Disclaimer...Once upon a time there was a uber sweet show called Gargoyles that didn't belong to So Divine so she made do with some original characters...

Fearful Summetry

Chapter I

It was a rainy day when she first appeared. Fox had put an ad in the paper for an assistant. David was going on many business trips and she didn't like being alone. Usually Owen Burnett was there to take care of Alex but he and David had other things to attend to. However, he would be there to interview the woman who would be watching Alex and doing paperwork that a secretary would do. Several women applied for the job but none had that certain something.

"I don't think we'll see anyone else after the next person." said Fox.

"Very well Madame. The next applicant is Nora Crawford. She has experience with children and has three recommendations. She also has satisfactory computer skills." Owen said dryly. He doubted this woman would be any different from the others.

"Very well. Send her in but after her I'm going to bed."

Owen walked out of the sitting room and crossed the marble floors to the lobby. As soon as he opened the door, he felt a surge of power. In the lobby stood a slender blonde woman in a raincoat. She had obviously been in the rain because her coat was wet but her hair was dry.

"Mrs. Xanatos will see you now. May I take your coat?"

"Yes, thank you." He saw she was wearing jeans, a white dress shirt, and a periwinkle sweater over it. Casual dress. Fox had said she was tired of seeing business suits. He had a feeling that this woman would have been dressed to Fox's liking either way. In the seconds it took to go to the sitting room, he glanced at her. She seemed to have a bright aura around her. He felt more relaxed as he walked in front of her. I have felt this once. It was when... His train of thought was broken when Fox greeted her. The interview began and ended the same way the others did.

"I'll call you with my decision." With that, Owen escorted her out. When Owen returned Fox was still looking at Nora's records.

"I like her." she said without looking up. "What do you think?"

Owen thought before answering. "I am not sure. Perhaps if we see how she interacts with Alex, I will know." Fox nodded her head and began to leave.

"Excuse me ma'am but I just thought of something. Who will teach him his other skills?" Fox stopped and turned around. "I'll think of something." That evening Owen called Nora to set a date for the next meeting. She would come the next day.

The next day, when Nora came, Owen felt the same aura as he had before. Fox introduced Nora to Alex. He seemed to like her. Fox left them to speak with David about her decision. As Owen watched Nora and Alex play pattycake, their hands began to glow.

"Excuse me, I know this may sound strange, but, where are you from?"

She looked up. For the first time since she came he saw how fair she was. She had blue-green eyes and long blonde hair. She's beautiful. But somewhere deep inside Puck answered She's even more beautiful in her true form. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear her answer.

Could you repeat that?" he asked. His voice was slightly higher.

"I'm from here, Manhattan." She stared at him. "But you know better, don't you?" Her voice was deeper. There was a flicker of light in her eyes.

"Who sent you?" "

I came on my own. I needed a job for the summer. I also must keep a promise."

"Are you friend or foe?" Her face brightened.

"Friend of course."

Just then Fox came in. She took Nora to David for one final interview. She soon returned.

"Well?"

"She is not human."

"What?"

"She is of Avalon."

"WHAT?!"

"Don't be alarmed. It took a while but I know who she is. I also know why she is here." He paused.

"Perhaps this could wait until morning.", he said.

"But...but...she...", stammered Fox.

"Don't worry. She does not wish to do us any harm."

Fox walked to the nearest phone to call her mother.

Owen went to his room. He sat down to think.

I know her. I've seen her at court on Avalon. A rare beauty and very intelligent. Not like the other girls who were bent on ruling the world. If I hadn't been more preoccupied with teasing Anasi last Gathering, I would have gotten to know her. Half Dragon she is. Long silver hair with two olden streaks, bright ice-blue eyes, graceful walk, high head, and a voice like a well made pipe, only a little deeper. Every young male fey wanted to dance with her and with her father and Oberon looking on, only the boldest approached her. OH BLAST IT! If only she wasn't Oberon's favorite granddaughter and I hadn't been banished, I could have asked...

His thoughts stopped there. Could the Trickster get serious enough to approach a lady of the royal house?

"Yes.", he said.

He could only be Puck when he was teaching or protecting Alex. But she would be with Alex also. Now was his chance to show Oberon. At that thought, Owen Burnett actually smiled. He began to map out his plan. While he was away, he'd call to check on Nora and Alex. He'd strike up a casual conversation. They both knew each other's identify and he could get the latest news from Avalon. Perhaps become friends. She could be the key to unbanishment.

The next morning David and Owen left for who-knows-where and while Fox was already feeling lonely and very weary of Nora's company, she was also warming up to her.

"So. What do you want to do?" Nora looked stunned. She hadn't expected to be asked such a non-business question. "I don't know. I thought we'd go back and...".

"No way. I 'm not staying cooped up in some office to watch you sort and type. I feel like shopping."

That evening, the sun began it's descent upon the slightly bedraggled pair as they settled into one of the many sitting rooms of the Xanatos residence.

It had been a long long time since Fox had experienced a day so...normal. And with a younger woman too. Though, to be honest, Nora didn't show her age. Or ages. She was mature. Perhaps in her late 20s. Or early hundred for all Fox knew. But she was interesting and genuine and they were similar in some ways.

Fractured families. Mixed heritage. An attraction to danger...

Oh, Fox had learned a lot about her newest employee in the few hours they had spent together. She learned that Nora's father, Cillian, was an immortal of an old and royal line. And her mother had been a Welsh healer who died too early for her daughter to recall her.

Her father had remarried nearly twenty years ago to a mortal named Catherine. From this marriage came Nora's 17 year old brother, Roman. She'd shown Fox the pictures she had of him in her wallet. Many of them featured herself, embracing him, teasing him. It was obvious that she and her little brother were close.

Of the other brother, Adrian, there were no pictures. He had deserted the family before the advent of photographs.

As the eldest, he had stood to inherit the station of his father and whatever that entailed. But by joining a foreign power (that Nora would not go into) against not only his family but also the soverignty of Avalon, he was considered at worst a traitor and at best, lost. Which left Nora studying abroad for several years and playing ward to Oberon and Titania in preparation of being...whatever the hell it was her brother was supposed to become.

But why become Fox's companion? It had been burning at the back of her mind for a while and after settling with some fresh coffee, Fox was ready to start grilling Nora all over again.

And then the sun set.