Meanwhile...
At Castle Wyvrn

Goliath turned to glance at the clock once again for the fiftieth time, nervously drumming his talons on the pearly white kitchen table, trying hard not to glower when he saw Ebony and Egor giggle every time he did so. Elisa was due to arrive any minute from now! Despite his efforts however Goliath knew he was scowling anyway. Ebony tittered meekly, her sky-blue eyes expressing a sort of malicious amusement at her clan leader's turmoil, Egor with a smile to match. Goliath inwardly groaned and looked away, fighting the urge of yelling at them and telling them to leave. Despite it all they had a right to be there in the kitchen with him. The rest of the clan pretended not to notice their clan leaders mounting nervousness and made the good decision of avoiding him... except those two rebellious youngsters! Xanatos was also rather unbearable, his, and his wifes, knowing smiles now all to familier. When Owen was not asking him if he would like to have a bedroom set appart for him and Elisa, Ebony was constantly pegged everyone with countless questions about Elisa, ranging from how she looked to what type of perfume did she wear. And unfortunately most of these questions were directed to Goliath, who usually stoat patience was wearing thin. Goliath snarled and muttered a curse under his breath. Where was she?!

Goliath back looked down at the book that he was supposedly reading but the words blurred. DAMMIT! He couldn't focus! Goliath cursed again and he got to his feet, slamming the book closed. He shot a glare of warning at the hatchlings and stormed outside to the terrace, no longer caring what they thought of him. Ebony watched him go, her eyes barely containing their merriment. Once Goliath was out of hearing range she pulled Egor's hand and whispered into his ear. "Kinda jumpy, isn't he?" Ebony asked, grinning.

Egor nodded, also smirking, amused. It was rather hard to believe, Goliath so uneasy when he was usually so level-headed! To think that this human detective would make him so nervous. Egor's smile faltered, realizing that if he felt attracted to a human he'd probably be nervous too! It's was so un-heard-of! A human and gargoyle together! Egor's face clouded, hoping that Demona never found out. That was a sure way to put her through the roof! Demona HATED Elisa, if she ever found out that Goliath was into her she's sure loose what sanity she had left! Egor sighed and grabbed Ebony by the arm, gently pulling her to her feet. "Come on Ebby, let's go to the tv room or something and give Goliath some air, he needs time to think."

Ebony reluctantly followed, glancing one last time at the doorway Goliath exited from, her mind racing. "Alright..." she said, determined. "But later we got to check this Maza lady out... I wanna see what the hell she all about and what she wants with Goliath. There is no way a human is going to become mate to my leader without MY aproval... we'll see if she's for real."

And Egor shuddered, suddenly feeling a bit of pity for this human female that won Goliath's heart.





Goliath paced the stone balcony that only a month ago Elisa confided her feelings to him. Goliath closed his eyes and breathed in, feeling some of the nervous, pent-up energy recede a bit. He had to admit he had been feeling awkward around her, hiding his feelings he had about her had been difficult. He loved her, Goliath could surmise that much. She was his first human friend, indeed, his best friend! But the fact that she was a human threw him off, caused him to feel awkward. He had loved before, so he recognized the feelings, but to love a human female! Now that was different! Goliath gazed down at the city, his eyes unfocused. So now what? How were they to act now, knowing how they felt? Goliath shook his head, knowing not how to answer.

Goliath then smiled, remembering that brief episode with Titania's Mirror. Now that was interesting! For a short time it seemed that their questions were all answered. Elisa was transformed into a gargoyle, therefore making his feelings not forbidden. Goliath paused. Forbidden? Who was to say that they were forbidden? What was stopping him from expressing his feelings? Certainly not Demona. He knew that her views were wrong. If anything, Elisa re-enforced his beliefs. Sighing, Goliath gazed out to the city, his hair dancing gracefully in the wind, his mind torn with uncertainty...

"Hey there Big Guy."

Goliath's heart froze, and his body jerked in surprise, recognizing that voice. Turning around, Goliath felt his heart shudder as he found Elisa standing there behind him, dressed quite similar to the day they first met. By the Dragon, she was a sight! Her slight human body, so different form a gargess's, no horns or bone spurs to elongate the arms and face, no tail and wings to enhance the back and rear-end... Everything was round, with smooth curves. But despite it, Goliath knew he found her exquisitely beautiful. True she was no Titania, who could use those damn demonic shape-shifting powers to make herself look almost goddess-like in her beauty; Elisa's beauty was something far more real then any magic could do. With that tawny cinnamon skin, that long cascade of midnight black hair, and those eyes of wild oak, she was far better then any illusion. Goliath took in the sight if her like a long drink of water, his face softening, his craggy face softening into a tender smile. "Elisa... your back!" he gasped, stepping forward.

