Here it is! The twentieth chapter!

Never thought I'd make it here, considering I only intended to write a maximum of ten.

I also never thought anyone would read it, so thanks for not just skimming through the first chapter but actually liking the story and sticking with it! Kudos to you, my friend!

Also, I was wondering… Do you think (E) Wyatt is a likeable character despite everything he's done? What do you make of him personally? It's weird having a character that I love to hate, but it's a good kinda weird, and he's very enjoyable to write. Though no-one beats little Chris…

Disclaimer: No… no, these characters are not mine.

Chris approaches him and literally shakes him out of his stupor as he glances back and forth between (E) Wyatt and (G) Wyatt who aren't nearly as affected or perturbed by his presence.

"Riley!" Chris snaps. "Who sent you? Why on earth are you in the past?"

Something in Chris' expression swiftly riles Riley up.

"Hey! Don't use that tone with me, mister!" he counters curtly. "Standing there, looking all reproachful. I think you have a hell of a lot more explaining to do than me, don't you think?" His eyes narrow, and he shakes his head in disappointment. "And to think I defended you when everyone said you were up to no good! I trusted you, man! How could you do this?!"

Now it's Chris' turn to feel confused. "What in God's name are you talking about, Riley? Because it sounds to me like you're implying something pretty freakin' damning here."

"Really? What was your first clue?" Riley says laughingly, with a hard edge of sarcasm which could rival any of Chris' greatest quips. "Was it my warm, loving embrace? The way I gushed about my love of all things Chris and-" In a melodramatic fashion, he raises his hand to his forehead and affects an exaggerated, wondering tone- "Oh Lord how I have missed you?"

"I see you haven't lost your humour."

"Drama geeks never do!"

"Oh, sure. Bring that up again," Chris says dryly, rolling his eyes. "You're a terrible actor. Get over it."

"How dare you!" he gasps, before shaking his head with a scowl and growling, "Stop side-tracking me! This is neither the time nor the place to go round insulting my not-so-critically-acclaimed-but-still-more-brilliant-than-any-of-you-uneducated-suckers-can-recognize performances."

"You're the one who brought it up," he shrugs to which Riley glares for a moment before flashing an insincere smile.

"Good point. You're the one that needs to start talking!"

Chris sighs. "Look, man, I don't know what's bugging you, but there's no need to take it out on me. Instead of looking for any chance to get a dig in with a few mysterious hints, why don't you just tell me what your problem is?"

"Let me see… To list a few…" Riley's expression turns thoughtful. "First, there is you," he holds up one finger, then adds another, "And, also, the canteen stopped serving macaroni and cheese on Wednesdays so that makes two. That was a real bummer." He pauses. "Oh, and well, there is, you know, the other two standing right over there!"

Chris follows his gaze and accusing finger all the way to the condemning sight of brothers on the other end of the room.

"Oh," he says with dawning realisation. "Um, that I can explain."

"I just can't believe it! Consorting with the enemy, Chris. I never thought you had it in you. When you came to me, practically begging to join the resistance, everyone told me I was a fool for letting you in. Had it been anyone else, with a reputation like yours, you'd have been taken hostage without hesitation. Do you know how many people wanted your head on a stick?"

"Of course not, Riley. I was imprisoned in my own home for eight months for the sheer fun of it!"

"They would have drained you for all you were worth. Demons included. One look at you and all anyone seen was a terrific bargaining tool or the possibilities of revenge. An eye for an eye, after all."

"Oh, I'm flattered. How charitable of them.''

"The point is, I took a chance. Put my own neck on the line and this is how you repay me? By lying? Pretending to return to the past to prevent your baby brother from turning into some evil overlord douchebag when really you thought you'd use the opportunity to get ahead?"

"Hey!" Chris yells in outrage. "Way to make assumptions, Riley! I said I could explain and I meant it." He stops, frowning. "You're just not going to like what I have to say."

"I hardly think it could be much worse than anything I've said."

"Uh… I think I'll let you decide for yourself."

"Yeah, and while you're at it, would you mind telling me who this bonehead is who thinks he can insult his all-powerful enemy while he's in the room and could kill him on the spot?" (E) Wyatt says casually, though his smirk is cold and laced with amusement.

Right then, a small voice comments disdainfully from the door, "Ignore him, Wiley. He's not nearwy as intimidating once you weawise what a nitwit he is himsewf."

Mouth falling open in astonishment, the look on Riley's face is priceless.

"What the…?" He swallows hard. Is he imagining things or did that adorable little tot who looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth really just say that?

"Chris!" Piper breathes in relief, before rushing forwards and crushing him in a tight embrace, peppering his forehead with kisses while he edges away with a look of annoyance. "Don't you ever do that again! If Leo hadn't found you in that closet, I don't know what I would've done."

"Blown (E) Wyatt up, for starters," Paige grumbles, sharing a glance with Phoebe. "Then Leo. Followed by whoever else is fairly indestructible, right?"

"Haven't you learnt your lesson from the last time you were put in time-out? Being upset about something is no excuse for scaring your mother out of her mind!"

Little Chris rolls his eyes. "Not my fault you ovew weact to evewyfing…"

"It took a bit of convincing, but eventually I won him over," Leo says, joining them with a slightly smug smile.

"Nevew mind dat!" little Chris says crossly. "What's Wiley even doing hewe? Did somefing happen?"

Riley darts a nervous look between Chris and his miniature doppelganger, taking in the similar features and identical eyes. "Chris…" he murmurs to himself, before speaking directly to Piper, his voice dazed and confused, "You called him Chris. Why?"

Little Chris sighs. "Duh. Why do you fink? I am Kis." He regards his older self. "And so is he."

As always, thanks for reading!