Somebody's Watching Me

(inspired by the song by Rockwell)

By Princess Alexandria

Corrine marched up to the doors and shoved them both hard as she stepped out of the building and onto the sidewalk. Her eyes were cold and some people moved out of her way as she started to walk away.

Elisa seemed to come out of nowhere and Corrine just moved a little to the right to avoid being stopped by her. "I'm taking the night off." She spoke firmly and walked around the detective. She could see the earpiece that told her Elisa had heard everything. She really didn't want to talk to her then.

"Corrine," Elisa called after her and Corrine ignored her as she jogged down the stairs toward the subway, where gargoyles couldn't follow either. They were out there somewhere. They'd all heard and Corrine felt like she'd like to rip something apart with her bare hands, so listening to them talk about 'strategies' and 'plans' weren't going to cut it tonight.

She should probably be listening in to the Canmore conversation that happened after she left, but she didn't want to hear them discuss how Corrine needed to be put in a mad house for saying the truth. Someone would probably be listening in just in case her family went on the offensive, but somehow she didn't think they would tonight.

Corrine jumped on the first subway that came her way, knowing there was a chance the detective would follow. After a few stops she transferred, but she still wasn't thinking about where she was going, she was just looking to be alone.

She would have rather been able to go to Katara or Una. She could imagine the hug and the tender words they'd give her and Corrine gritted her teeth hard, to push back the urge to cry. She practically fled the subway and stood watching it leave, not even knowing what exit she'd taken.

With a deep breath she glanced at the sign saying where she was and then started up the stairs. It was the city, so even at night there was plenty of light to see the street. Corrine shoved her hands into her pockets and walked. It was several blocks before she found something somewhat familiar and Corrine moved to walk into the bar.

By chance she'd found the gay part of town and Corrine walked up to the bar and set down a five dollar bill. "Beer" was all she said and once she had one she turned to look at the rest of the bar as she drank deeply from her bottle. She rarely drank, but tonight was worth an exception.

One bottle turned into two, and then three. Corrine leaned loosely against the bar and looked over the people there. "Send that one a bottle." She said to the waitress next to her, filling an order, while she handed over the money and pointed out her target for the night. She needed to forget about the mess her life was for a moment, and that woman looked like she could help Corrine do that. Corrine watched the brunette look up at the waitress surprised, as the waitress delivered the bottle, and the few words exchanged, before she turned to look at Corrine.

Corrine grinned wickedly and saluted the pretty woman with her own bottle, before taking another deep drink. "I need another." She told the bartender as she finished the latest.

"You didn't drive here did you?" He asked and Corrine turned to glare at him. "You're putting them away awfully fast sweetie, they should hit you soon."

"That's what I'm counting on." Corrine gave him a wicked smile, "I don't expect I'll be going home tonight," and took the bottle he held out, before moving to stalk her latest prey.

Forty minutes later Corrine was groaning into the brunette's mouth, pushing her up against the side of the building, as their progress to what's her name's apartment was slowed by a call of hormones. She pulled back and stared into the woman's brown eyes. "Just so there is no confusion, this is just one night and you'll enjoy it, but I don't want to hear from you again afterwards." Normally she said this a little nicer, but little miss Brunette didn't seem bothered, which was a good sign.

"Nice." Another voice spoke and it was from behind her. Corrine could hear the scorn in the voice and she turned to see the detective standing there in the light of the streetlamp. "And that actually works for you, amazing."

Corrine felt irritation push back on her arousal and she glared at the woman. "Piss off Detective, I'm busy."

Elisa stepped forward and stared at little miss Brunette. "You should leave, taking home drunk women isn't really illegal, but it is rather immoral. I might forget the difference if you stand around too long."

"Sorry." Corrine's planned conquest shrugged. "Not willing to fight your ex for it." And Corrine watched the brunette go back inside the bar.

