"Unification" by Jennifer L. Anderson
DemonaCrzy@aol.com

***
Just a short thanks to those who waited so patiently as I took my time
to finish this (especially Steve, Nick, Kenna, Misty, Korry and Sydney,
all my partners in crime).  I didn't really outline the story... it just sort of
happened (and you can probably tell) but I thought it turned out well
despite that fact.  Also, a thanks must go to the Gargoyles for letting
me use them in my story.. they do not belong to me.  They are the
work of the greater powers known as Disney and Buena Vista.  (bowing
to the almighty Mouse who also employs me).  Dr. Wallace and Orin,
however, are my intellectual property and probably the only thing
intellectual about me, so if you feel the need to write about them...
all I ask is for some credit.

Hail to the Fanfic Gods and Goddesses that, unbeknownst to them,
inspired me.  Artists such as Christine Morgan, Ryan Stout,
Christi Smith Hayden, Scott Mercure, Jewel Faulkner,  Terese Sinclair,
Melissa "Merlin Missy" Wilson and so many talented others.  I bow to
 your greatness!!  I LOVE YOU MAN!

This story takes place shortly after Hunter's Moon.  Knowledge of
 Hunter's Moon, City of Stone and The Gathering will probably help.

'Nuff said.... let's get on with the show.
***


Elisa pulled down the visor on her car to shield her eyes from the sun
that was just peeking over the horizon.  "Damn!" she thought "I missed
them again."

It had been at least two weeks since she had seen Goliath...or was it
three?  Oh, who cares - she missed him.

The streets had been chaos lately.  She didn't know what was up but
things were crazy.  She heard people blame it on the moon, on the
wind, on the impending end of the world.  Even Matt Bluestone had his
own bizarre theory of organized crime and secret societies.  All she
knew was that she needed some rest and some time with Goliath.

Matt, sitting next to her in the car, noticed the disappointment and
fatigue in her eyes.  "Why don't you drop me off at the station and go
get some rest?  I will fill out the rest of the reports."

Elisa cut her eyes over at Matt.  He never volunteered to do the
paperwork unless he had an ulterior motive.  This was a trait that
they both shared.  Usually in a partner relationship such as theirs,
one of them wouldn't mind the paper work.  This was not the case
with them.

"What are you up to?"  Elisa's voice was very accusing.

"Do I have to be 'up to something' to give you a break?"

"Yes." Elisa answered without skipping a beat and glared at Matt out
of the corner of her eye.

He had been caught.  "Okay, okay, I wanted to check on some leads
on the Illuminati.  Someone is funding some pretty cutting edge, state
of the art medical treatment to Jason Canmore.  This is more than just
experimental and more than your normal health insurance covers.  I
want to see who is behind the funding and why did they choose
Canmore."

Elisa thought about it for a brief second and decided that Matt could
handle this wild goose chase alone.  She barely slowed down to let
Matt off at the station and went home.  After a hot bath she went to
sleep watching old movies on TV.

**********************************************

First on Matt's agenda was to question the hospital.  All he found out
from them was that the staff and equipment had been donated by an
anonymous party.  He then decided to talk to some of the staff
members.

He approached her with unfounded suspicion and apprehension.  Her
name was Gwynevere Wallace.  She was the chief physical therapist
on the so-called 'Project Canmore'.  Most of the records that he had
been able to access were signed with her name.

Before he could tap her on the shoulder she turned quickly and nearly
ran him over.

"Excuse me.  I um so sorry."  she said, her voice dripping with a thick
Scottish accent.

Matt just stood there, dumbfounded by her beauty.  She had deep
red-brown hair that flowed in large curls down to the middle of her back.
She had skin so pale and perfect it almost glowed.  She was tall, only
a few inches shorter than himself.  He found himself staring into two
ebony eyes.

She looked at him strangely, "May I help ye, ye look a we bit lost."

Matt snapped out of it and blushed when he realized that he had just
been standing there staring at her.

He put on his best detective look and asked "May I..." his
voice cracked.  This was just way too much, he thought.  Deepening
his voice, he tried again "Uh-hum, may I ask you a few questions?"

"That depends," she looked him straight in the eyes, making him more
uncomfortable than he had ever been in his whole life, "who are ye?"

"Uh...Oh! I am so sorry...Detective Matt Bluestone, NYPD."  He
finally managed to stutter.  He was really blowing it.  If she wasn't
staring right at him he would have slapped his forehead with his palm.

She smiled at the frustration on his face.  "I'm Dr. Gwyne Wallace, I
would be happy to help ye."  She let that sink in for a moment as he
seemed to be a little slow on the take.

"I just heve a few things to take care of then I will meet ye un the
lobby."  She thought about that for a moment then, as women do,
changed her mind.  "Un second thought, would ye mind if we grab
some breakfast?  I um starving."

"That...would be fine."

"Great, I will meet ye in the cafeteria in around..." she looked at her
watch "forty-five minutes?"

"That sounds good."  Matt blindly replied.

She smiled sweetly at him and turned to walk away.

He watched her go.  She seemed to float down the hallway.

Then it hit him.  "I am so STUPID!" he said out loud.  Some of the
nurses and orderlies turned to look at him.  He blushed again and
walked toward the end of the hall.  At least he would have some time
to recompose before he talked with her again.

He decided to see if he could speak with Jason.  He needed to get
back in the detective mood.

Jason's hospital room was large and private.  Oddly enough there was
very little furniture or equipment in it.  A bed, a nightstand and a TV
on the wall.  The only chair was a specialized wheelchair that sat
beside the bed.

Matt knocked on the door after he had already opened it.

"Hello Matt."  It was hard to get use to Jason's accent after he had
done such a good job of hiding it from them all.

"Hey, Jason.  Can I come in?"

"Sure, heve a seat"  Jason gestured to the wheelchair next to the bed
with a grin.  Feeling uneasy about that idea Matt decided to stand.

To Matt's surprise, Jason was the first to ask a question.  "Are ye here
aboot the ghost?"

Once again Matt found himself at a loss for words.  This just wasn't his
day.

Jason saw the pause on Matt's face and answered for him, "I guess
noot."  He turned his head to look out the window towards the dawn.

Although he tried to fight it, Matt's curiosity got the best of him.  "What
ghost?"

"Naw, you'll just think I'm crazy."  Jason tried to hide the blushing of
his face.

"Hey, I am use to people thinking that I am crazy.  Perhaps I can help.
Come on, give me a chance."

With doubt in his eyes Jason began to speak, ready to stop at the first
sign of a giggle.  "At first I thought I was dreamin', boot then, it started
ta leave evidence behind."

Jason handed Matt a white bound journal that sat on the nightstand by
his bed.  It looked ordinary enough but pages were covered in cryptic
poems and stories of Scotland of old.  Poems about the 'Hunter and
His Prey'.  They were vague and written in old English style.

Matt was totally absorbed in the book when Jason continued.  "It use
to just come und hover o'er me at night...just staring.  It is a pale,
white-blue in color und rather large with wings."  Matt looked up from
the journal.  "When I was first admitted to the hospital, I thought that
it was un angel und I was dead."  He pause, reflecting.  "Boot now I
think it is a ghost...a gargoyle ghost...perhaps one that me ancestors
killed while looking for the demon...I mean...Demona."

Matt couldn't believe what he was hearing, maybe all the pressure had
finally made Jason snap.  Matt listened despite his disbelief and made
a mental note to see if any of his medications were known
hallucinogens.

Seeing that Matt was paying close attention to what he had to say,
Jason continued.  "Now, she sings to me und writes in the notebook."
 He gestured to the white journal.

"She?"  Asked Matt.

"Yes, 'she'.  She has a beautiful voice boot ne'er speaks, only sings.
Once, she even touched me face.  I expected her to be cold boot her
touch warmed me skin."

"Have you tried to speak to her?"

"If the lass thinks me to be awake she won't come at all.  I pretend to
sleep to try to see her.  If I speak or open me eyes while she is looking
at me, she....vanishes."

Matt looked at his watch.  It was time to meet Dr. Wallace.  He looked
at Jason, knowing that he would not understand.  "Jason, don't take
this wrong but, I have to go.  I will be back later to pick this up where
we left off, okay?"

Jason forced a smile, "Of course" he said out loud.  <Just like the
rest.> he said to himself as Matt left the room.

**********************************

Matt saw her sitting in the corner of the cafeteria alone, picking at what
looked like some scrambled eggs.  He started to walk over when she
spotted him.  She smiled and waved him over.  The moment she looked
 up at him he tripped over the leg of a cafeteria chair.  Regaining what
little composure he could, he continued across the room and sat down
across from her.

"Sorry I was a little late."  He managed to say.

"That's fine, I just got here meself.  Ye saved me frum having to come
up with un excuse."  She flashed him a smile.  "What cun I help ye
with?"

