"The Gift"
by Lisette- all comments to:  Lisette_1@mailexcite.com

All the usual legalese: nothing here is of my own creation.  Goliath and his
crew belong to Buena Vista and Disney.  It's a really great show so I just 
had to write about it.  In no way will a profit be made from this.

Also, so you know when this takes place, for the cartoon it's after "Hunter's
Moon" and before "The Journey".  As for my personal world of fiction, it 
takes place about a week after my first two parts of one story, "A Simple
Kiss".  While you don't need to read the other two, the story does make a 
whole lot more sense if you read it first.  In other words, it is mentioned
a lot, and you're going to be pretty lost without it.

Of course I need to dedicate this to a lot of people before I start.  Mainly 
I need to say thanks to Skydancer, with whom my other fics wouldn't have 
gotten up without her help. (Also she writes great stuff!) :) Also, I want to
thank Merlyn the Mad Mage, Firedancer, Pendragoness, and Leia Morgana.  Not 
only are they great friends but great writers!  Check them out!!

Brief summary: Demona is at it again.. not to take over the world but to kill
the puny human once again (what else, huh?)  WARNING: May be some naughty
language within... beware!! :)

                    "The Gift"

Castle Wyvern- a few minutes before sunset, approximately 8:45 pm
     Elisa sighed wearily as she climbed the final steps leading up to the
highest tower of Castle Wyvern.  She had just made it.  As she watched in 
anticipation, the sun slowly dipped down over the horizon.  With the 
departure of the sun's rays, a faint cracking noise filled the night sky.  
Finally, as Elisa watched, a long awaited roar shook the castle to its very
foundation.  Almost in tandem, other roars joined in, making it a pure 
symphony of noise.
     "Hey big guy!" Elisa called out softly as a great winged form turned
to face her.
     "Elisa!" Goliath called out, a smile lighting up his usual grim face.
Jumping from his daily perch he walked toward his love and enveloped her in
his warm embrace, wrapping his leathery wings around her frail form.
Stepping back he inspected her closely... all looked the same as before their
trip to Agrabah.  She was still wearing her trademark jeans, tee-shirt, and 
red jacket.  Brushing her long raven locks away from her face he asked, "Are
you alright, my love?"
     "I'm fine Goliath!" Elisa said a little exasperated.  "Ever since we
returned from our little adventure last week you've been fawning over me like
I'm a China doll!  It's getting old Goliath, you should know by now that I'm
a big girl and can take care of myself."
     Stepping back, Goliath responded with a hurt look on his face.  "I am
sorry, I did not mean to upset you... I know that you are capable of taking 
care of yourself.  I was only referring to your newly discovered magical 
ability."
     "Oh, sorry Goliath," Elisa replied, a guilty look covering her 
beautiful face.  "I guess that I'm just on the defensive... Matt's driving me
crazy!"
     "How do you mean?" Goliath asked, a smirk touching his face.
     "He's acting more like he's my protector then my partner!  Last night
at the end of our shift, we had a call about a convenience store robbery with
hostages.  When we got there, like usual Captain Chavez prepared me to go in.
Suddenly, Matt stepped in and told the Captain that I wasn't fit to go in.
Can you believe it?  He actually told her that!"
     "I am sure he was just worried about your well being," Goliath put in
gently, trying to soothe her frazzled nerves.
     "I know, I know, but you guys have to realize that I can take care of
myself," Elisa stated firmly.
     "Understood," Goliath said, a small smile lighting up his face.  
"Now, about your magic..." he trailed off.
     "Still there," Elisa sighed wearily.  "I practiced a little at my 
apartment earlier, and it's still all fresh in my mind."
     "Like what?"
     "Watch," Elisa said.  Closing her eyes she began to chant quietly
under her breath, so quiet Goliath couldn't hear her muttered words.  
Suddenly her eyes shot open, glowing a bright green ligt as she levitated
into the night sky.  Then her words became audible as she said:
          "Magics of Avalon, come to me
          Grant my wish and let it be.
          Change my form to the one I deem,
          Change my form to the one I see."
     As the green mist enveloped her once more, Goliath stepped back in
surprise.  The glow brightened till he had to shield his eyes, then
disappeared.  As his vision cleared he saw Elisa before him, in her gargoyle
form.  "Elisa?" he asked, shocked to his very core at the sight before him.
She looked the same as after the mirror incident.  The same face and hair, 
only with fangs, pointy ears, talons, and a lean and tan gargoyle body.  She
was the most beautiful gargoyle he had ever seen, even more so than Demona.
     "Hi Goliath," she said timidly, "what do ya think?"
     "You are beautiful!" Goliath breathed as he walked up to Elisa and 
gathered her into his arms.
     Their embrace was interrupted as the clan landed with a flurry of 
wings behind Goliath.
     "Goliath!" Hudson called out to his friend.  "Are ye alright lad?"
     "Yeah," Lexington put in, "we saw a flash of green up here, who's 
using Avalon magic?"
     Slowly, Goliath unfurled his wings from Elisa's form and turned to 
face his clan.  Everyone gasped in amazement at the tan gargoyle at his side.
     "Elisa?" the all gasped in amazement.
     "What happened?  Who did this to ya again lass?" Hudson asked
anxiously.
     "Elisa?" Angela asked, slowly circling the female gargoyle before 
her.  "Is it really you?"
     "Yes, it's me Angela," Elisa answered wearily.
     "That's right, Angela hasn't heard about the first time Elisa was 
turned into a gargoyle yet," Broadway said.
     "The first time?  You mean you were a gargoyle before?" Angela asked
in amazement.
     "Long story that'll have to wait for another time," Elisa sighed
wearily.  She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.  Ever since they had 
returned from their unexpected trip to Agrabah a week ago, they had all been 
to busy to fully fill everyone in as to what happened.  She had been to busy
getting yelled at by aptain Chavez with Matt for disappearing in the middle
of their shift.  ~I don't think she truly bought our story of unexpectedly
going deep under cover, only to have our cover blown and they all fled the 
country, resulting in no arrests and not being able to identify anyone.  At 
least she's not pushing it and letting it drop~  When she had told Goliath
their excuse, he had burst out laughing.  ~Hey, if anything, you can't say
that Matt and I aren't creative... at least I shot down his idea about being
abducted by aliens and having no other recollections about our whereabouts~
From there, as a sort of punishment, Captain Chavez had them working double
shifts for the last week.  Tonight was her first night off, with Matt still
working!  When she was told that she didn't need to come in tonight, Matt
about died.  
     As for Goliath and Brooklyn, they'd been too busy patrolling and 
protecting the city to give much of an explanation.  From what Goliath had
told her the other night, they had told the clan and Xanatos that she had 
been kidnapped by a psycho named Mozenrath, and that they were able to get
away and come home.  They had decided to wait until Elisa was ready to tell
them the rest.  Well, now was as good as a time as any.  Looking around, she
saw Goliath raise his eyebrows at her, as if saying "all yours."  Brooklyn
was staring at her with a look of suspicion.  Besides the clan, Xanatos, Fox,
and Owen had joined the group.
     "Well, lass?" Hudson prodded gently.
     "Who did this to you Miss Maza?" Owen asked in his calm, almost 
robotic monotone.
     "Well... I did."  At this statement, there were several gasps from
her friends.
     "What do you mean, Elisa?" Lexington asked.
     "Um, you know our trip last week?" she asked, for the first time in
her life, her calm veneer was cracked.
     "Yes Detective?  Go on," Xanatos said impatiently.
     "Well... we were in another dimension, in a city called Agrabah, and
Mozenrath used his magic to take my soul, and he was about to kill Goliath 
when I discovered that I could do magi and knew without knowing how, how to 
use it.  Then, before we left Genie said that the magic was Avalon magic," 
Elisa finished in a huff.  The whole speech had just been said extremely fast
and in one breath.
     After she finished, there was a stunned silence as the group tried to
absorb the wild story they had just been told.  Suddenly the quiet was broken
as everyone burst out with questions.
     "Another dimension?" Lex asked.
     "He took your soul?" Angela asked, concern in her voice.
     "Genie?" Fox asked skeptically.
     "Avalon magic?" Owen/Puck asked in his calm voice, arching his
eyebrow quizzically at her.
     Then the question came that she had been waiting for, and by the 
person she knew would ask it.  "So," Xanatos said, cutting in on the
questions.  Immediately, everyone stopped talking and listened closely to
the billionaire's question.  "You can perform magic?"
     "Yes," Elisa said, hoping that his questions wasn't leading in the 
direction she feared.
     "And you changed yourself back into a gargoyle because..." Xanatos
said, leaving the statement open ended and waiting for a reply.
     "To show Goliath what I had learned to do.  You see, all of the 
spells and incantations are coming to me slowly, and I remembered how to do 
this one earlier today."
     "You remembered?  So you had learned all of this before?" Owen asked
suddenly.
     "Yeah, it feels like the magic has always been a part of me, along 
with the knowledge, but that I'm only starting to rediscover it."
     "Did ye learn it as a wee one, lass?" Hudson asked, while rubbing his
chin thoughtfully.
     "No, and that's the strange part.  Nothing like this has ever
happened to me before."
     "Then where did you learn it?" Broadway asked.
     "Maybe we should ask Owen," Xanatos said, turning to his trusted 
aide.
     "Me, sir?"
     "Well, more specifically, I was thinking of Puck.  I mean, she was 
told the magic was Avalon in nature, and you are our resident expert when it
comes to Avalon."
     "I'm sorry to report that Puck cannot say," Owen replied stonily.
     "Why not?" Elisa askd quickly.
     "He has a few ideas why Detective Maza is in this predicament, but 
the issue is best brought before the King and Queen of Avalon.  It is their 
place to tell, not mine.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to summon the 
skiff for you.  This has nothing to do with the protection of Alexander, 
which prevents me from altering my form.  As for teaching Alexander, I 
believe that Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos would not appreciate that skill mastered by 
their son."
     "Correct indeed Owen," Fox put in quickly.
     "That's okay, I can summon the skiff when I'm ready to go," Elisa 
said, trying to reassure Fox.
     "You know how to summon the skiff?" Goliath asked quickly.
     "Uh, yeah," Elisa said, a puzzled look on her face, "I didn't realize
that I knew until the issue came up."
     "Too bad you didn't know it when we were being sent all over the 
world by Avalon," Angela said with a smile on her face.
     "No kidding!  That really would have come in handy," Elisa stated,
sharing the smile.
     "Hey Elisa!" Brooklyn said quietly.  "You're not going to Avalon 
yet?"
     "No, I can't take the time off work yet.  Knowing Avalon time, I'm 
going to try and swing two weeks off just in case."
     "Good thinking Elisa," Goliath said, finally joining the 
conversation.  "Since it is your night off though, would you like to go 
patrolling with me?  It would give those wings of your a try."
     "Sure big guy, don't I always go with you on patrol on my nights
off?" Elisa said, a smile lighting up her face.  The two grabbed hands and
were about to escape to the night sky when a voice stopped them.
     "Detective!"
     Turning around, Elisa said, "Yes Xanatos?"
     "You can't leave without giving us a demonstration of your magic 
first."
     Sighing, Elisa gave Goliath an impatient look and whispered, "One 
minute big guy."  As she jumped down from the parapets the crowd of friends
backed up, giving her room to work.  Being on the highest tower, that wasn't
much.  In eager anticipation, all eyes were turned to the figure before them.
As the wind whipped around thetower, her long raven locks stood long behind
her head.  Her jeans rustled slightly as her black midriff fluttered in the
breeze.  Closing her eyes, Elisa took a couple deep breaths.  Suddenly her 
eyes flew open, changed from her chocolate brown/black to a bright green.  As
the green mist surrounded her body and she once more levitated above the 
ground, she said:
          "A show the curious want to see,
          And here they wait, eager to be
          A part off this magic that surrounds me.
          Come to me forces of Avalon
          And change my form so I do belong
          With my friends here to see
          The real and true me..."
     With the last word spoken, the mists cleared and Elisa Maza lowered
to the ground in her original form.  At the startled looks and gasps Elisa
did a quick curtsey and said, "Voila!"
     At the silence that followed her little demonstration, her full lips
pulled down in a slight frown as she said, "What?  No applause?"  Shrugging
her shoulders she pointed to herself quickly.  Green mist appeared around her
form, making her disappear.  When she emerged from the mist not a second 
later, she was once more a gargoyle.  Jumping lightly to stand next to 
Goliath on the ledge, she grabbed his hand and jumped into the night sky, 
dragging Goliath behind her.  Soaring and tumbling in the sky, she did move 
after difficult move, laughing at the feeling of soaring high above her city.
When Goliath finally caught up, he had many questions for his love.
     "Elisa?"
     "Hmm," she said dreamily.
     "Did you realize that back at the castle, all you did was point at 
yourself and change?  You didn't even cast a spell or speak an incantation."
     "I didn't?" Elisa asked, puzzled herself.  "I guess that saying it
aloud isn't needed anymore."
     "But not even Oberon's children can do stuff that difficult without
saying anything."
     "Owen doesn't have to say anything to change into Puck or vice
versa," Elisa pointed out, not worried in the slightest.
     "Okay," Goliath conceded, "but what about that tricky flying you just
pulled off?  You could barely fly t all last time you were changed.. you got
vertigo!  But a couple of minutes ago you were doing stuff that takes years
of practice."
     "I don't know.  I guess that when I changed my form, all of the 
flying skills went with it... let's not worry about this anymore.  Let's just
enjoy ourselves and finish the patrol."
     Nodding his agreement, Goliath put all questions from his mind, 
determined to make the most of the night and patrol.  Smiling, they continued 
their patrol.

