A Charmed Story - Part Nine:
I, Myself And The Elders
Chapter 3

"You really scared me, you know that?" Leo said when they orbed back to Chris's apartment.
"Why? Because I just freaked out a little?" his son said grinning sadly.
The Elder made a gesture to Chris to look at his own room, which was a complete mess and explained: "Therefore!"
The Elder-witch sighed: "Guess I freaked out a little too much..."
Leo looked at him still worried, while his son started to clean the mess. "Are you sure, that you're alright?" he asked with a caring voice.
Chris turned to him and Leo could see that he was worried on his own. "No, I'm not," he admitted, "I think... I never really got over all that... and I guess I never will..."
"Son..."
"No dad..." he interrupted him, "maybe he's right... maybe I'm a kind of time-bomb... maybe..."
"You're not," Leo said and went over to hug his son. "You got angry because Jeremiah sentenced you without seeing the whole story. He judged you without thinking why you had to do this... And he forgot what he gained from that. Maybe you lost it a little bit here, but taking everything else into account, it's understandable." He sighed before he went on: "Jeremiah is just a poor man who has no idea how lucky he is that you saved his butt..."
Chris's eyes turned watery again. "And the Valkyris?" he asked. He had never talked about that, nor had Leo. They had just skipped all that. But even if all that had happened more than two years ago, Chris still felt guilty... especially now, when he was so rudely forced to remember all that.
Leo swallowed. Actually, even if he always guessed it, he had never been sure if he had done it... until now... But that didn't change anything for him. "Don't worry buddy... If there would have been any consequences resulting from that, you would have already experienced them," Leo said, trying to comfort him. It felt kind of good that his son talked to him about that, that he trusted him so much. Nevertheless it hurt him, that Chris was still silently suffering.
Chris shook his head: "Yeah, that's the point... All this seems to be so much wrong sometimes... theoretically I should be three month by now... I know I shall take it as a gift, and be sure dad, I really do... I love every single second of this life. I enjoy every moment... But the more happier I am here with you and mom and Bianca and Hope, the more I'm wondering... I mean... Who is responsible for that? Who made that gift for me and Bianca? And for which reason...????"
Leo sighed: "I don't know, son... I don't know."

°°°°°°°°°°

Phoebe and Cole where lying side by side on the sofa wrapped into each others arms and he had also put a leg around his wife. None of them cared about all the noises of hammers and drillers. They were just somewhere in their own world. Lovingly he nibbled on Phoebes ear, making her chuckle, when the youngest Charmed One orbed in.
"Hey, what are you..." Paige hesitated a moment, "... doing?"
"Paige!" Phoebe exclaimed while Cole let his head sank onto his wife's shoulder chuckling.
"Sorry," the red haired said blushing. "Where is Piper?"
"Out, with Bianca and the kids," Cole said as he awkwardly rose.
Paige looked at him confused: "And the dinner?" Could she have forgotten about that? But no... not Piper.
"...is almost ready," Phoebe said. "You know Piper, she has prepared everything before she left."
Cole chuckled: "I go and get myself something to drink. You want something, too?" Paige shook her head. Cole nodded and before he left he kissed his wife again.
Phoebe followed him with her eyes, but then she turned to her sister again and asked: "So... Is Kyle still willing to come this evening?"
Paige nodded and sat down next to her sister. "I hope there will be no demons attacking us this evening..." she said with a sigh. "I don't want to scare him again."
Don't worry about that, Paige... and even if... I mean... Darryl and Sheila will also be there..." Her sister nodded.
A moment they kept silent, but then Phoebe started again: "So how are you doing? You and Kyle I mean?"
Paige looked at her feeling a little uncomfortable. "Fine," she said with a weird grin.
"Fine?"
"Yeah... We really have a lot of fun together..." the youngest of the charmed ones said, hoping to end this conversation with that.
But Phoebe just knew her to well to simply drop the topic. The empath frowned, then she rose her eyebrows: "No... no-no-no-no-no... Don't tell my there is nothing more than holding hands between you two." Paige shrugged blushing, somehow feeling like being caught while doing something wrong.. Her sister looked at her with wide opened eyes: "You never kissed till now?" Paige shook her head, and Phoebe added: "Why?"
"I don't know, ok?" the witch-whitelighter sounded a little angry, which she actually wasn't. "We really have a lot of fun together, but until now he never tried to kiss me... And I... I mean... I don't know... I don't want to put him under pressure or something..." She sighed. "I mean, I really like him... But it's hard enough for him to deal with me as a witch, isn't it...?"
"I don't know," Phoebe said, "you should ask him that."
"I know... But I'm just afraid to lose him..."

