Demona's Love Reborn v2 Part 3

by scottmercure

The scientist Demona hired is making significant progress on her project. Demona herself is becoming quite fond of the scientist and is spending more time with him latley. Xanatos is very interested in their relationship, even if they do not know it.

GargoyleS

DEMONA'S LOVE REBORN

(Rewritten Version)

Part 3

By Scott

Special thanks, and lots of love, go out to my wonderful

fiancée, Isabelle, for showing me that love can overcome

just about anything. Love you, sweetie!!

This part is also dedicated to:

Calissa Leigh and Stephen Sobotka, Jr.

(Two close friends and fantastic writers)

All Gargoyles and characters are trademarks of Disney

and Buena Vista Television, (c) MCMXCIV and used without

their consent. Professor Scott Mercure, Jacob Forelle and

all characters of the Lost Clan, BioClan and any other

character not belonging to Gargoyles belongs to Scott

Mercure. Venus Mercure, a.k.a. "The Rebel Flower", belongs

to Isabelle Saucier. Daniel Straussmore and the Athena

Project belong to Ryan Stout. All brand names or copy

written material mentioned in this story belong to their

respective owners.

Anybody who wants to use our characters is welcome to,

as long as they contact us (Scott Mercure, Isabelle Saucier

and Ryan Stout) first. Tell us what you plan to do with

them and chances are we won't mind, although I cannot speak

for Ryan.

Authors note: Well, okay, here is the next installment

of the series and I hope you like it. I have to point out,

however, that as you read you will notice that the scenes

jump around a bit. This is done intentionally as this part

of the series was designed to set up several events that

will happen in future installments.

Venus felt the cool wind flowing over her face and

though her long, raven hair. Inhaling the sweet air she

gazed up at the moon, slightly hidden behind some wisps of

clouds. She could see several stars glistening in the sky,

tiny pinpoints of light she knew were billions of miles

away. With a heavy sigh she turned around and sat on the

balcony railing. The urge to leap off and soar though the

night sky was so overpowering she felt as if she would

scream.

Unfurling her left wing she took it into her hands and

inspected the ragged tear. It was healing quite well, the

edges red and tender as the membrane was slowly closing.

She wished she were able to heal it using her own powers,

but every time she tried nothing happened. With great care

she ran her talon over the rest of the membrane, feeling

how smooth and thin it was. When she thought about it, it

seemed bizarre that something so delicate could keep her in

the air.

Letting her wing slip from her grasp she draped them

over her shoulders and went back into the house. The

lights in the upstairs hallway were turned down so that

there was only enough to see where she was going. As she

passed her old room she stopped, opened the door and went

inside. When she switched on the lights she saw that

everything was as it should be. The bed was made up, the

soft blue comforter she had enjoyed so much was still

there. The closets were empty, of course, when she moved

into Scott's room. Even though they had been married for a

while now she still blushed when she thought about the

first night she had gone to his room, and stayed.

Folding her arms around her body she went over and sat

in the window seat where she so often used to spend her

early days. All the colorful pillows were still arranged

the way she had left them. When she looked though the

glass she could see the pool, glistening under the moon.

She loved her new life and would not change it for anything

in the world, but there was still something missing.

When she closed her eyes she could picture this room

turned into a nursery. A tiny crib against the far wall,

with a squirming hatchling nestled within. She could see

herself nursing the babe, with her husband looking over her

shoulder at their child. The thought made her smile, but

when she opened her eyes she saw the same old room she used

to occupy. Standing, she picked up a pillow and walked

over to the large full length mirror. Inhaling deeply she

slipped the pillow under her light sweater and looked at

her self in the mirror.

Her bulge in her belly now looked as if she were

carrying an unlaid hatchling. It stuck out just enough so

that she seemed as if she had been carrying for five

months. One more month and she would have laid it, but the

thought of having to wait ten years saddened her.

"What about a human father?" She said to herself,

running a hand over her swollen belly. "Would it even be

an egg, or the same as a human birth?" Even still she felt

a tear slide down her cheek, either way would be wonderful

to her. "By Oberon," She said aloud. "it is even

possible?"

"I wish I could answer that question, Venus." Came

Scott's voice from the doorway, soft and loving.

When she turned to look at him she did not even feel

embarrassed at having the pillow tucked under her sweater.

The way he looked at her said that he felt the same as her.

She flashed him a tiny smile and looked at herself in the

mirror again. As she did Scott walked over and stood

behind her, then reached forward and ran his left hand over

her belly. Having him so close to her made her feel loved,

and happy that he did not find her ugly because of her

protruding belly.

"You would look even more beautiful like that." He

said, pressing himself close to her. "I wish there was a

way to figure out what to do."

"What about that David Xanatos person." She said,

placing her hand atop his. "He seems to have many

resources." His body tensed for a moment at the mention of

his old employers name.

"I do not think that would be a good idea." Scott

replied, sounding as if the mood had been broken. "Even if

he did decide to help he would want something in return.

Have you forgotten that he tried to kill you?"

She shook her head, knowing that their past encounters

with the billionaire were not good ones. "Aye, I know. I

suppose we will have to keep trying the old fashion way."

The last part she added with a sly grin, to which he

chuckled.

A week later…

Outside the bank Elisa and Matt crouched behind her

vehicle as random gunshots whizzed from the bank windows,

shattering the otherwise still silence of the night. The

shots would sometimes hit a nearby police car, or echo into

the air.

Several police radios were being used as multiple

transmissions crackled to life. Matt reached in and

grabbed the mike in their car.

Not too far away a news team was set up behind police

lines and were filming the entire robbery, even though one

of their reporters had already been shot with a high-

powered rifle.

Needless to say, he was no longer reporting.

"Base, this Matt Bluestone," The detective said,

pressing the mike's side button. "Where's that swat team,

we've got a shoot-out down here! Reports confirm that they

have hostages."

"This is base, swat team en route..." Came the reply.

"E.T.A. fifteen minutes, hold your position until then."

"Ten, four," He replied tossing the mike back through

the window. "Heck of a way to end the late shift, eh,

partner?

"Isn't it convenient for thieves that we have twenty

four hour banking. Just another typical New York City

night."

Elisa stole quick look into the air. In her mind she

knew what was coming. A shot rang from the bank, grazing

the hood of her car with a loud spang. Her thoughts were

dragged back to reality by it and she crouched down

further. That was going to kill her insurance premiums.

"Hey!" She shouted. "That's original paint!"

Matt shot her a look of surprise. "You have a lot of

respect for those hostages, don't you?"

Elisa simply shrugged her shoulders and looked into

the sky. She knew there would be a SWAT team coming, only

it wasn't made up of crack policemen.

Matt looked up and shook his head. "By the time the

team gets here it'll be time for breakfast."

"Yeah," She mumbled, knowing full well that the news

media alone would bring the Gargoyles here. "At least this

time we aren't dealing with multimillion dollar energy

weapons or any of Dracon's particle beam guns."

Within the bank were four masked men. One was

stashing money into brown bags behind the tellers' windows.

Another was pointing a gun at the employees who were

huddled into a corner. The last two were watching through

the front windows, taking a shot now and then to keep the

police from rushing in.

"Hey!" Yelled the one holding the hostages. "Will

you hurry it up?! We need to leave, fast!"

The man looked up from the teller's window and told

him to keep his mouth shut. He jumped over the counter and

went into one of the offices.

One of the men keeping watch heard a soft noise from

somewhere above them, almost like rustling leather.

Cocking his gun, he looked up to see five hulking creatures

falling out of the air, all teeth and fangs and horns. He

screamed and began shooting wildly at the monsters, not one

bullet connecting with anything substantial.

Goliath roared as he landed next to the man, his feet

smashing spider-web cracks into the marble floor. Baring

his fangs, he grabbed the assault rifle and with little

effort crushed it. He quickly seized the shooter by the

front of his coat and heaved him towards the other one

holding the hostages at gun point.

Hudson needed to move out of the airborne man's path

and the two thieves connected, both crumbling to the floor.

Goliath looked to see Brooklyn and Lexington stalking the

one in the office, and Broadway was growling at the other

lookout. The men were so terrified that they didn't even

try to open fire. When his prey tried to turn and run,

Broadway grabbed the man's collar and punched him in the

face. A loud, dull thunk was heard as his fist made

contact, not encountering much resistance as it struck the

criminal's nose. The poor soul fell from his grasp into a

heap on the floor.

They had just enough time to see the last guy flying

out the office door into the far wall. Brooklyn stepped

out, slapping his hands together, a look of satisfaction on

his face. Lexington was right behind him.

"I don't think they liked our offer," Brooklyn said,

smirking. "And I don't like to be ignored."

"Come," Goliath said sternly. "Let us leave here so

the police can take them into custody."

One by one they leaped into the air, dug their talons

into the wood and climbed to the ceiling, leaving a long

series of claw marks in the wall. A large glass skylight

that had been their access was now their exit.

As the last one scrambled through the opening the

hostages slowly broke away from each other and gaped. The

bank manager shook his head and went to the front door to

get the police.

Elisa, seeing the man emerge from the door screaming

for them not to shoot, knew what had happened. As by

instinct she looked up to see Goliath and the other gliding

away from the building.

She muffled a low laugh and stood up.

James was smiling as he watched the damaged tissue

visibly begin to close before his eyes. When he glanced

through the microscope he watched the cells, recently

infused with Demona's own cells, move at blazing speed. It

had been only a few days ago he had decided to try

something different. He had first noticed the odd cells

when he was decrypting the genetic makeup of Demona's blood

sample. The first thing he noticed that when the blood was

outside of her body it did not solidify as her body did at

sunrise.

Upon closer examination of the gargoyle cells he had

managed to separate the immune system. That way he could

study the actual organism that caused her to heal so

rabidly while she was still flesh. It was unlike anything

he had ever seen in his life, a completely new type of

microscopic cell. It had taken almost two weeks to study

the procedure of how they functioned, but it had been worth

the work. From what he could tell the gargoyle immune cell

would seek out any form of damage or disease. If it was

something like a disease or infection it would latch onto

it and would not stop until he had completely absorbed it

into its own body. On the other hand, if it was actual

tissue damage the cell would not attack, but instead bond

with the tissue and replicate brand new tissue at blazing

speed. He thought it similar to actual reproduction, the

cell mating with the tissue and giving birth to new ones.

"This is amazing!" He said, jumping up from his

chair.

But in that same moment something else occurred to

him, would he be able to replicate the process. His moment

of triumph melted away as he ran his fingers though his air

before sitting again. Harvesting gargoyle cells was fine,

but unless he could synthesize the cells he would need a

constant supply. He doubted Demona would be willing to

continuously give blood to further Xanatos' project. To

make things worse, he had not even told Demona he had

spliced her cells with his own.

He was somewhat lucky as he already have three vials

of the combined cells in the small refrigerator unit. It

was not much to have, but with some more testing and

refinement he could have his super healing serum.

"Now I have to figure out a way to synthesize them."

He said to himself, storing the current data to the

removable hard drive. "I have the feeling if she found

this out I would not live long to enjoy my discovery."

This he also said to himself.

Some time ago he had performed an MRI scan of Demona's

body and internal organs. He chuckled for a moment as he

remembered how much she protested the paper hospital gown

after she had put it on. The other thing she grumbled

about was getting the injection to help the scanner pick up

the areas that had poor natural contrast. After several

minutes of complaining and hesitation he had finally gotten

her into the MRI. Since he needed to do a full scan she

had been forced to remain in the tube for more than an

hour. The outcome, however, was worth it when he saw how

many high quality pictures he had gotten.