"I was curious as to who is funding 'Project Canmore'.  The records are
rather vague."

She thought for a moment, "To be honest, I am unsure of who initiated
the project.  I was brought frum overseas if the accent didn't tip ye off.
The company I work for und am paid by is ShieldAngel Industries,
Medical Division.  They are a large European company boot I must
admit, I don't think that they heve the technology und finances to pull
all of this off."

Writing down information as she talked seemed to calm his nerves a
little...very little.

"What exactly do you do here?"

"I am supervising the physical therapy for Mr. Canmore.  We heve a
team that is working with him.  There is a whole separate team that is
working on the spinal regeneration process..."

"What?"  Matt cut her off.

"Oh, I thought thut ye knew whut we where doin' here."

"I knew it was high tech but total spinal regeneration?  Who is in
charge of the Genetics staff?"  Matt was almost afraid to ask.

"Dr. Sabastian.  No one has e'er seen him here.  He works totally
offsite und, I heve heard, is a very private man."  She looked
uncomfortable all of the sudden.

"Is that all you know about him?"  Matt was suspicious that it wasn't.

"Pretty much."

"Do you know where his lab is located?"

"No."

"Do you know if he is employed by ShieldAngel?"

"No."

<Damn>  Matt thought, <she had been so open, why did she start
lying now?  What was she hiding?>

"That will be all for now.  If you remember anything please give me a
call."  He handed her a card and abruptly got up from the table.

"Hey!"  she practically yelled as he walked away.

Matt turned to face her, his face stern.

"This may seem rather forward boot..."  she looked around nervously,
"would ye like to have dinner with me tonight?"

Matt just stood there, for the umpteenth time today, not knowing what
to say.  "Sure!"  He finally managed.

"Great!"  a relieved Gwyne Wallace said.  "Meet me at thut new
restaurant duwn the street at aboot 6:00 tonight, okay?"

"Sure," he said again as if were the only word he knew how to say.

She grinned and went back to her breakfast.

He turned and tripped over the leg of another chair.  He turned to see
if she had seen the blunder.  She was deliberately not looking at him
and desperately trying to hide a smile.

Embarrassed and tired, Matt went home to bed and dreamt of gargoyle
ghosts and Dr. Gwyne Wallace.

**********************************************************

That evening Elisa woke Matt with a phone call.

"Matt, I am going over to the Aerie Building tonight before work.  I'll
catch up with you at the station."

"Hey!"  Matt stopped her, "I will meet you there.  I have some
questions that our friends may be able to help me with."

Slightly confused and highly suspicious, Elisa agreed.

************************************************************

Elisa stood with her hands in her jacket pockets and patiently waited.
The sun was just about to set.  Suddenly, she felt a presence behind
her and looked back over her shoulder to find Matt standing there
silently.  They said nothing and just watched and waited.

As the last sliver of daylight paused teasingly and then dropped below
the horizon, the first loud snap was heard.  It was followed by
thousands of other snaps as the stone cocoons cracked and the
roaring gargoyles stretched back to life.  Shards of stone went flying
in every directions as wings were unfurled and the sound echoed off
the castle walls.

"I wonder if that itches," Matt thought out loud.

Elisa smiled at the comment but said nothing.

Goliath stood there for a moment and watched the sunset go from
burgundy to violet.  Lex turned and was shocked that they had guests
"Elisa!" he couldn't help but shout.

Goliath jerked around.  A huge, toothy smile took over his face.  He
jumped down off of his daytime perch and ran to Elisa.  Before she
could say anything, he had picked her up around her waist and hugged
her with his massive arms and wrapped her in his wings.

At that very moment he became acutely aware that EVERYONE was
watching them.  As he looked around he noticed that the whole clan,
including Matt, had the same dumbfounded expression on their face.
As quickly as he had picked her up, he set Elisa down and took a
step back.

Regaining his composure and wiping the smile off of his face, he
stumbled over his words.

"I...uh...We have missed you."

Elisa was still slightly disoriented and definitely in shock.  Matt couldn't
tell which one of the two was blushing more.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit, Las?...tis been awhile."
Hudson finally broke the awkward silence.

Elisa, still half looking at the blushing Goliath out of the corner of her
eye, turned to answer Hudson.  "I have been meaning to stop by but I
just haven't had the chance, things have been more than a little crazy
lately."

"Don't we know it!" Brooklyn offered, finally breaking free of the scene
that had left him speechless, "The streets haven't been fit for man or
beast."

"We have had to double up our patrols," Angela's lovely voice chimed.
"Even Hudson and Bronx have been patrolling."

"Well, it's good to know that we are not alone in this fight."  Matt
stepped forward.

Goliath had been so caught up in Elisa that he hadn't even noticed
Matt.

"Hello, Detective Bluestone."  Angela smiled sweetly and said, just to
make Matt blush...it worked.  Matt smiled at Angela and noticed the
look of jealousy on Broadway's  face and dropped the smile
immediately.  Clearing his voice, he changed the subject.

"Hey, I talked to Jason Canmore today."

Elisa turned at the mention of Jason's name and smiled.

This time, it was Goliath's turn as jealousy swept over his face as he
watched her reaction.

"He claims that some sort of 'ghost' is visiting him at night."

There were questioning looks all though out the clan.

"Why do you bring us this news?" Goliath boomed, sounding more
jealous than he intended.

Matt looked Goliath straight in the face.  "Because, he claims it is a
Gargoyle's ghost.  I need to know if any of you have gone to visit
Jason."

None of the clan heard Matt's last sentence.  All of them were talking
at the same time.  It started out as whispers but turned in to a full
debate on 'who was there' and 'do you think it was a ghost'.

Finally, in unison, Elisa, Matt and Goliath yelled, "QUIET!"  Goliath
looked sternly at the group then turned back to Matt.

"What did he say about this apparition?"

As Matt told them what he knew, the gargoyles listened intently.
When he finished the story, Broadway was the first to break the
silence.

"Demona?"

"Not her style."  Brooklyn snapped.

"So it wasn't any of you?"  Matt asked, casting an obvious glance at
Angela.

Angela blushed a dark purple as she replied, "I don't think any of us
have a reason to visit Jason."

"I wonder..."  Matt thought out loud, "if it is just someone trying to
scare him."

"Matt, anyone in their right mind wouldn't go see Jason dressed as a
gargoyle."  Elisa said as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

Matt glanced at his watch....then quickly glanced again, hoping that
he had read it wrong.  "Damn!  I am late for my date....I, uh....I mean,
interview."

He scurried off towards the stairs.  Elisa chuckled to herself.  She had
never seen him quite so anxious before.  She walked back toward
Goliath.

The others were all mumbling to each other about Jason's mysterious
visitor.

Suddenly feeling very concerned she turned to Goliath.

"Goliath?"

"Yes"

"What do you think it is?"

" I do not know."  He didn't look at Elisa and that was her clue that it
was really bothering him.

"Maybe we should pay a visit to the hospital?"  Elisa offered

Goliath turned and looked into her eyes.  "You read my mind..."  He
smiled, "as usual."

He turned to the clan.  "Brooklyn, Angela, Lexington.  You are on
patrol tonight but try to stay out of sight.  Hudson, you stay with the
castle, Broadway, you stay here.  We may need you when we return."

With that said, Goliath scooped up Elisa and hurled his massive form
off of the castle wall.  They dropped for a second or two before he
caught an updraft.  It was just long enough for Elisa to gasp and hold
on tighter around his strong neck and  shoulders.

When they leveled out, she glanced up at his face.  He was smiling....
no....He was smirking!  He had done that on purpose!  Her anger
passed quickly though as she snuggled back into his chest.

"I have really missed you."  Elisa said quietly, her words almost lost on
the wind.

"And I, you."  Goliath answered.

She looked at him with her large dark eyes and he wondered if he could
 have kept his feelings from her forever.  After a second he decided that
 he would have if that had been her wish.  No matter how much it hurt
him he would have lived the lie if she wanted it that way.  As it was,
their relationship was confusing.  What was their future, their destiny? 
It didn't matter, he decided, he loved her right now.  Tomorrow would
have to take care of itself.

She leaned up and kissed his cheek.  His heart pounded a little faster.
She smiled.  She couldn't believe that she would have ever made an
attempt at this relationship.  A year or two ago she had told herself
that it could never be done.  Besides...her parents would kill her!
After Jason came into her life she had thought that she might even
have a chance at a 'normal' relationship.  But it only made her realize
how much of her heart truly belonged to Goliath.  She had taken a big
chance that day that she had finally kissed him.  What if he had
rejected her?  Somehow she had been pretty sure that he wouldn't.

She new nothing of Gargoyles love lives.  Even though she spent every
moment she could with them they were still a mystery to her.  She
also worried about the survival of the clan.  Demona and Angela were
their only hope for continuing on.

