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

[jesterladyfic]

Chapter Three

He needed to accelerate things. He wouldn’t be able to remain hidden for long, not without somebody noticing his slips and/or his emotions. Fortunately, he knew just the thing.

Piper shoved the vacuum cleaner across the rug aggressively. Cleaning was always soothing whenever her nerves were frayed. It took out her surplus anxiety on objects instead of the people she cared about. Her sisters had quickly learned to back off whenever they saw her with cleaning supplies in her hands.

Though it appeared as if today was her day to be annoying others as indicated by the hovering empath overhead.

“Piper, do you mind? I'm trying to meditate up here if you haven't noticed,” snapped Phoebe from her place, levitating in the main front hall.

“Well, can't you block out the noise?”

“Yeah, the vacuum cleaner I can block out, your nerves I can't.”

“My nerves?”

“I'm sorry, you're anxious, I'm anxious.”

“But it's my date, not yours,” said Piper incredulously.

“But, unfortunately, it feels as though it's my date.”

“Well, can't you control it?”

“What do you think I'm doing up here? Cleaning the chandelier?”

“Now that would be helpful,” Piper said, cocking her head back. “Who decided meditating in the entryway was a good plan anyway? Your room, the basement, even the attic, would be a better option.”

“I just needed to. Suddenly,” Phoebe said, glaring downwards.

“Look, I’m sorry I’m worried. I just want this night to be perfect for Leo and I. We don’t get many nights.”

“I know, which is why I’m being sympathetic and understanding. Now just calm down.”

Piper opened her mouth to answer with a scathing retort when Paige stalked through the front door with a bloody shoulder and everything else was forgotten, including Phoebe’s concentration, and she fell to the floor.

“It's nothing, I'm fine,” Paige said.

“You're not fine, Paige, you're scared to death. Why don't people in this family own their emotions?” Phoebe said, following Paige into the kitchen.

“Okay, this empath thing? Very annoying,” said Paige.

“Copy that,” Piper agreed, following them. “What happened? Weren’t you at work?”

“Yeah, until this,” Paige said, jerking her arm forward.

“Uh, another temp job involving magic?”

“Yeah, right, I'm never gonna get away.”

“But you want to,” Phoebe supplied.

Piper shot her a look as Chris orbed in.

“Anyone seen Leo?” Chris asked.

“Not now, Chris,” Piper said and turned back to Paige, asking her if they should get out the Book.

Chris shook his head and exited the kitchen.

“No, actually. I wanna follow this one through all by myself,” Paige replied.

“She's feeling a little suppressed by us.”

“Phoebe, get out of my head!”

“I’m not in your head; I’m in your emotions.”

“You know what I’m talking about. This whole temp job thing is about me making my own path. Away from-"

“From us?” asked Piper.

Chris came back in and asked again if anyone had seen Leo.

“Demon problem here, Whitelighter,” Piper said. “Maybe we do need Leo though.”

“I’m your Whitelighter!” Chris said

“I don’t need help!” Paige said at the same time.

Phoebe flinched.

“Tenseness, too much.”

“Phoebe, this is ridiculous. It's just getting worse,” said Piper.

“I know. So what should I do? Should I just keep all your feelings to myself? Would that make you guys happy?”

“Yes,” everyone said in unison.

“Okay, then that's what I'll do.” Phoebe stopped and looked around. “Someone's hiding something from me.”

“Just let me know if anyone sees Leo, okay?” Chris said, and left again.

They argued for a few minutes more about whether Paige should go back to her temp job, especially alone, and she left after orbing an apple into Phoebe’s mouth. Phoebe, always a naturally empathic and sensitive person, was taking this way too personally and Piper told her so before going upstairs and getting Wyatt ready for a nap.

She was surprisingly okay about Paige going off and doing her own thing. If she had been doing anything tonight other than actually going on a date with her husband who she hadn’t seen in a few weeks, she’d have probably freaked out and cancelled. But she missed Leo so much it was like a physical ache and she didn’t want to do anything to mess up seeing him again. Besides, if what Phoebe said was true, Paige really needed this.

She’d been on edge ever since Wyatt had been born, trying to find that balance between a normal life and a magical one. Whereas Piper had always been all about the normal, Paige had always been all about the magic. Now Paige was trying to go more of a Piper route and Piper could definitely support that. However, whoever was in charge of Paige’s temp jobs didn’t seem to agree.

Piper was a big enough person to let Paige handle it unless she really needed help.

