(Last time on 'Love Is a Strange Thing')

Wyatt crossed his arms as he stared at the figure sitting in the darkness.

Wyatt: So, you ready to talk to me?

Green eyes met blue eyes in a cold stare that would freeze hell over. Chris stood from the corner he'd been sitting in and stood in front of his older brother, hatred set on his face as he glared at Wyatt.

Chris: Where should we start?

Dungeons – Night

Chris glared at his older brother, not particular happy to see Wyatt at the moment. Wyatt had held him hostage for three and a half months now and Chris got frustrated even more as each day passed. It wasn't just that Wyatt had kidnapped him. The fact that Wyatt was determined not to let him go was what really had him fuming. Chris had been living at Wyatt's place in the beginning. But, after Chris's many attempts to escape, Wyatt figured the dungeons would teach Chris a lesson in respect. In all his time in the dungeons, Chris had learned something. But, it wasn't respect. He learned the game of deceit. And that helped Chris more than any power he had could.

Wyatt: I see you're not so hostile anymore.

Chris remembered the first few times that Wyatt had visited him in the dungeons Chris had thrown Wyatt clear across the room with his powers, until Wyatt threatened to choke the life from him that is.

Chris: I'm done venting.

Wyatt: Then what was that display of power I just sensed when I walked in?

Chris smirked ever so lightly as he took a seat on the rock behind him.

Chris: Your demons have given me plenty of target practice. I guess my powers are growing.

Wyatt: Or, you're finally realizing your true potential.

Chris exhaled nosily, knowing where this was headed. Every time Wyatt came, he started the same crap.

Chris: How much longer are you going to go on about my powers?

Wyatt's expression darkened as he stepped closer to his brother. Chris didn't even flinch at the closeness between the two of them. There was a time when Chris would have trembled from Wyatt's intimidating stance. But, he'd hardened in the last few months and he could be a real threat to Wyatt if he wanted to.

Wyatt: Chris, all these years, I've seen the way you've gotten jealous when I learned about some new power of mine or when you sulked over the fact that Dad would praise me for my talents all the time when he'd just give you a pat on the back only on very special occasions.

Chris: (bitterly) Is there a reasons why you're bragging about how much more powerful you are?

Wyatt sensed his brother's envy. Chris may have been able to hide his emotions from others. But, the brothers had a connection that could never be broken even if they resented each other most of the time. Besides, Chris had always been the more sensitive out of the two and he basically handed his emotions to Wyatt on a platter.

Wyatt: My intention isn't to put down your abilities, Chris.

Chris: Then what is this about?

Wyatt: If you listened to me, you'd know.

Chris crossed his arms and leaned back against the cold stone wall behind him.

Chris: Fine. I'm listening.

Wyatt didn't quite like Chris's sarcastic tone. But, having grown up with Chris, especially during their teenage years, Wyatt was used to this and let it go.

Wyatt: The reason I want you to join me isn't because I simply want more power. I want you by my side, as my brother, for your sake.

Chris scoffed.

Chris: For my sake?

Wyatt: Yes, smartass, for your sake.

Chris: How is anything you've done for my sake?

Wyatt laughed coldly, causing Chris to raise an eyebrow at his older brother. Wyatt never laughed unless something very bad was about to go down or he was teasing Chris. Chris really hoped it was the second one.

Wyatt: What makes you think me becoming ruler had anything to do with you?

Well, Chris got what he wished for. He just didn't think he'd feel so disappointed about it. Wait a minute, what was his problem? He should be happy none of this was about him. He'd spent nearly half of his life blaming himself for whatever reason Wyatt turned. Yet, here Wyatt was saying that it wasn't his fault and he was…hurt?

Wyatt immediately sensed Chris's feelings of insignificance and smiled on the inside, never knowing how much Chris still cared what Wyatt thought of him.

Wyatt: You know I didn't mean that.