Nightstone building- Earlier that day, approximately 1:00 pm
     Demona paced back and forth in her luxurious office.  ~Today is the 
day, tonight the pitiful human, Elisa Maza, will die~  All of her careful
plans were set.  All she had to do was hit her with the poisoned dart.  By
the end of the night, the human would be no more.  This was no common virus
or disease.  It was not contagious and created by a mixture of deadly toxins 
and magic.  Therefor, there was no cure.  No one could help the detective 
now.
     With everything complete, she had only one more preparation before
her plan could be set into motion.  Sighing, Demona straightened her business
suit as she slid behind her desk.  Picking up the phone, she dialed quickly
and using her most seductive voice said, "Yes, I'd like to speak with the 
Commissioner... tell him that Dominique Destine wishes to speak with him...
Ah, good afternoon Mr. Police Commissioner," Demona purred into the phone.  
"I'd like to call up on that favor you owe me... Good, good.  Call up Captain
Maria Chavez and tell her to give Detective Elisa Maza the night off... 
Consider it as me doing a favor for a close friend of mine... Thank you 
Commissioner..." laughing seductively at the come on she just heard, she 
decided she finally had enough of this hormone crazy human.  "Yes, well maybe
your wife would enjoy that more than I... I thought so, make sure it's done,
good day commissioner, and be sure to tell your wife I said hello."
     Knowing the wretched human, she would spend her night off with her 
Goliath.  Settin up her plan perfectly.  Goliath would be there, watching 
his human love die, knowing that it was due to his lack of protection.  Sure,
Goliath would be pretty mad at her for awhile, but he's get over it.  Then,
her and her mate could be reunited, the clan would obediently follow their
rule, and the humans would fall under their combined wrath.  Demona had many
plans and schemes to ensure that everything fell into place just like she
planned.  Getting the disgusting Detective out of the picture was just the 
first of many steps.

9:00 pm
     As night rolled around, after her transformation was complete, Demona
strung the dart gun over her blue shoulder.  Smiling evilly, she made sure
the poisoned dart was securely latched into place.  All was set, all she 
needed to do was wait at the area specified.  In order to ensure success, she
had ordered someone to follow Goliath for the last few weeks.  In all that 
time, Goliath always flew the same route for patrol.  So, using the 
information provided, Demona picked a secluded spot along the route to watch 
and wait.
     Jumping off a balcony from her bedroom, Demona soared into the night
sky.  When she finally reached her destination, she sat down to wait.  
Luckily, her wait wasn't long, for in a matter of minutes, she saw two
winged forms flying in her direction.  ~Two winged forms?~ she frowned
thoughtfully.  As they drew closer she was able to make out more details. 
Goliath's mighty form was unmistakable, but her frown deepened further when 
she noticed that the Detective was not being held in his arms.  Where was the
human?  Also, the other gargoyle was obviously a female.  ~Angela?~ she 
thought.  If it was her daughter, then the plan wouldn't work, she couldn't 
do this before her daughter, she couldn't risk harming her.  ~But wait, 
that's not Angela!~ she thought quickly.  The form was different: a little
slimmer here, taller there, the hair was the right color but not in the usual
braid/pony tail, and the gargoyle flew with more experience than her
daughter, soshe wasn't as young.  Then as the gargoyles flew by, she noticed 
that the stranger was tan.  ~That cinches it... a new gargoyle?  Here in 
Manhattan?  With Goliath?~  Curious, she quickly began to tail the pair.  
~Did the new gargoyle join Goliath's clan?  But there had been no mention of
another gargoyle, a female gargoyle~  Her love was most likely patrolling 
with her, to show her the city and to judge her abilities.  This opened up a 
whole new world of options for her.  When her clan was finally together 
again, as a family, then maybe once again she could feel the joy of having a
female companion.  She hadn't felt that kinship since Wyvern fell to the 
human betrayers.  Once again she would have a loyal friend and confidante. 
If she wasn't too late, if the group hadn't poisoned her mind against her 
yet, she may even be able to have the gargoyle's help in restoring sense and
order to the clan.  Yes, that's it!  The gargoyle would help Demona win back
her love and the clan's trust.  Together they would destroy the human vermin
so they could live in peace once more.
     Waking from her day dreams, she realized that they were now gliding 
over Central Park.  Then, Goliath and the new comer landed in a secluded area
in the trees.  Puzzled, she descended slowly and landed in a nearby tree, all 
but invisible to the gargoyles below.
     As she watched, Goliath and the new gargoyle stepped towards each 
other and embraced, their wings wrapping around one another.  Then, to her 
growing horror, they kissed passionately.  Her eyes burning red, she watched
all of her plans for friendship crumble.  That *bitch* was stealing Goliath
from her, she had even taken him from the human.  As she got her first real
look at the gargess, she gasped in amazement.  She was the most beautiful
gargoyle she had ever seen.  She had long, slanting chocolate brown/black 
eyes, full red lips, long black hair, and a slim gargoyle body.  Yet, she 
looked familiar somehow.  She had seen this gargoyle before, with the strange
clothing.  That sme black midriff with short sleeves and the same shortened
blue jeans.  Then it clicked, "Elisa Maza!" she whispered fiercely, her eyes
lighting up a bright red.

