"A Pale Comparison"
by Lisette- send all comments to:  Lisette_1@mailexcite.com

All of the usual legalese... Gargoyles belongs to Disney and/or Buena Vista 
Television.  In no way was I trying to do something that requires legal 
action to be filed against me.  Me, like everyone else out there who reads on
the archive, just love the show Gargoyles, and this is the way to keep it 
alive in our mind.  Please don't sue me!  I'm making no money what so ever 
off of this.

Dedication:  My dedication is to the same people that I always dedicate my 
stuff too: my clan.  They're great people and great writers, so I highly 
recommend their fics.  My thanks and hellos to Skydancer, Firedancer, Merlyn 
the Mad Mage, Pendragoness, Leia Morgana, Shadow Garg, and the newest member,
Demona.  Hi everyone!  Also, a big thanks to everyone that has written me to 
tell me their opinions of my fics... I really appreciate, and probably 
wouldn't be writing if I didn't know that people were actually interested in 
what I have to say.. talk about surprise!  :)

Warning: This has nothing to do with any of the other stories that I've 
created. This is a regular episode that actually falls into the normal Garg 
universe.  If it would be shown on television, which it won't be, it'd air 
after "Journey."  Like I said, this is a normal episode type of thing.  
WARNING: this story can be pretty gory at times.. not for younger viewers.. 
er, I mean readers! :-)

Brief Description:  Vampires in New York?  They're just stories.. aren't
they?  This is what Elisa and Matt are wondering as they're handed their
newest case.  Action, adventure, romance, and a touch of the supernatural..
what more could you ask for?

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

               "A Pale Comparison"

Monday, October 13, 6:30 pm
     ~Was life getting weird, or what?~ Elisa thought to herself as she                                                           ************************
*****************************************************                                          "A Pale Comparison"Monday, October 13, 6:30pm     ~Was life
getting weird, or what?~ Elisa thought to herself as she 
left the police station for the day.  On top of their already high stack of 
reports and cases, Elisa and Matt were handed a new case at work that night. 
Because of the gargoyles sightings, the clock tower bombing, and the new 
vigilante group, the Quarrymen, life was difficult as it is.  For cops in 
particular.  Everyone had been asked to work more and more shifts in order to
ensure that enough cops were on the street to take care of the rising threat 
of violence.  Once again, the cops of New York City were not protecting its 
citizens from terrorists or other outside threats, but from the citizens 
themselves.  People were frightened and wanted explanations, explanations 
that the mayor or the police didn't have.  Due to the lack of information, 
the frightened people were turning to crime: robberies, murders, rapes, 
muggings, riots... all the statistics had risen.  These were the kind of 
cases that Matt and Elisa had been handed of late.  Tonight was a different 
story.
     When Captain Chavez said that they were being pulled from their 
present cases, Elisa and Matt were suspicious.  Even more so when she said 
that it was of a high priority that required two of her best detectives.. 
something up their alley.  Now, they were definitely suspicious.  All of 
their questions were answered when they read the file.  Apparently, a string 
of murders had been uncovered.  The tell tale mark of the killer was that all
of the blood in the body was gone.  Strange indeed.  To make it even worse, 
there were two puncture wounds on the neck.  
     "Oh, give me a break, Captain!" Elisa said as she scanned the report.
"Vampires in New York City?"
     "Maza, I don't create the reports.. I just hand them out," Captain 
Chavez retorted.
     "Yeah, well why did we get this assignment?" Matt asked, reading over
Elisa's shoulder.
     "Because you seem like the people for the job.. you're definitely the
most qualified."
     "What do you mean by that?" Elisa asked, a suspcious note in her 
voice.    "Whenever something weird happens in this city, you two are always 
the first on the scene and are always placed there.. I think you're a weird 
magnet or something.  Whatever the case, this has become your new priority.  
Get to work on it!" Maria Chavez said, indicating their dismissal.
     Without another word, Elisa and Matt took the hint and headed back to
their own office space.  Laying the folder on her messy desk, Elisa plopped 
into her chair and looked at Matt.  "Well, it seems as though we have a new 
investigation to begin, partner."
     "Yeah, well where to first?" Matt asked as he slid into his chair 
opposite of her.
     "Well, sun's going to rise in a couple of hours... let's see how far 
we can get till then."   Nodding in agreement, Matt grabbed his trench coat 
and the two were out the door.

     Settling behind the driver's seat, Elisa said, "And the first stop 
is..."    "Why don't we start with the crime scene of the first murder.  The 
address is 2202 North Fourth Avenue."
     "Got it," Elisa said as she screeched away from the curb.  "So, 
what's the deal?"
     Falling into their customary rolls with a new case, Elisa drove as 
Matt read the report aloud.  "Okay, so far there's been five murders.  Four 
of the victims were female, one male, no apparent race, and they were spread 
out through the city.  The first murder occurred on Saturday, October 4th.  
The victims were a sixteen year old girl and a seventeen year old boy, both 
high school students.  Her name was Elizabeth Brezinski.  According to the 
file, she was at a party two weeks ago at a friend's house and the last 
person to see her alive was her best friend.  Friend's name is Kerry Johnson.
Kerry said that Liz was feeling tired and decided to walk home, a classmate, 
Matthew Strommer said he'd walk her home- she never saw them again."
     "What time was that?"
     "Uh, says here that Kerry estimates the time at about 11:04 pm. When 
the kids didn't return home at their curfews, which were both at one am, the 
parents called aroud and then called the police.  We filed missing person 
reports on them that day.  The next afternoon, some school children found the
bodies in an alley three blocks from the party, two blocks from Liz's home, 
on their way home from school.  Liz's body itself had no markings except for 
the puncture marks on the throat.  The body was completely drained of all 
blood."
     "Hmm, no bruises or anything?"
     "Nope, nothing."
     "What about the boy, Matt?"
     "The boy was... uh.. he was dismembered."
     "What?"
     "The report says that he was dismembered.. all of his major 
appendages had been removed. The arms, legs, and head were torn from the 
body."
     "Torn?"
     "Yeah, no weapon was used.. just the hands it seems.  That's what the
lab people say, that the bruising coincides with that theory."
     "Wow, we're looking for a very strong individual.  Okay, next one," 
Elisa instructed.
     "The next victim was Jackie Wagner, a twenty four year old college 
student.  This one took place ten miles from the other incident.  Last people
to see her alive was her classmates.  Apparently, she had a night class that 
night, and was walking to her dorm afterwards.  The grounds people found her 
body the next day, stashed in between some bushes.  Like Elizabeth, she had 
no distinguishing marks besides the puncture wounds and the complete loss of 
blood."
     "How long after the first murder did this happen?" Elisa questioned.
     "Let's see... ah, the second murder occurred Tuesday, October 7th.. 
and the time of death was placed at 10:05 pm."
     "Hmm... what time did the class get over?"
     "The class was over at 8:45 pm."
     "Wait a minute.. how long should it take to get to her dorm room?"
     "I'm not sure.. what are you getting at?"
     "Well, that's more than an hour difference.  If we can figure out 
what time she should have arrived at her dorm room, then we know how much 
time is missing between the actual murder and her arrival.. how long she 
probably spent with the killer.  When was Elizabeth's time of death?"
     "Let me check," Matt said as he rustle through the papers sitting 
precariously in his lap.  "Uh, her time of death was 12:05 am... I see what 
you mean, once again there's about an hour difference between the time they 
left and the time of their murder."
     "Give me a quick review of the rest of them," Elisa instructed.
     "Okay, the third victim was Sherry Russ.  Hmm, she was a twenty six 
year old female who just got off work at the restaurant she worked at.  She 
was reported missing by her boyfriend when she didn't turn up that night, 
which was Thursday, October 9th.  Her car was found in the parking lot the 
next day.  Um, she left work at about 4:30 am, and her time of death was 
placed at 5:20 am.  Same as the rest with the way she was found, which was in
an alley two blocks from the restaurant.  The final victim was Maria Cheyene,
a 32 year old manager at a department store.  Husband called her in missing 
when she didn't return home.  She left work at about 1:30 am and the time of 
death was 2:45 am.  She was found three blocks from the store, and her car
was still in the lot.  This last one happened this last Saturday, October 
11th, and she was found yesterday."
     "Hmm... the murderer seems to be going after females."
     "What about the one boy, Matthew?"
     "Look at the way all of the girls were killed, slowly and by a loss 
of blood.  With the boy, though, he was torn apart, literally.   I think that
he just got in the way."
     "I agree."
     "Well, here we are..." Elisa said as she climbed from the car.  Matt 
joined her and they quickly began their investigation.
     ........Which led up to now.  After they had poked through the crime 
scene, Elisa and Matt had called it a night.  After all, by that time it was 
close to seven in the morning.  After getting some sleep, they were at it 
again.  The pair had spent the last four hours interviewing the witnesses, 
like Kerry Johnson, Sherry's boss- Karl Lund, her boyfriend- Joey Zeffer, one
of Jackie's classmates- John Calvin, and the person who closed the department
store with Maria- Jeffrey Collins. Afterwards, Elisa had quickly dropped 
Matt off at the police station.  When he asked her where she was off to, 
Elisa merely said that she wanted to get some help from some friends. 
Nodding in understanding, Matt headed into the building, leaving Elisa with 
her thoughts.

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

Monday, October 13th, 7:05 pm
     Wearily, Elisa climbed   the stairs to the top tower.  Thank goodness 
she had time to spare, otherwise she would have been late for the event.  As 
she cleared the final step and entered into the cool night air, she watched 
the stone statue before her.  On cue, the statue started to form hair line 
cracks all over it, till a person would think it would fall to pieces.  Then,
the stone flakes flew outward as a living creature stretched and yawned from 
within, the yawn sounding more like a tremendous roar.  The tired grimace was
instantly wiped off Elisa's face as she watched Goliath get down from his 
daily perch.
     "Elisa!" Goliath called out, a happy note to his voice.  "What brings
you to the castle this evening?"
     "What?  Can't I come and visit some favorite gargoyles of mine?" 
Elisa asked, putting a hurt note in her voice, even though she was just 
joking around.
     "Of course you can," Goliath said, knowing that she was only kidding 
with him, "but you usually have a reason."
     "All right, you have me there.  Matt and I got a new case last night,
and it looks like it's going to be a difficult one."
     "A new case?"
     Elisa turned around quickly at the new voice.  Apparently, while she
had been talking with Goliath, the rest of the clan had glided up to see what
the news was.  "Yes Broadway," Elisa said, laughing at his enthusiasm.  "But 
before I tell you guys about it, do you want to go inside?  It's getting a 
bit chilly up here," Elisa explained.
     "Sorry Elisa," Goliath broke in, concern touching his face.  "I had 
forgotten about how cold affected you more so then us.  Let's move inside."  
Without giving her a chance to protest,Goliath scooped her up into his arms 
and glided to the courtyard below, the clan following his lead.  Setting her 
down gently, they walked as one into the castle.
     When the group was comfortably sitting around the television room, 
Elisa began her tale.  "Okay guys, here's the scoop.  It seems that New York 
has a new serial killer."
     "What?" was the assembled response.
     "But there has been nothing o' th' sort on the telly, lass.. are ye 
sure 'bout this?" Hudson asked.
     "Yeah, we've been lucky enough to keep this away from the press, 
although I'm not sure how long that will last."
     "How many have been killed?" Angela asked.
     "So far there've been five killed.  Four were woman between the ages 
of sixteen and thirty-two, and one sixteen year old male.  It seems that the 
target is woman of this age group and that the boy was just in the wrong 
place at the wrong time."
     "How did they perish?" Goliath rumbled.
     "The male was torn apart.... it seems that the individual we're 
seeking is of extraordinary strength cause the lab guys swear that it was 
done by hand.  As for the female victims, there were no marks on the bodies 
besides two puncture wounds in the neck... all the blood was drained from 
their body.  The official cause of death was severe blood loss," Elisa said 
grimly.
     "A vampire!!" Lex said excitedly.
     "Yeah, that's seems to be the impression the killer wants to give 
off," Elisa admitted.
     "You don't believe that it was an actual vampire?" Broadway asked.
     "Of course not.  Vampires are just fiction... there's no such thing,"
Elisa said firmly.
     "I'm sure that's just what you would have said about gargoyles two 
years ago, or about Loch Ness monsters, fairies, aliens, secret societies, 
banshees, and King Arthur a year ago," Goliath pointed out.
     "That may be true, but come on guys," Elisa said, placing her hands 
on her hips, a look of disbelief on her face.  "Do you honestly believe that 
our killer could be a vampire?"
     "You tell us, you're the detective," Goliath answered back.
     "Ye know lass Goliath may have 'imself a point there.  There be more
to this world than what meets th' eye," Hudson pointed out.
     "What can we do to help?" Brooklyn asked, getting back to the matter 
at hand.
     "I just want you to keep your eye open when you're on your patrols.  
All of the murders have happened within the last week."
     "That we will do then," Goliath agreed.  "It's time to start patrols 
anyway.  Brooklyn, I want you to take Broadway and Angela on patrol with 
you.. cover the East half of the city.  Lexington, you'll patrol with me on 
the west end.  I want everyone to keep their eyes open to anything of a 
suspicious nature," Goliath instructed to his clan.  "Hudson, I want you and 
Bronx to stay here and guard the castle."
     "Aye lad, Bronx and I will stay at our post till ye get back," Hudson
said.  He was getting older in age, which meant that spending the evening out
on patrol didn't sound as appealing as it did years ago.  Instead, he'd 
prefer to stay right there in front of the telly.  If he was called upon to 
do something, he would in an instant.. but his old age was earning him some 
privileges from Goliath.
     "Well, I suppose I better be off to work.. we've got to find this 
creep before another murder takes place... and before the media learn of it,"
Elisa said as she walked towards the elevator.
     "And we should begin our patrols.  Remember your instructions," 
Goliath commanded as he headed for the parapets, Lexington on his heels.
Quickly the gargoyles jumped into the night sky and broke into their 
respective groups, heading in their own directions.  Yet another patrol had 
begun.