"Fuck." Corrine turned to glare at Elisa. "You owe me at least three orgasms. I was going to get at least that much out of her. Want to give them to me in the alley or your place." Her voice was angry, but she started to grin wickedly. "A little alley loving Detective?" Her voice was more suggestive.

"Sure," Elisa sounded irritated and she looked up at the rooftops. "The alley sounds lovely." Corrine found herself being dragged into the darkened alley by her arm, Elisa marching before her. Corrine tugged her arm free and glared at the woman.

"I wanted a night off. I don't really appreciate you following me." Corrine complained.

"You would have hated yourself in the morning, you'll thank me later." Elisa kept walking and Corrine saw a car sitting in the alley. "Get in." Elisa ordered her around and Corrine stopped walking.

"No, not unless you're getting in the back seat with me." She grinned wickedly at the detective and took one step closer. "I had plans for tonight Elisa."

"Look, I know tonight was hard on you. None of us knew how hard it would be." Elisa spoke softly. "I understand your wanting a break, but we don't have time. I know you didn't lie, I can tell that much, but the clan is starting to think this is a big plot Demona hatched."

"She said they might." Corrine spoke while looking away, her voice conveying her worry. "Divided they fall." Corrine muttered.

"I don't really like her, and I don't know much about you, but I'm pretty sure that if she left you would too, and then it's the clan on their own against an enemy they just don't understand." Elisa opened the passenger side of the car and held it opened.

"I'm supposed to protect Angela." Corrine spoke quietly. A split would make that nearly impossible. Corrine took a deep breath and moved for the opened door. "I really didn't want to relive this tonight." She spoke, her voice rough. Elisa rested her hand on Corrine's shoulder a moment, apparently to reassure her, before closing the car door with Corrine inside.

They were pulling onto the road when Elisa spoke, "Protect Angela?"

"Demona wants her safe when Goliath screws up. I'm pretty sure he will too. This whole plan of his means I can't rely on the element of surprise with my family anymore." Corrine took a deep breath and stared out the side window. "I'd rather protect her, but I understand. Angela won't be hurt in all of this."

"Goliath won't endanger Angela." Elisa started to speak and Corrine turned to stare at her, her disbelief apparent.

"He's already endangered my entire clan. His advice led them to do stupid things, even though they knew better." Corrine shook her head slowly side to side. "I know he didn't know the dangers, but that doesn't mean that they are real dangers." Corrine returned her gaze to the side window. "Even now, telling him about what hunters are, he chose to give away our element of surprise, and ignore that I know my family better than he does." Elisa had no response to that. Corrine stayed quiet until she saw they were on the street Xanatos had his building on. "How did you find me?" She turned to see a slightly guilty look on the detective's face. That was enough to know. "You planted a bug on me didn't you?"

"It was a precaution." Elisa admitted and Corrine sighed and looked back out the window. She didn't like the invasion of her privacy even as she fled from her family, but she understood that no one really trusted her. Her legacy at work, and she was used to it. She hated it, but she did want this clan to learn to be more careful. Hopefully they'd learn to be that way with her family as well, and stop the blind trusting the best in people without anyone dying.

Once they'd parked, Elisa lead the way into the building and Corrine focused on appearing a bit more sober than she was. She could walk just fine, but she knew her body was moving more loosely than normal. She also knew coffee didn't really help, so she just stood in the elevator next to Elisa and reminded herself to think before she said anything at all, to take a moment to think before responding to anything, from anyone. Perhaps drinking tonight hadn't been the best idea she'd ever had, Corrine thought as the elevator door opened.

The clan was assembled, as if they knew she was coming up. Corrine felt a little threatened when a few eyes moved to stare at her.

Demona moved into the room, looking at Corrine for a long silent moment. "Jon is questioning the Canmore legacy now, whose to know if it will last with Jason and Robyn's firm denial, but he did stand up for you." Demona subtly nodded and Corrine felt like she could finally breathe. "The others are not as understanding, or believing."

