08: One Step Forward

„Omi!" Chris said a little bit louder and pulled at the blonde man's shoulder.
„Chris? What..." Confusion was displayed in his eyes.
„Are you OK? I've been trying to get your attention for nearly five minutes."
„Oh, sorry. I didn't know."
Omi seemed off and Chris realized he wouldn't get out of it in the next time.
'How so anyway? His friend, close as family, died and he is just here for a visit.'
Chris found out, that it was better to keep an close eye to his new friend.
And how can you keep an eye on someone better than in your house?
The idea was perfect. Except the part of telling his family.
But he would deal with it. 'No way I let him stay in an hotel all by himself.'

Omi was sitting in the living room of the fancy manor while everyone else gathered in the kitchen.
„What are you thinking?" Paige asked in the voice she usually used to talk to her naughty kids in magic school. '
Good thing that Wyatt casted that soundproof spell.' „I just wanted to help a friend."
„Chris, it's very nice and noble of you. But you know he can't stay. What if he finds out?
And you know... about ... the other thing... just be careful, ok? I don't think he is ready to deal with it now."
Phoebe the empath could tell what Chris was planning.
Piper opened her mouth to say something but her husband stopped her.
„I don't think we want to know what's in your mind young man.
We should concentrate on this problem because, whatever the other thing is it is out of our duty."
Chris looked at Leo thankfully. „Chris is right at the point that we can't throw him out. He has noone."
He could tell that his father didn't like his idea, like the rest of his family, but he was reasonable.
„What about the room in p3? It's a little bit cramped but I'm sure it will do for a while."
Everyone was satisfied, although Chris wished that they could let Omi stay in the manor.

While Chris, Leo and Piper went to the living room, Paige orbed back to magic school.
Wyatt and Phoebe stayed in the kitchen.
„Don't forget to remove the spell."
„Don't try to ignore my questions."
Phoebe didn't like the way of of this. „You know I don't think it's right to tell you."
„Tell me what?" he snorted. „Tell me that he fell in love with with that boy? Come on it's written all over his face!"
Phoebe was a little bit surprised. One the one hand because her nephew knew and on the other hand because of his attitude.
Wyatt was never sarcastic – at least while he was talking with her. And the feelings Wyatt was sending irritated her.
„You don't like him, right?"
„Yepp."
„And why?" As far as she could remember there were only a few Wyatt didn't like of Chris' friends and they always turned out to be bad guys.
„He smells."
„OK... wait... he smells? What lousy excuse is that!"
Phoebe thought that her little nephew was fooling her around but his face told her otherwise. „What smell is it?"
„Blood." Wyatt watched his aunt carefully.
He could tell her mind was running through every single possibility wich were possible to explain what he smelled.
After a while of silence Wyatt spoke again.
„I don't know why he smells like this, but whatever caused this, he is still seems to be an innocent.
That's the scary thing about it that makes me twitchy. And since you can't feel anything we will see what comes out.
You'll keep a link with him right?"
„Of course. But you'll update on me if you find anything." She smirked. She knew about Wyatt's bad habits sniffing in other's private life.

Chris stormed into the kitchen, five potions in hand ready to use.
Surprised that nothing was damaged and no fight was displayed, he stuffed the vials back into his pocket.
„Wy! Why didn't you remove the spell? I have been calling for nearly a minute!"
„Ops. Sorry little brother but I must have forgot. I didn't know that my spell was that powerful. I really didn't hear your call."
Chris snorted. His brother was letting his ego go again. „Then I suggest you be more careful with your spells next time."
„Got it, little bro. But another thing: Why have you been calling me?"
„Oh yes! I wanted to ask for some help."

Piper was clearing the last shelf when Chris and Omi arrived. „Hi mum!" „Hello Mrs. Halliwell!"
„Hi!" Piper was still not used to Omi's formality but she didn't want to force him.
„What do you think Omi? I know it's a little bit cramped but..."
„No. I'm so sorry to have to bother you and your family. I'm very thankful for this. Please it is more than I everything I can ask for."
„Hey Chris! Care to give us a hand in this?" Wyatt yelled from the entrance. Chris jogged to his brother and father.
They were carrying in a sofa bed. „Omi, please, if there is anything you need: don't hesitate to ask."
Their eyes meet and Omi saw that her words were sincere. Then she put an arm around his shoulder and they moved to meet the others.
„Three men but can't handle one sofa bed without help." Piper said as she started to help.
„Let me help them." Omi said with a small smile. Piper nodded and wondered what was wrong about his face.
But she hadn't have the time to stay in her thoughts. Just when Omi reached the three Wyatt slipped.
„Wy!" Before Piper could move her hands Omi had reacted.
One arm around the other man's waist to secure him not to fall, the other hand, supported by his back, kept that sofa in place.
„Everything is under control." Piper watched the young face. 'It changes...'
But like every mother Piper focused on her son first. „Wyatt are you OK?"
Although, Wyatt was 25 years old, the twice blessed and the most powerful good being on earth one can think of,
she was always scared that something could happen to her little peanut.
„I'm OK mum!" Then he turned to Omi. „Fast reaction you have. Thank you."
„No problem. I'm glad that I could help. In the end I'm the cause of this mess. I have to thank you."
Wyatt couldn't help but the smell and the innocence in his eyes didn't go together well, they were contradicting and confusing.
'Need to talk to Chris about this – later.'

After four hours of work Piper was finally satisfied.
„Oh! I nearly forgot! Wyatt found something on his way and we asked one of Phoebe's college to help. I hope you like it."
She took out a frame and handed it to Omi, face down so he couldn't see the pictures it held.
Tears were streaming down his face as he saw the two photographies.

TBC...

So that's it for now! Hope you liked it. Next chapter is going to be a clash of flashbacks and hopefully there is someone left to read it.
Mizuki hikari – Thanks for reading and commenting. I wanted to send you this beforehand, but I didn't have your e-mail adress. If you still want to help just let me know ;)