Second Existence

[Meluivan Indil]

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

Author’s Note: I know that I am not the only person who was very disappointed to see Chris leave the show at the end of Season 6, so seeing that I have written this little fic changing the last episode of that season and continuing on in my own AR of the show with one heck of a twist on the whole changed future aspect. I hope everyone enjoys it. This is the first story in a series of stories I am planning. Rated T for some violence and possibly language.

Summary: It is time for our favorite neurotic Witchlighter to go back to his changed future, but will another visitor from the future change all of their plans and prove that change isn’t always a good thing?


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Chapter 1 ~ Moment of Sacrifice

“Just hold on, Chris. I promise I’ll find a way to save you.” Leo’s voice broke as he said the words. This just couldn’t be happening. The thought of losing either of his sons was too much for a father’s heart to bear. They had all feared losing Wyatt for months now, but none of them had even contemplated the idea of losing Chris too.

“Find Gideon, Dad. If you find him you save both of us.” Chris’ words came as barely above a whisper. Leo could see the pain radiating from his son’s eyes and the sight instilled both a deep agony in his heart but also a burning need to destroy the one who had done this.

“I’ll find him and bring him back here. He can reverse this.” Leo nodded to himself forming a plan in his mind.

“No, Dad. You have to finish this once and for all, for Wyatt’s sake,” Chris gasped reaching for his father’s hand, knowing it would probably be the last time he ever did so.

“Chris, no! I can’t choose between you and Wyatt. I can’t let you die to save him.” Leo was shocked by his son’s suggestion. Fathers shouldn’t have to choose between their sons. It just wasn’t possible to do.

“Dad, if you save Wyatt then there won’t be any reason for me to come back here, so I won’t die. The real me, the one that counts, the one that is your future is about to be born. Save his future, Dad, and you’ll have done all you can do to save me.” The words had cost him dearly but he believed them true with every fiber of his being. He had always known that he might not survive this whole ordeal. He had fought for his life several times since coming to the past. But the one thing that had drove him to do so was his need to save Wyatt and change their future. Now he could see that goal in sight, even if he might not be there to see it come to pass. Always before he had thought that he would be the only one with the strength and determination to see this through to the end. But now looking at his father he could see that same strength there and knew that he wouldn’t ever let either of them down again. Wyatt would be saved and Chris’ present self would grow up in a better world. A world full of the love of both his parents. And it was enough for him to know that. Enough to make up for all of the pain and disappointment of the past. Tears had started forming in his eyes as he thought of these things. “Please, Dad, go,” he pleaded.

Leo had heard his words and knew that they made perfect sense but still his heart was breaking at the thought of losing the son before him. Once all of the lies and deception had cleared away he had been left with a clear picture of the Chris before him. He saw a young man who had lived a life of pain and betrayal. But that very same young man had resisted the evil of his world and still managed to come out of it all with one of the purest, most sacrificing souls he had ever seen. His son had grown into a very good man, despite all of the challenges that he faced. And it was the hardest thing he could ever imagine doing as he stood and leaned over his son placing a gentle kiss upon his brow. “I love you, Chris,” he whispered squeezing his hand tightly and then letting go as the blue and white orbs enveloped his body taking him away from his son’s side.

Chris had heard his father’s words and for once in his life he truly believed them. Even though the father from his future life had never had the time for him, he had always told him that he loved him, but Chris had never believed it before now. Here in this time and place the man that was his father loved him with all of his heart and those three little words had done more to heal his damaged heart than anything in his life could have. It was enough.

He could feel his Aunt Paige kneel beside his bed and take his hand. He was comforted by the fact that he would not have to die alone at least. He could hear her soft sobs but did not have the strength to try to form the words to comfort her. He glanced at her once trying desperately to form that cocky smile of his that always made her laugh.

Paige could see the effort he was putting into trying to ease her own pain. “Chris, just hold on, okay. Maybe once Leo has vanquished Gideon, just maybe he’ll be able to heal you. You can’t give up hope. We need you.”

