Thank you as always to everyone that's reading/ reviewing :) For some reason I haven't been able to log onto the site for a few days, but here's the next chapter.
Special thanks to: Beuty6, O.O, ILuvSpock, lizardmomma and IWantColoredRain. ILoveSpock, I agree. Piper and Prue's bond was one of my favorite aspects that they threw into the show. I'm glad you like it too. Mony19, You're ahead of the story with Piper but she'll get there :) Thanks for reviewing!
Kitchen - Two Weeks Later
Piper finished chopping the last few carrots when Leo crept into the room. She lifted her head up from the cutting board to see the Elder's sad green eyes. The bruise left behind from Chris had faded and was barely noticeable now.
"Piper". His voice sounded desperate. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
Leo remained quiet. He waited for Piper to respond but after several seconds, he gave in.
"I know" he whispered, looking towards her stomach. "I've known for two weeks and I've been waiting to find out properly … from you".
Piper let out a deep sigh.
"Honestly, Leo, I didn't think I could watch you choose being an Elder over another child". Her posture remained strong, but her voice quivered slightly. "I couldn't do that to the baby, or me".
The former whitelighter was silent. He took a moment to take the comment in.
"Piper, I know I made mistakes, but I promise that will change". His voice was shaking slightly as well, but he remained confident. "I will always be there for our children, but I understand if you don't want me in the Manor as much once we get through this".
Piper bit her lip. Let gave her a soft smile, knowing that this was a lot for to process.
"Right now, we don't need to talk or think about that. We need to focus on getting Chris home. It's our job to keep Wyatt safe now. We're his parents".
"But we don't know what to protect him from".
Leo smiled, watching Piper's mind continue to race.
"Neither does Chris. But I do know that he did an amazing thing coming here, so I want to make sure he gets home before he's born in this timeline".
"I thought the Elders decided that he couldn't go back with the changed timeline".
"That was before I knew he was my nephew. I'd rather send him to a different timeline than have him affect his life by staying. It will affect baby Chris magically and it will definitely make bonding confusing for Prue and Andy. He deserves to go home. Even if it's going to take a lot of adjustment for him".
Piper nodded.
"I guess I've just been in denial and I haven't been helping Chris at all" Piper added. "I just can't picture our little boy growing up to do so many awful things".
Leo made his way around the counter to pull her into his arms.
"We won't let anything happen to Wyatt, Chris, or any other child in this family".
Prue's Bedroom
Chris peaked through the crack in the door to see Andy handing Prue a small onesie from a box marked "Baby Clothes". He couldn't help but smile as Prue laughed at the cartoon animals on it. He gently knocked on the door and Andy motioned for him to enter".
"It's nice to see you two happy" he smiled.
Prue noticed the hint of sadness that still remained in his green eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by another knock at the door. Piper and Leo approached the box of clothes.
"Hmmm, Chris can you blink twice if I'll need these in a few months when you're too big for them?" Piper teased, eying the box of clothes. Chris shook his head and grinned.
"Chris, we want to help you go back to the future" Leo began. Chris' heart began to race.
"We will always be thankful that you came back, but we need to get you home before you're born".
"That's not for a few more days".
"I know, but I don't want to take chances".
"Leo's right". Andy chimed in. "I don't want to see you go bud, but we've got Wyatt and Mom covered. Now we need to worry about you".
Prue nodded.
"When we went back in time, we didn't have powers because our younger selves did. It's not safe for you here without powers".
Chris gave a slight nod, knowing they were right.
"I just can't leave if I didn't finish what I came to do".
"What if coming here to warn us was what you were meant to do?" Leo suggested.
Underworld
The morally troubled Elder pushed his way past a lower level demon to reach the Source. The demon raised a hand to generate an energy ball but Barbas shook his head no.
"I thought I could count on you to be competent" Gideon growled.
"Watch yourself" Barabas warned in a cheeky manner. The Source stepped out of the shadows to reveal a physical form. Gideon tensed up.
"We must end the Charmed children before they can come to power".
The Source nodded.
"I only care about the witch" he growled. "I am too weak to face her outside of the Underworld".
"If you can manage a proper distraction this time, you would be able to get her down here powerless".
"Within less than twenty four hours, magic will cease all good on Earth" the Source explained to his co-conspirators.
"How am I supposed to kill the boy without magic?" Gideon rolled his eyes.
"Remain in the Underworld until the spell takes effect. Your powers will not be affected".
Foyer
The next morning, the four Halliwell women waited at the bottom of the stairs watching as Wyatt and Leo built a tall lego tower. Chris took each step one at a time at a time to cherish seeing his family all together. He had no idea what he would be going back to in the future. Wyatt would still be evil, but he had already made so many changes.
"There you are" Prue smiled, waddling over to her adult son to wrap an arm around him.
"Sorry, I had to get a few things ready". Chris returned the side hug from his mother and handed Phoebe the sunglasses he wore on the day they met. "I think you should keep these as a reminder of what's to come instead of obsessing over it".
Phoebe took the sunglasses with a smile. Her cheeks became a deep shade of red. Ever since she had been given a glimpse of her future, she'd been a little obsessed.
Andy came trailing behind Chris with several potions filling his hands.
"Here are the potions your aunts and mother made for you" he let out a small chuckle as he placed them on the small side table at the bottom of the stairs. "Where's Leo?"
"He's on his way. He's sorting out other business so he can just focus on Prue and Wyatt while you guys are gone".
"Dad" Chris began, turning to his father. "I really don't need you to come with me".