Elisa smiled warmly and nodded, waving a hand at the two suitcases that stood solemnly next to her feet. "Yep, guess I am!" she said, sighing. "Although I have to say my stay at Aunt May's was not what I would call fun..." Elisa made a peevish face, her eyes squinting and her lips turning sour, like Elisa had just sucked on a particularly sour lemon, her voice suddenly high and menacingly annoying. "'How come your not married Elisa? When I was your age I was already pregnant with my second child!" Elisa mocked, imitating her elderly aunt, then laughed, rolling her eyes. "The woman's was absolutely unbearable! She actually threatened to move in with me to make sure that I'm not hiding a lesbian lover! Ugh!"

He smiled, "Well, maybe you should take up her offer, so you can prove her accusations of a lesbian lover are false." Then Goliath froze, realizing what he was implying. Goliath face darkened into a deep violet and looked to the floor, unsure of what to say.

Elisa also colored but stepped forward and after a moment's hesitation carefully took Goliath's clawed hands into her small human ones. "Goliath... look at me." Elisa whispered. Goliath did so, his eyes expressing so much; his love, his hesitation, his confusion, all of it was coming clearing through his midnight eyes. Elisa realized that he didn't know what to do, and that thought warmed Elisa's heart because she knew that he cared. He wouldn't be uneasy if he didn't care. Because of that Elisa, with sudden clarity, knew what she had to do. "What we feel is not wrong. I missed you Goliath, I thought about you every day!" Elisa said carefully, so he could know, so he could understand that it was alright.

Goliath breathed in, closing his eyes and nodded, understanding. She was no longer afraid. They did not have to hide. "And I you, Elisa. I felt empty here, with you gone... I wished you were here." Goliath said tenderly, slowly running a hand through her hair. Goliath smiled and surprising them both he suddenly lifted her up and hugged her tenderly, feeling her wrap her arms around his neck, smelling her hair, and her exotic and highly alluring feminine scent of her neck. "I cannot tell how badly I have missed you, my Elisa."

Elisa gazed into that face, a face she knew so well, a face she trusted and loved. Feeling a warm shudder ru through her body, Elisa bent her head up and carefully kissed Goliath's lips, her breath quickening, her heart racing. Goliath met her lips carefully at first, hesitant. He was familiar with kissing, thanks to all the romance movies Angela was so fond of, although it was a human custom that he had never done before. But Elisa apparently was not in the mood for tender, innocent kisses. Suddenly she was overcome with a long repressed passion and gripped Goliath tightly and her mouth sought Goliath's hungrily, unable to hold back. Goliath growled lustfully and met her kiss in turn, also feeling a passionate lust overcome him.

Elisa felt Goliath grip her tightly, easily holding her up, his tail and wings wrapping around, shielding her from the world, shielding her with his love. Elisa smiled, suddenly feeling so warm. This is so right, she thought to herself; this is what I have been waiting for. And they kissed, no words no longer needed. They loved each other. That was all they needed to know. Goliath carefully carried Elisa to the stone wall, still bestowing fiery kisses upon her lips, and seated her down on a ledge, sitting next her. They gazed at each other, their eyes gleaming with tears. Goliath lightly kissed Elisa on the forehead. "I cannot tell you how much I have wanted this."

Elisa nodded, smiling and ran her fingers across his brow, enjoying the feel of his brow-ridge under her fingers. "I know." Elisa closed her eyes and suddenly smiled lustfully. "I cannot tell you how much I wanted something else." Elisa said teasingly, gazing into Goliath's eyes with meaning.

Goliath gasped; surprised that Elisa would be so blunt. It would seem that female humans and gargoyles can be similar is some ways. When they wanted something, they usually got it. "Well... I... erm..." Goliath stuttered, gazing at Elisa's body, unsure of how to proceed when all of a sudden someone cried out in glee from behind them.

"Elisa! Your back!"

The two turned, seeing that Angela was rushing out the kitchen, a joyous smile on her face, Hudson and the trio quickly following, all wanting to greet their clan-friend, and bid her welcome return. Xanatos also appeared, with Fox with him, holding young Alaxander in her arms. "Elisa, it's wonderful to see you. I trust your flight was long and ardurous?" asked the billionare, a smooth smile on his face. Elisa smiled. She had refused Xanatos's offer of returning in his private jet, ignoring the dig of her soon becoming a member of his household.

Elisa glanced at Goliath and saw him smile down at her. "We will continue this discussion later... perhaps in the privacy of a bedroom..." he whispered to her, clutching her hand warmly. Elisa nodded, her eyes glowing and squeezed Goliaths hand in return before being nearly bowled over the edge by a joyous young gargess, Angela smiling happily and hugging Elisa so hard that she nearly couldn't breath.

"Oh Elisa, it's so wonderful to see you again!" Angela cried.

"You can saw that again," Brooklyn said, also coming forward to give Elisa a happy hug. "This place is pretty dull when your not around!" then he added under his breath, so only Elisa could hear. "Not to mention Goliath can become rather unbearable when your not around."