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

Tuesday, October 14th, 2:34 am
     The girl walked quickly down the empty street.  Every ten paces or so
stood a tall streetlight, illuminating the sidewalk and a bit of the street 
to the side.  In this area of the city, there were fancy stores lining both
sides of the street, all closed at this hour.  Here and there was an 
occasional darkalley, the garbage spilling out onto the street.  ~Man, Mom 
and Dad are going to kill me!~ she thought to herself.  She was supposed to 
be spending the night at her friend, Emily's house.  Instead, her and Emily 
got in a fight and now Jamie was walking home all alone.  The fight was 
stupid really.  Emily was once again preaching on and on to her about how 
Jamie's new boyfriend, Nate, was really a bad guy to be dating.  "She's just 
jealous!" Jamie muttered to herself.  "She's upset cause Joe's not moping 
about their break up any more and he's concentrating on me."
     Suddenly she broke out her reverie as she passed an all night diner. 
This would probably be the only place open around here for blocks.  Right 
now, she was two blocks from Emily's house, and six blocks from her own. 
~Should I call home and have someone come get me?~ she asked herself quietly,
pausing outside of the door.  If she did that, Mom and Dad would be really 
mad at her.  Then again, if she was lucky, her older sister, Jen, might 
answer the phone.  Sure, she'd probably grumble a little, but Jen would come 
and get her.  But what if Jen told Mom and Dad?  Deciding that it was 
probably safer to be walking the streets of New York City alone at 2:30 in 
the morning than to risk her parents wrath, Jamie kept going.  She only made 
it to the alley next to the diner though, when a soft voice stopped her in 
her tracks.
     "Help me..." the soft voice pleaded.  
     Turning, Jamie squinted into the dark alley, trying to glimpse who 
was within.  She couldn't see a thing in the inky darkness.  Still, whoever 
the person was, it was definitely male.
     "Please help me..." the voice said again.
     ~Oh God, what should I do?~ Jamie asked herself quickly.  
Intellectually, she knew that she should keep walking, for even though this 
was a relatively good neighborhood, a fifteen year old girl all alone wasn't 
the safest thing to be.  Then again, her emotions were telling her to go and 
help the poor soul.  Whoever it was, he sounded like he was harmles.. and 
really in need of assistance.  The battle waged in her mind till she gave in 
to her emotions.  Walking slowly, Jamie entered the dark alley.  Her eyes 
began to slowly adjust to the darkness.  Still, she could only make out a 
dark figure before her.  "Hello?" she called out hesitantly.
     "Maybe you're the one for me..." the voice whispered.
     Before Jamie could back away, the dark silhouette launched itself at 
her.  With a hand over her mouth, the man quickly silenced her terrified 
gasp.  She could do nothing as he drew her nearer.  Suddenly, she felt two 
stabs of pain at the sudden pricks in her neck.  ~Mom!!~ she screamed in her 
mind.

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

Tuesday, October 14th, 3:15 am
     "Hey Matt, you hungry?" Elisa asked, taking her eyes briefly from the
road to look at her partner.
     At her voice, Matt reluctantly tore his eyes from the pages in his 
hand.  For the last hour, they had been investigating some possible leads on 
their case.  Once again, it was a false trail.  Now, as they headed back to 
the station, Matt was once again reading the files on the murders.  At the 
mention of food, Matt also realized that the last time he had eaten was a 
good eight hours earlier in the evening.  "Sounds good... anything in mind?"
     "Um.. how about here?" Elisa said.  Turning on her blinker, she 
pulled her car smoothly in front of an all night diner. 
     "Ah, I hate these kind of places!" Matt grumbled.  "Isn't there any 
McDonald's or Burger Kings around here?"
     "Nope.. my turn to pick, and your turn to pay!" Elisa said, grinning 
from ear to ear.
     Realizing that Elisa was right, Matt put the paper aside and hopped 
out of the car, slamming the door behind him.  Together, the detectives 
walked towards the cafe door.  Suddenly, Elisa stopped in her tracks and 
said, "Oh shoot, I might as well grab the case reports.  We'll probably have 
time to look them over while we wait for our food."
     "Fine then, I'll get us a booth.  You can go and ge the reports," 
Matt said, grinning he left his partner outside and walked into the warm 
interior.
     "Jerk," Elisa muttered as she walked over to her car.  Quickly, Elisa
stopped dead in her tracks as she heard a muffled moan from the alley beside 
the little cafe.  Listening, she tried to determine if it was the real thing 
or just her overactive imagination playing tricks on her.  Wait, there it was
again.  Unholstering her gun, Elisa began to slowly advance on the alley 
opening... just her luck, it was pitch black.  Knowing better than to enter 
like that, Elisa waited patiently till her eyes adjusted to the gloom.  
Slowly, she began to make out shapes.  Keeping her gun aimed into the 
opening, she looked around carefully for the source of the moaning.  It
looked as though the alley stretched back for quite a distance before ending 
in a brick wall.  Along both sides were garbage cans, the contents 
overflowing onto the surrounding ground.  Entering slowly, Elisa swung her 
gun back on forth, walking quietly.  When she was about two thirds of the way
into the alley, she heard the moan again, this time right beside her.  
Looking to her right, she saw that the alley drew into the building here in a
little enclosure, closed in on three sides with the fourth open to the alley.
If it wasn't for the quiet moan, Elisa would have missed the little enclosure
completely.  There lying on the cold cement was a still person.  Holstering 
her gun, Elisa quickly dropped to her knees beside the person.  Now that she 
was closer, she could make out details.  Before her lay a young girl, a 
teenager by the looks of it, with short blond hair that was fanned out under 
her head.  Checking for a pulse, she was relieved when she found one, albeit 
extremely faint.  Moaning again, the girl turned her head to the side, 
revealing a two dots of blood on the girl's neck.
     "What the hell?" Elisa muttered quietly.  Reaching down, she found 
the source ofthe blood... two puncture marks on the side of her neck.  
Gasping quietly, Elia quickly unholstered her gun and stood up slowly, 
pivoting around, covering all angles.
     "Elisa?"
     "Matt!" Elisa yelled, not leaving the girl's side.  Man was she 
relieved to hear his voice.
     Stumbling and cursing, Matt finally found his way to Elisa's side.  
"What are you doing?  I was getting worried.."
     "Matt," Elisa said, cutting him off.  "Go call an ambulance!"
     "Why?  Are yo..."
     "Look," Elisa said, indicating the prone figure behind her.
     "Oh my God, is she.."
     "Not yet.. it seems as though our serial killer has struck again, 
only I must have scared him off before he finished the job."
     Nodding his head, Matt quickly dashed back to the car.
     Kneeling back down next to the girl, Elisa brushed her blond hair 
away from her face and said, "Don't worry, we're getting you help."  If the 
girl heard her, she gave no reaction.  "Just hang in there..."

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

     No!  Everything had been going to plan.  When he saw the girl walking
all alone, he had thought that maybe this was the one that would ease his 
suffering.. maybe she had been the one he had been waiting for.  Right away, 
he had drained some blood to pacify her.
     Suddenly, a car door slamming stopped his feeding.  Jerking his head 
up, he listened quietly, the blood dripping from his mouth.  Good, they were 
entering... no, only one was entering.  The other was heading back to the car
for something.  Then, to his horror, the girl before him moaned loudly.  Oh 
no.. did the woman hear?  He listened closer.. but the woman must have been 
listening as well.  Suddenly, the damn girl moaned again.  The woman on the 
street then began to come towards the alley, her footsteps echoing louder and
louder on his sensitive hearing.  Without a sound, he quickly ascended the 
building till he watched the scene below from a fire escape two stories up.  
Luckily, this night was one without the moon shining brightly from above.
     His eyesight was enhanced as well as his hearing.  Watching the 
oening to the alley, he waited for the woman to come closer.  He couldn't 
take this one out, because her friend was bound to come looking for her.  
Then, the girl moaned again.  ~Stupid little wench!~ he thought to himself.  
Then, to his amazement, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen entered his
little cranny.  She looked to be in her mid-twenties, tall, with raven black 
hair, as black as the night, large brown eyes, full red lips, a slender form 
clad in tight fitting jeans, and a red jacket... with a revolver in her hand?
A cop?  He watched as the cop checked his little treasure over.  When she 
found his bite marks, she quickly unholstered her gun once more.  Suddenly, 
her companion's voice broke the eerie silence.  "Elisa!" he called.
     Elisa.. what a beautiful name.. one truly fitting for beauty such as 
hers.  Then her melodic voice answered back.  ~Now this one could be the 
one.. she had all the qualities he desired~ Krishna thought, the girl 
completely forgotten.  If only Elisa could pass the test.  The test must be 
administered.  He had to get her alone... but not now.  For now, he would 
settle on following her... then, she could take the test.

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

Tuesday, October 14th, 6:34 am
     Once again Elisa found herself rushing through the Eyrie Building.  
When she ran breathless into the Great Hall of Castle Wyvern, Owen merely 
said that the clan was on the tallest tower, Goliath's tower so to speak.  
Nodding her head in thanks, Elisa ran out the door and into the courtyard.  
Running at full speed, she finally reached the base of the tower.  Looking 
up, she saw stairs, stairs, and more stairs.  Sighing, Elisa began to run up 
the stairs as fast as she dared.  As she neared the top she slowed her walk 
to a run.. I mean, how would it look if she burst from the tower at breakneck
speed, panting in order to catch her breath.  When her breathing was slow 
enough for her tastes, she left the cover of the stairs and stepped ito the
night.
     The clan was as Owen had mentioned, gathered in a cluster on the 
ramparts.  "Hey guys, what's up?" Elisa asked, letting them know that she was
there.
     "Elisa!" Angela said, running up to her friend's side.  "What are you
doing here?"
     "I thought I'd give you guys an update before sunrise."
     "Was there a break in the case?" Broadway asked quickly, a smile 
lighting up his face.  He loved detective work.  Sometimes it could be just 
like in the movies.  He'd never forget the Silver Falcon incident, the only 
time in which Elisa truly let him be her partner.  It was because of him that
the case was cracked.. and that Elisa wasn't splattered on the pavement.  
Well, okay, Elisa was the one to figure out the clue, but he did help out.  
In Broadway's eyes, Elisa was a goddess.. the goddess of detectives.  She was
his role model when it came to that.  And he actually got to help her!!  
Well, once again he shouldn't be too proud of himself, cause it was also 
because of him that Elisa was shot and had to spend some time in the
hospital.
     "Yeah, Broadway.. but first, did you guys see anything?" Elisa asked.
     "No, that's what we were just discussing... it was a normal night," 
Brooklyn said.  "Broadway, Angela, and I broke up three muggings, two 
robberies, and scared off two soon to be criminals."
     "Yeah, and Goliath and I didn't see anything either," Lex added.
     "What was the break through?" Goliath asked.  He hated when she did 
this.. she had something big to tell them, and she let them know it.  Yet 
instead of just telling them, she had to hint at it until their curiosity 
forced them to ask about it.
     "Unfortunately, it's not a very good break through, and I wish we 
could have had it under other circumstances.  About two hours ago, Matt and I
decided to get something to eat.  Matt went inside, but I forgot something 
and went back to the car.  I heard someone moaning in a nearby alley, so I 
went to check it out.  Apparently, I interrupted our serial killer.  The girl
is only fifteen years old!  We got an ambulance right away, and it looks 
like she's going to make it.  She needed a tremendous blood transfusion
though."
     "What happened, did she tell you anything?" Lex asked quickly.
     "No... the girl hasn't regained consciousness yet, so Matt and I are 
going to try and see her tonight after we get some sleep.  Although, while 
she was unconscious she was mumbling something about a guy."
     "Could she give you any more information about the person?" Goliath 
asked.
     "No, like I said, she hasn't really regained consciousness yet.  But 
if you put any stock in her ramblings, then our suspect is male."
     "Gee, that really narrows it down," Brooklyn said sarcastically, "No 
offense or anything Elisa, but you guys really have your work cut out for you
this time."    
     "I know.. but hey, that's what police work is all about."
     "I hate to talk and leave ye like this, lass," Hudson broke in 
quietly, "but th' sun will be risin' and we need to be finding our 
perches..."    
     "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that I had cut my visit so close to 
sunrise," Elisa apologized, noticing the rising sun for the first time.
     "Ach, think nothin' of it lass.  Now come on, young ones.. we need to
be getting to our perches."
     As Hudson glided down to the lower battlements, the trio plus Angela 
followed suit, carrying Bronx in between them.  Turning, Elisa faced Goliath,
surprised to see a frown upon his face.  Sure, he doesn't usually have a 
smile on his face.. but a frown is a sure sign of something the matter.
     "What's wrong, Goliath?" Elisa asked, placing her small hand on his 
arm.
     "Elisa, I want you to be careful," Goliath said seriously.
     "What are you talking about?" Elisa asked.  Where was all of this 
concern coming from?
     "This killer is getting closer.. and if you haven't noticed, you fall
into the pattern he's setting for his victims."
     "What pattern?" Elisa asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
     "You're female and between the ages of fifteen and thirty-two..."
     "Along with thousands of others in this city," Elisa finised.  "Look 
Goliath, you have no reason to be worrying like this," Elisa said firmly.  
"I'll be fine."
     "Just be careful," Goliath asked.  "Promise me you will."
     Sighing, Elisa gave in.. what could a promise hurt?  "I promise I'll 
be careful," Elisa said in a monotone, showing her distaste for such 
measures.
     Smiling, Goliath turned and hopped onto his perch for the day, just 
in time to catch the first rays of sunlight as the sun rose above the 
horizon.  As usual, his mighty form completed the daily cycle by turning from
flesh and blood to stone.  Laying her hand upon the stone shoulder, Elisa 
sighed again and said, "I promise to be careful... but that's not going to 
prevent me from doing my job."
     Turning on her heel, Elisa headed back towards her car.  It was time 
for some well needed sleep.
*****************************************************************************

     As the dark being felt sleep begin to overtake him, he thought of the
mysterious woman.  "Elisa Maza.... soon we will be together, and then the 
test will be administered.  Tonight I'll begin my search for you at your 
precinct.. the twenty-third precinct.. NYPD.  Soon, we will be together..."

