Double Jeopardy

[sweet8]

~"You didn't answer my question, Sam." he said, as
she turned towards him. "Chris, listen. Justin's none
of your business. So just forget about him, ok?" Sam
answered softly. By the look in her eyes, Chris could
tell that she was keeping something from him. Was it
about Justin or was it aabout something else? That is
the question, crossing his mind. So feeling like he was
not going to be getting more information out of her, he
gently let go of her arm.

"Okay." he responded. She then smiled, as she took his
hand into hers. He smiled back at her. And together, the
two of them stepped out of the alleyway & onto the nice
sidewalk. Fingers laced.

Chris didn't return home until, about 9. Piper was already
in her bedroom and it seems that Wyatt and Joel's double
date is still going on. Chris peeked his head into the living
room, seeing that the four were having a great time. Just
drinking soda and talking. And Wyatt must've sensed that
his brother was standing there, since he slightly turned his
head and smiled.

[sweet8]

~Chris took a step back, as Wyatt's date turned to
face him. "Who is that?" she asked, as she pointed
at Chris. Joel and his date, both turned their heads
to see who she was pointing at. "Sarah, Nicole, this
is my younger brother. Chris, this is Sarah & Nicole."
Wyatt answered. Chris waved at them and the girls
waved back at him. "So, would you care to join us?''
Nicole politely asked.

"Sorry, I can't. I have some homework to do." Chris
replied. "Come on, we won't bite. Well, unless we're
asked to." Sarah commented, sarcastically. Both Joel
and Nicole chuckled under their breaths, while Wyatt
only smiled. "Sorry, but it was a pleasure to meet you.
Both of you. Good night." Chris responded, as he then
turned and headed for the stairs. There was silence in
the living room. "Nice guy." Sarah said. Wyatt nodded,
as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "He's pretty
cute." Nicole commented. Joel raised his eyebrows, at
her comment. Wyatt chuckled, a bit.

Later that night, around 10:30; Joel and Nicole left, as
Wyatt and Sarah went upstairs. Chris could hear them,
as he stared at his books. Then, after a while; as Chris
left his room to head for the kitchen, he heard Sarah in
the bathroom. She was talking to someone. He heard a
man's voice, but it wasn't Wyatt's.

[sweet8]

~Chris stood beside the bathroom door and began to
eavesdrop. "My lord, I'm not so sure that I can do this.
I don't think I'm ready to accomplish, a job like this." he
heard Sarah say. "But you are, you just need to have a
bit of faith in yourself. Do you think I would've given you
this job, if I didn't think you were ready?" the male voice
answered. Sarah paused for a moment.

"No, I don't think you would've." she finally replied. "I've
taught you well." the voice said. Then, there was silence.
Chris heard the toilet flush and he stepped away from the
door. Sarah came out of the bathroom and then stopped,
suddenly when she spotted Chris.

"Chris, what are you doing out here? I thought you had a
lot of homework to do." she commented. "I'm taking a tiny
break. Who were you talking to, in there?" he responded,
as he crossed his arms across his chest. "I was, talking to
myself." she answered. "Oh, really? I could've sworn that,
I heard a man's voice. Do you care to explain that?" Chris
asked. Her eyes widened, a bit. "I have no idea what you
are talking about, Chris." she said, as she started to walk
away. "Oh, I think that you do." he replied, as he grabbed
her arm. She turned and glared at him.

"Let go of me." she responded. "Sarah, who were you just
talking to, in the bathroom?" he asked calmly, letting go of
her arm. "It's none of your concern." Sarah snapped, taking
a step towards Chris. "My brother really does like you. But if
you hurt him, I'll......" he began to say, but Sarah cut him off.
"You'll what?" she replied, as she took another step towards
him. Their eyes became locked in a stare.

[sweet8]

~Just then, the door opened and Wyatt came out of his room. I
guess he was looking for Sarah, I expect. And when Chris slowly
turned his head to face his brother, Sarah just swung her arm &
slapped him hard. Wyatt went over to the two of them, as Chris
reached up to rub his cheek.

"Sarah, what's going on here?" he asked, glancing at her and at
Chris. And before he could respond, Sarah spoke. "Your younger
brother was hitting on me, that's what going on." she replied, as
she turned towards Wyatt. "What?!" Chris and Wyatt both said,
at the same time. Chris was dumbfounded, as his brother turned
towards him. Anger was building up inside of him.

"She's lying, Wyatt. I wasn't hitting on her." Chris replied, as his
older brother wrapped his arms around Sarah. Protectively. And
while Wyatt's eyes were too busy on Chris, Sarah looked at him
and smirked. "Why should I believe you?" Wyatt asked him. "I'm
your brother and besides, how long have you known her? About
two days, am I right? You've known me a lot longer than that &,
I would never lie about something like this. Ever." he responded.
He took a small step forward and Wyatt, still holding onto Sarah,
took a big step back.

"If that is true, then how come you were waiting just outside the
bathroom?" Sarah finally answered. Wyatt loosened his grip and,
gently pushed her behind him. "I wasn't waiting. I could've sworn
I heard a guy's voice in there, so I eavesdropped. That's it." Chris
explained to Wyatt, but his brother just stared at him.

[sweet8]

Then after a while, Wyatt's expression began to
soften. Chris smiled, as his brother took a small
step forward. But when Wyatt opened his mouth
to say something, some sort of shadow washed
over him. Wyatt's hands formed into fists and he
gritted his teeth. "Wyatt, you okay?" Chris calmly
asked his brother.

And then, without warning, Wyatt swung his arm
& his fist connected with Chris's face. Chris fell to
the ground, with a loud thud. Then, Wyatt jumped
on top of his brother and started swinging. Sarah,
meanwhile, just stood there and watched the two
brothers fight. Down the hall, a door swung open
and Piper appeared in her silk pajamas. With her
hair in a messy bun, she came down the hall and
broke up the fight.

"Boys, what has gotten into you?" she asked, as
she stood between her two sons. They didn't say
a word, they just glared at each other. "Ok, then.
Sarah, I think it is time for you to head home." she
suggested, glancing over at Sarah. "Okay. See you
later, Wyatt." Sarah replied, as she went down the
hall and down the stairs. As she waited to hear the
front door open and close, Piper glanced at her two
sons. They were still glaring at each other & Wyatt's
hands were still in the form of fists.

"Now; can one of you calmly explain to me, what the
heck is going on?" she asked her sons. Again, Wyatt
and Chris did not answer. "If you aren't going to tell
me, then go to your rooms. Now." she added, as she
pointed towards their rooms. They both started to go
at the same time, but she held Chris back. As he then
watched Wyatt walk down the hall, he stopped at his
door and glared back at Chris. He walked into his bed-
room & slammed the door behind him. Piper closed her
eyes, at the sound of it and then she let Chris go.

He calmly walked to his bedroom, stopped, and looked
back at Piper. "I'm sorry, Mom." he said softly, opening
his door and shutting it behind him. Piper simply stood
there for a moment, heaved a sigh, and then walked to
her room. She silently closed the door, behind her and
then all was quiet.