where – is – Zankou?"

As Phinks kept shaking his head, Chris clearly lost all patience. Slowly and deliberately he brought his other hand into view, the one with the vanquishing potion. The demon's eyes were wild with fright as Chris raised his hand over the demon's head, holding the vanquishing vial above him. Chris tilted it just a bit, so that a small drop released to fall on the helpless demon's head.

"Owwwww! Stop! Stop!" Phinks howled with pain as the tiny bit of potion sizzled against his skin on contact, smoke emanating from the hot spot. Tears of pain filled the demon's eyes, "No! No! No!"

Chris looked into Phinks' face steadily, "I'm not going to ask you again, got it? Tell me what I want to know or I'll do the world a favour and remove your sorry existence!"

Clearly terrified of losing his life, the demon began to babble, "I tells Zankou when that one wants to meet. You must've made my master nervous these past few weeks – usually I goes to check once week but Zankou mades me watches him now."

"Zankou has had you watching Jeremiah? How long? What have you told him?" Duncan looked stupefied at the revelation.

"Since valkyries came. And I didn't tell him nothing yet. I waits for that one to come to the place but he nevers shows. I didn't know whats to do," Phinks tugged pleadingly at Chris' arm which remained solid against the demon's throat. "So's I waits."

Chris split his attention towards his friend, his face a picture of grim satisfaction, "Zankou obviously doesn't know we've got Jeremiah under wraps."

Duncan nodded, "We might actually pull this off."

Phinks looked hopefully from Chris' to Duncan, "So's I cans go? I dids good, right?"

Chris nodded, "You're doing good, Phinks. Now tell me how I can find Zankou."

The demon pointed at the bubbling cauldron, "He contacts me throughs that. And thens I go to him." Phinks tugged optimistically at Chris' sleeve, "I cans go?"

Ignoring the demon's snivelling, Chris levelled a steady glance at Duncan, "You have everything you need?"

Duncan nodded slowly, "Think so."

"Do better than think," Chris said sharply. "We only have one chance at this. You can either do it or not. I need to know."

Sighing, Duncan's eyes slid away from the frightened demon as he said softly, "I can do it."

"So's I cans go now?" Phinks blinked at Chris, once again tugging ineffectively at the strong arm pressing against his neck.

Chris gave the demon a sceptical look, "I don't trust you not to open your big mouth."

Interpreting the look in Chris' eyes, the demon began to shake in sheer terror, "Buts I tolds you whats you wants! I did! I have! And you always let me go. You did!"

Shaking his head sadly at the demon's babbling, Chris experienced a brief flash of regret. As demons went, Phinks wasn't all that bad. He had helped Chris, in one way or another, over the years with his intel. No question that Phinks was evil but he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer which rendered the demon relatively harmless - more of a nuisance really.

"Please," the demon begged, his eyes darting left and right as he uselessly looked for help out of his precarious position. "Please…I won't tell no one. I never did. And you always let me go. You can always let me go."

"I guess not this time." Chris looked at Phinks' straight in the eye as he brought his other hand down hard to smash the vanquishing vial against the top of the demon's head, snatching his hand back as the demon was engulfed in flames, leaving the two Resistance fighters to stare at the scorch mark on the floor.

Turning to face Duncan, Chris opened his mouth but was suddenly interrupted by a fit of coughing. Unable to help himself, he doubled over in pain, his chest heaving and shoulders shaking as the uncontrollable fit consumed him. Vaguely he was aware of Duncan gripping onto his shoulders in an attempt to steady him.

With an iron will, Chris forced back the nausea that rose up, swallowing hard only to taste the saltiness of his own bile. Bracing his hands on his knees, he continued to allow his head to hang down, occasionally spitting a mixture of blood and saliva onto the cave floor. When the coughing fit finally passed, he straightened weakly, letting Duncan assist him. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth he ignored Duncan's sympathetic look, asking hoarsely, "Are you ready to do this?"

"Does it even matter?" Duncan returned frankly, his eyes weary. He sighed at Chris' reproachful gaze, "I'm ready."

"Then let's do this."


At the Resistance's headquarters…

"Do you really think that will work?" Phoebe asked her sister doubtfully, holding up the small vial to the light as she studied the blue liquid.

Paige shrugged, looking slightly harassed, "No. But it's the best I can do under the circumstances. Anyways, even if it won't necessarily stop Zankou, I think it will at least slow him down."

"No, you're right. I didn't mean to question you." Nodding absently, Phoebe said soothingly before a knock on the door interrupted her. "Yes?"

A head poked around the door, revealing a woman with light blond hair, "Oh sorry. I was looking for Darryl. Someone told me he was here."

Looking at her sister, Paige shook her head, "He stopped by here yesterday but we haven't seen him since. Sorry."

The woman nodded her thanks, her tone disappointed, "Oh. I was hoping to catch him." Rather than leaving, the woman continued to hesitate, as if wanting to say something else.

