Author's Note: First of all, all of these characters with the exception of Bianca are property of that wonderful show Gargoyles. This story is set a little before "Hunter's Moon". Enjoy!

Brooklyn curled his toes around the stone ledge letting loose a loud growl of a yawn. He threw his arms up embracing the warm night air, his bright eyes scanning the sky.

"Pretty nice night for it." Broadway scratched his belly.

Lexington jumped up onto the ledge, gazing down at the city with an eager gleam in his eye, "Sure is. Well come on, let's get going!" Angela squeezed Broadway's hand quickly.

"I'm going to make a quick stop first, I'll meet you there." With that and an affectionate nod to her father, Angela departed.

Goliath turned a quizzical eye to Lexington and then asked Broadway, "Where are you all heading? Lexington seems quite anxious."

"Shakespeare in the Park." Broadway grinned, "They're doing "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Care to come?"

"No thank you, I've had enough experience of Oberon's Children to last me two lifetimes!" Goliath indulged in a deep, hearty laugh.

"Suit yourself, Goliath…" Lexington spread his wings all but ready to leap off the building, but paused seeing Brooklyn not following suit. "Hey!" He perched on the stoop unmoving, gazing out over the city skyline his face settled into a distant frown. "Brooklyn! What are you, deaf?" His friend stirred and laughed, slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry Lex. Not quite awake yet, I guess."

"Well clean the rocks outta your ears and let's go already!" Lexington exclaimed, taking to the sky. Broadway followed suit, beckoning Brooklyn to do so as well.

"You don't seem quite yourself this evening, Brooklyn." Goliath observed, "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head, "No I'm alright…" With a sigh Brooklyn stretched his wings out. "I'll see you later, Goliath."

"Goodnight." He stayed to watch him depart with a growl of dissatisfaction. "Now what do you suppose-"

"Leave it alone, Laddy." Hudson advised with a smirk, "No good comes of prying where ye aren't welcome. The boy's just lonely, no doubt…and there's no curing that at present. Aye, better to leave it alone."

Goliath snorted in irritation, stalking back into the clock tower. Of course Hudson was right; it would be fruitless to force a confidence with Brooklyn. He'd certainly grown a fair amount in maturity over the years, but Goliath suspected this would be a sensitive subject for Brooklyn. When he had returned from his travels abroad with his daughter Angela all three of the boys had tried their hand at courting her. Finally it was Broadway that had won Angela's favor leaving poor Brooklyn feeling his isolation all the more forcefully. Yet he, being an affectionate brother, had very quickly found that his happiness for his rookery brother outweighed any romantic feelings he had for Angela. It had taken a rival to show him that he hadn't suffered true love yet. Goliath had observed this much over the past few months, but was alarmed to see that far from slowly regaining his spirits, Brooklyn seemed only to be growing more depressed as time went on. This was the first time in two weeks he'd actually gone out with the others. He'd been keeping more and more to himself lately…and Goliath was steadily becoming more and more concerned for his young friend.

"Fantastic." The young gargoyle's eyes shone brightly as she surveyed the city.

"Come down now, Bianca…it isn't safe up here." Bianca stood gracefully atop the antennae of the Empire State Building, her deep charcoal-colored wings extended to keep her balanced on the precarious spire.

With a calm smile she closed her eyes, "You worry too much!" Sighing happily, she added, "What a view…I can't thank you enough for this, truly."

Macbeth, from the rooftop beneath her called out, "If you want to thank me then get down already! You'll be seen."

"You're being remarkably paranoid." Bianca stated, dutifully hopping back down to the roof top. "Alright, here I am. Happy now?" Seeing his stern countenance, she sighed, her bright green eyes sparkling with mirth, "Honestly, you're positively infuriating! There's simply no pleasing you, is there?"

"None at all, I'm a ruthless tyrant."

"Who's arguing?" As he shook his head, exasperated, she beamed with satisfaction, looking back up to the top of the building, "I've always wanted to do that, you know."

Macbeth snorted, vaguely irritated, "I've never understood these odd fancies of yours. Tell me again, why the Empire State Building exactly?"

"Haven't you ever seen King Kong?" Macbeth shook his head with disdain. "Centuries of experience, the gift of immortality, and you don't even know who King Kong is. I'd be ashamed of myself if I were you."

Macbeth narrowed his eyes, "And if I were you I wouldn't speak to my elders with such little respect."

"You happen to like my impertinence." Her face fell after a moment when he failed to laugh. "I'm sorry…did I really upset you? I was only teasing."

Macbeth's face softened, "No my dear," he soothed her, tugging on a lock of her dark burgundy hair, "I'm just a bit preoccupied today. That's all, nothing to do with you."

"You haven't been yourself for quite some time now…even before the funeral."

"Yes, well..." He clasped his hands behind his back, "Bianca, I know I haven't been able to see you as often as I'd like these past few years…"

Bianca frowned, "You have a life you need to lead independent of me. I've always understood that…but I have to say I'm worried about you. I went so long without hearing from you at all…and then that strange note about a marriage…and now bringing me here. I wish you'd tell me what was going on."

"It's been a strange trip for me Bianca, this past year. But now I've had some time to think..."

"You're immortal," She said sardonically, "you always have time to think."

Macbeth silenced her, cracking a benevolent smile, "Enough you little wench, let me finish! As I was saying, I've had some time to think…to sort out my priorities, if you will…"

"Oh have you?" Bianca asked coolly, "And did I make your list?"

Macbeth put his hands on her shoulders, "You did indeed, my child. In fact, you feature quite high on my list." She smiled warmly, gratified. "And that's really why I've brought you here. I know you've always wanted to see New York, and I wanted you to have that chance before it becomes too late."

"Too late?" Bianca asked, slightly alarmed.

With a weary sigh Macbeth nodded, "I'm old, Bianca. I've traveled this world for nigh on centuries now…I've seen all that I wish to. I grow weary of this world…of the pain it brings." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. "All I truly lack now is family and peace of mind. You, my child, are the closest thing I have to family. And, now that I've brought you here, I believe you can help me find that peace of mind."

Taking his hand, Bianca steadfastly told him, "I'll help you in any way that I can, Father."