Be Careful What You Ask For!

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: They want the truth and will stop at nearly nothing to get it. But will the truth destroy them all?

Author’s Note: This fic takes place during season 6 soon after the episode Prince Charmed, where Chris reveals that Wyatt will turn evil in the future. It’s my own little Alternate Reality concerning the secrets of Chris Perry Halliwell and how they become revealed. Depending on how well this story is received, it should continue for several chapters. As a warning, in this first chapter I might make Leo and the sisters seem cruel to an extent, but I promise you it is not my intention to bash them. I love them all and eventually will find a happy ending for them. Just keep in mind that Chris just told them that their precious child would become the most evil creature ever created. The strain is just too much for them. I will also warn that this fic jumps into things pretty quickly. So don’t be surprised to see a lot of action right off the bat. Rated T for violence and language. Italics in ‘’ are person’s private thoughts.


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Chapter 1 ~ Inquisition

“Damnit, Chris, I’m tired of hearing the words future consequences. So help me god, if you do not start talking soon I’m gonna blow you to bits,” Piper screamed in angry frustration.

“You can’t do that,” Chris said scowling at her but he immediately saw the look on her face and realized that just maybe she could. He quickly looked to Leo hoping that the Elder would intervene on his part just this once.

“Technically, Piper, that would be murder since he’s only half Whitelighter,” Leo pointed out to her. Chris nodded smiling smugly.

The anger did not leave Piper’s face but she lowered her hands slightly. Then a thought struck her. “Have you been born yet?”

All pretense of bravado immediately left Chris’ face. Why would she ask that? “What?”

“I didn’t stutter, did I? In this timeline have you been born yet?” Piper was almost positive that Chris was younger than he seemed and was betting on the answer being negative.

“Umm… umm,” he stuttered over his own words for a moment. “No,” he finally answered not sure where she was heading with this line of questioning but not liking it at all.

“Ha!” she said triumphantly. “If you have not been born yet, then technically it can not be termed as murder. You can’t kill someone who isn’t alive yet.” She crossed her arms and a smug smile colored her lips. “So if you don’t want to be blown to bits, start spilling everything you know. You can’t just tell me my baby boy is going to turn evil in the future and then drop the whole thing spouting nonsense about future consequences. I won’t allow it.”

Chris thought about orbing out and giving her time to cool off but he knew that this was his one and only chance at getting back in with the Charmed Ones. But how much could he reveal without his secret being revealed also? “I don’t know what else to tell you. I don’t have a lot to go on myself.”

“Piper, I need to speak to someone ‘up there’. Please don’t blow him up before I get back,” Leo interrupted moving closer to her. “Please, for now, just talk.”

Piper nodded but didn’t take her eyes off of Chris. Blue and white orbs filled the room as Leo disappeared. ‘Yeah, as always, never around when I need ya’. Chris thought bitterly to himself.

“Listen, Chris, if you want us to believe anything you say at all, you need to be a little bit more honest and forthcoming with us,” Phoebe suggested knowing that Piper was on the edge and ready to explode. “I suggest you start with who you are and why you of all people would want to come back to help Wyatt?”

Chris looked away from the sisters and just slightly shook his head. Why that question right off the bat? “I can’t answer that,” he mumbled not daring to look towards them.

“Wrong answer,” Piper snapped raising her hands and launching her power at him just barely nicking his shoulder.

Chris staggered backward with the force of the blow grasping his now burning shoulder. “Damnit, Piper, that hurt.” He knew what her aim was like and also knew that she never missed her target, so at least she wasn’t trying to kill him, but still how long could that possibly last?

“Don’t try to orb, Chris. We’ll just summon your *ss back here,” Paige warned seeing the urge to take flight building in the young Witchlighter.

Chris squared his shoulders even though the strain on the injured one was almost more than he could take. “I’m not running anywhere. I came here to save Wyatt and I can’t accomplish that if you all run me off at every opportunity.”

“Do you honestly think I’m ever gonna let you near my son again?” Piper asked in an incredulous tone her voice raising several octaves.

Chris blanched at the words. This wasn’t going well at all.


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Meanwhile ‘up there’ Leo was conferring with two members of the tribunal.

“You do understand what you are asking of us, don’t you?” a voice boomed from one of the two floating heads surrounding him.

“Yes, yes, I do. We have to figure out once and for all if Chris is a threat to my son and the Charmed Ones,” Leo answered solemnly.

“There is only one way that we may approve your request,” the other member said. “No powers will be allowed while you are there. Not even yours.”

Leo blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected that condition but it would make sense. What he was asking for was unheard of. He just nodded his agreement.

“So be it. You have until midnight.” And with those words the two Elder members of the tribunal disappeared.

That gave them a little over four hours. It would have to be enough.


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“Listen, I don’t know what you want to hear from me. I’ve told you everything I can right now. I know you don’t trust me, but I’m the only chance Wyatt has. I have enough knowledge from my time to guess which demons need to be investigated. None of you have that. So what choice do you really have?” Chris was about at the end of his frazzled nerves. He was in pain and desperate to convince them and nothing seemed to be going right.

Piper was considering wounding him again in hopes of stopping his same old litany when bright blue and white orbs shone throughout the room. She turned to Leo expectantly. “And what brilliant solution have you come to for our problem?” It was a little more sarcastic than he would hope for but at least she was asking his advice.

Leo glanced at Chris and saw the way he held his shoulder and the ratty tattered appearance of his jacket sleeve. “Piper, I said talk, not maim.”

Leo immediately walked towards Chris meaning to heal the young Witchlighter’s injured arm but when he was within a few feet of him, Chris balked and pulled back. “Don’t touch me. I’m fine.”

“Chris, come on, you are gonna need to be at one hundred percent for what’s to come,” Leo pleaded reaching out to touch Chris’ shoulder.

“What do you mean, ‘what’s to come’?” Chris asked in concern. With those words shining orbs enveloped them all and they disappeared.

When they reformed they were in a room that was black on all sides and standing on a white circular platform with a criss-crossed pattern of tiles covering it and one large circular tile in the center. There were also two tables set up on one side of the platform that only held a few bottles of water and nothing else.

“Where the hell are we?” Piper asked in concern looking all around.

“I didn’t expect them to pull us that fast,” Leo commented looking around them also. He looked back to Chris and sighed dropping his hands. He hadn’t had the time to heal his shoulder and he knew how much pain it would probably be causing him in the next four hours. But there was nothing else for him to do.

Chris also looked around and began shaking his head in disbelief. “The Tribunal. You’ve brought me in front of the Tribunal. I haven’t exposed magic, Leo.” Chris immediately tried to orb away but nothing happened. “Why can’t I orb?” His panic could be heard in his voice and Leo began to wonder if maybe he had made a mistake. He had wanted to take them to a safe neutral territory where they could discuss everything rationally. He hadn’t really wanted to frighten the young Witchlighter like this.

“Listen, Chris. You are not going before the Tribunal. I know how frightening that is for any witch to face. I just borrowed their hearing room for a few hours. And you can’t orb because that was the condition they specified. No powers can be used in this room. None of us. Believe me, this whole discussion is gonna be a lot safer for you this way.” Leo pointedly looked at Piper who was raising her hands trying in vane to use her powers on anything and getting no results.

Chris squinted his eyes in resentment. “So basically I’m a prisoner here until you get the information you want out of me.” He snorted in derision and then added. “Hearing room! More like interrogation room!”

“Chris, I was hoping that you would want to come clean with us. We don’t want to force information out of you, but for Wyatt….” He broke off the sentence implying just what they’d do to keep their son safe.

That was such a joke to him. They were worried about keeping their son safe from him, when all he’d ever tried to do was to save him. He knew life would not be easy in the past before he ever left his timeline, but part of him had always assumed that if he told them he wanted to protect Wyatt that they’d at least try to help him. But he had been wrong. Very wrong.

“I hope you brought a book to read, because you aren’t hearing or seeing anything from me,” came Chris’ bitter reply as he motioned towards the center circle, where he knew images from his mind could be projected. With that he spun around and walked to the edge of the platform fuming in pure rage. How had he let everything get this far out of control?

“Leo, can you please explain what this place is?” Paige asked looking around in confusion.

Leo turned to the sisters and tried to explain as best he could. “There is a group of Elders and Demons called The Tribunal. They are in charge of keeping balance between good and evil in our world and of keeping the secret of magic just that, a secret. When a witch or other magical being threatens that balance or threatens our secret they hold hearings to determine what actions to take against them. As a matter of fact The Cleaners report directly to them. You all remember them. But anyway this is where their hearings take place, and I just borrowed it for a few hours to straighten this whole mess out.”

“And we have no powers again, because….” Piper asked angrily. This wasn’t how she imagined this going. She had been so angry when Chris told her that Wyatt was going to turn evil in the future. No matter what he said, no matter how convincingly he might lie she just couldn’t believe that about her baby. All she wanted to hear was Chris admitting that he was lying about Wyatt and she wasn’t sure she would hear that if she couldn’t threaten him with her powers.

“It is a condition they placed on us using the hearing room. And honestly, it’s probably a good idea. This way Chris can’t orb out on us and you can’t blow him up in your anger.” Leo knew he was pushing it by trying to hold Piper back. It was something she normally didn’t allow anyone to do, not even him.

Paige was staring at Chris’ back and wondering what was going through his mind but then a thought occurred to her. “Hey, future boy, how come you knew about The Tribunal when we didn’t?” It was plain to everyone’s ears that it was more an accusation than a question.

Oh great, what else were they gonna accuse him of? Chris spun around and the look on his face was one of complete disdain. “You all just can’t paint me as anything but something evil, can you?”

“That’s not an answer, Mister,” Piper shot back.

Chris scowled at her for a moment but realized that if he didn’t say something this was just gonna be a contest of who could tick the other one off more so he nodded in self-defeat and then answered the best he could without revealing his secret. “Let’s just say that my family has had a run in or two with The Tribunal.”

“But not you personally?” Piper asked.

“No, I haven’t had the honor yet,” he answered his voice dripping with sarcasm. Even if he was willing to give them a small amount of information he still wasn’t gonna sit back while they made unfounded accusations.

“Chris, the answers we want from you aren’t that hard for you to give. Why are you being so stubborn about this?” Leo asked in annoyance. “If you truly want to help Wyatt, wouldn’t it be easier to work with us instead of against us?”

Chris threw his head back closing his eyes in a sign of exasperation as a large sigh left his lips. “I am not working against you. I just can’t give you the answers you want. Why can’t you just accept that? We are wasting precious time with all of this. Time that should be spent finding the demon that turns Wyatt.” For anyone who was objective it was easy to hear the pleading quality his voice had taken and see the sense he was making, but no one in the room could have been accused of being objective at that time.

“Chris, we don’t need you to keep Wyatt safe,” Piper said bitterly letting her anger at the young man lace every word.

That was the last straw. He had tried to reason with them but it wasn’t doing him any good at all. “Apparently you do,” Chris bit out angrily lowering his eyes back to them. Something in him just snapped and he couldn’t stand the sight of any of them right then as bitter words came unbidden to his tongue. “Otherwise he would have never turned in the first place and I wouldn’t be stuck in this time trying to convince you all that your son is more important than your egos.”

Piper blanched at the words as if she had been slapped and Leo’s face turned into a mask of rage. Paige and Phoebe were frozen in utter disbelief at his words. How dare he insinuate that they would let Wyatt come to harm for their own pride.

Chris knew he had crossed the line the moment the words were out of his mouth. He never wanted to see that hurt look in Piper’s eyes. He was used to anger coming from Leo but Piper didn’t deserve his biting remarks. She had done everything to try to raise her son to be an honest, decent witch but somehow it had all just gone wrong. It wasn’t her fault. “I’m sorry, Piper… I didn’t mean it like that.”