When he took them back to his laboratory and began

looking them over he marveled at how close a gargoyle was

to a human. Aside from the extra limbs and skin coloring

most of the internal systems were the same. The only thing

he could see was that a gargoyle had denser muscle tissue,

especially near their wings, which would account for their

great strength. He also had no doubts that their bones

were as hard as steel, as he saw when Demona dug her claws

into solid concrete.

In the following days he found himself by himself in

the laboratory more often than not. Once in a while Demona

would stop by to see how he was progressing. A few times

she had even brought him something to eat, although she

never ate with him. Just a few days ago during one of her

visits she had actually slid her arm around his neck when

she looked down at the screen he was working on. He closed

his eyes and remember how good it felt feeling her arm on

him, her firm chest pressed against his back. He had been

so interested in what she was doing that he had forgotten

what it had been he was working on when she asked him.

Putting the memories of her off to the side he moved

the chair down to next Cray computer. Calling up a DNA

breakdown program he cross-linked it to an untested "search

& replicate" program. He fed Demona's blood data into it

and set the program to scan and duplicate the sample using

all known scientific resources. When he was finished he

started the program and waited for it to give him a

breakdown time. The computer began the procedure before

displaying a digital counter in the lower left corner of

the screen:

3 DAYS / 8 HOURS / 23 MINUTES / 10.543234 SECONDS

When he saw how long it would take he whistled though

his teeth and got up to let the computer work.

Another thing he had not had the chance to do is

examine her in stone form yet. Between working on Xanatos'

project and making time in the evening for Demona's he had

never gotten around to it. They had planned on doing so

tomorrow evening at her manor. It would not be difficult

to borrow the equipment he needed. Demona had even

commented that if he needed anything else she would not

hesitate to purchase it.

For now there was not much he could do except call it

a night and go home. Hanging his white lab coat next to

the door he was about to open it when the buzzer sounded.

He was so close to the door it made him jump backwards and

wait a few moments before opening it.

When he did he found David Xanatos and his aid, Owen

Burnett standing in the hallway. They were not the most

interesting people he felt like talking too at the moment,

but the man was signing his paycheck.

"Greetings, professor." The billionaire said,

smiling. "I hope we are not coming at an improper time."

"No, of course not, Mr. Xanatos." James said,

standing aside to allow them in. "What do I owe the

pleasure?"

"I am curious as to how you are progressing,

professor." David said as his gaze swept around the

laboratory. "I would check in more often but running such

a large corporation takes up much of my time."

James nodded. "I imagine it does, Mr. Xanatos. But

please, allow me to show you what I have done so far."

Trying not to look as annoyed as he felt he showed

Xanatos what he had done thus far, making certain to leave

everything out about Demona. He was not certain just how

much his employer understood, but he never asked questions

about his research. James was not certain if this was done

deliberately to try and catch him off guard, or the man

actually figured he was moving forward with the project.

Either way it still made him feel uneasy about having

Xanatos and his aid there. The mans aid, Owen, gave him

the creeps more than Xanatos himself. He just followed the

billionaire around, saying nothing which made him feel even

more uneasy. He was about to show him his notes when

Xanatos noticed the computer with the rolling counter being

displayed.

"Damn!" James said silently, suddenly remember what

the system was doing.

"This is interesting." The billionaire said, rubbing

his chin. "What are you trying to replicate?"

Again James swore to himself, seeing his new career

being flushed down the toilet. "Oh, that? I am trying out

a new program which takes molecules and attempts to find a

way to duplicate them artificially."

"You are trying to synthesize something?" Owen said

for the first time since their arrival.

"That is correct. Since the program is still in beta

testing I am putting it to the test to see how accurate it

is." James explained as he place his hands behind his

back. "If it does work then I can eventually use it to

synthesize the finished project."

Xanatos watched the screen for a moment before

nodding. "It's nice to see my employees taking some

initiative for a change. Just how much longer do you think

it will take before you have it finished?"

"That is difficult to say, Mr. Xanatos." The

scientist answered. "I am making some good progress, but

with this sort of experiment I cannot give you an exact

date."

Xanatos nodded and turned away from the screen.

"Well, I suppose that is to be expected. Oh, I forgot to

tell you that the Gen-U-Tech building will be closing for a

week. This Friday will be the last day." The look of

MacGregor's face made him want to laugh. "Do not be

alarmed, I do this every six months to give everybody some

time off."

James let out a visible sigh of relief at hearing the

news. "Only three days. If that happens how will I

explain to Demona?" He said silently, then to Xanatos.

"That is a very kind thing of you to do, Mr. Xanatos, but

what about working on your project?"

"I imagine it can wait a week. Besides, you've been

logging a lot of hours in here." The billionaire

commented, shaking his head. "It is not healthy and you

can use the time off, so I have to insist."

James chuckled at how he must sound, almost begging to

be allow to work. "I am sorry if I seemed forward, I get

that way when I am working on something."

David shook his head. "Not a problem, professor.

Owen, I think we've taken up enough of the good scientist's

time."

"Of course sir." Owen said tonelessly, his face as

expressionless as always.

The major domo opened the door for his employer and

waited until they had shaken hands before stepping out.

After closing the door he fell in step with Xanatos and

waited for his employer to speak.

"The good professor must think me an idiot." David

said, chuckling. "I knew when I looked at the screen that

those were gargoyle cells."

"Yes, I saw that myself." Owen replied, adjusting his

glasses as they approached the main elevator. "He is

splicing them with human DNA cells to enhance the tissue

rebuilding process."

"I guess we have Demona to thank for that bit of

help." Xanatos said as they waited for the elevator to

arrive. "I hope he gets it working."

"That is what you are paying him for, sir." Owen

commented as the doors hissed open. "But what do you need

this enhanced healing for?"

"Why, for the Bioclan of course." He answered as they

stepped into the elevator. "Nanotechnology is very

expensive and tricky, so I am opting for a more natural way

of having them be self sufficient."

Owen glanced at him for a moment as the doors slid

closed.

The clouds rolling past the moon cast long, hazy

shadows over the clock tower. From the small doorway at

the base of the clock light shone though an open doorway.

For anyone who happened to be passing by they would have

probably found it strangely out of place, but being at the

top of the New York police station few would ever have

known.

Goliath and Brooklyn swooped downwards towards the lit

doorway, pulling up only so they could land on the concrete

platform. Draping their wings over their shoulders they

stepped inside and made their way down to the main living

area. Hudson looked up from the television and nodded from

his recliner, giving Bronx a slow head scratch in the

process. Broadway was no doubt in the kitchen preparing

their evening meal while Lexington was engaged in some

noisy computer game.

"How went the patrol, lads?" Hudson asked as he

shifted his bulk to a more comfortable position.

"Very quiet this evening." Goliath replied, smiling.

"I for one am glad for it."

Brooklyn nodded as he made his way towards Lexington.

"Yeah, just the way I like it."

Goliath had planned on spending some time in the

library during the flight here so he headed in that

direction. He was almost to the trap door when it opened

and Elisa poked her head though.

"Hi, guys." She said as Goliath gave her a hand

climbing the rest of the way though, not that he needed to.

"How are things on the old home front?"

"Quiet." Goliath replied, giving her a tiny smile he

hoped nobody else could see. "Are you finished with your

shift?"

"Yeah, just punched the clock before coming up here."

She replied, looking around at the others.

"Why would one want to… punch a clock, lass?" Hudson

asked as he rose to meet their visitor.

"It's just an expression." She replied, chuckling.

"It means that I finished work."

"Ah." Hudson said before making his way towards the

kitchen. "You humans have so many odd terms for things, it

boggles an old warriors mind."

The other chuckled but said nothing.

"Are you planning on going home, or do you have

something else planned for the evening?" Goliath inquired,

unfurling his wings.

"Well…" She said, turning towards the open doorway at

the top of the stairs. "It's a nice night and I haven't

seen the city from above in a while."

Goliath smiled and bowed at the waist. "The lady

wishes an evening glide over the city. So be it."

As she followed him up the stairs the others watched

them go, knowing well enough not to make and comments.

When they emerged onto the platform Elisa strode towards

the railing and gazed out over the city. Goliath stepped

up besides her, laying both hands on the stone railing.

"Is there something on your mind, Elisa? He asked,

seeing her far away expression.

"Huh?" She said, pulling her mind out of the cloud it

had been in. "Oh, no. Was just admiring the view."

"It is very stunning." He replied. "Especially on a

clear night. Come, let us not waste it." He smiled and

picked her up in his arms, to which she did not resist.

Leaping onto the railing he jumped out into the empty

night air and descended slightly before an updraft lifted

them higher. The clock tower quickly shrank behind them as

they made their way towards the river. He slowed his glide

and allowed her to shift so she could look around. She

never tired of seeing all the activity below her, the many

lights that infested the streets and towering buildings.

"Is there any place in particular you wish to see?"

He asked, raising his voice slightly so she could hear him

over the wind.

She shook her head. "Not really, unless you feel like

visiting Venus and the professor. If not then feel free to

indulge yourself."

"I have been wondering how she is doing since the

incident with Dracon." He said, looking out over the city.

"Perhaps we can stop for a short time and then perhaps see

a… movie." The last part he said awkwardly, as it was

unusual for him.

Elisa nodded and felt him turn towards Ward's Island,

the muscles in his arms and chest tightening as the wind

held him aloft. She glanced down to see the river appear

below, a slow moving blackness void of buildings. As they

started to descend she could make out a few boats cruising

the river, their tiny navigation lights reflecting off the

water. It was a short lived moment as once again land came

into view, grassy banks soon giving way to trees.

After another minute the professor's manor came into

view, so familiar now that it no longer amazed her at its

size. Goliath went into an unexpected dive, causing her to

yelp in surprise. For a moment she thought she heard him

chuckled under his breath but when she looked at him his

face held no expression.

Goliath headed to the rear of the house, swung around

and set down on the second floor balcony. After putting

Elisa down he waited for her to ring the doorbell that

would alert whoever was inside that they were there.

Unlike the normal doorbell this one had a different chime

so it could recognized easily.

The sliding doors were already open, but they did not

want to simply walk in unannounced. It did not take long

for Jacob to arrive, where upon he smiled and greeted them

in his usual friendly manner.

"I hope we are not intruding, Jacob." Elisa asked.

The old butler shook his head. "No madam, they are

both in the living room watching television. Please, do

come in and be welcome."

They followed Jacob inside, down the main staircase

and though the house. When they approached the living area

Jacob stepped in first and announced their presence. Elisa

found it amusing that the old butler should make such a

fuss over them.

"Why are you keeping them in the hall, Jacob." Came

Scott's voice from within.

Before Jacob could say anything the professor appeared

in the doorway, a warm smile on his lips. He was wearing a

faded blue t-shirt, blue jeans and white stockings on his

feet. Anyone who did not know the man would never have

guessed he was a wealthy archeologist. A moment later

Venus' head popped from around the corner, her playful

smile as warm as ever.

"Do not just stand there, Goliath, escort your lady

in." Venus said as she tugged the professor back inside.

Goliath raised an eye ridge and said nothing as Elisa

took his hand and led him inside. The living room was

still the same as they remembered, a long couch with coffee

table, a large bookcase against the left wall while an

entertainment center took up most of the forward wall.

Elisa glanced at the television and saw a show she knew

only by reputation: Wishbone.

Scott picked up the remote control from the table and

turned the television off. "Please, have a seat."

Elisa nodded and took a chair next to the bookcase but

Goliath only glanced around for a moment and remained

standing. Venus looked at him for a moment and shook her

head, but the smile on her lips said that she found it more

amusing than upsetting.

"Thank you for having us, professor." Elisa said,

leaning back and smiling. "We happened to be in the

neighborhood and decided to swing by for a little visit."

Goliath nodded. "Yes. I was curious as to how your

wing is faring, my sister."

