Plutobaby494: Sorry for the wait but it's here! Hope you like!

Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed! Just like to play!

ON WITH THE FICCIE

Chapter 9

Chris escaped to the backyard after his aunt had left. Piper had received a call from the club and had taken it into the living room. He had tried to wait for her to come back but his attention span was only so big. He caught sight of the soccer ball Wyatt had left on the back porch and jumped up eagerly, wanting to do something.

Without his brother, it was only half as fun but when you deprive someone of something long enough, it becomes second nature to disobey and do it as often as you could. He lined himself up with the small net and took his first shot. As a goalie he was legendary but as a forward he was lousy. His shot went too wide and hit the wooden fence behind him. He scowled and ran over to get it.

Wyatt always said his shots went too wide because he wasn't doing it right. Kicking with the laces forward was called a power kick. It left your shot uncontrolled even if you did get the ball to go farther.

He ran back and stood in front of the goal, remembering the words that Wyatt had taught him.

"Kick with the side of your foot, you can control where the ball goes and how hard you kick it," he repeated to himself as he drew back his foot to kick it. He was concentrating so hard that he missed the ball and landed on his butt.

A loud chuckling laughter caught his ears and he looked up embarrassed, at having been caught. The neighbor next door laughed harder at seeing Chris's face.

"It works better if you actually hit the ball, my boy," the man said from his a wooden balcony/porch that had stairs connecting to the ground. It was high enough off the ground that when someone sat on it, Chris could see them over the wooden fence.

"Hi Mr. Griffin," Chris said waving excitedly. Mr. Griffin was the only neighbor that paid attention to Chris and didn't treat him as if he wasn't there. The others barely glanced at him, wanting usually to complain to his parents about the weird noises coming from their house.

Mr. Griffin was also the only one who didn't complain. In fact it was like he welcomed the noises and almost knew what they were. Chris hadn't called him on it but he had his own suspicions that he was a witch also.

"Hey Chris, do you want to come over for some lemonade? Mandy just made a new batch," he asked kindly. Mandy was his nurse maid that comes over to take care of him since his wife had passed away a number of years ago. Chris never met his wife but from the way that Mr. Griffin spoke about her, she must have been a great lady.

Chris glanced at the backdoor hesitantly. His mother didn't like it when he went places without telling her. But he wasn't going far. And she seemed to like the elder man.

He nodded silently and crept towards the fence, where a loose board on the fence had become a passage way for both Wyatt and Chris to the next yard. Mandy was taking a baking class and often cooked too many of her treats for the elderly man to eat alone.

Chris was smaller than Wyatt so it made it easier to get through the gate. He climbed the stairs two at a time and sat down across from Mr. Griffin.

Mr. Griffin was in his late 80's, Chris had guessed. His hair was a white as snow and always pinched back in a ponytail with a brown leather cord. His eyes were the same color as his hair. Most thought he was blind but Chris knew otherwise. Mr. Griffin said he was born with them it was a weird anomaly that the doctors couldn't ever figure out.

Chris heartily took the glass of yellow juice Mr. Griffin poured him and took a big gulp. Mr. Griffin grinned.

"They must be starving you of water, my dear boy if you've taken a liking to Mandy's lemonade," he asked seeing the gusto on Chris's face. A good baker Mandy was but when it came to certain things, lemonade just wasn't her forte. She said it was because she never liked lemons growing up so she never learned how to properly make it and making the perfect lemonade with just the right amount of lemon and sugar was almost a skill in its own right.

Chris flushed. "I like it," he said quietly. Mr. Griffin laughed again.

"So what has you out here playing all alone? You and your brother seem almost inseparable sometimes," Mr. Griffin said seeing the ghost look of dejection Chris had come out of his house with.

"Wyatt got invited to go to his friend's house for a sleepover," Chris replied sulkily.

"Ah, and your sad because you didn't get invited?" Mr. Griffin guessed taking a drink of lemonade.