10:30 pm
     Smiling, Goliath and Elisa landed in the secluded clearing.  
"Goliath, this is beautiful!  How did you find this place?" Elisa asked, 
staring at her surroundings in wonder.  "In Central Park of all places!"  
Thick trees and brush surrounded them from all sides.  Because the clearing
was relatively small, the size of a small cottage perhaps, in a circle, it 
had a secluded feeling.  Here, the grass was a lush green that stopped at her
ankles.  Above them, the bright moon shined down, making it almost as light
as day, while the stars twinkled in the dark sky.
     "It's impossible to get to because of the thick trees and brush, but
I found it easily one night while patrolling.  So do you like it?"
     "Of course, I love it!" Elisa said, wrapping Goliath up in a gentle
embrace.
     Sighing, Goliath held him love close, taking in the scent of her long
hair.  No matter what shape she took, or whether she had magic or not, he 
would always love her.  He loved gliding beside her, like he did with Demona,
but carrying her in his arms was something he's never tire of.  Being able to
hold her fragile body close to him, Elisa proving her complete trust of him 
by allowing herself to be carried at such immense heights, relying on nothing 
but Goliath himself to ensure her safety.  He would always protect her.  
Reaching down, he slowly brought his lips to hers and kissed her deeply.
     Elisa finally ended the kiss by stepping away and saying, "It's 
missing something."
     "What?" Goliath asked quickly, afraid that she was talking about the
kiss, or even worse, their relationship.  He didn't think it was the kiss.
Goliath had kissed Demona the same way, and he didn't think that human and
gargoyle kissing could be *that* different.  Suddenly a glorious sound filled
his ears.  Staring around in wonder, he realized that the soft string music
was coming from all around im.  As he turned to face Elisa, he noticed her
eyes flare a brief green before she was once more surrounded by mist.  
"Elisa?" he said hesitantly.  As the mists disappeared once more, Elisa's 
gargoyle form was changed back to her human one.  Also, instead of the usual
jean attire, she was now wearing a long dress.  The dress itself was blue
with midnight blue trimmings and had a tight, low but bodice, with long 
sleeves, with pearl buttons down the front of the dress.  It then widened out
into a full skirt that divided into a kind of trail at the knees.  The skirt
underneath was a white that showed through the cut in an upside down 'v' from
the ground to her knees.  Over her shoulders and down her back hung a 
midnight blue cape that was secured around her neck with a pearl clasp.  It
was something out of Goliath's time.  Her hair was the same, cascading down
her back with occasional ringlets here and there.  Taking all of this in, 
Goliath breathed "You're beautiful..."
     "Thanks," Elisa said, taking the outfit in for the first time 
herself.  She had pictured the gown in her head, but it was entirely 
different to see it on herself.
     "So you did all of this?" Goliath rumbled, a twinkle in his eye as he
indicated the music and her appearance with a sweep of his hand.
     "Yep.  It was romantic and beautiful as it was, I just needed to add
the finishing touches."
     "And that you did... may I have this dance milady?" Goliath asked, 
bowing and holding one arm out, like he had seen Prince Malcolm do all those
years ago.
     "I would be honored," Elisa replied, falling into the roll.  With a 
nod, Goliath stepped forward, and holding her hand they proceeded to the 
middle of the clearing.  As the music played on, they began their slow waltz,
Elisa following Goliath's lead perfectly.  ~We must look like that scene from 
"Beauty and the Beast"~ Elisa thought to herself, smiling at the irony.  
Except, Goliath was hardly a beast... but instead really handsome.  The dance
brought both of their minds back to last Halloween, nd the first and last
time they had danced like this.
     A sudden thud in the far end of the clearing caused them both to 
quickly snap out of their reverie.  Elisa was so startled that her 
concentration broke and the music stopped playing.  Turning quickly, they 
were confronted with Demona, her eyes glowing her traditional red, a dart gun
of some sort in her hands.
     "How dare you!" Demona spat.
     "Demona!" Goliath said.  Quickly he pushed Elisa behind him and 
growled "What are you doing here?" Elisa slowly edged back out to Goliath's 
side, pushing aside his restraining arms.
     Ignoring Goliath, Demona's hate filled eyes centered on Elisa.  "You 
worthless human, how dare you take gargoyle form!  You're not worthy of being
a gargoyle!  Where's Puck hiding?  I'll kill him for this!"
     "Puck's not here Demona!  Besides, you talk about me not good enough
to be a gargoyle?  Fine, I may not be, but you're not even worthy enough to 
be a mosquito!  At least I don't betray my family and friends!"
     Demona stepped back quickly as if she'd been slapped.  "How dare
you!" she screamed into the night.  "It was the humans!"
     Elisa, fearless now that she had prepared her magic to set loose a 
volley of magic at anything shot at her or Goliath, stepped fully away from 
behind Goliath.  "You're such a fool Demona!" Elisa said angrily.  She knew
that Demona wouldn't hurt Goliath, for it was obvious she loved him.  Goliath
himself was looking back and forth between herself and Demona, giving her a
silent message to get behind him.  Elisa considered it, but decided that 
Goliath would be less of a target the farther away from him she got.  
Besides, this was her chance to finally speak her mind to Demona.  "You just
can't admit that your betrayal killed the clan... you killed the clan!" 
Elisa accused, her eyes flashing.
     Demona, her eyes glowing bright red, roared in anger, lifted her gun
till it was settled on Elisa.  As it went off, everything moved in slow 
motion.  Elisa tensed up, focusing her magic on t he projectile heading n 
her direction.  Suddenly she was thrown to the side before she could release 
her magic and destroy whatever was heading her way.  Groaning, she said, "Oh,
did anyone catch the number of that bus?"
     "Elisa, are you alright?" Goliath asked, helping her up from where he
knocked her out of danger.
     "What did you do that for?" Elisa asked, brushing herself off and
giving Goliath and indignant glare.
     "You were in danger.."
     "I was getting ready to blow it out of the sky!"
     "Demona!" Goliath gasped, finally remembering their enemy and the 
cause of their problem.  Quickly, they both turned to face her last known
position.  Instead of seeing her with a shot gun pointed in their direction,
the gun was lying on the ground, like she had dropped it, her mouth hanging
open and staring at Goliath's turned back.
     "Goliath..." she stuttered, her eyes their normal color and tears
glinting in her eyes, "I'm sorry."
     "Goliath," Elisa said, worry filling her face, "turn around."
     Still not understanding, Goliath turned around, showing Elisa and
Demona his back.  Just as she had feared, a lone silver dart was stuck in his
skin.  Grimacing slightly, she tugged the dart from his thick skin.  Facing
Demona once more she said, "What is it Demona?  What's in the dart?"
     Before Demona could answer, a roar of pain erupted from Goliath.  
Bent over at the waist, he held his stomach, his face contorted in pain and
moaned.
     "Goliath?" Elisa asked quickly, at his side in an instant.  As she 
gripped his shoulders in concern, he collapses weakly to his knees.  Looking
into his face, she saw his mouth tighten in agony as his eyes squeezed shut.
     "Elisa..." he gasped, his eyes focusing on her beautiful face before
him.  "I.. love.. you."  With the last word spoken, his eyes rolled back in
his head as he fell the rest of the way to the ground unconscious.
     "Goliath!" Elisa screamed desperately, falling to her knees beside
her love.  In all her time that she'd known Goliath and the gargoyles, he had
always been unstoppable in her mind.  "No!" he screamed in anguish, laying
her head upon his chest.  They had finally found love in one another, been
through so much together from Dracon, Xanatos, Sevarious, Demona, to ghosts,
the Lochness monster, Illuminati Society, aliens, banshees, fay, and even to
the King and Queen of the third race.  They couldn't possibly loose each 
other now!  She didn't know if she could live without him.  ~Pull yourself 
together Maza!~ she said angrily to herself. Straightening her shoulders, she
was relieved to see that he was only unconscious, not dead as she had feared.
Getting to her feet, her heavy skirts rustling around her ankles, she faced 
Demona once more.  "What have you done to Goliath?"
     "No..." she breathed slowly, still in shock.
     "Demona!" Elisa yelled at the evil thing before her, "Pull yourself
together!"
     Demona stepped back once more as if slapped and nodded that she was
finally 'with it'.
     "Now, what was in the dart?" Elisa asked slowly, using the tone she
usually reserved for victims in shock.
     "It wasn't supposed to be him!  I made the dart from toxins and pure
magic, it was meant for you!  Within a couple of hours he'll slip into a 
coma, and he'll be dead before the sun rises..."
     At this statement, Elisa's hands clenched into fists.  Elisa quickly
fought down her anger, knowing that it would only make matters worse, and 
said, "The antidote, Demona.  Where's the antidote to the virus?"
     From across the open space, Demona's sneer was evident.  "There is no
antidote human!  Why would I create something to save your pitiful life, I 
wanted to kill you!"
     "Because it's not my life that needs saving!" Elisa retorted angrily.
Suddenly Demona's words sunk in, "No antidote..." Elisa said, tears filling
her eyes once more as she looked down at Goliath's body, watching his labored
breathing.
     "Yes," Demona said, a look of guilt crossing her face, "and it's 
all... your fault!" she hissed, a look of anger crossing her face, her eyes
glowing brightly.
     "What?!" Elisa exclaimed.  ~After all this time, she still isists on
shifting the blame to others.~
     "I lost him because of humans a thousand years ago.  Now I must 
again, because of another human.  Why must your race always tear my every
love from my hands!"  Demona yelled before she screeched her war cry.
     ~I can't deal with this right now~ Elisa thought to herself as she
closed her eyes and began to chant.
          "Because of her my love will die,
          And so to this I will not lie,
          I want her dead and out of sight,
          But knowing this is wrong I will not fight,
          Instead I send her far away.
          Send Demona to Norway."
     With the final word of the spell spoken, Elisa opened her eyes and 
faced Demona, who had stopped her charge when Elisa had begun to glow a 
slight green.  While Demona's eyes were glowing red, Elisa's eyes were 
glowing green.  Without saying a word, Elisa raised her hand and pointed at
Demona.  All of the green surrounding her began to gather in her finger 
before crossing the space between them and enveloping Demona.  Then, as the
light grew in intensity, Demona began to yell curses and promises of revenge
before she disappeared in a green flash.
     "Yeah, yeah, I know, you'll get your revenge..." Elisa muttered as
she faced her love once more.  One look at him caused a sigh to escape her
lips.  Quietly she knelt by his side and began to run her fingers through his
rich black hair, pushing it back from his forehead.  He looked so peaceful
right then.  All of the lines of worry and stress caused by being leader of
his clan in this new time and place had smoothed out.  Sighing, she looked  
around, the tears sliding down her face.  The clearing was as quiet and
peaceful as before, the moon shining down upon them.  Reaching up, she wiped
the tears from her eyes.  She couldn't even remember the last time she had
cried.  Scooting closer, she lay her head upon his chest, the tears coming
down harder than ever.  For the first time in her life, Elisa had no idea
what to do.  She loved Goliath, and now he was leaving her.  Suddenly she 
felt him shift below her.  Liftng her head, she saw his eyes open and focus
on her.  "Hey Big Guy!" she said softly, brushing the tears from her eyes.
"How ya feeling?"
     "Like something is eating me up from the inside out," Goliath
grimaced.  "Where is Demona?"
     "In Norway.... don't ask," she said at his confused expression.
     "Why are you crying?" he asked, reaching up to brush a tear away.
     "I... was just worried," Elisa said, trying to smile.
     "What did Demona say about the contents of the dart?"
     "Uh..."
     "Elisa, we've been through to much together to begin lying to each
other now."
     "It's a.. a mix between toxins and magic," Elisa said quietly,
another tear escaping.
     "No cure, huh?" Goliath asked quietly, realizing the reason for
Elisa's tears.
     Biting her lip against the sob that was building within her chest, 
Elisa shook her head quickly.
     "Ah..." Goliath sighed, then grimaced as another wave of pain washed
over him.  "Then you must tell the clan what happened... tell Brooklyn that
he will lead them well..."
     "No!" Elisa sobbed, shaking her head, her black hair whipping about
in a frenzy of emotion.  ~Nothing is ever fair~ she thought to herself.
     "Yes, Elisa... take care of them..."
     "No, you're going to be just fine," Elisa promised, lying to them
both.
     "No I am not Elisa... you and I both know that.  Tell Angela that I 
am sorry that I will not be there for her, and that I love her..."
     "You can tell her!" Elisa half screamed half sobbed.
     "I can't... stay awake... pain's too much!" Goliath gasped as another
wave of agony wracked his body.  "Good-bye my love...."
     "No, you can't leave me!  I need you... I LOVE YOU!!"
     "I'm sorry.. I.. love.. you.. Elisa," Goliath said as his breathing
slowed once more and he fell unconscious..
     "No, no, no, NO!" Elisa sobbed, burying her head against his massive
chest.  ~It can't end this way!~ she thought to herself furiously.  Then her
magical insight came to the surface of her mind.  ~It *won't* end this way~
Leaning forward, she gently brushed her lips against his for one final kiss.
"I hope yu can forgive me for this Big Guy," she whispered in his ear.
Laying her small hands upon his chest, she prepared to cast the spell for her
second, and probably her last time.
          "Forces of magic that I call upon,
           To undo this horrible and mighty wrong.
           This person before me should not be in pain,
           So now I take it and thus do contain."
     As she finished saying the magic words, so the speak, green light
flowed once more from her hands until it surrounded every inch of his body.
Then, a couple of seconds later, the green mist came back into Elisa's body.
Gasping, Elisa quickly withdrew her hands from his body as though burned.  As
Elisa slowly stumbled to her feet, Goliath's eyes began to flutter open.
Suddenly an overwhelming pain ripped through her stomach.  Bending over,
holding her stomach tightly, at first all she could do was gasp as the pain
came in waves, intensifying with each wave.  "I.. love.. you!" Elisa gasped.
Then the greatest pain she had ever felt in her life hit.  As it tore at her
tender belly, an agony drenched scream erupted from her mouth.  Then the
world went dark as she collapsed to the ground, her dark skirts billowing
around her.