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

Tuesday, October 7th, 4:00 pm
     Groaning, Elisa was awakened from her peaceful slumber by the jarring
of her alarm clock.  ~Oh, it can't be time to get up already~ Elisa thought 
to herself.  Sighing, she reached her hand over and fumbled for the snooze 
button.  As her hand slapped over and over again at the stupid thing, she 
sighed a sigh of relief by the sudden quiet that followed.  Rolling onto her 
back, she stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom.  Even though it was still 
light out, the room was dark due to the heavy shades.
     "Time to get up," she mumbled to herself.  Reaching down, she threw 
the covers away from her body and stumbled to her feet.  Stripping down, she 
hopped into the shower and made her plans for the day.
     "Okay, gotta get dressed, do the reakfast thing, and head down to 
the precinct by 6:30 pm... can't be late again or else the Cap will have my 
hide," Elisa said to herself as she rinsed the shampoo from her hair.  
Stepping into the steamy bathroom, she quickly slipped on her customary jeans
and tee shirt.  Heading into the kitchen, Elisa rummaged through the 
cupboards, searching for an edible breakfast.  "Hmm, Cinnamon Life, the 
breakfast of champions," she said wryly.  Pouring the cereal and milk into an
awaiting bowl, Elisa started to chow.

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

23rd Precinct, NYPD- 6:20 pm
     Hopping out of her red fairlane, Elisa locked the doors and headed up
the steps to the old building.  Luckily, renovations were almost complete on 
the destroyed clock tower, so Elisa was back at her original precinct.  
Looking over her shoulder, she watched as the sun began to set in the blue 
sky, turning it to the beautiful shades of red and orange.  "Sorry Goliath, 
but I won't be able to greet you when you awake this evening," Elisa muttered
under her breath as she opened the door and stepped into the bustling 
precinct.
     Navigating expertly, Elisa darted around the various cops and 
criminals in handcuffs, heading in the general direction of her desk.  
Finally reaching her own little safe haven, Elisa plopped down into her chair
and flipped on the computer.  Glancing across her desk, Elisa looked at 
Matt's vacant seat.  "Wow, I actually beat Matt in for once."  Looking back 
at her computer screen, she saw that it was booted up and ready to go.  So, 
with no more procrastination, Elisa sent to work on her new case.
     About a half hour later, a thump in front of her broke her 
concentration.  Looking up, she saw Matt slouching in his chair.  Casually 
glancing at the clock behind him, she saw that it was around 6:55 pm.  "A 
little late, Matt?" she asked sweetly, eying his rough appearance and scowl.
     "How did you manage to beat me here?" he asked as he leaned back in 
his chair, a look f exhaustion and frustration showing on his face.
     "I drove.. how about yourself?"
     "I would have been here on time if it wasn't for a stupid traffic jam 
by my apartment," Matt whined.
     "Uh huh, looks like you get to explain to Captain later about why you
were late.  We'll just have to see if she takes your excuses better than 
mine!"
     "But.."
     "Never mind, Matt, right now we should hit the road.  I want to go 
and check out how Jamie is doing," Elisa said as she stood up from her seat, 
switching her computer off at the same time.  Turning, she quickly picked up 
her jacket from where she had slung it over her chair and slipped it on, 
effectively concealing her holster and gun.
     Sighing, Matt picked himself out of his chair and followed his 
partner out of the building.   Breathing in the cool night air, Matt thought 
~Oh well, at least this will spare me from the Captain's wrath for at least a
little while~  As he pulled the door shut behind him, the darkness of the 
night stared back at him.  A little unnerved, Matt had the weirdest feeling 
that something was watching them.  "You know Elisa, tonight feels weird," 
Matt said as he rubbed his arms unconsciously, trying to rub away the prickly
feeling he was getting.
     "What do you mean?" Elisa asked as she pulled on her seat belt and 
then pulled into the flow of traffic.
     "I don't know," Matt said, glad in some weird way to be leaving the 
station behind.  "I kind of felt like we were being watched."
     "Hmm, must be that overactive imagination of yours," Elisa said, not 
really paying attention.

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

     Unknown to the two detectives, there was something out in the night 
watching them.  The only thing was, it didn't stay behind at the station 
house, but instead launched itself into the dark night, blending in perfectly
with the darkness.  As the red car moved back and forth in the busy night 
traffic, the unknown tail trailed closely behind.

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

     "Hey Matt, before we stop at the hospital, do you mind if we stop at 
my place first?" Elisa asked, risking a quick glance at her partner.
     "Sure, but why?" Matt asked as he flipped through the pile of papers 
sitting in his lap once more.  He was looking through the case files again.
     "I have a phone call to make, and we're right by my apartment 
anyway."
     "Fine by me."

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

Elisa's apartment- 10 minutes later
     Walking into her apartment, Elisa headed straight for the phone, Matt
following her into the apartment.  Bending over, he picked up the meowing cat
at his feet.  "Hey Cagney, how are you doing tonight?  Gee, Elisa, don't you 
ever feed this cat?" he asked as he stepped into the kitchen and found the 
empty cat food dish.  Digging around in her cupboards, he finally located the
cat food and filled the cat's bowl.
     "I just fed her before I left!" Elisa yelled from the living room. 
Reaching the phone, Elisa quickly dialed the phone number that she had 
memorized.  After two rings, someone picked up on the other end.
     "Hello?"
     "Hi Lexington, this is Elisa..."
     "Hi Elisa!" Lexington said over the phone, "How are you doing 
tonight?  Goliath was kind of worried when you weren't here when we woke 
up... are you alright?"
     "I'm fine Lex, I just had to be at work right away tonight, with the 
case and all.  Speaking of Goliath though, is he there?"
     "Goliath?  Yeah, hold on a second," Lexington answered.
     Smiling, Elisa listened as she heard Lexington yelling for Goliath in
the background.  Out of the whole gang, Lex was the person that had adapted 
to the new machines and technology in her world the best.  Suddenly, she 
heard footsteps from behind her, turning quickly, she found Matt staring at 
her quizzically.  "Who are you talking to?" he whispered, not wanting to 
interrupt.  Just as she was about to answer, someone picked up on the other 
end.
     "Elisa, is that you?"
     "Hi Goliath, sorry I wasn' there to greet you guys tonight, duty 
called."
     "That is alright, Elisa.. you do not need to be there every 
awakening."
     "I'm glad you understand," Elisa said, a smile lighting her face.  
"Listen, I wanted to ask a favor of you..."
     "Anything."
     "I was wondering if you'd meet me at Central Park around 4:00 am, in 
the usual spot," Elisa asked.  The spot she was referring to was a quiet 
clearing off one of the beaten paths in Central Park.  Many times in the last
few weeks, Goliath and her had met there, it being a half way point between 
the castle and her apartment.  "I should be off work by then, so we can 
discuss the case."
     "Fine then, I will be there at 4:00 am.  Until then, Elisa," Goliath 
rumbled quietly.
     "Bye Goliath," Elisa said as she hung up the phone.
     Turning around, Elisa found Matt giving her a curious look.
     "What?"   "And how do you expect to accomplish this?"
     "What do you mean?"
     "Meet Goliath and all?"
     "Simple," Elisa said smiling.  "By the time we finish our work, it'll
be around 4 am anyway.. so, you can drop me off at Central Park and take my 
car to your place.  Then, all you have to do is pick me up tomorrow night for
work.  I'll have my own ride home.  Is there a problem with that?"
     Matt smiled evilly as he snatched the keys out of Elisa's hands.  
"Not at all," Matt said as he walked towards her door.  Of course he wouldn't
be upset, not if he got to take her car for the rest of the night and the 
next day.  This was a miracle... Elisa never let anyone touch her baby but 
her.  This, was going to be fun.  Waltzing out the door, Matt waiting as 
Elisa shut off all of the lights behind them and locked the door on her way 
out.  Turning, the partners left the building.  Next destination: the 
hospital.

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

     From outside in the cool night air, the being watched in curiosity as
the two humans entered the building.  ~I wonder what they are doing now?~ he 
thought to himself.  From a vantage point on another rom, he sat and 
watched, until a sudden light at the top of the building caught his 
attention.  Curious, he quickly flew till he was standing atop the roof, and 
was happy to see large sky lights, where the light was originating from.  
Being very careful, the being landed quietly upon the roof and then 
cautiously peeked into the bright room.  Inside, he watched as his prey 
entered the living room and headed towards a telephone.  Her partner walked 
quickly into the kitchen carrying a small gray ball of fluff.  With no 
hesitation, the man quickly began rummaging through the cupboards, removing a
bag of some sort.  "He acts as though he lives here," the being thought to 
himself.  But from the mail sitting on a nearby table, the being knew that 
was not so.  On all of the letters and bills was written "Elisa Maza."  ~Do 
they live together?~ he asked himself.  That would definitely put a crick in 
his plans if the pair was married, dating, or even just rooming together.  
Unbeknownst to the inhabitants of the room, he continued to watch as the man 
stepped beside Elisa who was busy talking on the telephone.  The pair talked 
for a couple minutes more before leaving the apartment.  Not knowing where
they were off to, the being resigned himself into just following the pair, 
waiting for his chance to administer the test.  Then he'd find out about 
their relationship, and whether or not it would mess up his well laid plans. 
"At least one good thing came of this," he muttered to himself as he once 
more launched himself into the air.  "At least now I know where she lives and
where I can find her."

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

Memorial hospital- 8:00 pm
     Quickly Matt and Elisa flashed the nurse their badges before 
ascertaining the girl's condition.
     "So, how is she doing?" Elisa asked the nurse who was trying her best 
to ignore them and do other things.
     "Hold on a sec, let me check," the nurse said, flashing them a tight 
smile.  It was obvious to the pair tat the nursing staff at the hospital 
didn't appreciate the detectives disturbing her quiet ward.  With a subtle 
glare in their direction, the portly woman turned around and began rummaging 
through some charts.  "Let's see.. here we go, Jamie Peterson.  It looks like
she's going to be alright.  A little tired and sore, but the blood 
transfusions did the trick."
     "Can we see her?" Elisa asked quickly.
     "I don't know, she really does need her rest," the woman said, eying 
the paper work she was working on before their interruption, not before 
giving Elisa a cold look first.
     "Please?  We won't take long," Matt asked, giving the woman his puppy
dog expression, the kind that had a tendency to melt the hardest of women's 
hearts.
     Amazingly enough, it worked.  "Well..." the nurse said, drawing out 
the word in suspense, "I suppose, but you have to make it short, that girl's 
been through quite an ordeal and really needs her rest."
     Nodding his head solemnly, Matt began backing away from the nurse in 
the direction of Jamie's room, before doing a full out turn and walking 
brusquely away, Elisa on his heels.
     "How do you do that?" Elisa asked, arching her eyebrows at him.
     "It's the old Bluestone charm.. works every time," Matt bragged.
     Holding back a sharp come back, Elisa settled herself to dutifully 
following Matt into the girl's room.  ~Time for some good old question and 
answer sessions~ Elisa thought to herself.  After this, they'd probably start
interviewing more witnesses, and hopefully get another break in their case.  
After that, she would get to spend some quality time with Goliath before 
sunrise, and hopefully be able to bring him up to date on the case.

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

Central Park- Wednesday, October 15, 4:05 am
     "Are you sure about this Elisa?" Matt asked as he glanced over the 
foreboding shadows found throughout the area.  The partners had just spent 
the last eight hours or so digging around for more clues and just working on 
heir case.  Now, like scheduled, they were punched out at the station and 
were currently parked in front of one of the many entrances to Central Park. 
Sighing, Matt looked away from Elisa and stared out the car window.  The park
entrance was dark and gloomy, with tall trees on either side of the dark 
sidewalk.  On this part of the path, there were no street lights to brighten 
the gloom.
     Taking the keys out of the ignition, Elisa turned to Matt, who was 
sitting in the passenger side seat and said, "Don't tell me you're backing 
out of your first and only chance to drive my car."
     As she swung the keys in front of Matt's eyes, he finally gave in to 
temptation and grabbed them greedily.  Then, he hopped out of the car and 
walked to the driver's side.  As Elisa headed for the park entrance, Matt 
quickly grabbed her arm and said, "Elisa, please be careful.  You know as 
well as I do that Central Park is no place to be alone at night, even if 
you're a cop and have a seven foot winged guy as a protector."
     "I know Matt.  Look, Goliath's probably already here and waiting.. 
I'll be fine," Elisa reassured, giving him a bright smile as she firmly, but 
gently unhooked his hand from her arm.  Giving him a final wave, Elisa 
stepped into the shadows of the park.
     Sighing, Matt realized that she was right.  If anyone could take care
of themselves, it was definitely Elisa.  Plus, there was no way he could 
convince her otherwise.  Not to mention the fact that she had one *very* big 
protector to look after her if anything went wrong.  As Matt pulled away from
the curve, he couldn't help wondering how close the two actually were.  I
mean, as far as he knew, Goliath and Elisa were just friends.  Still, he 
always sensed that there was something more to the whole thing.  Oh well, 
it's none of his business, and if it was, Elisa would tell him.  He trusted 
her judgment, and if she ever decided that there was something more between
her and the big guy... well, that was her decision.  Goliath was a great guy,
and althogh the relationship would definitely be interesting it... wait a 
minute.  Why was he sitting here worrying about something that wasn't any of
his business, not to mention a valid concern at that time, when he could be 
giving Elisa's car a real test drive.  Smiling, Matt hit the gas pedal and 
was off.

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

     The creature smiled in anticipation as he watched the scene unfold 
before him.  This was too perfect!  His prey was walking right into a perfect 
set up.. it couldn't get any better.  He couldn't have picked a better place 
to subdue her if he had tried.  Central Park was the ideal place for their 
meeting.  Watching from the trees, he couldn't hear the conversation, but got
the gist of it from watching.  It looked as though her male companion didn't 
want her to go.  Tightening his grip on the tree branch he was perched upon, 
the creature watched in suspense.  As Elisa pried her companions hand off her
arm and headed for the park, he sighed in relief.  Soon, his prey was in the 
park and heading down one of the paths.  The time was now...