°°°°°°°°°°

Silas had been trying to sense the lost Elders for quite a while without any success when he heard a voice at his back: "Any news?"
He was startled at first, but then he sighed without turning around to face Odin. "Nothing. I can't sense them."
Andrew went to him and sat on a chair, staring at him worried: "Does that mean that they are...?"
Odin shook his head: "I hope not... I guess there must be another explanation. Keep on trying, Silas. We'll go and check the oracle."
Silas nodded. "What about the other Elders and whitelighters?" he asked then.
Andrew looked at Odin and sighed: "I guess we better try to avoid a panic and keep our knowledge for ourselves... at least for now."
Odin and Silas agreed. Then the latter one watched his friend orb away to the oracle that they used all the time to know as much as they knew. That way they could know everything... When the time of someone had come, which demons were attacking, who must be chosen as whitelighter, etc.
But as every oracle, it could be ambiguous, or even fail sometimes. It always failed to give any clue about Chris, why he was there and if it was good or not at all.
Silas shook his head again, sighing resigned, and closed his eyes to try, but he could not sense them at all.

°°°°°°°°°°

Jeremiah opened the door with a strong slam. He was furious as he had never been before. How had that half-bread dared talking to him that way?? Of course, they needed to find those Elders, but afterwards, the first thing to do was to strip Chris from his powers of an Elder. As it seemed, he wished that as much as they did, so he would not complain. Thus he had talked to the other Elders right before heading to the oracle, where he found surprised that Odin and Andrew were already there.
The two Elders turned to him, startled, and Odin frowned: "I think that we should calm down a little bit. We are Elders, we should not go around making all this... noise..."
Jeremiah bit his lip and went toward them: "Did you find them?" Andrew shook his head, silently. "And you don't remember anything that can help...?" Andrew shook his head again.
"The oracle seems to be quite confused. He can not sense them at all, but it seems they are not dead. I mean... That is something it would show, wherever they are," Odin explained.
Jeremiah nodded. That was true. The oracle always knew if an Elder was dead or not. But this time, even if it said that they were fine, it couldn't find them.
"This is mysterious... We should try asking other questions."
At that moment two more people orbed back there... The three faces turned to see Leo and a very downcast Chris. Odin sighed. He felt so much sorry for his young friend, and so did Andrew.
"Anything new?" Leo asked. The others shook their heads.
That moment the door was opened again, and Silas entered. "Nothing," he said to Odin, "I can't sense them did you found something?" Odin shook his head again.
Chris glanced angry at Jeremiah. He wished he could push that jerk into one of Wyatt's, his Wyatt's torture-cells. Then he turned to the oracle and stepped a little forward. He never really liked to be there in that room. That glowing, waving ball made him feel uncomfortable. But he also knew by now how useful it could be. "What do you know about a demon named Rhashirk?" he asked.
The oracle started to shiver... The whole room was shivering like there had been a light earthquake. But else the oracle kept silent.
The other Elders looked at each other frowning, while Chris took another step. "Oracle?" he asked again a little hesitating. But nothing happened.
The Elder-witch turned to Odin: "What is that, why is it not answering?" Chris hadn't been there with the oracle much often; that it didn't answer was knew to him.
His friend sighed: "Sometimes even the oracle don't know the answer, Chris... and..."
"... and that quake-thing is exactly what happened when we ask it about you," Jeremiah remarked with a look of distrust.
Chris narrowed his eyes angrily, but then decided to ignore him. The Elders were in danger, and that was much more important then their little fight.
"Ok," he said then, "what we need now are more information... So..." He hesitated a moment. But when he saw his friends looking at him expectantly he went on: "So I would say me and dad go and visit a special friend of us, who could maybe help with some news. Odin, you could go to the manor and ask the sisters for help. You could go through the books at the school-library... and don't forget the book of shadows, maybe there is an useful hint from my brother in there..." Odin nodded and orbed away. Chris turned to Silas: "You could visit Mike and Angy... She was imprisoned by Cris and Rhashirk, so maybe she can tell you something..."
"And does our new commander has any orders for me?" Jeremiah asked annoyed with an icy voice.
"You could go and look through the Elder-library," Chris answered without reacting to his unkind voice.
Jeremiah narrowed his eyes, but before he could add something, Andrew patted his shoulder. "He's right," he said, "come on, we could do that together." With this, both Elders left by orbing.
Silas turned to Chris: "I don't know, maybe it's better when you talk to Angela..."
The Elder-witch sighed: "Yeah, but I need to go with dad... there is no one else who could do that..."
"Why? Where do you want to go with me?" Leo asked.
"Underworld... thought about meeting Julian," Chris explained, moving his hand through his hair nervously.
Leo frowned then said: "Alright... I will not ask how you found out how to find him."
"Well... I think I could do that, too," Silas said, sounding not so sure as he had wanted to. "And believe me... There is NO ONE else who should talk to Angela, than you!"
Chris nodded. He knew that Silas was right, at least about Angela. They hadn't talked since all that happened. Chris had only called Michael one time, to hear if everything was alright. "Ok," he sighed, "if you think you can pretend to be a darklighter..."
Silas swallowed, but Leo grinned: "Don't worry, I'll take care for him... Just tell me where to go exactly."
"To a bar called 'the dragon'... Julian is there from time to time, and hopefully also today..."
Leo nodded. Then he took Silas arm and orbed with him away. Chris did the same only seconds later.