     Goliath's slow awakening was rushed when he heard a heart wrenching
scream.  Sitting up, he was surprised to be feeling no more pain.  Even his 
shoulder, slightly bruised from when a thug had ran into him when Elisa and
he broke up a mugging earlier in the evening was healed to perfection.
~Speaking of Elisa, where is she?~  As his eyes wandered the clearing, they
settled on a still form laying on the ground slightly behind him.  Getting up
quickly, he rushed over to find his worst fears confirmed: there, lying on
the ground was Elisa, her long skirts spread out around her.  Crouching
beside her, he shook her gently.  To his insistent prodding, Elisa stirred
slightly, a grimace of pain lighting up her face before she lay still once
more.  Breathing a sigh of relief, Goliath puzzled out what the hell had 
happened.  The last thing he remembered was beingin the worst pain in his
life, on death's bed with no hope for recovery with a perfectly healthy Elisa
next to him.  ~What the hell happened?~  Now Elisa was lying on the ground in
pain while he was healthy.  Then he remembered what Elisa did for Aladdin.
     "Oh no," Goliath whispered, his eyes falling once more to his love's
face.  "Oh no," Goliath half sobbed half whispered.  As the tears dripped
down his face unchecked, he thought of the life that now lay before him, a
life once more without his love beside him.  Why did fate insist on ripping
his love from him?  As he wiped away his tears he began to speak softly to
her, not knowing if she could hear him.  "Thank you for your gift, Elisa.
You gave me the gift of life... a gift that cost you too much, much more than
I was willing to give, one that I do not want," Goliath said softly, a single
tear escaping down his cheek.
     What to do now?  He could stay by Elisa's side here in the peaceful
clearing.  At least then she could die in peace, in the midst of beauty.  Or,
he could take her back to the castle.  Demona had told Elisa that there was
no cure, but there was always a chance that Xanatos had some sort of new
medical treatment up his sleeve.  But then again his recovery had left him
exhausted... could he even make it back to the castle?  But at least the clan
would get their goodbyes.  Peace or the turmoil of the castle?  Looking down 
into Elisa's face, he realized that there never was a choice between courses
of action.  Some chance was better than no chance at all.
     Leaning forward, Goliath gently lifted Elisa into his arms.  He was
carrying her like he always did, but only now her arms were hanging limp at
her sides.  Holding her firmly, he ran quickly across the clearing and up a
short hill, launching himself into the night sky.  Luck was with him as he
quickly caught a thermal updraft.  Soaring higher and higher, Goliath turned
towards the castle and began his long flight home.
     