She began to wonder about Demona.  As evil as she was, she had
shown that she cared for her daughter.  Could she change?  If Demona
did change, would she be standing in the way of Demona and Goliath
having more children?  She shuddered.

"Are you cold?"  Goliath's voice broke her thoughts.

"No, why?"

"You were shivering."

"I am just fine..."  quickly changing the subject, "Look, there is the
hospital."

Goliath circled the building until he was sure that it was clear.  He
landed on a ledge outside of Jason's window.  There was a nurse with
him, so they waited.

After a moment, Elisa spoke.

"Goliath, what am I to the clan?"

"You are one of the clan!  You are a warrior, you are family."

"But I am also HUMAN!"

"Elisa, you are as much a Gargoyle as I am.  At least that is how we
see you."

"What am I to you?"

Goliath paused for a second, looking for the right words.

"You are..." he suddenly smiled as the words came to him, "my mate.
If you would have it that way."  He took her hand in his.  "We are one
soul, one mind, one....."  He paused again.

"Body?"  Elisa finished.  "We have never even started to discuss that
aspect of our relationship.  Goliath, I don't even know if our anatomy is
compatible."  Even though she had a pretty good idea that it was.

Goliath suddenly looked very uncomfortable at the turn in the
conversation.  Elisa sighed and leaned into his mammoth chest.
He wrapped his wings around her.

"To my knowledge, no human and gargoyle have ever fully attempted to
pursue this type of relationship.  I do have some advantage over you
because I have lived with Humans all my life, read their books, watched
their movies.  I think that a physical relationship is possible but I am
unsure of what the end result would be."

"End result?"  Elisa's eyes got big.  "Oh God!!  I am NOT laying an
egg!"

With that last comment Goliath tried desperately to suppress a giggle.
Regardless of his mighty strength he was not strong enough to hold it in
and let go with a booming laugh.

Elisa took a step back and looked at Goliath as he tried hard to stop
laughing.

"And just WHAT is so funny?"  She said with her hands on her hips.

Changing the subject and wiping a tear from his eye, Goliath pointed to
the window.  The nurse was just leaving.  In an instant they were both
serious again.

Elisa opened the window and stepped inside.  Jason smiled when he
saw her.

"Elisa!  So nice of ye to drop by."

"Hey Jason.  How are you feeling?"

"Mooch better, I can move my left toes now."  He showed her a sample
of his accomplishment.  His big blue eyes beamed at her.

"Wow, that is great!"  Elisa said with a smile.

"I assume ye are not alone."  Jason said, hinting to the pair of eyes
that were glowing with jealousy outside the window.  "Please, wunt
you come in?"

Goliath reluctantly stepped inside.  Elisa moved up next to him and put
her arm around his back.

"I see the best man wun."  Jason said jokingly trying to hide his
disappointment.

***********************************************

Across town, Gwyne was getting ready for her "meeting" with Matt.

As she finished putting on her lipstick she noticed a figure moving
behind her and heard a soft musical humming.

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?"  A woman's soothing voice said
from behind Gwyne.

She turned to confront the voice.

"This is the unly wey to throw him off track.  He knews too muuch
alreedy.  We need to divert his attention."

"That is not the only reason you are going."  The voice accused.

Gwyne pretended to look insulted but knew that it wouldn't work, her
partner knew her all too well.  They were practically sisters.  They had
grown up together, destined to work together.

"Okay, there is something aboot hem..."  She dazed off into thin air for
a moment then snapped back to attention.  "I need to knew more...I
just...need to knew."  Gwyne turned back to the mirror for one final
hair touch up.

Gwyne's companion crossed her arms and sighed.  She had lost the
battle.

"I will do a background check on him tonight."  She stepped towards
Gwyne.  "Know this...I will not let you jeopardize this mission in any
way!"

Gwyne just smiled, her companion could be SO melodramatic at times.

She looked at her watch, turned and headed for the door.

*****************************************

Matt ran up to the restaurant door and stopped right outside.  Looking
in the glass windows of the shop next door, he began to straighten his
coat, tie and hair.  Then he noticed someone out of the corner of his
eye.

They turned slowly, in unison, and looked at each other.  On the other
side of the restaurant in front of another store window, stood Dr.
Gwynevere Wallace.  She was hurrying and primping just as he had
been.

They blushed simultaneously then started to giggle.

*******************************************

Inside the restaurant they were seated in a dark corner that was lit
romantically by candlelight.

Matt found it very difficult to keep the conversation on business.

"How long have you worked at ShieldAngel?  He asked.

"Me whole career.  They paid for me schooling if in return I would work
for them when I graduated."

"That doesn't sound like a bad deal."

"I was destined....uh, I mean, cut out for this type of work."  Suddenly
uncomfortable, she took over the questioning.

"How long have ye been with the NYPD?"

"Just a few years."  Matt said honestly

"Und what did ye do befure that?"

"I was a special agent in the FBI."

Her eyes lit up, "Wow, that sounds interesting...why did you quit?"

Matt's heart sunk a little as he told the story of his 'dismissal'  from the
FBI.

"I guess I just got carried away with the strange and unusual"  He
finished.

They had just completed a fantastic dinner and they both reached for
the last dinner roll in the basket.  Their hands touched and Matt found
himself looking into her black eyes.  She didn't pull her hand away and
they froze.

He felt himself being dragged into the blackness.  It was as if he could
see her soul.  She was dedicated, driven, creative, intelligent.  She was
devoting her life to one cause...it became cloudy but he looked deeper.
There it was...her secret...what she had been hiding.  The form slowly
took shape in her eyes......

She could see that he liked her.  They were so much the same.  Their
lifelong struggle to meet their lifelong goals.  The Illuminati???  Is that
what he thought she was?  She stared deeper into his ice blue eyes...
feeling that he was searching her soul at the same time.  What was he
hiding?  As the image was forced into focus by her mind......

"The Gargoyles!!"  they jumped back in unison.  Ripped out of each
others minds.  Dazed and confused Matt was close to panicking.

"I have to go!"  He practically shouted as he stood up.

Nervous and in shock Gwyne answered "Uh...Me too."

They both jumped up.  Matt paid the bill with little patience at having to
wait and they walked out of the restaurant.

They turned to each other but neither would meet the others gaze.

"I will just get a cab."  She broke the silence.

"Uh....Okay."  Matt said very relieved.

She touched his arm and it shocked them both.  She quickly withdrew
her hand and took off in the opposite direction.

Matt first walked then ran to his car.  He was so shaken that he couldn't
get the key in the lock.  He leaned against the door and took a calming
breath.  Finally, the key found the lock and Matt was racing down the
street toward the Aerie building.  He had to talk to Elisa!

****************************************

"Has anyone heard from me brother?"  Jason was obviously
embarrassed to mention it.  Thinking that is why they were here to talk
to him, he decided to bring it up first.

"No, they are still looking for him, how is your sister?"  Elisa cautiously
asked, trying to make Jason feel a bit more comfortable.

Jason's eyes perked up.  "She is doing great!  She comes to see me
everyday.  She has a new job now."  His eyes dropped again, "Working
for Nightstone was no longer an option."

Jason face turned serious.  He looked Goliath straight in the eyes for
the first time since their last confrontation but he knew what the
monolith was thinking.

"Why are ye here?"  Jason started.

Elisa jumped in, "We just wanted to say hi and see how you....."  She
stopped short, realizing that Jason was not even listening to her.  He
was staring at Goliath and Goliath was returning the cold gesture.

"Why are ye REALLY here?"  Jason repeated.  This time more
deliberately.

Goliath cut to the chase.  "We were informed by Matt Bluestone that
you were being visited by an .... apparition."

Suspiciously, Jason glared at Goliath.  "Und, why would ye care if I was
being haunted by a gargoyle ghost?"

"Because, anything concerning gargoyles concerns us!"  Elisa jumped
in trying to get back into this conversation.

"Matt said that it was leaving you notes....may I read them?"  Goliath
asked.

Jason handed the behemoth the journal and turned back to Elisa.  "It is
like no other gargoyle I have ever seen....She is so white and has a
beautiful voice!"  Jason's eyes glazed over  "like the Sirens of
mythology."

Goliath looked over the top of the notebook at Jason.

"Could all this be a hoax?  Perhaps a cruel trick?"  Elisa wondered out
loud.

"I think not!"  Goliath boomed.  "These are all gargoyle poems....some
written when I was but a hatchling.  I must speak to Hudson."  He stood
and headed for the window, then turned to Elisa.  "Are you coming with
me?"

"Well.....yes."  She was uncertain as to why he would have to ask.

She turned to Jason and took his hand in hers, "I will see you soon."

Jason smiled and nodded.

Goliath found himself overwhelmed with jealously.  He was already
outside the window waiting impatiently.  His body tense and his eyes
glowing.