Chris just fingered the top of his glass, "No I did get invited. Mom just wouldn't let me go. She never lets me do anything," he said bitterly.

Mr. Griffin just looked at him, curiously. He sensed an opening and grabbed it.

"I understand your mother wants to keep your safe. You're her baby after all but I don't think she should keep you from living your life. My sister was mentally challenged with the brain of a five year old. My mother didn't want anyone to tease or make fun of her so she kept her locked up, never let her experience life. I remember Rosie was so sad all the time. The doctors called her clinically depressed but my mother wouldn't relent. Rosie died when I was thirty, hung herself from her bed with the sheets," Mr. Griffin said.

"I don't want end up like your sister," Chris said his eyes wide at the confession.

"I sure hope you don't. I don't wish anyone that pain," Mr. Griffin replied.

"What do I do?" Chris asked.

"Fight her. Don't let anyone control your own life. That's for you to decide what to do with it," he replied.

Chris looked uncertain but his eyes shined with a new hope.

"I don't know… she is my mom. Doesn't she know what's best for me?" Chris asked with wisdom beyond his years.

"That's one thing I can't tell you. You need to figure that one out for yourself," Mr. Griffin replied noncommittally.

Chris nodded and downed the rest of his lemonade, humming appreciatively. It was a hot day out and the cool liquid sure hit the spot. He smiled when a young woman in her early twenties stepped out the house, looking through her large pink purse that hung around her shoulder. Her hair was a dirty blond, which framed a heart shaped face. Two chocolate brown eyes twinkled when they set their sight on Chris. She smiled, showing off small dimples.

"Well Hey, kiddo. Didn't know you were coming over," she said. Her voice was strangely seductive and inviting.

"Mr. Griffin invited me over for some of your lemonade," he said shyly. He only admitted this to Wyatt but he had a crush on the young nurse maid. It was one of the only reasons he drank her lemonade.

"Well that was sweet of him," she said then turned to the man in question.

"Well I gotta jet, Mr. G. The babysitter called. Julie's got the flu and is puking up everywhere. But I'll come by tomorrow to fix your lunch," she said to him.

Mr. Griffin nodded waving her off. She smiled and than walked over to Chris ruffling his hair. He was annoyed when his aunt or anyone else for that matter ruffled his hair but when his crush did it all he did was smile dreamily.

"I'm going to bake some cookies for a treat for Mr. G tomorrow. Maybe you and your brother could come over and have some," she said happily giving Chris some attention.

Chris nodded enthusiastically than remembered his manors, "If Mr. Griffin's ok with it," he said, his face red from embarrassment.

Mr. Griffin just laughed and nodded his head. Mandy smiled one last time and with another goodbye was back into the house, headed towards the front door.

Chris flushed watching her go.

"She's very pretty," Chris said unaware at first that he said it out loud. Mr. Griffin's loud laugh broke him back to the present and he flushed even redder, turning a color that a tomato would be jealous of.

"Yes, lad she's very pretty. But you're a little too young for her," Mr. Griffin replied.

Chris set his glass back down on the table, still red and not meeting the older mans eyes.

"I should go. My mom's probably off the phone and she'll be wondering where I am," he mumbled, getting up.

He was halfway to the stairs when he heard his name being called. He turned to see Mr. Griffin looking seriously at him.

"No one can tell you what to do. You're your own person and should have a brain. Don't forget that," he said.

Chris nodded a little surprised at the intensity that the other man was looking at him with. Mr. Griffin was always a soft spoken, kind old man and it was kind of shocking to see the harder side of him.

Mr. Griffin watched as he descended the stairs and slipped through the fence. Chris didn't look back as he ran towards the house, hearing his mother calling for him, and went inside, feeling the older man's eyes on his back the entire way.

Back up on the balcony, Mr. Griffin took another sip of his lemonade and than set it down on the floral patterned patio table. Leaning back in the plastic chair, he didn't even blink when Septus walked out of the shadows, knowing that they younger demon had been there for some time.