Venus smiled and unfurled her wings, making certain

not to strike anything in the process. Dipping her left

wing she showed them the area where Dracon's laser and

sliced open the membrane. There was still a small opening,

but it was mostly healed closed, but a soft reddish line

marked where it had once been.

"Well, I suppose it helped that my husband and his

butler cohort conspired to keep me on the ground." Venus

said, trying to look dejected and hurt but she looked too

playful to have succeed.

"For once I have to agree with them." Goliath said,

nodding towards the professor. "Trying to take to the air

with a torn wing is very dangerous, you should know that."

Venus snorted. "Now you sound like my husband.

Goliath, I swear that if you do not sit down I will knock

you on your backside."

During the entire conversation Elisa did not say a

word, opting only to sit and listen. She still found it

weird hearing Venus call the professor her husband or her

mate. Seeing the two of them together seemed odd, but they

made up for it with their love for each other. It was not

until she heard Venus threaten Goliath if he did not sit

that she snickered. Goliath glanced at her for a moment

before gingerly taking the chair on the other side of the

bookcase. When he sat he seemed to be waiting for the

chair to crumble under him. But after a few moments it did

not even emit so much as a creak.

"There, the chair is still alive." Venus said,

laughing softly. "You are too stiff backed and uptight,

learn to relax a little." She enhanced her lecture by

sitting next to the professor and leaning back before

sliding her arm around his shoulders.

"So, what have you guys been up too lately?" Scott

asked as he touched his wife's hand with his own.

"Same old thing, professor, working the night shift."

Elisa replied, chuckling. "Not much as gone on since we

stopped Dracon, to which I must admit I am not

complaining."

Goliath nodded. "Indeed. Myself and Brooklyn went on

patrol tonight and found nothing."

"Looks like things are starting to change in this

city." Venus commented, glancing at her brother for a

moment. "Perhaps one day the humans of this city can no

longer have to worry about… bad apples, I think the saying

goes."

"Wouldn't that make for a dream come true." Elisa

commented. "But then I would be out of a job." The remark

caused them all the laugh, including Goliath.

Jacob appeared again carrying a tray with four glasses

and a bowl of Chex Party Mix, the cheddar kind. The

professor thanked the old butler, who smiled as he set the

tray on the table before leaving the room again.

"Please, help yourself." Venus said, waving towards

the tray.

Goliath glanced at the bowl of party mix, wondering

just what all the assorted things were. Elisa smiled and

took a handful, offering some to Goliath as she knew he

would not get any for himself. He accepted the mix in one

large hand, thanked her and began studying them again.

When he look up he noticed Venus shifting the things around

in the bowl with a talon, apparently looking for something.

"Venus, leave some of those for the rest of us."

Scott said as he grabbed a handful.

Venus hurriedly grabbed a few of the brown rye chips

and sat back, smiling. "I like those kind more than the

others. I wish they sold just those by themselves."

"If I ever find any I will be certain to buy a lot of

them." The professor replied as he continued eating.

"So, brother of mine who is too proud to get food by

himself, what else have you planned for tonight." Venus

asked as she peered into the bowl in search of more rye

chips.

Her question caused him to frown slightly as he

growled softly under his breath. It was Elisa who

answered. "Just wanted to get some night air, and perhaps

see a late night movie."

The professor raised an eyebrow at the detective and

nodded slightly, but Venus grinned from ear to ear. She

was about to say something when Scott gently nudged her

side. When she glanced down at him he shook his head,

signaling that she should leave it be. Venus sniffed

softly, taking the hint, and only nodded saying she thought

it a nice idea. Goliath had seemed ready to argue with

Venus, but when she did not start going on about having a

relationship with Elisa he looked stumped.

"Well, it is kind of late." Scott said, glancing at

the clock. "Do not feel compelled to stay, we would not

want you to miss the movie."

"To be honest, we do not even know what's playing and

when." Elisa replied, looking a little embarrassed. "It

was going to be hit or miss, I suppose." She finished with

a grin.

"I would not hear of it." Venus interjected as she

got to her feet. "Do not move, I will retrieve the paper

containing the news. I have seen a section about movies

and the places they are showing."

Before anybody could object she hurried from the room,

nearly going on all fours in the process. Elisa and

Goliath looked at Scott, puzzlement showing clearly on

their faces. He only looked at them and shrugged.

They waited in silence for a few more minutes until

Venus returned carrying the newspaper. The professor and

Elisa smiled as she rifled though the many pages, wrinkling

it more than anything else.

"This is not a very good way to bind a paper." She

commented as a few pages fell to the floor. "Here it is."

Dropping the pages on the table she handed a single page to

Elisa.

"You did not have to go though the trouble, Venus."

Elisa said as she looked at the listings. "But this will

make it easier, thank you."

"I agree as well." Goliath said, his mouth creasing

into a tiny smile. "And I also thank you for your

assistance."

"Well, according to the paper there are several

starting in about a half hour. Hey, they're showing that

newly enhanced Jaws tonight, I haven't seen that since I

was little." Elisa said, nodding before putting the paper

on the table.

"What is this Jaws?" Goliath inquired.

"It's a story about a huge killer white shark that

terrorizes the waters of Martha's Vineyard." The detective

replied, wriggling her fingers to make it sound scary.

"It's a Steven Spielberg classic."

The professor laughed. "I remember seeing it when I

was a young boy. It was a long time afterwards before I

could go near the ocean again. It was interesting because

I grew up two hours away from Newport, Rhode Island."

"I must see this Jaws you talk about." Venus said,

tilting her head.

"Perhaps you would like to accompany us?" Goliath

intoned, much to the amazement of everyone.

Scott looked at Elisa for a moment, although he

already knew she was hoping to have Goliath alone. When

she glanced at him he nodded slightly and winked, to which

she smiled. "I am not up to going out to a movie tonight.

My evening is to spend it with Venus." He said as he

picked up a glass of punch.

Venus looked at Goliath and nodded. "I agree with

Scott, and because I want him to once again try to give me

a hatchling tonight."

There came a sudden fit of coughing as the professor

lost the quantity of punch he had in his mouth. Leaning

forward he put the glass on the tray and tried to wipe the

excess he had running down his chin. The front of his

shirt and jeans were stained bright red as if somebody had

slit his throat. The entire act of him performing this

show made Venus giggle with delight.

Goliath looked at his sister for a long moment,

pondering what had possessed her to say such a thing. When

he looked at Elisa she was trying hard not to chuckle, the

effort turning her cheeks red. "Perhaps it is indeed time

we go, else we will miss the… start of this Jaws."

Elisa nodded as she and Goliath got to their feet. "I

am glad your wing is healing well, Venus, and wish you luck

in… well… you know."

"Yes." Goliath said in a low tone. "I look forward

to having you back on patrol again, my sister."

Venus and Scott escorted their guests back upstairs

and out onto the balcony. Venus hugged both Goliath and

Elisa while the professor shook their hands. With that

Goliath scooped up Elisa, leapt onto the reinforced railing

and leapt off into the night.

Once they were out of sight they went back inside and

closed the sliding doors behind them. Scott commented that

he was going down to the workshop for a little while to

work on the sandstone before going to bed. Venus had

already started to walk towards their bedroom when he

headed towards the stairs.

"I though we were going to bed." She said, folding

her arms beneath her breasts.

"I'm not tired right now." He replied. "I will go

and clean up downstairs before going to the workshop. You

do not have to wait up for me."

She was about to ask if there was anything wrong but

he had already started downstairs. Jacob passed him on the

stairs on his way up but Scott did not say anything. When

the old butler reached the top he seemed puzzled to find

Venus standing there by herself.

"What did I do?" She asked Jacob.

The butler shook his head. "I do not know, madam, but

something is bothering him. I can tell by the way he is

walking and the look in his eyes. Did something happen

while Goliath and detective Maza were here?" He thought

for a moment. "I did notice a fresh stain on his shirt."

"I am not certain. When I mentioned to my brother and

Elisa about trying to have a child tonight he seemed

startled and spilled some of his punch." She replied. "Is

it because of his shirt he is bothered?"

Jacob shook his head. "No, he no doubt feels

embarrassed at your mention of trying to have a child in

front of Goliath and the detective. Something like that is

often kept private between a couple."

"That is a strange notion, keeping something like that

a secret." Venus replied, shaking her head. "It is a

thing of nature that is done by all living things. Why is

it that humans not think it so?"

"We humans are a strange creation." The old butler

replied, smiling. "When it comes to having children we are

hesitant to announce it out loud."

"I did not realize that." She replied, looking

towards the stairs where Scott had vanished. "We were

among friends and did not think it improper."

"Even with friends, madam, there are some things that

should be kept private." Jacob answered, patting her arm.

"Do not let it bother you, madam. It is not the end of the

world and he will not dwell on it very long."

"So I have made him angry at me?"

"Not exactly, he just wants something that special to

be kept between you and he." Jacob answered, seeing that

she was becoming bothered.

"But you know."

"Yes, I had an idea even before you said something.

At my age you know what goes though a newly married couples

mind." He said, smiling.

Venus smiled at him but she still felt bothered that

something she felt was no big deal could be taken so

seriously. "I guess I do not know as much about humans as

I thought I did."

"We all learn as we go, madam." The butler commented

as he started down the hall to make his usual check of the

rooms.

The now slightly confused gargoyle watched the

knowledgeable old human walk away. When she started to go

downstairs she stopped herself and instead headed towards

their bedroom. She was not angry with her husband as she

felt she understood his motives, but she still found it

strange.

Demona's New York Manor:

James finished connecting the sensor pad wires to the

portable vital signs monitor and was performing a self

diagnostics when Demona stepped in the room. She was not

too keen about having them placed on her body. James

glanced up from his work and smiled, as always in awe of

how lovely she looked.

"How do you wish to do this, professor?" She asked as

the machine made different beeping noises.

"Well, normally the person is lying on a table." He

replied. "But in this case you can remain standing as you

normally would. Take these pads and place them on your

chest, abdomen, neck and back."

She took the pads he offered and glanced at them for a

moment before handing them back. "You know where they are

supposed to go."

James shrugged and after applying a little Vaseline on

the pads before pressing them to her skin. He did not

think much about it until he attached the one above her

left breast. As the pad touched her skin his fingertips

brushes against her skin, it was warm and soft.

She looked down at where he had his hand and felt a

tiny smile touch her lips. There was nothing really

special about the touch, but she rather enjoyed feeling his

fingers on her. When he pulled away she watched as he

started pressing buttons on the vital signs monitor. A

moment later it began beeping as it picked up her heart

rate, pulse and breathing.

James rubbed his chin as he glanced at the digital

display. "Well, your heart rate is higher than a humans,

as is your pulse. But your breathing seems pretty normal."

"Well, it will be sunrise in a few minutes and you

will be here by yourself." Demona said, touching the pad

on her chest. "Remember what I said about wandering around

my manor." He nodded. "And if you want anything just take

it from the kitchen." She was really starting to like him,

but she still felt uncomfortable leaving him alone in her

home, and with her helpless.

James only nodded as he connected the small printer

and storage device to have a printed and recorded backup.

After checking the monitor once more he stepped back and

looked towards the window. The night was just starting to

give way, a dim glow on the horizon telling him that

sunrise was approaching. Turning back he watched as Demona

crouched down, assuming what he figured was her normal

sleeping position. She looked as if she were going to

pounce, one hand reared up behind while the other curled in

front of her. The snarl on her face made him blink as he

got a good look at her sharp fangs, the expression on her

face was showing anger.

As the window got brighter he smiled a little and felt

brave. "Has anyone ever told you how lovely you look?"

His comment caused her to lose her original posture.

