Charmed Fic: Made Weak by Time and Fate: Chapter Nine

[jesterladyfic]

Chapter Nine

What do you do when your very existence counts on the extremely awkward matchmaking skills of your relatives? The whole thing was just weird and gross and wrong and he didn’t even want to think about it. But the people he wanted to talk to each other weren’t, and the people he wanted to talk to weren’t talking to him. It was all just going as badly as it could. And it was all his fault. No, it was HIS fault.

Piper waved goodbye and closed the front door behind their guests. Leo winked into existence behind her and she turned to greet him with a tight look on her face.

“Where have you been?” she asked, and then waved her hand. “Never mind, I don’t even want to know and I don’t care. You promised you’d be here.”

“I know, I tried, Piper.”

“No, there is no trying when it comes to your son’s first birthday! Do you want him to feel abandoned by you? Do you want him destroying the world because of you?”

“That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t think. I think Wyatt is an extremely sensitive boy with great powers and the tendency to do whatever the hell he wants when something’s not happening the way he wants it to.”

Leo’s face fell and he turned to Wyatt and picked him up.

“Hi, buddy. Did you have fun? Did you like your party? Happy birthday!”

“He was good,” Piper said, sighing. “I only had to freeze the room once.”

“He was excited,” Leo said, burying his face in Wyatt’s hair. “It was his birthday.”

“Probably would have been more exciting if you were here,” Piper said. “He misses you.”

“I miss him too,” Leo said quietly, and then turned to her. “I’m really sorry, Piper, I am. But I was gone trying to figure out what to do with Chris.”

“What happened?” Piper asked, interested in spite of herself.

She was still mad about what had happened, even if, for some reason, ever since the incident with the demon Paige and Phoebe had pulled a one eighty and were defending Chris left and right.

“They agreed we should send him back to his own time,” Leo said.

“Good,” Piper said. “I can’t afford to have him around Wyatt anymore.”

“So I am trying to work for this family,” Leo said.

Piper glared at him.

“Don’t try to pull that noble crap with me. You know perfectly well I would rather have you here at Wyatt’s birthday and let some other Elder handle it.”

“I’m the only Elder who knows Chris,” Leo pointed out.

“Don’t you all have some kind of mind link, like what one knows the others do?” Piper asked sarcastically.

Leo answered her anyway.

“You know that’s not how it works. We have a common link where we can put information, but anything private we can keep private. Especially if we’re on Earth.”

“Then put everything you know about Chris on the public link,” Piper said.

“This is personal,” Leo said, squirming slightly. “You know it is. I need to make sure Wyatt’s best interests are being considered."

Piper tried to take that to heart, really, she knew Leo was trying to do what he thought was best, but it was really grating when she’d just had to handle ten children and their parents by herself, especially when all her sisters seemed able to do was harp on about Chris and offer her aphrodisiacs. It was really weird and annoying.

“Nevertheless,” she began, “Chris-”

“Did someone say Chris?” asked Phoebe, popping around the corner. “He’s really been doing good work lately, right? I mean, I know you haven’t seen him but he’s been helping me with my column and Paige with her temp jobs and-”

“Enough about Chris,” Paige said, appearing with a tray of oysters, and shoving Phoebe with her elbow. “Look, guys, I found these in the freezer. Why don’t you take some time to yourselves while I watch Wyatt?”

“What is with you two?” asked Piper. “If you don’t mind, the last thing I should probably do is be alone with Leo right now. So just…”

A Darklighter appeared in the entryway with them and shot an arrow directly at Leo, who orbed out of the way.

“What’s going on?” Chris asked, running into the room but Piper didn’t have time to think about why Chris had been in her kitchen this whole time.

The Darklighter shot again, the arrow going for Chris, but Phoebe pushed him out of the way and he pulled her down with him while Paige orbed it back at the Darklighter and Piper rushed for Wyatt. Before she could get to him Leo had orbed there and orbed Wyatt away. Phoebe jumped to her feet while Piper raised her hands to blow, but the Darklighter disappeared in a cloud of dark orbs and left the three sisters staring at each other in confusion.

Chris got up from the floor.

“Thanks,” he said to Phoebe.

“Of course,” Phoebe said. “You’re one of my favorite n- um, you’re welcome.”

“What is going on with you three?” Piper asked. “Chris, did you put them under a spell or something?”

“No!” Chris said defensively. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Really?” Piper asked derisively.

Leo orbed back in with Wyatt.

“Is he okay?” Piper asked, rushing to see him.

“He’s fine,” Leo said. “What was that all about?”

“I don’t know, but could you check with the Elders?” she asked. “Or maybe Gideon or something?”

“Uh, I'd rather not see the Elders right now," Leo said, looking uncomfortable and Piper wondered exactly why when he'd been so cozy with them a minute ago that he'd missed his son's first birthday party. "Magic School would be a good source,” Leo said. “You know I’ve been going there for years for help. They’ve got resources like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I’m not gonna touch that one,” Piper said, thinking about all the times he’d gone and didn’t say where he was going.