Chris's eyes turned cool and unemotional, something he'd picked up from Wyatt himself. He shrugged indifferently, acting as if he didn't care. But Wyatt knew the truth, what Chris felt deep down. Chris was hurting and Wyatt felt that everyday. But, the pain Chris held inside was something he didn't have to deal with if he'd just stop being so damn stubborn. Wyatt remembered back to when they were younger, how Chris used to follow him around and ask if he could hang out with Wyatt and his friends. Of course, Wyatt never minded. Yeah, he pretended like this got on his nerves every once and awhile. The truth was though, that Wyatt would destroy heaven, earth, and hell just to protect his little brother. And Chris just didn't see that anymore. He'd been so brainwashed by their family into believing that good and evil bull. There was no good or evil. There was only power. And Wyatt had enough to do anything he wanted. Chris had that power as well. He was just so caught on trying to 'do the right thing' that it was clouding his better judgment. Wyatt would convince his brother to join his sooner or later, even if it took years.

Wyatt: Chris.

Chris: What?

Wyatt glared at the nastiness in Chris's voice. Chris was starting to push his luck. It was only a matter of time before Wyatt lost his temper and became the big brother who severely picked on Chris years ago. He just wouldn't be so nice now.

Wyatt: Do you want to hear this or not?

Chris looked away from the wall he'd been staring at and gave Wyatt his attention. He could tell Wyatt was beginning to get anger with him and that was just about the last thing Chris needed right now. He was exhausted and felt like he had to have his guard up all the time. So, right about now, he'd hear Wyatt out.

Chris: Go ahead.

Wyatt: Chris, everything I've ever done is for you. The day Mom died, I swore that I would never let that happen to you. You're my baby brother and it's my job to watch over you, voluntarily or against your will. Mom's death opened my eyes. It showed me that no matter how much we kept fighting so-called evil; it never did us any good. Day after day, all we did was risk our lives and for what? The respect of the Elders? The Elders were nothing but pompous old guys who liked to ruin people's lives. You heard what the Elders said about me. They said I'd be nothing but evil and destroy the world.

Chris: (quietly) They weren't too far off on that one.

Wyatt: You're tiring my patience, Chris.

Chris reluctantly zipped his lips and let Wyatt continue with what he had to say.

Wyatt: All I'm saying is that even though I loose my temper with you sometimes, it's only because I care about what happens to you. I want you to join me because I think it would bring so much back into our brotherhood and you'd be by my side again, little brother.

Chris flinched this time when Wyatt touched him, letting his emotion guard slip for a moment. It had been so long since Wyatt had called him little brother and meant it, without some sick and twisted meaning behind a word that meant so much Chris. Wyatt's words tore at Chris's heart. Chris just knew this was all some trick to get him to join Wyatt. But, half of Chris was comforted by the words also. And Chris was ashamed that he'd been pulled in by this warmth. Wyatt was really the only family Chris had left and he prayed so hard that his brother, the good Wyatt, would return and tell Chris everything was okay. But, Chris couldn't be selfish. No matter how much he wanted to wish it, Wyatt wouldn't change, at least not for Chris's sake.

What was he supposed to do? He refused to ever join Wyatt's cruel reign, but that meant his ass was stuck in the dungeons for all eternity and that did him no good. But, if he considered Wyatt's offer, or at least pretended to, he could get out of the dungeons and maybe even escape from Wyatt all together.

Chris: I'm sick of fighting.

Wyatt watched as Chris bowed his head and rubbed at his eyes. He'd noticed the dark circles around Chris's eyes and how thin he was. He didn't know why his brother tortured himself like this.

Wyatt: Stop fighting me then. And join me. I'll make sure nothing happens to you.

At the last sentence, Chris raised his eyes again and this time they sparkled like the used to when he was a just a small boy. Oh, what Wyatt would do to give Chris back a smidgen of the innocence he had lost.

Chris: Really, Wyatt?

Wyatt: Anyone has a problem with you and they have to answer to me.

A smile slowly came to Chris's lips and Wyatt realized it was the first smile he'd seen from Chris in god knows how long.

Chris: I think I'll…

Chris stopped, frowning as he choked back what he wanted to say.

Wyatt: What is it, Chris?

Chris sighed, running his hands through it long hair. This was the hardest thing he would ever say to Wyatt; because it was exactly Wyatt wanted him to say.

Chris: I'll join you.

Relief, shock, and many other emotions burst inside of Wyatt as he knelt down in front of Chris, placing a hand on his brother's arm.