Elisa climbed out the window and with one look at Goliath she tensed.
He couldn't be jealous?  Could he?  No, it had to be something about
those stories.

Without a word he picked her up an propelled himself off of the building.
He was trying desperately to get his emotions in check.  What was he
so worried about?  She loved him...and he knew that for a fact.  She had
given up all chances at a normal life for him.  Maybe that was it!  She
would never have a chance to introduce her 'boyfriend' to her friends and
family.  Would she even tell the family that knew him about their
relationship?  *sigh*  She could be so happy if she were to be mated to
a human.  If he wasn't around she would have fallen for Jason Canmore.
She could have had a big wedding, perhaps have children.  She could
have had all of that and more but instead, she had him.  Would she
have been happier if they had never met?

She reached up and kissed his neck.  He looked at her.  Her ebony hair
flowing in the wind.  Her deep dark eyes looking at him with total trust
and love.  He smiled and his mood lightened.  How could he have ever
lived without her.

**********************************************

Matt came scrambling up the stairs to where Broadway was sitting.
"She's after the gargoyles!"  He managed to rasp before falling to his
knees.

"What?!"  Broadway jumped up, wings flared.

Matt was desperately trying to catch his breath.  He looked up at the
gargoyle before him.  Why did he never notice how BIG Broadway was?

Just as he opened his mouth to speak Goliath and Elisa landed right
next to him.  Making his already tense body jump.

Elisa jumped out of Goliath's arms and ran to her partner.  "What
happened?"

With Elisa's help Matt stood up, leaning more on her than he would
have liked.

"Gwyne *huff, huff*  Jason's physical therapist! *huff, huff*  She is after
the gargoyles!"

Goliath's eyes got wide.  "Did she tell you this!"  His voice boomed.

"No!  *huff, huff*  I saw it!"

"Saw what?"  Goliath was getting uneasy.

"In her eyes!  I saw it in her eyes!"

"Matt, you have got to stop watching The X-Files!"  Elisa rolled her eyes
and turned to walk away, leaving Matt off balance.

"I am serious!"  He proclaimed.  "We went to dinner, had a great time,
but when our hands touched I saw her thoughts!"

"Yeah, and then she did the 'Vulcan neck pinch' on you right?"  Elisa
said sarcastically.

"Damn it Elisa!  You have met gargoyles, King Arthur, Puck, been a
gargoyle, outricked a magic spell and chatted with the Egyptian god of
death and YOU don't believe that I saw someone's thoughts?!"

"He has you there Elisa."  Broadway chuckled.

Cutting an evil look at Broadway that made him winch, she decided to
hear Matt out.  "Well...Go ahead!"

"So glad I have your permission."  Matt snapped.  He took a deep
breath and started again.

"It is her company, ShieldAngel.  They are here to find the clan.  That is
all I got from her before the cable went out."

"If this is true, we maybe in grave danger."  Goliath thought out loud.

He turned to Broadway, "Go get Hudson, I need to see him immediately."

Broadway snapped to attention like he had seen done in the movies and
headed down the stairs.

Goliath set a huge hand on Matt's shoulder, "Thank you my friend, for
your concern."

Matt smiled.

"We will need your help."

Matt nodded, still out of breath.

Broadway reappeared at the top of the stairs with Hudson and Bronx in
tow.

"What's all the fuss Lad?"

Goliath turned to his mentor.  "This .... 'ghost' is trying to get our
attention.....and it is working."

Elisa, still not believing all of this, was waiting to be convinced.  She sat
on the wall with her arms crossed.

"I think Jason's ghost is a trap!"  Matt blurted out.  "I think she has
something to do with Gwyne and ShieldAngel Industries."

"As do I."  Goliath agreed.  He turned to Hudson again.  "The poems
and stories that are being left in the journal at Jason's bedside are a
clear indication that someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make sure
they spark the curiosity of Scottish gargoyles."

"Und why would ye say that?"

"They are stories and poems that I recall hearing from our elders as a
hatchling.  Stories that even you have told me, some about MacBeth
and Demona..."  He paused for a moment.  Deciding whether or not to
divulge the information.  "Even a poem that I wrote .... to Demona."

That got Elisa's attention.  She hopped off her perch with renewed
interest and suspicion.  She moved protectively towards Goliath.

Hudson noticed the change.  'A true gargoyle is she.'  He thought to
himself and smiled.

"So, do you think it was Demona?"  Broadway put on his best Detective
look and began to mimic Matt's every move.

Goliath shook his head.  "No, I never had the chance to give her the
poem.  It was still hidden in the rookery the night of the Vikings raid."
The sorrow and regret in Goliath's face just stirred up Elisa's doubts.
Once again she became worried about the continuation of the clan.

"So who are they?"  Matt was getting anxious, something you seldom
saw him do.  "What is it they want?  A specimen?  A circus freak
show?"

Goliath shot him a look.

"Uh, nothing personal."  Matt offered.

"Of course."  Goliath accepted.

"So, what do we do?"  Broadway asked.

Goliath thought for a moment.  "First, you go find Angela, Brooklyn and
Lex.  I think I have a plan."

***********************************

She ran into her apartment completely out of breath and collapsed
against the door.  She managed to squeeze out one yelp.  "ORIN!!"
Her partner was at her side in a second.

"He knews, Orin *huff, huff*  He knews!"  She began to hyperventilate.

Orin swiftly ran to the kitchen and grabbed a paper bag.  "Here put this
over your mouth and breath deeply."

Gwyne grabbed the bag and gave Orin a look.  She put it over her
mouth and took deep breaths.  Finally some of the lightheadedness
went away.

"Who knows?  What do they know?"

She dropped the paper bag and put her hand out to Orin.  With little
effort on Orin's part Gwyne was on her feet.

"Matt knews, aboot the gargoyles."

"What did he tell you?"  Orin was very optimistic about the news.

"He knows aboot the whole Scottish clan here in Manhattan.  What's
worse is that he knows that I know aboot them too!"

Orin was suddenly upset.  "Oh, Gwyne, what did you tell him?"

"I dinnae say anything.."  She paused.  Her eyes got big and she stared
off.  "He saw it in me eyes."

Orin just looked at her.  Trying to find out if she was serious.  "Do you
know what this means?"

"No."  Gwyne replied still very shaken.

"I found out tonight that Detective Bluestone is the head of the gargoyles
task force."

Gwyne's eyes got big and her mouth dropped open.  "Me dream!  It is
coming true."

Orin tugged on a piece of her hair thinking, "No, I am not so sure that is
was a dream......perhaps more of a mental link with fate.  A prophecy."

"Orin, that would mean that we both would have to be Psi.  Me powers
are external not mental.  Besides, we would have sensed each other
and we didn't."

"Not if you were confused at what you were sensing.  Maybe that is why
he seems attracted to you."

"Thanks!"  Gwyne said suddenly offended.

Standing up Orin looked at Gwyne, "You should be thinking more about
the project and less of your personal gain."  She walked towards the
window.

"Hey, ye aren't going to see Jason are ye?"

"Yes I am."

"Boot ye can't!"

Turning to Gwyne,  "I can and I must!  We must find that clan before
Bluestone does.  We cannot take the chance that he will turn them
over to science or something.  You spoke with him tonight...did he tell
you that he use to be FBI?"

Gwyne nodded.  She was impressed by Orin's research.

"He lives to uncover the truth!  He cannot endanger that clan.  We need
them too badly.  They must go back to Scotland."   Orin turned and in
a wink she was gone.

"Boot whut aboot me dream?!?!"  Gwyne called out to her, but it was in
vain.

Gwyne sat in the quiet for a moment.  Something just didn't feel right.
She decided that she had better check on Orin tonight.

"Always go with your instincts."  She said to no one and was out  the
door.

************************************

Orin checked the parking lot first.  She did not see any trace of Matt's
car.  She then headed for Jason's room.

The room was pitch black as she stepped into his room.  The moonlight
reflected off the floor but provided no true illumination.

Humming softly to herself, she walked silently as a cat across the floor
to Jason's bedside and reached for the journal........

***************************************

"WHAT!?"  Gwyne blurted.  "Why didn't ye notify me?"

"I thought that you had been notified!"  The nurse on duty said in shock.
"Why would someone move him without your orders?"

Gwyne slammed her fist down on the counter in frustration.  "He
shouldnae be moved at this point in his recovery!"  She grabbed Jason's
chart and turned on her heels flipping her auburn hair and headed for
Jason's 'new' room.

She popped her head in to check on him.  He was sound asleep with
the television on.  She walked in and turned off the television and froze
dead in her tracks.

There it was....that feeling again.

She began to evaluate the situation in her head.  Jason had been moved
without any go ahead from her, Matt knew about the very gargoyles that
they had come to recover and....