"Is there something else we can help you with?" Phoebe prompted.

The woman hesitated again before saying slowly, "You're the Charmed Ones, right?"

"Yes…" Paige drew out the word cautiously, not sure how well known Darryl and Chris had made their presence in the future know. "How did you know?"

Stepping into the small room, the woman closed the door behind her, leaning back against it, her eyes serious. "Duncan – he told me."

"I didn't think it was general knowledge…" Phoebe threw a cautious glance at Paige, not knowing how to respond.

The blond shrugged. "Duncan and I…" She trailed off, falling silent.

"Oh!" Paige relaxed, relieved to know there appeared to be a good reason why this woman knew their identities. The last thing she wanted was another scene like the confrontation that had greeted them when they had first arrived in the future. Paige shivered unconsciously as she recalled those chilling words…burn witches, burn!

About to turn away, the woman stopped abruptly before blurting out, "How could you?"

"I'm sorry?" Phoebe asked, confused. She glanced over at Paige to see if her sister knew what the woman was referring to. Getting a confounded look, Phoebe turned back to the blonde, hoping to understand, "How could I what?"

"How could you let this happen?"

Her brow beetling, Phoebe was truly confused. "I don't understand what you mean…"

"I mean this! The future! How could you let this happen?" the woman demanded, making a sweeping motion with her arm in an effort to encompass the entire future in such a simple gesture.

Feeling slightly defensive, (after all, it wasn't like they had let anything happen…yet), Paige tried to defuse the heated accusation being hurled at her and her sister, "We…we didn't let this happen. But we're trying our best to stop it from happening."

"Oh yeah? Then why is my lover on a suicide mission to stop Zankou and you're sitting here safely tucked away?" the woman shouted, the blood rushing to her face as her anger surfaced once again.

Phoebe gaped at the woman who seemed to be borderline hysterical, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Chris! And how he's dragged my fiancé to his death to stop Zankou," the woman yelled, tears beginning to stream down from her face as the precariousness of Duncan's situation flooded her consciousness. She forced the panic back through sheer force of will, "I'm talking about how your nephew has dragged Duncan with him on his stupid mission to save the world because you couldn't."

Blinking rapidly, Phoebe ingested the information that Chris had abandoned the plan and had obviously decided to pursue his own agenda. Realizing Duncan's lover was still waiting for a response, Phoebe offered lamely, "I'm sure Chris knows what he's doing. He'll do everything he can to protect your fiancé."

The blonde snorted, "Then you obviously don't know your nephew. Chris will sacrifice whatever and whoever he has to just to save his family without regard to anyone else."

"I can't believe that," Paige started to say before she was interrupted.

"Believe it," the woman sneered cruelly. She shot the two sisters a murderous look, "All you had to do was stop Wyatt from turning evil –,"

"What is going on here?" Darryl demanded, suddenly pushing his way into the room. "I can hear the shouting from the hall." He directed his stare at the blonde, his gaze pinning her to the wall, "Sarah? What are you doing here?"

Wiping angrily at the tears streaming from her eyes, Sarah shook her head. "I was looking for you. I wanted to know if you'd heard anything from Duncan."

"Nothing yet but it's still early. As soon as we know something, you will too," Darryl said gently, well aware of the relationship the woman had with Duncan. "Go back to your quarters, Sarah. Get some rest."

About to protest, Sarah threw a glance over her shoulders at the two Charmed sisters before looking away in disgust, "I'm done here anyways." Pushing her way past Darryl, she escaped back into the hall.

Darryl looked at the sisters who seemed shell-shocked. "You okay?" He looked over his shoulder at the now empty hallway behind him. "Don't take it personally. Sarah's under a lot of stress."

"We all are," Paige pointed out logically. Chewing the side of her mouth thoughtfully, Paige voiced the doubts in her thoughts, "Was she right?"

"Was she right about what?" Darryl asked wearily.

"Was she right about us? Is it our fault?" Paige whispered, her eyes wet. "Did we fail Wyatt?"

Before Darryl could respond, Phoebe stepped in front of her sister and gently grasped Paige's chin. Looking directly into Paige's eyes, "We didn't fail him, Paige. We didn't," Phoebe insisted. "We won't."

Drawing in a shuddering breath, Paige closed her eyes briefly to escape the intensity of Phoebe's gaze. Gathering herself, she opened her eyes to meet Phoebe's gaze and nodded resolutely, "You're right. We won't."

"Glad to hear it," Darryl said dryly, nodding at the two sisters. "So are you ready to go home then?"

"But what about Chris? And Zankou?" Paige asked hesitantly, not liking the idea of leaving her nephew at such a crucial time. "Shouldn't we stay and help first?"

Darryl shook his head firmly, "Paige – the best help you and your sisters can provide is if you go home and stop this from happening in the first place." His eyes were shadowed as they contemplated the two in front of him, "We'll take care of things on this end."