Castle Wyvern- 11:30 pm
     Worried, Angela paced the parapets anxiously.  ~here is Father and
Elisa?~ she thought angrily to herself.  A sudden scrape from behind her 
caused her to turn quickly and say "Father?"
     "No Angela, it's just me," Brooklyn said, a little hurt at her fallen
look of hope.
     "Oh, Brooklyn.  I'm sorry, I had hoped it was Father," Angela said
sadly, turning back towards the night sky.
     "So I noticed," Brooklyn said, a hurt note in his voice.
     Noticing, she turned quickly to her friend and squeezed his shoulder
reassuringly.  "I'm sorry Brooklyn... I did not mean offense, but I'm worried
about Father and Elisa."
     "Why?" Brooklyn asked, a confused look on his face.  "Goliath can
take care of himself and Elisa just fine."
     "I know, but I have a feeling that something's really wrong."
     "Okay," Brooklyn said, drawing out the word.  "Well, why don't we go
wait for them inside?  They may be awhile," he said, winking slyly at her.
     Completely missing the joke, Angela turned away and began scanning
the sky once more, searching desperately for a sign of her father.  "No
thanks, I think I'll wait out here for them."
     Shrugging, Brooklyn started to turn to leave when an idea occurred to
him.  "Hey Angela, I'll be right back!" he yelled as he dashed into the
castle, Angela barely noticing his departure.
     A couple of minutes later he returned with two infrared binoculars in
hand.  Sliding up to her, he handed one over Angela looked down at the offer
with a surprised look on her face.
     "Now we can both watch for them... and actually be able to see them
if they come," Brooklyn explained with a sheepish look.
     Smiling her thanks, Angela began searching the sky once more,
Brooklyn at her side.  About ten minutes later Brooklyn interrupted the
silence, "There they are," he said, pointing in the direction of Central
Park.  "See Angela, you were worrying for nothing."
     Looking in the direction Brooklyn pointed, Angela focused in with her
binoculars.  They were still a long ways off, just a dot without the aid of 
the infrared binoculars.  Still, she could barely make out Goliath, Elisain
his arms.  "Something is wrong," Angela said firmly, shaking her head.
     "What are you talking about?  They're fine, see?" he said, pointing 
in Goliath's direction once more.
     "Well, how come Elisa's not flying back?" Angela asked, trying to
explain her feeling to Brooklyn as well as herself.
     Shrugging his shoulders, Brooklyn said, "She probably changed back
into a human cause she got tired of flying.  Goliath's carrying her like 
usual."
     "No," Angela said, shaking her head, she turned back towards the 
direction of her father.  Bringing the binoculars to her eyes, she noticed
that she could make out the outlines more, but the details were still
unclear.  Still, what she saw was enough to make her stomach tighten
involuntarily.  "Now look... what do you see?"
     Sighing, Brooklyn put the binoculars to his eyes, scanning the sky
till he found the approaching figures.  "I see Goliath carrying Elisa, she's
back to normal... but wearing a dress?  Now that *is* weird, still, that's no
reason to be putting up such a fuss."
     "That's not it, look again... at Elisa's arms."
     "Uh, they're hanging at her side."
     "And?" Angela prompted.
     "And what?"
     "Elisa always hangs on around Father's neck," Angela pointed out.
     "So?  Maybe she got tired of holding on.  That's no reason to be 
concerned."  Despite his reassuring words, Angela's concern was catching.
Now he was getting slightly worried.
     Sighing in frustration at not being able to convince Brooklyn, she
put the binoculars to her eyes and looked once more.  Now they were close
enough to make out more details.  "Uh Brooklyn?  Father looks really worried,
and he's flying strangely, like he's tired or something," Angela said, her 
voice rising in pitch and intensity as she continued.  "Elisa's eyes are
closed and she's leaning against Father... she's not moving!"
     "What?" Brooklyn asked, jerking around to look quickly.
     "Something's wrong!  Hurry, let's help Father!"  Not waiting for a 
response, Angela dove off the side of the building and soared towards her 
father, Broklyn in hot pursuit.
     "Father!" Angela yelled as she drew near.  Now the look of exhausted
urgency was evident on his face, along with the stillness of Elisa.
     "Goliath," Brooklyn said, pulling along side, "what happened?  What's
wrong with Elisa?"
     "I'll explain later," Goliath panted.  "Right now we have to get
Elisa to the infirmary at the Aerie."
     Without hesitation, Brooklyn quickly said, "Here, give Elisa to me!"
     "Why?" Goliath said, eyes blazing white.
     "Father!  You're tired and Brooklyn will be able to get her there 
faster," Angela said in Brooklyn's defense.
     Goliath hesitated a moment longer, looking down at his love.  
Sighing, he passed her carefully over to Brooklyn mid-flight.
     Brooklyn gasped in amazement at the feeling of Elisa cradled in his
arms.  He'd never carried anyone like this before besides Lexington.  He had
expected Elisa to be a heavy burden, but to his astonishment, she was
remarkably light.  What worried him even more was that up close, he saw that
she was pale and that her unmoving body felt lifeless.  She had to be alive,
otherwise Goliath wouldn't bother with the infirmary.  Not wasting another
second, Brooklyn soared quickly to the castle, flapping his wings here or
there to gain speed.  In no time, Goliath and Angela were left in his wake.
     As he landed upon the courtyard of the castle, he ran towards the 
doors leading to the great hall.  Before he could adjust his grip on Elisa to
open the door, they were pushed open.  Stepping back in surprise, avoiding
the massive door in the process, Brooklyn looked up quickly.  There standing
before him was none other than the lord of the castle.  "Xanatos?" Brooklyn
asked in amazement.
     "Is the detective in need of medical assistance?"
     "Well... uh, yeah," Brooklyn stuttered.
     "Then follow me.  We'll take her to the infirmary at once," Xanatos 
said in his gentleman voice as he turned on his heel and walked brusquely
towards the elevator set in the far wall.
     Hurrying to catch up, Brooklyn muttered, "How did you know?"
     "Security notied the rush on their screens and notified me.  I came 
just in time to notice the switch of passenger... you sound suspicious.  You
don't trust me yet?" he asked, cocking his eyebrow, not slowing his pace any.
     As the elevator doors closed behind them and they were whisked down,
Brooklyn pondered the billionaire's words.  "It takes time to win a 
gargoyle's trust back after you've lost it."
     "Well, all I can do is keep trying to prove myself," Xanatos sighed
as the elevators doors opened.  Stepping quickly, he led Brooklyn into the 
infirmary.  This was no normal infirmary though.  Everywhere Brooklyn looked,
he saw high tech machinery and strange looking gadgets.  At Brooklyn's
astonished stare, Xanatos smiled his cocky smile and said, "We have state of
the art equipment here.  It's even better than most public hospitals."
     "Sir, you rang?  What is the emergency?" Owen asked, stepping in
behind them.  As his eyes fell upon the still form of Elisa in Brooklyn's
arms, he merely said, "I see, follow me."
     Not knowing what was going on, Brooklyn dutifully followed Owen and
lay Elisa down upon the indicated table.
     "What is wrong with her?" Owen asked as he began to methodically
check her stats.
     "I don't know, I was hoping you could tell me," Brooklyn said, 
watching everything Owen was doing to Elisa carefully.
     "You don't know?" Owen asked, looking up in the middle of inserting
an IV.
     "No, I don't.  Goliath flew her in, and I rushed her down.  He 
doesn't look to great either."
     "I see," Owen said, getting back to work.  Grabbing a needle, Owen
found a vein and began withdrawing blood, much to Brooklyn's displeasure.
Then, Owen turned and grabbed another needle, this one filled with a clear
liquid.  Squirted it into the air distractedly, he reached towards Elisa.

     Growling, his eyes glowing bright, Brooklyn grabbed Owen's arm, 
preventing him from inserting the needle.  
     "I have to give her this to bring her fever.  She has a temperature 
of one hundred and four degrees," Owen explained calmly.  At Brooklyn's lank
stare, Owen hastily said, "Running a temperature means that her body is 
warming up, and getting hotter every second.  If her body gets too warm, 
she'll die.  This will cool her down."  
     Still, Brooklyn wouldn't relent.
     "Touch her face," Owen instructed.
     Slowly Brooklyn placed his free hand against her face.  "It's hot!"
     "So allow me to cool her down."
     Sighing, Brooklyn nodded his consent and withdrew his clawed hand 
from Owen's arm.  As the shot was administered, Owen glanced at Xanatos and
said, "Will you escort Brooklyn outside, and ensure that the rest of the 
gargoyles wait in the waiting room outside?"
     Nodding, Xanatos escorted Brooklyn from the room.  "Don't worry, Owen
will inform us as to his findings."