"So you listened after I left?" Corrine took a few steps closer to Demona, trying to ignore the distrustful glare Brooklyn was giving her.

"Jason and Robyn were not very happy about the battle line you drew." Demona answered and Corrine could feel people watching them both, analyzing every move.

"I'm on the right side." Corrine answered and looked away, at the floor so she didn't need to see the audience.

"Did you hope your little lie would make them back off?" A cold male voice spoke and Corrine flinched. "There are a lot of poor women who really have that happen and you…"

"Brooklyn, shut up." Another voice spoke and Corrine saw he was shocked as he looked over at Elisa. "Why don't you go get Goliath?" She ordered him away and Corrine was grateful, but her eyes returned to Demona. Did Demona want them to claim it was a trick? Corrine asked with her eyes if Brooklyn's assumption would be better or not. How bad would it be if the clan knew Corrine and Demona had known each other for years?

Demona's eyes didn't answer her, so Corrine just sighed and moved to lean against the arm of a chair. Bronx was laying in it and she didn't feel like disturbing such a large creature to take the seat from him. Her hand moved down to distractedly start to pet him in his sleep.

………………………………

Angela walked past the seated Corrine and caressed her shoulders as she did it. Corrine turned to see Angela sit on her other side and give her a small smile, which was different than the suspicious looks she was getting from some of the males. They were in the meeting room again, this time without Xanatos, and Corrine had chosen to sit first to see where Demona wanted to sit. Angela took the seat Corrine had half expected Demona to take. Corrine thought about the trailing touch and decided that Angela wasn't flirting, which would have been nice since her plans for the night had been ruined, but the female was trying to reassure her.

Demona glanced at Angela, and then took the seat on the other side of her. Corrine was a little disappointed and glanced over at Elisa on her other side. The detective just nodded to her and then focused on Goliath, at the head of the table.

It almost felt like it was females against males, but Corrine could see Hudson nod at her, so at least one male was crossing the divide. Sadly, as the conversation started she found out he was a rather quiet man. Accusations about Demona and about Corrine filled the air, and Elisa's voice was starting to rise as well, but in her defense. Corrine's jaw was clenched as she heard she shouldn't lie about rape, and that clearly she was a liar because Demona hated humans and wouldn't help any. Then they talked about Demona working with her to trick the clan and that made no sense since they'd just said Demona hated humans. It was ridiculous and circular and Corrine just became more and more angry as even Demona spat out answers to invasive questions, making it clear, if they just listened, that Demona was indeed the gargoyle that saved Corrine when she was five. Corrine was refusing to say much of anything, because without Demona close enough to her she didn't know what she shouldn't say, what would just make this worse.

This was the start of a long drawn out argument, all because they didn't think Demona would do anything as nice as protect a child. They thought Corrine was acting, that this was a trap designed by Demona. It was rather sick they thought so little of both of them, and Corrine knew there had to be a story to go with that distrust, but she was in a bad enough mood. Corrine reached into her pocket and watched the males tense before she pulled out her cell phone. The string of digits she pushed into the device were long and the beeps from each number had everyone's attention. Corrine glanced at the time on the clock and knew she had a shot of getting through.

"Ello" A familiar voice spoke after a few rings and Corrine smiled just a little even as Brooklyn's eyes started to glow.

"Hey Scottie, I need to talk to Una pronto." Corrine spoke and watched as Angela sat up straighter, as well as the slight grin she gave Corrine. She turned to see Goliath staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

"She's studying." Scottie sounded like that was the end of that question.

"I'm in trouble with the local clan." Corrine finally explained. "I'd like my clan leader to speak for me."

"Oh, OH," Scottie sounded tense. "Leo, get Una!" Scottie yelled to someone and Corrine grimaced as Scottie didn't pull the phone far enough away for that volume and Corrine could tell everyone heard that. Scottie's voice didn't lower and Corrine had to hold the phone away from her ear. "You are under London clan protection and I'm sure she'll declare war if they hurt you!" The youngster was clearly threatening anyone that could hear this who wasn't Corrine.