Her poise move from crouching to partially standing up and

facial expression softened to a surprised, but pleased

look. She was about to say something but she never got the

chance. As the sunlight streamed though the window he

watched in amazement as her body stiffened. Her once

lovely bluish skin turning colors until it solidified into

solid grey stone. The vital signs monitor started beeping

nosily as all the reading went right to zero. If it had

been attached to any other living being it would have said

they were dead. When he checked the paper he noticed a

slight spike just before everything went flat line.

"hmm… Slight rise in all vitals before turning to

stone." He mumbled as made a note of the time and date

next to the spike. "Could be to produce some sort of

hormone to educe the process." He told himself that next

time he was in the lab he would look more closely at the

MRI scans.

Stepping up to her stone form he tapped the side of

her face. "I wonder what kind of stone this is?" He

wished he could get a sample, but it would mean taking a

part of her. "Maybe she won't miss a small piece from her

clothing and a bit of hair?"

Looking around the packaging the monitor and other

equipment came in he found some small clear sample baggies.

Nodding, he reached out to her loincloth and snapped a

small section from the front hanging flap. He placed it in

a baggie, marked it and then went to her long hair. Being

extremely careful he broke off a small piece from the base

where it stopped just passed her wings. When he had it

bagged it placed them in his pocket and smiled.

"Sorry about that." He said, running a finger down

her frozen cheek. "All in the name of science. Hope you

do not mind, but I think I will go to the lab for a while.

Do not worry, I will return well before dawn."

Smiling at the thought of talking to a statue he

looked her over once last time, checked the monitor and

went in search of the telephone. When he found it and

dialed for a taxi he figured that perhaps it was time he

had his own car. Giving the location of his pickup he hung

up the phone and headed for the front door. Since Demona's

manor was alarmed he needed to find a way to keep the door

from closing, else he would be locked out. Fishing his

wallet from his back pocket he removed a credit card and

fingered it for a moment.

"Need to make certain it sticks." He said to himself,

then remembered the Vaseline he used to attach the probes

to Demona. When he had some on his finger he smeared it on

the face of the card and pressed it against the slot where

the deadbolt would go.

Hoping his credit card would handle the pressure he

stepped outside and gently closed the door. There was a

soft click, but it sounded as if it did not complete the

lock. He tested it by pushing the door, to his

satisfaction it opened easily and no alarm seemed to have

been set off. Resetting the lock he closed the door again

and nodded before walking down to the front gate to meet

the taxi.

When he was back at the laboratory he checked on the

computer he had left running. It was still counting down

and had not seemed to be tampered with or interrupted.

Nodding he went over to the microscope and began inspecting

the fragments he had taken from Demona's stone form. Since

he was not a geologist he was not certain of what he was

seeing so he scanned the image into the computer.

Placing the baggies in his pocket again he went over

and had the computer search for the chemical composition of

the stone. The system worked silently, displaying several

hundred lines of search code in the lower window. In the

main window different compounds were being displayed so

fast he was unable to watch for long as it made him dizzy.

After several minutes the computer chimed that it was

finished. When he looked the screen the computer was

showed three different compounds. The biggest was granite,

but it was mixed with two others, zinc and a small amount

of copper. He found it an odd mixture but that was what

the computer had come up with. Sending the data to the

removable drive he wiped it from the system and went to a

locked cabinet on the far wall.

When he unlocked and opened it a puff of frost emerged

from the refrigerated compartment. Reaching in he withdrew

a small vial filled with a dull red liquid. Holding it up

to the light he swirled it around and smiled. Within was a

combination of Demona's blood and DNA mixed with human

tissue. If his figured were correct this was the first

sample of the finished project Xanatos had him working on.

Of course his employer did not know he had gotten this far,

but James was not going to present it so soon. He was

quite happy with the money he was making from Xanatos and

wanted to continue receiving it.

It was crude at best and needed to be refined further,

but his tests proved that it did indeed work. The cell

composition was still too high to be used safely as they

reproduced faster than the human body could handle. He

chuckled at the thought of it currently being too strong.

Closing the door he went over to the table where he

ran the sample tests and grabbed a new Petri dish

containing fresh gel. Placing the vial in a rack he opened

the dish, then the vial and used a glass tube to remove a

small quantity of the liquid. He placed several drops on

the gel before replacing the cover on the Petri dish.

Leaving the vial in the rack he placed the dish in a small

heating oven and set the temperature on low. His reasons

were to see that if my applying heat it would either slow

or speed up the process.

He hoped it would slow it, thus giving him a way to

weaken the mixture and thus make it safer to use. Leaving

the heater he opened up an overhead cabinet to retrieve

some more vials so he could withdraw more of his and

Demona's blood. In the process he bumped a large empty

beaker and before he could catch it, fell to the counter

and smashed.

Cursing loudly he set the vials in the rack and while

doing that noticed a cut on his hand. Before his fingers

were away from the vials he pulled back to inspect his hand

and upended the entire rack. He gasped in horror as the

open vial of healing liquid fell to the counter, spilling

the contents everywhere.

"No!" He shouted, trying feebly to wipe some of the

precious liquid back into the vial. In the process he

wound up getting more on his fingers and hand than in the

vial.

It was also when he felt small tiny pinpricks on his

hand where his skin had come into contact with several tiny

broken shards of glass. Backing away he looked down at his

hand, to where the cuts and the liquid merged. Suddenly

forgetting all about the accident and broken glass he

hurried over to the sink and ran his hand under the water.

He washed the blood and serum from his hand and immediately

poured alcohol on the wounds, followed by some iodine. He

glanced at his hand for a moment, the cuts were tiny and no

big deal. He was more concerned about getting the serum

all over them.

Hoping for the best he bandaged his hand and put on a

pair of latex gloves before cleaning up the mess. He

cringed at seeing the spilled experiment but there was

nothing he could do. Luckily he had two more vials in the

refrigerator, but he still cursed himself for being so

clumsy.

Once he had the mess cleaned up and tossed into the

disposal bin marked "hazardous" he slumped down before the

computer. He was staring to think that coming here was not

such a good idea.

"Well, nothing I can do about it now." He said to

himself as he levered himself back to his feet. "Might as

well return to Demona's place."

He glanced down at his bandaged hand one more time

before going to call for another taxi.

"This is stupid… I am going to buy my own car."

After he had phoned the taxi service he made certain

to take the removable hard dive before leaving. As he made

his way out he happened to run into another man, one he had

met only a few times, Daniel Straussmore.

"Oh, you must be that new man Xanatos hired." The

skinny man said, smiling as he held out his hand.

"MacGregor is it?"

James nodded and returned the handshake. "Yes, glad

to meet you, Mr. Straussmore."

"Pfeh. Just call me Daniel." Straussmore replied,

shaking his head. "I am not into the whole Mister thing

among comrades."

"A good thing to have." James replied, placing his

hands in his coat pocket. "If you will excuse me I am late

for a meeting."

"Of course, Jim." Daniel replied, smiling. "Perhaps

we can have lunch sometime and swap ideas around."

"Sure, I will look forward to it." James answered,

even though in reality he was not interested. "If I want

anything from you it would be the work Xanatos doesn't want

me to see." He said to himself as he headed for the main

doors.

When the taxi arrived he instructed it to take him to

a new car dealership nearby. The driver nodded and drove

off.

Demona growled softly as she broke free of her stone

sleep. Hundreds of tiny stone shards falling around her

body. When she looked up she noticed that James was

nowhere to be seen, but the probes were still attached to

her. The monitor was beeping away, still spitting paper

from the printer. She waited for a few minutes to see if

James would appear, which he did not. Pulling the probes

from her body she went in search of him.

It did not take her long to find him in the kitchen,

and from the smells he was fixing dinner. As she got

closer she had to admit that whatever he was preparing did

smell quite good. When she emerged in the doorway to the

kitchen she saw him standing before the stove. His back

was to her but she saw him slowly mixing something in a

small pot, another larger one was bubbling on a rear

burner. Spread out on the center island were an assortment

of sliced vegetables and a bowl of some strange looking

mixture smelling slightly of eggs and potatoes.

She also noticed the oven was on and that was what she

was smelling, what it was exactly she could not determine.

Without making any noise she crept up to the center island

and sat in one of the high stools behind it. Placing her

arms on the top she crossed them over one another and

leaned on them, her tail swishing on the floor below. She

leaned forward and smiled slightly, tilting her head to one

side as she watched him work. There was no reason she

could find as to why she was doing this, except perhaps

because she really was interested in him.

When he turned around to get at something on the

island he saw her sitting there and jumped. "You certainly

know how to sneak up on a person."

"It is how I have stayed alive all these centuries."

She replied, flashing him a quick smile. "You seem to have

made yourself handy while I was sleeping, professor. What

is it you are making?"

"Well, you have a well stocked kitchen, so I decided

to make something that even you might like." He replied as

he dumped a bunch of sliced vegetables into the large

boiling pot. "Barbecued spare ribs with pineapple slices,

boiled vegetables and white rice."

Demona raised an eye ridge, impressed with what he had

made. "You seem to be able to do more than just poke and

prod me with your tools. I think I will keep you around

for a while longer. That is unless I do not like whatever

this is." She said, pointing to the bowl on the island.

"That is one of my specialties, potato salad." He

replied, chuckling. "I am surprised you did not know what

it was."

"Well, as I have said before professor, I do not often

have the pleasure of preparing my own meals." She replied,

sliding off the stool. "I pay people to do that for me,

and what they do prepare is usually extravagant."

He shook his head. "Which is why you find things like

Chinese and pizza mundane foods. Well, if you stick your

pretty nose up at this then you are as stubborn as they

come."

The way he spoke to her made her want to lash out, and

she would have if he did not turn back to the stove. It

was not often somebody spoke to her in that manner, then

turn away before she could retaliate. The more she thought

about it the more it made her stomach tingle.

"He is not afraid to speak out to me." She said to

herself, placing a talon on her lower lip as she smiled.

"He is brave, for a human."

As she made her way around the island she trailed her

fingers along the smooth marble top. He did not turn to

face her so she stepped up beside him and looked down at

the pots. She hesitated for a few moments before placing

her hand on his shoulder. When she did that he turned his

head and looked up at her, the smile on his face brought

back the memory of when he kissed her.

"You are very kind to do this for me." She said,

feeling strange at giving him an honest compliment. "But

why?"

"Because I am hungry, and I thought maybe just once

you would sit down and have a meal with me." James

answered as he stirred the vegetables before removing the

small pot with the rice. "You allowed me to stay here

while you slept, so I wanted to return the favor." He

dared not tell her about him borrowing some stone samples

from her and going to the laboratory.

As if she had somehow read his mind she looked down at

his bandaged hand. "How did you manage that?" She asked,

waving her hand towards his injured one.

"Got a little carried away earlier while cutting the

veggies." He said, shaking his head and praying she would

believe his lie.

"Is it bad?" She asked, actually concerned.

He shook his head and smiled as he turned the heat

down. "No, just a minor thing. Should be healed in a few

days."

Demona nodded and flashed him a tiny smile before

removing his hand from his shoulder and stepping away.

"How long until it is finished?"

"Another five or ten minutes I should say."

"Very well, I shall help you by setting the…" She was

about to say 'table' when she glanced over to the dining

room and saw that everything was already done. For a few

moments she was speechless, marveling at him going though

the trouble of trying to please her.

This was something new to her and she found herself

liking it. When she turned to say something she was

presented with his back as he was still hovering over the

stove. Closing her gaping mouth she bit her bottom lip to

keep it from trembling. She would not start crying over

this, no matter how wonderful it was and how much she liked

it, she would not give in. Doing so over this would be a

sure sign of weakness, and she was in not weak!

Just to make certain he did not see the expression on

her face she strode into the dining room. There were two

place settings on opposite sides of the ancient oak table,

which she had acquired in England sometime in the year

sixteen hundred and eight. Both settings had a complete

set of pure silver utensils dating back three hundred years

during a trip to Germany. The plates themselves were from

around the Ming dynasty, she had found them from a

reluctant merchant in China. The old man did not want to

part with them, but she had persuaded him otherwise.