But his words came too late as Leo launched forward and his fist connected with Chris’ jaw. Chris went sprawling backwards and landed on his back. He looked up at Leo in utter disbelief. He had stuck him, again. It wasn’t the first time Leo had done that. But the last time, after they had found him being held prisoner by the Valkyries, Chris had felt that he probably deserved it. After all it was he who had set Leo up to be taken. But this time, did he really deserve it he wondered? “Real pacifistic move there, Elder,” he spit out in anger a slight bit of blood flying from his lips and landing on the white tile next to him.

“I’m not an Elder right now, Chris. I’m a father,” Leo answered moving forward crossing his arms in front of him, hoping he wouldn’t have to repeat the strike. He still hated violence in any form but the young man had hurt Piper and that was more than he could stand for. It didn’t matter that they weren’t husband and wife anymore. He still cared very deeply for her and he would not allow Chris or anyone else to hurt her. Not while he was still standing.

“You could have fooled me there,” Chris mumbled pushing himself off the ground and standing tall.

“What did you say?” Leo asked unfolding his arms ready to strike again if he had to his eyes squinting in anger.

“You heard me! Since when does a good father spend more time at ‘work’ than he does with his son? Since when does he abandon them for that same ‘work’? Can you answer that?” In all honestly Chris wasn’t sure if he was speaking about Wyatt or himself, but it didn’t really matter anymore to him. He was tired of being the one who always got hurt. He wanted Leo to feel pain, just as he had many times in the past.

“How dare you imply that I’m a bad father to Wyatt? I love my son. And I’m there for him as often as I can be,” Leo bellowed in complete rage as he moved closer to Chris with his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

“Take it from someone who knows you better than you do yourself, you aren’t now, nor will you ever be, a good father!” That was it. That was the final straw. The most bitter of accusations that Chris could utter against him and no matter how much it hurt to voice them he just couldn’t keep them in any more.

Leo blinked once and then his self-restraint was completely gone, as his fist struck out landing hard again on Chris’ cheek. With that Chris flew backwards landing against one of the tables his back striking the edge. The table slid to the far edge of the platform and Chris reached back grasping his lower back where it had struck. “Who the hell do you think you are?” Leo screamed in rage. “You say you know me. I don’t believe you. How am I to know that you aren’t here to kill my son? Maybe you’re the one who turns Wyatt. Or maybe that’s all just a smokescreen to get you close to him, so you can kill him.”

Chris was up within seconds and had launched himself on top of Leo fists flying as he knocked him to the ground landing on top of him. “Shut up! Just shut up!” he screamed pounding his fists into Leo’s face. Leo was stunned and didn’t try to fight back. The amount of loathing and hate he could hear in those simple words was staggering.

“Chris, stop!” Phoebe yelled being the first one to react moving forward and trying to grab Chris’ arm.

“No!” he screamed shoving Phoebe away from him and then continued pounding Leo’s face. “You don’t know me! You don’t know anything about me!”

Then it was Paige’s turn to try to stop him as she too tried to grab his arm. Again Chris shoved her off and continued pounding the whole time screaming at Leo. “You don’t know what I’ve done. You don’t know what I’ve gone through, what I’ve lost, all to save your precious son!” Each word was filled with raw emotion along with the anger. And even as Leo tried to block the punches it wasn’t hard to see the tears that had started to spill from the young man’s eyes.

“Damnit, Leo. Powers would be good about now,” Piper whispered trying to come in on Chris’ side to push him off.

Chris was about to shove her away also when he saw her face and the worried look it held; that same worried look that he remembered from his youth whenever he or his brother were sick or in trouble. He froze as she grabbed his arm.

“Chris, please stop this,” she whispered seeing that she’d gotten his attention.

He stared into her deep brown eyes and the tide finally broke inside him as a sob broke from his lips. He looked down to Leo’s face, correction his father’s face and saw the blood running from his busted lip and nose and Chris pushed himself backwards off of Leo the sobs choking him as he desperately tried to get away. “Oh god, what have I done?” he finally forced out through the sobs. He tried to stand but his entire body felt as if it was made of led as he fell again to his knees pushing himself back further along the floor.

Leo had sat up and was wiping the blood from his lip and staring at Chris through eyes that felt as if they were starting to swell. What he saw was beyond confusing. Though just a moment before Chris’ eyes had been filled with hate and anger they were now completely remiss with guilt and sorrow. It didn’t make any sense at all. If he hated him so much why did he regret hitting him?

“Oh god, I shouldn’t have done that. Oh please no!” Chris cried again trying to stand yet again to get away. This time his leg caught on one of the chairs and he went down again falling to the side and catching his temple on the edge of the table, sending the table sliding off the platform and Chris slamming into the floor where it had stood.


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A/N: Well that’s the first chapter. I warned it would be quick moving. What does everyone think?

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: All words in italics are flashbacks being shown in the center tile.

Everyone seemed to like the fact that Leo got what he deserved in the last chapter. I didn’t know so many people were that mad at him. But as I said in my last author’s note, I have no intention of making him into the bad guy. So that being said he’ll begin to make a slight change in this chapter but it’s a slow going process for him. So have some patience with the poor guy.


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Chapter 2 ~ The Neurotic Demon Hunter

“Chris,” Phoebe yelled moving forward and kneeling beside him. Everyone else seemed frozen in their tracks. “Chris, can you hear me?” she asked shoving him onto his back. His eyes were open but there was a large gash beside one of them with blood running freely from it. His eyes didn’t seem to focus as she looked into them. “Leo, help!”

Leo stood and moved next to Phoebe and Chris kneeling beside him. He looked at the gash and then at Chris’ eyes. “Can you see me, Chris? Can you hear me?”

Chris blinked a couple of times and then nodded. “Yes,” he whispered taking a shuttering breath.

“I need something to stop the bleeding.” Even though the young Witchlighter had been pounding the hell out of him just moments before Leo’s training as a medic was ingrained into his very being and he couldn’t ignore the fact that Chris was seriously injured. He could see the way his pupils were unevenly dilated. That signified something very serious. A concussion at the least and possible brain damage to follow. Not a good sign at all with them stuck where they were for almost four more hours and Leo not able to heal.

Phoebe pulled the cream colored shawl she was wearing from her shoulders and handed it to Leo. Leo nodded his thanks and then held the soft material to the bleeding wound. Chris hadn’t made a sound since answering Leo’s question before and he didn’t act as if he was really there at all. “Chris, how many fingers am I holding up?” Leo asked placing three fingers in front of Chris’ face.

Chris looked towards the fingers and just shook his head eliciting a small groan from his lips. “Quit moving them. I can’t count,” he finally answered.

“Don’t move your head, Chris. You might have injuries we can’t see,” Leo ordered.

Chris didn’t answer, but his eyes started to drift closed.

“Hey don’t you go to sleep on me. You gotta stay awake, now.” Leo was almost in a panic. He really didn’t want to see the young man just drift off and never wake back up again. He had been furious at the young Witchlighter a few moments before but he didn’t hate him and began to wonder at his own accusations. Chris hadn’t given them any indication that he’d ever try to hurt Wyatt and had even had the opportunity to do so and hadn’t taken it. Leo just couldn’t understand what it was about the young Witchlighter that always seemed to push his buttons. But it had been that way since the first day they had met.

Piper and Paige had moved in closer where they could see what Leo was doing. “How bad is it, Leo?” Piper asked a slight bit of concern coloring her voice. She could hear the worry in Leo’s own voice and it didn’t bode well. Normally an injury like this wouldn’t have mattered that much. Leo could have just healed it and been done. But with their powers all down…

Leo looked up to her and the look he gave her was not encouraging. He didn’t want to say anything to upset Chris so he hoped the look on his face would be enough to satisfy Piper.

“Oh… oh…” was her answer as she stared back down to Chris who looked as if he didn’t even realize they were there. “How long are we stuck here?” she finally asked realizing that Leo wouldn’t want her to say anything that Chris might not want to hear.

“Four hours,” Leo answered turning back to Chris and checking the wound that he was still applying pressure too. The bleeding had slowed some but not completely.

At that moment they all shared the same thought. Four hours seemed like forever in their current circumstance.

Chris once again began to let his eyes droop closed. “Chris, common, stay awake. Talk to me,” Leo pleaded again. Dangit, he was responsible for this. No matter what Chris had said and no matter how angry he had made him, Leo still had thrown the first punch and that made it his fault.

“I’m tired, Leo,” was his answer as he tried to open his eyelids, which felt like lead weights. “Always so tired.”

Paige kneeled on the other side of Chris next to Phoebe seeing that they’d have to keep him talking if they were gonna save him. “Well if you weren’t such a neurotic demon hunter you wouldn’t be so tired all the time,” she quipped.

The others looked at her sharply and she gave them a shrug and a ‘go with it’ look.

Chris chuckled quietly for a second. “Sorry, it’s what I do. It’s always what I’ve done for as long as I can remember.” His words were soft and he seemed as if he were a million miles away as he said it.

Without warning the circular tile behind them lit up and an image projected above it. It showed a young teenage boy wearing stained jeans and a longsleeve shirt that had holes ripped in it. It was hard not to see the likeness between the boy he had been and the man he had grown into. His dark brown hair was slightly longer but his crystal green eyes were unmistakable. In his hands he held three potion vials and they could see him turning as three demons shimmered in behind him.

Piper gasped and immediately threw her hands up to protect the child before she realized that what she was seeing wasn’t real.

One of the demons threw a fireball at him and he dodged to the side missing it by only inches as his hand flew to the side knocking the demon away with his telekinetic power. He took the second demon by surprise with this move and threw one of the potion vials vanquishing it on the spot and then followed up by dodging the other way as the third demon produced an athame and threw it towards him. The boy was not so lucky as the weapon sliced through the side of his shirt catching the skin over his ribs.

Piper gasped seeing blood spray come from the wound as her hand flew to her mouth. He was so young. He couldn’t have been much older than fourteen. What was he doing all alone in a dark alley at night fighting demons? Where were his parents, the people who were supposed to protect him?

But the boy did not stop to worry over the wound as he used the second potion vial on the demon. As he began to turn to face the first demon that he had thrown, an arm circled around his throat and he looked back to see the demon’s smiling face. “Not so lucky this time, are ya kid?”

The boy immediately let his weight drop as he squirmed to free himself from the chokehold. It was plain to see the fear in the boy’s eyes but the determination was there too. Finally he managed to get his teeth into the demon’s arm, causing the monster to scream and let go. The boy dropped to the ground rolling away one hand clutching his damaged throat and the other tossing the vial at the demon.

The image blinked out on the boy lying in a puddle of his own blood coughing painfully his forehead pressed against the cold asphalt.

As the others had watched in shock and horror Chris had managed to summon the strength to lean up on his elbows to see what they were looking at. “Why did it show you that? I’m no where near the center tile,” he asked in confusion.

Leo turned back to him and his eyes widened and he tried to push Chris back down. “Chris, I said not to move.”

“I’m fine,” he said pushing Leo’s hands away and sitting the rest of the way up still staring where his memory had just played out for them. He seemed more lucid but still his eyes held a far away look that belied just how fine he really was. “I didn’t project that. Why did it show you?” His voice sounded slightly frightened.

Leo decided that he probably wouldn’t be able to force Chris to lie back down but he would keep a close eye on him at least. “When you hit your head it must have damaged the part of your mind that blocks images from the outside world. The tile senses that yours is the only mind that it can read and it’s pulling your memories.”

“Well make it stop,” Chris hissed angrily.

“I can’t. I don’t control it. There’s no telling what it’s gonna project,” Leo tried to explain with a slightly apologetic look on his face.

Chris shook his head worry and fear coloring his face and then immediately regretted it as the pounding increased tenfold. He tried to say something, anything but no words would surface. This was bad. This was very bad.

“Chris, that was you?” It had been obvious to them that it was but Phoebe still wondered about what kind of life would put a child into that kind of situation.

He nodded, not trusting his own voice.

“Why were you alone?” Piper asked still staring into the empty space above the tile.