"It's not that bad." Corrine smiled softly at Scottie's response.

"That sounds like a young female." Lexington muttered and Corrine smirked. "Goliath didn't say anything about that."

There was a thump noise and Corrine thought she heard Una swear, but she couldn't be sure.

"Corrine?" Una's voice was a tad rushed and Corrine felt a warm, cared for feeling as she heard the concern.

"Can you talk with Goliath and tell him I'm not here on some evil plot, I just don't have the energy to argue all night tonight." Corrine heard a touch of a whine in her voice and sighed heavily. No more drinking before arguing with gargoyles, she promised herself.

"Are you okay?" Una asked softly.

"I've been better. They don't listen to me when I make suggestions and now they think, I don't know what they're thinking really, but my family is really close to this and we don't have time. It isn't like when I joined the clan, the Hunters are HERE." Corrine glared at the gargoyles across the table from her, who were looking a little dumbfounded really.

Una went quiet a moment and when she spoke again her voice was more commanding. "I'll speak with him."

Corrine pulled her phone from her ear and turned to face Goliath. "My clan leader wishes to talk with you." She grinned wickedly at him and handed over her phone.

He took the phone and stared at it for a moment. It was rather small and he was rather large, but he finally stood up and held it to his ear. "Hello." Corrine watched him make a motion with his hand that seemed to mean stay here, as he stepped out of the room. "Una." He recognized Una's voice and Corrine let out a breath and turned to Angela.

"I hope he'll listen to her." Corrine looked past Angela to see Demona's slightly amused expression. She addressed Angela though, "I do have over a hundred gargoyles that will vouch for me, not just Demona."

"A hundred?" Someone sounded stunned, but the voice was higher than normal so Corrine had to turn to see who'd said that. Brooklyn looked stunned. Corrine gave him a satisfied smile.

"Yes, and they trust me. They also trust my opinion of people, if you know what I mean?" Her eyes were hard as she took in his nervousness.

"I would love the story as to how you joined them one day." Demona spoke as if Corrine wasn't trying to glare Brooklyn out of existence, so Corrine turned to her.

"She could kick me out of the shop, but not the city." Corrine grinned at Demona. "I know she hated me to start with, I managed to badger her into accepting me."

"That doesn't really sound like you." Demona frowned a little and Corrine sighed. Her mood lessened again as Demona stood up and started to slowly pace as they waited for the phone call to end. Una must have quite a few words for Goliath, because it was taking a while.

Corrine glanced around the table. She could hear the murmur of Goliath's words, but couldn't hear well enough to hear what was being said. Corrine went silent and poured herself a glass of water. One brief glance at Angela, and Corrine poured her a glass as well. "I appreciate you standing by me." She muttered to the lavender female. She glanced briefly at Elisa, but the detective was staring out the door toward Goliath.

Angela looked like she was going to say something, but Corrine noticed Demona stop pacing and stare at the doorway. Goliath was staring at the phone as he stepped back into the room, and he looked a bit stunned. "Ambassador Corrine." He looked stunned still as he looked up at Corrine. "Una claimed the rite of Ambassador for you. You represent the entire London clan here."

"Only a second can do that." Brooklyn spoke in shock and Corrine's eyes widened as well. Katara was the second.

"They made a human their second?" Demona sounded stunned and Corrine felt the blue female staring at her. Corrine was worried about Katara, but watched as Goliath held the phone out to her.

Corrine saw it still was connected so she raised it to her ear. "Don't worry, she decided to take a month off so you are filling in." Una spoke, her voice amused. "Let's see them ignore you now. I told Goliath that you will help with this crisis and also evaluate their clan for potential mate exchanges. He seemed rather interested in that." Corrine's eyes took on a wicked expression as she looked at the clan staring at her and she grinned.