She ran out the door.  Back to the nurses station.

"Did Detective Bluestone speak with Jason today?"

"Yes he did."  The nurse cautiously replied.

"Oh my God!"  She scrambled down the hall to Jason's 'old' room.

************************************************

Just as Orin grabbed the book, the lights went on.

Elisa Maza stood at the switch with her gun trained on Orin.

"Stop right there!"  The detective shouted.

Orin turned to escape when a hand grabbed her arm.  Matt sprung from
the bed trying to grab the other arm as well.

Orin's eyes glowed red and she let out a roar as she tossed Matt
across the room.  Matt's body landed with a thud and he did not get up.

Elisa had made her way to the window to try to block Orin's escape.
But all she could do was stare at Orin with her mouth hanging wide.

Before her stood the most beautiful she-gargoyle she had ever seen.
Not that she had seen too many.

Orin stood her ground with her wings flared open.  She was probably
6 1/2 feet tall, Elisa guessed.  Good God!  Her set of double wings are
almost as big as Goliath's.  Her skin was a gossamer white.  She
almost glowed.  Her waste length blue-green hair hung in ringlets
around her face and shoulders but was pulled back on top to reveal
smooth curved horns.  Her body armor was a form fitting leather bodice
and pleated 'skirt'.  It made Elisa think of 'Xena' or a roman guard.

Just as Orin was about to lunge for Elisa, Gwyne came flying through
the door.  "Orin!  It's a trap!"

Gwyne's entrance distracted Elisa just enough for Orin to to knock her
gun out of her hands with one sweep of her tail.

Before Elisa could recover, Orin was out the window.

"Damn!"  Elisa shouted as she shook the pain from her fingers.

Then Orin's form came sailing back through the window.  Her body hit
the floor with a bounce.

Goliath stepped through the window just in time for Orin to get to her
feet.

"That's him!  That's Goliath!"  Gwyne yelled to Orin.

"I know!"  Orin roared back.

Elisa and Goliath exchanged glances.

"But who is she?'' Gwyne asked, pointing to Elisa.

Elisa's had recovered her gun was pointing it at Orin.  She retrieved her
badge and showed it to Gwyne.  "Elisa Maza, NYPD.  His partner."
She nudged her head toward the unconscious Matt.

"Me dream" Gwyne mumbled.  Not really believing what was going on
around her.

Finally reality hit.  "Oh my goodness, Matt!"  Gwyne yelled.  She ran to
his side.

Goliath and Orin were circling each other around the hospital bed.

Just as Elisa turned her gun on Gwyne and Goliath leaped at Orin,
Gwyne yelled.  "That's enough!"

Her eyes glowed blue and she raised her palms toward the others.
A blinding flash of light and they were silent.  Frozen by sorcery in
position.

Gwyne was the only one able to move.  She stood over Matt, her hair
flying around her head with magic.  With just one soft spoken word,
Matt started to stir.

Gwyne then walked over to where Orin stood frozen.  "We are here to
retrieve this clan...noot rip it apart."  She touched Orin's hand and her
body relaxed.

"It is odd to have you giving me advise for a change."  Orin said with a
soft smile.

Gwyne took the gun from Elisa then released her.  "What the hell was
that!?"  Elisa demanded as she turned to help Matt to his feet.

Ignoring her question, Gwyne stood before Goliath.  Orin stood beside
her with her taloned hand on her shoulder.

"Before I release ye, Goliath.  Ye moost knew that we mean your clan
no harm."

"I am your blood kin."  Orin began.  "The clan in Scotland continues!"

Gwyne's relatively small hand lightly touched Goliath and his expression
changed from anger to confusion.

"How can that be?  They were all destroyed!  I saw it with my own eyes."

Orin put a gentle hand on Goliath's shoulder.  With a sad look on her
face she simply said, "You believed that your Angel was dead, yet she
lives."

Elisa was really confused now.  "What are you saying?  How did you
survive?"

Gwyne turned to Elisa.  "There were boot a few survivors, Demona
pulled them together at one time.  She then allied herself with MacBeth.
When all thought that she had perished, the clan moved on boot they
stayed together.  They made new allies and thanks to some very good
planning, they heve a small colony hidden in Scotland where the
Humans und Gargoyles live together in peace."

Elisa all of the sudden was reminded of their trip to Japan.  One look at
Goliath and she could tell he was thinking the same.

Matt, still rubbing his head, came up behind Elisa.  "Why did you come
here?"

"Because the gargoyles have boot a small gene pool.  We are always
looking for others to bring into the colony.  We heve kept close track of
Demona and the Hunters.  That is how we knew that ye were awake."

Elisa was all of the sudden very concerned that Orin's hand was still on
Goliath shoulder.

"How did you know it was Goliath's clan?"  Elisa asked.

"We heve been trying to find a way to wake his clan for centuries.  We
were going to retrieve the 'Sleepers' when XanaCorp booht the castle."
Gwyne's eyes dropped.  "We hed no idea he intended to raise the
castle unto a skyscraper.... we were isolated."

Orin enthusiastically jumped in.  "But you are awake!  Are the others
awake also?"  Her aqua eyes beemed at Goliath.

Goliath's face suddenly lit up with comprehension.  "Well... um... Yes!
I never dreamed that others may have survived."

"We never dreamed you would awaken."  Orin took Goliath's hand as
tears filled her eyes.

Goliath took her other hand and the two gargoyles stared at each other.
His tail began to twitch.

Elisa was liking this less and less.

Matt noticed Elisa's sudden irritation and turned to her.  "Perhaps they
should meet the rest of the clan?"

Goliath's attention turned from Orin to Matt.  "Yes, Broadway, Hudson
and Lexington are on the surrounding rooftops.  I will gather them up
and we will meet back at the castle."

"Goliath, we don't even know these people!"  Elisa protested.  "This
could be a trap!  There are obviously powers here that need to be
explained first."

Gwyne blushed slightly and Matt smiled.

Turning to Elisa, Goliath boomed, "If I cannot trust my own clan, who
can I trust?"

"Demona was clan once too Goliath!!"  Elisa spat in anger.  It was a low
 blow but she had a point to make.

Goliath stood up straight and flared his wings.  "We will meet back at
the castle"  he said with finality.  He took Orin by the hand and was out
the window before Elisa could protest any further.

Not believing what had just transpired, Elisa stood at the window with
her jaw hanging open.  Matt placed a hand on her shoulder and Elisa
flinched a little at Matt's slight electrical/magical charge.  "He left
without me Matt...." was all she could muster to say.

"Detective, please, we should go too."  Gwyne urged.  "I will try to
explain it all on the way over."

Without a word Elisa turned and headed for the door.

**************************************

Elisa was so upset that she actually let Matt drive without question.
She sat in the passenger seat constantly looking out the windshield
and side window hoping to get a glimpse of Goliath and Orin.

Gwyne was in the back seat leaning her head over the front seat.
"Back at the colony, they heve tried to blend the old ways with the new.
I um trained as both a Doctor und a Sorceress."

Elisa made a discontented grunting noise.

Gwyne wasn't going to give up.  She took off the necklace from around
her neck and handed it to Elisa.  She reluctantly took it.  It had a
radiant dime sized saphire attached to it in a simple yet secure setting.

"It is called Titania's Tear."  she indicated the amulet, Elisa noticed an
odd sparkle to the blue gemstone.  "I channel the magic though it.  Tis
the source of me power."

Matt chuckled. "Sure it is."

Gwyne shot Matt a look and he sunk sheepishly into the seat.  "It tis!
It is also me vernerability."  She turned back to Elisa.  "I am showing ye
this to prove that I mean ye no harm.  I um only trying to help me clan."

The still dumbfounded detective handed the amulet back to Gwyne who
returned it to her neck.  "It's nice." Elisa mumbled and then continued
her seach of the sky.

Gwyne continued without hesitation.  "ShieldAngel is one of the most
powerful gargoyle run companies.  Non-profit of course.  They are
devoted to helping gargoyles aroond the world.  We were sent here to
find our missing clan und keep an eye un the Canmores und Demona.
We hoped to bring back the statues boot to find that the clan had
awakened is far more than we could ask for."

"Are you implying that there are other companies run by gargoyles?"

Gwyne nodded at Matt.

"This is almost too much for me to believe, and that is really pushing it."
Matt tried to be serious but couldn't resist.  "I just have this image in my
head of gargoyles in business suits."

Elisa rolled her eyes and Gwyne laughed the annoying laugh of
someone who is smitten.

"Trust me Matt, they do noot wear business suits."  She chuckled again.

******************************************

When they finally reached the Aerie, Elisa bolted for the elevator.  She
wasn't about to wait for Matt and Gwyne to catch up.  They scambled
to the elevator and Matt nearly got caught in the doors as they closed.

