This story is set after "Chris Crossed" but no one found out about Chris being 1/2 witch-1/2 whitelighter.

Chapter 1: New Priorities

"No," Piper said, passing Wyatt into Chris' arms. She had just gotten in from the grocery store, and was unloading the rest of the packages from her car. Chris was currently trying to convince her to go on another demon hunt, but she wasn't biting. Her day had been awful. First, her band that was booked for that night had cancelled. Then she had been summoned to the daycare to pick up Wyatt who had been afflicted by the recent chicken pox outbreak, which led to her being forced to grocery shop with a sick, screaming, and feverish toddler. Now, was not the time for a demon hunt.

For his part, Chris was also unhappy with either the answer, or his new cargo. He had been working around the clock for the past week coming up with this new lead, and the Charmed Ones were being wholly uncooperative. He and the sisters and Leo had reached an uneasy relationship, but he knew their trust was fragile. He didn't want to push them too hard, but he was on a deadline. No one seemed to understand that!

"Piper! This is important," Chris sighed in frustration, which caused Wyatt to start crying again. Chris looked down at his little/older brother in disgust. It was just too weird. He could deal with seeing his mom alive and young. He could deal with seeing his father family-oriented and loving toward his son. But seeing his brother who was the tyrant of the world and who had destroyed his life, as an innocent baby. An innocent, sticky, whiny, smelly baby. A baby who had just sneezed and snotted all over him. "Bless you," he mumbled, trying to one-handedly wipe baby goop off of his face.

He tried to pass the baby back to Piper, but her hands were full of grocery bags. Instead he shifted Wyatt to his hip and moved to open the kitchen door. "I came back here to save your son from a future threat, and I need your help to do it. I understand that you want to have that whole normal life thing, but this is important!" He set Wyatt down in his high chair, and moved to help Piper with the groceries, all the while still pleading his case.

"There's my cute little nephew!" Phoebe cooed coming into the kitchen. "No demon hunting Chris," she cut off, as soon as he opened his mouth. "I just came home to change clothes before my lunch date with Jason. He's only here for a few more hours before he flies off to who knows where, and I'm going to spend every opportunity with him. Oh no! Poor little Wyatt! What's wrong baby?" She reached down to pick up Wyatt, but thought better of it, because she didn't want to get baby gooed before her date.

"Yeah, the daycare called this morning, and apparently there was an outbreak of chicken pox this week and guess who was infected? So much for my date with Greg tonight," Piper lamented. She had really been looking forward to having a night out. Hopefully, though, Wyatt's illness would be excuse enough to convince Chris to postpone the demon hunt.

"Chicken pox?" Chris asked backing up a little bit. He was both worried and relieved. He was relieved, because Piper was going to cancel her date, so he didn't have to worry about her and fireman sleeping together, but he also knew that Wyatt being sick meant that Piper wouldn't want to abandon her child for a demon hunt. "Why don't you get Leo to watch him later, and we can all demon hunt after Jason leaves?"

Piper sighed. She knew there was no way she could put off this demon hunt until tomorrow. Chris had that look on his face that showed his stubborn streak was coming out to play. For a second she pondered that look. Every now and then he would say or do something that seemed so familiar, but before she could think too hard on it, he would do something so annoying that she completely lost all train of thought. This was one of those times. "Fine. Phoebe, you go have your lunch date with Jason, and then get back here by five. I'll call Paige and make sure she's here then too. And you," she said, turning to Chris, "can take Wyatt upstairs for a nap, while I make lunch." Chris looked like he was going to argue, but she gave him a look to show that she meant business. "Go! I don't have time to get everything done that needs to be done, so you, as our whitelighter, are going to help me. March!" she ordered, pointing to the stairs.

Phoebe nearly laughed out loud at the look on Chris' face. He suddenly looked abashed, and immediately picked up Wyatt and did as he was told. Phoebe had never seen him be so obedient. It was funny. After Chris 'marched' upstairs with Wyatt, Phoebe turned to argue with Piper over the plan, but was stopped short.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned at the look that had suddenly come to rest on Piper's face.

"We need to do this. I keep trying to convince myself that Chris made up this threat to Wyatt, but the truth is, that I believe him. I know you want to spend time with Jason, but I need to make sure my son is safe. So please? Be back by five?" Piper had finally broken. It had been such a long week, and she really was worried. The more Chris became part of their lives, the more she was forced to believe him. And the more she believed him, the more worried she became. She would not let anything happen to her son, whatever it took.

"Ok, I'll be back by five."