***

He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following him. He’d been extremely careful, making sure the coast was clear, but there was too much riding on this and it made him edgy.

Leo carefully blanked himself from sensory detection. He was on a mission and he wasn’t even sure why half of the time. It’s not like he really had time for it. He was overseeing half of the world and had a wife and family. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different about Chris. He wasn’t going to rest until he knew what it was.

He just hoped Piper didn’t kill him for it. He was watching his time so he’d be back in time for their date, but he would have to time it well because Chris was obviously trying to keep anyone from following him. Either that or he was just out joy-orbing. Leo had known Whitelighters to do that before, had done it himself a time or two. Just when it seemed like Chris wasn’t actually going anywhere and Leo was thinking that he could just give up and go be with Piper, they went someplace important.

Leo kept himself invisible and watched Chris request a very specific potion. One that would block powers such as Phoebe’s new empathy. One that the dealer was all out of.

“Well, how long will it take you to make more?” asked Chris.

“The potion you desire is pricey for a reason. The main ingredient is quite rare and hard to come by. What secret are you so eager to hide?”

That was a question Leo would like an answer to as well.

“Just tell me how long.”

“Hard to say. Six weeks or months. Demonic suppliers are notoriously unreliable.”

“Well, I can't wait, all right. I need it now.”

“The impatience of youth. Then again it takes a young heart to brave grave danger.”

Leo paused and listened closely.

“Spare me the Morpheus speech, old man. What are you saying?”

“Swamp Land is where you'll find the Kotochul egg your potion requires. Now you understand the difficulty.”

Leo sucked in a breath. Not exactly a vacation spot. In fact, it was little better than the Underworld when it came to danger. If Chris went there, he’d have to be very good to get back out. Especially with his desired prize.

“Fine. I'll get you your egg. Just make sure you're ready by the time I get back.”

Leo considered that carefully. Either the kid was cocky or he was confident. Either way, he was dangerous.

Leo made himself visible to the dealer.

“I’ve got a proposition for you,” he said.

The man looked up with interest and smiled a tooth gapped smile.

***

He so didn’t sign up for this. Ragged breath drew from him in gasps and he chanced a glance behind him. It was extremely lucky he’d been here before. It was a bit different, but not enough to trap him. He was that good. Just not good enough to get away without getting filthy.

Piper smacked her lips together and glanced in the mirror.

“Yeah, let’s lay off the vamp red,” she said.

“Sorry,” Phoebe said, handing her some tissue. “I'm having a very hard time concentrating. I think this empath power is driving me crazy.”

“You?”

“Well, you try having PMS for three sisters every month.”

“We don’t need to go into that,” Piper said dryly.

“You know if I can't ignore the bloating and the cramping and the mood swings, how am I supposed to ignore the fact that my sister is scared to death?

“Phoebe,” Piper said warningly.

“Right, okay, I'm just gonna mind my own business.”

“All we have to do is respect what Paige wants. And clearly what she wants is not our help.”

“This is not like you,” Phoebe said suspiciously. “You never just let us do what we want. You always want to help.”

“Gee, thanks,” Piper said. “I’m just trying to let her do what she wants.”

“Ah ha!” Phoebe said, pointing a finger. “You want to let Paige have what she wants because you want what you want.”

“Of course I want what I want,” Piper said, getting down from her makeshift makeup perch. “But if you don’t promise to leave her alone I’m going to cancel my date.”

“Piper, no, you have to go out, you need to go out. And this is not me channeling, this is just me talking.”

“Stop doing either,” Piper said. “Now leave her alone.”

“I will, I will,” Phoebe said.

Sounds of orbing filtered through the hall and Piper smiled at the top of the stairs. Leo was standing at the bottom wearing a shirt she couldn’t wait to get him out of and holding a rose.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“I think you need to leave before I jump your husband,” Phoebe said. “You two make me sick.”

Piper slapped her shoulder and descended the stairs. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek lightly.

“You look beautiful.”

“You look handsome.”

“Then I guess we’re all set,” he said and waved to Phoebe before escorting Piper to the car.

“Be good!” Piper called over her shoulder.

“What does Phoebe need to be good about?” Leo asked.

“Don’t ask,” Piper said, getting in. “There’s a whole thing with Paige and Phoebe’s empathy powers and I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Tonight is about us,” Leo agreed, covering her hand with his.

They drove to the restaurant in comfortable silence. Piper was just relaxing as they arrived. It would be a good evening, just the two of them. No demons, no Elders, no baby, no sisters.