"Sheesh, Elisa!!  What is the hurry?"  Matt snapped.

She cut him a look that he could feel pierce his chest.  As a reflex put
up his hands to protect himself.

When the Elevator doors opened Elisa was on the run again.

Gwyne smiled slightly as she watched Elisa leave the elevator.  "Is she
always like this?"

"When in comes to her gargoyles, yes."

Gwyne stopped short.  "HER gargoyles?"

Matt paused and glanced at Gwyne and noticed the frown on her face.
"Uh... yeah.  She was there the night they woke up.  She is rather...
um... protective of them."

Gwyne looked extremely uncomfortable at Matt's explanation but
continued on.

******************************************

They caught up with Elisa in the courtyard.  Staring into the night sky
with Angela quietly at her side.

Brooklyn walked up to Matt.  "Hey, what's going on?"  he motioned
towards Elisa.

Matt turned to Brooklyn.  "Where is Goliath?  Isn't he back yet?"

"No.... "  Brooklyn was hip deep in confusion now.  He noticed Gwyne
standing behind Matt watching Elisa.  "So... do I get an introduction or
what?"  He nudged Matt with his elbow.

"Oh, sorry, " Matt blushed.  "Brooklyn, this is Dr. Gwyne Wallace."
He turned to Gwyne "Brooklyn is Goliath's second in command."

Brooklyn jumped slightly as he remembered her name from Matt's story.

Gwyne extended her hand to him.  "Pleased to meet ye."

Brooklyn slowly put his hand out to take hers, waiting for the typical
human response of recoil and disgust.  To his suprise, Gwyne grabed
his rust colored talons without hesitation and gave it a hearty shake.

Brooklyn smiled and nodded to her her.  "The pleasure is all mine."

Brooklyn's attention quickly returned to the figures of Angela and Elisa
standing silently in the night.  "Why isn't Elisa with Goliath?"

"He left without her."  Matt replied with a heavy voice.

"He did WHAT?"

"I said, he left without her!"  Matt snapped, annoyed.

Brooklyn's jaw dropped.  "What about the others?"

"Goliath said he would gather them up on the way back."

As if on que, Hudson, Broadway and Lexington landed in the courtyard.
Elisa ran to Hudson and grabbed his arm.  "Where is Goliath?"  She
searched the group with her eyes as if they were hiding him from her.

Taken back a bit Hudson finally responded.  "He be wantin' to show the
lass around.  He told us to return to the castle."

"You just left him?? With HER??"  Elisa voice shook.

Hudson put a hand on Elisa's shoulder.  "He cun handle himself well
enough, there be no need to worry."

Almost in tears she blurted. "But what about me?!"  She turned on her
heel and went back to the edge of the courtyard to continue her search
of the night sky.

Angela cut Hudson a look that made him jump and return to Elisa's
side.  A silent pillar of reassurance.

Hudson just stood, dumbfounded, with his eyes wide.

Gwyne was completely caught up in the architecture of the castle and
Matt and Brooklyn had made their way over to the commotion in the
courtyard.

"Who are you talking about?  Who is with Goliath?  Why is Elisa so
steamed?  What is going on?  Brooklyn was totally lost.

Matt looked over to the sorceress that was admiring the castle.  Then
looked back at Brooklyn.  "Elisa is worried about Orin."  Matt sighed
and walked back over to Gwyne.

"Aye, I see that now."  Hudson stroked his beard.

Before anyone had a chance to explain the full story to Brooklyn,
Angela's voice rang out.  "There they are!"  She pointed upwards into
the night.

Elisa looked in the direction that Angela was pointing and saw *her*
Goliath and that .... that ... Orin!!  The whole clan stared with open
mouths at the sight above them.  As graceful as eagles, Goliath and
Orin twisted and turned in the air holding hands the entire time.  Elisa
actually growled.

Angela looked at her human friend.  Elisa's face was hot and red with
the fever of jealousy.  Her fists were clenched tight and her teeth were
bared.

Angela thought for a brief moment that she resembled Demona.  She
quickly pushed the thought from her mind.

Gwyne was also watching the flight with a large smile on her face at
the turn of events.

Matt looked at her and frowned.  "What is going on?"

Excitedly she began to explain.  "Matt, tis more than I could heve
hoped for.  Orin's mate hed been killed in an accident a few years
back und Orin has made no attempt to find anuther.  Our small colony
cun not afoord for anyone noot to breed during the mating season."
She looked back up at Goliath and Orin.  "They would make excellent
mates."

Matt turned quickly and looked again at the silueuetted forms in the
night sky.  He then glanced at Elisa and he felt his heart hit his feet.
"Oh boy...."  was all he could mutter.

"Whut is wrong?" Gwyne placed a hand on Matt's hand and felt the
emotion of extreme dread.  She pulled her hand away and looked at
Matt's eyes.  She looked over to Elisa who was still fuming at the sky.
"Oh no... Elisa und Goliath are ... Mated?"  She said disgust tainting
her voice.

"Well, they are a couple.  I am not sure I would describe them as
mated just yet."

Goliath and Orin landed on the highest turret of the castle.  Orin
seemed to glow in the moonlight.  Goliath brushed a lock of hair out
of her face.  They embraced each other with their wings and began to
walk down to the others.

Their laughter echoed thoughout the courtyard as they reached the
bottom of the stairs.  No one dared to speak a word.  No one but
Elisa.

She pushed her way though the crowd and stomped straight up to
Goliath.  Matt ran to intercept her but was too late.

Her beautiful features twisted in anger.  Goliath took a step back,
thinking for a moment that she might walk straight though him.

"Just WHAT do you think you are doing?!"  She poked him accusingly
in the center of his huge chest.  Her words dripping with jealousy.

He pulled in his chest and put his hand protectively over where she
had poked him, shocked.  "Elisa, what are you talking about?"

Unnoticed by Goliath, Orin had taken a defensive stance, ready to
challenge the human before her.  Her fangs glowed as white as her
skin and her eyes a deep red.

Elisa turned and charged her.

Elisa landed right at Orin's mid-section, knocking the wind out of her.
They tumbled to the ground in a biting, screaming, mass of female
fury.

Angela stepped up and grabbed Orin just as Matt grabbed Elisa.

"Okay!" Matt yelled, "to your corners... both of you!"

Matt had to practically carry Elisa away.  "My God Elisa, would you
just cool off!?"  He set her down roughly in the Main Hall of the castle,
with Gwyne following close behind them.

She turned on Matt like a rabbid dog.  "COOL OFF!  Are you
serious?!  If you think I am going to let that She-Gargoyle hussy
come between me and Goliath...!!"

Gwyne jumped at Elisa.  "She's noot a hussy!!"

Elisa turned and growled at Gwyne.  "And what would you call her?"
Elisa backed Gwyne against the wall.  "She just flies in here tonight
and sweeps him off his feet!  My God!  I am surprised that he even
remembered my name!"  Elisa thought for a second and gave Gwyne
a bitter look.  "What is it?  Some sort of spell?"  She accused as she
grabbed Gwyne by the shoulders.  "Did you put a spell on him?!?!"

Gwyne was tempted to use the power of the amulet to send Elisa
flying across the room but controlled the urge.  She took a deep
breath.  "Elisa, Orin is an adult female gargoyle that will be coming
into season soon.  She is giving off pheremones right now that will let
available adult males know that she is ready to take a mate."

Elisa's eyes were as big as saucers.  Her jaw dropped open.  "Are
you saying that she is in heat?"

"Something like that."  Gwyne almost chuckled.

Elisa's head was spinning.  Here was another solution for the clan's
demise.   Elisa let go of Gwyne and dropped her head.  She knew
that the clan was never going to suvive with only one breeding couple
but... she loved Goliath so much.

Matt rested a hand on her shoulder, she turned to him and started to
cry into his chest.  She knew that she was facing the biggest decision
of her life.

***********************************

Angela had Orin by the wrists but she was fully aware that Orin could
tear right though her if she wished too.

They snarled at each other for a moment until Broadway separated
them.  "Okay, okay, we get the point."  He took Angela aside and
Brooklyn stood guard over Orin, never taking his eyes off of her.

Goliath seemed in a fog.  "What is going on here?  Has everyone
gone mad?"

Hudson turned to his leader, "Nature is what be going on here."

Goliath looked at him blankly.

"Has it been so long lad, that you heve forgotten?"

Hudson turned Goliath towards Orin and pointed to Brooklyn.  The
Clan's Second in Command was staring at Orin with his tail twitching
wildly.  Orin turned to look at Brooklyn and he changed his posture,
standing as tall as he could and tossed out his chest.

It suddenly hit Goliath like a ton of bricks.  He covered his eyes with
his hand, "Oh NO... Elisa."

"Oh yes Lad."

Goliath walked up to Orin and took her by the hand.  "We must talk."