“I don’t like it though,” Paige said suddenly. “You should take Piper with you.”

“What about Wyatt?” Piper said. “I’m not going to leave him.”

“But you and Leo would be so much better-” Paige started to say until Phoebe slapped her arm.

“Take Wyatt too, he’ll be safer,” said Phoebe.

Leo held out his hand to her.

“Come on,” he said, then turned to Chris. “You and I are gonna have to talk shortly.”

“Can’t wait,” Chris said sarcastically and this time Phoebe slapped his shoulder.

It was the last thing Piper saw before she was orbed away.

***

He didn’t feel so good. In fact all he wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep. He wondered if that was how concussion victims felt right before they slipped into a coma. Their efforts to help him weren’t helping and now there was a demon attack to worry about. Maybe he should go over the calculations again. Somehow, before the day was over, something drastic was going to happen to him.

Leo and Piper dropped Wyatt off in Magic School nursery with Mrs. Winterbourne and headed toward the main hall. Leo walked with purpose, he knew the school well and he knew where he wanted to look. Piper walked silently at his side, looking uncomfortable and angry and beautiful all at once. He really wished things were different right now. But they weren’t and maybe they never would be. All he could do was keep going on.

Right now that meant figuring out who was after him.

“Gideon,” he said.

Gideon turned from what looked like a lecture to a teenage girl and smiled.

“Leo, Piper, what a pleasant surprise. How are you, my boy?”

“We've been better,” Piper said.

“A Darklighter attacked, I think he's after me,” explained Leo.

“Are you certain?” asked Gideon gravely.

“I don't know, he may be trying to get me out of the way to get to Wyatt,” said Leo. “We dropped him off at the nursery; I hope that's all right.”

“Of course, absolutely,” said Gideon.

Leo nodded absently and moved toward the shelf he knew he wanted.

“We have to get back to Phoebe and Paige, see if we can help,” said Piper, clearly wanting to get out of there.

“Leo shouldn’t,” Gideon said. “He should go back up with the other Elders where he'll be safe.”

“He can’t just leave,” said Piper.

“What about the Darklighter?” asked Leo.

“It is not your responsibility,” said Gideon.

“Pretty sure Darklighters are exactly his responsibility,” Piper said hotly.

“Back when he was a Whitelighter perhaps,” Gideon said sternly, “but now he is an Elder. Darklighters are for you and your sisters to handle.”

“Semantics aside,” Leo said. “I can't just sit around while someone is after my son, I'm a father now.”

“No, you're an Elder now and it's time to start acting like one. Don't you see?” said Gideon earnestly. “You don't just put yourself at risk by staying here on earth; you put all Elders at risk too. If they catch you, they get access to us all.”

“That’s true, isn’t it?” Piper said thoughtfully, but she looked angry.

“I know,” said Leo, “but...”

“You can't justify staying here any longer, not with this, not anymore. We have indulged you long enough because we needed your help.”

“Hey, let’s not forget who saved you all,” Piper interrupted. “Leo did. And it’s not exactly been happy keen for us either having him split his time, but you do not get to tell him to abandon his family. Besides, I don’t see you Up There doing time.”

“This is my duty,” Gideon said stiffly. “I have been here since the beginning. Do you suggest I simply let these children go?”

“No, but I expect you to accept and know that you’re living proof not all Elders need to be Up There full time,” Piper said.

Gideon obviously didn’t have an answer for that and he simply turned to Leo.

“Please listen to me and know that it’s time to fully accept your calling. Protect your family by protecting us. Sacrifices are necessary for the higher good, for the sake of the world.”

Piper kept quiet and Leo was grateful for it. He appreciated what Gideon was saying and it worried him more than he could say, but Wyatt’s safety overshadowed all that.

“I can't,” he said. “I have to know my son is safe. I'm sorry.”

He grabbed the book he was looking for and held out his hand to Piper. She took it and they orbed home.

“I notice you didn’t tell him to go jump off a bridge,” she said.

“I didn’t leave you either,” he said.

“If someone were to capture you,” she said slowly, “they’d get access to all your knowledge and all the shared knowledge you have with the Elders, right?”

“That’s right,” he said.

“Then I appreciate the risk you take in being home with us,” she said.

They were walking up to the attic and when they got there Phoebe and Paige were talking loudly together and shut up as soon as they saw them.

Leo raised his eyebrow. The two of them had been extra weird lately.

“Do we know where to go?” Piper asked.

Phoebe nodded.

“We used the Darklighter arrow to scry for his position. We can go anytime.”

“Leo, you should stay here,” said Piper.

“No, I’m coming,” he said firmly.

She shrugged.

“Okay, let’s go.”

***

He really felt like a nap, but he doggedly kept going through his figures. His arm was starting to tingle like he’d cut off his circulation. The creepy old man telling him to enjoy his day outside and take his time with life was weird. This whole day was weird and now his vision was starting to blur. Obviously he couldn’t do any more here and he’d rather be around other people, even ones who hated him. At least then maybe the quiet fear beginning to invade his mind would be dulled under the anger.