Chris did manage that smile then but it faded from his face as his eyes closed and his head drifted to the side.

“No, Chris! You have to hold on. Please hold on,” she cried reaching out placing one hand on his chest to feel if he still breathed. She could feel just the slightest movement as he still breathed in ever so slowly. She looked up to the heavens and called out in an anguished voice, “Hurry up, Leo!”

Then a loud crash sounded in the attic causing her to jump slightly. She looked back to Chris in worry. She didn’t want to leave him but there was no telling what threat might be trying to invade the manor now. So with a reluctant heart she lifted her hand from his chest and orbed up to the attic. She was on her guard immediately. But the sight that greeted her was strange to say the least.

Sprawled on the attic floor in the midst of several boxes was a young blonde man who looked to be about Chris’ age. She immediately went on the offensive and lifted her hands to ward off any attack.

“Jeez, Aunt Paige, I know none of you expected to see anyone else from the future, but did you have to pile all these boxes here?” the young man questioned trying to pull himself out of the debris.

“Aunt Paige….” A look of confusion crossed her face and then sudden recognition. “Wyatt?”

Once he was standing he crossed over towards her with his arms held out to the sides in a non-threatening manner.

“Hold on, Mister,” Paige said sharply. “Aren’t you evil?”

Wyatt smiled a small grin. “You know you all told me about that but I still can’t quite wrap my mind around it.”

She looked at him skeptically. He didn’t look evil. Or at least not how she would expect him to look. He wore faded blue jeans and a red t-shirt. His blonde hair was cut short and he still held that slightest look of youth that some men of his age found it so hard to lose and in his eyes he still held a small twinge of innocence. “But Leo hasn’t saved you yet,” she questioned frowning in confusion. Had he?

“Aunt Paige, the moment that changed my future wasn’t when Dad saved me. It was when Gideon stabbed Chris. That one horrific act is enough to give Dad the strength and will to kill Gideon and save me. It’s already written in stone and the future has already changed,” Wyatt explained.

Paige’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. Then as the wheels turned in her head the look upon her face turned to one of anger. “So let me get this straight,” she started in walking even closer to Wyatt. He backed up slightly after seeing the anger brewing in her eyes. “You are saying that the only way for the future to be saved is for Chris to die!” She had started tapping his chest with her index finger, the force of it becoming ever stronger with each word. “Because if that’s what you are saying I’m not so sure the end gain is worth the price we have to pay, the price your brother has to pay.”

“No, no. I’m not saying that at all,” Wyatt assured her. “I’m here to try to stop that part, actually,” he explained hoping she would believe him. “Please, just tell me where Chris is. I’ll try to save him.”

Her eyes squinted angrily. She wasn’t anywhere near sure that this was not a trap. But the honest look of worry on his face finally made her decision for her. “Your parent’s room.”

They both orbed to the room and Wyatt immediately sat on the bed next to his brother. He could see that Chris was becoming extremely pale from the blood loss and wasn’t quite sure just how much time he had left. He sent out a small prayer that they weren’t too late. “Help me, Aunt Paige.” He turned to her his eyes beseeching her, begging her to help. She could see that his eyes had taken on a watery look as he fought to hold back tears.

“What can I do?” The tears had started to slide down her own cheeks again as she stared at the limp form of her nephew.

“I know you’ve had some problems the few times you’ve attempted healing, but maybe if we try together we can keep him alive until Dad breaks the curse and brings back little me,” he suggested laying one hand over the athame wound in his brother’s stomach. “I can’t counteract the curse that Gideon put on that athame, but we just might be able to keep him alive until it’s broken.”

Paige nodded nervously. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to heal properly but for Chris’ sake she’d try. She moved to the other side of the bed and placed her hands next to where Wyatt’s had started to glow. At first there was nothing.