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

     As Elisa walked down the paved sidewalk, she couldn't help but let 
her mind wander.  To be honest, she couldn't wait to see Goliath.  I mean, 
they were just friends and all, but they were really good friends.  Sure, he 
did mean a lot more to her than any of the other guys... well, than any of 
her friends period, but that didn't mean anything.  ~Come on, a relationship 
with him just couldn't work no matter how much you wanted it to... or could 
it?~ shaking her head, Elisa's black hair flying over her shoulders, she 
quickly banished all thoughts of that from her mind.  "Talk about a 
headache," she muttered to herself.  Looking down at her watch, Elisa cursed
under breath.  "Shit, I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago.  He better 
wait around or else I'm going to have to try and get a cab."  Quickening her pace, Elisa continued
down the path.
     Looking around, she shuddered unconsciously.  It sure looked a lot 
different when she was alone rather than with Goliath as company.  She was 
walking on a paved sidewalk with tall trees to either side, the massive 
branches completely blocking out all moonlight.  "Easy, Elisa," she muttered 
quietly under her breath, her voice calming her slightly.  "Just a couple 
more corners before you leave the path and fight your way into the clearing." 
A sudden sound off in the trees, slightly behind her, startled her out of her 
mutterings.  Snapping her head around, Elisa peered into the gloom, trying to
make out any shapes.  As her heart began to pound with adrenaline, Elisa 
began to slowly back away, toward the area of her and Goliath's meeting. 
Without trying to be too noticeable, Elisa slid her hand inside her jacket 
and put her hand on the butt of her gun.  "Hello?" she asked quietly, feeling
like a complete idiot.
     Suddenly, something walked slowly out of the gloom.  "Hello, Elisa 
Maza," replied a deep male voice.
     Gasping at the mention of her name, Elisa backed up a few more steps 
and pulled the gun completely out it's holster.  ~One yell, and Goliath would
come running~ she thought, trying to reassure herself.  "Who are you?  How do
you know my name?" Elisa asked quickly, bringing her gun to bear on the 
person.  As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she began to make out details.  As
far as she could tell, it was a male of about six two or six three in height.
It looked as though he was wearing black jeans, a black long sleeved silk 
shirt, and black boots.  The reason she could tell this is because while 
everything else was gray and gloomy, he was like the absence of light.  She
could see his hands and face clearly, for they were a lighter color, paler 
than her own skin tone.  To top it off, it looked as though he had black hair
pulled back in a pony tail, similar to Xanatos.  He looked to be about thirty
or so, yet his face had no lines and he portrayed a sense ofwisdom.  His 
eyes were the strangest part, for they were the darkest black she had ever 
seen.  ~This guy is strange~ Elisa thought to herself, withstanding the urge 
to call for Goliath, yet.
     "My name is Krishna, and I know that you are Elisa Maza because that 
is what that male called you.  You are a detective, second class, for the 
NYPD.  Currently, you are working on that vampire case," he said, emphasizing
the word vampire as though it was laughable.  "As for your next question, I'm
here for you." ~Okay, definitely bad~ Elisa thought to herself as her fear 
heightened.  "Listen Krishna, or whoever you are, I have someone very big 
waiting just around the corner from me and if he finds you here, then  you 
will be in some very deep trouble.  Not to mention the fact that I have a gun
trained on you," Elisa warned as her finger clicked off the safety of her gun 
and tightened on the trigger.
     Frowning, Krishna looked at her gun.  "I'm giving you a chance to be 
smart and put the gun down Elisa.. it's in your best interest," he warned.
     "You've got to be kidding me," Elisa scoffed.  ~Don't tell me that 
this guy really thinks I'm going to put down my gun.. or even that he could 
hurt me.  That most that'll happen is he'll try to do something and end up 
with a bullet hole~ Elisa thought to herself.
     "Your gun is completely unnecessary as I promise that you will never 
get the chance to fire it at me," Krishna said in a disapproving tone.  "As 
for this friend of yours who is waiting for you, he'll never get the chance 
to see or meet me."
     Before Elisa could react to this statement, Krishna rushed her faster 
than her senses could react.  As he knocked his weight into her hers, Elisa 
grunted and felt the wind get knocked out of her as she was pushed to the 
ground.  To her amazement, Krishna also managed to grab her gun and stash it 
in his waist band.  As Elisa lay gasping on the ground for air, she made a
vain attempt to call for help.  "Goliath!" she rasped as she tried to 
scramble away.  She was helples and she knew it.. along with Krishna.
     Smiling apologetically, Krishna said, "I'm truly sorry for having to 
do that Elisa, but I couldn't have you shooting me, now could I?  Now, why 
don't we go some place a little more private?"
     Elisa had no idea what he had in mind, and no idea to find out 
either.  Still trying to regain her breath, Elisa scrambled to her feet and 
started to run towards the clearing Goliath would be waiting in.  Before she 
made it even two feet, she felt two powerful arms encircle her waist and lift
her in the air, pinning her arms to her side.  As she kicked and wiggled 
about, she was carried a little ways into the trees.  Then, without any 
warning she was abruptly dropped on the ground.  Gasping, Elisa scrambled 
forward on her hands and knees and then got to her feet, trying to run once 
more.  Then she stopped abruptly and faced her attacker.  Not only a couple
feet away was Krishna.  As Elisa's mind kicked into defensive mode, Elisa 
lowered her stance and faced him squarely.  It was obvious that in her 
condition she wouldn't be able to outrun him, and until her voice came back, 
she'd just have to face him.
     As Krishna saw this, he stood his ground and watched with a bemused 
expression on his face.  Then, Elisa attacked.  Reaching forward, she made as
if to punch him, Krishna quickly moving to block.  Then, in a blink of an eye
Elisa changed tactics and used one of her powerful roundhouse kicks on him.  
Her aim was right on as she kicked him squarely in the chin.  He didn't even 
flinch.  Before she could try again, he rushed her once more, this time so 
her back was against a tree.  As her head slammed against the tree, Elisa's 
vision swam briefly and her knees began to buckle.  Before she could fall to 
the ground, Krishna pressed his body against hers, wedging her between him 
and the tree.  He was face to face with her, his chest against hers as he 
pushed her against the unforgiving wood, his arm wrapped around the trunk of 
the massive oak.  Opening her mouth, Elisas scream was quickly cut off as 
Krishna's other hand covered her mouth.  To her astonishment, it was ice 
cold.  As her wide, frightened eyes looked into his, she saw a glint that she
didn't notice before.  A glint of excitement?
     "I'm impressed at your spirit, but perhaps we should tone things down
a bit for travel," Krishna suggested as he looked deep into Elisa's eyes, as 
though he could see right through to her very soul.  "You're not like the 
other girls... you actually tried to fight back, and proved yourself a worthy
opponent at the same time.  Maybe you are the one.  Then again, if you're 
not, you won't live to see morning.  Only the test will tell."
     Elisa had no idea what the lunatic was talking about, but she did 
know one thing... she was in trouble.  What did he mean about 'the other 
girls'?  Where was Goliath?  She had made enough ruckus that he should have 
heard something.  Where was Goliath when she really needed him?  Then her 
eyes widened as Krishna forcibly turned her head to the side.  As she felt a 
tight, searing pain in her neck, as though someone was cutting it open and 
forcing something in, she had her answers.  She had finally found her serial 
killer, and was getting a one on one session with him.  Here was her vampire.
Wincing, Elisa closed her eyes and tried to withstand the pain.. but then the
pain changed.  As she felt whatever had entered her neck withdraw, she felt a 
new sensation begin.  Now, it felt as though someone was sucking the wound, 
draining something out of her.  As this happened, the hand that was covering 
her mouth dropped and was instead placed on her neck.  Instead of screaming 
for help, Elisa found herself moaning as the purest form of ecstasy filled 
her body.  The pain and the other feelings mixed together to form a weird 
sensation in her body that matched no other she had ever felt before.  Then, 
she began to feel a weakness as her knees began to buckle.  Soon, the other 
hand dropped as well as he moved it under her shoulders to support her as he gently lowered her to
the leave covered ground.  Her mind barely registered
the fact that she was now half sitting, half laying on the leave strewn 
ground, her only support was his arms wrapped around her body as his lips 
were pressed greedily to her neck.  To her dismay, her rational mind also 
noted that her arms were wrapped tightly around him as well, holding him to 
her body and his head to her neck.  Before she could change anything, the 
tremendous pleasure swept her away once more.  Then, there was darkness.

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

     As soon as Krishna had the woman pushed against the tree and 
thoroughly immobilized, he taunted her first and then turned her neck to the 
side.  Preparing himself, he felt the usual excitement well in him.  This was
the way it always was.. just as he was about to break the skin and get the 
first taste of the sweet elixir of blood, his adrenaline started to flow.  
His excitement was heightened by the fact that he had just finished a great 
work out with her.  She would probably have been a force to reckon with.. if 
she was facing a normal human that is.  Briefly, he wondered what she would 
taste like.  Blood was blood no matter whose you drank.. but if she was the 
one, would he know it just by the taste?
     Without wasting any more time, Krishna lowered his lips to her 
exposed neck.  To his trained eye he could clearly see the vein throbbing 
with her life essence.  His drink would be a small one, just enough to put 
her out of it for awhile.. not the kind of drink he used on the other girls 
in his new turf.  As his lips brushed against her neck, he smelled the sweet 
scent of her skin.  He loved doing this, drawing out the excitement for as 
long as possible as his anticipation grew.  Finally, he couldn't stand it any
longer as he opened his mouth and bit his fangs deep into her neck.  Most 
people thought that a vampire would leave their fangs inbedded in their 
victim's neck, but that doesn't do a thing.  Te fangs are merely for 
breaking the skin and the vein, allowing the blood to flow freely.  As he 
withdrew his fangs from her neck, her sweet blood began to flow into his 
mouth.  At the first taste, there was a bright bolt in his system as he was 
instantly pushed into ecstasy.  Without even thinking he automatically drew 
her closer to him, holding her firmly in his tight grip.  Instead of a little
sip as planned, he was now pressing his lips firmly against the wound, 
drinking greedily.  Soon the blood wasn't coming out fast enough and he found
himself sucking greedily at the wound.  He was lost to the world around him.
     When Krishna's senses finally returned, he found himself sitting on 
his knees, Elisa's limp body cradled in his arms with his mouth still 
attached firmly to her neck.  Gasping he jerked his head up quickly.  ~Did I 
kill her?~ he asked himself.  Reaching down in worry, he was relieved to feel
a heartbeat, although weak.  He had to be more careful... without even 
realizing it, he had almost drained her of all blood, all in a matter of five
minutes even.  She had to be the one.. no one's blood had ever done that to 
him before, carried him away like that and lose control.  He'd have to be 
more careful in the future.  Looking down, he saw that she was pale and 
lifeless.  "Not good, not good," Krishna murmured to himself.  How was he to 
administer the test if she wasn't conscious for it?  Coming to a decision, 
Krishna brought his wrist to his lip and bit a small hole in one of his blue 
veins.  Then, he lowered his bleeding wrist to her neck and dropped some 
blood onto her wound.  In a matter of seconds, the once visible holes closed 
up and some of the color returned to her face.  It was amazing to think about
it.  Just a single drop of his blood caused all of her wounds to heal and 
added enough nourishment back to bring her back to almost normal levels.  
Unlike popular beliefs though, his blood would not make her a vampire.  Of 
course, when he did find the one he was looking for, hewould make her a 
vampire like himself, but it required a lot more than giving her a little bit
of his blood.  When you came right down to it, his blood was just the blood 
stolen from others.
     Deciding to get on with it, Krishna gently lifted the now sleeping 
mortal into his arms.  It felt so right, her cradled in his arms.  What a 
pair they must make also, their long black hair blowing in the wind, both 
beautiful or handsome in their own exotic way.  His original plan was to 
administer the test there in the park, like he did with the other women.. 
this time though, her friend nearby would only cause problems.  For once, he 
would break his carefully laid rules and take her back to his lair.  There, 
all of his questions would be answered.  By merely thinking, Krishna rose 
into the dark night sky, without the aid of wings or other common tools of 
flight.  Then, he began his journey to his home, the wind blowing by gently, 
making his cold skin even colder.

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

Clearing in Central Park, ten minutes earlier
     ~Where is Elisa?~ Goliath thought to himself impatiently.  Late 
again, of course.  That was alright though, because at least he would get a 
chance to see her.  Lately he had been seeing less and less of her.  Tonight 
though, he was worried and couldn't wait to see his human friend.  The case 
that she was working on was really beginning to worry him.  Sure, she was a 
great detective and a great fighter, but still, this was an unusually 
dangerous case.  She was facing a serial killer that killed women in her own 
age group.  Not to mention tearing apart anyone that was with the women.  To 
make it worse, the killer had probably seen her, when she interrupted his 
work with the girl.  He better not let Elisa know what he was thinking... if 
anyone dared to doubt her ability to take care of herself, they were in for 
it.  Elisa.. what was he going to do about her.  It was hard for him to deny 
that he was beginning to feel omething more for the human detective than 
mere friendship.  Then again, nothing could ever come of it.  They were of 
different species.  Still, her long black hair and large eyes...
     Smiling to himself, Goliath lost himself once more in thoughts of 
Elisa.  Had he only been paying attention, his sensitive ears might have 
picked up the sound of a scuffle, the distant sound of breaking branches, and
maybe even the sound of a feminine voice talking, or moaning in pain.  If 
only he had been listening, perhaps then Elisa would have been saved.  If 
only he had been listening would Goliath have been able to spare Elisa from 
the torment she was about to be forced into.  If only...

