Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed, but I wish I did.
Ch. 16:
Chris lay on the couch as Leo worked around Meredith to open Chris's shirt. They all gasped when they saw the wound, which had grown.
"Oh, my god." Phoebe said. "What is that?"
"I don't know." Leo replied.
"Doesn't matter." Piper said. "Just heal him."
Leo put quickly put his hands over Chris's chest.
"Why didn't you tell us about that?" Paige demanded of Meredith.
"Why don't you tell us about a lot of things?" Piper asked.
"Because we thought we could handle it." Meredith replied sadly. "And that's not going to work."
"What's the problem?" Piper asked Leo, who was having difficulty healing Chris.
"He's not healing." Leo replied, pulling away. "Something's draining his powers and blocking mine. It's like a virus."
"A virus named Bianca." Piper said.
"You think she did this?" Phoebe asked.
"She did." Meredith said softly. "She was sent to bring back."
"Well, we have to find her to save him." Phoebe said. "Figure out what she did-"
She broke off as her empath power over whelmed her.
"Whoa." She said, moving forward to kneel next to Chris and Meredith.
"What is it?" Leo asked.
"Oh, my god." Phoebe said softly. "He loves her."
"Loves who?" Paige asked. "Bianca?"
"Of course he loves her." Meredith said, reaching over to his other hand and pulling something out.
She held the thing up to reveal an engagement ring.
"Obviously an acrimonious split." Paige said.
"But I thought you and him-" Piper said. "But what about Jenny?"
"What about Jenny?" Paige asked.
"Chris was Jenny's father." Meredith said, not looking at them. "After I left, Bianca was there for him. She picked up the pieces I left."
The others were silent as Meredith handed the ring to Piper.
"You have something to scry with." She told her. "Find her. She and I have some unfinished business to take care of."
Piper nodded and she and her sisters left, leaving Chris and Meredith alone with Leo.
"Bianca." Chris mumbled. "Bianca."
Meredith closed her eyes and leaned her head against his hand. She jumped when Leo rested his hand on her shoulder. When she looked up at him, he gently brushed a tear away from her cheek.
"I'm sorry." He told her softly. "But don't worry. The sisters will find her. They'll save him."
Meredith nodded before returning her attention back to Chris.
"Bianca…" he mumbled.
"Welcome to the Halliwell Memorial Museum…"
A tour guide led a group through the Manor, which was no longer a home, but a museum.
"A tribute to magic, and, of course, the Charmed Ones." The guide continued. "Please remember there is no digi-capturing, no holographing, and most certainly, no magic allowed while inside the museum. That's a big one. Don't worry about those probes, folks. They are merely scanning for witches."
The guide moved on and the probe continued to scan the group.
"Now, as we pass through the foyer, not the family portraits hanging on the walls which date all the way back to the witch trials." The guide said. "Including one of the grand matriarch herself, Melinda Warren, the woman who literally gave birth to the storied legacy…"
As the main group walked past the probes, Chris and Bianca trailed behind. When it went to scan them, Chris waved his hand so the probe scanned a mannequin.
"Nicely done." Bianca said.
The tour continued into the sitting room. All the gurniture had been removed and various displays were set up.
"Around you, you'll notice just a few of the many mythological creatures the legendary sisters transformed into in their demon-fighting heyday." The guide said. "Actually, the Charmed Ones were responsible for well over 1,000 demon vanquishes before they were finally vanquished themselves."
The woman hit a control and the lights dimmed.
"Now, the time is 25 years ago." She said. "Imagine yourselves standing here on this very florr when the Charmed Ones were reborn."
A holographic screen appeared and a vision of Paige joining her sisters for the first time appeared.
"Okay." The Holographic Paige said. "What was that?"
"I think that means you're supposed to be here." the Holographic Leo said.
The front door crashed open and a wind entered the house, blowing the girls to the floor. As Shax appeared, a couple of tour group members screamed. The guide smiled and turned off the hologram.
