Who I am…
Chapter 12
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.
Rating: PG-13, T.
Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed or any of the characters or get any money from writing this fiction.
€#-€#-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#-€#
Bianca had spent the last two weeks preparing the young Halliwell for the nights events—how to behave, what to watch for, and most importantly, how to watch her back. She taught him several card games and how to cheat in all of them, as well as spotting someone doing the cheating.
Chris Halliwell adjusted the charcoal suit and deep maroon shirt that Wyatt had given him for the evening, thinking how ridiculously expensive it would have been if the elder witch hadn't conjured it for him. Piper would be rolling around in her grave if she ever caught wind of that use of personal gain. But then again, he thought wryly, she would be rolling around in grave over a lot of things her precious first born had done since her passing.
Finally, the night of the game had arrived, and Chris found himself pacing Bianca's living room with more than a little bit of anxiety. This would be the first 'outing' where he would get to showcase much of what Bianca had taught him over the past several months. If tonight didn't go well, there was a distinct possibility that neither of them would be making another appearance to try again.
He had no further chance to dwell on it as the woman in question stepped out of the bedroom, the clicking of her three-inch, red-strapped heels sending his gaze to the floor. His eyes didn't stay there long, choosing instead an upward path of the well-tanned legs. The black sheer skirt flared in the back and rose high in the front, emphasizing her toned legs that seemed to stretch on forever, an amazing feat with her five-foot-four height, he lamented.
Chris didn't dare look any higher because he felt sure that the glimpse he had gotten of the thin straps of material that just barely outlined her cleavage—would have had him blushing. He turned away instead, catching the smug grin curling her ruby red lips.
"So how do I look, Chris?"
"Fine," he answered simply, avoiding any direct eye contact.
The Phoenix snorted, not about to let him get away with ignoring her. She stepped in front of him. "Chris, look at me," she demanded and turned his face. She gestured at her body, "If this little bit freaks you out, then we're not going to last the night in that shark den."
"Little bit is right," he retorted but did as she asked. "I mean, you look beautiful, but couldn't you find a little bit more of something to put on?"
"You're right," she conceded solemnly and stepped over to the dining room table. She grabbed the vase and broke a flower off, jabbing it into her hair just behind her ear. "There. All better," she teased with a broad grin before turning serious again and walking back to him.
"I mean it, Chris. You can't be shy about any of this. You can't show fear, hesitance, embarrassment—or we don't make it out alive. I need you focused."
He took her words to heart, boldly picking at the thin straps on her shoulder with as much of a leer as he could muster without the ability to smile. "Well, this isn't going to help with that."
She smacked his hand away playfully. "Sure it will. They won't be focused on the same, giving us a greater advantage. You ready?"
"I guess we'll find out," he said and held his elbow out, allowing her to hook her arm through it. He black orbed them to the location, both having previously agreed that his new method of transportation would reinforce his new status in the underworld.
€#-€#-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#-€#
As they approached, he noticed a fair amount of eyes on them and he wanted to smile. The potion however, was still in effect and he only ended up glaring at everyone coldly.
He trailed close behind her as instructed and guided her through the crowd with his hand on the small of her back. He noted with no small amount of satisfaction how so many demons gave them a wide berth until they made it further into the alley near the entrance.
All of the other players with their guards stood around waiting to be let in. Chris's eyes were scanning the crowd when he stiffened suddenly. Bianca looked up questioningly with a single raised eyebrow.
"Over there," he pointed to one of the demons. "He was one of them."
"One of who—ohhh. One of the ones from Valhalla?"
"Yeah," he answered in a clipped voice, clenching his teeth angrily.
The demon turned, instantly recognizing the young Halliwell. With a feral grin, he made obscene gestures and called out to him across the alley. "I remember you. I know how to make you scream. It was music to my ears."
Bianca watched the brunette glaring daggers at the demon and worried when he began to move from her side. She placed her hand on his arm gently to get his attention, "If he makes it out of this alive, I promise—I will personally help you vanquish him. But for now, just ignore him, ok?"