It felt a little odd to be driving to a vanquish instead of orbing there, but Piper was glad they hadn’t when they saw the location and how exposed it was. But it really made her worry as well. It was day and in the middle of the city, what could the Darklighters gain from this?

“Since when do Darklighters hang out in broad daylight like this?” she told Leo. “It could be a trap, maybe you should stay here.”

“No, I'm the bait, remember? Besides, if it is a trap, you might need me to help you orb back.”

“Well, I've got Phoebe,” said Paige. “You get Piper out of here for Chris- for Wyatt's sake.”

Piper didn’t have time to try and dissect what that sentence meant. They all moved into the alley cautiously.

Darklighters appeared on the roof to the right and Piper blew several up, but more appeared on the building.

“You take Piper,” Paige said to Leo and grabbed Phoebe, orbing them to the roof where they threw their potions, vanquishing the Darklighters.

Another one appeared behind Phoebe and Leo shouted for her to watch out. Piper was busy blowing up Darklighters who had orbed into the alley. But she saw with horror out of the corner of her eye as the Darklighter shoved Phoebe and she knocked her head, falling over the side of the building.

She used her levitating powers to slow her fall, but she still fell pretty hard. Paige orbed to her side.

The Darklighter who had shoved her appeared behind Leo and Piper and Piper raised her hands with a vengeance.

“You don’t get to hurt my sister,” she said, sending all her power at him.

There was a vast white noise and heat against her face and then everything rippled and faded, a monotone color pervading her surroundings. Leo was still beside her but Phoebe and Paige were gone.

They searched the alley and then went to where Piper had parked her car.

“Phoebe? Paige?” she called, then frowned. Her car was gone. “Where's my car? What's going on? Where'd everybody go?”

“That's a good question,” Leo said, that look coming over his face that said he knew more than he was saying.

“Well, they gotta be here somewhere.”

“I think we should get out of here,” he said firmly.

“No, not without Phoebe, she's hurt. Didn't you see her fall?”

“Yeah, but at least she's alive,” Leo said, eyes scanning their surroundings.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Piper said, exasperated and completely ready to throw down with him, pent up anger and their dangerous situation notwithstanding.

“I don't know, but I think we need to get off the street while we figure this out,” Leo said.

“Then we’ll go to the hospital. If Paige couldn't get to you, she'd take Phoebe to the hospital. Memorial's just down the street.”

“Piper, you don't understand, we can't worry about them right now. We need to worry about us.”

“Why?” she asked, turning to face him.

Footsteps sounded behind her in the eerily quiet street.

“Piper, you're not supposed to be here,” said the Darklighter she’d blown up.

“Yeah, well, you're not supposed to be here either. At least not in one piece,” she said, going to blow him up again.

Nothing happened.

As much as Piper would like to be rid of magic sometimes, there was always a sick feeling of terror in her stomach when she couldn’t get her powers to work.

”Come on,” Leo said, grabbing her arm and starting to run.

“Why aren’t you orbing?”

“Same reason you’re not blowing things up,” he said. “Run! Go, go, go!”

The Darklighter called after them.

“You can run but you can't hide! You're in my world now!”

Piper ran with her lungs bursting down the street, heading for the hospital, despite Leo’s attempts to get her somewhere else.

“I have to find my sisters,” she snapped at him.

“I don’t think we will,” he said and she found herself completely exasperated with him yet again.

What else was new?

***

His time was up. He even had a genuine guide to the afterlife. And he was starting to walk through walls. He’d failed then. He wondered how the paradox would resolve itself, but he knew that it would. He couldn’t exist now, but he had existed. It was enough to give him a headache, but he already had one so it didn’t make a difference. He found himself regretting and he hated that feeling. Maybe he should’ve listened more, told the truth. Maybe he should’ve just left everything alone.

Leo let Piper run ahead of him while he ran through possibilities in his mind. She obviously hadn’t accepted the fact that they were no longer on the same plane they had been and he was more concerned with figuring out where they were and why.

The hospital was as deserted as every other part of this town was. That narrowed things down and Leo didn’t like the contenders. Piper kept calling out Phoebe’s and Paige’s names, but they didn’t answer. He tried to talk to her again, but she wouldn’t listen.

“Phoebe’s hurt,” she snapped at him.

“Not in this plane, she's not,” he said. “The blast, when you blew up the Darklighter, must have knocked us into this other place. One that co-exists with our world but not with our lives.”

“What are you talking about? What world?”

“I don't know, but I don't think we're here by accident, I think this is part of the Darklighter's plan. To have us here without our powers and without your sisters.”

Piper kept looking for her sisters and Leo had to wonder if it was genuine panic that was driving her at the moment or if she really had lost all faith in him. The bond between them had been growing so faint lately that he had to strain to feel it sometimes. Somehow that hurt worse than the words she hurled at him. Leo knew he was failing, knew he was stretching himself too thin. He was so worried about her all the time, but the multitude of a million other voices on the planet was louder sometimes than her single voice. There was only one of her, but despite their losses, there were multiple Elders. Gideon's words were only the tip of the iceberg and Leo had taken to hiding from his fellow Elders whenever possible and only speaking about specific things like sending Chris back.