“So how was your day?” he asked as they were seated.

“Long,” she said. “How was your week?”

“Long,” he answered. “I missed you.”

“We all missed you,” Piper answered. “This commuting thing is really hard. Even worse than before.”

“I’m…more responsible for things now,” he said, squirming slightly.

“I know, I know,” she said, putting down her menu. “And this isn’t about blame or guilt tripping. We’re just here to enjoy ourselves.”

“I know,” he said.

Piper realized they were slightly stuck. After all, their lives mostly consisted of Wyatt and magic. Leo had done nothing but magic stuff while he’d been gone and that was mostly what she’d done. They couldn’t talk about movies or concerts or even what they’d been doing without bringing up a taboo subject.

“How’s Darryl?” Leo asked. “I haven’t seen him and Sheila in awhile.”

“Me either,” Piper said thoughtfully. “I know he’s been cutting back his time on the force. And luckily there haven’t really been too many unsolved cases for us to get involved in. Sheila did ask if we were available for dinner sometime soon.”

“I’d like that,” Leo said.

“Me too.”

Piper knew there wasn’t really a point in asking him when.

“How’s the club doing?” he asked.

“It’s fine,” Piper said and then leaned forward, her heart suddenly full of compassion for the earnestness on his face. “Leo, you don’t have to try so hard. All I really want is to be together.”

“That’s all I want too,” he said. “But I’m just asking questions I want answers to.”

“Fine,” she said, smiling. “Then ask me about the new recipe I tried out for the girls the other night.”

“Sounds fascinating,” he said.

A little bit of the awkwardness fell away and Piper began to remember how serene she always felt just being around Leo. It wasn’t simply because he was so literally angelic or even-tempered; it was because he was hers. And she felt that again. It was nice.

They ordered and soon their food arrived and they ate, laughing and talking about jokes from years ago and Wyatt’s latest adorable trait and how Piper planned to fix up the garden in the summer and whether Leo could legally drive without a license.

It was good. Refreshing. Like coming home. Until Leo’s face darkened looking over her shoulder.

“What?” she asked.

“What are you doing here?” Leo asked.

Piper turned around to see Chris standing behind her.

“Is something wrong? Is Wyatt okay?”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Chris said. “But your sisters? They’re going to kill each other if you don’t get back there.”

“Oh no, I’m on a date here,” Piper said. “Or can’t you see?”

“So nice of Leo to take time out from his busy schedule,” Chris said. “More importantly, sisters, killing each other. Let’s go.”

Piper looked at Leo.

“It’s up to you,” he said.

Piper groaned and got up.

“Fine. Chris, take me home.”

“I’ll pay and get the car and meet you there,” Leo said.

“I’m going to kill them both if they haven’t done each other in already,” Piper said, gathering her things.

When she and Chris got home Phoebe and Paige were yelling at each other in the entryway about who did or did not kill someone.

“Hey,” she said, whistling, getting them to stop. “Now, first thing’s first. Phoebe, where’s Wyatt?”

“I tried to get Chris to babysit,” Phoebe said, looking guilty. “But he was busy so I had Sheila come get him. He’s fine.”

“We’ll talk about that later, missy,” Piper said. “Now, someone explain what’s going on.”

Leo orbed in just then.

“Did you orb the car?” Chris asked sarcastically.

“I checked carefully first,” Leo said in a hard tone.

“Okay, in the living room, in the living room, let's go, let's go,” Phoebe said, hustling them all along.

“Can I go now?” Chris said.

“No,” Leo said, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.

Chris glared and Piper sighed. The two of them were ridiculous.

They joined the other girls who were arguing about an age old feud between magic families who just happened to live across the street from each other. Piper personally would have moved.

“Okay, she's not only butting in, she's taking sides,” Paige said, pointing at Phoebe.

“Look, Paige, it's not only what I saw but it's what I felt. Don't you think if they just tried to kill someone I would have felt some intense anger coming from them? But I didn't.”

“I don't know. Are you sensing any intense anger coming at you right now?” asked Paige sarcastically.

“No, but what I can sense is that maybe your attraction to this Richard guy is clouding your better judgment.”

“I hate talking to an empath,” Paige grumbled.

Before it devolved into a name calling contest, Piper interjected. The whole thing sounded like a frame-up to her. Inviting both parties to her house to have peace talks was the last thing she wanted to do, but probably the right thing to do.