°°°°°°°°°°

When Chris materialised again, he wasn't behind those big trees next to his friends house... he was still in the oracle-chamber.
"Oh, how funny," he muttered. But when he turned around to the oracle again, he saw it glow.
"What the hell..." He hadn't the chance to say more, or even to yell. Suddenly the whole room was filled with a blinding white light. And then he saw it... pictures from his future. He saw himself with Wyatt around ten or twelve... in the underworld... demon-hunting!!! He saw how he took care of Wyatt around the age like he was at the moment... when his mom was busy with Christopher. He saw how he soothed Wyatt... after a girl broke his heart the first time. He saw himself taking care of his brother... while he was sleeping on his sofa, with Hope next to him, at the age of maybe six or seven...
Then it was over, the light was gone.
Chris sank to his knees exhausted. "What do you want to tell me?" he screamed at the oracle. But he already knew the answer.
"You are his hero... he needs you," the oracle voiced softly.
Chris closed his eyes. He knew it was true, Wyatt - the one from the future - had already told him that... partly. He shook his head. That was all a little to much for him to understand at this moment. But nevertheless it cheered him up.
Then suddenly he felt a presence behind him. He heard a giggle.
Still on his knees Chris turned around. The next second a little blonde curly head jumped to his arms and hugged him tightly.
"Wyatt?" the Elder-witch asked surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Wyatt and Chris playing?" his brother asked with a smile.
Chris sighed: "Hey big boy... I really can't..." When he felt the sudden sadness from his brother he interrupted himself. He couldn't say 'no' to him... he couldn't disappoint him. "Ok," he said finally making the boy beam at him happily, "but before I need to meet a friend... So I bring you to mommy - who is surly freaking out because you left her - and when I'm back we play, alright?"
"Wanna see Mickey too," Wyatt giggled.
Chris shook his head: "Boy, you're unbelievable..." It felt good to feel that huge joy coming from his brother. That made him happy on his own.
"Ok... I guess I could also phone mommy from Mike's house, right."
Wyatt nodded. Chris smiled again, took the boy to his arms and orbed with him away.