Leo was reaching a breaking point, a point where he’d have to choose, but he kept avoiding it. Maybe he was just as obtuse as Chris and just as single minded. But either way, he still didn’t have time to think about that right now. The Darklighter had obviously come prepared with arrows that would work and Leo had no way of protecting Piper and she had no way of protecting him. They had only their wits and experience to guide them.

“I feel Phoebe,” Piper suddenly said, running past him and he winced.

“Piper, we've gotta keep moving, we can't stay here.” She ignored him and he swore. “Piper, I don't want you to get hurt, too,” he said harshly.

She turned to face him and he saw shock on her face.

“Okay.”

Someone spoke behind them and Leo realized finally exactly where they were. Somewhere in the real world, this man had just died. He recognized Leo for who he was.

“I know what plane we're on,” Leo whispered as the man winked back out of their sight. “The ghostly plane.”

“Is that a good or a bad thing?” Piper asked nervously.

“Bad,” he said.

“So, now what?”

An arrow skimmed past them, pinning Piper’s sleeve to the wall.

“Now, we run,” he said and tugged her free, trying to ignore her grimace of pain.

Leo knocked the Darklighter into the wall and pulled Piper after him. He ran blindly, instinctively not heading for the house, but somewhere else familiar. They ended up at P3.

“Will we be safe here?” asked Piper breathlessly.

“I doubt it,” Leo said. “But it will do for the moment. We need to get you patched up.”

They sat her down on the stage and he gingerly peeled her jacket off.

“Ow,” she said.

“It doesn’t look too bad,” he said, using more of his field medic skills than anything Elder-y. “Good thing you’re immune to the poison.”

“But you’re not,” she said. “Be careful.”

“I won’t touch it with my hands,” he said, taking off his shirt and biting his lip.

“What?” she finally said, noticing.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he finally blurted out. “I’m sorry I’m putting you in danger. I’m sorry I’m just failing at everything lately.”

Piper sighed and leaned her head back.

“You sure know how to put a girl on the spot, don’t ya?” He made a face and then tore his shirt in a strip. “Oh, my, my,” Piper said, and that’s how he knew she wasn’t angry with him.

“Impressed?” he asked, suppressing a laugh.

“Very,” she said, a slight flirty edge to her voice.

He concentrated on binding her wound, being careful not to expose himself to the poison.

“This should stop the bleeding,” he said.

“Thanks,” she said, moving it around experimentally.

“No problem,” he said, moving back from her.

She caught his hand and held it.

“I know how hard it’s been for you,” she said.

He shrugged.

“It’s no excuse.”

“What Gideon said…is that what all the Elders say?”

“Every time I’m there.”

“Why didn’t you tell me how much they were pressuring you?”

“I didn’t want to pressure you.”

“You’re an idiot,” she said, keeping a hold of his hand and then looked around at the ghostly image of her club. “I rather imagined meadows, waterfalls, maybe even a harp.”

“Well, this isn't the afterlife,” he said, appreciating the change in subject. “It's a place before that to ease the transition.”

“Lucky us we're stuck here. That is until our friendly Darklighter helps us move on permanently.”

“Well, we're not gonna let that happen. We've been through a lot more than this.”

He felt slightly more positive. They hadn’t cleared the air between them, not by far, but he didn’t feel like such a heel anymore.

“Have we?”

“Are you kidding?” he said, nudging her playfully. “Ever since we met it's been one ordeal after the other.”

“Wow, you make it sound so romantic.”

“It's not what I meant,” he said, laughing. "I mean, look at everything we've been through, everything we've overcome. This is just one more thing. This isn't where it ends. I promise.”

“Be careful using those words, mister,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“I mean them. I can’t mean anything other than them.”

“I’m not sure that made sense grammatically,” she said, “but I believe you.”

“Good.”

“All right, so how do we get out of here?” she said.

“I don't know,” he said thoughtfully. “I figure the Darklighter has a way, maybe a portal.”

“Masked by the explosion?”

“Maybe. Although somebody's gotta be helping him with a hell of a lot more powers than a Darklighter.”

“Do you think the portal's still there?”

“Probably. Question is, how do we access it without our powers?”

That was what was really worrying him.

“We make Phoebe and Paige use theirs.” When he didn’t say anything she kept talking. “I'm serious. We're on the ghostly plane, so why can't we, you know, haunt them? Make contact like other normal ghosts do.”

“Because not all other ghosts do. It takes years to learn how to cross over. Besides, you need a connection, a reason.”

“A bond? You mean like sisters? A reason like survival? Come on, I know them; I know they're looking for us, and I know they were at the hospital. I can't explain exactly...”

He shook his head and kissed her forehead.

“You don't have to. Far be it for me to question the power of three after all these years.”

She smiled softly at him.

“No one’s ever gotten us like you. Any version of us.”

