Chapter 13 of 19
Mentoring
“Ooh, if you weren’t already dead Piper would kill you,” Paige said as she entered the kitchen, did a little back-flip, checked that no one was coming and ran to join Prue on the kitchen counter grabbing a spoon and scraping some chocolate sauce.
“She can’t honestly need all this sauce for one lousy cake, I’m doing her a favor or else she’d had to waste food,” Prue said and Paige looked at her seriously.
“You’re right; this is our duty as concerned citizens. Wasting food is a horrible sin.”
Prue laughed at that, oh how she missed her baby sister’s humor. Her Paige had hardly laughed or cracked a joke for the last four years and Prue couldn’t blame her.
“So how was your first teaching day?”
“Horrible, I’m sure demons are nicer than teenagers,” Paige sighed. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Can’t help you there. When I came back you were already a teacher. Established one at that,” Prue smiled.
“How come you’re not as tight lipped as Chris?”
“Well,” Prue said. “I’m not about to tell you your husband’s name or when you have your kids, as I said, that has to be natural or else we risk erasing someone. But believe me both you and Phoebe met your soul mates. You were meant for each other. I don’t think that will change. But at the same time we want to change so much that not telling seems silly. Chris is just afraid to get hurt again, but mostly he is afraid to hurt you with the knowledge of what happened, especially Piper.”
“Mama’s boy?”
“Absolutely.”
“So much that he let mama know where his aunts would probably be before he left,” an angry voice came from the door and both Paige and Prue jumped as if scorched dropping their chocolate covered spoons.
“Piper, uh, hi,” Prue stammered.
“That cake,” Piper pointed at the oven where the cake was baking “is for Wyatt and Chris. And shall have all, all the chocolate sauce, I want, do I make myself clear?”
“Was just a little spoonful,” Paige defended herself. “There’s plenty left.”
“Humph,” Piper huffed as she went to grab the chocolate sauce pan and store it away. “And speaking of Chris, where did he run off to?”
“Magic school,” Paige smirked. “Went to get some mentoring.”
There was a knock on the door and Gideon looked up.
“Come in,” he called. The door opened slowly, almost hesitantly and in came the object of his headaches: Christopher Halliwell.” Chris, what a surprise.”
“Sorry to bother you Gideon but- er- I don’t know how to start. I’m feeling a little lost and back in my time you were a lot of help.”
Gideon smiled benevolently and rose making a motion for Chris to seat. “Of course, your aunt mentioned. I hope you know you can count on me on the same manner.”
Chris smiled gratefully and Gideon smirked inside. Oh, this would be easier than he thought. With Chris relaying all their steps and Gideon guiding them away from himself.
“So, what can I help you with?” he asked sitting down. Chris bit his lips nervously and Gideon could see all the signs of guilt. He leaned forward and put his elbows on the desk his hands clasped together.
“I’m starting to think Wyatt wasn’t turned, that he was born this way. We’ve vanquished every threat and still the future hasn’t changed. I’m not so sure that clan we’re pursuing is really the one to turn him. What if…what if that’s who he is?” he finished in a pained whisper.
“Have you told your parents?”
“They’d think I’m just jealous because of the power Wyatt has. I am not powerful. I only have Telekinesis and orbing. And even so, my powers only started showing when I was a teenager,” Gideon wanted to dance in glee. Piper would be vulnerable. “Is there an echo here?” Chris frowned.
“Bad acoustic.” Gideon said dismissively. “I think that you mustn’t give up Chris,” Gideon said wisely, better not to let the kid know he wanted him to give up from the start. He’d convince Chris of that slowly, maybe even convince him to help Gideon, that there was no other way.
Chris nodded, “You’re right. I’m just getting desperate,” he whispered and he looked so heartbroken that Gideon almost felt bad for him.
Chris orbed in and smiled as he saw his brother playing with blocks in the living room. He sat on the floor and started helping Wyatt.
“He won’t get to you Wy. I promise.”
“Kwiss,” Wyatt said holding a block to him.
”Thank you.”
That’s the scene Leo walked in to. His two boys playing of building blocks and then kicking the towers down. Or more like Chris building so Wyatt could kick the tower down and giggle.
“Paige said you went to talk to Gideon?” he asked Chris joining on the floor.
Chris looked at him and smirked, “Oh yes, poor Chris, he is so desperate. Thinks Wyatt can’t be saved.”
“Do you think he is the one?”
“I don’t know. But if he isn’t he’ll probably comment with who is and maybe they’ll try to recruit my help.”
Leo looked at his son worriedly. This could be dangerous. Chris might be powerful but the Elders where no pussycats. But at the same time he didn’t want to be overbearing, especially since Chris would become defensive. He decided to keep a close eye on the situation instead.
Chris on the other hand watched his father’s reaction and oddly enough he felt like he could read the concern in his eyes. He knew his father would not just sit idly and let him take all the risks. He was amazed, a month ago he would have never seen concern in his father’s eyes and in the future he wouldn’t trust the concern was for him or just because Leo had lost Wyatt and didn’t want to loose the leftover. Chris smiled looking at his brother, wouldn’t do for Leo to realize what he was smiling about.
“What do you think?”
“He could be useful.”
Gideon nodded pensively as he sat back in his armchair. “Do you believe he is so powerless?” he asked.
The reflection looked at him, “A son of a Charmed One and an Elder having only one power? No,” then the reflection smirked. “But I don’t doubt that Wyatt is more powerful and he is jealous. And that can come in handy.”