"Chris, I'm your father. I need to make sure you get there safely" he assured. "If I'm gone, Leo will still be around to heal anyone or orb them. Plus, I need to make sure Gideon doesn't catch on that I'm back so it'll be good to disappear for a day or so".
"Don't worry, we got this" Paige flashed a confident smile. Chris nodded back at his aunt.
Leo orbed into the foyer, interrupting the family moment. His green eyes were wide and his face pale.
"I'm sorry, I need Phoebe and Paige now".
"Leo" Piper protested. "Can't this wait? Chris is about to go".
"Sorry buddy, this has to do with Wyatt. I think I have a lead".
Chris gave an approving nod to his uncle.
"I'll go with you".
It was Prue's turn for her eyes to widen. She turned to Andy but Piper was the one to speak up.
"No, Chris you have to go home" she argued.
"You need me here and you know it".
"You'll stay with me and Prue" she commanded. "That way we can send you back if this takes a few days so you don't disappear on us again".
"You're staying here?" Leo questioned.
"I'll stay with Wyatt and Prue, you go after the lead".
Leo nodded and made his way over to the two non pregnant sisters.
"Are you going to share this lead?" Andy asked, eying the Elder up and down.
"I'll fill you in after" Leo replied, grabbing Paige and Phoebe's hands before orbing away.
Outside of the Manor on the front step, Gideon waited with his eyes closed. His well trimmed moustache curled up along with his smile.
"Now" he ordered. Barbas nodded and shimmered away. Within a few seconds, the ground began to shake. Gideon orbed away, leaving no trace other than some footprints in the garden beside the sunflowers.
Underworld
"So, now that we're away from Chris, are you going to tell us your lead?" Paige asked as the trio snuck along the dark, dirty hallway leading to a new demonic den.
"I was speaking to another Elder and once he was about to orb away, he told me there was a demon after Wyatt. He said he'd been laying low and was about to make his move from down here".
The two sisters stopped and shared a look. Paige raised an eyebrow.
"Leo, I know it's Wyatt but doesn't that sound a little bit suspicious?"
"We've been under constant attack the last few months it seems. I never know anymore".
"I know sweetie, but think about it. Why would an Elder suddenly know something that Chris didn't already find out after months of searching?" Phoebe spoke as gently as she could. "I think you're letting your emotions control you".
"Paige, you go back to the others and Phoebe and I will look around a bit more to make sure it's safe. I guess we don't need all of us here".
Paige nodded and stood for a moment, waiting to orb. She scrunched up her nose and let out a sigh.
"Leo, I can't orb. Why can't I orb?" She began to panick.
Leo stayed silent and closed his eyes.
"I can't orb either".
"The dark priestess is among us" a quiet voice hissed, sending shivers up all their spines.
Manor
Andy became tense as orbs filled the room. Piper looked over and did not recognize the frame that was appearing but she could tell Andy knew who it was.
"I need your help" the man's voice filled the room before he finished orbing.
Andy stood protectively in front of Prue as Gideon appeared in front of the four remaining family members. Prue grabbed a small throw blanket from the couch and draped it over herself to hide her stomach.
"Relax Andrew. I have far too many troubles right now than to worry about Prudence Halliwell".
Prue came out from behind Andy's tall frame with her hands on her hip. Thankfully the blanket continued to hide her stomach.
"Excuse me?"
"I do not have the time to discuss the rules of the afterlife with either of you, but it is a pleasure to meet you".
Prue and Piper shared a look. Chris slowly paced towards the foyer from where he was in the Conservatory watching Wyatt. He continued to keep his eyes on Wyatt while listening to the conversation.
"What we do in this home is none of your business" Piper argued.
"Speaking of, how are you here?" Prue questioned.
"A magical imbalance has occurred. No force of good that was on Earth when a spell was cast has any powers" he began. "That is how I was able to get in through your crystals".
Andy studied the Elder.
"Where were you when the spell was cast?" He asked.
"Valhalla. Which you would know if you were there".
Andy didn't budge. His expression remained the same without any remorse.
"How do you know it was a spell?"
"I don't. I am going from information we just received" he lied. It came very easily to him.
Piper's eyes widened. Prue caught on to her sister's panic and grabbed Andy's hand.
"I'm worried the Source is coming after one of you. This family is the only threat to him on Earth. The Elders have not been affected".
Andy turned his head to where Chris was standing. He motioned for Chris to go back towards the Conservatory with his eyes.
"You still didn't tell us why you're here". Prue's voice was tense and her grip on Andy's hand tightened.
"I need Andy to join the other warriors to protect the side of good".
"He can protect the side of good where he is thank you very much" Piper assured.
"No, you will have Leo protecting you. I need Andy. He will be on the front lines to search for who is behind this".
Andy turned to Prue.
"This could be it. I should be there to make sure I can help before they get here".
"But if this is for us, then we need you here the most" Prue's 'eyes were pleading.
Andy leaned down and kissed Prue's forehead.
"I don't think I have much of a choice here" he whispered, turning to Gideon. He then leaned down to whisper right in her ear. "We can't let him find out about Chris. I need to keep him away until we can send Chris home".
Prue kissed the inspector on his stubbled cheek. His crystal blue eyes were filled with agony from his decision.
"Don't worry, Piper and I got this".
"I promise I will orb him here if needed" Gideon lied again. "He will be the first line of defense, so you shouldn't see him until this is all over unless the Source himself is here".
"That really doesn't make us feel better" Piper grumbled.