Chapter 2: Intrigue

A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reading this. Please, review, and check out my other Charmed fics.

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"Hi, Sally, what now?" Zan asked as he orbed in, expecting to see one of his more bothersome charges. Instead, he found himself in a dark, dank, cave-like room, surrounded by people in long, black robes. When his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he realized that it was the exact opposite of Up There. He looked around, smiling. Already he liked the place.

"Sorry for tricking you," one of the robed men said, doing a perfect imitation of Sally's high-pitched, whiney voice, "but we didn't think you'd come any other way."

"You're probably right," Zan conceded. "So what am I doing here?"

"We heard you were feeling restless Up There, with the Elders." the man, obviously a leader of some sort, said. "We thought you might enjoy a... A change of scenery."

Zan raised his eyebrows, suspicious but intrigued. "Change of scenery?"

"We'd like you to join us." the leader said. "Think of the possibilities. The Elders, with all their regulations, make life so dull. We won't restrict you. Imagine: immortality and freedom. You can have both with us."

"What's the catch?" Zan asked, his distrustful nature shining through.

"Catch?" the leader repeated, laughing. "Catch? The 'catch', if you can even call it that, is loyalty. We are a tight-knit group, as you can see. We'll welcome you as a brother, so long as you don't betray us. You can handle that, can't you?"

"Of course I can." Zan retorted. "But what, exactly, am I pledging loyalty to? Who are you people?"

The leader laughed again, a harsh, grating chuckle. "All in good time, my brother; you'll know all in good time. But first, we must complete the initiation..."

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"Piper, where's Paige?" Phoebe demanded, not even bothering to greet her older sister as she stormed into the kitchen.

"Well, hello to you, to." Piper said, bouncing Wyatt in her arms.

"Hi, sweetie," she said, leaning down to hug her sister. "And hello to you," she added, using extra-sugary baby talk as she kissed her tiny nephew. "Now, can you make your Mommy tell me where to find Auntie Paige?"

"I'm right here." Paige said, orbing in behind Phoebe. The latter Charmed One jumped, not expecting her younger sister to appear so suddenly.

Piper started laughing, and even Wyatt cooed in amusement.

"Aww, sorry, honey," Paige said, trying to sound apologetic while supressing her own giggles.

"Mmm-hmm. Sure ya are." Phoebe responded playfully. "You ready to go?"

Paige nodded. "All set."

"Wait. Go where?" Piper asked.

Phoebe and Paige exchanged glances. "Well, seeing as a certain sibling's birthday is coming up, we thought we'd go... out."

"Out?" Piper repeated, her face flushing with pleasure at the thought of a surprise.

"Out." Phoebe confirmed. "And that's all you're going to hear from us."

Piper raised her eyebrows. "I doubt that, 'cause see, neither of you can keep a secret."

Phoebe sighed. "You're right, we can't."

Paige nodded in agreement, but then sly smiles formed on both their lips. "ANd that is precisely why we told Wyatt." Paige said, grabbing Phoebe.

"Bye, honey." both girls called as Paige orbed them out.

Piper sighed, and looked at her son. "I don't suppose you're going to tell me?" she asked hopefully. Wyatt cooed. "Yeah," Piper said, "I didn't think so."