He gave a small nod, directing his attention to the group of demons that had just exited the building and began to address the small crowd. The demon was several minutes into his instructional speech before Chris found himself calmed enough to understand his words. One glance at his companion told him that she was paying enough attention for the both of them. He was, at least for tonight, on show as her bodyguard only. As if she needed it.
"…And under no circumstances, are there to be any disputes, arguments, or other violent actions when you step through this door. When you cross this threshold, you will leave any issues you may have with each other out here, or you will be severely punished. Am I making myself clear?"
With a unanimous nod from all parties, the demon stepped aside and everyone began filing in.
Chris held his companion back, waiting for the opportunity to walk in next the demon from Valhalla. As he neared the entrance, Chris hovered beside him and tapped the demon's shoulder. He smiled as he prepared to take a step into the building, "Back for more?"
Chris only wished he could smile at that moment when he answered, "No, just returning the favor." The demon seemed to catch his meaning a second too late as the dagger that Chris had hidden in his sleeve was plunged into his heart. He screamed in surprise in the brief moment it took for his body to turn to ashes.
The demon that had given instructions yelled at the witch and powered up a fireball and prepared to release it. "What did I just say?"
Chris shrugged disinterestedly and pointed to the doorway with the ashes littered just on the outside of it. "You said to leave it outside."
Several of the others that had yet to enter nodded in agreement and amused approval, finding Chris's logic sound. Even he found it hard to find fault in the simple argument. The demon extinguished the fireball, and extended his arm for them to proceed, "Get in there."
Bianca even swallowed a grin as she sashayed inside, her companion close behind her.
€#-€#-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#€-#-€#
Several hours into the evening, Bianca was very pleased with her winnings. All but one of the answers Wyatt demanded had been acquired. She was one of the last players and they were probably down to their last game. Chris had performed well, and the Phoenix was impressed at how quickly he spotted the cheats and whispered in her ear calmly to counter their actions.
The choice of games had varied considerably. Much to her surprise, she had found herself in an unusual game of chess. More strategy than luck, that particular game seemed to have been chosen in an effort to weed out those that didn't adapt well. Chris had taken to it like a duck to water.
He had even made a few suggestions that hadn't occurred to her, helping to check her opponent much quicker than she had expected.
Bianca spread out her cards on the table, demanding the final bit of information that she needed. Since everyone was still alive at the moment, she vaguely wondered what Wyatt was referring to when he said that losing meant that their lives were forfeit.
As she rose to leave, the demon that had instructed them outside gestured for her to wait. He handed her a stack of paper, each one listing all of the night's players and their guards. "What's this?"
He bowed to the couple, gesturing for everyone else in the room to do the same. "The purpose of the game, Ms. Perry. All of those lives are now forfeit and belong to your master, Wyatt Halliwell, to do with whatever he pleases. They are in his service, bound by powerful magic. Whatever allegiances they had prior to tonight have now been broken. And as his representatives, they are yours to command."
Her brown eyes widened in surprise before darting to the tall brunette. This was a new development that she had not been expecting. She shuttered to think what would have become of them both if she had lost tonight. She could only hope that Wyatt had to have been confident that she and his younger brother would emerge as the victors.
Bianca now understood more than ever, the purpose of this evening. It had nothing to do with the information she had obtained throughout the course of the night. This was about solidifying Wyatt's place in the underworld and building his army.
Word would spread that nothing would stand in his way in his quest for domination. It would be known that Wyatt was willing to risk his brother in a venture like this. With all of the knowledge and power of the Halliwell line that Chris possessed, he was a valuable commodity to the Underworld.
And as one of the only remaining Phoenixes, especially one with a hundred percent success rate, she guessed that she too would be of high value under anyone's service.
She fumed silently, chancing a glance at the younger witch. She read the fury in his expression as he realized it as well. Even though it had worked out in the end, Wyatt had essentially put them both up on the auction block.
TBC…
AN: Next chapter, Chris gets his final lesson from Bianca, and we'll see the changed future Chris' reaction to what he's read so far. And he'll also be curious enough to find out what really happened:) So stay tuned—I think I've got 2 more to go.
Thank you to everyone who's reading. I appreciate the feedback.