“You've got an Elder right here, who better to mediate? Good luck,” said Chris.

He orbed out before Leo’s move to grasp his arm worked.

“I don’t know what beef you have with him,” Piper whispered to Leo, “but just let it go for right now. For me.”

Leo gave her what seemed like a forced smile.

***

This was difficult. He felt very torn between acting spiteful and encouraging current events to continue. Only time would tell which side would win. Or which circumstance would require one to win. In the mean time, he had his answer for one thing at least.

Leo felt restless. He wanted to follow Chris and see what he was doing. But Piper had asked him not to. Of course, what he really wanted to do was to go back to his date with Piper. It had been practically perfect - a little awkward at first, but then it had just melted into their relationship and their interaction and their marriage and he’d missed that terribly.

So what he was doing was going through the dirty laundry basket to find Paige’s bloody shirt. Yup, all powerful Elder digging in the laundry. Not how he’d wanted this night to go.

“Drop it in,” Piper told him, gesturing to his hand above her cauldron.

“What are you looking for?”

“I wanna see if Paige was actually hit by an energy ball after all.”

“What else could it be?”

“Let's see.”

Leo could tell Piper was annoyed, probably more annoyed than he was. So he sidled a little closer and leaned over to speak quietly.

“So, um, how was your date?”

She smiled slightly.

“Short.”

“Oh, I'm really sorry,” he said, walking around the island. “Short, you mean like, uh, leprechaun short?”

Her smile grew bigger.

“No, he’s quite tall. The date was cut short.”

“Right, sorry,” he said, feigning confusion. “But how was it before it got cut short? Any chances of this turning into something serious?”

“It better,” she said, reaching across to poke him in the chest. “I was looking forward to somebody getting lucky tonight.”

His cheeks got warmer.

“I bet he was too.”

“Play his cards right and- oh, it's just as I expected.”

“What?”

“The shirt, it's getting lighter, which means Paige was not hit by an energy ball, she was hit by a plasma ball.”

Which impressed him a lot, because he hadn’t thought of that before. Piper was really smart and knowledgeable about this stuff even if she’d rather not be.

And then they had to go call up a ghost.

Which only made the night worse. The two families were so much at odds they could barely see straight. Leo didn’t even have a chance to mediate. The ghost turned out to be Olivia, Richard’s former fiancée, killed in the feud. Leo watched Paige’s face and how concerned she was for Richard and smiled to himself.

But…then Richard left with his family and Paige turned with anger to Phoebe.

“Okay, next time I tell you to butt out, butt out.”

Things were a little tense after that. Piper turned to Leo after everyone stormed out.

“I’m worried about her.”

“Me too,” Leo said.

“But our evening,” she said.

He gave her a half smile.

“Paige is more important than our evening. And who knows, your date might still get lucky.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I might as well finish up some business,” he said. “But I’ll stay close so just call when you need me.”

Her face darkened a little bit like it did every time she remembered he had Elder business, but she just nodded and hugged him.

Leo orbed to find Chris who was right where Leo had expected him to be, picking up his illicit potion.

“Are you sure this is gonna work?” Chris asked the elderly potion maker.

“As long as it doesn't make you violently ill. Side effects, you never know.”

“Thanks for the tip,” Chris said, sounding annoyed.

“You sure it's worth the risk?” the dealer asked.

“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't.”

Chris took the potion from the man and it looked like he sighed in relief.
“He won't tell me,” the dealer said, seemingly into the air, and Leo rolled his eyes.

He hadn’t exactly planned on revealing himself just yet.

“Tell you what?” asked Chris, looking confused.

“What you need the potion for,” Leo said, becoming visible. “Other than to hide your secrets that is, Chris.”

His face flashed with annoyance.

“What? This was all a set-up? Is this even legit?”

“It's legit all right. But I'm afraid you have to answer to a higher power now,” said the old man, grinning ridiculously.

Chris looked non-plussed for a second and then he appeared to make a decision and spoke.

“Go ahead, take it.” He tossed Leo the potion. “It wasn't for me anyway.”

“Really?” Leo asked, folding his arms.

“I got it for the sisters. Phoebe's new power is wreaking havoc on their relationship, or haven't you noticed?”

“You expect me to believe this wasn't meant to protect your secrets?” Leo asked incredulously.

“No, I don't. But seeing as you haven't figured me out yet, why would I even need it?”

“Don't get too cocky, kid. Wouldn't want me to clip your wings now, would you?”