"Scares 'em every time." She said, chuckling. "Okay, let's head over to the kitchen where many of the sisters' classic potions were brewed. Some of which are available for purchase in the gift shop on the way out." She led the group into the kitchen. "Of course, the attic was the preferred spot for potion-making, because that's where they kept the famed Book of Shadows, which is where we're headed next. A little background on the manor itself." She said as she led them out. "It was actually destroyed in the earthquake of 1906…"
As the group left, Chris and Bianca hung behind.
"Hey, you two, move along." A demon said, appearing behind them.
"Wait for it." Bianca whispered.
The demon stepped forward just as an athame appeared in her grip.
"Are you deaf?" he asked. "I sai-"
As soon as he spoke, Bianca turned and lethally slashed him and he went up in a wall of fire and smoke. Chris stared at her as she walked past the vanquished demon to the basement door. She opened the door and looked back at Chris.
"Come on." She said.
She ran down the stairs, and when she reached the bottom, she looked around alertly, still holding the athame in her hand. Chris walked down behind her, sitting on the steps as the athame disappeared from her grip.
"We should be safe here until the museum closes." Bianca said, sighing. "Then, we'll go get the book." She turned back to look at him. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing." He said. "It's just…sometimes I forget who you really are."
"Hey." She said, her demeanor softening. "Come here." She grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. "You mean who I used to be, Chris, before I met you."
He was quiet for a moment.
"So…" he said, "what do we do now?"
"Hmm." She said, thoughtfully. "We say goodbye."
Chris watched as she unsnapped her shirt and let it fall to the ground, before leaning forward and kissing her.
Meredith gently wiped off Chris's face as Leo brought her a glass of water.
"Thanks." She said.
She gently lifted up Chris's head and poured a little bit of water into his mouth.
"He's delirious." She said, laying his head back on the pillow. "He can't tell the difference between reality and his memories. He thinks he's getting ready to leave from the future. He thinks he's with Bianca."
"What happened between you two?" Leo asked softly. "If he was Jenny's father, how did he wind up with a Phoenix? How did you wind up with an evil who destroyed the future?"
"I got pregnant, and I did what I had to do to protect my daughter." Meredith said simply. "Even if it meant running to the man who was hell bent on killing her father."
"I'm surprised he trusts you at all." Leo said bluntly.
"You and me both." Meredith replied. "I turned my back on everyone I loved, on everything I believed in, and he never lost faith in me. I don't know how he can even stand to look at me."
"He loves you." Leo said.
"He loves Bianca." Meredith scoffed. "He asked her to marry him. I'm just the woman who broke his heart."
"I've seen the way he looks at you." Leo said. "He worries about you more than anyone, just like you worry about him."
"Like you worry about Piper?" Meredith asked shrewdly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Leo said, looking away.
"Un huh." She said, standing up. "You forget, I'm from the future. I know you still love her."
"It doesn't matter." Leo said, surprised by his honesty. "I left."
"So did I." Meredith said. "Maybe we'll both get second chances."
She reached down and gently brushed Chris's hair away from his face before walking to the window. She leaned against the wall and wrapped her arms around herself as Leo watched her for a moment. Finally, he sighed and went back to watching Chris.
Meredith walked into the Manor, carrying an infant Jenny in her arms, to find everything being packed up.
"What is going on?" she said, walking into the attic where Wyatt was standing in front of the Book.
"I'm going to create a museum in honor of the Charmed Ones." He said.
"And we're going to live…?" Meredith trailed off, setting Jenny in the playpen.
"I'm building a castle." He replied. "One fit for a my princess." He walked over and picked up Jenny. "Don't you think it's odd that she hasn't begun to exhibit any powers except for her Whitelighter abilities?"
"I didn't begin to exhibit my elemental powers until I was a toddler." Meredith covered quickly. "She's probably just too much like me."
Wyatt studied Meredith for a moment before shrugging and setting Jenny back down.
"You're probably right." He said. "Do you want to see our new home?"
"Can I have a moment alone?" she asked. "I want to say goodbye."