"Has Marcus settled down and seen reason?" Aro asked not even looking at the other demon till he sat down across from him.

"Yes but he is upset. I managed to get there in time," Septus answered. He turned when Mandy walked back through the back door. She skipped over to Septus and wrapped her arms around his head, almost sitting in his lap.

"Did I do good, Daddy?" she asked like a petulant child. Septus grinned but it was Aro who answered her.

"You did swell, Mandy. You have him eating out of your fingers," he said smiling at her.

"That human sludge you call lemonade is very disgusting. I don't know how you eat it," she said pouting.

Septus nodded his agreement silently. He'd been alive a long time and still hadn't got used to the strange comforts that humans craved.

Aro smiled, "When you get to be my age, you've learned to try everything this world has to offer. Some just grow on you," he said taking another drink.

Mandy cringed and Septus just rolled his eyes, used to the old mans antics.

"Felix is also getting impatient. I do not doubt the reasons you have him helping us but I have caught him talking to Marcus more and more. I fear a rebellion coming," Septus said returning to the reason he came.

Aro's face turned serious and scrutinizing. He glanced at Mandy, who was busy looking at her nails flippantly. Aro nodded at her silently, telling Septus he wanted privacy on this matter. Septus followed the order without question.

"Mandy go home and make sure that your mother hasn't killed Tina and Drew. They've been getting on her nerves of late," he said his voice still light.

"But Daddy—

She never got to finish her whiny complain when Septus's eyes turned cold and he yelled 'GO'. She harrumphed and shimmered out obediently. Septus turned back to Aro, who started talking.

"I understand your concern my old friend. Felix is bold but he wouldn't dare make a pack with Marcus against me," he said. His voice was light and teasing but his eyes held a seriousness that made Septus's spine shiver.

"I don't mean disrespect but I think you are wrong. Felix is a lot more audacious than you give him credit for. But he is also foolish. Only yesterday did he pull me aside for a private conversation. He told me that you are getting senile in your old age and have lost sight of what truly matters, which is the keeper on our side. I fear he will try and attack prematurely with Marcus in tow," Septus said aware that this could be the last statement he said in his life.

Aro fingered his glass, his eyes hard and cold. They never once released Septus's own gaze. He knew that it must have taken a lot of guts for the younger demon to stand up to him and say that but Septus was loyal, more loyal than any of the other demons in his command. He wouldn't be telling him this unless he was really concerned about the proceedings.

"I know what is at stake here, Aro. We can't loose our chance to foolish demons who don't think before they act," Septus finished when the elder demon was silent.

"What do you suggest?" Aro's voice was calculating and Septus released the breathe he wasn't aware he was holding. A new confidence took over from Aro's acceptance.

"I can only keep Marcus back for so long. He will get to a breaking point and Felix has never believed in the words of the ancients. We must get rid of them. They are loose ends that will only hinder our goal," he said boldly.

Aro nodded agreeing. "I will talk to Felix and get to the truth of the matter. If it is as you say, I will take action but not before," he said warningly.

As much as he trusted Septus, he still did need Felix. If this was just a practical joke on Septus's part than no one could save him from what was coming. But if it was true then Felix had another thing coming for him. No one went behind Aro's back and came out unscathed.

Septus nodded, knowing that it was as good as anyone could get.

"Keep Marcus in line. If he does attack, with or without Felix's help, all we have fought for will be lost," he echoed from their earlier conversation.

"It will scare the keeper back into the arms of his parents and we will have no chance to get him back, especially if he learns his destiny. He will be guarded too closely and all trust will be gone," Aro continued. He needed to stress how important it was that Marcus not attack.

"I will try," Septus answered with earnest.

"Be sure that you do or it won't only be Marcus who finds his place in the wasteland" Aro said taking another drink. His voice was so nonchalant that it had Septus shivering, the threat still hanging in the air.