1:05 am
     About twenty minutes later, Owen emerged from the infirmary.  He was
mildly surprised at the sight that greeted him.  Goliath, Brooklyn, Angela,
Hudson, Lexington, Broadway, and Matt Bluestone were sitting on a group of
chairs to one side of the door, in that the corner of the room.  In the
grouping of chairs directly in front of the door, by the hallway door sat 
Peter and Diane Maza and Talon/Derrick and Maggie.  Xanatos and Fox sat by
themselves on the far corner of the room.  All three groups were eyeing one
another wearily.  "Well, I see that family and friends have been notified,"
Owen said dryly.
     At his voice, everyone scrambled to their feet and rushed him, the
questions pouring forth.  "Elisa, is she alright?... Is Elisa okay?... What's
wrong with my daughter?... What'd you do to Elisa?... Is th' lass alright?...
How's the Detective?"  Instead of attempting to answer the barrage of
questions, Owen merely stood in silence.
     Finally Goliath caught on and yelled, "Be quiet and let him speak!"
At his low, rumbling voice, questions immediately ceased.
     "Thank you Goliath," Owen said, no emotion in his voice.  "After
intensive tests and lab work, I've found no possible treatments or cure.  The
virus that is plaguing Miss Maza is new, leaving no known antidotes.  All 
medicationis proving useless in all attempts at slowing the disease."
     At his unemotional statement, there were many gasps, sobs, and cries
of outrage.  "What is her current status?" Xanatos asked.
     "Her condition is rapidly deteriorating.  At the present rate, she
will not last till morning."
     "Oh my poor baby!" Diane Maza sobbed into her husband's chest.
     Turning a steely glare to the assembled group, Peter Maza said, "Who
did this to my daughter?  What happened to her?  Who was with her when it
happened?" he demanded, his voice shaking in outrage.
     "I was with her when it happened," Goliath said slowly, turning to 
face Elisa's father.
     "You!" Peter roared.  "I knew that you were trouble!  Look what you 
did to my daughter!" he yelled, starting to charge the giant lavender 
gargoyle, only Talon restraining him.
     "Dad, let him explain!" Talon said, trying to calm his father down.
"Elisa cares about the gargoyles, and Goliath would never consciously hurt
her!"
     Sagging against his son, Peter nodded wearily.  "You're right.  I'm
sorry Goliath, forgive me for my outburst.  But what did happen tonight?"
     Sighing, Goliath began his tale.  "Elisa and I were attacked by
Demona..."
     "Mother did this?" Angela gasped in horror.
     "Who's Demona?" Peter asked angrily, looking back and forth between 
Goliath and Angela.
     "She's a rouge member of our clan," Goliath explained, ignoring his
Angela's question for the moment.  There would be plenty of time for that 
later.  "She betrayed our clan, resulting in it's destruction.  Demona was my
mate," Goliath admitted bitterly, "and together we had Angela.  She's been
trying to kill us, Elisa, and the entire human population for the past two
years."
     "Why does she want to hurt my baby?" Diane asked, tears pooling in
her eyes.
     "Well..." Goliath said, trying to figure out how to explain his and
Elisa's love.  After pondering for a couple of seconds, he realized that it
wasn't for him to tell, nor the time.  "She hates humans and Elisa was our 
first human friend.  In the end, we chose her ovr Demona."
     "I see, continue."
     "She shot a dart at Elisa, but I was able to get Elisa out of the way
in time.  I was hit in her place.  Almost immediately, the effects of the
dart took effect.  When I regained consciousness, Demona was gone and Elisa
told me that the dart was a mix of toxins and magic.  I wasn't going to live
till morning.  I blacked out again, but I awoke by Elisa's scream."
     "I don't understand," Talon said, "What happened?"
     "Elisa had used her magic to transfer the pain and the contents of
the drug from my body to hers.  So now I'm healed and she's dying," Goliath
said, a tear trickling down his cheek.
     "Magic?" Diane, Peter, Talon, and Maggie asked in union.  They were
probably wondering if Goliath had lost his mind.
     "Well..." Goliath started.
     "Goliath, was it the same thing she did with Aladdin?" Brooklyn asked
thoughtfully, tapping his chin.
     "Well, yes, I'd imagine," Goliath said.
     Matt shared a look with Brooklyn and said excitedly.  "Then she can
give away whatever she's containing to someone else, like she did with
Mozenrath!"
     "You're right!" Goliath said, hope lighting up his eyes.
     "Wait, wait!" Peter ordered.  "Magic, Aladdin, Mozenrath... will
someone explain to me what you people are talking about?"
     "We'll explain later, right now we have to see Elisa!" Matt said, the
group following his cue and moving as one towards the Infirmary door.
     "Wait," Owen commanded, holding his hand up.  "I'll only allow four
in at a time.  "Goliath- you, Diane, Peter, and Talon may go first."
     Nodding in agreement, the four quickly headed for the door.  Stepping
aside, Owen allowed admittance.  Entering the four quietly moved too Elisa's
bed side.
     Leaning over the bed, Diane kissed her daughter on the forehead.
Straightening, she brushed the hair from Elisa's eyes.  She took in the sight
before her.  Elisa was lying on the bed, her dark blue gown a stark
comparison to the traditional white hospital sheets.  ~Dark blue gown?~  Her
normally dark face was an obvious shade or two lighter.  What mad her
condition realistic was the IV. hooked to her arm.  Feeling her husband's
arm around her, she turned and gave him a sad smile.  On the other side of
the bed was Talon and Goliath.  She was surprised once more to see tears in
the large gargoyle's eyes.  Frowning slightly, she watched as he gently took
Elisa's hand in his.  ~What's going on between these two?~ she asked herself,
not for the first time.
     "Elisa," Goliath whispered quietly, his voice catching in his throat.
     Stirring, Elisa's eyes slowly opened on the surrounding faces. 
Smiling weakly, she said, "Hi guys."
     "Hi honey, how are you feeling?" Diane asked gently.
     "As good as can be expected, Mom," Elisa said, her voice catching in
the middle of her sentence as a wave of pain made her face scrunch up.
     "I'm sorry Elisa," Goliath said quietly, cutting in on Diane.
     Turning, Elisa looked at her love and noticed the tears.  "Hey, it's
alright Goliath!" she said softly.  "In no way is this your fault, and I want
to make it clear right now to all of you," she said, turning to make everyone
included.  "This was my decision and my decision only.  I don't regret my
choice in the slightest."
     "But Elisa," Goliath cut in, "can you give this to someone else like
you did with Mozenrath?"
     "No!" Elisa said vehemently, rising up to her elbows.
     "You can not or you will not?" Goliath growled.
     "I won't give this to anyone else!" Elisa said firmly, anger and
resolve flashing in her eyes.
     "But why Elisa?" her mother pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
"Why won't you do it if it'll make you better?"
     "Yeah, I'll get better, but whoever I give it to will die!" Elisa
said angrily.  "Would you have me live with that knowledge for the rest of my
life?"
     "Well, I am willing to do this!" Goliath said firmly.  "Give it back
to me!"
     "No," Elisa said, shaking her head firmly.  "I won't have you die on
me Goliath, or anyone else.  I wouldn't even give this to my worst enemy.  
Which means that you can tell Xanatos he's safe," she said with a small
smile.
     "There may beanother way..." Owen interrupted.
     "What?" Goliath asked quickly, hope edging his voice once more.
     "Well, if the concoction is indeed magic, then with Puck's 
instructions, then Elisa may be able to reverse the magic."
     "Are you sure Owen?" Elisa asked uncertainly.
     "No, but it's your only chance."
     "Well, then just tell me what to do."
     "I'm afraid that it's not that easy.  First you need to give it to
someone else.  You can not be a part of the magic to be rid of it.  Also,
I'll need you at your full power," Owen said.
     "Uh uh, no way!  I told you I'm not giving this to anyone else!"
     "Elisa, it's a chance at survival!  You must give it to me!" Goliath
pleaded.
     "But what good would that do?  There will still be no cure for the 
toxins that are remaining!"
     "Yes, but without the magic pushing it, the holder of the toxin will
survive to sunrise..." Owen said.
     "And if it's a gargoyle then its stone sleep will rejuvenate it and
they'll be healed by nightfall," Talon finished, catching on to Owen's way of
thinking.
     "Precisely."
     "I don't know about this, Goliath," Elisa said, turning to face her
love.
     "We must try!"
     "Fine, but only on one condition," Elisa said.
     "Anything."
     "If it doesn't work, I'm taking it back."
     "But..."
     "No Goliath!  I won't have you dying on me... I don't know if I could
live without you..."  At this statement, many eyebrows were raised and looks
were passed between her parents.
     "I'm sorry to interrupt this touching moment, but if we're going to
do this, we should begin immediately."
     "You're right.  Goliath, you should lie down for this," Elisa said.
     "Why?" Goliath asked, puzzled by her comment.
     "Because you won't be able to stand with what I'm giving to you."
Nodding, Goliath followed her instructions and lay on a nearby bed. "Derrick,
would you carry me over?  It'll be easier if I'm touching him, and I can't
get there on my own."
     At her own admission of her helplessness, her family blinked back
tears.  Whatever pain she was feeling and the condition she was in must be
horrible  Elisa *never* showed weakness.
     Leaning down, Talon gathered Elisa in his arms and carried her to
Goliath's bedside.  Elisa was having trouble holding her head up as she
sagged against her brother's furry chest.  "Goliath, are you sure you want to
go through with this?"
     "Of course I..." Goliath began.
     "It's gonna hurt a lot..." Elisa warned.
     "I know Elisa, but it is a chance I am willing to take."
     "Okay," Elisa said.  Lifting her hand with great effort, she let it 
settle on Goliath's chest.
          "The pain and hurt I do contain,
           I now pass on for another to maintain."
     The spell was simple, but the result was devastating for Goliath.
Elisa's parents and her brother stared in wide eyed wonder as Elisa's form 
began to glow a bright green.  Then the green mist seeped from Elisa, through
her hand to surround Goliath's form.  As soon as the mist disappeared, 
Goliath's hold on the side of the bed tightened, and his face screwed up in 
agony.  This lasted for a couple of seconds, and then Goliath fell
unconscious.
     Elisa looked at the still form of her love, a tear trailing down her
cheek.  Sighing, she decided it was time to get to work.  To her relief, she
realized that she was at full power once more.  "You can set me down
Derrick," Elisa said, her voice strong once more.
     "What?" Derrick stuttered, looking at his sister as he held her in 
his strong arms.
     "Derrick, I'm fine now.  You can put me down."
     Nodding dumbly, he slowly lowered her to her feet.  He even went as
far as to keep a firm grip on her arm until he was sure she'd be stable.
     Standing firmly on her own two feet, Elisa turned to face her love
once more, taking his hand in hers.  "Don't worry Big Guy, we'll fix this
bug, and in not time we'll be together again."  Goliath didn't move at her
soft words.  His hand was limp in hers and his eyes closed.  Sighing, she
turned to face Owen.  "Will you get Puck please?  It's time for Alexander's
lesson."
     "Indeed," Owen said.  Within a blink of an eye, Owen twirled about
and was transformed into Puck. "Ta da!" he yelled with a flourish.  He then
did a comical bow at the three amazed humans, his little tunic and white hair
flying at the commotion.  "What?  No applause?"
     "Puck!" Elisa said, a little impatiently.  "Go get Alex so we can be
started."
     "Gotcha!  Be back in a flash!" he said, and a flash was what it took.
The humans in the room covered their eyes quickly, shielding them from the
glare.
     As Elisa's vision began to clear, she saw Puck floating in the air in
front of her sitting Indian style.  Gurgling in his lap was a drooling 
infant.  "Wow!  You're quick!" Elisa muttered under her breath.
     Hearing her mumbled words, Puck said, "Yeah, that's what all the
girls' say!"
     Rolling her eyes, Elisa said, "One question before we start... why
can't Alex cast the spell?"
     "Because this is way out of his league... heck, it's even out of my
league.  I know how to do it, but I don't have the power to back it up."
     "And I do?"
     "Elisa, you have more power than any of Oberon's children combined!"
     "What?"
     "I mean, you have more magic in you then Oberon and Titania because..
well, we'll leave it at that for now."
     "Puck!  You *do* know why I have my magic!" Elisa accused.
     "Yep, and boy is it juicy!  I know something you don't know, I know 
something you don't know!" Puck taunted, an evil glint in his eye.
     Angrily, Elisa began to make wild grabs at him as he soared around 
the room.  Finally she gave up and pointed her hands at his soaring behind.
Aiming carefully she muttered, "Fire be a favorite of thine, now strike that
little imp in the behind!"  A sudden stream of flame shot out of her hands,
her eyes glowing green.  To her immense satisfaction, it connected squarely
with Puck's butt.
     "Ow!" he screamed.  "Why'd you do that?  I was just playing!"
     "Tell me the origin of my magic!" Elisa ground out, emphasizing each
syllable.
     "I told you already, the King and Queen of Avalon have to tell you!"
Puck whined.
     "Elisa?"
     At her Mom's astonished voice, Elisa turned quickly.  "Oh, Mom... I 
forgot you guys were ere..." Elisa stuttered, looking at the ground, ashamed
at her childish and very un-Elisa like behavior.
     "You're... you're better!" her mom gasped in amazement, watching her
daughter's every move.
     "I know Mom, I'm fine."
     "But Elisa, how did you do that?" Derrick asked in wonder.
     "Long story," she sighed.
     "Elisa, maybe the parentals and sibling should vacate the premises,
eh?" Puck asked, wiggling his eyebrows as he indicated the door to the
hallway.
     "We're not leaving!" Peter Maza said firmly.
     "Actually Dad, maybe it would be best if you did wait outside," Elisa
said slowly.
     "Elisa?" her mother asked.
     "I need to be able to concentrate, which will be hard to do if you
guys are in here."
     "But..." Peter broke in.
     "Okay Elisa," Derrick spoke up as he began to drag his parents to the
door.  "We'll be outside if you need us."
     Elisa smiled a thanks to her brother and then returned her gaze to
Goliath.  Walking to his side, she tenderly brushed some stray locks of hair
from his face.  "Let's begin Puck."
     "Okay dokay!" Puck said.  Lowering his head, Puck spoke quietly to
the gurgling baby in his arms.  "Okay Alex, I want you to just listen this
time around.  Don't try to cast this spell!"  Looking back at Elisa, he said,
"Can you see the magic within him?"
     "See it? No, what do you mean?"
     "Hmm, first you have to see it.  Start by..."
     "The magic within him is but a lie, make it apparent to thine eye,"
Elisa broke in.  As the spell was spoken, a green mist covered portions of
Goliath's body.  "Okay, now I see it," Elisa said.  Smiling, she turned to
look at Puck... and was amazed to see a miffed look on his face.  "What's
wrong?"
     "If you want my help, then the least you could do is wait for me to
finish telling you how to do it."
     "Sorry," Elisa said sheepishly.  She needed the little trickster's
help, even if she didn't like or trust him.  "It just occurred to me after I
asked."
     "You're forgiven.  Now, what we have to do is..."