Chris became confused at her question and didn’t answer. She turned to him and saw the confusion written on his face. “Why wasn’t there someone there to protect you?”

Chris understood then what she was getting at. To her, parents protected their young without reservation. She couldn’t understand why his parents hadn’t been there to protect him like she and Leo had always done for baby Wyatt. “My brother came to get me not long after that,” was the only answer he could think to give her. He didn’t want the tile to project anything else, so he knew he’d have to answer the question. What he didn’t tell her was that when Wyatt had arrived it had been only to take him prisoner after healing the athame wound. Chris had rebelled so fiercely when Wyatt had told him of his plans to rule the world shortly after the death of their mother and aunts. He had spent many months on the streets hiding from the demons that were sent but this time it had been too hard and he had been caught.

“But your parents. Why were you there alone to begin with?” she asked again in fear of his answer.

“Piper, I wasn’t lying when I told you I barely knew my family.” He absolutely refused to tell them anymore than that. It would just have to be enough.

“I’m sorry,” she finally said remembering how she had accused him of blaming her and her family for him not having a family. It was one of the first few conversations she had had with him and at the time she had not been herself, seeing that Leo had turned her into a God to defeat the Titans. She hadn’t realized what exactly his words had meant. At least not until now.

“Don’t be. It’s in the past and I honestly don’t care about it anymore.” It was an out and out lie and Chris knew it. But for months now he had been trying to build up an uncaring façade to keep them at arms length. After those words he stood slowly and made his way to one of the chairs next to the table that was still on the platform and took a seat. From the position he was in none of them could see his face and that was exactly how he wanted it. “Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got a headache and I’m tired of talking.” With those words he leaned his forehead against his palms and closed his eyes, willing all thoughts out of his mind. It was the only way he could think to control what that center tile pulled from his mind.

Piper and the others stared as he moved slowly but didn’t offer to help him and didn’t open their mouths to comment on how much pain he must really be in. She and Phoebe shared a look that said there was so much more to this than what he had said. Even without her empathic powers Phoebe could tell he was holding onto a lot of emotional baggage. Why hadn’t they seen that before?


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A/N: Well, what do you all think of the second chapter? I know it's a little short but that's just where it seemed natural to end it. At least everyone's a little bit calmer now. Well for now at least.

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Before someone complains, I do realize that most of this chapter is a flashback from an episode in season 6. It is not there because I wanted to fill a chapter. It is just a starting point towards the flashback journey that is being taken. I promise all other flashbacks will be original and something that no one has seen before. Well not unless you can read my mind that is.


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Chapter 3 ~ Proof Positive

For several long minutes they all sat in silence as they each had a lot on their minds.

Piper wasn’t sure about her own emotions. She was still very angry with the young man. He didn’t seem to know the meaning of the word honesty and he was adamant about the fact that Wyatt was evil in his future. How could that be? Not her precious little baby. He had been nothing but sunshine and light to her since the day of his birth. Well there was the dragon incident but that was just him being lonely and wanting a playmate. But then again it was that same motherly instinct that was confusing her now. It was one thing to have a twenty something man tell you that his life was crap growing up but a whole other thing to see him as a boy being attacked by demons. She had wanted so desperately to pick that boy up and hold him promising him that she would keep the demons away from him. It was so difficult to see that hurt little boy inside the young man who she had come to almost hate.

Leo’s feelings concerning Chris since the day he had arrived had bounced back and forth. At first he had distrusted him, and then after Valhalla he had hated him. But then Chris had saved his butt when they had visited the Cretaceous Period. That had changed his feelings slightly. Then there was the whole ordeal with Bianca. He had seen the pain Chris was in when he had tried to care for him. That had been a sort of turning point for Leo. He had begun to see Chris as a person with feelings, even if he was a liar. But this last thing, Wyatt evil, how could he ever believe that? How could he ever trust that Chris wasn’t lying to them?

Paige knew that most of the time she treated Chris with a great amount of annoyance and distrust. He could be so exasperating and didn’t ever seem to care what the rest of them wanted. And he gave new meaning to the word disrespect. She knew that he had to be somewhere in his twenties but often times she compared him to the teenage guys she had went to high school with. Cocky, demanding and belligerent. Yeah, that’s how she had always seen him. But now that she thought hard about it, didn’t he have a right to act that way? If he had grown up without a family and fighting demons on top of it didn’t that give him the right to be angry? And as far as being demanding, the only thing he had ever been demanding about was his quest to destroy the demon that turns Wyatt. Would she have been any different in his place? Now the cockiness, that was probably just him. She could rib him about that one without feeling guilty all she wanted to. This brought a small satisfied smile to her lips.

Phoebe’s mind was running along a different path than the others. She was much more concerned with the emotions that she knew he normally blocked from her. Even if he could block them from her empathy abilities there had been several times that she had noticed how he would flinch at harsh words from them. For the most part she just shook it off as nothing important but truthfully, if the boy really had no family of his own or if his family just didn’t care wouldn’t it be hard to face the rejection that The Charmed Ones often heaped on him? She couldn’t stand just keeping quiet anymore. “Chris, you know that we don’t really hate you don’t you?” she asked softly.

Chris raised his head from his hands and thought for a moment. He knew if he didn’t answer soon the tile would find something to show them to answer for him. “Honestly, Phoebe, no I don’t know that. But that’s not why I’m here and it’s not really all that important either. I have one reason for being in this time and I can’t let anything else matter or I’m gonna fail. And I don’t want to go back there if I fail.”

“To keep Wyatt from turning evil?” Leo asked angrily knowing exactly what Chris was referring to.

Chris sighed. “Yes.”

Phoebe could see the anger building in Leo again. She knew it was a father’s reaction to someone speaking ill of his son and that it wasn’t like Leo to be that way, normally. “Chris, you just have to understand. We all love Wyatt and the only thing we’ve seen of him is that cute, sweet, innocent, baby. We haven’t seen the things you say you’ve seen, so it’s really hard to grasp what you want us to.”

Chris thought for a moment. He could always tell them some of the atrocities he had lived with but he discarded the idea immediately. “Honestly, Phoebe, I don’t want you to think of Wyatt that way. None of you. You shouldn’t have to. That’s the reason why I never wanted to tell you all why I was really here. I didn’t want to put you through that. I don’t want any of you to see my memories of a world where he is evil.”

Leo’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Was he telling the truth? Was he just trying to protect them from being hurt? For some reason Leo was still skeptical. “Well maybe it’s something we need to see. If not, none of us may ever be able to trust you, Chris.”

With that the center tile lit up, not giving Chris time to form a response and started to form a scene that Chris was all too familiar with and what little color that was in his face drained away as he looked away, not able to face the last painful moment he had spent with his brother and the love of his life. A small groan escaped his lips as the image began to move.

As Chris and Bianca stepped from the portal they were met with the site of six demons standing before them and one person behind. “Welcome home, Chris,” came the calm voice of the hidden man. As he did so the demons parted and looked back to their leader.

He walked forward into the light of the room and it wasn’t hard to see his wavy long blonde hair, dark almost obsidian eyes and strong features. If it wasn’t for the look of deep malice he carried he could have been called handsome.

“Hello, Wyatt,” Chris said calmly. The two men stared at each other in something akin to resentment.

A gasp was heard as Piper recognized the man her son would grow into. And then the image proceeded on.

As Wyatt walked across the room towards his captive the loose floorboard creaked under his weight but it did not seem to faze him. He crossed between the six demons and approached Chris until he was but a few feet in front of him.

Wyatt glanced at Bianca and she nodded slightly to him. “They’re not a threat to me,” he spoke with a confident look upon his face.

The six demons immediately shimmered from the room leaving only Wyatt, Chris and Bianca.

“Et tu, Chris?” Wyatt asked quietly then turned to walk away from them. “Of all the people to betray me.”

“I didn’t go back to betray you, Wyatt. I went back to save you,” Chris said clearly without any seeming fear of the other more larger and more powerful witch.

Wyatt had walked several feet from them when he heard this and spun around to look at Chris. “Save me. Huh, from what?” came his incredulous reply.

“From whatever evil it was that turned you,” Chris answered.

“That’s always been your problem, Chris,” Wyatt said looking down and running his hand over the Book of Shadows, which still rested on the podium. “Stuck in the old good vs. evil morass.” With those words it was easy to see the unbelievable look cross Chris’ face as he looked away from Wyatt and down to the floor. “I’m so past that. It’s all about power. It’s as simple as that.”

“And whoever has the most power wins. Is that it?” Chris asked.

“That’s it,” Wyatt affirmed. Chris only shook his head at the statement. “That’s why I keep this museum intact. To remind everyone of the power of which I was born. Which I possess.”

Leo winced hearing the uncaring, cold tone of his son’s voice. What on earth could have ever turned him into something so full of malice? Into a creature that Leo could barely recognize as his own son.

At that Chris began to walk forward. “To bad the rest of the city isn’t fairing as well as your little shrine here.”

Wyatt then stepped forward and walked towards Chris also. “You know if anyone else tried what you tried, I’d kill them on the spot. But you…” with that Wyatt paused and Chris could be seen swallowing hard. “I’ve forgiven Bianca,” Wyatt began and Chris turned his head towards her and then back to Wyatt. “I can forgive you too. If you promise never to cross me again.”

The look of determination increased on Chris’ face. “I think you know me better than that.”

Wyatt turned his attention to Bianca. “I thought you said you could talk some sense into him.” With that Bianca immediately strode forward next to Chris.

“Leave her out of this,” Chris demanded, but was cut off as Wyatt raised his hand and slowly started squeezing his fist shut. Chris immediately grasped his throat and started gasping for breath. A gasp could be heard from Bianca seeing what Wyatt was doing. Wyatt’s arm started lowering and as it did Chris sunk to the floor on his knees pain evidently written across his face.

“Oh my god, Wyatt, no!” Piper yelled at the image. She couldn’t believe just how cruelly her son could behave. She could tell by the way that Wyatt talked that he and Chris must have known each other for some time, even been close friends if Wyatt had went to all that trouble to bring him back there and tried to convince him to join him. How could he torture someone who he acted as if he cared for?

“Pardon me?” Wyatt asked a look of pure loathing in his eyes. Then his hand flew to the right and Chris was bodily tossed like a rag doll across the room behind Bianca flying into a wooden cabinet in the corner smashing it into pieces.

Bianca strode forward. “You promised you wouldn’t hurt him,” she said loudly in defiance.

“You promised you’d turn him, just like I turned you, or I thought I had,” Wyatt countered.

Bianca turned and ran to where Chris was rolling on the floor in pain kneeling beside him. A lone tear could be seen streaking down her cheek. “Chris, please. I didn’t bring you here to die.”

Chris stared from Wyatt to her still lying on the floor. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Wyatt stood waiting for Chris to make a move and wasn’t disappointed as Chris began to stand. “I think.”

Once Chris had gotten to his feet he rushed forward towards Wyatt but the much stronger Witch stepped aside and threw Chris into a table behind him crashing the piece of furniture. “Have you lost your mind?” Wyatt asked as Chris looked up from where he lay with his hair falling down in front of his face. Then Wyatt’s hand came up again in that choking motion “I don’t need you,” he said icily using telekinesis to lift Chris up to the ceiling choking him again. Then his other hand rose with an energy ball upon his palm.

Leo had moved to stand beside Piper, wanting desperately to shield her from this image of her baby. Piper turned her face into his shoulder, not able to watch as Wyatt tried to end Chris’ life. But Chris was alive with them. How had he escaped? She opened her eyes again but still clung to Leo for comfort.

Chris struggled for breath as Bianca stood and rushed behind Wyatt. Just as Wyatt was about to throw the energy ball Bianca shoved her hand into Wyatt’s back using the power draining technique that was unique to the Clan of the Phoenix.

As Wyatt threw his head up in pain the energy ball fizzled out and Chris dropped to the floor with a thud.

“Whatever you’re gonna do, do it fast. I can’t hold him for long.” Bianca called out holding a tenuous grip on the powerful being.