She grinned and wondered if James knew just how much

money was sitting on the table. Still, it had been very

kind of him to go though all of this just to please her.

When she heard him step into the living room she turned to

see him carrying two bowls. One was filled with steaming

vegetables, now soaking in some white cream sauce and the

other containing white rice. He smiled as he hurried past

her, making certain he did not bump into her as he set the

items on the table.

Dry washing his hands he dashed back into the kitchen,

earning him a strange look from Demona. It looked as if

she wanted to laugh, but was not certain if it would have

been appropriate. In the kitchen he opened the oven and

removed the tiny boneless ribs that had been simmering in

barbecue sauce for the past two hours. The smell washed

over him and he had to fight the urge to sneak a few from

the pan. He set the pan on the stove, making certain

everything was turned off before scooping it into a shallow

glass serving platter.

"I will be there in a moment, Demona." He said.

"Need to go wash my hands."

If she heard him she said nothing so he went into the

adjacent bathroom and closed the door. He rolled up his

sleeves and removed the bandage on his hand and nearly

gasped in shock.

There was not a single mark where he had once had

several cuts caused by the broken beaker. He looked closer

and was not even able to find where the cuts had been,

not even a scar remained. Running a finger over the area

where the injuries had been he marveled at how smooth the

skin was.

"It works." He breathed, resting his hands on the

sink to support himself. "I unwillingly tested it on

myself." The other thing he remembered was that it had

been too strong for normal use, that thought made him

nervous. "Well, I am a scientist and sometimes there are

risks."

With that said he washes his hand and redid the

bandage so Demona would not become curious. Adjusting his

shirt and nodded to himself in the mirror, opened the door

and walked out. Everything was just as it had been when he

stepped into the bathroom, including Demona standing in the

dining room.

When he saw him come out she smiled for a brief moment

before losing it and trying to pass it off with a nod. He

found it cute and stepped into the dining room, Demona

never taking her eyes off him. Feeling a little perky he

stepped over to one of the chairs and pulled it out, then

motioned for her to sit. His actions got the desired

results he had hoped for when she actually looked shocked.

After hesitating for a moment she slowly stepped up to

the chair, started to sit and was waiting for him to pull

it away. When it did not move she sat lower and felt it

slide under her, placing her closer to the table. Snaking

her tail though the opening in the back she felt

dumbfounded and a little helpless. When she looked up at

him all she cold manage was a soft "thank you" and a

pleasant smile.

James only nodded and went to take the seat opposite

of her. "Ladies first." He said, motioning towards the

food.

"Lady?" She said, flashing him a quirky smile.

"Well, okay then, Gargess' first."

She answered him with a pleasant laugh, feeling

something good growing inside her. When she heard herself

she had almost forgotten what it was like to actually laugh

without destroying something after. "What am I doing?"

She asked herself, but at the moment she did not care

because she was actually enjoying herself. Taking a quick

look at the food lying on the table before her she smiled

and took a little of everything.

When she had taken her share he smiled and took some

of everything himself. It was then that a thought came to

him. "I forgot something."

Demona was about to pick up her fork when she stopped.

"What have you forgotten?"

"Something to drink." He replied, feeling a little

embarrassed.

She gave him a soft, musical laugh and stood up. When

he tried to do the same she shook her head. "Remain where

you are. You have done much, so I shall remedy this

problem."

He stood up slightly as she smiled and strode from the

room, making a show of sliding her tail back and fourth

like a serpent. After a minute she returned carrying a

dark bottle with a faded brown label and two crystal wine

glasses. From the amount of dust residue on the bottle he

guessed it was old.

"Looks older than I am." He said playfully as she set

the bottle and glasses on the table before him. When he

picked it up he glanced at the label and saw only a date

and nothing else, written in a Celtic style script; 1942.

Demona noticed the look on his face and smiled.

"Slightly."

It took him a few moments to work the cork loose,

followed by a low "pop" from the bottle. He set the bottle

back down and sniffed the cork. It had a strong fruity

scent that he could not place. Nodding silently he took

the bottle and filled each glass halfway.

With that finished he put the cork back in the bottle

and together that started eating. Both ate in silence as

neither of them could find something to discuss. Demona

was very impressed with the food and was not bashful about

helping herself to more. She even enjoyed the potato

salad, commenting that she had never had anything like it

before. The wine was smooth, full bodied and was unlike

anything he had ever tasted before.

When both were finished, Demona having eaten more than

he, they leaned back in their chairs.

"I can't remember the last time I had a home cooked

meal like that." She said, picking up the napkin she had

in her lap. "It was excellent… Thank you for taking the

time to do this."

"You are welcome, Demona." He said, smiling as he

stood and began gathering the dishes. "I haven't done

anything like that in years."

She stood and helped him, although she knew it was not

something she normally did. When they had everything

placed into the dishwasher she closed it and started it.

Without saying a word she motioned with her chin to the

door leading back into the main manor. He followed without

question, neither speaking until they were back in the room

with the vial signs monitor.

Not bothering to give the monitor a second glance

Demona went over to the couch and sat. He was not sure if

it was the way she sat, or the way she slid her tail up and

around her leg but he knew not to bother with the monitor.

When he walked past the device she smiled, seemingly

pleased at his choice and sat down next to her.

"James." She said softly, using his first name. His

head snapped around to look at her so fast she thought he

would get whiplash. "What it is you see in me?"

The question took his by complete surprise and he was

not certain of what she meant. "What do you mean?"

"The way you treat me," She began, exhaling softly.

"You are kind to me, treat me like you would any human and

do not seem threatened by my appearance or demeanor."

"Can I be honest with you, Demona?" He asked, to

which she nodded silently. "I think you are the most

remarkable, breathtaking and loveliest creature I have

never seen."

Her breath caught in her throat at what he said as she

felt the muscles in her chest tighten. "Don't be foolish."

She managed to say, though it came out as a whisper.

Shaking his head lightly he slid closer until his leg

was touching hers. "Believe me, Demona, I've felt this way

since the moment I saw you. Do you think I would have

refused your money had I not felt this way?"

"I…" She stuttered, biting her lip. "You humans are

strange and often unpredictable." Even though she spoke

there was no force in it, not was she aware they her tail

had curled around his leg.

"Yes, we are."

Lifting her left arm she reached out and before she

could stop ran her talons gently down the side of his face.

She knew this was going in a direction she wanted to avoid

but her body was not cooperating, nor was her brain. A

distant voice was screaming at her to stop, to end it

before it went too far but she ignored it. She felt

herself pulling him towards her, his eyes seemingly

devouring her entire being and the feel of his hand on her

thigh. When she felt his mouth against hers she closed her

eyes and pulled him towards her, not even caring at feeling

his hand move from her thigh to the side of her breast.

All she wanted was him.

Venus smiled as she walked down the isle of the

grocery store, still amazed at all the items. Scott was

beside her, his job was pushing the carriage already half

filled with different food. At the moment she was

examining the vast assortment of canned soups. He found it

amusing that something he though so ordinary could be an

adventure for her. It was even stranger seeing her walking

around in her human guise in plain sight.

She still had the same features as her gargoyle form,

just slightly shorter as she had decided to be the same

height as he. Her outfit consisted of a light blue cotton

shirt that buttoned in front and a off white silk skirt

that stopped above her knees. As a human he found her

stunningly beautiful, but he enjoyed her true form a lot

more.

Earlier this afternoon they had discussed her trying

to go among the population in her human form. Scott found

it risky and dangerous if she somehow lost her hold on the

magic. Venus replied that she had been practicing for

several weeks and was confident she could do it. Since his

biggest desire was to please her they decided one something

easy, grocery shopping. Normally it was Jacob's job but

they decided to give him a break. Of course she knew Scott

hated to drive, but one flash of her smile and he was not

able to resist.

His mind was pulled from the clouds as she placed a

dozen cans of Spaghetti-O's with meatballs. "Jeeze, Venus,

you like them that much?" He said, chuckling.

"Of course, they are good and very quick to prepare."

She answered before turning to look at the soups some more.

"On occasion I get hungry at night and do not want to

bother Jacob, so this makes it easier on all."

"That's a god idea. Oh, do you need more fruit?" He

asked, as she took some cans of chicken noodle soup. "If

so they are at the end of this isle."

Placing the cans in the basket she tapped her lower

lip. "Yes, I am almost out of oranges… Oh, and cherries,

so I can knot the stems with my tongue." This she added,

knowing he found it a turn on when she did it.

"Works for me." He replied, chuckling. "Lead on,

brave shopper, our larders are bare." When she laughed it

was like listening to a soothing song, rich and melodious.

As the continued she placed a hand on his as if she

was helping to push, but all she wanted was to touch him.

Going up and down the isles they each took the things they

needed, and even things they did not because on of the

other simply "liked" it. By the time they reached the

registers the cart was practically filled. When it was

totaled up Venus' eyes went wide with shock, but she kept

her tongue as to not look out of place. The grand total

was well over two hundred dollars.

After it had been bagged and placed back in their cart

they wheeled it out and placed everything in the trunk. On

the way home she asked if there was anyplace else they

could go after returning home.

"I imagine we can." Scott replied, smiling as he

watched the wind toss her hair around. "Any place in

particular?"

"Let us return to the place where we acquired my first

cloths." She answered as she played with the overhead

blind. "Macy's was it?"

"We can do that." He agreed.

When they returned home Jacob helped them in carrying

the groceries inside and with putting them away. The

professor commented that Jacob did not need to trouble

himself, but the old butler shook his head. "This way I

know where everything is." He added, which got a laugh

from Venus. After finishing they told Jacob of their plans

to go out again, to which he thought was a nice thing to

do.

After needing to use the bathroom Venus practically

dragged Scott back outside and into the car. He snickered

at her sudden desire to be out in view of the public, doing

what most humans took for granted. It made him happy to

see her having so much fun, and watching her reactions was

a show by itself. He took her to one of the large shopping

malls where he knew she would have more fun.

As they walked down the large open hall, filled with

people and booths selling everything from cellular phones

to plush toys. Lining each side of the hallway were more

stores of every type and style. Venus stopped and could

only stare in wonder at it all. As was the normal there

was a constant stream of music coming from speakers no

matter where you went.

"So many people in one place, and all manner of places

to purchase things." She said, looking like a child who

had been given her weekly allowance. "Where do we start?"

"They have a Macy's store here, so let's go there

first and see what we can find for you." Scott said,

smiling when he felt her take his hand.

Together they walked and stopped for a moment now and

again to examine something in a store window or kiosk. At

one point they passed by one of those stores that sold

Oriental merchandise such as clothing and hard to find

house furnishings. Venus stopped and looked in at a female

mannequin wearing a skimpy two piece outfit normally worn

by belly dancers.

Its sides of the skirt was open around the hips

forming an upside down triangle hanging down in the front

and back. The upper part of the skirt was a dark coppery

red, trimmed in glittery gold lace with a matching golden

yellow underskirt. Together they looked like a shiny,

glittering grass skirt, only the upper front and back being

solid silk fabric. The belt had a line of beads set in a

point in the center below the navel area with longer

strands of beads hanging down several inches.

The upper portion of the costume was made up of an

elaborate push-up brazier in glittery copper tones. It

was done in the design of a butterfly, with each breast

making up half of the butterfly with a beaded fringe. The

fringe went down each side to complete the butterflies

colorful wings. In the center was smaller piece of black

fringe, slightly elongated to form the body. Its sleeves

were long fingerless gloves in the same coppery tones that

stopped just below the elbows. On the upper right arms was

a small armband covered with tiny gold coins made of tin.