An hour later- 2:30 am
     Things were not going well.  Brooklyn looked quickly rom where he
was leaning against the closed Infirmary door over to the far side of the
waiting room.  This was not the first time he had looked over there, yet the
scene was unchanged.
     Earlier Matt, Broadway, Angela, Lex, and himself had all gathered
eagerly at the closed door after Goliath and the Mazas had gone in.  They
were all excited about Matt's idea and wanted to know if it worked.  After
twenty minutes without word, they followed Hudson and Maggie's example and
took a seat in the empty chairs scattered about.  Ten minutes later, the
group jumped to their feet as the infirmary door opened.  To their surprise,
only the Mazas left before closing the door behind them.
     "Where's Owen?" David Xanatos asked, arching his eyebrow at the three
people, noting the bewildered look on their faces.
     "Where's Father?" Angela asked just as quickly.
     "Elisa's better, she's healed," Diane Maza breathed.
     "It worked!" Matt yelled happily, high-fiving Brooklyn.
     "Yeah!" Lexington yelled happily.
     "Can we see th' lass?" Hudson asked.
     "WHERE'S FATHER?!?" Angela yelled shrilly.
     Quiet entered the room as everyone turned towards the young gargoyle.
"He's, um, he's sick," Diane quietly stuttered.
     "What do you mean?" Angela asked, her eyes glowing red like her
mother's.
     "Well, Elisa gave the sickness to Goliath,"
     "She what?" Brooklyn asked incredulously.
     "No, Elisa you didn't," Broadway moaned.
     "NO! Father!" Angela wailed, falling to her knees in grief as tears
welled in her eyes.  She loved Elisa like a sister.  I mean, she was her best
friend.  Angela would have mourned Elisa like the rest of the clan, but now
her father would die in her place.  She needed him!  How could this happen?
She had just found her father, and now he was being ripped away from her.
     Broadway quickly ran to Angela's side and gathered her into his arms.
Which led up to now.  Brooklyn stole another quick look in their direction.
Things were unchanged: Angela was still in Broadway's embrace, crying into
his chest while he tenderly ran his talons thrugh her hair.  ~It's not fair!
It should be me comforting Angela!~  Shaking his head, he mentally slapped 
himself.  This was stupid, whenever someone chose another over himself, he
sat there and felt sorry for himself.  Well, no longer.  First he turned and
looked at Talon and Maggie, wrapped in a tender embrace.  Then he looked at 
Broadway and Angela... and smiled.  Someday he'd find the one for him, right
now Goliath was his main concern.  Although he was second in command, he
wasn't ready for the burdens of leadership yet.  It was bad enough when
Goliath was gone on the Avalon trip, he definitely didn't want it for keeps!
     Suddenly the door opened behind him, sending him flying on his back.
Opening his eyes he found himself lost in a sea of heavy blue material.
Clawing his way, he finally made it to the surface.  Turning around he saw
his captor: Elisa and her long midevil gown... a very pale and tired Elisa.
     "Elisa!" everyone yelled as they swarmed around her.
     Smiling, she embraced each in turn, until she was faced with Angela.
     "How could you Elisa?"
     "Angela, I..."
     "Elisa, how could you be so selfish?  How could you take my father
away from me?" Angela asked, tears dripping off her face.
     "I'm not!  Listen, with Puck's help I destroyed the magic that was 
quickening the toxin.  He should survive till morning, and then the stone
sleep will heal him."
     "But what if he *doesn't* make it till morning?" Angela pleaded.
     "Then I'll take it back!  Angela, I won't let him die!"
     "Okay Elisa," Angela sighed, "I trust you."
     Nodding, Elisa turned to her family and said, "Mom, Dad, you guys
might as well head home."
     "Don't worry Mom, Maggie and I will stay behind," Talon said, placing
a reassuring hand on her arm.
     "They're right Diane.  We're no longer needed here.  Let's go home,"
Peter said, leading his wife to the elevator.
     Watching her parents go, Elisa realized just how tired she really
was.  "Xanatos, do you have a room nearby that I can rest in for awhile?
That last spell wore me out," Elisa said whilerubbing her eyes.
     "But aren't you going to..." Lexington asked uncertainly.
     "Don't worry Lex, I'll be back by sunrise.  I just need some time to
regain my energy," Elisa said, squeezing his shoulder gently.  Picking up her
skirts, she walked to where Xanatos and Fox were standing. "About that room?"
     "But of course Detective.  Fox, if you would be so kind as to show
the Detective to a nearby chamber?"
     "I'd be delighted David, but what will you be doing?" Fox said while
unhooking her arm from his.
     "I'm going to check on Puck, it's too quiet in there for my tastes."
     Nodding in agreement, Fox sent the Infirmary door a worried look 
before saying "This way Elisa," she said, starting down the hallway.  "Oh, by
the way... love the dress."
     