"You always were a strange one." Wyatt said, kissing her forehead. "Take all the time you'd like to say goodbye to the house."
He chuckled and walked out.
"Sam?" Meredith called softly.
A second later, a nanny elf appeared.
"Ma'am?" she said.
"Can you take Jenny and make sure her things are being packed correctly?" Meredith asked.
"Of course." The little woman replied, picking up Jenny. "Will you need anything else, ma'am?"
"Not just now, Sam, thank you." Meredith replied.
The elf nodded and left with Jenny.
Meredith sighed and looked around the room. She walked across the room to the Book, but stopped when she heard the floor board creak under her foot. She looked down at the floor before quickly walking quickly to the table and grabbing a pen and paper.
A vase shattered on the floor as Bianca trashed the apartment. She walked across the destruction to the armoire in the corner and opened it, tossing the contents on the floor as she looked for something.
Behind her, Lynn, her mother, shimmered in.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded.
"Where's the Grimoire?" Bianca demanded, barely glancing behind her.
"One more time." Lynn replied, holding up an energy ball in her hand. "Who are you?"
Not wanting to waste time, Bianca turned around and stared at her.
"Who do you think I am?" she demanded, holding up her left wrist to show Lynn her phoenix birthmark. "Mother."
"Bianca?" Lynn whispered as the energy ball dissipated.
"In the flesh." Her daughter replied. "Now, where's the Grimoire? I have to get the Charmed Ones off my tail fast. I need a spell to do it."
"I don't understand." Lynn said as Bianca turned around and resumed her search. "How is this possible?"
"Look, I don't have time for reunions, okay?" Bianca said harshly. "And I'm not about to make the same mistake a thousand other demons have made, now where's the damn book?"
Lynn flicked her wrist and a small book appeared on the corner of the coffee table.
"Thanks." Bianca said, picking it up and starting to rummage through it. "Do you know where the Inhibition Spell is?"
"How is that gonna help?" her mother asked.
"Look, I know the Charmed Ones." Bianca replied. "I've studied their history. This is when they all want their separate lives. If I can release their inhibitions, maybe I can get them to pursue them."
"The spell won't last long." Lynn told her.
"It doesn't have to." Bianca said. "Just long enough to distract them so I can get what I can for." She found the spell and tore it out. "Got it. Thanks."
Bianca put down the book and went to leave, but Lynn stopped her.
"Wait." She said. "I-do you have to leave so soon? Can't I help?"
Bianca turned and looked at her mother coldly.
"Yeah." She replied. "Someday when I ask you what it feels like to kill…don't lie to me. Don't tell me you don't feel a thing."
She turned back around, shimmering away as she walked.
"Hang on there, buddy." Leo said as he dabbed Chris's forehead with a damp cloth.
He looked up to find Meredith watching him.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing." She said, shaking her head. "I just don't think I've ever seen you call him buddy."
"We found Bianca." Piper said as she and her sisters walked in, cutting off whatever Leo was going to say. "She's at her mother's."
"Little Bianca?" Leo asked.
"No, the one we want." Piper replied. "Here. Something for Chris to remember her by. Or not."
She reached over and handed the engagement ring back to Meredith.
"Goody." Meredith said. "I'm coming with you."
"No, you need to stay here." Phoebe told her.
"What?" The woman demanded. "Why?"
"Chris is going to need someone here." Piper told her. "He's going to need you."
Meredith looked back at Chris before sighing.
"All right." She said softly. "Just make sure you take her down."
"We will." Paige assured her. "Got the vanquishing potion, so after we orb over there, I'm gonna…"
She broke off as a light washed across her and Phoebe and Piper. When she didn't continue, Meredith and Leo looked at her.
"You're gonna…what?" Leo asked.
"I'm gonna move into Richard's house." Paige said.
"Are you?" Piper asked. "Good for you."
"That's a great idea." Phoebe agreed. "And I think I'm gonna go check out what's going on in Hong Kong."
"Cool." Paige replied.
Leo and Meredith stared at them.
