I'm very sorry for not updating sooner. My computer crashed, taking all my stuff, including a month's worth of homework, with it. So, I had to re-do all of that. On top of that, my robotics club just started build season, and I had finals. Additionally, I had to deal with my eight-year-old brother going to the hospital. (He's fine now though.)

"Piper, what-" he breaks off as his voice cracks and tries again, "What do you want?" he asks, trying to act angry and tough. The effect is ruined by the fresh wave of tears that cascades down his face as he looks at her.

Seeing that her sisters are frozen, Pheobe moves forward. "Chris?" she asks, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing!" he responds, angry and ashamed.

"Of course you're fine!" Paige calls out. "All the crying and whimpering really convinces us."

"Not now, Paige. Just, not now," Chris whispers.

"Well, why not, if you're fine?"

"Please, please just drop this."

Finally, Piper steps forward, nearing the bed. "Chris," she says, touching his arm.

He looses it, throwing himself into her arms, sobbing and clinging to a shocked Piper. Slowly, she encloses him in her arms, rubbing his back and murmuring soothingly. Eventually, Chris falls asleep. Piper covers him with a blanket and she and her sisters step out of the office, closing the door behind them softly.

"What the hell was that!" Paige exclaims.

"I don't know, but you can bet I'm gonna find out!" Piper declares.

"Yeah, I can just imagine that conversation. 'Chris, why were you crying?' 'I can't tell you. Future consequences.'" Paige smirks.

"Well, that's just not going to work. I'm going to find out what that was about, and not even Chris and his 'future consequences' crap is going to stop me!" Piper exclaims.

"Yeah, and how're you gonna do that?"

"Well, I'm going to sit here and wait until he wakes up. When he does, I'm going to ask him nicely. When that doesn't work, I'm going to cast a truth spell on him." Piper smiles smugly.

"Piper...I don't know about that," Pheobe says, worriedly. "Remember what happened last time?"

"So, we'll modify it a bit."

"I don't know, I mean...if Chris wanted us to know, don't you think he'd tell us?"

"Come on Pheebes. This could be a great opportunity! We could get to know what he's really here for, find out about the future! This is great!" Paige exclaims, excited. "You can't tell me you don't want to know."

"Well, of course I do!" Pheobe concedes, "but..."

"Pheobe. Are you helping us or not?" Piper snaps.

"Um..." She fidgets a bit before hanging her head. "Of course I am."

"Good. Let's get started on the spell then."