“It goes both ways,” he said. “So, what now? How do we contact them?”

“They'll be at the house at the Book of Shadows,” she said, getting to her feet.

“It's probably where the Darklighter will be waiting for us. He obviously knows us, he's studied us.”

“Then we’ll just have be very sneaky,” she said.

He grinned.

“I like the way you think.”

***

He couldn’t really see anymore. Every time he walked through a wall it felt more natural. Nobody was really talking about saving him anymore; they didn’t think it could be done. Maybe he had done enough. Maybe his task was over and he could finally rest. That sounded nice. But, somehow, he just didn’t feel done. Yet there was nothing he could do.

Piper followed Leo from tree to tree, feeling slightly ridiculous at all the attempts at camouflage. Still, she felt better to be cautious. They made it to the attic. It was as empty as everything else she’d seen on this plane. She found herself missing the odds and ends piled everywher, the junk and the potions, the old baby clothes, everything that made up pieces of their lives.

“Now what?” Leo asked, keeping his voice very low.

“I don't know, I guess we try to make contact,” she said.

She closed her eyes and concentrated, thinking of her sisters, her family.

Something fluttered in her mind’s eye, a deep yearning and loss, and she opened her eyes to see someone appear in front of her.

“Chris?” Leo asked in a puzzled voice.

“Not exactly who I was going for but I guess it'll work,” Piper said, feeling disappointed the deep bond she had been waxing on about hadn’t worked.

“What are you doing here?” asked Leo.

“Ceasing to exist, I think,” said Chris and then he vanished.

“What did he mean by that?” asked Piper. “Where'd he go?”

Chris appeared again.

“Ask him,” said Leo.

“What are you talking about? What do you mean ceasing to exist?” asked Piper.

“Don’t get all worried on me now,” Chris said faintly. “There’s no time to explain. I'm a connection to your sisters and they wanna know how to get you guys back.”

Piper hurriedly explained their theory about the Darklighters using a portal to get them to the ghostly plane.

Chris vanished and Piper anxiously waited for him to come back again.

“Chris, where are you?” Piper said.

“Shh, not so loud,” said Leo, looking around furtively.

There was a loud crash as an arrow burst through the window and hit Leo in the shoulder, going clean through.

“No, no,” said Piper, grasping him as he fell. “Come on, come on, let’s go.”

He got haltingly to his feet and stumbled with her, running out of the room. Piper tried not to panic, tried to keep a cool head.

“This way,” gasped Leo, leading her, even as she held him up.

With surprise she realized they were back at the alley they had started out at.

“If there is a portal it's gotta be nearby,” said Leo.

“What are you doing?” she asked, shoving him against a wall.

The door behind them wasn’t open, but she kicked at it a few times and led him inside. There wasn’t much inside, but at least it wasn’t in the open.

“I'm trying to save you,” he said, his breath calming now that they weren’t running.

“You mean you're trying to save us, don't you?” she snapped. “Look, you need to sit down. It will keep the poison from moving too quickly. Maybe since the arrow went straight through...”

“It'll just take longer,” Leo said, stilling her hands against his chest. “Piper, I’m- listen, we need to be here so they can get you out.”

“We never even had a chance to tell them where to meet us,” Piper said, leaning her head back against the wall, trying to think.

“They'll figure it out. I know them,” Leo said calmly.

“In time?” she asked.

He paused before answering.

“Look, Piper, no matter what happens-”

“No,” she said fiercely.

“You have to keep trying to make contact.”

“I don't wanna hear it.”

“He's not after you, he's after me,” he said softly.

Piper looked at his earnest face and remembered just how much she loved him.

“Would you please stop trying to save me?”

He gave a huff that might have been a laugh.

“It’s my job.”

“Oh, so I’m just a job now,” she teased, trying to keep the catch out of her voice.

“You’ve never been just anything,” he said, his voice low. “Piper, I-I'm sorry I got you into this.”

“Yeah, just one ordeal after another, right?” she said, still trying to keep it light.

He touched her face and she was reminded of the first time she’d seen him wounded by a Darklighter arrow, lying in the attic, dying because she couldn’t admit how she felt about him.

“I will never stop loving you,” he said, his hand gentle on her face.

She might have been mad at him, she might feel doubts about their future, but she didn’t know any other way to live but to love him.

She moved forward, grabbing his head carefully, and kissed him. If this was going to be his last day she would make the most of it, not hold grudges, and not leave him regretful. She just wanted to touch him, to show him with her body what she couldn’t say with words. It was an old story, but it was hers.

He responded eagerly, lips moving across her face and hands moving to her waist. She felt a low heat moving in her stomach and she moved back from him removing her jacket. He watched her, licking his lips.

“Piper,” he started to say, but she put her finger to his lips.

“No more words,” she said, stopping his mouth with a kiss.

He brought his hands up under her shirt and she guided his shaky hands. He felt real and solid underneath her, the only real thing on this entire plane.