"Wait." Leo said, getting to his feet. "Hang on a second. This isn't you guys. You must be under some kind of spell. You have to fight this."
"How can you fight your heart?" Phoebe asked.
"Or your hormones?" Piper added.
"Yeah." Paige agreed.
"Will you drop me off on the way to Richard's?" Phoebe asked Paige.
"I would love to." Paige said.
"Paige, Phoebe, Piper, you've got to listen to us." Meredith told them.
"Zay jen." Phoebe said in Chinese.
"Wait." Leo said.
They both orbed out as Piper nodded at them before walking out of the room.
Leo and Meredith exchanged a look as Chris groaned.
"Leo…" Meredith said helplessly.
"I know." He replied.
"What do I tell them?" Chris mumbled as they looked down at him.
"Don't tell them anything." Bianca said as she peered inside the attic to make sure it's safe.
When they saw it was empty, they quickly entered and closed the door after them.
"Just stick to your cover story." She continued. "The less they know about the future, the better."
"Well, what if they find out who I really am?" he asked.
"They won't…" Bianca replied, opening the rope so they could enter the restricted area. "Not as long as you can pass yourself off as their Whitelighter."
"And you're sure I won't lose my powers when I go back?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, not with this spell." Bianca replied. "That's why we need it. Look, just remember: Protect baby Wyatt, and you protect the Charmed Ones. Keep them alive for our future."
"Great." He said. "No pressure there."
Chris stepped forward towards Bianca, the loose floorboard creaking under his feet. He paused for a second before continuing on.
"Chris, you know you're the only one who can do this." Bianca told him. "You're the only one who can save us."
"If I make it back." Chris replied.
"Baby, you have to make it back…" Bianca said. "If you want to marry me."
He smiled softly and kissed her.
"You really know how to motivate a guy, you know that?" he said.
Bianca laughed as they walked over to a holographic display version of the book. Bianca stood in front of it and passed her hand through it.
"Sure you can summon the real book?" she asked him.
"Yeah." Chris replied.
"Away from him?" Bianca pressed.
"Yeah." Chris assured her. "But we won't have much time once it gets here. His demons will be all over us."
"We won't need much time." Bianca told her. "Just long enough to send you back to them."
Bianca dug into her pocket and walked over to the far attic wall. She pulled out a thick piece of white chalk and started to draw a triquetra on the wooden boards.
He watched her work for a moment before walking back to the loose board in the floor. He made sure she was busy before leaning down and quickly lifting it up. He pulled a small piece of paper out and opened it.
Sorry, Chris. I hope you'll be alright. And even if they'll never be answered, I'll always keep you in my prayers. Be safe.
And that was all it said. No name, nothing.
"You too, Mer." He whispered before walking back to Bianca.
"Hurry…" Chris told her.
"…before he finds us." Chris mumbled.
Leo paced the floor as Meredith tried to calm Chris down.
"Paige?" Leo called upwards. "Phoebe? Get back here right now! That's an order!"
Piper walked down the stairs, dressed to go out.
"Wyatt's sleeping, and the monitor is in the kitchen." Piper told them.
"Okay, Piper, but you can't go anywhere." Leo told her. "What about Chris?"
"Wish me luck!" Piper told him.
Meredith dried Chris's forehead.
"It's alright." She told him softly. "It's going to be alright. I'm gonna fix this. I'll save you."
Without her noticing, Bianca shimmered into the room. She saw Meredith and quietly walked over to her and hit her upside the head with an athame. Meredith fell over, her head landing on Chris's chest.
"Well, you should be dead, but oh well." Bianca mused. "At least I'll get the full bounty."
Leo walked back through the doorway and Bianca kicked Leo in the face. He fell to the ground and she went back to Chris and Meredith.
"Come on." Bianca said. "We're going home."
She put a hand on Chris's chest and put her hand on Meredith's shoulder, shimmering them all out.
A/N: Here you go! Let me know what you think. I put a poll on my profile and now you all need to go take it. Go on. Go. Now!
Abbey