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

Castle in New York- 4:30 am
     As Krishna soared through Manhattan, he headed in a specific 
direction.. across Central Park.  He still wasn't sure how his lawyer had 
managed it, but with the lad's help, he had been able to build a large castle
in one heavily wooded area of the park.  It was there that he flew to now.  
The castle was modest, for a castle anyway, and even though it had just been 
built, it had the appearance of one aged and haunted.  Quickly, he landed on 
his deserted balcony, the large glass doors open before him.
     Even though Krishna was an all powerful vampire that had been around 
for centuries, there was a lot that he didn't know.  Death was his main 
question.  There was many a time in which Krishna longed for the peace that 
death would bring, but the fear it always kept him from completing the act.  
What if after he died he merely died, never to know any kind of existence 
again.  He didn't believe in Heaven or Hell, not even God.. what kind of god 
would let creatures like him roam the earth??  Then again, he didn't believe 
he was the spawn of the devil, or even an evil creature.  It was merely in 
his nature to do what he did.  
     You see, it wasn't like he was just born a vampire.. he had been 
human once.  It was long ago, backin the late tenth century.  He was a guard
in one of the lord's castles in Ireland.  He had lived a happy existence 
there, with his own wife and child.  Then one night a sudden noise distracted
Krishna from his post.  When he went to investigate, he found a woman hiding 
there of unimaginable beauty.  Before he could say nary a word, she attacked 
him and sunk her teeth deep into his neck.  When he awoke, he found himself 
in a cave deep beneath the earth.  The woman said that she was a vampire and 
looking for her love.  She wanted to give him some sort of test, and promised
that if he cooperated fully with her, she would soon return him to his 
family.  Well, he didn't fully remember the test, but later he was told that 
he passed.  Therefore, she turned him into a vampire, against his will, and
never let him see his wife or young son again.
     The centuries passed, and eventually Krishna forgave his immortal 
love for her act against him.  After enough time passed, he even learned to 
love her.  That's why it was an enormous shock when one evening he discovered
a pile of ashes beside her casket.  In shock, he dropped to his knees, not 
wanting to believe.  It was her note that finally convinced him.  He had the 
whole thing memorized.  It went like this:

My Beloved Krishna,
     My love for you knows no bounds.. but I fear that I can nary carry on 
this existence.  I've lived this endless life for five centuries now.. two 
with you, and the other three with the one who changed me.  I'm sorry that I 
forced the life upon you that I have... the same was done with me.  I know 
that you will not believe this, but some have actually gone willingly with 
their designated one.. it took but one look at the way you looked after your 
son and wife that I knew this would not be the case with you.  Also, I know 
that deep down, you still carry a place of hatred for me in your heart.  I 
can no longer go on like this.. it's time for me to find out what happens 
next, and to hopefully see the husband and child I left behind o long ago.  
I will finally see the sun.  Before I go, I must tell you all that you will 
need to know.  In time, you will desire another companion.. another chosen 
one if you will.  In order to be sure of her, you must administer the test.  
The actual test is quite easy I'm afraid.. all you must do is take her.  Yes,
you heard me correct... take her as your lover.  If she is able to resist you
and fights back, then you know that she is the one.  Only the chosen are able
to fight off a vampire.  Even if she fights you, you must take her.  DO NOT 
RELENT!!  I know that this will displease you, but it is the only way.  For 
your sake, I hope your search is not long.  Good luck my love.  Don't forget 
your weakness.. sunlight- it can and will kill you my love.  Ah my darling, 
the sun is rising... it's so beautiful.  I love you eternally, my everlasting
love.                                   
                              Sita

     Her death has weighed heavily on Krishna's heart for many centuries..
what was even worse was the way of administering the test.  He was still soft
in that time, and the thought of, well of raping a woman, taking her against 
her will revulsed him.  Now though, that was not as much as a concern for 
him.  Every once in a while though, it did happen, that he became upset, but 
he was working to remedy that.  If it was the only way to have love, then 
he'd do it.  Unfortunately, he'd never had a woman yet that resisted him.. 
almost immediately all had succumbed to his vampire charm.  It was because of
this that he hoped Elisa would fight like a banshee.
     Looking up from his reverie, Krishna moved more into the room.  Like 
the rest of the castle, it was decorated with the time period.. namely the 
tenth century.  It was easy to see that this particular room was to be a bed 
chamber, for a large bed dominated one wall, with a fire place set in to the 
wall across from it.  As his boots echoed on the stone floor, Krishna walked 
up to the massive bed and very gently laid Elisa on bed, the red of her 
jacket matching with the red sheets and overs, her black hair fanning out 
beneath her head.  Not everything was medieval, for in place of coarse sheets
that went with the time, he instead had silk sheets of a red color.
     Straightening, Krishna barely had time to back away before his dark 
beauty awakened.  Groaning, he watched as her eyelids fluttered and as she 
raised a quivering hand to her head.  It was time for the test.

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

     Groaning, Elisa raised her hand to her head as she tried to get her 
eyes to focus.  "Oh God, what happened?" she mumbled as she slowly lifted her
body into a sitting position.  "What in the.." she cursed quickly as she saw 
her surroundings.  She was sitting on a bed with a really hard mattress, red 
satin sheets beneath her that was sitting with it's headboard against the 
middle of a stone wall.  Directly across the stone floor was a large fire 
place, cold and filled with ashes.  Shivering, she tightened her arms around 
her.  Looking around she saw a large oak door to her right and a glass door 
that dominated the wall to her left.  Peering closer, Elisa saw that it led 
out to some sort of balcony.  Even worse than not knowing where she was, 
standing to her left was a strange man.  "Krishna!" Elisa gasped, all of the 
memories coming back quickly.  "How did I get here?  What did you do to me?"
     Smiling, Krishna said, "Ah, I see you remember our little encounter."
     "How could I forget?" Elisa asked, unconsciously rubbing the back of
her head where it had hit the tree in their struggle.  "What am I doing here?
What do you want with me?"
     "We're at my castle retreat... just a few minutes flying distance 
from our encounter point in Central Park.  I just want to ask a few 
questions," Krishna lied, smiling charmingly.
     "Then I can go?" Elisa asked, looking at the door behind him.  If she
was in a normal situation, she would have fought her way out of there in an 
instant.. she wasn't even tied up or anything.  Unfortunately, she wasn't in 
a norml situation.  Elisa knew without a doubt that there was no way she 
would be leaving this place alive without his consent.. something that did 
not sit well with her at all.
     "Yes, then you can go," Krishna said in his most convincing voice.
     "Yeah, right," Elisa muttered quietly.  "First of all, what are you? 
What did you do to me back there?"
          "I'm surprised at you.. you haven't figured it out yet?  I'm 
a vampire, and all I did back there was take a little nip of your blood to 
make you more.. well, more reasonable for traveling."
     "First gargoyles, then loch ness monsters, to banshees, aliens, fae 
to ghosts.. now vampires," Elisa muttered under her breath, shaking her head 
in disbelief.
     "What?" Krishna asked, leaning forward to hear her.
     "Never mind," Elisa sighed wearily.  "I don't suppose a cross would 
help my situation any?"
     "Not in the slightest," Krishna replied with a grin as he moved the 
collar of his shirt around and held something up into the light.  "As you can
see, I wear a cross myself."
     "Don't you find that a bit odd... a vampire wearing a holy item?" 
Elisa asked sarcastically.
     Narrowing his eyes, Krishna stared hard at Elisa before asking, "You 
don't believe that I'm a vampire?"
     "Oh yes, I do believe that.." Elisa trailed off.
     "You are not surprised at what I am?" Krishna asked, his eyes 
narrowing as he saw her calm face.  Usually when he told someone that he was 
of the undead, they'd freak out.  Elisa, on the other hand, was extremely 
calm, and if anything, she looked annoyed.
     "I've seen worse.  There are a lot of stranger things in this world 
than you."
     "Like what, for example?" Krishna asked, arching an eyebrow in 
disbelief.  This was getting interesting for him.
     "You're the one that's been killing all of the girls," Elisa said, 
voicing what she had realized earlier and quickly changing the subject.
     "Correct.  Now, it's my turn to ask the questions.  What's your 
relationship with the man you were with tonight?  The one with the red hair?"
     "Well.. uh."
     "Don't lie t me Elisa, it would serve you no purpose.  I'm not going
to harm him, I just want to know what your relationship is.  Plus, the sooner
I get the answers I need, the sooner you get to leave."
     "He's my partner," Elisa said slowly.  She didn't want to give Matt's
name or anything that may cause him harm.  She didn't think that the guy 
could do much by telling him they were partners, but that was about all she 
was going to tell him.
     "Just your partner?  You're not married or dating?"
     "With Matt?" Elisa asked, raising her eyebrow in surprise.  "No, 
we're just partners."
     "Good.. is there anyone else that you have a relationship with?" 
Krishna asked.  The whole reason behind his questioning was that he didn't 
want to take someone that had a husband and family.  After what had been done
with him, he just didn't want to split up another family.  Needless to say, 
he would still take a person if they were married, but it did help to ease 
his conscious when there wasn't a significant other.
     "No," Elisa said firmly, all the while thinking of Goliath.  There 
was no way in hell she would be telling this creep about the gargoyles.  
She'd rather die than give up their secret.  Deep down, she realized that 
whatever this was all about, it most likely already had something to do with 
them.  As much as she loved the clan, she had to admit that most to all of 
her problems had one thing or another to do with them.  There was no reason 
for someone to want her for who she was... they usually only wanted her 
because she was associated with the clan... not something she was about to 
give up.
     "Good," Krishna said as he turned his back on Elisa and walked 
towards the fire place.  Humming to himself, he crouched down on his hands 
and knees and began work on building a fire.
     Puzzled, Elisa sat where she was, her eyes roaming back and forth 
between the balcony door and the wooden door to her right.  Now was her 
chance, and she only had to pick which door to go for.  The balcony door 
meant immediate freedom, but theremay not be any place to go from there.  As
for the door to her right, it obviously led into the interior of the building
she was in.  There was very good odds that there was a way out of the 
building from there, but the odds that he'd catch her were very great.  To 
make it worse, it wasn't like she could just hide out and wait for someone to
rescue her... no one knew where she was.  Finally, her great desire to be out
of the building and back into the night allowed her to make her choice: the 
balcony it was.  Looking towards the fireplace, Elisa was relieved to see 
that Krishna was still busy humming and playing with his growing fire.  Very 
quietly, Elisa began edging towards the edge of the bed.  The moment her feet
touched the ground,  Krishna spoke up.
     "I wouldn't bother trying to escape Elisa.  There's no where for you 
to go."
     Startled, Elisa paused for only a minute longer before charging for 
the door.  She made it only half way there before the glass before her.. 
changed.  In its place, a solid wooden door appeared.  Gasping, Elisa stepped
back several paces... right into something.  Turning around, her frightened 
eyes saw Krishna towering in front of her.
     "I said, I wouldn't bother trying to escape if I were you."
     "How did you do that?" Elisa asked, her voice quavering in fear.  She
hated to hear that quiver in her voice, but could do nothing to stop it.
     "You don't think that a vampire would be without power of his own, do
you?  I figured that a solid door would provide less temptation than the 
glass was for you."
     "You said you'd let me go once I answered your questions," Elisa 
accused, backing slowly away from Krishna.  She was backing towards the door,
when Krishna started advancing towards her.  A couple seconds later, she 
realized that his movement was forcing her away from the door until she was 
backing back towards the bed.
     "And I will.. but first, why don't you make yourself a little more 
comfortable?"
     "I'm fine, thanks!" Elisa said back sharply, keeping a careful eye on
her eemy's movements.
     "No, with this fire going, you are probably getting warm in your 
jacket.. why don't you take it off and have a seat?" Krishna suggested, 
indicating the fireplace off to her right.
     Elisa took only a moment to glance in the direction he indicated.  In
place of the cold ashes, there was now a large fire in the hearth... the only
problem was that the fire seemed to be going of its own will.  As far as she 
could see, there was no wood feeding the flames.  Narrowing her eyes, Elisa 
glared at Krishna.  "I'd prefer to keep my jacket on and to stand."
     "I said, take off your jacket," Krishna said, a hard edge entering 
his voice, replacing his deceptive calm and charm.
     Gulping, Elisa met his gaze and said "No.  My jacket is staying on."
     "I SAID TAKE IT OFF!" Krishna roared, leaning towards her.  Before 
she could stop him, he reached forward and pulled on the jacket, slipping it 
off of her form in a very rough manner.
     Shocked, Elisa stepped back quickly, now wearing only her thin black 
tee shirt, bumping into the large bed, causing her to fall back on to the 
mess of sheets and blankets.  Leaning back on her elbows, Elisa quickly began
to scoot back away from Krishna.  Before she had made it very far, Krishna 
jumped forward on to the bed.  Hitting and struggling, Elisa could do nothing
as Krishna's overwhelming strength quickly overpowered her.  To her horror, 
she was now laying in the middle of the bed, Krishna straddling her middle, 
with her hands pinned by him above her head.
     Krishna looked at the woman below him.. she was beautiful.  "You are 
the one," he whispered, not aware he was speaking aloud.
     "What are you talking about?" Elisa demanded viciously, yanking her 
hands futilely.
     "No one has been able to withstand my commands.. no one has ever been
able to fight back."
     "What kind of person would just sit there and take it?!" Elisa 
demanded, glaring at him with hatred in her eyes.
     "You are almost done with the test.. and after that, in time I will 
make you mine."
     "You're crazy" Elisa accused.
     "Maybe," Krishna agreed as he leaned forward, his lips brushing 
against hers.
     "No," Elisa moaned, tears glinting in her eyes as she shook her head 
from side to side, trying to deny what she knew was happening.  ~Goliath~ she
whispered in her head.
     Sitting up, Krishna pulled her hands until they were touching above 
her head, then he switched his hold until he was holding them with one hand. 
No matter how much she struggled, there'd be no way for her to break his 
grip.. it was like iron.  His strength was of no match to her.  Slowly, 
Krishna brought his other hand down until he was gently stroking her cheek.  
Cursing, Elisa brought her head around and tried to bite him, anything to 
make him stop.  Quickly he brought his hand away and glared at her.  
"Behave.. it will make things much easier."
     "Not on your life!" Elisa yelled.
     Shrugging his shoulders, Krishna merely lifted his hand from her face
and very slowly lowered it to her midsection.  In shock, he realized that it 
was shaking.  Slowly, he laid his hand on her heaving chest, right below her 
bust line.  Her breath was coming out in quick gasps.. dimly he realized that 
she was nearly hyperventilating in panic.  With his quivering hand, Krishna 
reached forward and lay his hand on her breasts.  It was a like a dam had 
broken.  No longer restraining himself, Krishna groaned and allowed his hand 
to roam all over, feeling and massaging every inch.
     Drumming her feet against the bed, Elisa tried but couldn't move an 
inch.. his weight was like a ton of bricks sitting on her middle.
     Closing her eyes, Elisa tried in vain to block out what was 
happening.  To no avail.  She could do nothing but think of Goliath.. her 
Goliath.            
     Krishna had never felt like this before.. never was his pleasure so 
great... nor the need.  With an urgency he never felt before, Krishna reached
forward and grabbed the thing that Elisa had not noticed on her original 
inspection of the room.  Very quickly and expertly he forced one hand in 
after anoter and locked the handcuff down around her wrist.. securely 
fastening her hand to the headboard.  Now her arms had very little slack and 
were pretty much secured.
     Finally Elisa decided to try one last thing.  "Krishna, I never would
have thought that a mighty 'vampire' like you would resort to rape!"
     "What?" Krishna asked, jumping back as though he had been slapped.  
What was he doing?  Was he really going to rape this poor woman?  Wait, he 
was beyond worrying about this, wasn't he?  He never was afraid of doing it 
with the others.. but the others never fought back, so it wasn't really rape,
was it?  But if she was the one, could she ever really forgive him for it?  
No, he couldn't do this.. anything but this, especially to her.  Besides, 
hadn't he already found the answer he was looking for?  Never before had a 
woman been able to withstand him and would have caved under his hypnotic 
stare at the very beginning.  No, this was wrong.. he just couldn't do it to 
her, not Elisa.
     Meeting her fiery and defiant gaze, Krishna realized that not once 
had she held on to him, but fought the whole way.  That was about to change, 
for as he bit her neck and the volley of blood entered his mouth, his body 
turned rigid as he pulled her closer.  Now, Elisa clutched him to her as 
well, lost in the sensation of the blood draining.  The two humans clutched 
each other, lost in an act that was immortal to time itself.. Krishna's mouth 
locked against her neck.  When Elisa's body finally grew limp next to his, 
Krishna finally withdrew and stepped weakly back.  Now blood stained her 
beautiful neck while she slept peacefully on the bed.  She had passed the 
test as far as he was concerned and she would never remember a moment of it.