It was not the most passionate or skilled of lovemaking sessions. He was not strong and she was scared. They needed to be ready to move at a moment’s notice so most of their clothes stayed on. It was quick and sloppy, but she treasured each moment of friction, each caress of his hands, each swirl of their tongues.

“Am I hurting you?” she asked breathlessly.

“What happened to no more words?” he said, voice huskier than normal, grabbing a hold of her more firmly as she moved against him.

“These words,” she gasped out, “are necessary.”

“I’m fine,” he said, his breath tickling her ear. “You’re doing all the work.”

“Don’t you get used to it,” she said, clutching at his shoulders.

He chuckled and kissed her neck, his tongue drawing a wet line from her ear to her shoulder.

It was over before she would have liked and she didn’t mind that he was asleep almost before she’d gotten him completely dressed again. He was starting to sweat abnormally and she gingerly explored his wound.

The rest of his over shirt was sacrificed to the cause and she kept the pressure on, sleeping against his shoulder, willing her sisters to find her, praying to whoever would get them both out of there alive.

She didn’t realize she had fallen asleep because she suddenly woke, her arm giving her a brief stab of pain as she banged her head against the side of the door.

His jacket was covering her and there was a dark patch of liquid where Leo had lain, but no sign of her husband.

“Leo,” she hissed into the semi-darkness.

She cautiously moved, peering out of the door and saw him standing outside like an idiot, a target for any trigger happy Darklighters outside.

“Morning,” he said, even though she hadn’t said anything.

“Are you crazy? What are you doing?”

She put her arm under his and he staggered into her.

“Just trying to sense them,” he said, his voice ragged.

“You don't look so good,” she said, helping him to sit down.

“I know,” he said low. “Listen, about last night.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy yourself,” she said.

He shook his head and smiled at her.

“I did. I don’t have regrets. But I know I’ve put you through so much. I don’t want to keep letting you down. Happy moments don’t make up for months of neglect.”

“I release you from that,” she said, holding his hand tightly. “I put unfair pressure on you too. The world needs you, Leo, just as much as I do, so don’t quit on us now.”

“I won’t if I can help it,” he said, his breath coming faster. “But forgive me for not being there for you.”

“I do,” she said. “And I will fight for you. Those Elders can’t have you. But don’t feel pressured for me, I don’t want that.”

“You’re fine,” he said, long pauses between his words. “Neither one of us wanted me to become an Elder, but I did anyway. “You’re the only reason I didn't go up there, Piper. I was holding onto you. And now because of that I put you at risk and I put my son at risk. I can't let that happen anymore, I won't let that happen.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, suddenly worried.

“I shouldn’t be here if this is going to happen. The Elders are in danger because of me here.”

“Don’t you dare make my decisions for me,” she warned him.

“Never,” he said wryly. “Just think about it. Maybe it would be better for me to go away for a while. For them. For Wyatt.”

“You’re not making any sense,” she said.

“Probably not,” he agreed, his chest heaving as he struggled for breath.

“We can talk about this at home. Maybe you’re right,” Piper said, her tears coming despite how she tried to stop them. “I know the Earth is safer with you up there. I’ve been selfish, holding on to you. But I think the promise we made to each other is just as important and it came first.”

“I know,” he said. “I wanna follow your lead. But have to keep…you safe.”

“Well, fortunately you won't have to worry about that for much longer,” said the Darklighter, walking into the alley. Piper's head shot toward the sound. “I'm a little surprised actually. I didn't really think you'd come back here. Thought I knew you better than that. I’d have been here sooner. Oh, well.”

He pointed his crossbow at them. Leo struggled to sit up.

“Let her go, you…don't want her.”

“No, but I can't pass up my opportunity can I? It's in my nature. Besides, I wouldn't want a Charmed One coming after me when this is over.”

“You bet your ass I would,” Piper said viciously.

All of a sudden noise, beautiful noise, filled the alleyway. Piper hadn’t realized exactly how much she’d missed the sounds of cars and people yelling, traffic lights clicking on, dogs barking, birds chirping, wind blowing. It was wonderful. Her beautiful, real sisters were standing there.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you because this time I'll vanquish you for real,” said Paige to the Darklighter.

“Well, it's about time,” said Piper.

“Who sent you?” Phoebe asked the Darklighter.

An arrow suddenly pierced the Darkligher’s chest and he exploded. The Darklighter who had shot the bolt disappeared in a cloud of black orbs.

Suddenly Chris appeared in the alley and pumped his hands in the air.

“Yes! I'm back!”

Piper turned to Leo.

“Wait. What? How is that possible?” asked Phoebe.

Leo suddenly choked and fell slack.

“Don't ask me, ask...them,” Chris said, his words slowing as Leo’s state dawned on him.

“Paige, we have to get help,” Piper said. “Leo, can you hear me? Who can we get? Gideon?”

Chris knelt down beside Piper and put his hands on Leo’s chest.

“He can still make it,” Chris said. “He was trying to teach me more about healing. But I still couldn’t do it.”

“This isn’t time for amateurs, Chris,” Piper said. “He’s almost gone.”

