Who I am…

Chapter 1

By: teal-lover

Summary: How Chris learned the cunning and duplicitous behavior we saw for over a year. Alternates between the past, unchanged future, and the changed future.

AN: Background in previous story is that something terrible happened to Chris and changed the way he saw things and learned to survive. This is the prequel/sequel to "Do You Really Want to Know," but can stand alone. Spoilers for all of season 6.

My thanks to Nathy1000000, who's asked me for this so many times that I just couldn't put it off any longer:)

Rating: PG-13, which may change later on in chapters depending on where my mind takes me.

Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed or any of the characters or get any money from writing this fiction.

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May 2021, Changed Future

The manor was fairly quiet on the unusually cool evening. Only three members of the large family, the oldest Charmed sister and their youngest son, still resided in the house. The oldest of their children had packed up and headed for undergrad nearly a year earlier. The other sisters had moved away with the addition of their spouses and children, the ever-growing Halliwell family causing the quarters to become far too cramped.

The demon attacks had slowed to a near halt over the years, and as a result, most evenings were enjoyed while everyone slept peacefully. This night, there was one exception.

While Piper and Leo slept soundly in their bedroom as they curled up together, Christopher tossed fitfully in his bed. The sheet that had been draped over him now entangled itself around his struggling form as he fought against his non-existent captors. His breathing and heart rate increased as he moaned pitifully, calling out for his father and brother repeatedly.

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Wyatt looked up when he heard the soft voice filtering in his head. He was calling for him again, and it took every ounce of his self-control not to orb home immediately. But he had panicked and done that several times already in the last few weeks, with the end result being the same each and every time. They had already ruled out something magical, and so he would go back to the dorms feeling miserable, knowing that there was nothing he could do to help. He knew the boy was not consciously doing it, but it distracted him to end. There was no way he was going to be able to keep studying right now. Glancing at the clock that read shortly after midnight, he closed his books roughly and picked up his cell phone. He dialed home worriedly… "Mom?"

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Piper picked up the ringing phone while her husband orbed downstairs in a rush. She knew who it would be, "Hi sweetie. No, I don't want you to come home right now. Your father just went downstairs to check on him. Don't worry, once he wakes up and goes back to sleep, he'll be fine. What are you doing up this late, don't you have a final tomorrow? Well then good luck, honey. We'll see you next week. You're still coming for Chris' graduation, right? Good, we'll have your room all ready for you. Luv you, too. Goodnight."

She hung up the phone with a soft click, exhaustion written all over her features. She made one quick stop before heading downstairs to join her husband.

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Leo arrived just in time to see his son fighting against the bed covers before tugging one final time and landing on the floor.

His eyes shot open, wide with terror as they darted around the room, still not fully awakened. Leo rubbed his back soothingly, and quietly accepted the damp rag that his wife handed him to wipe his son's damp forehead. His actions did little to ease the teens discomfort as Chris finally became aware of his surroundings and his father pulled him into his arms. "Dad?"

Leo tried to smile reassuringly, but his worry turned it into a slight frown. "It's ok, buddy. You're ok. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't even remember what it's about, except that there was a lot of grass. But that doesn't make any sense. All I know is that when I wake up, I feel so scared, and like my heart is going to explode or something."

"We'll figure it out. I promise."

"Did I wake Wyatt?" he asked shyly.

They both looked up to the witch, who shook her head while mouthing the word 'no'.

Chris nodded gratefully and took a deep breath, hoping that if experience was any indication, he would be able to go back to sleep tonight without any further issues. Maybe they all would. "I'm gonna' go take a shower."

Leo stood up and watched his retreating form until his wife slipped her small hand in his. They orbed back up stairs and shut the door, whispering in hushed voices. "How many times does this make in two weeks?"

"Too many, and they're getting more and more frequent. Maybe you could try healing him again?"

"I've already tried that every single time, but it doesn't work, because he's not sick," Leo answered as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Do you think he's ok?"

"I don't know what to think anymore. He was soaking wet, Piper. You don't sweat like that from a regular nightmare, and they're not premonitions, either. These are night terrors. I've seen them with guys back in the war. I mean, I know he's grown up with a lot of unusual things in his life because of the demons and everything, but he's always handled it just fine. And now, I just don't know what could be causing this. He seems fine during the day. And as soon he goes back to sleep after they happen, he's fine again."

Piper bit her lip nervously, knowing that her suggestion wouldn't be well received. "Maybe it's time to look into non-magical treatments."

"Such as?"

"I'm thinking that maybe we should take him to see a doctor."

"But he's not sick," Leo pointed out.

"Not that kind of doctor." When his eyes narrowed in response, she changed her mind a bit. "Ok, well then maybe Phoebe could help. She has her Psychology degree now, and even though she doesn't really practice, she still does the advice thing. And they're coming out here for Chris' graduation next week anyway, so maybe I could ask her to come a little early? You know, get him to talk about what's been bothering him. And if that doesn't work, then she can use that empathic projection spell to see what's been bothering him."

"I don't know, Piper. You know how stubborn and private he is. He's not going to agree to that."

Piper threw her hands on her hips and jutted her chin out defiantly. "Well I am. And right now, I'm his mother, and I want to help him through whatever is causing these nightmares. It's not normal, even for us. Besides, he's not 18 yet, so he doesn't have a choice in the matter." She waited patiently for all of 30 seconds before asking him expectantly, "Well?"

"I guess it couldn't hurt. Go ahead and call her."

TBC…

AN: You'll see more of the past and the unchanged future when Phoebe arrives, since she's the only one who knows what happened. From that point on, the story will mostly be comprised of flashbacks from her perspective and of course, Chris—my favorite half-angel.

Bye for now. I have another story to update:)