Leo meant it too. It wasn’t an option he was excited about. But if he thought for a moment that Chris was actually too much of a danger, he’d do it.

Piper called for him just then. She needed Leo to get Wyatt.

“Whoops, looks like Wyatt needs another babysitter, Dad.”

Leo glared as he orbed out, noting that that was the second time Chris had sarcastically called him Dad. The boy must have had some deep issues with his father.
***

He was seething mad, but he’d never exactly been the type to blow up. No, he was too clever for that. He would turn this to his own ends, he always did.

Piper was starting to get very worried. She knew she shouldn’t be. Hadn’t she just decided that Paige was allowed to live her own life? Deciding that was a huge step for Piper, but Paige had been gone for a long time and Piper had not liked the way that spirit had looked. Piper knew a little something about loss and vengeance and it wasn’t a pretty thing.

So she got to work making a potion, which was really the only bit of witchcraft that soothed her and to which she could relate. She blamed it entirely on its similarities to cooking and she was okay with that. There was just something about mixing ingredients together and making a final product that looked, smelled, or tasted exactly as it was supposed to that was very satisfying.

And she was good at it. Which was also satisfying.

What wasn’t so satisfying were Phoebe’s subtle digs at Piper’s change of mind.

“I thought we weren’t supposed to be helping,” she teased.

“We’re preparing to help should she need it,” Piper said. “Besides, I waited until things were dire before I stuck my nose in.”

Phoebe had the good grace to look ashamed.

“Piper, do you remember how it was when we first got our powers?”

“Fun times,” Piper said sarcastically.

“Do you remember how scary it was not being able to control it; how you stayed in your bedroom for weeks because you were afraid you were going to blow someone up?”

“Vaguely,” Piper said, working on the potion.

“That’s like how I am now. But it’s not just a physical danger like me starting riots - this is so personal. We could fix it if I was hurting people physically, but this is me touching inside of people, inside their private thoughts and feelings. How do I control that? How do I not use that against the people I love? It hurts me knowing I am. But it also makes me know things I just can’t ignore.”

Piper stopped stirring and looked at her sister.

“I know this is hard, Phoebe. We’ll figure it out. We always do.”

“You only half believe that,” Phoebe grumbled. “The other half of you is just worried.”

“Well, that’s also what I always do,” Piper said, putting a stopper in the potion. “Now drive with me to go help our baby sister.”

Before they could go Sheila called wanting someone to get Wyatt so Piper called Leo to go babysit. This was so not how she’d wanted the night to end up.

They drove to the Calloway’s home and found themselves in the middle of a warzone with Paige possessed by Olivia and orbing her and an unconscious Richard to an unknown location. Which is when they went back home and Piper got a little frantic with her husband.

“Leo, can you sense her at all, anywhere?”

“No,” he said after a moment. “It’s like she’s gone. Olivia’s presence is suppressing Paige from hearing me.”

“Which is probably why I can’t scry for her either,” Phoebe said, dropping the crystal onto the map with force.

“That ghost is crazy,” Piper said. “Who knows what she’s doing to them?”

Thankfully the doorbell sounded and the two families had come to their senses. For what reason Piper didn’t know, nor did she care. All she wanted was to get Paige back. Stupid magic temp jobs and sisters trying to do things on her own and the Elders for making her husband so busy that Piper forgot everything else in an attempt for one date.

“We need someone to watch Wyatt,” she said calmly instead of having a temper tantrum.

“Chris!” yelled Phoebe.

Leo shook his head when the Whitelighter didn’t appear.

“Call the nanny,” he said.

So Piper did and had to promise her a great many things in return for showing up on such short notice. Little greedy elves.

They got to the tomb in time, thank goodness. Once Piper blew the coffin open Leo was able to revive Paige, and Olivia flew out of her.

“Phoebe, the potion,” Piper urged.

“You don't need to banish her,” Paige said, putting her hands out in supplication. “You felt her anger but I felt her pain.” She turned to Olivia’s specter. “I know how much you loved him. How much it hurts to have lost him. But you have to let him live. It's the only way for you to move on and get out of limbo. Olivia, please, come away from vengeance, and come back to forgiveness. Back to who you were. Just let the feud end with life and not with death.”

Behind her Richard stirred and Piper saw Olivia look at him.

“I'm scared.”

“I know,” Paige said.

“Forgive me,” Olivia said to Richard.

He appeared dazed, opening his mouth, but she disappeared before he could say anything.