Wyatt: You mean it? Because if this is a joke, I'm going to be very pissed. And you know how I get when I'm anger.

Chris certainly did know how Wyatt got when he was really, really mad. He was worse than any demon Chris had ever come across. At least the demons didn't know anything about him, accept for what family he came from and, possibly, what powers he had. But, Wyatt had known him from the day he was born and had more dirt on him than any person should. He knew how to push Chris's buttons and really cause Chris agony without even touching him. So, Chris was almost afraid to make his brother anger right now.

Chris: I'm serious. I'll join you on one, technically two conditions.

Wyatt shrugged, letting go of his pride for his brother, which was harder than it sounded.

Wyatt: Fine. Name it.

Chris: You give me time to adjust to this new agreement.

Wyatt could completely agree to that. He was about to suggest it himself. Chris wasn't ruthless enough, and certainly not powerful enough, to handle demons yet. Yes, he could blow them up with no problem. But, now he was going to work with them like business partners. And Wyatt knew Chris had always had some strong feelings of disgust towards demons, so it was unavoidable that he'd feel weird at first.

Wyatt: Done. Condition two?

Chris: Get me the hell out of here.

Wyatt smirked; happy he had Chris right in the palm of his hand. It wasn't that he wanted to necessarily control Chris. He just mostly wanted Chris with him or nearby so he could watch over him and make sure he didn't get himself into any trouble. Oh, who was he kidding? He absolutely craved for authority over Chris and he knew it. His little brother was a free spirited and persistent person since he was in Piper's womb, kicking her kidney. Wyatt didn't want to break Chris, but he wanted him to stop thinking that Wyatt had no hold on him. Wyatt was his big brother and it was about time Chris started acting like it.

Wyatt: Well, what did you think I was going to do? I'm certainly not going to let second in command sleep in here.

Chris: Second in command? Already?

Wyatt: Of course. You are my brother and your powers are almost as powerful as mine with some training.

Well, Chris wasn't expecting all of that all just from saying the words 'I'll join you'. Wyatt was real exited about this and Chris thought about what would happen if he went back on what he said. Wyatt would most likely kill him, bring him back, and do it all over again.

Wyatt: Come now. I want to show you to your new home.

Chris: Don't you mean old? Have you already forgotten I lived at your place for awhile?

Wyatt chuckled lightly as he opened the cell door with his telekinesis and Chris got to his feet.

Wyatt: I've made some major modifications. And they're just for you.

Chris wondered what Wyatt had done to the room he'd once called his temporary home, like so many other places since Wyatt turned their original home into a freaking museum.

Wyatt: Well, are you coming?

Chris realized he'd being standing in the small spot for awhile as Wyatt watched him from outside the cell.

Chris: Yeah.

Chris walked out of the cell and took a deep breath. It was kind of strange just walking out of the cell after nearly four months of fighting to try and break his way out.

Wyatt: And if you just said that you joined me just to get out, go ahead and try to run. You know I'll find you and won't be happy about the chase.

Chris had to harden his face and bite his tongue to stop himself from saying something smart to his brother. This was getting old real quick.

Chris: I'm not going to run, Wyatt. I promise you.

Wyatt: Good.

Wyatt was testing Chris. Even if Chris was an angel from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet, he was a tricky bastard and could get away with a lot because of that face you couldn't help but trust.

Wyatt: Meet you at my place. You know the way.

Chris: I couldn't forget if I tried.

Giving his little brother one last threatening look, daring him to run, Wyatt orbed out and to his penthouse. Chris watched the orbs disappear before giving the dungeons one last look. He couldn't say that he wasn't happy to get out of there. Though, vanquishing demons for the last few months had been fun. That wasn't the point though.

If only Wyatt could read his mind, he'd put Chris right back in his cell. It was clear that Wyatt still was suspicious of Chris, not ready to truly except that Chris had joined him so easily. And Wyatt was right to be that way. Even though Chris had a big heart and wouldn't hurt a living creature that didn't deserve it, he was a survivor as well. Wyatt had taught Chris that he had to toughen up and play rough to survive. Maybe Wyatt taught him a little too well. Because Chris was about throw Wyatt for the loop. That was for sure.

Chris: Let the games begin.

And with that, he orbed to Wyatt's penthouse.