Septus nodded and lowered his head in submission. After a few moments he shimmered out, leaving Aro all alone on his porch/balcony, drinking his lemonade silently.

&

Chris sighed as he completed his homework hours later and folded his arms upon his desk. It was six thirty at night and he had nothing to do. Dinner had been an hour ago.

Unusually he and Wyatt goofed off after dinner but Wyatt was at Max's house and he was here all alone. Sometimes he felt like his mother was pushing everyone away from him and it was just him, alone.

He thought back to what Mr. Griffin said and wondered what would happen if he stood up to his mother.

Chris had never been a totally obedient kid, but he did know when he was pushing his mother too far and when to back off. He wondered what the outcome would be if he did go over the line.

He was thrown from his thoughts when his mother called for him up the stairs. He looked towards the open door to his bedroom.

"Chris, someone's on the telephone for you," Piper yelled again from the foyer. She had the receiver in one hand, pressed against her shoulder.

Chris jumped up excitedly. There were only a handful of people who called him, since his mother didn't let him play with any of the friend he made at the mortal school and friends from magic school, usually contacted him in a different way.

He took the phone from her and she smiled at him with enthusiasm.

"Hello" he said into the receiver.

"Hey, Chrissy," Wyatt's voice was clear over the line.

"Wy, don't call me that," Chris scowled, his noise scrunched up in distaste.

Wyatt laughed, "Just called to say goodnight, baby bro" he said.

"Are you having fun?" Chris asked sadly.

"Yea Max has some cool stuff to play with. But I wish mom had let you come. It would have been so much fun with you here,"

Wyatt could sense Chris's sadness over their bond and he wished he could take it away.

"Yea, me too," Chris said. If anything it made it worse and Wyatt felt it.

"Crap, I'm sorry Chris. I'm coming home tomorrow and I promise we'll play till it gets too dark to see. No one will interrupt us,"

"Promise,"

"Cross my heart and hope to live,"

Chris smiled at their rhyme they made up. Living in this house, dying was a major possibility so they changed it for a better outcome.

"Okay,"

"Night, Chris,"

"Goodnight, big brother,"

Chris disconnected the phone with a smile on his face. Wyatt would be home tomorrow and everything would be back to normal. He turned to see his mother looking at him.

"Is your brother having fun? He seemed sad on the phone," she asked worriedly.

"He wishes I was there with him," he replied honestly. Piper's heart ached but her protective instincts overclouded her brain.

"I know you wanted to go Chris. But tonight just wasn't a good night," she said than started walking away.

"It's never going to be a good night," Chris grumbled under his breathe, unaware that Piper heard him.

"That's not fair Chris. You know what happens when you forget to take your medicine," she reminded him turning around to face her youngest son.

"I wouldn't have forgotten. I've been doing it every night for as long as I can remember," Chris snapped back.

Piper flinched at the anger in her son's voice. Chris was such a docile kid. She didn't think he'd been bottling up all his anger and resentment. But she got a hold of her emotions and reminded herself that she was the parent in this situation and whether or not Chris was angry with her, he didn't have the right to talk to her like that.

"That's enough Chris. Go upstairs and get ready for bed," she said sternly.

Chris wanted to whine that it was only six-thirty and his bedtime wasn't until eight but he just crossed his arms angrily and turned back towards the stairs. He took his time going up them, stomping on each of them, hoping to express to his mother how mad he was.

Piper sighed, frustrated and pinched the bridge of her nose. A migraine now pulsed in the front of her skull and she squinted her eyes to try and clear it before it got too bad.

Leo chose that moment to walk in from the kitchen, having heard the entire conversation. He massaged Piper's shoulders and than wrapped his arms around her.

"You are being a little hard on the boy, Piper. He's only eight. Let him live a little," he said carefully. Piper pulled out of his embrace, anger swelling in her chest at his words.