Chris immediately scrambled forward and threw back the rug covering the squeaky floorboard and then ripped the board up itself. He grasped the spell that was inside and unfolded it as dust from many years fell from the old crinkled paper.

The power of witches rise,
Come to me from across the skies,
Return my magic, give me back,
All that was taken from the attack!

Chris recited the spell glancing up as a blue light enveloped him. It was as if a large breath returned to his body as he regained his lost powers.

At that moment Wyatt broke free from the power draining technique kicking out behind him striking Bianca square in the face and throwing her back across the room. She landed with a resounding wet sound as she was pierced through the stomach by a sharp broken piece of the cabinet that Chris had crashed into earlier.

Phoebe gasped at the sound knowing that there was no way for the Phoenix to survive this one. No wonder Chris was so closed off when he returned to them. Bianca had died saving him. Her sacrifice must have been tearing him apart bit by bit with everyday he lived through since then.

Chris stood and threw his arm out roughly tossing Wyatt across the room with his telekinetic power. Wyatt flew up hitting the artificial lighting hanging from the ceiling and then fell to the floor dazed.

Chris rushed to Bianca’s side leaning over her placing one hand on her side. “Bianca. No, no!” he said his voice raw with emotion.

“Haven’t we been here before?” she asked between gasps a small smile lighting her face at a shared joke between them.

Chris nodded to her. “Maybe we will be again.” He tried to put as much hope into his voice as he could for her sake.

She nodded and whispered out, “Maybe.”

Chris’ head lowered to her chest as the emotions threatened to overtake him. Bianca took his hand placing an object there and then let go saying. “You can finish what we started.”

Chris raised his hand seeing the engagement ring he had given her in his hand closing his eyes swallowing hard.

At that moment Wyatt began to rise groaning behind Chris.

Bianca noticed and warned him, “Hurry. Take the spell so he can’t send anyone else. Go!” she said desperate to get him away from harm.

Chris nodded and stood quickly taking one final look at her and then ran to the podium holding the Book flipping through the pages till he found the one he needed.

As he began to chant the spell Wyatt drew back his arm forming another energy ball.

Hear these words,
hear the rhyme,
heed the hope within my mind,

Chris automatically ducked as he saw the energy ball heading towards him as it whizzed above his head and exploded behind him. Then he stood back up to finish the spell.

Send me back to where I’ll find,
What I wish in place and time.

With the last word the Triquetra began to glow as the portal was opened just a few feet from where Chris stood. Chris grabbed the spell and dived towards the portal giving Wyatt one last loathing look before he dove through.

Wyatt screamed, “No!!” as he let loose one last energy ball which collided with the now normal wall scorching it black.

As the image faded away a stunned group was left behind. Paige and Phoebe both had tears in their eyes and Piper had again buried her face in Leo’s shoulder wanting so much to deny what she had seen but knowing that it was now impossible to do so.


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A/N: Comments? I really wanted you all to see what their reactions would be if confronted with what Wyatt had become.

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 4 ~ Best Friends

Chris hadn’t been able to watch it happen again. It was ingrained into every cell of his existence already. It consumed his dreams when he allowed himself to sleep and many of his thoughts while he was awake. He just couldn’t bear to watch it again, especially not with them standing around him. He had stood quietly and walked to the edge of the platform as far away from them as he could taking a seat staring into the blackness surrounding them. He gripped his head between his palms staring off into nothing as the pain became worse with each second that the image played behind him. None of the others noticed as they were all wrapped up in the scene before them.

Utter blackness, nothingness. That is what he would call the room or more appropriately void around them. He envied this cold dark space. The nothingness it held was so much more tempting than the turmoil he felt inside. If only he could fill his heart with that black nothingness and not have to feel all the pain that these memories and these people with him caused. To be free of the overwhelming responsibility for the entire world’s future. It was such a seductive thought but one he could not allow himself for long.

As the image faded away the room became utterly silent. He knew that nothing was said in that vision that would betray his secret. That alone was a blessing, but nothing else about them seeing it was. He hadn’t been lying to Phoebe. He had never wanted them to see the Wyatt he had lived with the past few years. It would bring them nothing but pain he knew. He did not speak, waiting for the questions that would surely follow, and they did.

Paige was the first to recover from the image as she turned to the table he had been sitting at. When she noticed he was not there she turned around in panic wondering what could have happened to him. When her eyes found him he was sitting on the edge of the platform with his shoulders slumped and his head between his palms. She had originally wanted to ask him about the image but her worry surfaced first. “Chris, are you okay?”

He knew he had to get a hold of himself and keep control of his emotions. So he sat a little straighter and answered in the mildest tone he could pulling his hands down away from his temples. “Fine, Paige. I’ve just seen that before and didn’t see the sense in reliving it. It’s in the past.”

The other three had turned towards him also realizing that he wasn’t where they had left him. Phoebe stepped forward first her immediate instincts to ignore the tone of his voice and go on what she knew had to be in his heart. She was only inches behind him when she laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know how hard this must be for you, Chris. I’m so sor…” But Chris cut her off before she could finish.

“Don’t be. I told you when I came back that it was over and she couldn’t harm anyone again. It’s over and I don’t dwell on it anymore.” His voice had adopted a cold uncaring feeling that froze Phoebe where she stood. No one could be that unaffected by something this devastating. She knew it.

And she wasn’t giving up either. She sat beside him, facing him careful not to touch him as she did so. “Chris, you might be shutting it all out, but you can’t truly be over it. Something like that is impossible to move past in such a short time. The sacrifice she made for you…”

“Don’t. Just don’t. I don’t need anyone to psychoanalyze me, Phoebe. What was between Bi… Bianca and I is my business. Not anyone else. And I don’t ever want any of you to mention it again.” His voice still held that cold uncaring feeling but Phoebe had caught how he had stuttered over her name. There was no doubt he was still grieving his lost love but he wanted to grieve alone.

She nodded. “Okay, honey,” she whispered standing and moving away from him. He wasn’t gonna talk to her anymore. She was sure of it. She shrugged to her sisters and went to sit at the table where he had been a few moments before.

Paige decided that maybe where Phoebe’s loving demeanor had failed maybe her sarcastic style would win out. “All right, Chris, you don’t want to talk about that, but what about Wyatt? You two sure seem to have a love hate relationship going on there. Mind enlightening us on that situation.”

Chris snorted at that. Paige always did know how to hit the nail on the head. “I guess you could say that. It’s not often that a friend tries to kill you though, so the juries still out on the love part.”

Piper chose to ignore the sarcasm and be serious about it. After all she was trying to get to the bottom of what her son had become. So she dried her puffy eyes pulling away from Leo’s grasp and said the first thing that came to mind. “Yeah see, I never thought of that possibility before. You and Wyatt must have been pretty good friends for you to be willing to come back here, like you did,”

Chris sighed. Oh how would he explain that without letting the cat out of the bag? But yet again at that moment the center tile decided to butt into the conversation. Chris heard the first words and spun around praying that the image would not be something he would regret.

“Come on, Chris. We are gonna be late,” a blonde haired boy called out to the younger, smaller boy behind him.

“You know, Wy, I don’t know why I let you talk me into this. I don’t even like football,” Chris called out catching up to the older boy.

“I didn’t say you had to try out for the team, goofy. If you want you can just watch,” Wyatt said rolling his eyes in exasperation.

“Yeah, right. So I can seem like one of your flunkies. No thanks. I can take my licks just as easily as you,” Chris answered full of bravado. “Besides, Cindy Kramer said she’d be there today.”

“Oh, Chris, you don’t really think you have a chance with ‘oh so perfect Cindy Kramer’ do you? She’s such a snob,” Wyatt teased knowing exactly what Chris thought about the girl. She was only the most popular girl in the school and decidedly the best looking to boot.

Chris shoved him from behind only slightly throwing him off balance. “No she’s not, Wy. I think she’s nice.”

“Oh man, you got it bad, don’t you? Chris and Cindy. What a couple you’d make.” It was plain to see the twinkle in Wyatt’s eye as he realized he’d have something to hold over Chris’ head for months to come.

At that moment two other boys that were almost as big as Wyatt walked up and caught on to what Wyatt was saying. The taller of the two guys decided to put in his two cents. “Are you telling me that a little midget like this really thinks someone like Cindy Kramer could like him?”

Wyatt became completely quiet and Chris’ eyes began to smolder. This had gone too far. It was one thing for Wyatt to tease him but another when his friends did. “Shut up, Larry. It’s none of your business.”

Larry looked to his other friend Eddie and then glanced at Wyatt. Wyatt didn’t look like he was enjoying this anymore but Larry sure was. “Oh, oh, I think little Chris is gonna cry. I think I hurt his feelings. Get a clue kid, the only reason she told you she was gonna be here was so you’d tell Wyatt. She’s been trying to get his attention for weeks now.”

“Larry, cool it,” Wyatt said in a low voice. He could see how Chris’ knuckles were turning white on the fist he had made. If Larry went too far Chris might actually be tempted to use his power of telekinesis and that would be a very bad thing. He remembered the story his mother had told him of the time the cleaners had tried to erase him for exposing magic. He couldn’t let that happen to Chris.

But Larry wasn’t listening. “I even caught a glimpse of her notebook. She’s got ‘I love Wyatt’ scribbled all over the inside of the cover and the name Chris isn’t anywhere in sight. Get over it kid. Why would any girl want you when they see you compared to Wyatt here?”

Chris’ hand unclenched and began to rise but Wyatt interceded first grabbing Larry by the shoulder with his right hand and then shoving his left fist into his stomach. Larry doubled over in pain and then fell to the grass. “Larry, don’t talk to Chris like that again. I don’t like it,” Wyatt said calmly stepping over the guy’s prone form grabbing Chris’ shoulder and pulling him away from the other two boys.

After they were several feet away Chris turned to Wyatt. “Why did you do that? I could have handled him.”

“Chris, he’s at least fifty pounds heavier than you and you aren’t good at fighting anyway. So what would you have done?” Wyatt asked.

“Well I …” Chris began but stopped.

“I’ll tell you what you would have done. You would have used your powers to wipe the floor with that jerk and then the Cleaners would have come and erased you.” Wyatt had sped them up wanting to get as far away from the scene as possible.

“Thanks Wy,” Chris said quietly after a moment of thought. “I wasn’t really thinking.”

“Hey, what are best friends for?” Wyatt had always known how much Chris hated being thought of as Wyatt’s little brother. He wanted to be his own person more than anything and there wasn’t anyway he was gonna ruin this moment by reminding Chris that he was just his little brother.

“Yeah, best friends,” Chris nodded. “You and me against the world right, Wy?”

“Yeah, you and me,” he answered but couldn’t help but add something. “And maybe Cindy Kramer.”

Chris immediately slugged Wyatt in the shoulder and then the image faded away.

Chris sighed in relief as the image faded. Nothing revealed again. He hadn’t noticed how much worse his head was aching but with the ending of the image it was as if a knife was drove straight into his temple.

“Oh, you two were so cute. How old were you then? You couldn’t have been very much over twelve.” Paige asked looking back and seeing Chris glare up at her as he held his head in pain. “Are these images making your head hurt worse?” she asked in concern. He sure didn’t look like his walk down memory lane was a pleasant one.

Leo turned at Paige’s words and saw the way Chris’ eyes were squinting as if the light in the room was hurting them. “Chris, you really should lay down and rest. I don’t suggest you sleep but at least let your head relax for a while.”

Chris looked then to Leo and an almost snarl formed on his lips. “What’s with all the concern, Leo? Just a little while ago you were sending me flying across the room. I don’t care who you are trying to impress with this good guy attitude of yours but you aren’t gonna use me to try to score points with your ex.”

Leo looked to Piper shaking his head and then turned back to Chris. “Chris, I lost my temper. That was it, plain and simple. I don’t really want to hurt you.”