He led her away from the group.  Elisa watched the pair take off into
the night sky from the doorway to the courtyard.  She wiped the last
tear from her eye, took a deep breath and walked out to the courtyard
to the clan.

She ran her hands nervously though her hair.  "Uh... hi guys.  I just
wanted to appoligize for that wh..."

Angela stopped her.  "Elisa, you have no reason to appoligize to us."

"But I was way out of line.  Goliath had every right to go with Orin.
He doesn't belong to me.  I forget that I am not one of you."

"Boot lass." Hudson tried to stop her.

"Really Hudson."  She placed a hand on his arm.  "I understand now
how it has to be."  She looked off into the sky, in the direction that
Goliath and Orin had left.

Gwyne joined the group from inside the castle.  "They all understand
yur behavior."

"Look, I made a fool out of myself.  I can't believe I started a fight with
Orin."

Gwyne smiled at Elisa.  Elisa looked confused and as she looked
around she noticed that everyone was smiling at her, even Bronx
seemed to smile.

Elisa cut her eyes back to Gwyne.  "Why is everyone smiling?  I lose
the love of my life and everyone is smiling!  Am I missing something?!"

Gwyne's smile just got bigger.  "Elisa, your reaction to Orin was
very... gargoyle like."

Angela approched Elisa.  "You are aware of Orin's um....  condition,
right?"

Elisa rubbed her throbbing head and glanced at Angela.  "I am now."

Angela placed her hand on Elisa's shoulder.  "You reacted like any
she-gargoyle would if her bonded mate was with an unbonded female
in her um.... condition."

"Well, it was a lot more like human jealousy."  Elisa's head dropped.

Hudson stepped in, "Well whatever it was lass you have kept your
claim on Goliath by doing it."

"Claim on him?  But he left with Orin!"

"He has gone to tell her that although he may have the scent of an
available unbonded male, he has been spoken for."  Hudson added
triumphantly.

Elisa's eyes widened.  "What?!  Is he crazy?!"

Bewildered looks came from everyone.

"He may never get another chance like this!!"

"What are you saying?"  Angela frowned.

"Angela, I have been so worried that Goliath would never find another
mate.  That he would never get the chance to add more children to
the clan.  Now he may have a chance to do so and he is going to
pass it up?  Just because of me?"

"But he loves you Elisa!  We met many other gargoyles on our Avalon
quest, did he ever even give them a second glance?"  Angela took
Elisa by the hand.  "Elisa, he has ALWAYS loved you."

"It would be irresponsible and selfish if I were to deprive the clan of
growth!"

Gwyne flinched as she, once again, remembered her dream.  She
looked silently at Matt and he seemed to get the chills.

Before Gwyne could say a word, Goliath and Orin returned.

Elisa ran to Goliath.  He met her halfway and swept her up in his
wings.  She pushed away and looked deep into his ebony eyes.

"Goliath, you are making a big mistake."

Confused, he looked at Orin over his shoulder.  He turned back to his
human love.  "Elisa, everything is going to be okay.  I am truly sorry
about my behavior earlier, I wasn't paying atten..."

"You don't understand!" She cut him off.  "I don't like this either." She

glared at Orin. "but the clan needs you to take a mate.... a
GARGOYLE mate."  Her voice grew quiet and serious.  "The clan
depends on it."

It was impossible to describe the look on Goliath's face.  Shock?
Anger?  Hurt?  Understanding?  Maybe a little bit of all of those.
Elisa was clan, right to the bone.  She was trying to protect them
once again.

Elisa stared into his eyes, unwavering in her stance.

Goliath finally decided on an expression.... Determination.  He pulled
her gently but firmly aside, out of earshot.  "I think I understand how
you feel but.."  His eyes turned back to the clan and then he took her
relativly small hands in his.  "Elisa, I love you, only you.  It does not
make sense to turn my back on that.  I had hoped..."  His voice broke
and he paused.  "I had hoped you felt the same."

Huge tear welled up in Elisa's eyes.  She bit her lip and placed her
hand over her mouth.  This was sheer tourture.  It was the hardest
thing she ever had to do but it was for the good of the clan.  She
turned and ran into the castle and out of the building without another
word.

Shocked and hurt Goliath just sighed as he watched her go.

***************************************

Elisa ran to her room and crumpled into a pile on her bed.  Her mind
was racing.  She thought of Jason, she thought of Orin and finally she
thought of Goliath.  She tried to convince herself again that it was for
the best.  She could live with the loss of Goliath if it meant that the
clan would continue.  The tears stopped for a moment then started
again more fiercly than before.

A knock on the door almost went unheard amidst the sounds of
sobbing and the voices in her head.  She wiped her face off on the
back of her arm and walked to the door.

Matt stood in the doorway.  Elisa smiled weakly at her partner and
then noticed the tall Scottish woman behind him.  Her smile quickly
faded.

Without a word from either party Elisa motioned them in reluctantly.

"Elisa, I know you don't want to talk right now but you but you have to
listen to Gwyne."

Elisa just shrugged and walked to the window to look out.

Matt and Gwyne exchanged a look and Gwyne stepped forward.  She
raised one hand high and the other reached for her amulet.  She
closed her eyes and her hair began to whip around her.  Elisa turned
and watched her with cautious eyes.

"Elisa."  Gwyne's voice rang out ominously without her mouth moving.
"Many years ago, I had a what I thought to be a dream.  It was aboot
a clan in America and the detectives that protected them."

Something, perhaps instinct, drew Matt between Gwyne and Elisa.
He reached out to them both and placed a palm on each of there
foreheads.

There was a flash of white and all seemed calm.  Elisa was no longer
standing in her living room.  She stood knee deep in a misty fog that
reminded her of the Avalon quest.

She looked behind her to find Matt and Gwyne facing her, side by
side.  They were dressed in white except Elisa, who had not changed
at all.  The amulet, Titania's Tear, sparkled around Gwyne's neck.

As Gwyne talked lifesize images of her words seemed to form in front
of Elisa's face.  "Ye are part of a bigger picture, a greater destiny.
Since the beginning of time the Three Races heve lived very separate
und different lives.  The Humans, The Gargoyles und Oberon's
Children.  Slowly these races heve been brought together, the
barriers torn duwn.  This is most prominent in one place here un
Earth.... Castle Wyvern.

"In me vision, I see Puck und Titania, Fox und David Xanatos, the
mighty Goliath und a detective  that I ded noot knew yet.  I was told
un this dream to follow the stone that shared me vision.  I thought the
dream meant Titania's Tear."  She touched the sapphire amulet
around her neck.  "Then, I relised today that I was thinking of the
wrong 'blue stone'."  She looked at the detective at her side.  "It was
telling me to follow *Matt* Bluestone."

Elisa noticed then that Matt's crystal blue eyes seem to sparkle just
like the dark blue amulet.

Gwyne continued.  "Elisa, YOU are the missing piece.  YOU will be
the key to the unification of the the three races."

Elisa's jaw sat open.  She shook her head to try to clear it.  "What
are you trying to say?  Unite the races?  I don't understand."

A single large vision took shape before her.  It was a gargoyle.  Or at
least it seemed to be at first.

She looked like Angela.  She was slightly smaller, her hair was
smoother and darker.  She was much lighter in color than Angela.
She stood straighter on her long feet and her brow was not as
prominent.  She didn't have any knee or elbow spurs.  Then, Elisa
noticed the extra finger on each hand and her mind froze.  Elisa took
a step towards the image and looked into what appeared to be her
own eyes.

Elisa looked to Gwyne then Matt and back again to the image of what
she now understood would someday be her daughter.

"You're kidding me?"  Was the only thing that she could think to say.

Matt gave his trademark cocky grin.  "That's only two races."  He said.

Elisa looked back at the image.  Another figure appeared besides the
first.  The image of a tall, strawberry blonde man walked up to the
light lavernder female.  As he turned to face Elisa the all to familiar
blue fox head tattoo over his right eye was revealed.  Elisa gasped
dispite herself.

"THE THREE RACES WILL BE ONE!!"  Gwyne's voice boomed and
echoed.  Just as suddenly as it all had appeared, the visions and
mist were gone.

Elisa swooned and caught herself against the wall.  "What the hell
was that?"

Matt helped Elisa to the couch.  "That was the future.  Not just yours,
everyone's."

"Oh yeah, sure it is."  Her voice dripping with sarcasm.  "What was I
thinking."

Matt sat next to Elisa and took her hand.  "I had the same dream.
Not quite as clear but I had it many times.  I always attributed it to
my overactive imagination.  It all makes sense to me now.  It was no
accident that you were there the night that the clan woke up.  It is
also not a coincidence that I am your parter.  It was fate."

