Future vs Past

28

"I hate Jason"

Chris looked up from the book of shadows, amused. "We know. No need to broadcast it"

"I'm not an empath to broadcast that" I replied as I added another ingredient for the vanquishing potion I was working on.

"No need to be an empath to let people know you don't like someone" Chris countered. "Besides, Jason and Phoebe don't end up together. Why are you complaining?"

"Because he is around" I whined. "And he's clingy and annoying and..."

"Right now, Phoebe's love interest" Chris told me, chuckling. He was really enjoying this. Asshole "You have to respect that because that's how she's gonna meet your dad. After a string of really bad relationships"

I flipped him the bird "Sure, I'll remember just this conversation and you saying this when Piper is dating Greg"

Chris grimaced, shooting me a look to which I smiled smugly and sarcastic. "Really? That petty?"

"That petty" I confirmed, holding back a laugh.

Chris rolled his eyes, opening his mouth before closing it, straightening. "They're back"

"Potion's almost ready" I told him, stirring the potion before starting to fill some vials "I'll clean later"

"Good" Chris said, grabbing my arm before orbing us out of the attic.

~8~

We orbed downstairs to the conservatory.

I smacked Chris on the arm, feeling a bit nauseous "A bit of a warning next time"

Chris shrugged unapologetically, turning to face the sisters, "So, you vanquished the demon?" 

I rolled my eyes at how direct he sounded, turning away, freezing when I realized there was a lizard baby on Wyatt's playpen and Wyatt calmly sitting with it.

My eyes widened.

"Yes and no" Piper answered.

"Well, the good news is the demon you sent us after is in fact gone" Paige told us.

I tilted my head.

Phoebe nodded to the playpen "And the bad news is whatever ate it, left us that"

Chris followed her gaze toward the playpen. The baby wiggled his lizard-like tongue at us.

Paige chucked in amusement "I think he likes you"

Chris looked annoyed "I don't care. Vanquish it"

Phoebe looked at him disapprovingly "Chris"

"I mean it" Chris told them.

I whispered to the sisters, loud enough for him to listen "He's afraid of lizards"

Paige and Phoebe chuckled, amused. Chris glared at me. I smiled innocently.

Chris looked away, toward the sisters, sternly. "Now"

"No, we are not vanquishing a baby" Paige pointed at him "What's wrong with you?" 

Chris pinched the bridge of his nose, frustrated. "I'm just concerned that this could be the future evil that gets to Wyatt"

Paige waved a hand "Don't be ridiculous. Besides, Bree's not worried"

I widened my eyes "Don't put me in the middle"

"You were born in the middle" Chris shot back, almost instinctively for when we were kids and we'd get into fights. Phoebe and Piper exchanged looks, a glimmer of... Something familiar passed through their eyes I didn't understand. "And me? Being ridiculous? There is a demon in the playpen"