Private Chamber- 6:10 am
     Elisa sat up suddenly in the bed she had been sleeping in.  According
to her internal alarm clock, she had about five minutes before sunrise.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she swung her legs over the side of the bed
and stood up slowly.  Looking down, she smiled slightly as she noticed her
dress was still in perfect condition.  ~Man, the Middle Ages had it right
with this wrinkle-free material.  I guess it's a necessity without having an
iron or a drycleaners.~
     Heading towards the door, she began her short journey towards the
infirmary.  As she turned another corner, she entered the waiting room that
the little hospital opened into.  It was deserted.  Surprised and slightly
alarmed, Elisa quickened her pace.  When she reached the door, she turned the
knob and was greeted by hysterical voices and a loud beeping sound.
     Walking completely into the room, Elisa quickly surveyed the scene
before her.  The clan of gargoyles, Matt, Talon, Owen, Xanatos, and Fox were
gathered around Goliath's bed.
     "He's not breathing!" Angela yelled shrilly, staring at her father's
still form in disbelief.
     Looking at the clock, Elisa saw that the sun would rise in two
minutes... he wouldn't make it.  Snapping her fingers, Elisa stepped quickly
into the mist that appearedbefore her and emerged a gargoyle.  In place of
her dress and traditional jean outfit, she was now wearing the usual gargoyle
garb.  In other words, a loin cloth and a halter top much like Demona's.
     Walking quickly, she pushed her friends to the side till she was
standing beside Goliath.  Everyone gasped at her sudden arrival, and Talon
and Maggie especially at her appearance.  Goliath still wasn't breathing.
Placing her hands on his chest she said, "Forces of magic that I call upon.."
     "Elisa, no!" Talon yelled, knowing what she was about to do.  Running
forward, he made to push her away from the bedside.  But, as he tried to 
touch her, he only encountered a wall of air.  Sighing in frustration, he 
realized that it surrounded his sister.
     "To undo this horrible and mighty wrong."
     "Elisa, don't do it!" Matt yelled urgently.
     "This person before me should not be in pain."
     "I was wrong, Father wouldn't want this," Angela pleaded.
     "So now I take it and thus do contain," Elisa finished.  The whole
exchange had taken place quickly, with Elisa not even pausing in her chant.
As everyone watched (it's not like they could do anything else), a green mist
appeared over Goliath's body.  Without warning it suddenly shifted till it
covered Elisa's hands... and then entered her body.  Stepping back, Elisa
paled considerably before falling to the floor unconscious.
     Dropping to his knees beside his sister, Talon quickly felt for a
pulse.  "Man, she's going fast!" he yelled.
     Behind them, Goliath sat up, completely confused again.  ~Now what's
going on?~  He knew that sunrise was almost there, and that he felt as good
as new.
     "She's stopped breathing!" Talon yelled.
     Looking down quickly, Goliath saw everyone gathered in a circle on
the floor.  Laying in the middle was Elisa in her gargoyle form once more,
this time wearing traditional gargoyle clothing.  Bending over further, he
saw that Talon was giving Elisa mouth to mouth.  Sunrise was now only seconds
away.  Jumping lightly from the bed, Goliath walked to the edge ofthe circle
and said, "Talon, give her to me!"
     "Father!" Angela yelled happily.
     When everyone just stared in astonishment, Goliath grew impatient and
pushed his way through until he was by her side.  Reaching down, he gathered
her in his arms and straightened.  As he looked down at her beautiful face, 
the sun rose and they turned to stone.
     Talon stood up from his crouched position and stared at the stone
form of Goliath, Elisa stone in his arms.  Not bothering to turn around, he
said, "Did she make it?"
     "Detective Maza is a strong woman and a fighter, but I don't know. 
Only sunset will tell," David Xanatos said.
     "What will you do with them?" Matt asked.
     "I'll have all of the gargoyles moved to the parapets atop the 
castle... they can't remain in here until sunset."
     "Then we'll be back at sunset," Talon said, finally facing Xanatos.

Castle Wyvern- sunset @ 8:43pm
     Everyone watched in anticipation as the seven stone statues before
them cracked in numerous places.  All eyes were focused on the middle statue,
which was in fact two.  All statues cracked but one... the one being held by
the middle statue.  As the gargoyles stretched and roared their awakening,
all eyes focused on the statue in the middle gargoyles arms.  It remained the
same.
     Goliath broke out of his shell and looked expectantly down into his 
arms.  Shocked, he could only gasp as he noticed that Elisa was still a 
statue.
     "NO, Elisa!" Talon yelled from a few feet away.
     Goliath could only gasp as he tried to gather a breath as he watched
her statue in his arms.  Her unmoving stone statue.  
     "Partner..." Matt said, lowering his eyes to the ground, hiding his
face as the tears started in his eyes.
     Goliath could only stare into the stone eyes of his love as the tears
gathered in his eyes, blurring his vision.  His love... his stone love.
     "Elisa..." Angela sobbed, burying her face once more in Broadway's 
arms.
     Goliath stared at his love and tried to breathe.  She was gone.. his 
love was gone.  Gone, she was gone, his love was GONE!  "NOOO!" Goliath 
roared into the night.  "Noo!"
     Suddenly, Goliath heard Angela's tears be replaced by a startled 
gasp.  Hoping against all hope, he looked back into his arms.  Very dimly, a
neon green light started to appear, getting brighter and brighter in 
intensity.  Suddenly, the stone that surrounded Elisa's body began to melt
away into thin air, being replaced by her warm skin below.  As the stone
melted away, her form changed beneath.  By the end of the transformation, 
Goliath held a woman he had never seen before.  The woman he held had the
same body shape as Elisa, in that she was tall and shapely.  Her hair and
skin on the other hand were completely different.  Her skin was as white as
ivory and her hair, while the same length and texture as Elisa's, was the
fairest blond that Goliath had ever seen.  The rest of the features remained
pretty much the same.  The woman had Elisa's large slanting eyes, small nose,
and wide, red full lips.  Then, the woman began to waken, her eyes 
fluttering.  As her eyes opened, Goliath saw the brightest blue eyes he had
ever seen.  The clothing was different also.  She was wearing a dress that
was straight out of the 1800's.  She was breathtaking, like a porcelain doll.
Still, she was not Elisa, nor as beautiful as her.  Then she spoke.
     "Goliath?" she asked weakly.  
     It was the same voice... it was Elisa's voice!!  The look she gave
him was enough.  "Elisa?"
     "Oh Goliath, I thought I had lost you!" she exclaimed, wrapping her
arms around his neck.
     "Elisa, is it really you?" Goliath asked, staring at her in wonder.
     "Of course it's me, what do you me.." she began to ask before 
noticing her hand.  As Goliath put her on her feet, Elisa stared at her hand
in wonder.  It was her hand, but not her hand.  Slowly she checked herself
over in wonder.  The hair, the coloring, her clothing... nothing was missed
as she scrutinized herself.  "Whoa!"
     "Elisa?" Talon asked.  Slowly he advanced on the woman before her.
     "Um, could you guys hold on a sec?" Elisa asked nervously.  Thiking
quickly, Elisa made a decision.  "The form I'm in is not me, why I'm in it
really beats me, so change me now to the real me."  In a blink of an eye,
their Elisa stood before them.
     "Uh Elisa?  What just happened?" Matt asked, a confused expression
on his face.
     "Don't ask me.  I just woke up from the stone sleep that way."
     "And you're healed?"  Goliath asked quickly, laying a hand on her
shoulder.
     At his soft touch, Elisa faced her love.  "I'm perfect Goliath, I..."
     "I know.. I love you Elisa."
     "I love you Goliath," Elisa said.  Coming together, they kissed
softly, the cool wind whipping their hair about in a whirlwind, both
completely heedless of the group watching happily.  She didn't know what was
going on, but deep down she knew that whatever it was, Goliath and her would
face it together.. nothing would ever separate them.

**********************************THE END!! :)*******************************