"We have shown ye part of yer future, Elisa, boot is it noot all written
yet.  Ye can change it all if ye wish boot ye und Goliath are connected
... by yer souls.  If it is noot ye ... it will ne'er happen.  Gwyne's eyes
dropped.

"Goliath knows about this then.  That is why he didn't chose Orin."

"He does noot know.  He chose you for pure love."

Questions and concerns raced through Elisa's head so fast that she
nearly fainted.  Gwyne reached out to Matt and acting on pure instinct
of his own destiny, he took Gwyne's hand and then took Elisa's.  That
is all Elisa remembered before she blacked out.

***********************************************

Elisa awoke with a start.  She was in a bedroom at the castle.  She
sat straight up in the huge four poster bed.  It was at this point that
she realized that she should have moved a little slower.  Her hands
went to her temples to try to push back the throbbing headache.

"Jalepena."  She swooned slightly.

To her surprise it was Fox who was at her side this time.

"Just lay back and get some rest."  Fox said in the softest, most
sincere voice she had ever heard her speak in.

Reluctantly, Elisa complied.  "What am I doing here?"

Fox smiled slightly.  "To be honest, I have no idea.  Goliath brought
you here just before dawn and asked David and I to care for you.
Before I could say a word Owen had wisked you off.  You were out
cold but we couldn't find a scratch on you."

Elisa was just about to drift back into unconsciousness when Owen
walked in carrying Alexander in his one flesh hand.  "I am sorry to
disturb you but Mr. Xanatos asked me to check on the detective."

"She seems to be fine Owen."

Owen nodded and pushed his glasses up on his nose with his stone
fist.  "I see.  Detective Bluestone has been waiting to see her."

"Send him in."  Fox said in almost a whisper.

As Owen turned to leave, Alex waved a tiny hand at Elisa and smiled.
The events from the past night rushed back into her memory.

"Jalenpena."  She muttered, yet again, and shut her eyes.

Matt walked in the door and nodded to Fox.  With more humility had
ever seen her show, Fox Janine Xanatos nodded and left the room.

Elisa sat up again, slowly this time.

"Hey, Matt."

He sat on the edge of her bed.  "How do you feel this morning?"  He
looked to his watch.  "Uh, I mean, evening."

"Like someone rocked me to sleep.... with a really big rock."  She
rubbed her head.

"I am really confused.  How in the heck did you get involved in this?
What is your connection to Gwyne?  Why are... "

"HEY!"  Matt cut the concerned detective off with a laugh.  "What is
this?  An interogation?  Look.... everything will make sense eventually."

Elisa gave a heavy sigh.  "I really love Goliath, but what about the
clan Matt?  They should come before my personal happiness."

Matt merely smiled.  He stood and walked across the room.  He
tossed Elisa the black t-shirt and bluejeans that sat on the chair in
the corner.  "Get dressed and meet me in the courtyard."  He looked
out the window at the sunset.  "and hurry."

Elisa sat stunned as the door closed behind her partner.  She glanced
out the window and with renewed energy, dressed herself.

*******************************************
Matt stood in the courtyard looking up at the parapets.  Elisa walked
up beside him.  He didn't look at her, he just pointed upward at the
figures on the walls above.  "The clan will continue Elisa."

Elisa's eyes searched the walls for some clue as to what he was
talking about.  Her eyes first moved to Goliath.  He sat alone on the
tallest tower, a smile on his face as he looked down upon the others.
Elisa followed his gaze to the next level on the tower.  There, frozen
in a winged embrace were two gargoyles.  Her heart skipped a beat.
One was clearly Orin but Elisa couldn't see the face of the other.

She did a role call in her head as she glanced at the other figures
frozen in stone.  Hudson, Angela, Bronx, Broadway, Lexington.  No
Brooklyn?

She smiled ear to ear as she returned her eyes to the stone couple.
She could make out his horns now and part of his face.

A triumphant "YES!"  Was all she said as she ran for the stairs to the
top of the tower, racing the sunset.

She took one last leap up the stairs as just in time for Goliath's final
stretch and roar as he freed himself of the rejuvinating stone.  Before
he could even turn around she had him in her arms, huging him tightly
around the waist.

Goliath was quite startled at first but the look of shock melted into a
smile as he realized who the arms, that wrapped so snugly around
his body, belonged to.  He gently pried her off of himself and turned
to face her.  His dark eyes met hers and he smiled.

"Am I to understand that you have reconsidered your decision?"
Goliath teased.

Elisa shrugged.  " I can leave if you would prefer."  Elisa teased back
with a smile and turned to walk away.

Goliath chuckled as he wrapped his tail around her middle and pulled
her back to him.  He lifted her up into his arms and kissed her softly,
he pulled back and grinned then kissed her with all his heart.  She
placed her arms around his neck and he enclosed her in his wings.

They finally pulled away from the kiss slightly out of breath.

"Wow."  Elisa said just loud enough for him to hear.

Goliath gave her a smug smile.

They looked down to the courtyard in time to see Angela and
Broadway disappear into the castle as Brooklyn and Orin embraced
and take off into the night.  Just then Gwyne walked out into the
courtyard and Matt met her halfway with a hug.  Elisa swore she
saw a spark as they touched.

Elisa tugged at Goliath's arm and headed for the stairs.  He snatched
her up in his arms and glided down to the courtyard, setting her down
gently in front of Gwyne and Matt.

"Well Elisa, it seems yer delima hus been resolved"  Gwyne said as
she watched Orin and Brooklyn's shadows in the distance night sky.
She turned to look at Matt.  "Und mine as well."

More than a little embarrassed Elisa nervously scratched her head.
"Yeah, I guess so."

"Look, I am really sorry for all the trouble I caused everyone.  I don't
know what came over me."

Goliath took her hand.  "Elisa, I think I can understand best of all."

"I'm not so sure of that.  I really let my emotions get in the way."

"Just as I have done with Jason."  His dark eyes dropped.

Elisa looked perplexed.  "Now, I don't understand."

Goliath looked to her.  "Elisa I was outside your window one night, I
saw you and Jason kiss."

Elisa blushed bright red and silently cursed the fact that she didn't
have curtains.

"I let my jealousy take control and made some very unwise decisions,
some of which almost cost you your life.  Even now, I still have let
your relationship with Jason bother me.  So please, believe me when
I tell you that I understand."

Elisa took Goliath's hand and smiled.

"And to think this all happened because I am too suspicious for my
own good."  Matt chuckled.  "Which reminds me, what is the full story
on 'Project Canmore'?"  He looked eagerly to Gwyne.

"I heve told ye most of whut I knew.  I only knew that someone else is
funding it und that the spinal regineration research is dune somewhere
 offsite.  Whoever did fund it knews what needed to be done und got
the best persons for the job.  T'was pure und simple luck that
ShieldAngel was called in, since it offered the opportunity to find the
'Sleepers'."  She looked at Goliath and smiled.

"Won't you be failing your mission if you don't return with them to
Scotland?"  Matt voiced his concern.

"Who knews,"  Gwyne offered, "they may still return to their homeland.
"She shrugged.  "It was noot our intent to force them.  My work with
Jason is whut is important new.  We will need his help if we ever wish
to put un end to the Hunters.  I suppose it is time for hum to finally
meet Orin officially."  She grinned and looked up into the night sky at
Brooklyn and Orin soaring in the distance.

"Good idea."  Elisa said as she also watched the new couple.  Goliath
stood behind Elisa and put his hands on her shoulders.  She looked
at Matt and Gwyne standing side-by-side as they did in her vision
and suddenly, all felt right with the world.

********************************************

Owen walked into Xanatos' office, silently shutting the door behind
him.  The only illumination was a single lamp on the desk.  David
Xanatos stood in the shadows staring out the window of the office at
the two gargoyles soaring in the night sky.

"I am here to inform you that everything has gone according to plan
sir."  Owen said as he shifted his glasses up on his nose with one
hand and setting a file on the desk with his other.

Xanatos responded without turning from the window.  "So I see.  We
have confirmed that ShieldAngel is a gargoyle company and that there
is a hidden colony in Scotland.  We have added on to gargoyle
population here and once they begin to reproduce they will defend
their home even more fiercely, thus, keeping my family even safer.
We have helped Brooklyn to end his loneliness, therefore, we were
keeping with our debt to Goliath. Lastly, were able to get some
interesting results so far from Gen-u-tech on the spinal regineration
process.  It has been quite successful, far more than I expected and
money well spent."

"Agreed, sir.  If you will not be needing me, I am required in the
nursery."

Xanatos turned and smiled at Owen, then nodded to him to leave.
He then returned to stare at Brooklyn and Orin in the distance.
Smiling contently at his work well done.

The End?



All done!!  I welcome all comments.  The good, the bad and the ugly.
I hope that it was an entertaining trip. ;)

The Crzy One
Jennifer L. Anderson  (demonacrzy@aol.com)
CrzyDemona