Seeing the doubt on Paige's face, Phoebe cut in, "No, Paige. Darryl's right. The best way to save Chris, to save Wyatt – is to go back to our time and prevent all this from coming to pass."

Paige sighed, acknowledging the sense in both Darryl's and Phoebe's words, "Piper is not going to like this."

"She'll come around," Phoebe shrugged, not believing a word she said. She frowned, "That reminds me – I haven't seen the two parents for awhile now. Do you think everything's all right?"

Backing out of the room slowly before he revealed more than he should, Darryl tossed over his shoulder on his way out, "Just remember – we're counting on you. Chris is counting on you."

Before she could question Darryl further, he was gone. Frowning at the now empty space in the doorway, Phoebe tried to understand the nagging feeling she was getting in her stomach. There had been something the blonde had said. Something she knew was important…plus, there had been something in Darryl's demeanor…

"Phoebe?"

"Yeah?" Phoebe responded absently, chewing the inside of her mouth. What had that blonde said about Duncan and Chris?

"I guess we should go find Piper and Leo," Paige pointed out, waiting.

"Yeah – I guess we should."


The fear was so intense he felt like throwing up – again. He smiled bitterly as he recalled how Bianca would gently chide him about it, Nerves, Chris. It's just nerves.

Glancing down at his watch, Chris forced himself to breath evenly. Duncan had only been gone fifteen or so minutes. Hardly enough time for their plan to be put into action.

But definitely enough time for things to have gone wrong, Chris worried. He knew from experience that there was nothing he could do but sit and wait. Over the years, he had quickly come to the realization that this was the part of the game that he hated the most. The waiting. The not knowing. Acknowledging that there were things out of even his control.

But it didn't mean he had to like it.

The plan had Duncan glamouring into Phinks and luring Zankou out into the open. There was no way that the pair could take on the demon on his own turf. Above ground, away from the other demons of the Underworld, at least they had a fighting chance. Duncan had had to be the one – Chris, unfortunately, was too weak. Too tired.

Too sick.

So what makes me think that I can defeat Zankou then? Chris wondered sardonically. He didn't have the energy to carry off a glamour spell yet he thought he could still bring down Zankou? Hell, Duncan must have thought he was off his rocker.

Or had a death wish.

Chris grimaced. He hoped Freyna had gotten his message – however, he wouldn't hold his breath. When the valkyrie had her mind set on something it was sheer impossible to persuade her differently. Oh well, I'll deal with that later…if I have to. Or probably more accurately, his mouth twisted grimly, if I'm still alive.

In his head, he knew it was a lost cause regardless. He and Darryl had talked it over – the best chance any of them had wasn't this half-baked plan to draw Zankou out in the open and kill him. No. The best chance, scratch that, the only chance, was if his mother and her sisters went back to the past and destroyed Excalibur.

However, even as he and Darryl and had acknowledged it, Chris didn't think Sheridan would have taken kindly to the explanation. He could just imagine the expression on Sheridan's face if he tried that - Sorry, we can't help you with that little valkyrie problem you've been having. But don't worry – everything's under control. Mom's going to go back to the past and stop all this from happening in the first place.

Yeah, right.

Rotating his shoulder, Chris tried to ignore the ache and pain in his joints, hoping to work out the kinks. Glancing up at the sky, the sun directly above, he briefly wondered where he'd be right now if the future had been saved, if Wyatt hadn't been evil. If his dad had cared about him. If his mom hadn't died young. If the whole world hadn't shot to hell and left him holding the bag feeling like the last kid waiting to be picked for the team. Would he be happy? Would his family be happy? Would they have all been alive?

He tried to wrap his mind around the idea, knowing that when his family went back to the past and if they succeeded in changing the future – that could very well be his life. Chris bit his lower lip thoughtfully. Was it sad then, that he couldn't picture it? That he couldn't picture himself happy?

God, he wanted it so badly. Everything in him burned to see his family whole again. That driving desire was the only thing that kept him on his feet even as longed to lay his head down and rest for just a couple of minutes. To just catch his breathe. And yet, he couldn't see it happening – couldn't picture his family healthy…happy…alive.

What sick sort of shit is this? He thought rather despairingly. What kind of person am I that I can't see past today?

The epiphany came to him almost cruelly. Ah, there was the crux of it. Chris' mouth twisted into a sort of grim smile. He couldn't see past today because for him, there wouldn't be a tomorrow.

The air in front of him shimmered – revealing a snivelling Phinks and an angry Zankou and forcing Chris back to the here and now.

All right, you sick son of a bitch, Chris thoughts turned fierce as his eyes narrowed at his nemesis. Let's get this over with. I've got a one way ticket out of here and I'm going to sure as hell make sure you come along for the ride.


To be continued….

A/N: Could someone either pm me or leave me a note re: Zankou's powers? I realized that I'll probably need to know that for the upcoming chapters! Unfortunately, I didn't watch most of season 7 so I'm a little unclear…thanks in advance!