“Just concentrate, Aunt Paige. You want more than anything to keep Chris alive. Pull the feeling of the love you have for him from your heart and into your mind. Let it consume you. Don’t let any other thoughts enter your mind.” With his words he noticed as Paige’s hands began to glow also. “That’s right,” he encouraged.

They could feel it when the tide turned and Chris started to truly heal. “What happened?” Paige asked in confusion. The healing hadn’t seemed to be doing any good until that moment.

“Gideon must be dead. The curse he placed on the athame is broken,” Wyatt explained grinning at his Aunt. They weren’t gonna lose him.

They heard the tinkling sound of orbs behind them but neither turned to see the shocked look on Leo’s face.

“Who are you?” he growled at the back of the man sitting next to his son.

Wyatt turned slightly so his father could see the profile of his face. “Dad, if you aren’t gonna help you could at least keep quiet while we save Chris,” he said with a cocky smile on his face.

Leo began to sway on his feet and moved forward setting the younger version of his son down on the foot of the bed and then collapsed there himself. He had recently seen the grown up, evil version of his son but this was definitely not that version.

A small voice broke the silent concentration in the room. “Cwiss?”

Older Wyatt looked at his counterpart. “Hey little guy, you want to help save Chris?”

Leo watched in fascination as little Wyatt also added his healing powers to the task. With the addition of the third set of hands Chris’ whole body seemed to light up from within and in barely seconds a loud breath sounded and Chris’ eyes flew open as he sat bolt upright gripping his stomach where he had just been healed.

For a moment he seemed disoriented as the memories of the days events came crashing in on him. Then he looked at everyone surrounding him. Once his eyes fell on the older version of his brother tears began to stream down his face. “It’s over isn’t it? It worked.”

“Thanks to you, little brother, yes it did.” Wyatt nodded solemnly.

A large grin broke over his face as young Wyatt climbed into his lap. “Cwiss, better?” the childish voice asked.

“Yes, Wyatt, everything is all better now,” he answered hugging his smaller older brother tightly.

“Well, not exactly,” Paige said looking over to Leo.

“Piper,” came his worried reply.

“Mom… what’s wrong?” Chris asked hearing the worry in his father’s voice.

“She was going into surgery when we left the hospital,” Paige explained. “There are complications.”

“We better get going,” Leo said standing and holding his arms out to take little Wyatt.

“I can’t,” Chris said as a frightened look crossed his face. “I was supposed to be gone before mini-me was born.”

At that statement older Wyatt laughed. “Chris, do you not see both versions of me sitting here together? Nothing catastrophic is happening to us. So don’t worry so much,” Wyatt said shaking his head in mirth. “Thanks to the spell that brought both of us back here we even get to keep our powers.”

“Wait, you know how this all turns out. Mom…” Chris swallowed hard. This was one thing about his birth that he had never knew. None of the adults in his life had ever mentioned complications surrounding his birth. He could only guess that they had some how been brought on by the changes he had made in this time line.

“Let’s just get to the hospital and you can all see for yourself,” Wyatt suggested.

[Meluivan Indil]

Chapter 2 ~ From the Light Into the Darkness

As Chris stood staring at the small bundle wrapped in Leo’s arms a tiny smile touched his lips. He looked at the people surrounding him and felt a sense of joy invade his very soul. His Aunt Paige had said something that stuck the truest cord in his mind.

“It looks like we didn’t lose him after all. Either of you for that matter.” Chris would never forget the fact that Paige had overcome her hesitancy about healing to help save him. It was true that both in his past and in their present he and Paige had always butted heads over almost everything but none of that mattered. The fact that she was able to use her healing ability to save him was the only proof he would ever need to show how much she truly cared for him.

And then there was Phoebe. She was wrapped up in staring at her new baby nephew. Chris knew that she would dote on the infant just as she had when he was the one who was the child. That’s just how Aunt Phoebe was, and the only way he’d ever want her to be. Even if she did manage to embarrass him on several occasions with her smothering.