Oh didn’t those words sound familiar? Hadn’t he heard them time and again or some other variation of them. Leo had never once laid a hand on him growing up as a child but how many times had he told Chris that he never meant to hurt him? Every time Leo had been absent from Chris’ life on important occasions. Every time Chris had been hurt and Wyatt had been forced to heal him because Leo had missed hearing Chris’ call. It was an endless litany of apologies for never being there. Oh and for such a long time there Chris had believed him when he said those things, but that didn’t last long either. Because no matter how many times his father promised it was gonna be different next time, it never had. Next time was always just like the last. Chris wanted so badly to scream accusations at Leo; to deny what he said but that just wasn’t possible. It would seem completely wrong to them all and he’d never be able to explain it away. “Never mind. You don’t matter anyway.” It was the only thing he could think to say that wouldn’t give away his secrets but still held all the contempt he held for the man.

“Chris!” Piper said angrily. “What has gotten into you? Why do you have to keep attacking Leo like this?”

Chris just grit his teeth and stared daggers at the man before him.

“I think I know what it is. I think he blames me for Wyatt turning,” Leo said not giving Chris time to answer. “That’s it, isn’t it? You think me being away from Wyatt ‘up there’ so often is what led Wyatt to turn. He didn’t have me to guide him.” After the things Chris had said about Leo never being there for his son and always being at work it made perfect sense. Chris blamed Leo for losing his best friend to evil.

“Man, does it always have to be about you, Leo? Get over yourself,” Chris countered a look of disgust on his face.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------A/N: Ah well, how was that installment? I’m trying my best to slow things down some. I was beginning to worry about moving too fast. Ah, and I had to add some Paige in there too. I absolutely love her sarcastic attitude but I don’t often find myself adding it to my writing. See I’ve never been very good with humor. Maybe that’s the problem.

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N Warning!: Alright I need to put a very strong warning on this chapter. Slightly graphic scenes of violence are ahead. If you can’t handle it then don’t read any further. I tried to actually keep it on the tamer side compared to my usual writing style but some might be squeamish about it. You are warned. My nickname isn’t Evil Amplified for nothing.


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Chapter 5 ~ I’ll Never Let You Go

“Chris, what am I supposed to think? There is no doubt in my mind that you completely hate me. There has to be an explanation for it. And if you aren’t gonna tell me why then I have no choice but to guess.” Leo was getting so tired of the young man throwing every good deed back in his face.

Chris knew that their conversation was hitting too close to his true reasons for hating his father, which meant that the center tile could at any moment pull one of his memories of his father from the future. That would not be explainable no matter how hard he tried. He’d have to keep talking. Talking around the issue that is. He stood slowly still in too much pain to do this, but he had no choice. If he was gonna get his point across he’d have to look strong while doing so. “Oh I don’t know, Leo. Why should I hate you? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you like to push me around so much and show me exactly how much power you as an Elder have over me.”

“What do you mean, Chris?” Piper asked not exactly understanding where Chris was coming from.

Chris couldn’t help the surprised look on his face. He had thought that it would be obvious to anyone else. “What do I mean? Well let’s see. When he first got back from Valhalla he used me as a punching bag and then took me back there and threatened to cut my throat with a sword if I didn’t admit to being the one who sent him there. Then there were all of the times that he tried to get me sent back to my time or to have my wings clipped and recycled back to earth. Not to mention getting us stuck in a time portal where I almost got ate by a dinosaur. Following me around. Never trusting me. Watching my every move. Accusation after accusation. Then there’s this place and the fact that I feel like hammered sh*t right now.” Chris’ voice had risen in strength and anger with every word he spoke and along with it the pain in his head was becoming excruciating. “And what’s so d**n ironic is the fact that since I was born a half Whitelighter not made one by the Elders I’m not even sure how much authority an Elder even really has over me. Or at least they shouldn’t. There is something known as free will, you know.”

Leo had to admit that a lot of what Chris said was true and it would have been very hard to live with that kind of treatment but Leo had had reasons for everything he did, hadn’t he? “Chris, you know that I had valid reasons for all of those things. When you got here I was the girl’s Whitelighter. I protected them. Not to mention the fact that they are my family. If someone you didn’t know showed up and basically took your family away from you what would you have done? Would you have stood back and just let it go?”

‘But they are my family too’ Chris wanted to scream in frustration. Instead he settled for something much more cryptic. “Someone did come and take my family, Leo, but at least in your case it was on a much less permanent basis. At least you can still touch them and talk to them and be with them, hell you could probably even get them back if you tried hard enough. They still love you and need you. All I have left are my memories, which I really wanted to keep to myself.” His voice was full of raw emotion that he just couldn’t manage to hide anymore as his eyes began to swell with tears that he refused to let fall. He had to turn away. The emotions were just too much to bear and he couldn’t stand the thought of letting Leo see how hurt he truly was. But as he spun around too fast he suddenly felt as if the entire room was spinning and the darkness surrounding him encroached on his eyesight blacking everything from his vision.

Leo was still processing Chris’ words as he spun away and then began to sway. He could see exactly what was happening as Chris’ legs buckled and he began to fall. Luckily he had been standing close enough that he was able to grab his upper body before his head was able to hit the tile again. “Whoa, Chris!”

The three sisters all rushed forward also seeing the way their Witchlighter’s body slumped lifelessly to the floor as Leo gently laid him down as easily as possible resting his head carefully to the tile floor. “Leo!” Piper’s voice was filled with more concern this time. “Is he?”

Leo checked for a pulse and sighed in relief. “He’s just passed out. The pain was too much for him.”

“We pushed him too much,” Paige said dejectedly. She had noticed how the images seemed to hurt him and she knew that they should have just left him in peace but she had been just as curious as the others to know what his secrets were.

“You think?” Phoebe said sarcastically. “He just wanted to be left alone and you all had to grill him more about Wyatt.”

“Hey, you were the one trying to get him to share his ‘feelings’ over Bianca’s death. You think that wasn’t pressuring?” Paige retorted.

“Stop it… Both of you. We are all to blame for this. He was hurt and we should have known better,” Piper insisted realizing just how little they had taken his feelings and condition into consideration. “What can we do for him, Leo?”

“Help me get this jacket off him. I’ll try to treat that shoulder wound first. Right now there isn’t much I can do about his head.” Piper kneeled beside Leo and helped him to remove Chris’ jacket then she folded it and placed it gently under his head. Leo also removed his shirt so he could get a better look at the wound.

But as he removed the garment Piper gasped her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my god, Leo, look at him,” She was staring at several crisscrossed scars that covered parts of his torso and arms. Not to mention the fact that he was so thin that each of his ribs could clearly be seen under the skin.

Paige had to look away from the sight and Phoebe found herself lost in tears. “What happ…happened to him?” she stuttered as her words failed her.

Leo stared in disbelief. He obviously was undernourished making him wonder about how many meals the young witch had been skipping recently but the scars looked several years old. There was no doubt in his mind that he had been tortured at one point in his life. It was something that Leo had never suspected but the fact that he had suffered such really wasn’t something that would be all that farfetched. Look at the world Chris had grown up in.

“Who could do something like that?” Paige asked bitterly forcing herself to look. No wonder he always wore long sleeves. He was very good at hiding his personal pain so it shouldn’t surprise them if he hid this too.

At that moment the center tile again lit up and another memory flashed behind them. They each gasped at the site they saw.

A fourteen nearly fifteen-year-old Chris stood in a darkened chamber in the Underworld. They could see that he still wore the shirt from the first memory they had seen and there was a new rip in the side from where the athame had sliced him. His face was bruised and new blood was trickling from the corner of his lip. He was standing stock still with his arms wrapped around his upper torso in a protective manner with a defiant look plastered across his face.

There were six demons in the chamber and they all seemed to be waiting for something or someone. They didn’t have to wait for long though.

“Well it’s about time,” the blonde youth with dark eyes said stepping into the room. “I have been searching for you for months now, Chris.”

“Well you found me. Now I think I’ll be leaving if you don’t mind,” Chris answered sarcastically.

“That humor of yours is gonna get you in big trouble someday, kid,” Wyatt said smiling knowingly as he approached him.

Chris snorted at the comment. “Kid, I haven’t been a kid for months now, Wy. Not since you decided to go on this little power trip of yours.”

Wyatt nodded his head thoughtfully. At least Chris had one thing right. Power was what he sought and he had found it rather easily once he had vanquished the upper level demons that had killed his mother and aunts. “I gave you the chance to join me. We could both be here ruling together. The greatest power this world has ever seen.”

“Leo, look at him. He can’t be over sixteen or seventeen at the most. Why is our child in the Underworld commanding demons at that age? Where are we?” Piper was beginning to panic. Seeing the much older Wyatt as evil was something she could actually wrap her mind around. But he was just a child here. He still should be under the influence of his parents at that age.

Leo shook his head bitterly. “I don’t know, Piper. Maybe we couldn’t control him. Maybe he got too powerful for us to manage.” As far as Piper was concerned that was not a good enough excuse.

“Wy, you know I can’t be apart of this,” Chris said quietly looking down away from Wyatt’s eyes. “At one time, I would have never thought you could either. What happened to you?” It made no sense to Chris. Up until a few months before Wyatt had been the perfect older brother, who looked out for him and loved him unconditionally. But then it had happened. The worst day in both their lives.

“Chris, you know what happened to me. You were there. I realized that the only way to protect what I cherished was through fear. You know that.” Wyatt had begun walking in circles around Chris speaking almost as if he was talking to himself and part of Chris wondered if the strain of it all was driving his brother mad.

“No, I don’t know that, Wyatt. We’ve always protected each other but never through fear. We did it through our power as good witches. Never ever through fear.” Chris new it was a long shot, but Wyatt had never given him enough time to voice his side before and he hoped it would be enough to jar some sense into him.

“Didn’t we? How many demons have decided to just give up once they heard my name? How many times has my fame saved you from pain? Demons fear me, Chris. And witches too. That, Chris, is power.” Wyatt had stopped behind Chris and had placed a hand on each of the smaller witches shoulders.

Chris winced at the pressure but tried desperately not to let Wyatt see. “No, Wy, that’s not power. At least not the power you were meant for. How many times have we heard the words ‘Your power comes from your emotions’?”

Phoebe recognized the statement. “Leo that’s what you’ve always told us. Every time we start to feel lost, you say that to us.”

“I know, Phoebe,” Leo answered but was paying more attention to the vision before his eyes. He could see a glint in his son’s eyes that scared him. It wasn’t anything he could put his finger on but he dreaded what was to come.

Wyatt smiled knowing he had backed Chris into the corner he had intended. He swung the younger boy around to face him, revealing several long slashes that decorated the back of his shirt, which had blood encrusting them. In several places it gaped open showing long gashes in the skin that were still seeping fresh blood. “Fear is an emotion too, Chris. And if I have to make you fear me to prove to you where you belong, I will do so.”

Piper’s hand flew to her mouth and she was sure she was going to be sick. “Oh god, no. Not you, Wyatt.” She could feel the pain in her heart as if it was a physical pain. How could her baby do that to someone he cared about? And why had they let it happen. They should have been able to protect Chris and Wyatt should have never been able to do something like that.

Leo had been kneeling above Chris and his eyes flew to the bare torso before him. He had just been a boy. And his son had done this to him. Oh how had he been so wrong about everything? He had been treating Chris with the utmost in mistrust for months now and had refused to believe his own son capable of any wrong. But he was wrong. So very wrong.

Chris’ face could not be seen anymore but his voice rang out clearly as his head raised so he could look his tormentor in the face. “Wyatt, you are mistaken if you think I’m gonna fear you. If anything I’ll pity you.”

Wyatt snorted in laughter. “Pity! Pity me! Oh, Chris, that one is rich. Why ever would you pity me?” It had to have been the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. He was quickly becoming the most powerful being on the planet and he could have anything he wanted. Why on earth would anyone pity him, he wondered.