Paige helped him out of the coffin and their hands lingered a little long, Piper thought. Well, at least he didn’t practice much magic, she thought, watching Richard hug his mother and shake hands with his former future father-in-law.

They all went home and the only thing that hadn’t been solved was Phoebe and Paige’s relationship.

But that could wait till the morning. The girls went to bed and Leo went to check on Wyatt and dismiss the nanny. Piper locked up and then headed for their room.

“Is he sleeping?” she asked, peering into the closet.

“Yeah, dreaming too,” Leo said.

“Can you see his dreams?” Piper asked curiously.

“Sometimes,” Leo said. “On a good night.”

“Is tonight a good night?” she asked, turning him to face her.

His face was shaded above her in the half-light from the door and the glowing night light.

“Are we still talking about Wyatt?” he asked, bending down, his breath tickling her ear.

“Not in the slightest,” Piper said, kissing him.

***

Now was the moment he put his plan into effect. He would finally be safe. But just to make sure it worked, he’d wait a minute longer.

Leo stretched and opened his eyes. He didn’t really sleep much, but he felt a bit tired after last night. Piper had certainly made up for the disappointing middle parts of their date, but he could tell he was going to be in big trouble Up There for having slept so long. He could hear shouting from another part of the house though and decided that was really more important to investigate before he left.

He walked to the attic where he could hear Piper speaking on the other side of the door.

“Come on, Phoebe. None of us like this new power of yours anymore than you do, but it's pointless to isolate yourself.”

“Well, if I can't read you, I can't hurt you.”

“Well, how about instead of trying to control your power, maybe you try to, I don't know, control yourself?” Paige said.

“Because, Paige, I can't. And I can sense how annoyed you are right now and that's hurting me.”

“Well, what's annoying me is I've discovered I have this magical destiny and I can't trust you to leave me alone for me to follow it,” said Paige.

As much as he loved all three sisters he would let them handle this themselves, so Leo turned around to go back downstairs, not wanting to intrude. He’d have time to see Wyatt and then hopefully say goodbye to Piper before he had to go.

But then Leo heard Chris speak and he froze.

“I don't get it. Leo didn't give you the empath blocking potion?”

That little sneaky… Leo sighed.

“What potion?” Piper asked, then called him. “Leo!” Leo orbed into the attic and tried to pretend he didn’t know what was going on. “Where is it?” she asked.

"Where's what?" he asked.

“Give me, give me, give me. Faster,” Phoebe said.

“Come on, come on, come on,” Piper said.

Leo opened his mouth to prevaricate but Chris beat him to the punch.

“They're really anxious about that potion you got for them,” he said, his face so smug Leo wanted to rip it off.

What was it about Chris that made Leo so disappointed all the time?

“Yeah, only I think you should wait to take it. Phoebe was given her power for a reason,” Leo said weakly.

“Forget that,” Piper said.

“Piper,” he tried again, “this is a very rare potion. The side effects could be dangerous.”

“So are the side effects of fratricide,” Paige said and orbed the potion out of his hand.

She and Piper both drank some and awaited Phoebe’s results.

“Nothing, nada, zilch!”

There was much rejoicing and Paige and Phoebe left the room with Phoebe teasing Paige about Richard.

“So it worked, right? No nausea, queasiness, nothing like that?” Chris asked Piper.

“Nope, nothing,” Piper said and she left as well, leaving Leo glaring at Chris.

“Looks like we're one big happy family again,” Chris said tauntingly.

“You're not family,” Leo said bitingly.

Chris gave him a look that was half hurt, half smug, and Leo wondered what it could possibly mean that Chris so obviously wanted to belong and so obviously wanted to keep his secrets and so obviously knew something the rest of them didn’t. Leo would figure it out. No matter what.

He followed Piper and caught up with her outside their room.

“You’re leaving again, right?” Piper said conversationally.

“I’m sorry,” he said, wincing.

“It’s okay,” she said, putting a hand on his arm. “Sometimes the interruptions aren’t your fault, sometimes they’re mine. Last night, case in point.”

“But I still feel-"

“Yeah, I know. Now kiss me and the kids goodbye, pick up your briefcase, and go to work.”

Leo kissed her, trying to put all of his feelings into the motion.

“I love you more than anything,” he said.

“I love you too,” she said.

Then he orbed away.

And it was done. With scarcely any lasting trouble for him. He hadn’t gotten away scot free, he never seemed able to, but he was confident he could handle it. He had to be.