"I'm not too hopeful, the breed of male they have is rather too foolhardy, but their female is worthy of any of our clan." She grinned mischievously and watched as Brooklyn turned to stare at Goliath in alarm. Her grin faded. "If they listen to me enough to survive this I'll re-evaluate. Thank you Leader."

Una chuckled. "You are Corrine of the London Clan. Don't ever forget that. You should have called sooner."

"Yes," Corrine spoke softly.

"The sun is about to rise here. Contact me tomorrow, and we'll discuss what else we can do to help you Sister." Una's affection was so welcome, but the sun was close, because she hung up quickly. Corrine turned off her cell phone and glanced around the room.

"I've been promoted. Thank you." She felt a little odd, but she couldn't argue with Una about this, not now. Her disbelief was somewhere near Demona's she guessed as she noticed the gargoyles expression. Corrine shook herself out of her shock and stared around the table. "So now that over a hundred gargoyles and my clan leader have vouched for me, can we get back to work on the real threat?" And that was the shock of it. They had to have planned that, because just like an apprentice, a change of second required a clan wide vote.

………………………….

Once everyone was seated again the table was overcome by a tense silence. Corrine watched as Elisa gave Goliath a questioning look, and then she looked at the three young males who actually looked a little scared of her now. Corrine leaned back and looked behind Angela's back to see a rather thoughtful Demona. Well, it looked like the floor was Corrine's if the other leaders around here weren't taking it.

"I guess since we started that plan we'll have to finish it?" Corrine didn't like this, and had little hope, but there was some. "Watch and if they try to kill someone, well," Corrine stared Goliath in the eye. "They've been warned. That will cost us enough, but hopefully that will be enough to keep you from letting them kill your clan." His eyes burned at her words. "They are much better armed than you all are. Does anyone other than Demona know how to use a weapon?"

"Aye lass." Hudson spoke and partially pulled his sword out to show her. Corrine glanced at it and sighed. "That's nice, but against guns it isn't really going to help." She glanced around the room. "I can arm you all, and maybe I could arrange to get some body armor."

"Body armor makes it hard to glide." Demona spoke up, clearly knowing what she was talking about.

"Guns just hurt people." Broadway protested and Corrine looked at the naïve male.

"That's the point." She spoke flatly and looked around the table. She sighed and looked down at the table. This clan wasn't ready yet to fight. They didn't understand. "Elisa, are you okay watching Jason?"

"I'm fine, but I'm not so sure he isn't the one watching me." Elisa spoke and Corrine grimaced as she caught the implication in that. Elisa thought Jason knew that Elisa had contact with Gargoyles. That would be tricky to work with.

"Great, just great." Corrine muttered.

"Perhaps you should talk to Jon again, by himself." Elisa spoke again, but Corrine wasn't sure she wanted to do that. Still, the alternative was much worse. She just nodded slowly.

"And Robyn?" Corrine asked the room in general. "What is she after? If they see Elisa as the connection to find the clan, that means most likely none of their covers are just convenient. There is a reason." Her mind traveled to Jon's cover and she felt a sick feeling in her chest as she considered that he was playing a reporter, and the damage he could do would be irreparable. "Why is she at Nightstone?"

There was nervous shuffling and Corrine caught that easily. Her eyes started to stare at the young males, reading some guilt and nervousness there.

"That is unimportant." Demona's voice snapped out suddenly and Corrine turned to stare at her.

Corrine's words were slow and soft. "It is important isn't it?" she asked, watching Demona for some sign. Demona's body tensed and Corrine sighed softly while shaking her head slowly twice. "Look, I know you never fully trusted. I know I'm a Canmore, but I'm trying so hard here. I can't leave a flank open like this, not…" Corrine gritted her teeth and stared at Demona helplessly. Corrine felt an ache in her heart as she looked around the table and saw the awkward looks. "Maybe I should leave, so you can really plan." Her voice was as controlled as she could make it. "I'm not blind, Nightstone IS important, and Robyn has her hands on it."