“Because, Wy, I know what you were meant to be. I know the good you were meant to do, which means I also know the joy you were meant to have in your life. How could anyone with such a cold dead heart ever feel joy? Your power and your conquests will always feel empty because you’ll have to celebrate them alone. And for that I pity you.” Chris backed away pulling his arms from Wyatt’s grasp in a sign of what he knew would seem like rejection but he also new it was necessary if he was to shock Wy into realizing what he was doing.

A look of pure rage slipped onto Wyatt’s face as he stared at the only person who had ever defied him to his face. “So be it. I’ll never be alone, Chris, because whether you want to be here or not I’m never going to let you go. You’ll learn to be loyal to me or you’ll watch everyone you ever care for die before your very eyes.”

“Oh, Wyatt, you didn’t kill them. Please no!” Phoebe begged hoping her words weren’t right.

“What do you mean, Phoebe? Kill who?” Piper asked in confusion.

“Chris’ family. He said someone took them from him. Could he have meant Wyatt?” It was a horrible thought to face but it would have made so much sense.

“No! No, he couldn’t.” Piper said sharply staring back to the image before her. But did she know that for a fact? Could her son possibly have done something so horrible to his best friend? That would be worse than the most horrible form of torture. But if Wyatt was capable of inflicting so much physical pain on his friend then wouldn’t he be able to inflict mental torture also?

Chris shook his head in sadness. “I hope someday you understand, Wyatt.”

“Understand what?” Wyatt asked the look on his face still lined with malice.

“Wy, you can do whatever you want to me. And you may even someday break my spirit and get me to join you. But no matter what, I’ll never accept what you have become and I’ll never give up on changing it. I’ll never give up on you, Wyatt. I’ll find a way to save you one way or another, even if it kills me.” Chris knew that his words would gain him even more pain but he couldn’t stop the emotions that came unbidden into his mind. Because he knew that if he was ever to give up on his brother it would be the same as giving up on himself. He wouldn’t ever want to live in a world where his brother truly did not care about him or anyone else.

Wyatt had heard enough for now. Chris would need some serious convincing he decided. He nodded to the demons, which had stood silently to the side and three of them stepped forward. Two of them took each arm and backed him against the wall as the third moved in close smiling in satisfaction. He hadn’t been allowed nearly enough time to play earlier. The demon had pale glossy skin and a bald head and as his hand raised into the air the nails on his hand extended into long black claws.

Piper found herself wishing that Chris would just tell Wyatt what he wanted to hear. She couldn’t bear the thought of what was about to happen. No what had already happened to the young man. She needed to keep reminding herself that he had already lived through this and he had survived, even if he hadn’t survived unscathed. She turned her eyes from the images in front of her and turned back to where Chris was lying unconscious on the floor. She couldn’t say exactly what made her do it but she went to him and kneeled taking his hand into hers and sat staring at his face ignoring everything else around her. “I’m so sorry, Chris,” she whispered through the tears sliding down her face. She knew he couldn’t hear her but it didn’t matter as long as she kept saying the words, she held out hope that somehow he would know.

Chris tried desperately not to make any sounds as the demon cut slashes into his stomach, chest and arms. But soon it was too much and he began to whimper at the pain being visited on his still very young body. But throughout it all no matter how much pain he felt, no matter how many tears streamed down his face his eyes never left those of his brother’s. He wanted Wyatt to see what he was causing and to understand that it didn’t matter to him. It didn’t change a thing. He would never waiver in his determination.

During the whole ordeal Wyatt stood back watching his reactions until finally he thought it would be enough for then. He knew that the demon would have gladly continued but for some reason as he watched the steely gaze his brother adopted he began to realize that Chris wasn’t gonna break that day.

Afterwards he sent the demons away and they left Chris in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Wyatt approached him and kneeled beside the tortured body grabbing Chris by the hair and pulled his head up so Wyatt’s mouth was next to his ear. “I hope someday after you have withstood this over and over again that you will understand, Chris. I don’t want to be saved,” he hissed then let go letting his brother’s head fall back to the floor.

The image faded with that and left everyone stunned. For several long moments the only sound that could be heard was sniffling and half choked sobs.

Leo had silently retrieved one of the bottles of water that were left on the table and was using it and a strip of his own shirt to clean the shoulder wound as he let feelings of guilt and self-loathing encompass his soul.

Paige and Phoebe had joined them on the floor and they each took turns helping Leo and every once in a while would reach out and smooth the hair from Chris’ face each wrapped in their own painful thoughts.

“How will we ever make this up to him?” Piper finally broke the silence looking at each of them in turn but none had the answer to the question. None of them questioned that she was referring to so much more than just being stuck in the tribunal chamber or even the ill treatment they had given him since arriving in their time. How would they make up for the torture their Wyatt would some day visit on him?


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A/N: Alright then, that one was a really difficult one I know, but I wanted there to be a reason for them to start caring for Chris before they ever know who he really is. It always bothered me that it seemed like the only reason they ever regretted their treatment of him was just because he was family. A large part of me thought that he deserved better than that before they ever knew.

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 6 ~ I’ve Ruined Everything

Time seemed to be ticking away so very slowly as they realized that they had only been there barely over two hours. They all wondered whether Chris would be able to hold on for two more hours but none of them mentioned it. Silence had reigned supreme for almost fifteen minutes as they worked silently to try to clean his wounds and make him as comfortable as possible. After bandaging his shoulder wounds Leo replaced Chris’ shirt, knowing he would not appreciate them removing it if he was to suddenly awaken.

During his time caring for Chris, Leo had begun to truly analyze Chris’ actions over the past few months and was seeing them and him in an entirely different light. It wasn’t hard to see that Chris wore his secrets like a shield blocking away anyone that would get close enough to see his pain. After everything they had seen that day Leo couldn’t honestly blame him. The young man didn’t seem like the type to ever want or accept pity from anyone and knowing what he knew now, Leo did pity him but he also respected him for his determination and loyalty. Only the most loyal of friends would be able to withstand what they had seen and still want to save the one who had done it to them. And Leo also felt responsible for so much of the pain the young Witchlighter must live with every day. Leo found himself consumed with the notion that they had to somehow stop all of this from ever truly happening. “We have to stop it.”

The other three women in the room had all been lost in their own thoughts and each looked up wondering what he was speaking of. “Stop it?” Piper finally asked.

“Whatever happened to our son to cause him to do this.” He motioned to Chris and his breath caught for a second before he went on. “No one deserves this kind of pain. And all I can think is that it’s all our fault.”

He had expected them to deny his words but was surprised to see three heads nod in agreement. “You’re right, Leo. Somehow we failed Wyatt and in doing so ruined the lives of so many more,” Phoebe agreed. There was no telling how many countless others were in as dire shape as Chris in the future and for the first time since he came back she was truly wondering at the atrocities that must be present in the future.

Paige had been thinking along the same lines. “Chris said that the city wasn’t fairing so well outside the Manor, in that whole Bianca episode. It must be pretty horrible, but I’m sure he’d never tell us.”

“Protecting us,” Piper whispered reaching out and yet again brushing the hair from Chris’ forehead. She had never really taken into consideration how young he truly looked. She was so used to the hard, demon-hunting demeanor he always portrayed that now for the first time when he was vulnerable she could see his youth written clearly across his smooth features. He was a beautiful young man. There was no getting around that. He truly had features that most young men his age would kill for; dark rich brown hair, clean clear skin and those brilliant green eyes that almost shone like crystals in the night. But none of that struck her anywhere near as much as the innocence she could see in that face, as he lay unconscious before them with his entire psyche revealed to them. “Why do I feel as if we should have been the ones protecting him all this time?”

“Probably because he never seemed to need protection before now. But now seeing what Wyatt did to him and knowing that he probably had no one in the world to protect him… well he seems to need it.” Leo said again checking that his patient was breathing. “And you being the ultimate caring mother can not deny your instincts to do just that.”

Leo’s words had caused Piper to think again of what had become of their son. “What could have happened Leo? How did we fail him?”

Leo knew that Piper had changed gears and was speaking of their own son. “Well, I’ve actually been thinking of that. Since Chris came to this time that tells us that whatever turned Wyatt happened sometime soon.”

“But the image of Chris and Wyatt as best friends. There was nothing evil about that,” Paige interrupted not understanding how in such a short period of time Wyatt could have changed so much.

“Maybe the evil lay dormant for several years and somehow manifested itself after it was triggered in the future,” Phoebe suggested using her own abilities of reading people to guess at what could have happened to her nephew.

“But just what could have triggered something like that?” Piper asked dreading what the answer must have been.

But with a question there must be an answer and as the center tile lit up there stood two teenage boys in the dimly lit nightclub P3. The place was deserted even though it was easy to see that it was nighttime. Wyatt stood with his arms to his sides his fists clenching convulsively. It seemed as if a monster had been turned loose inside his body as his eyes flashed with uncontrolled anger and his whole body trembled with the barely controlled magic that coursed through it. Small items all around the room flew here and there as his telekinetic abilities surged and then abated. He was covered from head to toe with the bloody remains of hundreds of demons.

“Wy, you have to calm yourself. This isn’t helping anyone, especially not you,” Chris said slowly moving forward trying to get close to his distraught brother.

“I killed them. I killed all of them,” Wyatt whispered hoarsely. “Every last one I could find.”

Chris’ face contorted in anguish knowing what his brother must have done. “Why didn’t you wait for me, Wy? I would have helped you.”

“I didn’t need your help, Chris. It was so easy. I barely even broke a sweat,” he answered his voice void of all emotion at that statement.

Chris shook his head sadly. “Wy, the demons you killed today deserved to die but I’m afraid of what this is doing to you.”

“And what is it doing to me Chris? The only difference I see right now is that my powers are stronger than they have ever been. It is such a freeing feeling to let it all go and just experience the pure exhilaration of the kill. You must try it sometime.” Again his voice was completely void of all emotion and it was seriously frightening Chris just as much as his words were. Chris could see the intense anger in his brother’s eyes but it was as if it just did not reach his voice.

“This must be some months before that last memory. Wyatt doesn’t seem quite as evil yet,” Phoebe suggested and the others would have to agree.

“But he is heading down the path. You can see it in his eyes,” Paige added her own opinion.

“Wyatt, that’s just wrong. It’s not who you were raised to be. What you did today had nothing to do with protecting innocents but everything to do with revenge.” Chris knew that if he had been with Wyatt he might have been in the same state as his older brother but then again he had always half way feared his own powers and might have been reticent in using them so freely as his brother obviously had.

“I don’t care about innocents right now, Chris. What did they ever do for us?” Wyatt spit angrily voicing more emotion than he had since orbing back to P3.

Chris was shocked to hear his brother going against everything they had always been taught. It was as if Wyatt hated innocents more than he did the demons that he had just vanquished. “Wyatt, that’s what we do. That’s what you do. That’s what The Charmed Ones always stood for. What would they think if they heard you saying that?”

“I don’t know, Chris. What would they say? You tell me. You were the last one to see them alive.” Wyatt’s voice had taken on a bitter tone and Chris could easily be seen flinching at those words.

All four of the watchers gaped at those words. Paige was the first to react. “We’re dead! Well that explains a lot.” The look on her face was one filled with shock and sorrow but she still couldn’t help the sarcastic quip.

“No, no, that can’t be,” Piper said the tears coursing down her own cheeks. “I can’t leave my baby alone.”

“Apparently you did, along with us too,” Phoebe stated staring numbly at the image before them. She could see the pain written clearly across Chris’ features.

“Do you blame me, Wyatt?” he asked quietly tears threatening to stream from his eyes.

There was a long pause, as Wyatt seemed to think about the question. “I think part of me does,” he finally answered. “They were trying to save you. If you hadn’t been so bullheaded they would have never been in the Underworld that day.”

Chris just nodded. He didn’t blame Wyatt for feeling that way. God knew he had felt the same ever since it happened. “Well, if it helps you to blame me, Wy, then go right ahead. You wouldn’t be the only one. It’s all my fault, I know. But please don’t let this turn you into something you are not. If you are angry take it out on me. But please don’t bottle it up and let it hurt you. I can’t bear that, Wy.”

