The Second First Born

N.B.I hope you're in it for the long haul! Please R&R! Also, disclaimer. I don't own Charmed, the show or any of the original characters.

A small creak echoed through the emptiness of the building. Paige dissmissed it and continued to stare at Phoebe pleadingly. Phoebe shook her head, "No...you don't understand."
Paige raised her voice, "I'm sorry. I'm sure it must be very frustrating for you, your sister being as ignorant as she is to your feelings."
Phoebe said, panicked, "Paige, I didn't mean it like that. It's just...impossible for me to come with you."
Paige snorted, growing weary of Phoebe's self-pitying tones, and her 'lost-little-girl' stare, "Oh yeah? And why is that?"

Phoebe, unblinkingly leaned against the framework of the wall as she camly said, "Oh...because of them..."
Paige spun around, and screamed.
The overpowering, cloaked figures stood over them, dominating the spacious apartment, and filling all the room. Paige ran towards Phoebe and pulled her through the doorframe she was leaning against and urge her forwards. Phoebe moved, and yet the expression on her face was one of complete serenity, as if she was watching this from a cinema, or the comfort of her own living room on a T.V. screen.

Paige rounded the corner and dived in the elevator, pulling a nonplussed Phoebe along with her. The doors rolled shut and Paige turned angrily on Phoebe, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Phoebe looked slightly confused, "What do you mean?"
Paige looked at her, incredulous, "Phoebe, were you awake through that at all? Why didn't you warn me sooner or yell or something?"
Phoebe shrugged, and Paige muttered profanities under her breath.

"Phoebe, please...listen to me..." Paige said, in an effort to calm herself somewhat, "I need to get you out of here, and then I need you to help me save Chris."
Phoebe's interest seemed to be captured for a moment, "They got Chris?"
Paige nodded, thankful that something seemed to be getting through to her, "Phoebe...please. I can get you out of here, just trust me. Please?'
She held out a hand to her, as the elevator shuddered to a halt and the doors opened smoothly. Paige looked around outside, "No signs of them...c'mon..."
She ran forwards, grabbing Phoebe's hand and forcefully pulling her with both hands. Phoebe gave a lurch forwards, stumbling over a slight ridge in the carpeting. She fell onto her knees and Paige gave an exasperated growl as she pulled her back up.

"Honestly Phoebe...you're like a child for god's sake..."

A voice behind her made her insides feel icy cold...a deep bass rumble.

"A child...not a bad idea..."

Paige spun around just in time to see a demon flaming away. Confused, she turned back to Phoebe...but she was gone. "Uh...Pheebs?" Paige called, shakily.
She turned her head frantically, and saw Phoebe slowly trailing her way through the foyer.
"Phoebe!" Paige called.
She ran after her, catching up with her in seconds. "Phoebe...what are you..?" she trailed off as she saw a little girl watching them; a little girl who was achingly familiar.

She stared at Phoebe, who was smiling sadly at the girl, as if a lost memory had come alive. They were standing outside the large swing doors that served as the entrance to Cole's building. It was dark, and the yellowed light from the street lamps cast an eerie glow over the scene. Paige stole a last look at Phoebe, before kneeling down in front of the girl.

"Are you lost, honey?"

The girl grinned, showing a gap where her two front teeth should have been. She didn't look directly at her, seemingly through her. It was as if she couldn't see Paige at all.
Paige smiled warmly at her, "Come on, let's see if we can find your mommy..." Paige stood up, about to squint through the darkness to find a figure, or someone who could help...but she couldn't see the road, or the sidewalk or the streetlamps...or even the street. Where the huge, ornate swing doors had stood was a small set of wooden double doors, stained glass decorating the edges of the windows. Gaping, she stepped backwards in shock, swinging her head around to look at her surroundings properly. From the carvings on the banisters by the stairs or the dusty light, drifting lazily through the foyer, there was no dounting that they were in The Manor.

Paige turned questioningly to Phoebe, "What the hell happened?"
Phoebe gave another etheral smile, but said nothing. Paige felt like shaking her. Just as she felt she was going to give Phoebe a sharp slap to snap her out of this trance, Phoebe spoke, "I'm remembering...the day that Dad came back for my birthday..."

Paige frowned a little as she pointed out the little girl. Slowly, frustratingly, Phoebe nodded, "That's me alright."
There was a sudden sound of falling footsteps coming from the kitchen. Paige made to get out of the way, to hide, until she realised that it would be pointless. Nobody could see her.

"Phoebe, honey...come and get into your party dress..."

Paige gasped slightly as she came face to face with a younger, but unmistakeable, Penny Halliwell.