When Scott looked at his wife he saw that look in her

eyes that told him she found the garment fascinating. When

he entered the store she was right behind him, only

glancing briefly at the other assorted Oriental items.

Almost instantly a small Chinese woman wearing a flower

patterned kimono and soft slippers approached them. Scott

inquired about the dancing outfit in the window and the

shopkeeper was all too glad to help.

"Ah yes, that would look very nice on her." She said,

her slight Chinese accented English also giving away her

heritage. "Would you like to try one on to see how it

looks?" She asked Venus, smiling up at her.

Venus nodded eagerly.

"Very good." The lady replied, nodding. "The one in

the window would be bit too small, I think, but we have

many different sizes. Please to be following me."

The followed the lady towards the rear of the shop,

taking care not to bump into anything or anybody. She

stopped before a number of different outfits like the saw

in the windows. They could see gold ones, lavender, white,

red, dark blue, pink and many that combined two or more

different colors. As she flipped though several of the

copper colored ones she would glance at Venus, seem to size

her visually, then go back to looking.

After a few minutes the lady nodded and lifted a

hanger with the copper and red shaded outfit identical to

the one in the window. "I am thinking this one is for you,

for your size."

She handed the outfit to Venus where upon she seemed

to marvel at how it caught the overhead light and glistened

in different copper hues. The lady directed her to the

changing rooms. Scott smiled as she hurried inside,

closing the door behind her. While she was inside Scott

took the shopkeeper aside to where Venus could not overhear

them.

"I would like to surprise her…" He hesitated for an

instant. "sister with an outfit too."

"Ahhhh…" The shopkeeper said, smiling. "Do you know

her size."

He nodded and gave out the numbers for Venus as she

would be in her true Gargoyle form. It was not difficult

since he was with her when they had purchased her first

clothes. He marveled at how long ago that had been, back

when he was still single. The lady wrote everything down

on a little notepad.

"And to which color will she be liking?"

"I think she would look striking in the gold ones."

He answered, nodding with a smile. "The one with the black

top trimmed in gold and silver."

It was one he had caught a glimpse of when the lady

had been looking though them. The top was sewn with silver

and gold thread worked into rose petals. The lower half

was a skirt that stopped at the hips, done in gold silk

with little silver coins hanging in a wave pattern just

below the waistline. He also pointed out a golden tiara

with a red stone in the center with silver armband that

looked like a coiled serpent.

"You have a good eye, sir." The lady commented on as

she finished writing down his purchases.

"Is there any way to have this," He pointed to the

list in her hand. "delivered to my home?"

The lady nodded and smiled. "You wish for it to be a

surprise then? Such the gentleman, it shall be done."

When she handed him the pad he wrote down his address

and phone number. As he handed it back the lady bowed and

hurried away just as Venus opened the door. When he turned

to look he could feel his jaw hit the floor as he stood,

transfixed at the woman standing before him.

Her outfit fit her perfectly, enhancing her slim body

and covering just enough to be decently clothed. The

overhead lighting caught the silk fabric, causing it to

shimmer in brilliant shades of copper, red and gold. To

enhance the effect Venus raised her arms in front of her

face, cast her eyes downward and spun around. The skirt

and tassels flared out, causing the little coins to tinkle

musically. When she stopped she flung her head up to look

at the ceiling as her arms swung down to cross over her

belly.

For once he was not able to find the words to express

the vision that was standing before him. She knew him well

enough that all he had to do was see his face and know he

felt about something. From the smile and glow on her face

she knew that he found her stunningly beautiful, in which

she was correct.

"I think we will take it." Was all he said as the

shopkeeper somehow appeared next to him without his

noticing. Without another word he removed his wallet and

handed the lady his credit card.

The woman seemed startled by this but took his card.

"Do you want to know the total?"

"No." He replied, not able to take his eyes off

Venus.

Venus watched as the sales lady hurry away. "He did

not even ask the cost." She said to herself, once again

amazed at the things he did for her.

"Now you will have to practice how to dance in the

style." He said, stepping so that he was directly in front

of her. The push up bra top was doing its job quite well,

enhancing Venus' well endowed chest. "I hear it's very

good exercise."

He was not certain of it, but he could have sworn he

saw her start to blush.

"I will do so for you." She said softly, running a

human finger down his cheek. "I am pleased you find the

outfit so appealing. I guess I have to go and take it off

since we own it now."

When he nodded she stepped back into the dressing room

where her normal clothes hung on small hooks on the wall.

After closing and locking the door he took care in removing

the outfit she had the felling was very expensive. As she

removed each piece she took great care to place them back

on their original hangers just as they had been. Turning

to hang the outfit on another hook she noticed her herself

in the mirror. It still looked strange seeing herself as a

human, and nude. It was causing a tickling sensation in

her chest and abdomen.

Her nude human body was not all that different from

her gargoyle form, except that everything was smaller. The

lack of wings, tail, feet and talons made her feel even

stranger. Even as a human she was anatomically real, even

though it was a powerful magic illusion. She had a thought

that made her giggle as she reached for her normal clothes.

When she was finished dressing she stepped back out

carrying the dancing outfit.

She was met once again by her husband, who was signing

the receipt from a very happy looking sales lady. After

handing back his card the lady took the outfit and said she

would have it boxed and ready in a few minutes.

They walked out of the store with Scott carrying the

bag with the boxed dancing outfit. As they continued

walking around the mall they stopped and looked at several

other stores. One of which sold strange joke items and a

large variety of adult based manner. Venus found this

quiet amusing and bombarded Scott with questions about

everything. Most of the items he could answer her, but

some he either was too embarrassed or repulsed to bother

with.

By the time they reached the center of the mall the

professor was carrying four different bags. Two were from

a store selling music and videos; she had gotten some belly

dancing videos and Arabic music. The Chinese store and a

candy store made for the other two. Glancing at his watch

he found it to be almost one thirty, which was no doubt why

his stomach had started complaining.

Venus must have either seen him look at his watch or

heard his stomach as she stopped and smiled. "I am hungry.

You?"

"A little." He replied, nodding. "Do you want to go

to a restaurant or see what they have at the food court?"

"What is a food court?" She asked, tilting her head.

"A place where food is judged, like those shows on

television when people stand before a…" It took a moment

for to think of the word. "Judge?"

He chuckled. "No, it's a place where many small food

counters are located. It offers a quick way to get a bite

to eat and usually offers many different selections."

"I would like to try this… food court."

"Then I shall take you." Scott answered. "If the

lady will kindly follow me."

She laughed softly as he playfully stuck his nose in

the air and made like he was sniffing. Shaking her head

she smiled lovingly and followed close behind, surprised he

was not trying to shove people out of the way since he

treated her like a princess. It did not take long before

her keen nose picked up the aroma of several different

types of foods. The assortment was so strange that she had

no idea exactly what type of meal was being prepared.

When they arrived at the food court she halted in mid

stride as the sheer size of the place. The shopping mall

had seemed large enough, but this made to be at least half

the size of their home. High above were huge glass windows

where one could look up at the sky. Most of the center was

taken up by dozens of tables, counter bars and hundreds of

chairs. The aroma she had detected was coming from more

than two dozen different counters offering everything from

burgers to Vietnamese food.

"This is remarkable." She breathed, touching his arm

lightly. "So many places to choose from. You were

speaking the truth."

"Well, I think I already know where I am going to

eat." Scott said, eyeing the Kentucky Fried Chicken

counter. "I haven't had KFC in years."

Venus chuckled and shook her head. "You and your

fondness for chicken, but I do not feel like chicken."

"Well, there are a lot of other places for you to

check out." He said, reaching for his wallet to give her

some money. "Here you go. Look around and I am certain

something will catch your interest."

She took the money and kissed his cheek. "I will look

for you after I have fond something."

He nodded and headed off to the Kentucky counter,

still carrying their bags. Using her nose he went off to

the right and walked down the length of counters. She did

not see anything that caught her interest, except perhaps

the Sabarro counter. Making a note of it she continued

onward, not stopping until he found herself before a Pizza

Hut counter. The different selections of pizzas in the

glass counter looked wonderful, especially the stuffed

crust one.

When she stepped up to the counter she felt a little

nervous when she was greeted by the teenage waitress. It

was the first time had been out in public and somewhat by

herself, now dealing with a human. She smiled, thinking it

very foolish and ordered a small meat-lovers pizza with the

stuffed crust. The women nodded and entered the order,

then asked if she wanted something to drink.

"Yes." Venus nodded, smiling pleasantly. "A large

Dr. Pepper please."

When the woman nodded Venus turned to see if she could

locate her husband. He was still standing at the Kentucky

counter as there was somebody ahead of him. By the time

she got her meal he was placing his order so she paid the

woman, got the change and went to find a table near to

where he was.

She sat down and watched him as he waited for his

food, waving to him when he turned to look for her. He

smiled and paid for his own food when it was placed on a

tray before him. When he sat down with her they began

eating, every so often chatting about nothing in

particular.

"Thank you for showing me all this." She said as she

picked up her soft drink. "Such places amaze me,

especially walking among other humans and doing the things

they do."

"You deserve such things." He said before biting into

a chicken wing. "This will open up a whole new world for

you. Now when I go away chances are you can come with me."

Her had snapped up at his comment as it had been

something she had not really though about. "I can go with

him!" She said to herself, smiling at the thought of not

being left alone anymore. "I think I would like that a

lot."

"May I ask you something, Venus?"

"Of course." She replied. "You know you can ask

anything of me."

Scott chuckled as her comment. "When were you born?"

Elisa had not known and Goliath could not remember, adding

that such things were not often known among their kind.

"Which month, to be precise."

The question puzzled her. "You mean when I broke from

my egg? It is something we usually do not know, but I

think would be around what you would call late summer."

She replied, wondering why he would want to know. "I do

not recall the exact year. Why would you wish to know

this?"

He smiled and shrugged, trying to make it sound as if

he was trying to make idle conversation. "I was only

curious."

Summer was only just starting so he figured it would

be at least another month or two. His idea had been to

give her the other dancing costume for her birthday, and

only if she actually pursued the dancing. If she knew the

cost of both costumes and accessories was almost two

thousand dollars she would have no doubt protested.

Venus leaned back as she finished the last of her soft

drink, sighing softly at her empty tray.

"We should do this more often." She said, looking

around the area. "There are so many selections, but I will

eventually try them all."

"Well, then you will need an allowance." He said,

chuckling.

"A what?" She asked, wondering what he meant. "I do

not think I need you to allow me to come here."

"Huh? No, no…" He replied, at first not

understanding what she was getting at. "It means you will

need money. An allowance is money given to somebody."

Venus leaned forward and frowned slightly. "I do not

understand. Why would you simply give me money? I have to

earn it somehow."

"Earn it?" He said, shaking his head. "Venus, you

are my wife so everything I have is yours, including

money."

She shook her head and chuckled. "Such a strange time

you humans live in. In my time male and female humans,

unless you were highborn, did not share things equally. It

was usually the male that though himself above the female."

"Perhaps, but today men and woman are equal in all

thing." Scott replied as he picked up his and Venus' empty

trays. "Even in the military it's pretty common to see

enlisted women."

"You would not have seen that at Wyvern Castle." She

said, shaking her head at how amazing it was. "Females of

my kind were equal to the males, but in the eyes of the

humans we were just beasts for their protection."

"Don't ever think that I think of you that way." He

added as he got to his feet to empty the trays.

She shook her head and rose. "I will never think of

you that way, you have given me so much. My only wish was

that more humans were like you."

He did not know what to say so he simply nodded as

they headed off to find the Macy's store. As they walked

he tried to figure out a way to give Venus her own credit

card or ATM card. It would be easier than giving her money

each week and thus would not have to depend on him. His

thoughts were interrupted when he felt Venus touch his

wrist, then relieved him of half the bags. When he looked

over she was smiling and humming a soft tune that he could

not make out.