°°°°°°°°°°

Tom was in the Golden Gate Park and Veronica had followed him, apathetically; but she was not going to leave him alone. Not in that suicidal adventure he was so willing to take. However, she stayed a little bit aside observing what the young man was doing, while Tom was actually preparing the ground for what was going to come.
"Tom, please... think about it. I don't think this is a good idea at all..." she said from her safe spot.
Tom shook his head. "I know what I'm doing, honey. But you should just leave," he said as he set some candles on the ground, properly fixed to it.
Veronica sighed, and looked around. Their spell to keep people away was working, but she had the feeling that they were making too much use of magic for their own good. That was not good.
"We should have talked to them. They always know what to do, and they are as interested as you in killing that 'Rhashwhatever'."
Tom stopped to face her: "Darling, they'd never approve this. They'd want to do it in their way, but I am sure I'm on the right track. I don't want to delay this anymore with their diplomacy..."
"But they're the Charmed Ones! And they all are as involved in this as we are! Tom!" she was almost begging, moving her feet on the ground nervously, and unsure about whether she should step forward or backwards, or what she should actually do.
Tom shook his head again and gave his back to her, in order to continue his task. The candles were all them settled now... "Go, Veronica... I can do this alone."
She swallowed. He had not even looked at her. Had he gone nuts?? "Tom..."
"Magic powers, fight my fears..."
"Tom, for God's sake, stop it."
"Let me find what should be here..."
"Tom, are you in your fucking mind??" she was starting to really freak out.
"And as he crosses the forbidden gate..."
"THOMAS LORENZ MARSDEN!!"
"Let me cross it and find my way."
"Shit..." Veronica could not believe her ears and eyes. He had done it. He had not even hesitated, looked back at her, or startled at her yells, but she had no time to think more about it.
Something started to happen right away, which made her gasped for air... A small tornado originated in the middle of the circle of candles, and grew more and more, very slowly. All the candles were put out, but Tom kept strangely immobile.
Suddenly, something that none of them expected happened. There was a small explosion that flung Veronica on her back to the ground. She immediately stood up, but when she could finally see something, there was nothing to see. The candles were gone, and Tom too. And people were again walking peacefully in the park, as if nothing at all had happened.
Veronica went pale and felt as if she was going to faint. What the hell...? She had to find help. Quickly. Something was completely wrong.

°°°°°°°°°°

Leo walked confidently in the Underworld, followed by an insecure and trembling Silas. He was too old for that, he repeated to himself once and again. Too old...
For those who actually knew them, it was a pretty funny sight. Leo and Silas dressed up in black instead of the typical white and golden Elder robe, and covered with dust and dirt, filthy as... as demons.
"It is over here... I think," Leo said.
Silas rushed a little bit to keep up with him, and whispered: "Are you sure they do not suspect anything? They're looking at us in such a weird way..."
Leo sighed: "Just act normal. They won't suspect if you do, but if you keep whispering..."
"If I act 'normal' they will suspect for sure!"
Leo frowned and turned to him: "Ok... Just don't speak. Do as I do, and all will be fine."
Silas nodded: "Alright..."
They kept on walking, until finally they saw the entrance of that weird bar that Chris had told them all about. A demonic bar... He hoped he could find Julian there. Leo stopped for a second hesitantly, but then he just went in, and Silas did the same, sure that they would not make it out of there again.
They looked around. The place was full of dirty tables covered with liquors and food. The floor was equally damp and dusty, and the noise was unbearable. Evil laughter and more swearing words than actual conversation were heard here and there, driving Silas crazy and making him dizzy. The smell was more than disgusting, and it was hot... so hot. Silas wiped out the sweat on his forehead as he followed Leo to the bar.
"He cried like a damned pig. The little bastard... He thought he could vanquish me!" And this was followed by evil laughs.
"That reminds me of the witchy we kidnapped yesterday... Yeah, it was just for fun. And man... It WAS fun to torture her to death."
Leo turned the head to Silas. He was sort of lost, his eyes fixed somewhere among the crowd. Probably he had heard too much of the funny conversations taking place around them.
"What are you gonna drink?" the man at the bar asked, a very common demon.
Leo elbowed Silas softly, and he seemed to come to reality, but he was kind of greenish. "Give us a couple of minutes."
The bar-demon nodded staring at them unfriendly. Then he left.
"Silas... What would you like to drink?"
Silas looked at him, wordless, lost; then he shrugged weakly: "W-w-w...what am I supposed to drink down here? Lava?"
Leo opened his mouth but shut up, shocked. Then he burst into laughter. That had been really funny... But they needed to go unnoticed, so they had to order something... whatever.
"I recommend you to drink something soft if you're suffering from stomach-ache."
They both turned startled at the voice behind them, just to face a well-known and not so friendly face.
"Julian!" they exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, coldly, mostly because of the fear of being discovered.