“Oh god, Chris blames himself for our deaths!” Phoebe stared down at the unconscious man. “No wonder he took it upon himself to come back here and change everything.” It all made sense now. All of the painful looks she had caught. All the drive and determination he seemed to possess. He was desperately trying to make up for a mistake he thought he had made in their future. A mistake that had cost them their lives.

“And knowing him, I’m sure he blames himself for Wyatt turning too,” Paige added shaking her head. “We must have tried to save him from demons and somehow got ourselves killed doing it.” She wondered exactly how that had actually happened but part of her really didn’t want to know.

“Chris, I could never take it out on you. You ought to know that by now. You’re all I have left now. Leo, well he’s too wrapped up in himself, you know that. You saw how he was the day of the funeral. And Gramps, well he doesn’t understand magic. He just doesn’t get it. But you understand me, Chris. You’re the only one who can.” Wyatt said sighing deeply as he sank to the floor the anger fading from his face and being replaced by sorrow. He knew it wasn’t fair to blame Chris. It was just as much his and his father’s fault as it was Chris’, but Chris had taken the blame all on himself and it was just easier to let it rest at that.

Chris quickly sat on the floor next to his brother wrapping one arm around his shoulders. “Wy, you’re scaring me, you know? You’re not acting like I’m used to. After today I can’t say if I know you anymore. Please, Wyatt, I just want things to stay the same.”

Wyatt looked at his younger brother and a sad expression crossed his features. “Things will never be the same again. They can’t. All you need to know for now is that I’ll never let anyone take away anything I care for again. I don’t care what it takes or whom I have to kill, it won’t happen again. If I have to become the strongest magical being in this world and rip it apart as I do, I’ll never lose anything again.” It was said as a vow and the words were frightening to hear.

Chris pulled away slightly. “Please, Wy, don’t do this. Please don’t change.” His words were full of emotion and his voice sounded raw and frightened.

Wyatt sighed heavily and stood looking down upon Chris. “It’s for the best, Chris. You’ll see.” And with that he orbed away leaving behind a very frightened crying teen.

“I’ve ruined everything,” he whispered burying his face in his knees as the sobs finally took him and with that the image faded away again.

Piper had been staring blankly at the image trying to truly understand that she died when her son was just a teen and it had been the event that finally turned him evil. Not to mention the fact that the young man who had come from the future to save her son, had been blaming himself for years for all of it happening. She looked back to him wishing to see his eyes open so she could assure him that it wasn’t his fault. He had been an innocent and they had done what they were meant to do. They had tried to save him. It wasn’t his fault that they had failed and gotten killed in the process. “It’s not your fault, Chris,” she whispered taking his hand and wrapping it in her own.

Leo was staring at Piper and tears had filled his eyes. She was destined to die and be taken from him in just a few short years and she was more concerned over the effect it had had on the innocent they were protecting. His heart swelled with the love he still felt for her and it also broke with the knowledge that he would lose her way too soon. And then there were his son’s words. He was too wrapped up in himself and probably his own grief and guilt to be there for him. No wonder he turned to the evil inside, with no one to depend on but a younger friend, who he half blamed for the deaths of his loved ones.

And then there was Chris. He could only guess but he wondered if maybe he himself had been one of those people who had blamed him for the Charmed Ones deaths. He hoped not but how could he really know?


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A/N: I bet you all thought the revelation would be in that one, didn’t you? Sorry, I had to get in one more revelation that wasn’t the real big one. I know that chapter was shorter but it just seems right to leave it there.

[Meluivan Indil]

Disclaimer: Nothing in the Charmed universe belongs to me and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Chapter 7 ~ He Has a Name! It’s Chris!

As time ticked by Leo stood and started pacing around the chamber deep in thought. He nervously tossed a bottle of water back and forth from hand to hand as his mind ran through too much information to process. They had learned so much that day. A lot of what they had learned was almost too hard to bear. But Leo knew that if they were gonna change the future they had to accept it and do something about it. But what could he do about Chris?

Chris hadn’t wanted them to know any of the things they had learned that day and he certainly would not be happy with the fact that even after he was unconscious the chamber was still showing his memories. And there was so much to make up for. They had all treated him poorly since arriving in their time. Sure he had acted very suspicious but he had never done anything to actually hurt Wyatt or any of them for that matter, at least not until Leo himself had pushed him beyond his breaking point. But how much abuse had he taken up until that moment? Leo found himself sinking into the shame of his actions.

“I don’t understand myself anymore,” he finally said looking out into the void surrounding them.

The others had been lost in similar thoughts. None of them could be considered innocent in their mistreatment of the young witch. “I’m supposed to be a pacifist. I’m supposed to protect the innocent. I’ve failed in everything I’ve ever stood for since he came back from the future.” The realization of everything he had done sunk into him like a weight pressing in on his shoulders and there was nothing he knew to do that would bring relief, and honestly he had to admit that he didn’t really deserve any.

“You’re not the only one, Leo. We are all guilty of the same,” Paige sighed in utter hopelessness. “None of us are ever gonna see things the same.”

“We shouldn’t be able to. What we’ve been doing is wrong, very wrong.” Piper admitted. “And what’s worse is the fact that we should have all known better. We spend so much time helping innocents and protecting other witches and magical beings that we don’t even know. But when it comes to Chris, we’ve spent months now mistrusting him and fighting him at every turn. I wouldn’t blame him if he hated every one of us.”

“He doesn’t though, you know. He may be able to block his emotions from my empathic powers but I’ve still seen the way he is around us. He may get angry when we don’t do the things he wants us too, or when we don’t take him seriously, but he still respects us. He still follows most of our wishes even if at times they are selfish.” Phoebe out of all of them seemed to have a better grasp on what Chris was truly like. Even if she couldn’t use her powers on him she was still a very perceptive woman and Chris hadn’t been able to fool her into believing that he had no feelings or emotions, no matter how hard he had tried. “But we still have to find a way to make things right with him and the only way I can see to fix what we’ve done is to dedicate our lives to making sure his mission succeeds. Change his future and he’ll never have to suffer through any of what we’ve seen today or even our poor treatment of him.” Phoebe said it with such conviction that both her sisters nodded in utter agreement.

Leo stood still for a moment just shaking his head before he spoke up. “You all know there is one thing that we haven’t taken into consideration, don’t you?” Leo hated to burst their bubble but none of them seemed to understand time travel well enough to see the flaw in Phoebe’s idea.

“If this is more bad news I’m not sure I want you to finish that statement, Leo,” Paige said rubbing her temples trying to stave off the headache she was beginning to get.

“I’m afraid so. Even if we can stop Wyatt from turning evil it won’t exactly spare this Chris from the pain.” He could see that they weren’t exactly following him. “If Chris is still in our timeline when the change occurs he’ll retain all these painful memories even after he goes back to his own time. We’ll be able to save Wyatt, but I don’t know how we can make things right with Chris. And you all know that he won’t leave until he’s positive that he’s succeeded.”

“So you are saying that no matter what happens, whether we save his future or not, Chris will always have to live with the memories of his crappie life?” Paige was not pleased at all with that fact. Yes it would solve most of their problems as far as Wyatt was concerned and now that they knew what had happened in the past they might even be able to save themselves from eminent death but still wasn’t that leaving Chris with the short end of the stick?

“He knows all of that already though, doesn’t he?” Piper asked realizing exactly what Leo was getting at.

“And he still came back here,” Paige said astonished. She wasn’t sure she could face something like that. The knowledge that she could save the entire world but not herself was something she just wasn’t sure she was capable of.

“Yes,” Leo answered simply knowing that Chris was smart enough to realize all this for himself.

“Leo, you don’t think that he feels like he deserves it for what happened to us in his past, do you?” Piper asked concern coloring her features again. She had yet to leave Chris’ side and she again reached out smoothing his hair back from his face again. The long locks just didn’t seem to want to stay in place no matter how hard she tried.

“That is a very real possibility,” Leo answered his shoulders sagging. They all felt very responsible for what had happened in Chris’ past but for some reason Leo had the feeling that he was the most to blame for Chris’ feelings of guilt. Where was he? Why hadn’t he been there to support Wyatt and to assure Chris that it wasn’t his fault? “He needed someone to be there to tell him that it wasn’t his fault and I really don’t think he had that. It’s twisted his perception of his own fault in the situation. A child his age wouldn’t be able to understand on their own that there was no way they could be responsible.”

With those words the center tile lit up again and they all turned in fear of what it would show them next. Of how much more past pain Chris had withstood.

The teenage boy sat very still on the topmost platform of the Golden Gate Bridge. His legs hung over the edge and as the image zoomed in on his face it showed silent tears streaming down his cheeks. His green eyes shown brightly and his nose and cheeks had turned a bright shade of pink from the numerous times he had wiped the tears away with his shirtsleeve, which was now soaked to his skin but the feeling did not register as his mind remained on the event that had drove him to this point away from all he had left to care for in this life.

As a tiny hitching noise was heard issuing from his throat unbidden, blue and white orbs appeared behind him on the bridge.

Leo swallowed hard seeing his future self appear on the bridge behind the grieving boy. He could see the pain written clearly across his face and knew exactly when this image had to have taken place. The image before him was only half the being it had been before, as it seemed empty and lifeless to his eyes.

The sisters did not need to ask about what they were seeing. They had never seen Leo look so distraught before in all the years they had known him.

“Chris, what are you doing up here?” Leo asked his voice cold and devoid of feeling.

“Just thinking,” he whispered in response not turning towards the Whitelighter behind him.

“Wyatt, will be looking for you soon. You should get back to the Manor. It’s almost time for the funeral,” Leo suggested in that same unfeeling voice.

It was easy to see the flinch that coursed through the young man’s frame at the word funeral. “I don’t want to go.”

Leo sighed his eyes squinting slightly in frustration. “Chris, please don’t be this way. Wyatt will need you there.” His voice seemed to hold only exasperation for the young man’s feelings.

Always Wyatt, Chris thought bitterly to himself. But then he pushed the thought away. He loved his brother with all his heart and it wasn’t his fault that their father didn’t seem to care for his second son. “Wyatt, will be fine without me. He’ll have you.”

Leo just shook his head at the statement wishing he didn’t have to have this conversation with his youngest son. “He doesn’t want me there, Chris. He’s very angry with me.”

The truth be told, Wyatt was very angry with almost everyone and quite possibly even the entire world but Chris didn’t know what to do about that. But he did know how Wyatt’s anger at their father always ran its course until he decided to forgive the man. “He’ll eventually get over it. He always does.”

“Chris, quit being so selfish. Don’t you think you at least owe…” Leo’s words cut off before he finished the sentence. He hadn’t meant for his words to sound so accusatory. It wasn’t at all what he had intended.

After hearing the accusation in his father’s voice Chris stood quickly and turned towards him with all the pain he felt clearly evident on his face. “What? I owe him. Is that it? Why do I owe him now?” Chris asked bitterly. “Maybe because he’s always protected my worthless butt. Or maybe because he deems me worthy of his attention. Oh wait, no I bet I can come up with a better one. Maybe because I got them killed and now the perfect Twice Blessed is at risk from every demon in the known universe. Yeah, I bet that’s it. Well I’m sorry if right now I just don’t care.”

“That’s not what I meant, Chris. Listen, can’t we just start this conversation over?” Leo asked seeming as if he truly did not want to even have it to begin with.

Chris just nodded not trusting his voice to speak. He really did not want to argue with his father. He never won an argument with him. No matter how much he hated the man for the way he treated him, he still respected him as his father.

“Wyatt, doesn’t want anyone to be there for him but you, right now. He trusts you. Do you realize what something like this can do to a witch that possesses that much power? The Elders think this is a very crucial time for him and they are afraid that we might lose him if he turns on a path of revenge.” He sounded as if he was explaining what the weather was gonna be like for the next few days, not about the future morality of his son.