Later that same evening, at Demona's mansion:

Demona frowned slightly as she readjusted her halter

top so that was covering her chest again. She had not

thought she would have allowed it go as far as it did, and

it had been close. It had not taken her long to fall

willingly into his tender advances, caresses and kissing.

She had not even protested when his hands began exploring

other regions of her body. Several minutes had passed

before she was able to get her thoughts under control.

She would have sworn he would have gotten angry, or

even protested when she gently pushed him away. To her

amazement he did not press her further and pulled back, she

even said she was sorry. That had struck her more strongly

than anything else, apologizing to a human of all things.

"You're not angry with me?" She asked as she sat

forward, brushing some of her hair from her face.

"No. Why should I be angry?" James answered as he

looked down at her on the sofa. "It is your body and your

decision what is done with it. I have no interest in

trying to force you into doing something you are

uncomfortable with."

She shook her head and chuckled as she watched his

start to gather up the equipment. "For a human you keep

getting stranger the longer I am with you."

"Well, we humans are flawed in many ways." James

replied as he looked at the printouts before folding them

away. "I think I would rather be a gargoyle instead."

"That would be an interesting thing to see." Demona

replied, not certain if she should feel honored or insulted

at his comment. She figured that either way having him as

a gargoyle would make things easier on her. "Having a

gargoyle with your intelligence would be welcomed in my

life."

If he had been looking at her she probably would have

noticed a sudden gleam in his eyes at her comment. "To be

one of her kind? To have the strength and ability to

glide." The silent thoughts of it sent a thrill down his

spine, then aloud. "That would be something." He knew it

could be possible, but the hard part would be to work on it

in addition to Xanatos and Demona's project.

When he had the equipment packed Demona helped him

place it next to the front door. She looked at the door

for a moment, then back to the living room where she had

almost let him have her and bowed her head. She told

herself it was foolish, but she felt that she would

actually miss him when he left. It was not as if she was

moving away, he was only leaving before sunrise and she

would probably see him again in the next few days.

"I have no idea what I am going to do during the week

Xanatos is shutting Gen-U-Tech down." James commented as

he reached for his coat hanging next to the door. "I don't

do well on vacations since I get bored quickly. Not to

mention not having anything to do."

"There is no way to sneak into the laboratory?"

Demona asked, folding her arms beneath her breasts.

He shook his head. "None. Everything will be locked

down and all the security codes will be changed. I tried

to arrange it so I could continue working but Xanatos will

not budge."

"Sounds like him." She replied, frowning. "He can be

as stubborn as they come, but he does have his uses."

"Aye, if not for him I would not have access to the

equipment." He replied as he picked up the phone to dial

the taxi service. It only took a few moments for him to

make the arrangements before hanging up. "Well, today is

the last day I can work in the lab so I will try and get as

much done as I can."

She nodded, then leaned forward to plant a soft kiss

on his lips. "Tell you what, come by here again Sunday

evening, after sundown."

"Why?" He asked, smiling playfully.

"I have an idea that could work to both in both our

favors." She replied, grinning evilly. "But you need to

bring that data you collected from Xanatos computer core."

He chuckled. "Very well, Demona, I will see you again

soon." He bowed slightly, kissing her hand before picking

up the large suitcase containing the equipment.

Demona found his manners and demeanor quite

satisfying, to which she acknowledged him with a nod and

sincere smiled. He opened the door and stepped out onto

the covered porch. As he walked down the gravel drive to

the front gate she stood and watched him. Leaning on the

door frame she rested her head on the wood and sighed,

knowing he had worked his way into her heart.

James was able to get a few hours sleep before he had

to get up to go to the laboratory. He had no interest this

morning on eating breakfast, instead gathering up some

things for his lunch. Today he had no intention of leaving

the laboratory for any reason and working until the last

minute. At the end of the day he would be able to go and

get his new car at the dealership.

As he made his way downstairs he started wondering

what Demona had in mind for Sunday. She had not gone into

any details, aside from wanting him to bring the Xanatos

data.

As he waited for the bus to arrive he thought about

Demona letting him get closer to her last night. He

remembered feeling her soft skin, her mouth and hands as

eager for him as he was of her. What had surprised him was

when she had decided to stop, but he had been sincere and

truthful when he said he was not upset.

"She is a very strange lady." He said softly as he

heard the bus coming up the street.

When he reached the laboratory everything was still in

order. The computer was still working on the formulas and

the storage fridge was still locked. What did concern him

was what had happened with his hand and the fact that it

had healed so fast.

The first thing he needed to do was take a blood

sample and have it analyzed. Chances are the cells that

caused his hand to heal would be overpowered by his normal

immune system and killed, but he would take no chances.

Removing the necessary components from the glass

cabinet he drew a small amount of blood from his arm.

Placing a small amount on a slide he slid it under the high

powered microscope and placed the rest to analyzed into the

molecule scanner. When he peered into the eyepiece he saw

only normal human blood, which made him breath a sign of

relief. It was not until the scanner began beeping that he

felt his heart skip a beat. The computer only did that

when it found something unusual in whatever blood sample it

was analyzing. It had gone nuts when he used it to scan

Demona's blood sample as gargoyle blood was unknown to the

system.

When he brought up the results on the screen he could

see right away the tiny traces of the new cells there.

They were few, but if they survived this long without

getting bombarded by his normal immune system then they

were certain to multiply. It was the one other reason the

serum was not yet ready, the cells were supposed to die off

when finished but they did not. There had not been time

yet for him to search for a way to alter the effect.

Leaning back he glanced down at his hand again,

flexing it as if doing so would fix the problem. Since

they were already in his system he wondered just how far

they had gone, and their reproduction rate. If what he

though would happen did happen, then in a short time his

own blood would be completely replaced by gargoyle blood.

"Well, I did comment about wanting to be a gargoyle."

He mused, laughing without humor. "Problem is, can I

survive the process?" The thought of what he might have to

endure sent chills down his spine. "Just how much of me

will this effect?"

That thought only added to his worry. Suddenly he did

not feel like working any more today but he knew he had to

continue his work. Turning from the analyzer he sat down

at the stand alone computer and began a new file entry.

NEW FILE ENTRY….

PASS ENCODED…

SYSTEM FILE: "DLR"

COMMENT: "Demona's Love Reborn Project… Purpose,

experimental research to attempt to harness the abilities

of the species known as Gargoyles."

He saved the file and stared at the screen for a time.

Without meaning to he had already begun the project, how it

would end was anyone's guess. What he was not aware of was

that another set of eyes was watching him.

From the luxury of his office Xanatos watched the

monitor with a wide, satisfying smirk on his face. Using

the control pad he kept in the drawer of his desk he was

able to manipulate the camera lenses. When he saw and

heard what had happened to the professor he could not

believe his eyes. At first it bothered him that MacGregor

already had an early version of the serum. Even though the

professor had commented that it was not ready, it was the

fact that he kept it from him that irked him.

Now, because of a simple accident MacGregor had

inadvertently tested the serum on himself. From what

Xanatos could tell from the computer screens the stuff was

already spreading though the professors bloodstream. He

would have to inquired to Sevarious about what could happen

if a human was infected with Gargoyle DNA.

"So, professor." David said softly, smiling as he

watched James typing on the computer. "You want to become

a gargoyle, do you? This should prove very interesting

indeed." He even allowed himself the pleasure of a soft

chuckle, just to add to his good mood.

Calissa waited patiently at the main entrance of the

museum for her three major contributors to arrive. Already

there was a large mass of people waiting to enter her

museum, held at bay by several New York police officers.

She was thankful that the night air was cool, otherwise she

would have been sweating to death in her long, light green

evening gown.

Professor Mercure had been the easiest of the three to

agree to donate several rare archeological items to

tonight's exhibit. Not unlike Xanatos who had brought up

the incident involving the Eye of Odin, or Rineheart who

agreed only if the museum paid a non-refundable lenders fee

for his "donations". All three had agreed to make an

appearance tonight and give a short lecture on their work

and of the items they donated. Out of the three she was

most looking forward to hearing Professor Mercure's

lecture. Not only did she find him a fascinating and

brilliant archeologist, but for some time she had a crush

on him.

"Too bad he's already married." She said to herself,

remembering being introduced to the raven haired beauty.

Looking down at herself she hoped she would still be

able to catch his eye, married or not. Her gown was cut

low in front, showing some cleavage without being too

flashy, held up by thin shoulder strings. The back was

wide open, ending a few inches above her backside. The

lower section was ruffled around her waist with a false

silk scarf than hung down long on one side. The rest

swirled around her legs and feet, which were covered by

soft leather shoes.

Aside from the dress she had no other cosmetics as she

hated wearing the stuff. It was not something she wore

very often, opting more for her normal outfit of a tank-

top, skirt and sneakers. Still, she felt pretty and hoped

Scott would think so as well.

A smile creased her lips when she saw a gray limousine

pull up to the sidewalk and stop. An usher waiting there

bent and opened the door, bowing to whoever was inside.

Her smile turned into a slight frown when professor Harold

Reinhart stepped from the vehicle. The man was old enough

to be her grandfather, not that she would want him as one.

His hair was grey with a little black left here and there,

his beard was of the same color.

As he stood she sighed impatiently as he stood around

as if he were a famous celebrity and looked agitated when

only a few news reporters took his picture. His reputation

as a shrewd and tight lipped businessman was apparently

well known if reporters did not bother with him. He leaned

on a long wooden case topped with a miniature of a gold

Egyptian burial mask. His suit looked as if he had kept it

from the sixties, tan and very boring. When he looked up

and saw her standing there he smiled and approached.

She did not really wish to speak with him but it was

her duty so she faked a sincere smile and allowed him to

kiss her hand.

"It is a pleasure to be invited to your fine museum,

madam Leigh." He said in his slightly Brazilian accent.

"The pleasure is mine, professor." Calissa answered,

nodding. "There is a gentleman just inside who will show

you to your table. Thank you again for allowing us to show

off your fine treasures." This she did not mean since it

cost her museum money to obtain them.

The man nodded and continued past her, the butt of his

cane making an audible click on the concrete.

It was not long after Reinhart's limo left that a jet

black limousine arrived at the curb. When the usher opened

the door and bowed she smiled pleasantly as Scott stepped

out, dressed in a fine cut black, three piece suit. She

felt the impulse to wave to him but did not, especially

when he placed his hand into the back seat. Her smile

faded only slightly as Venus Mercure stepped out wearing a

stunning lavender colored dress. Calissa was grateful that

it did not look anything like hers, else she would have

probably screamed.

Venus' outfit was a strapless evening gown with

beadwork around the bodice, hem and waist. The beads were

tubular, silver-crystal that formed trailing flowers down

the front and back. No skin was showing except her

shoulders and neck. Around her neck she wore a lovely gold

necklace with a lavender stone setting. Her raven black

hair was pulled back and done up to form two hanging loops

down the center of her back. There was also a thin gold

chain draped around her head with a small ruby dangling on

a thin chain above her forehead. Calissa's own dark brown

hair was done up in a single French braid and somewhat too

tight as the back of her head felt pinched.

The woman was the picture of every mans dream and

Calissa began to admire Venus. When she had met Venus in

Scott's home she seemed like a down to earth woman,

dressing in clothes no to different from hers and had a

pleasant, also playful manner.

Calissa could not place it, but Venus looked like she

was very nervous about being here. The poor woman had

probably never been to anything like this and was not used

to the spotlight. Scott took Venus' hand and together they

ascended the steps towards her. Unlike Reinhart Scott and

Venus got a lot more attention from the photographers. The

officers actually needed to keep the reporters back so the

pair would not be molested.