And his dad. His dad was standing there staring at his newest son in pure amazement. He glanced up at the older version of Chris and the brightest smile he could ever imagine encompassed his father’s face and it wasn’t easy to miss the tears of joy that shone in his eyes. Why had he ever thought that his father didn’t love him? In this moment in time it was obvious just how much the Elder truly cared. Chris wasn’t at all sure what had caused his father to treat him the way he had in his original timeline but he was sure without a doubt that it wouldn’t happen this time around. Leo would make time for him and he would never neglect him.

When the doctor said that only one of them could go in and see his mom he was a little disappointed but he was glad that his father had went. It was time that his family truly started to become a family again. He still felt a twinge of guilt over the fact that he had split his parents marriage up. But hadn’t he done everything he could to rectify that situation. He hoped it would be enough.

He turned to his older brother, who was holding the younger version of himself. He could see the smile that lingered on his brother’s face but he could also see a look of melancholy that Chris thought was out of place during such a joyous occasion. This made Chris wonder if maybe something in their future wasn’t quite as great as he had started imagining it to be. “Something wrong, big brother?”

Wyatt was jogged out of his thoughts by Chris’ question. The expression on his face immediately changed to the one that Chris knew from growing up around his older brother. For a long time there, before The Event that triggered the release of Wyatt’s evil side, he had been a great older brother. And that was the version he was seeing now and it was the best thing he could ever imagine. “Everything’s fine. Don’t worry so much, Chris,” Wyatt answered giving his brother a smile that only Chris noticed did not reach his eyes.

A snort of derision came from Paige at that statement. “I don’t know what the version of Chris you grew up with was like but telling this one not to worry is like telling the river not to run.”

Chris had to chuckle at that statement. His often neurotic zeal to save his brother had certainly colored his Aunt’s perspective of himself. “Well starting right now that is gonna change. It’s high time I enjoy a little worry free time.”

“Okay, who are you and where is our nephew?” Phoebe asked in jest.

“No, I’m serious. No more worrying about the future. No more long nights with no sleep. No more brooding over the next threat. And for the time being, no more demon hunts.” His words were spoken as if they were a vow. One he fully intended to keep.

Wyatt’s smile strained a little at those words. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair at all that he would soon be forced to take away what his brother most wanted in the world. Chris deserved better than this after all he’d gone through to save him. But he couldn’t put it off forever.

“Okay, we’ll believe that one when we see it, Kiddo,” Paige said just nodding knowingly. Phoebe nodded in agreement.

Chris just rolled his eyes and turned back to his brother. Wow, his brother. He was still having a hard time reconciling the fact that his brother was no longer that dark creature that had tried to kill him not too long ago. No this Wyatt was everything he had hoped he’d be and he had traveled back in time to heal him. Sure, if this version of himself had died from that athame wound the younger version of him would have lived on, but still it wouldn’t be the same. He wanted to see what his future had changed into, first hand. To see the good he had done. “Hey, thanks!” he said slightly timid.

“For what?” Wyatt asked in surprise.

“For coming back for me,” Chris answered.

“All I did was heal your wound, Chris. Look at what you did to save me from becoming evil. I’d say maybe I owe you a little bit more than that.” Chris wasn’t used to his brother being so serious. When they were younger he had always been the jokester. The one playing pranks and Chris had been the one to sit back and worry about whether or not his brother would be caught. So maybe he had already been slightly neurotic before he came back in time. But still this new version of his brother was surprising to say the least.

“Listen, I came back here to save the future for all of us, including me. So don’t be thinking I’m all noble or something.” He tried to deflect the praise his brother was giving him. He had always been uncomfortable with people praising him growing up and that was one thing he hadn’t grown out of yet and probably never would. He had done what needed to be done to save Wyatt and had never thought about what it might cost him. That just wasn’t in his nature.

Wyatt just nodded. “Listen, I’m sort of tired. I’m gonna go back to the Manor and rest some. Tell mom I love her and I’ll see her soon.” With those words Wyatt handed the younger version of his self to Phoebe and turned walking away.