"What, now you want to start on that too? Did you forget about what we went through when he was born? Did you forget that we almost lost him," she wailed not sure if she was more angry or sad.

Leo's looked at Piper, his own anger and betrayal lurking in his bluish-green orbs. He knew she was angry and sad but he was angry that she could insinuate that he didn't remember one of worst moments in his entire life. Or care about it.

"I remember Piper. I remember every agonizing moment but locking him in a plastic bubble isn't helping anyone. He needs to experience life, not have you hide him away from the world," he said crossly.

Piper's eyes flickered in emotional pain but otherwise she remained motionless. Her hands were clenched at her sides tightly and her mouth was stretched into a thin line.

"I'm protecting my baby, Leo. The only way I know how. Sorry if our opinions in protection differ," she said coldly. Then she left, climbing the stairs herself. The door to their room slammed shut and suddenly Leo knew he wasn't sharing the bed tonight.

Knowing Piper's mood, he took it upon himself to make sure Chris did his nightly duties. The walk to Chris's room was short and soon he found himself staring at Chris, who was laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Leo shook his head ruefully, and climbed in next to him.

"What's so interesting on the ceiling that's held your attention for longer than a minute?" he quipped knowing Chris had a short attention span.

He was shocked and a little bit worried when Chris finally looked over at him, silent tears running down his pudgy cheeks.

"I'm sorry I made you and mommy fight," he said as another big fat tear escaped.

Leo's heart ached at the sight. Chris was so tender hearted and Leo hated to see the look of utter sadness on his angelic face.

Turning slightly, he gathered Chris up into his arms and hugged him tightly. Chris started sobbing, clinging to Leo's shirt as it if was his only lifeline.

Leo couldn't take it anymore.

"No, Chris. It's not your fault," he said trying to soothe his eight year old.

"I shouldn't have yelled at mommy like that. I'm sorry," he wailed sadly.

Leo sighed, knowing that his words wouldn't reach his son. Instead he kissed Chris's mop of dark hair and rode out the sobs, rubbing his back to help soothe his son.

Finally the sobs died down and Chris's tears stopped. Leo didn't stop rubbing Chris's back until Chris looked sleepily up at him. Crying had exhausted him and Chris wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep.

But Leo knew he couldn't let him. Not yet at least.

"Did you take your medicine?" he asked seeing that Chris was about to drop off any minute.

Chris's nodded against his chest. "I didn't forget,"

Leo nodded, somewhat relieved and than sat up, taking Chris with him.

"Why don't we get you into your pajamas," he said. Chris didn't reply but was compliant as Leo stripped him. He was silent as a new pair of Pj's was slipped on and than was tucked in underneath the covers on his bed.

"Are you mad at me, Daddy?" Chris's voice was quiet and Leo strained to hear him at first.

"No, of course not," he said kneeling next to the bed.

Chris smiled sleepily. "I love you Daddy," he said.

"I love you too, Chris," Leo replied leaning down to kiss Chris on the forehead.

"Go to sleep, son," he said placing his large hand on Chris's head, rubbing his hair as he talked.

Chris didn't need to be told twice. He closed his eyes and let sleep take him.

Leo stayed for a few more seconds, watching as Chris's breathing deepened and his chest rose up and down in sleep.

He silently made his way out of the room, leaving the door open a crack. Glancing at the door to his and Piper's bedroom, Leo rubbed his head and continued down to the front room.

He collapsed on the couch, burying his head into the surprisingly comfortable pillows.

"Hello my old friend," he sighed, his own exhaustion of dealing with the elders rambling all day about some weird vibrations that had been feeling of late. He had wanted nothing more than to just leave and be with his family but the elders had made it a mandatory meeting for all full whitelighters to attend. He fell asleep rather quickly, wishing this day had never happened.

TO BE CONTINUED

Plutobaby494: Well? How was it? Don't worry the action is coming soon! Just had to set it up! Please reveiw! I want to know what you think!

Thanks to all my reviewers!

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