Disclaimer: I don't own Spider-Man- the character was created by Marvel Comics and this version appeared in the movie directed by Sam Raimi-, nor do I own the Charmed Ones, who were created by the very talented Constance M. Burge

Feedback: This is a risky story I'm attempting; I'd like to know it's appreciated

.harukomel: Believe me, that will be coming soon…

Wolflver: It's more that he knows Strange professionally rather than personally, but I figured I had to at least mention him; after all, he is the strongest sorcerer in Marvel Comics. And believe me, if all goes well, 'fun' won't exactly be the right word for this meeting…

Webs and Witches

"Wow…" Paige breathed, as she looked around in awe at her surroundings. She'd been to New York once when she was younger, her parents taking her there for a week-long break during a summer holiday, but it all looked so different now…

For one thing, it seems a bit smaller, Paige thought slightly jokingly to herself. Then again, it was true; even if it wasn't that much of a difference, Paige was definitely taller now then she had been back then. Plus, she had a great deal more freedom in the city now due to her being older now, and was looking forward to seeing where else she could go this time around…

"So, any particular destination in mind?" a voice said from behind her.

Looking back, Paige smiled at Piper's curiosity; even if they were here to deal with a warlock crisis, they were still determined to have a bit of rest and relaxation until they had some new material to work with. Currently Phoebe and Cole were trying to find a decent hotel, while Leo had decided to ask the Elders if they had any ideas about what might be causing the disappearances rather than leave the five of them staggering about blindly.

"Nah, not really," Paige replied, shrugging casually as she spoke. "I think I'll just mill around for a bit; you know, see what I can find to kill some time. You?"

Piper shrugged. "I'm going to try and persuade Leo to help me check out a few clubs in the area; you know, get a few ideas for improvements I might make in P3."

Paige nodded. "Fair enough," she said. "Phoebe and Cole still sorting out the hotel?"

"Yep," Piper smiled. "I've told them to call you when they've selected our hotel; they'll also be letting us know if anything comes up regarding the disappearances while we're out and about."

"Perfect," Paige smiled. "See you!" she called out to her sister, as she began to walk off down the street, leaving Piper to head off down in the opposite direction.

Looking around for her first stop-off, Paige turned around a corner…

And bumped directly into a young man coming the other way.

"Oh, sorry about that," the man said instantly, as Paige briefly stumbled back from the suddenness of the brief impact.

"Don't worry about it," Paige said, looking up at the young man. "It was…"

She stopped.

This guy was cute.

He wasn't exactly a giant among men, but was still fairly tall, maybe an inch or so taller than she was, and looked like he was around her age, maybe a couple of years difference in either direction, with short, dark hair and dressed in jeans and a dark blue jumper with a camera hanging around his neck.

The young man blinked, but then smiled and recovered.

"Hi," he said, holding out his hand. "Peter Parker."

Paige took the hand and smiled. "Paige Matthews," she replied. "You're a photographer?" she added, casually indicating the camera around his neck.

Peter glanced down at the equipment in question and smiled.

"Kind of obvious, isn't it?" he said casually, as he looked back up at her. "So, if we're exchanging jobs, what do you do for a living?"

"Social worker," Paige replied casually. Then she smiled and shook her head. "Well, actually I'm a social work assistant, but who cares about the fine print, huh?"

"Yeah, fair point," Peter smiled. Then he swallowed slightly and looked curiously at Paige. "So, um, if you're not doing anything at the moment, care to grab a drink or something?"

Paige thought about it for a moment. On the one hand, she wasn't really going to be staying in New York for very long; was it really fair to start dating a guy if she'd be dumping him in only a few days?

Then again…

Peter seemed nice enough, a few days couldn't hurt anyone that much, and besides, hadn't she been complaining only this morning that she'd been having difficulty finding a decent guy? Peter struck her as being a nice enough guy, and even if he wasn't, well, that would just make it easier to chuck him. If he was everything he seemed to be, she was sure he'd understand why she had to leave, and she'd still have spent a few enjoyable days in his company.

She made her decision, and smiled at Peter.

"Sure," she replied. "Any preferences?"