Chris moved his hands and Piper was surprised to see a tear on his cheek. His hands began to glow and he gasped, like he couldn’t believe it.

“Keep going,” Phoebe said, putting her hands to her mouth, then touching his back. “You can do it, Chris. He saved you, now you save him.”

“What are you-” Piper started to say, and then swallowed her words as Leo coughed and opened his eyes.

“Chris?” he said.

“That was an accident,” Chris said, sounding like he wanted to cry.

“Thank you,” Piper said, then leaned over and put her arms around Leo.

***

He had been gone. When he’d come back it was a strange feeling of elation, yet a burden once again. He was surprised at how much anger he’d felt but it had all vanished under a wave of emotion he didn’t want to define though he knew what it was. But maybe things could be better this way. It felt like the jig was up either way.

Leo took deep breaths and held Piper’s hand. They were standing on the Golden Gate Bridge, the wind rushing past them. It made him feel peaceful. Piper didn’t look peaceful, she just looked mad.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he said.

“I know,” she said softly. “Believe me; I’m not mad at you.”

“Gideon didn’t mean to invoke a full Council,” Leo said.

“He tattled on you,” said Piper.

“He was concerned and brought up that concern. I do that all the time.”

“He tattled,” said Piper stubbornly.

Leo chuckled.

“What do you think about Chris?”

“I’m willing to listen to what Phoebe and Paige have to say,” Piper said.

“But we both agree, it has to be really good.”

“Oh absolutely,” said Piper. “No way I’m letting him near Wyatt again otherwise.”

Gideon appeared next to them in a cloud of orbs.

“How are you doing?” he asked Leo.

“The wound is healed if that's what you mean,” Leo said stiffly.

“No, it's not,” said Gideon.

“You were right,” Leo said. “I put the other Elders in danger by being down here.’’

“Good,” said Gideon.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll go easy,” said Leo.

“He’s a father and a husband,” said Piper.

“I know,” said Gideon gravely.

“Do you? Does any Elder?”

“You have a unique viewpoint, Leo,” said Gideon. “It’s who you are and who you always will be. It's a life you'll treasure and an experience you will share. One that helps us better appreciate those we are entrusted to watch over.”

“What’s the verdict?” said Piper, sounding annoyed.

“We would like Leo to come Up There for a period of some months to better deliberate on how to deal with this singular situation. That will alleviate the immediate threat of danger, but will allow us time to evaluate how things are done. We can assign a temporary Whitelighter to you since Chris will be returning to his time.”

“That’s not fair,” said Piper.

“Sacrifice never is,” said Gideon.

Piper looked like she wanted to slug him so Leo held on to her hand tightly. He wasn’t happy, not with how Gideon was talking or the prospect of leaving with no idea of when he would be back.

“We’ll let you know tomorrow,” he said.

“Do not delay,” said Gideon and vanished.

“The nerve of him,” said Piper and held Leo’s hand slightly more tightly than she otherwise would have.

“What do you think?” asked Leo.

“I think I’m gonna have to let you go,” said Piper. “And that scares me.”

“I won’t go if you don’t want me to,” he said.

“What do you want?” she asked. “I won’t hold you against your will.”

He tilted her chin up.

“You know better than that. I want to be with you.”

“Well, let’s figure out what the girls want and then decide,” said Piper.

He spoke firmly.

“I mean it, Piper, you get to decide.”

“Sweet talker,” said Piper. “Orb me home.”

He did. The girls were upstairs and they walked up there where Phoebe and Paige waited acting like the telegram agents Leo remembered from when he was human, delivering bad news during the war.

“What's going on?” asked Piper. “You two have been so weird.”

“Maybe you should sit down for a second,” said Phoebe.

“Oh, that doesn't sound good,” said Piper.

“No, no, it's good, it's good. I mean, it's, you know, it's not bad. It's a really good thing; it's not a bad thing. I think it's a really good thing, don't you think?” babbled Phoebe, nudging Paige.

“Yeah. I mean, it depends,” said Paige, sounding confused herself.

“This sounds worse than before,” said Leo.

“No, it's- it's just complicated,” said Phoebe.

“Yeah, getting that,” said Piper. “Why don't you guys just tell us what's going on?”

“All right. Oh, this is awkward,” said Phoebe. “Uh, Paige and I know what happened between you guys last night.”

“Excuse me?” asked Piper.

“How?” asked Leo, feeling vaguely panicked.

“Not because anybody told us or anything, it's just because of Chris,” said Paige.

“Chris? Wh-why would Chris know what happened last night?” asked Piper.

Leo’s mind raced like somehow Chris had ghosted back to them last night and then…

“Well, because he wouldn't be here if it didn't. Yeah, see we've known for a while, we just didn't know how to talk to you and Leo about it,” said Phoebe.

“Talk to us about what?” asked Leo.

Phoebe’s words had apparently run out and she turned mutely to Paige.

“Is this my turn?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah. Uh, Chris is your son,” said Paige.