*****************************************************************************
Elisa's apartment - 6:12 am
     Quickly, Goliath landed lightly on the balcony, careful not to make a
sound.  From all appearances, the apartment appeared deserted, all of the 
lights off within.  Very carefully,Goliath lifted the latch to Elisa's 
skylight and let himself into the apartment.  All looked as it should, but 
Goliath was still unconvinced.  He had waited for Elisa ever since their 
appointed time, and with dawn so near, Goliath had to decide between 
returning to the castle or traveling to Elisa's apartment.  The choice was 
clear... he couldn't return yet without knowing that Elisa was all right.  
     Glancing over his shoulder, Goliath saw that the sun was rising- 
according to his internal alarm clock, he had about five minutes.  Quietly, 
Goliath picked his way around the dark outlines of furniture and headed 
towards Elisa's bedroom.  He had never been beyond the door before, and he 
felt a little uncomfortable about being there.. but he had to know she was 
safe.  Quietly, Goliath pushed the door open and stepped within the dark 
room.  All of the shades were drawn and Goliath made out the outline of 
Elisa's bed in the far corner.  Moving quietly, Goliath headed towards the 
bed.  To his great relief, he saw Elisa's form huddled beneath the blankets.
Kneeling down beside her, Goliath looked at his friend.  Only her head and
the top of her torso was sticking above the blankets.  From what he could 
see, she was wearing a pale blue tee shirt.  Smiling, Goliath reached down 
and pulled the blankets up closer to Elisa's neck, tenderly tucking her in.  
She was beautiful.. the way her black hair fanned around her head, the 
peaceful expression on her face only made possible by sleep.
     Sighing, Goliath climbed to his feet and walked quietly from the 
room, careful to shut her bedroom door behind her.  With the morning sun 
starting to light the way, Goliath quickly found his way to the far corner of
her apartment.  There, he knelt down once more in his thinker's pose, a small
smile caressing his face as his skin hardened into stone.  From the obvious 
smile on his face, it was easy to see that thoughts of Elisa accompanied him 
into the dark oblivion of sleep.

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

Elisa's apartment - 6:40 pm
     As the sun began it's glorious descent over the horizon, and audible 
cracking filled Elisa's apartment as Goliath's stone skin cracked once more, 
just as it always did for the last century.  Stretching luxuriously, Goliath 
turned to face Elisa.. and was surprised at what he saw in her place.  
Instead of the warm light he expected to see flooding the apartment, he saw 
only gloom as the darkness overtook the night; instead of seeing movement 
from Elisa and Cagney, he saw no one.. only an eerie stillness in the lonely 
apartment.  "Elisa?" Goliath asked slowly.  When he got no answer, Goliath 
became nervous and began searching the small apartment.  Soon, all of the
rooms had been checked except for the bedroom.  Moving slowly, Goliath 
carefully eased open the bedroom door.  To his shock and amazement, he saw 
the form of Elisa still huddled under the covers, in the same spot that he 
had left her in over twelve hours ago.  Quickly Goliath moved to her side and
shook her gently.  "Elisa?" he asked quietly.
     "Hmm?" Elisa sighed as her eyes opened slowly.  When they focused on 
Goliath, she quickly sat up in her bed and pulled the covers around her.  
"Goliath, what are you doing here?  What time is it?"
     "Elisa, ah.. I was worried when you didn't show up last night at our 
planned time.  I waited for a couple hours in the park, but it was getting 
closer to sunrise.  I came here because I was worried and found you asleep 
here.  When I awoke a couple of minutes ago, I couldn't find you... I was 
worried.  Have you been sleeping the whole time?"
     "What?  What time is it?" Elisa asked again, trying to clear the fog 
out of her head.  Not waiting for an answer, Elisa fumbled around on her 
bedside table until she found her alarm clock.  As she tried to rub the sleep
out of her eyes, she tried to focus on the alarm clock.  "It's almost seven!" 
Elisa gasped.  "Shit, Matt's going to be here to pick me up in about ten 
minutes!"  Quickly Elisa hopped out f bed and ran to her dresser.  She spent
a couple seconds rummaging through it before she found what she was looking 
for.  Then, she headed for the bathroom.  Before she made it in, she turned 
to Goliath and said, "I'm sorry Big Guy.. could you wait in the living room?  
I'll be out in a couple of minutes.."
     "Ah, yes.. I'll be in the living room," Goliath agreed uncertainly as
he headed towards the indicated room.
     Five minutes later, Elisa emerged from the bathroom dressed in her 
usual ensemble of jeans and a black tee.  "Sorry, but I gotta get to work 
before the captain has my hide!" Elisa said apologetically as she sat on the 
floor and started to put on her shoes.
     "I understand," Goliath said quietly.  "Ah.. what did happen last 
night?  I became worried when you didn't show..."
     "I don't know," Elisa shrugged.  "All I remember is Matt dropping me 
off at the park.. I guess that I must have been more tired than I thought and
just grabbed a cab ride home.  I'm sorry," Elisa apologized as she got to her
feet and stood in front of her winged friend.
     "Think nothing of it.  I am just glad that you are alright," Goliath 
sighed as he brushed a lock of her hair out of her face.  A little startled, 
Goliath pulled back and quickly turned on the lights, flooding the room with 
bright light.  
     "What is it Big Guy?" Elisa asked in concern as she watched his 
hurried movements.
     "Elisa, are you feeling all right?" he asked worriedly, once more 
stepping to her side and taking her shoulders in his hands.
     "Well, yeah.. just a little tired, must have overslept," Elisa 
replied, looking at Goliath as though he'd lost his mind.
     "Have you looked in the mirror yet this morning?" he questioned, the 
worried note still in his voice.
     "No.. why?" she asked suspiciously as she started walking to her 
bathroom.
     "Your skin is really pale..."
     Leaving Goliath in the living room, Elisa hurried into the bathroom 
and flipped on the light switch.  Squinting at the sudden rush of light, 
Elisa blinked for a moment before starig at her reflection in the mirror.  
Goliath was right, she *was* pale.
     "Elisa?" Goliath called from the living room.
     Shrugging her shoulders in confusion, Elisa turned off the lights and
walked back into the living room.  "Beats me," she shrugged as she went into 
the kitchen and grabbed the key to unlock the container that held her gun.  
"Must be coming down with something," she murmured.  "Now that's strange..."
     "What?" Goliath asked, walking into the kitchen to stand beside her.
     "Do you see my gun any where?  Ever since that incident last year I 
keep my gun locked up in here, but I can't find it."
     "You can't find it?"
     "I guess that I must have been really tired and didn't put my gun 
away," Elisa mumbled as she began searching her apartment.
     "I found it," Goliath called from in the living room.  Stopping her 
search of the kitchen, Elisa hurried into the room and watched as Goliath 
gingerly lifted her piece from off of the table in her living room.
     "Funny.. I wonder why I left it here," Elisa murmured as she accepted
her gun from Goliath and slipped it in her holster as the doorbell rang.  
"Must be Matt," Elisa replied to Goliath's worried look.  "Just to be safe, 
why don't you hide in my bedroom."  Nodding in agreement, Goliath quietly 
moved to the safety of her bedroom as Elisa walked up to the door.
     As soon as Goliath was hidden, Elisa quickly unlatched her locks and 
opened the door.  Standing in the doorway was Matt, dressed in his usual 
trench coat, dress shirt, and pants, his red hair brushed back like always.  
"Come on partner, I've been waiting for you down there for the last fifteen 
minutes!"
     Groaning, Elisa pulled Matt inside and said, "Yeah, and a hello to 
you to Matt."
     "We can have time to say hello later, right now we have to get going 
or we're going to be late.." Matt trailed off as Goliath entered the room.  
"Hey Goliath.. awfully early for you to have glided all the way over.. 
something up?" he asked quickly, worry creasing his brow.
     "No.. I was just in the area" Goliath said, thinking quickly.
     "Ah great.. in any case, we gotta get going," Matt quickly replied as
he grabbed a hold of Elisa's arm and began dragging her from the room.  "Hey,
are you alright?  You look kind of pale tonight..." Matt trailed off as he 
pulled her from the room.
     As the door slammed shut behind them, Goliath faintly heard Elisa 
mutter something like, "Yeah, yeah.. just a little tired tonight."
     Shaking his head, Goliath smiled faintly before turning off the rest 
of the lights and quietly left the apartment via the skylight.  As he locked 
the window behind him, Goliath couldn't help but marvel over the relationship
that Elisa and Matt shared... talk about two people that were so different, 
squabbled playfully like crazy, but managed to pull off the best team work 
ever.  "Incredible," Goliath murmured as he glided off the roof and headed 
towards Castle Wyvern to greet his worried clan and assure him of his well-
being: no, he did not disappear on another tour of Avalon that would take him
away from the clan with no word for many months.. he had no desire whatsoever
to repeat that experience!  Smiling, Goliath caught a wind draft and soared
high into the dark night sky; watching as Elisa's red fairlane merged into 
traffic: onto yet another night of protecting the city for the both of them.