Elisa laughed and nodded, glancing back at Goliath, seeing his face glowing with such love and pride. She was finally back home. Led back to the living room, Elisa could not help but smile, realizing how much she missed everyone. These beings, although so different and frightening, had become family to her. These beings were he family, the castle now her home. This was her home, the clan her family. With Goliath and Angela seated on either side of her, Elisa told them of her month away, of her family in Phoenix and her terrible Aunt May, everything accentuated with the hundreds of photos she had taken. She had also brought everyone gifts. For Brooklyn she brought a new leather jacket, a deep black one with chains dangling from the sleeves, carefully added holes made for his wings. Broadway got a large number of cookbooks and Angela was given a wonderful set of gold rings and a beautiful silver mirror, which Elisa confessed, was actually inherited from her long dead great-grandmother. Hudson was certainly satisfied with a box full of his favorite classic movies, while Lexington was given a new portable CD player. Everyone had something, even Ebony and Egor, who Elisa noticed where nowhere to be found.

"So where are the two other gargoyles that you told me about, Ebony and Egor?" Elisa asked, holding up a silver necklace for Ebony, and some boxing gloves for Egor, looking around, and expecting to see them suddenly appear when mentioned.

Hudson's face clouded and turned to the dark hallways of the castle, knowing that most likely they were nearby, eavesdropping, hiding in the shadows... Ebony had some bad habits picked up from Demona... like using her powers for snooping "They be around some where's... Probably still nervous ta meet ye." he said loudly, hoping he got his point across, but there was no response from the shadows. Hudson sighed and turned to Elisa, a sad smile on his face. "Demona had been quite an influence to da two, even if she treated dem badly. Buy do not worry, they'll turn up."

Elisa nodded, glancing at the others, seeing the pity there. Obviously the two young gargoyle hatchling had quickly earned their affections despite all the complaints she received on their behavior, Ebony's in particular. "Well, I hope they turn up soon. I want to meet them. It's been a while since I saw other gargoyles..."





Easily hidden in the shadows of the castle, Ebony watched Elisa as she made her way through the castle, Goliath in tow, lugging the two suitcases behind him easily. The two were alone and obviously happy to be so, Goliath's tail inching up to graze Elisa's thigh or tailless rear-end, causing Ebony to bare her teeth. Frowning, Ebony followed, invisible to them, flouting several feet behind them, unseen. Ebony was in what she liked to call immaterial form, because that was basically what she became. Thanks to her powers inherited from her demon mother, Ebony was able to somehow make her physical body become translucent and ghostlike, giving her the ability to flout through walls and be hidden from another's sight. The only thing that gave her away was a light flutter in the air, but the two being were so interested in each other that they didn't notice.

Ebony followed them, unable to tear her eyes off this human called Elisa. She was attractive, Ebony gave her that much, but unmistakably human. No tail, no wings, no horns. Goliath towered over her, Elisa only coming to his chest. Ebony fought down a snort, knowing that if she made any noise Goliath would hear her, her teeth clenched. So small, so frail looking, Ebony knew that she and Egor would tower over this female. But despite all of Ebony's inhibitions she could not help but feel a sense of liking to Elisa. She acted so coolly when around the others, treating them all as close members of her family. Her views confused, Ebony followed them down the hall. When they came to the spare master bedroom Ebony knew what the two had planned. Ebony turned away when the two came upon each other, ravenous for each other body, each acting as though it were the most normal thing in the world, the contrast to their bodies so natural and yet so unworldly that Ebony could not watch and left them to their passions, her mind whirling with indecision.

Flouting through several rooms and hallways, ignoring the occupants Ebony finally entered hers and Egor's room, sighing as she appeared, becoming visible and solid. Egor, who had long ago accustomed to seeing Ebony appear out of thin air, flouting through solid stone ceilings, walls and floors, nodded in greeting, seated on his large king bed, his wings wrapped around him and a book on his lap, smiling. "So? Did you see them?" he asked, knowing full well that Ebony had gone to spy on the human, Elisa.

Ebony nodded, her face dark, the look on her face making him frown. "Yea... I saw them." she muttered, making her way to the window, sitting down and gazing at it, confused and distant.

Egor frowned. "Are they...?" Egor began but fell silent, knowing the answer already. Egor leaned back, eyeing the wall Ebony came from, knowing that the bedroom was not to far. "Oh man..." Egor breathed, unable to grasp this truth. Egor closed his eyes, suddenly feeling guilty of thinking about his clan leader and his chosen mate... it was private... none of his business... Egor shook his head, his eyes still closed. "Demona's going ta flip." He muttered darkly. Egor then heard Ebony get to her feet and lie next to him, laying her head on his lap.

"It's no longer Demona's business. She and Goliath are no longer mates. It's Goliath's choice, no hers, not ours... Elisa seems like a kind person. And she loves Goliath," Ebony whispered. "I can tell."

Egor said nothing; indeed not knowing what could be said.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________