“Wyatt's brother. Look, I know this is huge...” began Phoebe.

Leo and Piper looked at each other and then Piper sat down.

“No, it's, it's not huge because it's not possible; it's crazy because I'm not pregnant.” Phoebe and Paige just looked at her and then Piper turned to Leo and opened her mouth in an ‘o.’ “No, I'm not. I mean, how could that happen? I mean, I know how that could happen, but it...”

“That’s why we’ve been acting so odd lately,” Phoebe explained. “We found out that Chris was yours and then we found out he had to be conceived by yesterday or he was going to cease to exist.’’

“Huh?” asked Piper.

"That whole thing with the genie last week," Phoebe said.

"The story where Richard saved us all?" interjected Paige proudly.

"This is so not the time to be lauding your boyfriend's merits," said Phoebe and then turned back to Leo and Piper. "Anyway, that whole sleeping together thing, it was kinda an accident, but we sorta meant for you two to…conceive him."

"I cannot believe you said that," said Paige.

“That’s why he’s been acting so urgently,” said Leo, ignoring the obvious blunder of his sisters-in-law with all of the past year rushing toward him in his memory. “That’s why he acted so hurt. That’s why. Oh, oh.”

“Leo, not the point,” said Piper, pointing to her belly. “Look, look. And you have to leave.”

“That’s not decided,” said Leo.

“Why?” asked Paige.

“Elder thing,” said Leo, turning to Piper. “Do you feel okay?”

There was a knock on the door behind them. Everyone turned and looked at Chris, who was shifting uncomfortably.

“Is this a bad time?” he said.

“Hi,” said Leo awkwardly. “So you’re…”

“Surprise,” said Chris, looking just as awkward.

“You healed me,” said Leo.

“Whitelighter thing,” said Chris.

“A love thing,” said Piper softly, but Leo still heard her. She stepped forward. “You’re our son. Wyatt’s brother?”

Chris nodded.

“You came back to save him,” said Leo.

“It got bad,” said Chris. “He got bad.”

“So you gave up everything,” said Piper, obviously holding back some tears.

“It’s just- look, sorry I lied, but you can see why I did.”

“In some ways,” said Leo.

Chris didn’t really look at him. It was odd, but Leo could see how lovingly Chris looked at Piper, but he’d always looked at Leo with an odd mix of resignation and anger. Leo had always put it down to resentment at being told what to do, but…there was something else there.

“So, any other secrets?” Paige said, obviously trying to lighten the tension.

“There will always be things I can’t tell you. Really, I can’t,” said Chris. “But that’s the last big reveal, I promise.”

“I’ll speak to the Elders,” Leo said, more to Piper than anyone else. “We can’t send him back now.”

“You were gonna send me back, huh?” said Chris. “There’s a shock.”

“Chris, I- I didn’t know. You have to admit you seemed rather suspicious.”

“That’s always the excuse,” said Chris, but he didn’t elaborate.

Leo was feeling hurt but he didn’t know what to say. He felt both wronged and like he had wronged and like there was no wrong from either side.

Piper took more steps to Chris who looked like he was going to run away any second. She slowly put her arms around him and he held still then gradually brought up his arms around her.

Leo knew better than to join them. Chris looked like he was going to bolt.

Piper turned and spoke to Leo.

“You have to go now, Leo, go and make sure Chris is safe.”

“I know,” said Leo. “But will you be okay? You’ve got Wyatt to deal with and now you’re gonna be pregnant.”

“Where are you going?” asked Chris harshly.

“The Elders are calling me Up There,” said Leo. “They want to reevaluate my being allowed to stay here because of the Darklighter incident.”

“So you’re going?” asked Chris. “Unbelievable. You’ll never change.”

“I can’t answer that,” said Leo, trying not to show any emotion.

“Fine, go, I’ll take care of her,” said Chris. “I’ll watch out for the Charmed Ones, I’ll protect your sons, just go.”

“Chris,” said Phoebe.

“No, I don’t care why he’s going,” said Chris. “I know you guys don’t know what I’m talking about. I don’t care about that either.”

“I’m asking him to go,” said Piper sharply. “Do you hear me?”

Chris sullenly nodded.

“If there’s an emergency, you call me,” said Leo, holding out his hand to Piper and trying not to dwell on the fact that his son apparently hated his guts.

She came close and kissed him.

“Go and protect him. I’ve got the other son handled.”

“We’re a good team,” he whispered softly.

He kissed her again, hugged Phoebe and Paige, and looked over at Chris.

“Take care of your mother. I’ll be back.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” said Chris derisively.

Leo sighed and turned his mind upwards. There were so many questions, but his task was damage control and he would do it without complaining even if he was leaving more behind than he wanted to.

He appeared in Wyatt’s room briefly and kissed him softly

“Be good, buddy. Be good.”

His elation at being alive paled in comparison to his rage. He was left. Again. It didn’t matter why people left, the minute they found out about him, they were gone, like he didn’t matter, like he wasn’t important. Anything that had been built before that moment was gone; he didn’t want to get it back. He was done.