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

Memorial Hospital - 9:30 pm
     As the two detectives moved through the hospital, many a person sent 
them a curious look; after all, it's not every day you see a woman with a red
jacket and blue jeans with a man in a trench coat in a hospital at 9:30 at 
night.  It just doesn't happen.  "Matt, are you sure that she's been moved to
a private room?" Elisa asked quietly as they moved through the dark hallways.
     "Yeah, according the report from the captain, the blood transfusion 
really did do the job on Jamie.. she's almost back to normal now and they're 
just keeping her here for precaution- and also so we can have better 
proection."
     "She still has guards at her door?"
     "Yeah, the captain is concerned of the killer coming back to finish 
the job."
     "As she should be..." Elisa trailed off as the turned the final 
hallway of the hospital.  At the far end stood two police officers in front 
of the girl's door diligently, a large paned window beside them.  "Here it 
is," she whispered as she moved down the hall.  As she drew closer, Elisa saw
that she recognized one of the officers.  "Hey Morgan!"
     "Hi Elisa, Matt," Morgan acknowledged as he nodded to the two 
detectives.
     "Anything note worthy happen?"
     "Nah, quiet as a mouse," Morgan replied with a smile.  "Going to talk
to the kid?"
     "Yeah, we tried to question her last night, but whatever stuff they 
were giving her was too powerful.  She was really out of it, so we decided to
try again tonight," Matt replied.
     "Well, go on in," Morgan replied as he opened the door for them.  
"The parents are down getting a bite to eat.. it took a lot to convince them 
that their daughter would be safe with us."
     Nodding, Elisa quickly ducked into the room.  The room looked the 
same as before, if anything just more balloons and flowers crowded the tiny 
room.  Like any other hospital room, the pale greens and starch whites, 
created a dismal effect, completely offset by the enormous quantities of 
bright flowers and balloons.  The girl, Jamie Peterson, was propped up in her
bed watching some soap opera on tv.  "Soap operas at night?" Elisa asked in 
disbelief, letting the girl know of the presence.
     "Yeah, Mom and Dad taped it for me," Jamie replied as she 
unconsciously smoothed down her tousled blond hair.
     "Got rid of your hospital greens?" Elisa asked, still trying to break
the ice and the tension in the room.
     "Uh, yeah.. they got these at home for me as well," Jamie said in a 
'get to the point' manner as she looked down at her flannel pants and tee-
shirt.  "Do I know you?" she asked pointedly.
     "Well, kind of," Elisa replied.
     "Hi, I'm Detective Matt Bluestone, and this is my partner, Eisa 
Maza. We were here the other night, but you were kind of doped up.. we just 
have a couple questions for you," Matt put in.  The minute he said Elisa's 
name, the girl instantly perked up and stared in wonder at Elisa, not even 
acknowledging the rest of what Matt had said.
     "You're the one who found me," Jamie said quietly, her face never 
leaving Elisa's.
     "Well, yeah.." Elisa replied, looking down uncomfortably.
     "You saved my life.. thanks," Jamie said as she herself looked down 
in embarrassment.
     "In any case," Matt coughed and said quietly, obviously trying to 
break the tension in the room, "we were wondering if you could answer some 
questions for us."
     "Sure, although I don't think I'll be much help," Jamie confessed as 
she straightened her shoulders unconsciously.
     "Well, really anything you can give us could help out a great deal," 
Elisa assured.      "Like I said, I'll try."
     "Great.. well, for starters, can you tell us exactly what happened?" 
Matt questioned as he pulled out a small note pad and pencil, ready to take 
notes when needed.
     "Okay," Jamie shrugged.  "I was supposed to be staying the night at 
my friend, Emily's house.  Then, well we got in a fight," Jamie answered 
sheepishly, "and I left in a huff.  I didn't want to call and get in trouble 
with Mom and Dad, so I decided to walk home.. I mean, it was only six blocks 
or so."
     ~Stupid, real stupid~ Elisa thought to herself as she tried to keep 
the exasperation off her face.  Trying to show an encouraging smile, Elisa 
motioned for her to continue.
     "Well, as I passed by an alley past a restaurant, I heard someone 
calling for help..."
     "This person.. could you tell if it was male or female?" Matt broke 
in eagerly.
     "Well, yeah.. whoever it was, it was definitely a guy."
     "Can you describe the voice to us?" Elisa asked.
     "Well, it was a normal guy's voice.. I don't understand what you 
mean," Jamie said, frustrated at the questions.
     "Did the voice sound young or old?  Rough and deep or light and 
soft?" Matt persisted.
     "Well, itwas a deep voice, but it wasn't rough," Jamie said quietly,
squinting her eyes as she tried to remember.  "It was kind of soft.. argh!  
It just sounded like a person who really needed help, like they were 
harmless!" Jamie stated quietly as she rubbed her eyes.
     "It's okay, don't worry about it," Elisa reassured as she patted the 
girl's shoulder.  "Let's keep going.. what happened after that?"
     "Well, I debated about whether or not to ignore it and keep going, 
but something inside me told me that I just couldn't leave that poor person 
alone.  Some instincts I have," she muttered bitterly.
     "No, that just shows that you have a good heart.. your intentions 
were right: you wanted to help someone that was in need.  The only problem is
that most times in New York, it usually is better to ignore stuff... 
especially when you're all alone at night," Matt disagreed.  Personally, he 
wished that more people would ignore the inner warning bells and come to 
other people's aid.  All to often it was the case in their great city that 
people would just walk by someone who was getting mugged or killed and act as
though nothing was happening.  Such was the life of a New Yorker.  If they 
had more people like Jamie Peterson in the city, it sure wouldn't be as 
brutal as it was.  Then again, look what her involvement got her.  Shaking 
his head, he quickly said, "Then what happened?"
     "I decided to help the person out, so I entered the alley looking for
the person, but all I saw was a shadow before.. well, before I woke up in 
here," Jamie replied, gesturing to her surroundings.
     "Hmm," Matt replied thoughtfully, casting a glance at Elisa.  "I 
don't suppose you could describe the form of the person."
     "Well, the shadow was tall.. about your height," she said, pointing 
at Matt, "with your build and form.. I think.  Like I said, it was awfully 
dark.  I'm sorry that I can't be of any more help."
     "Not at all.. you can't even imagine the help you've given us with 
just that little bit.  At least now we know that our guy ismale, about six 
feet, and about 180 lbs.  You have helped out," Matt reassured the girl.
     Smiling, Jamie nodded her thanks.  "Uh, Jamie.. one more question," 
Elisa broke in as she tapped her chin thoughtfully.  "Did he say anything to 
you that you can remember?"
     "Hmm.. no.. oh, wait a minute!" Jamie cried out quickly as a light 
dawned in her eyes.  "Now I remember... right before he grabbed me and pulled
me the rest of the way into the alley, he said something like, 'maybe you're 
the one for me.'  I think.." Jamie trailed off.  "Then I felt a prick in my 
neck and woke up here."
     "Interesting," Elisa murmured as Matt scribbled furiously on his note
pad.  "Well, I think that's all for now.  Thanks Jamie!"
     "No problem, I just wish I could've been more help to you guys," 
Jamie called to their departing backs.
     Waving goodbye, the two detectives quickly walked through the door 
and closed it behind them.  "Hmm, 'maybe you're the one for me?'  What do you
think of that?" Elisa mused quietly before starting down the hallway to the 
exit.  When she noticed her partner wasn't following, she turned in confusion
and saw that he was still standing in front of Jamie's door, a worried look 
on his face.  "What's wrong?"
     "Where are Morgan and Riley?" Matt asked as he looked around the 
deserted hallway.
     "Good question.  It's not like them to abandon their post," Elisa 
agreed as she looked around.  "Hey, there's a light on over there.. wait here
while I go see if anyone's seen them," Elisa said as she started moving down 
the hallway to a room halfway down the hall.  There was a light on inside and 
the door was ajar, meaning that there had to be someone inside.  "Hello?" 
Elisa called out quietly as she walked up to the door.  Pushing the door the 
rest of the way open, Elisa walked into the brightly lit room and waited a 
minute for her eyes to adjust.  From all appearances, it looked as though the
room was some sort of lab, with stainless steel counters dividing the room 
into parts.  "Hello?" she called out agai as she began walking around one of
the counters.  "Oh no!" Elisa gasped at the sight before her.  Laying on the 
floor, hidden by the tall steel counter was Morgan and Riley, both crumpled
on the floor.  Moving quickly, Elisa quickly drew her gun and moved next to 
the fallen police officers.  While keeping her eyes open and looking for 
signs of danger, Elisa felt for a pulse, and was relieved when she found a 
strong heart beat on both men.  From first glance and the small amount of 
blood on the floor, it looked as though the officers had been hit in the head
with an object.  Assured that they would be fine, Elisa quickly hurried back 
to Matt.
     "Did you find anyone?" Matt asked from his watch at the door.
     "Yeah, Morgan and Riley unconscious on the floor," Elisa replied 
grimly as she shoved Matt aside.  "Come on, let's make sure Jamie's alright,"
Elisa said quickly as she turned the knob.. and turned it again.  "Matt, it 
won't open!" Elisa cried out as she pushed her weight against the door.
     "What do you mean it won't open?!" Matt asked as he shoved Elisa 
aside and tried the knob himself--still to no avail.
     "Jamie!  Open the door!" Elisa called out frantically.  There was no 
answer.
     "Come on, we have to get the door open!" Matt called as he began to 
head over to another locked door.  "We need to find some keys!"
     "But Matt, it's not locked.. something's blocking it!" Elisa called 
out as she began throwing her shoulder against the door.  "Help me out!"
     Nodding in agreement, Matt quickly stood next to Elisa and said, "On 
the count of three... one.. two... three..." on three, like planned, the 
partners quickly charged the door and threw the full weight against the door 
using their shoulders.  Groaning, they then fell to the ground, both holding 
their shoulders in pain, the door still firmly shut.
     "Try again," Elisa panted as she got to her feet.  "Ready?  One... 
two... three!" Elisa yelled as they both charged the door.  This time the 
door creaked open as they neared the door.  Startled, tey both tried to 
stop, but their momentum was too much as they ran right into the room and 
stumbled to the floor.  Gasping, Elisa quickly got to her feet and rushed to 
Jamie's bedside.  Right away she noticed three things.  1) the room was cold,
caused by an open window with snow billowing in.  2) Jamie wasn't moving.  
And 3) her skin was a light grayish color.  "Jamie?" Elisa called out 
frantically.  Quickly she picked up Jamie's wrist and felt for a pulse.  The
skin was cold and she found none.  "She's dead," Elisa said in disbelief as 
she stared wide eyed at Matt.
     "Look," was Matt's only response as he pointed to two identical 
puncture wounds in her neck.
     "The killer was right here before us... and we let her down.. we let 
the kid down and now she's dead!" Elisa said in disbelief as she slowly 
closed the unseeing eyes of the dead girl.

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

Castle Wyvern - Thursday, 10/16/97 4:30 am
     Yawning, Elisa trudged slowly down the long hallway till she reached 
the door at the end.  Sighing, Elisa paused a minute to rub the sleep from 
her eyes before pushing the door open and stepped into the bright room.
     "Hey Elisa!" Lexington yelled from his place at the computer.  At 
Lexington's greeting, the rest of the people looked up and waved half 
heartedly before going back to what they were doing.  Angela and Broadway 
were playing a game of what appeared to be checkers, Brooklyn and Hudson were
on the couch watching something on television with Bronx at their feet, and 
Goliath was sitting on an armchair in the corner of the room trying in vain 
to read over the noise.
     "Hey guys!" Elisa murmured sleepily as she stepped further into the 
room.
     "Elisa, are you off already?" Goliath asked as he got up and moved 
across the room to meet her.
     "Yeah.. we had a break of sorts in the case got done early," Elisa 
muttered, her expression going dark.  At mention of the case, all eyes and 
ears quickly focused on her.
     Quickly Hudson turnedoff the t.v. with the remote he always kept at 
hand and turned to face Elisa.  "Tell us lass, how is the 'vampire' case 
coming?"
     "Yeah, have you found a vampire yet?" Lexington asked in a childish 
exuberance.
     "No.. but you remember the fifteen year old girl that was attacked 
the other night and hospitalized?" Elisa asked, raising her eyebrow in her 
characteristic fashion.
     "Yeah, you found her outside a restaurant in an alley, right?" 
Brooklyn supplied.
     "Right..."
     "Were you able to find out what happened and get a description last 
night?" Broadway broke in excitedly.  He loved this kind of stuff.
     "If you would give her a chance to finish Broadway, I'm sure we'll 
find out," Angela gently admonished the big gargoyle.  Mumbling his apology, 
Elisa quickly nodded and continued.
     "No, we weren't able to get anything last night.  When we stopped by 
last night, she was so drugged up that we couldn't talk to her.  Anyway, we 
stopped by again earlier this evening.  We had two cops guarding the door 
outside, Morgan and a rookie by the name of Riley.  In any case, we went in 
and talked to her.  Her name was Jamie Peterson.. really sweet girl," Elisa 
mumbled, getting a far away look in her eyes.
     "Why do you keep saying was?" Goliath questioned, missing nothing.
     "After we finished talking to her, we went out in the hallway, and 
Matt noticed that Morgan and Riley weren't at their post," Elisa continued, 
ignoring Goliath's question for now.  "While Matt stayed by the door, I went 
down the hallway a little and found them both unconscious in a lab.  We then 
tried to get in the room, but something must have been holding it shut from 
the inside, cause we couldn't budge it.  Finally, the door suddenly opened 
and we rushed inside- the room was empty except for an open window, and Jamie
was dead, completely drained of blood with two puncture wounds on her neck," 
Elisa finished as she looked down at the floor.
     "What?!" everyone gasped in shock.
     "That poor girl," Angela murmured as she turned away from the roup.
     "Are Morgan and Riley..." Goliath asked quietly.
     "They're fine.  Morgan said that the door down the hall opened 
suddenly and that they heard a soft male voice calling for help.  Worried, 
Morgan quickly went to check it out.  All he remembers is going into the room
and then waking up while being examined by a doctor after we found him.  
Apparently when Morgan didn't answer to his calls or come back out, Riley got
nervous and went to check it out and got the same treatment."
     "That's all they saw?" Lexington asked in disbelief.
     "Apparently," Elisa murmured as she tried to wipe the sleep from her 
eyes.
     "What do you want us t' do lass?" Hudson asked as he lay a hand on 
her shoulder.  It was easy for the warrior to see that the young girl's death
had a serious effect on Elisa.
     "Just what you have been doing.. keep your eyes and ears open on 
patrol.. and please don't go out gliding alone- especially you Angela," Elisa
instructed firmly.  "So far his targets have been human females, but I don't 
want to take any chances."
     "I understand, Elisa," Angela answered quietly as both Brooklyn and 
Broadway took an unconscious step towards their friend.
     "Good.  Now I have to get home.. I'm bushed," Elisa admitted as she 
turned and started back towards the door and the long hallways that would 
lead her to the Great Hall.  Ever since their return to the castle, the clan 
could easily be found in the large recreation room that Xanatos so kindly 
donated to the clan.. along with the library and kitchen.
     As Elisa left the room, she noticed Goliath follow her out.  "Are you
alright Elisa?" he asked quietly as they began walking down the dimly lit 
hallway together.
     "Yeah, just tired," Elisa said as a huge yawn over took her.
     "So I noticed," Goliath said with a smile.  Turning serious, he then 
stopped walking and gently forced Elisa to stop as well and face him.  
Pulling her face up to meet his stare with his talons gently, Goliath said, 
"Her death wasn't your fault."
     "I know.. but I just wish that there wa something I could have done 
to prevent it.. she was so young!" Elisa said quietly, the venom evident in 
her voice as she tore her face away from Goliath's hand and looked to the 
ground in shame.  "Goliath, when I first entered the room, she thanked me for
saving her life.. and then what do I do?  I let her die!"
     "You didn't let her die!" Goliath interjected fiercely, recapturing 
her face in his hand.  Sighing, Goliath drew the tired detective into his 
embrace and held her gently.  "Elisa, there's nothing you could have done to 
save her.. you tried your best."
     "I know Goliath.. but she's still dead," Elisa whispered as she laid 
her face against Goliath's smooth chest, a single tear escaping down her 
cheek.  If only she could stay right there forever.. forever safe in 
Goliath's sheltered embrace... but she couldn't.  She was a detective in the 
NYPD, and no matter what life throws at them, it was their job to pick up the
slack.  And it was her job to find whatever bastard killed the poor girl that
was supposed to be under their protection.  "I gotta go home and get some 
rest," Elisa mumbled quietly as she stepped out of Goliath's embrace and 
started walking down the dimly lit hallway, not giving Goliath a backwards 
glance and letting him see her tear.
     Knowing that it would be pointless to suggest a room at the castle, 
Goliath watched Elisa go.  "Get some rest my friend," he whispered to her 
departing back.

