[In the timeline of this story, 'Chris-Crosssed' did not happen.]
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'He's working from the existing spell.' The three Halliwell sisters, their Elder-in-law and one Halliwell son were all in the attic, with their futuristic visitor. Nora was trying to explain her theory for how they could delay future-Wyatt's apparently inevitable traverse back to pay them what was expected to be rather an unfriendly visit. 'And you can write a new spell, right? Not that it's of any use to Chris anyhow, since the existing spell only goes backwards.' Everyone looked like they were following her, but that hadn't stopped Nora seeming a little bit on edge – although considering she was essentially making a proposal to the Charmed One's, as well as an Elder and a man with whom she shared what was obviously rather a checkered romantic history, it was understandable. 'So, destroy the spell.'
We can't just destroy spells.' Phoebe reacted on impulse. 'Can we?' And then looked to the magical rule bearer who was Leo, realising that she wasn't actually sure.
'Your thinking being, that if we remove the spell from existence now, Wyatt won't have it to modify in the future?' Leo had that contemplative look about him, considering Nora somewhat unnervingly. She just nodded and shrugged slightly, waiting for a response. 'Chris?' Ever the diplomat however, Leo wanted some more input.
'Have you noticed any changes? In the future, I mean?' Chris and Nora were sat very much on opposite sides of the room: Chris was standing stiffly by his mother and Aunt Phoebe, whilst Nora was standing in front of the book, flanked by Paige and Leo.
'Little things, mostly. You've been on some kind of a kamikaze mission to rid the future of high-level demons, I take it?' Chris almost smiled at the revelation, somehow comforted by the idea that at least some of his hard work was paying off.
'I think it could work. For the time being, at least.' Chris looked reassuringly from Leo to Piper. 'Besides, what other options have we got?'
'Alrighty then!' Piper announced, getting up from her seat and wandering across the room to the book. 'What d'you want? Fire? Tearing? I've never blown up paper before, but I could give it a shot...'
'Fire seems pretty fool-proof.' Phoebe joined her two sisters at the book, with Nora having extricated herself to sit on a seat by the window. It was odd for them to be destroying something from their own sacred book, so it was obvious that it was something that the three girls wanted to do together.
Making their way to the cauldron, Piper dropped the folded parchment into the pot and waited for Paige to set it alight. The three of them watched as the inky works descended into ash, and made sure that every last trace of it was burnt to a crisp before they were satisfied it was done.
'You'll be helping us write a new one of those, by the way.' Piper looked to Nora, who was sat quietly on her own and surprised at the sudden conversation. 'I'll make you up a bed on the couch, and we'll hit this again tomorrow.' Without giving the girl a chance to respond, Piper was out the door to go and load herself up with blankets from the linen cupboard in the hallway.
'I think what she means is, we'll go over the who-turns-Wyatt-evil stuff, tomorrow.' Phoebe patted the bewildered looking girl on the shoulder.
'I, uh,' Nora cocked her head as she saw Piper wander past the door, laden with pillows. 'I don't need her to make me up a bed, really.'
'What're you gonna do – sleep standing up?' Paige shut the book, setting it right on it's stand. 'Because if that's something I have to look forward to in the future, I'm not sure I want to live to see it.'
Nora chuckled softly, Chris lifting his gaze to watch the small smile tugging at her lips. 'No,' She stood up from her seat, her attentions with Phoebe and Paige. 'I just meant, I'll go and come back.' The two woman almost looked agreeable to the idea. Not because they wanted Nora to leave, but mainly because it had been more than just a little bit obvious since the moment she'd fallen though the wall back in that alleyway, that she was uncomfortable–for whatever reason–with being around Chris.
'It's too dangerous.' And despite the fact the Chris was just about as uncomfortable with the situation as Nora seemed to be, he was still putting up a fight.
'He's right. You should be here with us. That way, if anything does happen, we'll all be together.' Leo chimed in and only briefly, before he orbed off to help Piper with the sofa.
'Well, I guess that's that.' Phoebe touched Nora on the arm, smiling. 'Let us know if you need anything.' She glanced between Nora and Chris before heading off herself. 'Goodnight.'
'Try not to annihilate each other while we're sleeping, 'kay? I'm really tired.' And Paige wasn't far behind her, which just left Nora and Chris. Alone.
'Are you okay?' Chris broke the silence.
'No,' Nora narrowed her eyes at him. 'But which trauma exactly are you referring to?' He winced at her sharp retort.
'Nora...' Whatever the thing was between the two of the them, it was obviously the source of as much hurt and pain as it was anger. Every word and every glance was brimming with heartache, and the friction between them was enough to set the room alight.
'No, Chris.' Her voice shredded by the tightness in her throat, Nora was almost begging. 'No. I didn't come here to fix anything between us. You and I – we don't have a future to go back to, but we do have a world we can save, and that's why I'm here.'
'That's not fair.' He grabbed her arm as she went to walk past him and leave. 'You know I had to come back, Nora. I came back for us, to save our future-'
'I know that!' Tears started rolling down her tired face, her hands grappling at his hold on her arm. 'I'm so proud of you.' He finally released his hold of her arm when she brought her trembling hands to his face. 'But we both know it's not that simple, is it?' Chris' head fell forward to rest on her chest, his lips brushing at the juncture of her throat.
'I can fix it, Nora. Just let me fix it.' She couldn't bear to look at his tearstained face as she pushed his arms away. Stepping out of his grasp, she stumbled backwards and sobbed one more thing before she faded out.
You can't fix it.'
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