Room 406, late evening

[izzyalienqueen]

It had been one of those days.

But it was over and everyone was at least physically okay. As far as mentally, Isabel was afraid that might be another story.

It was only after Wyatt had orbed them back from the preserve and they'd gotten cleaned up and were curled on the bed that Isabel finally spoke. "Talk to me?"

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[blessed_twice]

"I'm fine," he said. Physically, he was. The bruises and scrapes from his fight with Chris were already gone.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"And I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you," Isabel replied, propping her head on her hand so she could look down at him. "Don't keep it all inside. Talk to me."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt shook his head. He was silent for a long moment, then finally asked, "Did you hear what he said to me?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "I did."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt nodded, rubbing his forehead. "So, yeah," he said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That's not going to happen," Isabel said immediately. "We won't let it happen."

[blessed_twice]

"He thinks it will," Wyatt said, his voice strained with emotion. "My own brother. He knows me better than anyone."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"But he's also has the memories of a Chris that had to deal with a you that was...not so nice." Which was an understatement of the highest order. "That had to mess with his head."

[blessed_twice]

"He believes it now," Wyatt said. "He kept attacking me even after he was cured of the spider demon's venom. He wanted to kill me."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I think he's just scared," Isabel said, reaching for Wyatt's hand. "Evil you, was scary and apparently hurt him badly."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt squeezed her hand, desperate for the contact. "What if that's my destiny? What if I do become like that?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You have to be careful," she replied. "You've got power. More then just about anyone I know. And you can do great things with it. But it can also be used to do terrible things. It's up to you to make the right choices."

[blessed_twice]

"I'm a Whitelighter and the son of a Charmed One," Wyatt said. "I don't understand what could make me turn evil. I want to do good. I want to help people."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

It was such a shame Anakin was such a sanctimonious prick, Isabel sighed. Because he could probably explain the whole path to the dark side better then she could. But Isabel realized there was no way that Wyatt and Anakin could ever have that conversation without it going very, very badly. "I know. But if you make the wrong choice. Even if it's for what you think are the right reasons...It's that whole slippery slope thing."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt let out a shuddering breath. "I feel like I need to second guess everything I do now," he said. "I keep wondering, what if this is the wrong choice I make? Maybe this is how it all began."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," she said honestly. "But you don't know. And the fact that you're aware of it, and that you have people that will kick your ass if you start acting stupid, I think it makes it less likely to happen." She hoped.

[blessed_twice]

He pressed his face against her shoulder. "I don't ever want to hurt you. You and Chris are the people I care about most. But to hear him say that he thinks I'm going to hurt him and destroy everything he cares about. . . ."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel slid her fingers around the back of his neck and rubbed gently. "It hurts. I know," she soothed. "I know."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt lifted his head to look at her. "When . . . when I thought you were dead . . . I was going to destroy everything to make them pay."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You told me. And that scared me," Isabel admitted quietly. "I understand why, and god, if it had been you, I probably would have done the same. But it would be wrong."

[blessed_twice]

"I'd do it again, though," Wyatt said. "If anyone hurt you. . . ."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"But that's the thing," she sighed. "You can't. You're not the judge or jury. Protecting people is one thing. But revenge? Even if you think it's justified? And what happens when an innocent gets caught in the crossfire? Because it will happen."

[blessed_twice]

"I kill demons and other evil creatures," Wyatt said. "It's my duty. They don't get a trial. What those people did to you was evil. They deserved to die, too."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You can't be the one to make those decisions," Isabel replied, biting her lip. "Demons and everything else? Okay, I get that. It's what you have to do. But people? Even if they deserve it? Because once you start, where do you draw the line?"

[blessed_twice]

"Some people are just as evil and soulless as demons," Wyatt said. "What's the difference?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Because there are laws to deal with them. It doesn't, it shouldn't be your responsibility. You're going to have your hands full as it is," she answered.

[blessed_twice]

"But we can't always go to the police," Wyatt said. "'Hey, this guy tried to force my alien girlfriend to use her powers to heal his aging wife,' or 'this woman is an evil witch who cast a spell on my brother.' We can't risk exposure. My mom, my real mom, told me that I almost got taken away from her when I was just a baby because magic got exposed."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No, we can't," Isabel said quietly. "But do you want to risk starting something that will end with you turning out like what we had to deal with last week? Is that a chance you're willing to take?"

[blessed_twice]

"I don't know," Wyatt said, shaking his head tiredly. "I can't not protect my family."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I know that," she replied. "I'm not saying not to do that. I'm just trying to say there's a point where it goes beyond protecting your family. And it becomes vengeance. Does that make sense?"

[blessed_twice]

"I guess so," Wyatt said. "I have to just know where the line is. Even if Chris doesn't think I do."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That's the tough part," Isabel nodded. "Figuring it out. But I'll be there to help. And so will Chris."

[blessed_twice]

"I wish I was as sure as you are about that," Wyatt said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel had gotten her brother killed, but they'd gotten past it, so yes, she could be sure. "He's your brother. When it comes down to it, that's all that matters."

[blessed_twice]

"I want to believe that," Wyatt said quietly. "But right now I don't know."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Give him some time," she said, pushing back his hair. "Give him time and then listen to what he has to say."

[blessed_twice]

"He'll have all the time he wants," Wyatt said, clinging to Isabel. "I don't want to go near him right now."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Wyatt had been strong for her so many times the last few months, Isabel was more then willing to be the strong one for once. "That's all you can do. Just give it time."

[blessed_twice]

"I'm glad you're here," Wyatt murmured. He wouldn't admit to crying, but Isabel could probably feel a slight dampness where his face was pressed against her.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She did feel the dampness and held him that much tighter. "Always," she promised. "It's where I want to be."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt let out a long sigh. "What would I do without you?" he said.

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"I wonder the same thing sometimes," Isabel said softly. "Let's not find out."

[blessed_twice]

"I totally agree," Wyatt said, kissing her shoulder.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Love you," she murmured, slowly stroking her hands up and down his back.

[blessed_twice]

"Love you, too," Wyatt said, content for now to just forget about the rest of the world and hold Isabel through the night.