Chris was completely taken back by his father’s cold uncaring request. He couldn’t believe that this man had ever been the loving father that he had seen with Wyatt so many times in the past. “Have you thought that maybe I’m just not up for this right now?” Chris finally asked being as truthful as he possibly could. He felt completely wiped out both physically and emotionally.

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter whether you are up for it or not. Wyatt will seek you out one way or the other and you won’t be able to put him off like you are attempting with me.” With that Leo crossed his arms over his chest and just waited for Chris’ reaction.

“What the hell,” the present version of Leo said angrily staring at his future counterpart’s image. “What are you doing?” he screamed angrily at the image. “He’s just a boy.” The vein in Leo’s temple pulsed and his face had become flushed.

Piper too could not believe what she was seeing. How could the most loving tender man in the world turn into that unfeeling horrible person? Her mouth opened to say something, anything but she couldn’t force any sound out.

“Leo, he’s grieving. Maybe he just doesn’t realize what he’s doing,” Phoebe suggested hoping that the image was not a constant in Chris’ future.

“That is no excuse. Can’t he see the pain Chris is in? Doesn’t he have a heart at all anymore? Chris is just a boy. How can he expect him to be responsible for Wyatt?” With those words Leo angrily threw the bottle of water he was clenching and it sailed through the image of himself and into the void beyond. “No wonder Chris hates me. Hell, I’d hate me too.”

Chris had stood for several minutes matching stares with his father but he knew he wouldn’t win this argument. He was about to give in and just orb back to the Manor when another set of orbs formed not two feet from his side.

“What’s wrong? I could sense your distress in my sleep. You are throwing off pain like a skinned rabbit.” Wyatt asked before he noticed his father standing across from his brother.

Chris continued to stare at his father, not saying a word and Wyatt’s gaze followed Chris’ line of sight until it rested on Leo. “Never mind. ‘Nough said,” he bit out sarcastically.

“Wyatt, I’m just trying to convince Chris to go to the funeral,” Leo said not loosening the tight stance he had adopted.

“And he doesn’t want to go?” Wyatt asked not even batting an eye.

“Not really,” Chris answered honestly.

“Then don’t,” Wyatt said shrugging.

Leo’s eyes snapped in anger. “Wyatt, this is important. Chris has responsibilities too and I’m tired of him slacking off on them.”

“Why, what responsibilities does he have?” Wyatt asked in anger. His father was always harping on Chris about responsibilities. He on the other hand was usually coddled and was assured that his main responsibility was to learn to control the power he would someday wield as the Twice Blessed. Even though his responsibility seemed like a huge one he had learned many years before that Chris had many more responsibilities in life and it just did not seem at all fair.

Leo hadn’t expected that question and seemed to stutter as he tried to find something to say. “He… well he should…You know, I’m not going into this. I’m just too tired to deal with him anymore. He has to make everything more difficult for us and he’s never satisfied with what we’ve given him and done for him.”
The sisters and Leo all wondered at that statement. Had they taken him in after he lost his family? Did Leo think he owed them something? Why would he? Even if they were caring for an orphan it wasn’t something that they would ever consider requesting payment for, in any form. None of it made sense.

Wyatt’s face darkened in anger. “He has a name, Dad! It’s Chris! You know, your second son. You don’t have to treat him like a non person.”

Chris’ eyes shut in pain at his brother’s defense of him. Wyatt always stood up for him, even to their father and though Chris appreciated it, he often wished he had had the courage to do it for himself.

For a second the entire room seemed to freeze as if Piper had used her time freezing power. But no magic was present in this utter silence. Not even a breath could be heard throughout the room.

And then the room erupted in voices. “My what?” Leo barked at the image all color draining from his face.

“But how can that be?” Piper asked a moment of utter panic taking her.

Phoebe and Paige both looked to the unconscious form on the tile floor and in unison said “He looks just like Piper!”

But the vision continued oblivious to the chaos it was causing. “I know he’s my son, Wyatt. He’s just not acting the part very well right now.”

At those words Chris finally found his tongue. “When did I ever act the part to your satisfaction, Dad? I’d really like to know.”

“Oh quit being so over dramatic, Chris. This is the worst day for one of your tantrums.” Leo’s voice sounded in complete disgust.

That was the last straw for Chris. He had stood back and took it for way too long. “Tantrum. Since when would you even know that I was throwing one? It isn’t like I ever see you. You spend half your time out saving other charges and the other half ‘up there’ teaching Wyatt all of the things he needs to know to be the Twice Blessed. I’m surprised you even know I exist.”

“Now you are just overexagerating, Chris,” Leo said in his own defense huffing angrily.

“Is he?” Wyatt asked unable to watch his father turn this around on his little brother. “How many times have I had to heal Chris because you were too busy saving your other charges?”

“What are you talking about, Wyatt?” Leo asked rounding on his oldest son.

“Do you know how many darklighter arrows I’ve pulled from him?” When Leo didn’t answer Wyatt answered for him. “Six, Dad. Six in the past three years.”

“If you had called, I would have come,” Leo said becoming more defensive of his actions.

Wyatt snorted in derision. “He did call you. Every time. But you never came. I was always his second call and it almost killed him a couple of times, waiting to see if you’d respond.” Wyatt had never let on to his brother how much he knew about the pain their father caused him but he had always seen it and he wasn’t prepared to stand for it anymore.

“I didn’t hear him,” Leo finally admitted in a slightly deflated tone.

“Yeah, just like you didn’t hear him when mom was dying,” Wyatt snarled.

Leo’s eyes narrowed in anger at both his sons. He could expect this kind of disrespect from Chris, but never from Wyatt. “Well you didn’t hear him either,” he countered.

“I was in a meditation trance. One you put me in for that matter. What a stupid exercise. And it cost us everything. You cost us everything!” Wyatt shouted his hand clenching into a fist ready to strike his father if he had to.

“You broke out of the trance, at least. It proves what kind of control you have over your own powers.” Leo had drifted into a new subject thankfully trying to get away from the responsibility he felt concerning the deaths of his wife and her sisters.

But Wyatt was having nothing of the change of subject. “Yeah, I broke out in time to save Chris, which I’ll always be thankful for, but what about mom?”

Leo just shook his head at his son and then orbed away unable to withstand anymore of the painful conversation.

The present version of Leo started to step back from the image his face a mask of pain and revulsion. He kept moving backwards until his back was against the table and then he fell landing hard on the tile floor with his hands clutching each side of his head that was shaking in denial. “What have I become?” His voice was choked with raw emotion and tears had started streaming down his face. “Oh god, Chris. I mistreated my own son both now and in the future.”

Piper, who was still kneeling next to Chris had a look of pure shock on her face. But when she heard Leo’s words a loud sob was ripped from her lips. She immediately wrapped her arms around Chris’ still unconscious form pulling him into a tight hug. “We’ll make this right. God, Chris, we’ll make this right,” she repeated over and over again stroking his hair as if she was comforting a crying child.

Phoebe and Paige though in their own world of guilt and pain knew they had to find a way to help the distraught parents. Phoebe went to Leo, knowing his emotional guilt would be overwhelming him, and Paige went to Piper wanting to comfort her sister and keep her from crushing her thankfully unconscious son.

The room became quiet again though as the image continued on and they were drawn to it willing it desperately to not be anything more painful than they already had learned.

Chris had been standing back letting his brother speak but once his father was gone he couldn’t hold back the pain that wracked his body. He bent over double his chest constricting as if the emotional pain he was feeling was ripping at his very heart, threatening to tear him apart. He sobbed unable to hold in the wretched sound.

Wyatt immediately grabbed his little brother pulling him up and wrapping him in a strong embrace. “It’s okay, Chris. It’s okay. I got ya.”

Chris’ body was wracked with sobs and it was several minutes before he was able to form any coherent words. “I can’t do that anymore, Wy,” he finally whispered.

“I promise, Chris, I won’t let him anywhere near you again. I’ll kill him if he even tries.” Chris knew Wyatt wouldn’t truly attempt to kill their father but the sentiment helped him to better control his emotions anyway.

He pulled out of his brother’s arms and turned looking out over the city. “I wish you hadn’t saved me, Wyatt.”

Wyatt gasped at his brother’s admission. “Chris, no. What would mom say if she heard you say that?”

“She’d be angry,” Chris admitted. “But she’d understand why I felt it.”

“Chris, I don’t care what your reason is. All I know is that I don’t want to lose you too,” Wyatt demanded angrily. “And he is not a good enough reason to want to die anyway.”

“It’s not really him, Wy. It’s all the mistakes I’ve made and all the trouble I’ve been. No I’ve always known where I stood with him. I’m just the mistake that wasn’t ever supposed to happen. I’ve always been that.” Chris had heard it all so often from his father and even though it had hurt he had tried to push it away as hard as possible.

“You are not a mistake, Chris. Sure they never planned on having you and your timing was a little off, but still…” Wyatt always hated this conversation whether it was with Chris or his parents.

“Off, yeah my whole arrival into this world excluded Dad from becoming an Elder and he has never let me forget the good he could have done if that had happened. Forgive me for being born.” It hadn’t been an easy life living with a father that resented your entire existence but still his brother and the Charmed Ones had always made up for that. Especially his mom. “At least Mom always wanted me.”

“Don’t forget the Aunts, either. I may have had the blonde curls and sweet smile but your charm and charisma had them wrapped around your finger from day one.” Chris understood what Wyatt was doing. No matter how much it hurt to talk about their lost loved ones reminding him that they loved him dearly was exactly what Chris needed to dispel the pain of his father’s rejection for a while at least.

“Yeah...” Chris said nodding thoughtfully brushing away the tears. But today his mind could not release the painful thoughts of his father. “Did he ever like me at all, Wyatt?”

Wyatt sighed his shoulders slumping in defeat knowing he wouldn’t get Chris off the subject this time. Then he gave in and told Chris something that he had wanted to often before but had wondered if he would even believe it. “I don’t think I’ve seen Dad ever happier than when you were a baby, Chris. He was like a normal dad back then. Always acting all gaga and making faces and stuff. But then the Elder’s started in on him. It was almost as if they and mom were at war over him. They had wanted him to become one of them and mom of course didn’t.”

Chris had never heard any of his family mention this and was very surprised to know that he had once had a father that truly cared for him. “What happened?”

“Well they eventually compromised. Dad stayed with us, but whenever his Whitelighter duties called he had no choice. He couldn’t balk at them at all and he could never defy them for us. I guess he used to do that quite regularly before we were born. I don’t know if he really wanted to be away all the time while you were growing up but if he had went against the Elders they would have recycled him to earth and we would have lost him forever.” None of them had ever told Chris any of this because they always thought he was too young to understand the ways of the Elders but since Wyatt had spent time with the Elders and heard them discussing it with Leo time and again he was very familiar with the situation. “And as you’ve seen for yourself the compromise didn’t exactly work out well for any of us. Mom and Dad always fighting. Me being shifted off to the Elders half the time, like that’s really where I wanted to be. And well you got the worst end of the deal, I guess. I think they blew it when they made that compromise.”

Chris was lost in thought for a few moments before he came to a conclusion in his own mind. “It’s too bad we couldn’t change the past, you know.”

Wyatt looked startled by the suggestion. “What would you change?”

"I would have made dad an Elder. I know he wouldn't be around as much but maybe if he were happier with what he was doing and they weren't on his back all the time, just maybe when he was able to sneak down and see us things wouldn't have been so bad." To his young mind it had seemed so logical but Wyatt wasn't so sure it would have been any better.


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A/N: Okay since that chapter was super long I’m gonna break it off there and put their reactions in the next chapter. So how did I do with the big revelation? Anyone think it works? And again. Even though they know who Chris is now, the story is far from over. Very far from over. So continue reading if you are enjoying it. I have an interesting twist to throw in and then there will be lots of consequences to come.