The other three people surrounding him were surprised to hear that. They had all assumed that Wyatt would be biting at the chomp to see his mother after everything that had happened.

“Chris, are you sure that that version of Wyatt is different from the one you knew before?” Paige asked worriedly staring after her nephew.

“Yeah, no doubt about it. He’s not evil at all,” he rushed to assure them. “But there is something distinctly different about him.” Chris had a far away look on his face. This wasn’t what he’d expected Wyatt to be like at all.

“What’s so different?” Phoebe asked not having the foresight that Chris did into his brother’s psyche.

“Well all along Wyatt had a nasty streak in him, leftover from whatever Gideon had done to him but when we were kids I didn’t see much of that side of him. He knew how to have fun and make himself happy. He enjoyed life a lot and was very rarely sad until after … The Event,” Chris started to explain but paused, still trying to hide parts of his future.

“Chris, we’ve already talked to Piper about this and we are pretty sure that The Event you keep mentioning was Piper’s death, and possibly both of us along with her. You don’t have to talk in code. We are all hoping that the changes you’ve helped make are enough to change that too.” Phoebe knew that Chris still dwelled on the possibility of going back to a future where his mom was not alive and she didn’t want the worry over it to tear him up inside especially not on the day of his birth.

Chris just nodded, feeling slightly relieved that the Aunts weren’t completely in the dark and could offer their support to him on this subject. “After The Event is when Wyatt started to exhibit his evil side. Instead of being sad and mournful he became angry and belligerent towards Grandpa, Dad and I, and then eventually he just left. It wasn’t until he returned for Excalibur on his 18th birthday that we truly understood what he was becoming.” Chris paused lost in his thoughts of the past. A past that he had to remind himself never came about. He knew he’d probably have to remind himself of that one several times over the next few days. “But now with things changed Wyatt seems sad but only slightly distant, compared to what I knew before, that is. It makes me wonder if…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“So you are worried that The Event still happened and this is what it has done to him,” Phoebe said understanding where Chris’ mind was going.

“I hate to admit it but I’m afraid so,” Chris said sighing deeply. He like his Aunts had been hoping against all hopes that they would have the opportunity to live happy lives now that his brother wasn’t destined to be evil anymore. “But I’m not gonna know for sure unless I can get him to talk to me, or if I go back and see for myself.”

“And if the worst is true?” Phoebe asked hugging tightly to her young nephew who seemed to be soaking up everything they were saying.

“I don’t know,” he whispered, knowing his voice would break if he tried to speak any louder. “After all these months of being with you all again, I’m not sure if I can go back to living a life without you. Without Mom.”


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“This isn’t fair, damnit!” Wyatt shouted as he slammed the cover of the Book of Shadows closed. He wasn’t sure what had made him look through the book. He knew there wouldn’t be anything in there that he hadn’t seen before. No clues as to what he was looking for. But still it had been his first thought upon entering the Manor again.

“What am I gonna do?” he spoke dejectedly as he made his way to the old beat up sofa that stood by the window and slumped into its soft comfort. He had a task to complete but he had no idea how to go about doing it. He had initially wanted to seek out the help of his family from this time and especially from Chris. Chris had done the miraculous when he managed to save Wyatt from turning evil. So wouldn’t he be the best bet to solve their current future problem? But now that he had seen them all so happy and heard his brother’s wishes to have some peace and quiet it seemed so unfair to drag them into it.

“Why did I ever think that this would be easier on me than the others I left behind?” It wasn’t easy. Nothing about it was.

After several long moments of agonizing thought he finally came to a very hard decision. “I have to tell them. I have to stick with the plan. But not until mom is home from the hospital. They are all gonna need each other on this one. And at least Chris can have a couple of days of happiness before I tear his world apart.”


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A/N: Okay well that's the second chapter. Not very long I know but I wanted to leave it off there. Anyone want to guess what Wyatt is so worried about? Anyhow, let me know what you think so far.