°°°°°°°°°°

Piper was laughing heartily. "Yeah," Bianca added, "I mean he was 15 and not that big like he is now... and still he wanted to fight with that 8 feet high guy just because he tried to flirt with me..."
Piper shook her head: "But wasn't it kind of weird to have such a young boyfriend?"
"Well... we weren't dating at that time, if that's what you mean."
The witch looked at her surprised: "But I thought you and him... I mean, he said it was love at first sight and that you..."
"Oh yeah... I know..." the Phoenix interrupted her, "he likes to tell that story, that we had been together from the beginning... But God, he was 14 when we met the first time... he was just a kid!!!"
Piper shook her head. She was kind of relieved to hear that. The thought of her 14-year-old boy dating an 18-year-old woman was something she really didn't want to think about. "So it wasn't love at first sight?" she asked.
Bianca grinned: "I didn't say that... When I saw him the first time, there was something in his eyes which made me shiver... in the positive sense... Yeah I guess I had a crush on him that day... but even if he told me how much he liked me, I kept telling him that he should grow up first, before talking about things like that..."
"Oh I bet he wasn't satisfied with that..."
"Oh no... of course not..." Bianca said chuckling. "He was really persistent... But then... oh you should have seen him. It was his 16th birthday... he told me once the date, but I think he had forgotten about that... Anyway, that day I surprised him with a cake - a very lousy one compared to yours - but he liked it..." The eyes of the Phoenix began to sparkle when she thought back to that day. "That day we kissed the first time... And then... Gosh... that was so amazing... And I guess I had never seen so much weird happiness in his eyes again till the day he found out that I'm pregnant."
"Oh... ok, I understand... I don't think I need a more detailed picture..." Piper interrupted her smiling.
Now the Phoenix laughed heartily. Sometimes she just forgot that this woman was her mother in law, because actually Piper was for her more like a best friend.
But when she turned to her again, she froze, when she saw the worry and fear written in Piper's face. "What happened?" Bianca asked concerned.
"Where is Wyatt?" Piper asked unnatural calm, still looking at the playground.
Bianca turned her head around to look for the boy. But he was nowhere to see. "Oh my God," she muttered.
Meanwhile Piper started to scream: "Leo!!! Chris!!! LEO!!!"

°°°°°°°°°°

Cole jumped startled when Odin materialised in front of them. Phoebe chuckled: "Thought you were already used to that?"
"I am," Cole complained.
"Good morning, Odin," Paige said, even if it was already afternoon.
The Elder looked at the three witches confused. That family always threw him out of concept and the noise at the manor did it's part too.
"What do you want?" Phoebe asked noticing his confusion.
Odin sighed: "Your help..."
"What?" Paige exclaimed. "No... not today... we have a dinner in about three hours and there is nothing that will spoil it, clear?"
"Clear," Odin said, "but that also means you have two and a half hours to help me..."
Phoebe sighed, while Cole said teasing: "God, you spend too much time with Chris."
Odin nodded, not really understanding the joke, and said: "Maybe, but it was his idea to ask you for help to search through the books of the library and also through your book to see if Wyatt had another...
"Stop, stop, stop!" Paige said. "Why don't you tell us what happened first?"
Odin's sighed again: "We had been attacked. Or better three of us. One of us got nearly killed and the other two were kidnapped... and all that happened up there." With this he pointed at the ceiling.
"WHAT?" The three exclaimed at the same time.

(Chapter 3 written by Chrissy.W.x and Belén)