"I have it covered." Demona spoke firmly and Corrine's eyes widened as a foreign thought hit her.

"You have a human." Corrine's voice was stunned sounding as she turned to stare at Demona in disbelief. Demona's jaw muscles seemed to tense and Corrine knew it was true, unimaginable, but true. "And they know."

"I don't believe they would know." Demona admitted it and Corrine rubbed her eyes and then ran her hands roughly through her hair as she tried to think.

"Why else would Robyn be there?" Corrine's voice was harsher. "I saw the building and it has your marks all over it, that would make them investigate, but why would Robyn stay there?" Corrine stared at Demona, trying to see any other telling ticks to her next question. "You said you don't sleep there, is that true?"

Demona spoke slowly, clearly irritated with the question. "I do not sleep at Nightstone." It was clear from the tone Demona was losing patience and didn't like talking about this. Corrine clenched her jaw and resisted the urge to toss question after question at Demona. That never worked when the gargoyle was already irritated, she remembered that much.

"I'm not comfortable with this." Corrine spoke, noting how everyone was just watching the two of them silently. She could tell everyone knew the truth, everyone, but her.

"Well, you'll just have to learn to deal with it." Demona spoke firmly. "Nightstone is mine, and you focus on Jon."

"So we watch and wait." Corrine sighed heavily.

Five minutes later they were leaving, plans hatched, even as weak as they were. Corrine stopped near the door and stared at Demona, who was clearly busy or avoiding her. Corrine stared until the movement next to her startled her and her body tensed up as her head turned to see Angela standing there, watching her just as carefully as Corrine had been watching Demona.

"Are you going to go back to that bar and…" Angela spoke quietly and her blush finished her sentence for her since she didn't finish saying it.

Corrine gave the female a forced smile. "Why, you think hottie brunette is still there? I know she's already found someone else to play with, women like that don't wait until this late to find a playmate." Corrine started to remember Elisa looking up at rooftops when she picked Corrine up, and with the way Angela was talking with her, she suspected she knew who the hidden partner was for the detective. "Besides, Elisa already owes me a good night. I'll have her drive me to her place." Corrine spoke with a wicked tone, making Angela blush.

"Father wouldn't like that." Angela finally commented, pulling Corrine's attention back to her just as Corrine was starting to watch Demona move down the hall to leave. "I believe he likes her."

"What?" Corrine's eyebrows drew together as the words replayed in her mind. "But she's a human."

"I don't think they believe that matters," Angela looked thoughtful and troubled after a moment, "Or maybe they do, and that's why they haven't said anything yet."

Corrine wasn't interested in the sordid details, so she started to move for the door, but Angela walked with her. "I just met my mother a few months ago. I didn't know her before; I didn't know any of the clan either." Corrine noticed they were the last to leave the meeting room, so she waited for Angela to step out before closing the door. "What was she like with you?"

Corrine paused before starting to walk again, toward the elevator. She didn't want to talk about this now. "I hadn't seen her since I was seventeen before I came here." Corrine told Angela, and then continued to walk in silence.

"But you knew her for years right? You said you met her when you were five." Angela pressed on and Corrine stopped walking right in front of the elevator doors, without hitting the button.

Corrine gritted her teeth for a moment, before pushing the button. She stared at the now lit up button as she started to wait and spoke quietly without looking at Angela. "If I was hurting, she was the most gentle person in the world, the most patient. If was wasn't hurting, she wasn't." There was a ding, and the elevator doors started to open. "Be careful Angela. I don't want to see her hurting, and if my family gets you, well, I don't want to see that."

Corrine turned to face the doors, but they were slow to close. Angela stared at her. "You care about her a lot." The words hurt to hear and Corrine did her best not to respond as the doors closed.

Once she was alone Corrine spoke quietly. "I've always cared about her."

…………………….