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

Elisa's apartment - 5:20 am
     Yawning, Elisa finished running the brush through her long dark hair 
before turning off the light in her bathroom and entered her bedroom.  ~God, 
I don't know why I'm so tired~ Elisa thought to herself as she pulled back 
the covers of her bed, it's cool sheets looking very inviting.  Smiling a 
sleepy smile, Elisa straightened her pale blue tee shirt over her green and 
blue boxer shorts and started to climb into bed.  Suddenly, Elisa's tired 
ears heard a noise in the living room.  " know that sound too well," Elisa 
mumbled once more as she turned away from the bed, casting a longing glance 
behind her as she headed towards the door to her room.  The sound was one 
common around her place: the sky light creaking open.  "Goliath, I told you
already, I'm fine!  I just need some sleep!" Elisa called out as she stumbled
into the room.  When she received no answer, Elisa quickly fumbled around for
a light switch.  "Goliath?" Elisa asked again as her eyes adjusted to the 
brightness of the room.  "Who's Goliath?"
     "What?  Who are you?" Elisa asked quickly as she saw a dark figure 
standing by the open skylight.  Suddenly, comprehension dawned in her eyes as
her memories returned.  "Krishna?"
     "Ah.. I see that with you my pet, all memories will come back after 
seeing me again," Krishna said quietly, a smile lighting up his face.  If 
anything, this proved to him more than anything that she was 'the one.'  
After all, no other mortal ever had their memories of their time together 
return.. then again, no other mortal had lived after Krishna's first 
encounter with them.
     "What do you want?" Elisa asked slowly as she began back slowly 
towards her bedroom, the flimsy lock her only chance at safety.
     "In order for you to fully join me in the night, my love, I need to 
first drain you over a long period of time... a sip a night is what the 
doctors ordered."
     "I don't think so!" Elisa yelled as she turned and quickly ran back 
down the hallway into her room, where she slammed the door quickly in his 
face and locked it behind her.  Backing away, Elisa knew that she was 
trapped, and that there was nothing she could really do to prevent the 
inevitable.
     "Tsk, tsk, tsk.. to think you would have learned from our first 
encounter last night... there is nothing that you can do to prevent this," 
Krishna said from the other side of the door.
     To Elisa's amazement and fear, she watched from across the room as 
the lock on the door slowly twisted open.  Looking around, Elisa searched 
desperately for a wapon of some sort.  Rushing over to her dresser, Elisa 
saw the only plausible weapon: a sharp pencil.  Laughing over the irony of 
the situation, Elisa quickly hid the pencil behind her and waited.  Backing 
once more till she was standing against the far wall, Elisa watched in fear 
as the door opened, seemingly of its own will, as Krishna entered the room.
     "Now my lovely," Krishna said as he slowly advanced on Elisa, "who is
this Goliath you mentioned?"
     "Goliath?" Elisa asked, thinking quickly.  "That's my cat.."
     "Why were you calling to your cat?" Krishna asked in disbelief.
     "I thought that he was causing a mess out there because he wanted to 
be fed," Elisa said, trying to remain calm.
     "I see.."
     ~Yes, he bought it!~ Elisa thought quickly.  Still, better to be safe
than sorry, Elisa decided as she quickly changed the subject.  "I thought you
couldn't enter a house until the person invited you in!" Elisa accused.
     Waving his hand in a dismissive gesture, Krishna slowly began 
advancing on Elisa.  "Too true, but you already invited me into your home.."
     "What?!" Elisa asked in disbelief, tightening her hold on the pencil 
that was hidden behind her.  "And when was this?"
     "Last night.. how else was I supposed to bring you home?"
     "But I don't remember..." Elisa started to protest weakly.
     "Of course you don't remember.. you were slightly delirious at the 
time," Krishna chuckled quietly.
     "That's unfair!"
     "Nothing is ever fair in life Elisa.. even for the innocent," Krishna
murmured, a far away look entering his gaze. 
     At the mention of innocents, a sort of recognition came into Elisa's 
eyes.  "It was you.. it was you!  You killed Jamie Peterson!" Elisa screamed,
all fear gone, replaced instead with blinding anger.
     "Jamie who?" Krishna asked, stopping his slow, deliberate walk across
the room to stare at her in confusion.
     "You didn't even know her name!" Elisa accused.  "Jamie Peterson is 
the fifteen year old girl you murdered earlier tonight at the hospital!  You 
bastard!  She was only a child!" lisa screamed, small tears boiling up in 
her eyes.
     At the harsh words, Krishna merely flinched once before a cold, 
calculating look crossed his face.  "She had to die... she may have saw 
something and told the police details about me that were not to be made 
public knowledge."
     "She didn't see a thing!" Elisa screamed before charging Krishna.  
Confused, Krishna watched Elisa charge, not realizing the small weapon she 
was carrying.  Moving quickly, Elisa stabbed the sharp pencil into Krishna's 
side, smiling in satisfaction as she buried the wood all the way into his 
side till just the pink eraser remained to be seen.
     Roaring in agony, Krishna reacted on instinct and slapped Elisa hard 
across the face, sending her flying across the room and into the far wall,
her head crashing against the surface.  Calming, Krishna reached down with 
shaking hands to slowly pull the pencil out of his bleeding flesh and threw 
it on the ground.  His eyes glowing a pale white, Krishna made an effort to 
control his bleeding as he quickly left Elisa and went in the bathroom to 
find something to staunch the bleeding.
     Cursing, Krishna walked back into the room, his hand holding a white 
rag to his bleeding side- already the bleeding was slowing.  Looking around, 
Krishna saw that Elisa was still laying where he had thrown her.  Smiling 
sadly, all thoughts of his wounds disappeared from his mind as he walked over 
to her still body.  Trying his best to be gentle, Krishna lifted the sleeping
beauty into his arms.  Moaning, Elisa slowly stirred.  "You're a goddess," 
Krishna murmured as he looked down at the creature he was holding.  Her long 
black hair was brushed till it shone and her long tan legs were the 
definition of perfection.. if he just ignored the darkening bruise that
was forming on her forehead, she would be perfection.  Sighing, Krishna 
gently lowered his Elisa onto the bed and then leaned over her.
     By now Elisa was awake, although trying her best to fight a growing 
headache and was still trying to regin her senses.  "What..." Elisa mumbled 
as her eyes fluttered open.  As she focused in on Krishna, confusion entered 
her still blurred eyes.  "Aw man, you're still here?" Elisa slurred.  
"Listen.. can we finish this later?  I have a headache," she mumbled as she 
let her eyes close.
     Laughing at the tired remark, Krishna reached forward and slapped 
Elisa's face lightly.  As her eyes snapped open at the sharp sting, Elisa 
quickly focused in on Krishna, wide awake now.  "While that excuse may 
usually be enough to satisfy humans, it hardly works for me!" Krishna 
laughed.
     "Fuck off!" she retorted, her gaze fiery as she tried to sit up from 
her bed.  Not to her surprise, Krishna quickly stopped that by pinning her 
arms above her head.
     "My, you really do have quite a... let's see, how is it said these 
days?  Potty mouth?" Krishna said, laughing quietly.  "Now, you injured me- 
why?"
     "Don't you even have a conscience?!" Elisa shouted in response.  "You
killed an innocent 15-year old girl.. she was a child!"
     "Like I said, I couldn't have her remembering any details and 
slipping them to you and your partner," Krishna replied in a detached voice.
     "She didn't remember anything!"
     "What?" Krishna asked in confusion.
     "Listen asshole, whatever you did to her, it wiped her memories 
clean!  The only thing she saw or heard was a man of average height asking 
for help in a dark alley.  It was too dark for her to see anything else!  We 
had already questioned her by the time you attacked... she didn't know 
anything and you just killed a child in cold blood!"
     "But..."
     "She didn't know a thing!" Elisa said, stressing each word.
     Shaking his head, Krishna knew she was right.  Never in his long life
had he ever killed a child without reason.. never.  And now, he just did.  
Cursing himself and his dark existence, Krishna realized for the first time 
what he had done his whole life: killed innocents just so he could survive 
his lonely existence.  But no more.  With his eternal love, Elisa, by his 
side, Krishna wold no longer kill out of anger, but instead be content to 
feed only enough to satisfy the thirst and then lead a quiet and happy 
existence with her.  "I vow to you that she will be the last innocent to die 
by my hand," Krishna vowed, his face completely seriousness.  "On our love
and our eternal life, I promise this to you."
     "First of all, what love would you be referring to?" Elisa bit back, 
her face a mask of hate.  "And second of all, why should I take your word?  
Also, I am *not* a part of your filthy blood sucking race yet, and I don't 
plan to be!" Elisa yelled, hurling insult after insult to him.
     "We shall see," was Krishna's simple reply.  "If I keep taking your 
blood from you nightly, you will weaken over time till you become nothing but
a tired and pale shell of your older self, each night waking with no memories
of the drainage or my existence until I reappear the following.  In a month's
time, the night will come when I finally take your last drop, leaving your 
body with nothing, until I open my veins to you and you drink..."
     "Then I won't drink!" Elisa quickly replied, her mind going a mile a 
minute.  "I would rather die!"
     "Can't you feel it already?  Each night you grow weaker.. when the 
time comes, you won't be able to fight me."
     "No.. but, my friends and I will find the marks and we'll know what's
happening!" Elisa denied.
     "Your 'friends' would believe in a vampire without ever having seeing
one?  They'd sooner believe that you're taking drugs in the neck for some 
reason!" Krishna scoffed.
     "Oh, they'd believe me alright.. we've seen far weirder things than 
you!"
     "Somehow, I doubt that.  In any case, this argument is pointless, for
when I'm finished with you each night, one drop of my blood will do away with
any evidence of my drink.  Now, if you're done interrogating me, the sun will
rise soon, so we must start..."
     "No!" Elisa yelled as she began to struggle fiercely.
     Ignoring her protests, Krishna leaned forward to sink his long 
canines into her exposed flesh.  Wincing in pin, Elisa closed her eyes 
briefly at the familiar feeling.  In a matter of seconds, the pain changed 
once more to a feeling of something being pulled out of her, causing her 
heart to first speed up its beating before slowing as Elisa lost herself in 
the pleasure of the sensation; pulling Krishna's body closer to her without 
even realizing it.  ~Goliath, help me~ was Elisa's last thought before
unconsciousness.
     As Elisa's body went limp in Krishna's arms, he slowly withdrew his 
lips from her neck.  "That was.. pleasurable," Krishna whispered breathlessly
into the dark room.  Smiling a pointed smile, Krishna quickly pricked the 
thumb of his hand with one of his sharp teeth and dropped a drop of blood 
onto each of the fang holes in Elisa's neck.  Getting up, Krishna adjusted 
the covers around her shoulders and stepped back to admire his handy work.  
Already a bit of color was returning to her cheeks and the bruise was rapidly
disappearing from her forehead.  True, the process was a long one, but it 
would be well worth it in the end.  In the olden days, things were much 
simpler.  Then, a few small puncture wounds in the side of the neck wouldn't 
get much attention, so the added blood wasn't necessary.  In a matter of 
days, a vampire would be made.  Now though, each time he added a drop or two 
of his blood to hers, the amount he took from her was given half back, 
allowing all wounds to heal.  That meant that he was only getting half the 
amount of drainage per night he wanted, which explained why the procedure was
taking around a month these days.  "The prices of modern technology," Krishna
muttered as he left the quiet apartment for his hidden home.

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

Castle Wyvern - Friday, 11/7/97  7:03 pm
     Sighing, Goliath turned and began pacing the battlements the other 
way.  Ever since his awakening a while ago, he had been pacing the outer edge
of the castle, trying to come up with a solution to his dilemma.  There was 
something efinitely wrong with Elisa, but he had no idea what it was and it 
was driving him crazy.  Right before his eyes, he was loosing Elisa to 
something completely unknown, and Elisa would hear nothing of his worries.  
Every night he saw her, Elisa was becoming more and more pale, and more tired
with the passing of each night.  It wasn't that she wasn't getting enough 
sleep, for she even admitted it to him two nights ago that if anything, Elisa
was sleeping more than ever.  His concern was growing.  But what to do?  
Every time he asked how she was feeling or mentioned that he was concerned 
for her, Elisa got upset and snapped at him, and then usually left soon 
after.  He didn't want to drive her away, yet at the same time, he 
desperately wanted to help her out.
     "Hey Big Guy..." a soft voice called out from behind him.
     Turning quickly, Goliath saw that the person who had been crowding 
his thoughts was standing behind him.  "Elisa!" he called out happily, trying
in vain to hide his worried frown as he saw Elisa.  She looked horrible, as 
her face was paler than ever with dark bags lining under her eyes.  One look 
at her was enough to show the world that she was exhausted.  Purposely 
avoiding any comments that started out with, "how are you feeling?" Goliath 
quickly chose another topic.  "What are you doing here so early?  Aren't you 
supposed to be working tonight?"
     At this question, Elisa's face fell as she looked at the ground.  
Slapping himself mentally, Goliath walked up to his friend and took her hands 
gently in his.  "What's wrong?"
     "Oh Goliath.. you're not the only one who's noticed what's been going
on with me.  Admit it, I look horrible!" Elisa said bitterly.
     "You don't look horrible.. just sick.  What is wrong?"
     "I don't know Goliath.. I don't know what's wrong with me.  All I 
ever feel these days is tired and more weak.  Each night I wake up it's 
worse.  Last night before I left, the Captain confronted me..." Elisa said 
quietly as a tear formed in her eye.
     Shaking his head, Goliath kne what was coming next.  "What did she 
say?"
     "She said that she was worried about me and my performance out on the
street with Matt.  She didn't think I was strong or healthy enough anymore to
do my job... she's put me on sick leave till I figure out what's wrong.. 
mandatory sick leave."
     "Maybe that's for the best," Goliath inserted gently.
     "No!" Elisa yelled as she quickly took her hands from Goliath's.  
"How can you say that?  I'm not letting this thing get in the way of my job!  
I'm nothing without being a detective.. and now this thing is taking that 
away from me!" Elisa yelled, frustrated at his apparent lack of 
understanding.
     Holding up his hands in a defenseless gesture, Goliath stared at 
Elisa, unsure about how to respond to that.  He didn't want to drive her 
away, but he was treading on fragile soil here.. he didn't know what to say 
that would comfort her instead of making things worse.  "Elisa, I'm sorry," 
Goliath said simply.
     Sighing, Elisa broke out of her fit of anger and looked at Goliath, 
his eyes pleading for her to understand that he wasn't the enemy here.  He 
was right of course, none of this was Goliath's fault.  "Yeah, well so am I,"
Elisa whispered as her shoulders slumped in defeat.
     Trying in vain to break the tense mood, Goliath decided to try a 
different track.  "Have you seen a.. doctor, yet?" Goliath asked, trying the 
still new word out on his tongue.
     Taking a moment for a small smile at his effort, Elisa started in on 
the next explanation.  "Yes.. I just got back from the appointment as a 
matter of a fact.  The guy said that he has no idea what's wrong with me and 
thought that it may be exhaustion or something similar.  Gee, like I couldn't
have told him that," Elisa laughed bitterly.  Goliath had to agree there, it 
was even obvious to him that she