"So, where do you live, anyway?" Peter asked Paige, as they sipped reflectively at the hot drinks they'd picked up at a nearby Starbucks.

"Well, San Francisco, normally," Paige replied, putting her drink down and looking over at Peter. "My sister runs a nightclub down there and wanted to get a few ideas for improving the place, so she came over here with her husband to check out was popular over here and persuaded the rest of us to tag along."

"I see," Peter replied, sipping his drink again. "The rest of you being?"

"Me, my sister, her husband, our other sister, and her fiancée," Paige explained. "We live together in this manor house our grandmother left us after she died a few years ago; it's been in the family since after the 1906 earthquake."

"Really?" Peter said, intrigued. "So you've lived there all your lives?"

"Well, the others have; I only moved in recently," Paige explained, taking another sip of her drink. "I only even found out I had sisters a few months ago; I attended a funeral I'd seen an obituary for in the paper, and it turned out to be for my…" She sighed. "My deceased elder half-sister."

"Oh," Peter said, uncertain what else to say. "And then you started living with the others?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Paige said. "Turns out our mother had me with a boyfriend of hers after she got divorced from my sister's father, but had to give me up because of… well, my father's work issues meant he couldn't have a kid, to put it simply." She sighed. "I don't resent them, really; I get their reasons why they had to ditch me, and I always loved my adopted parents. It's just… well…" She sighed again. "You can't blame me for wanted to know my parents better, can you?"

"Yeah..." Peter said reflectively, as he looked idly at his cup for a few moments before looking back up at Paige. "I kind of know what you mean; I never really knew my parents either. They died in a plane accident when I was younger, and I was raised by my aunt and uncle ever since."

"Oh," Paige said simply. "Sorry about that." What else was there to say?

"Thanks," Peter smiled. "But, really, I'm fine about it; Aunt and Uncle Ben always made it clear that they loved me. It's kinda like your situation, really; I never loved them any less just because they weren't my parents."

He stared thoughtfully at nothing in particular for a while as he sipped his drink, and then looked curiously at Paige. "So… are you free tomorrow night?"

Paige blinked in surprise, but soon recovered. He was asking her for a second date already?

Then she shook it off and smiled. This was just what she was looking for; a guy who was actually interested in meeting her more than once. Why shouldn't she make the arrangements? After all, there was no telling how long they'd be in New York; she might as well make the most of it.

She smiled at Peter. "Yeah, I'm available," she said to him. "Anywhere in particular?"

"Well, I know this great bistro down in Brooklyn," Peter said. "How's seven o'clock sound?"

"Perfect," Paige smiled, before reaching over, picking up a napkin, and scrawling a number on it before passing it to Peter. "Here's my mobile number; call me when you've made the arrangements."

Peter smiled and took the napkin from her, slipping it into his pocket. "Sure thing," he smiled at Paige. He glanced down at his watch, and sighed. "Sorry, I've got to go; I've got some photos to drop off with my publisher if I want to have any money for tomorrow." He picked up another napkin and scrawled his own number on it before passing it to Paige. "Here's my number; let me know if something comes up."

Paige took the napkin and smiled at him. "I'll call you once I know the hotel," she said to him.

"Thanks," Peter said, as he got up, tossed a few dollars onto the table to pay for the drinks, and headed off out of the bistro. "See you tomorrow!" he called back to Paige.

As he started to walk down the street towards the Daily Bugle, he smiled slightly to himself. The date had actually gone far better than he was expecting. He'd found Paige attractive when they met, but he'd been expecting just to have a drink with her and then leave; he was never very good with women on a first date.

But Paige…

He found he could kind of identify with her. Not just the obvious fact that both of them had lost their parents when they were young; he felt like there was… something else they had in common, something that she didn't really like to advertise about herself…

He smiled. So what? he thought to himself. Even if she does have a secret, it can't be any bigger than mine is; if she reveals it, it'll all be fine, and if she doesn't… so what?

Shaking off the pleasant thoughts of Paige and more time with her, Peter turned his attention back to getting to the Bugle. Who knows, if he was lucky, maybe they'd have some more information on those disappearances…