"Welcome, professor, madam Venus." Calissa said,

nodding to the pair. "I am so pleased you both could make

it tonight." When the professor kissed her hand she felt

chills go up and down her spine. "If you will step inside

there is a man who will show you to your table, and thank

you for allowing us to show your artifacts"

"The pleasure is all mine, miss Leigh." Scott

replied, smiling. "Always a pleasure helping out with your

museum."

"You have a beautiful dress, miss Leigh." Venus said,

smiling pleasantly she slid closer to her husband. "I look

forward to touring your museum."

Calissa nodded. "You're dress far outdoes mine, but

thank you for the kind comment. If time permits I would be

honored to show you both around myself, although I think

your husband already knows his way." She added with a soft

chuckle.

"That would be wonderful." Venus answered, nodding.

With that the pair filed past and continued towards

the main entrance. Calissa turned and watched them go,

still marveling at just how well the two of them seemed to

fit together. She was so caught up with watching them that

she almost did not hear the third limousine, Xanatos', pull

up to the curb.

When she turned she saw the billionaires major domo

step from the drivers seat and walk around to the rear

door. It was then that she noticed that the usher was not

able to open the door. The blonde man spoke a few words

with the usher, who then nodded and stepped away. Owen

open the door himself and nodded as David Xanatos rose and

stepped onto the sidewalk. Like Scott and Venus he got

just as much attention from the media and onlookers. The

officers once again had to keep the public back as David

and Owen made their way towards her.

The billionaire was wearing his trademark brown suit

and black leather shoes. Xanatos bowed slightly and kissed

her hand as well, commenting on how lovely she looked.

When he kissed her hand it almost felt like a live black

eel had touched her skin. Suppressing the urge to shiver

and pull her hand away she nodded and smiled back.

"Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum, mister Xanatos."

She said, relieved when he released her hand. "There is a

man just inside who will show you to your tables, and thank

you for donating your pieces."

"The pleasure is all mine, madam curator." David

said, nodding.

With that both men continued on into the front doors.

Calissa sighed and absent mindedly wiped her hand on the

side of her dress. Even still the feeling of Xanatos'

touch was there. With any luck there would be some alcohol

wiped somewhere in the dining area.

With her three major contributors present she turned

and walked into her museum. Soon after the other guests

would be allowed in, patrons who could afford the four

hundred dollar admission fee. Since they had agreed to

contribute to the exhibit, Reinhart, Mercure and Xanatos

did not need to pay. She had the feeling, however, that if

Scott kept with his usual practice he would donate a sum of

money.

"The man is too kind and generous for his own good."

She remarked to herself as she made her way to the main

viewing area.

Already the museum staff had gathered around the three

contributors. She chuckled when she saw only a handful

speaking with Harold Rineheart. Scott and Xanatos however,

always had a multitude of people around them. The main

display was in the forward chamber, closed off with

uniformed officers standing at the ready. The air was

festive and the servers were walking around with their

trays of wine and tiny sandwiches. As she made her way

towards the main doors leading to the exhibit other guests

began to arrive. These were the museums dedicated patrons

who donated money on a regular basis, the exhibit was

closed to the general pubic until Monday.

When she arrived at the entrance she climbed a small

raised podium with wireless microphone. When she tapped on

the mike a hush fell and all turned in her direction. She

waited a few moments, in case there were some late

arrivals. When the front door usher appeared and nodded

she knew everybody was present.

"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Metropolitan

Museum of Art." She intoned, her voice carried by speakers

built into the walls and ceiling. "Tonight we have a

special exhibit to reveal, generously donated by our three

distinguished guests."

Everybody knew who the three men were and clapped

their approval.

"Beyond these doors…" Calissa said, waving a hand

behind her. "You will see things that were once kept for

private viewings only, rarely seen by anybody."

Once again there were claps and nods of approval from

the audience. When it died down she smiled and motioned

for the three men to stand beside her. Although Rineheart

tried to be first they all arrived at the podium at the

same time. Calissa, against her better judgment, allowed

Rineheart to go first at speaking.

"Ladies and gentleman." He began, smiling. "It is a

great honor for me to be here tonight. As the lovely

curator has said in the other room there are things from my

private viewing room that is certain to amaze you."

Calissa tried not to snicker at the older mans lousy

attempt at making him appear the star.

"Myself, along with these other two men." Rineheart

continued, motioning only slight to Mercure and Xanatos.

"Have agreed to allow you, the average public," This

little statement got more than a few frowns. "View our

personal treasures."

Less than half of the gathered audience clapped as he

nodded and stepped back to allow Xanatos to go next. The

multi-billionaire smiled warmly and gazed out at the crowd

as if sizing them up.

"As my college has just long windily told," This line

got several laughs from the audience. "We three have

agreed to donate certain items for you entertainment. I do

hope you enjoy them and feel free to ask any questions

during the presentation. Thank you for coming."

Calissa herself applauded his short speech along with

the others. When she stole a quick look at Rineheart she

smirked at the subtle aggravation he was trying to hide.

Last up was Scott, or the professor to her in public, who

nodded to Venus who was standing amongst the crowd.

"Very short and to the point, Mr. Xanatos." Scott

said, smiling as he looked out at the crowd. "First off we

must all thank Ms. Leigh here for taking the time to put

all of this together." The crowd applauded loudly.

"Second, I would like to thank my lovely wife for

being there for me." He looked down at Venus, who in turn

seemed to blush and bow her head shyly. "And lastly I must

thank you all for your wonderful contributions to the

museum and for taking the time to come here tonight."

As he nodded and stepped back he received just as much

praise from the audience as Xanatos. Venus looked up at

him and smiled in a way that it made his heart melt. When

Calissa stepped back to the podium she smiled and spread

her arms wide.

"Ladies and gentleman, if you will follow me." She

intoned, waving towards the large doors.

The audience complied with the exception of Venus and

Owen, who waited for Scott and David. Rineheart made his

way to keep in front of everybody and be the first of the

three to be there when the group entered.

Xanatos shook his head as they watched them begin to

file inside. "He is quite pompous, isn't he?"

"You mean Rineheart?" Scott replied, sidling close to

Venus. "He's been a thorn in my side for years."

"I heard you two had a pretty good argument some time

back" Xanatos commented as he laced his fingers behind his

back. "He took you to court, if I remember correctly."

Scott sighed and nodded. "Yeah, we were both on the

trail of a Mayan statue that was said to be worth several

million dollars.

"The party that hired me to find and bring it back to

them did not know that Rineheart also wanted it." He

continued, bothered by the discussion. "When I got to it

first, preventing Rineheart from getting it for his private

collection he tried to sue me."

"Whatever did become of that suit?" Owen asked, his

face expressionless as always.

"It was thrown out of court." Scott replied, smiling

at the memory. "Rineheart threw a fit at being shot down

again, we've been rivals ever since."

"I do not understand." Venus said, frowning slightly.

"Why would such a man be allowed to do such things?

Archeology is a field of research and study of the past,

with finding artifacts only a small part of it all."

"Well put, Venus." Xanatos replied, nodding. "Men

such as he seek only to profit from such things. If he can

make an extra buck he would sell his own mother to do so."

"I do think I like him at all." Venus said, huffing

softly in irritation.

"Not many people do." Her husband replied.

"Oh, and I have to comment on your new…" David began,

looking Venus over. "Outfit. I am quite impressed."

Venus narrowed her eyes and flashed him a sly look.

"Yes, I am rather pleased with it."

Xanatos nodded and turned when they saw Calissa

walking in their direction. Her light green evening gown

flowing around her legs as she walked.

"Are you going to let that blowhard Rineheart steal

the entire assembly." She asked, grinning as she stole a

quick glance at Scott. "I can think of better company to

spend time with."

The small group nodded and did not protest when

Calissa led them into the exhibition hall.

Later that evening Calissa kept her promise to Scott

and Venus and gave them the private tour she promised. She

was pleased how the evening had gone, the exhibit seemed to

be a great success. As she had strolled in and among the

people most of them promised that the museum would receive

generous donations.

Away from the crowd the threesome found the quiet of

the museum halls peaceful. The first thing she showed them

was the Egyptian display section where Scott had donated

several pieces throughout the years. Venus was amazed at

all the different objects to be seen. Often she would ask

a question and either her husband or Calissa would answer,

depending on who knew the answer.

When they reached the second floor Venus found herself

needing to use the restroom. Feeling slightly embarrassed

she asked Calissa, who smiled and gave her directions to

the nearest facility. As Venus hurried off Scott watched

her go while Calissa watched him.

A few moments after Venus vanished Scott turned back

to Calissa and noticed her staring at the floor.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked, wondering what

could be wrong when the evening had been a success.

"I don't know exactly." She said softly, looking up

into his eyes. "Perhaps I should not say as you will think

me foolish."

"Since when have I ever thought you foolish?" Scott

replied, chuckling.

She smiled slightly and shook her head. "Never, but

there is something I have been wondering for a long time."

"That is?"

"When you look at me, what do you see?" She asked,

her cheek growing slightly red.

The question caught him off guard and he found himself

not know how to answer. "I see a woman who is doing well

for herself."

She snorted humorously, then chuckled. "Not that,

silly. I mean as a woman, how do you see me?"

Scott looked at her in her lovely light green evening

gown, dark brown hair with her green eyes and smiled. "I

see a very lovely young woman. Why do you ask?"

Calissa seemed to want to say something but instead

shook her head. "It's stupid."

"I somehow doubt that."

"Okay, I will just come out and say it." She said,

inhaling deeply before continuing. "I've had a huge crush

on you since the first time I laid eyes on you five years

ago."

Scott blinked and for a few moments had no idea on how

to react. She was indeed a beautiful young woman and he

did like her but he had not expected this.

"All that time I had wished that you would take notice

of me." She continued, turning away so he would not see

how red her face was. "You are very handsome, smart and

fun to be around."

"Calissa, I…" Scott began, but turned to see Venus

standing just around a corner. From the calm look on her

face she had heard what Calissa had just said.

"Your wife is very lucky. She probably has no idea

how much I envy her."

"I do now." Venus said in an even tone as she stepped

into view.

When Calissa turned to see Venus standing there she

looked as if she wanted to crawl under a rock and die.

Covering her mouth with her hands she gasped in amazement

before bowing her head.

"Now not only do I feel like an idiot, I look like one

as well." Calissa added in a soft voice. "I didn't…"

"Do not be alarmed." Venus said, much to Scott's

amazement and relief. "I cannot fault a woman for finding

a man attractive, even if that man is my husband."

Calissa looked up and seemed startled and surprised

that Venus was not lecturing her on her actions. Instead

Venus smiled and stood next to her husband.

"When I saw you there I was waiting for you to beat me

within an inch of my life." Calissa said, smiling softly.

"Such a thing would be childish, I think." Scott

said, looking at Venus for a moment. "I would never do

anything to hurt her."

Venus nodded, seeming impressed with what he had said.

"I had a feeling you felt something for him. Most of the

evening you spent either looking at him, or finding any

excuse to talk to him." She added, chuckling softly.

"Thank you for understanding my feelings." Calissa

said, breathing easier. "I still care for him, but I would

never try to sway him away from you."

"I know." Venus replied, nodding. "I trust Scott

with my very life and will do anything to protect him."

She almost let slip the reason why she had the urge to

protect him, but it would have sounded odd to Calissa.

"You two look like you belong together." Calissa

said, crossing her arms beneath her breasts. "I don't know

how I know this, but seeing you two together just feels

right."

Both Scott and Venus smiled at her observation, not

daring to tell her the truth.

"I think it is time we returned to the others." Scott

said, taking Venus' arm in his before offering the other to

Calissa. "Don't you think?"

Calissa smiled warmly and slid her arm though his as

they made their way back to the exhibition hall.

To be continued…