The Manhattan Clan sat along one side of the long wooden table that was centered in the hall, the foreign clans sat on the other.

Elisa turned to leave, but was called back in by Xiulan. "Please," She motioned to a free seat beside Lexington on the end.

Elisa took the seat, on the complete opposite end as Goliath, she noted. Slowly, Elisa took a seat, feeling like a kid called to the principal's office.

"Now then," Xiulan said, turning to her counterparts. "I will withhold my questions for the time being. Who would like to begin?"

"How long have you known the human, Elisa Maza?" Chun-Hei asked abruptly. Elisa frowned. She was sure that she'd already answered this one.

"I…" Elisa began, but was cut off with a hand gesture from the Korean Gargoyle.

"I spoke with you last night. I would like to hear from the clan, please." Chun-Hei said flatly.

Elisa closed her mouth.

"We met in the year 1994," Goliath said.

"And how did you meet?" Chun-Hei asked.

"She had come to the castle to investigate a disturbance," Brooklyn answered.

"And you trusted her?" Lachlan asked, disbelief on his face. "Just like that? After what had been done to your clan?"

"Not immediately, no," Goliath admitted slowly. "I felt as if she would be trustworthy, but I was hesitant to put my entire clan at risk. Again."

"Then what happened to garner such trust?" Lachlan pushed.

"We met the next night. She took me on a tour of the island, so that I could see what had changed from our time. It was while we were out that we were attacked, and I was drugged." Goliath shook his head, "I was unable to make it out of the park, and the sun rose. Elisa put herself at risk, drawing the attackers away from me. When I woke, she was there beside me, having kept watch all day to make sure I was safe."

"That is quite a story," Xuilan said softly. "And you," She turned to Elisa, "You did all of this, not fully understanding who or what Goliath was. I'm sure seeing him turn to stone and then wake at night was a surprise."

Elisa gave her a small smile, "You have no idea."

Slowly, over the next hour or so, the Gargoyles shared their story of waking in this time, their relationship with Elisa, the evolution from enemy to friend with the Xanatos couple and their slow introduction to the few other humans who they considered friends.

At the end of the story, Xuilan sent a look to Chun-Hei, giving her an almost imperceptible nod. If Elisa hadn't been looking directly at her, she would have missed the exchange.

Elisa tried to keep her expression blank, but was on her guard now. Something was going on.

Chun-Hei tented her fingers in front of her, "We have been talking," she motioned to everyone on her side of the table, "And we do believe that you would be the best to lead such a council for the Gargoyle race. Not only have you the leadership qualities that we all can admire and follow, but as your clan is… quite literally… the oldest clan members and as such, you have the deepest roots into the ways of the Gargoyles. Many of which have been lost or altered in the time between yours and ours. We would welcome the chance to learn from you. However," Chun-Hei said with a deep scowl, "We worry about just how much influence humans, this one female in particular, have in your clan now and where your loyalty lies."

Goliath stiffened. "My focus has always been on the safety of my clan and our kind," Goliath rumbled out, irritation and anger coloring his words. "As well as the protection of our home and the humans that live here."

"And you have done well, given the circumstances," Chun-Hei said.

"Lad," Lachlan broke in, "Humans are notoriously fickle creatures. What happens should this one," He pointed at Elisa, "decides that she has had enough? She could turn you over to humans who would happily crush you into dust while you sleep."

Elisa felt her spine straighten in a horrified anger. She narrowed her gaze at Lachlan. There was something going on here, she knew, but she didn't know what the game was.

All she knew for certain was that she was about done playing.

"Elisa would never do that," Brooklyn said, getting to his feet and slamming his hands onto the table. "Elisa is a member of our clan, our family, and has been for years. She would never do that."

"Elisa has put herself between us and danger many a time," Hudson, getting to his feet slower, but with no less purpose. "The lass has almost died while protecting us, but has continued to keep the safety of the clan."

Elisa opened her mouth to protest, but Angela stood to add her two cents.

"Elisa saved my life," Angela said passionately. "And those of my children."

Broadway stood to put his arm around his mate. "A few years ago, not long after we met her, I almost killed her by accident," He closed his eyes and shook his head. "She had every right to hate me, and avoid us, but she didn't."

Elisa reached over Lexington's back to put a hand on his arm. She hadn't realized that Broadway was still carrying that guilt, and maybe she should have.

Lexington hopped up onto the table, so that he'd be visible and at a similar height as the others. "Elisa helped us find a new home, a safe place to live, when the castle wasn't a good place for us. She helped us with food, shelter, and has lied to a lot of people that she cares about just to help us when we need it."

"It was her advice that convinced me to meet with you. The plan was for us to join together and creating a place for us in this world," Goliath said, finally getting to his feet and standing at his impressive full height. "But I will not allow you to insult her like this. If you think I have not noticed the looks and dismissals that you have given her this week, you are sadly mistaken."

Elisa looked down the line of the clan, all standing now and facing down the visiting Gargoyles. Each had risen to her defense, despite knowing that doing so would put the Council at risk.

"We are finished here," Goliath said with a decisive nod. "I will ensure that your transportation is arranged for you to get home."

Goliath strode quickly to Elisa's side, taking her hand and all but pulling her behind him. He was finished.

Elisa quickened her steps to try to match his, and looked behind her. The rest of the clan had closed ranks, forming into a semi-circle behind her and effectively cutting her off visually from the three ambassadors.

"Wait," came a soft voice. "Please."

It was the please that got through to Elisa. She planted her feet and tugged at Goliath's hand so that he either had to stop or drag her.

He stopped and looked down at her.

Elisa gave her head a nod toward the table where the voice had come from.

"I am afraid that you misunderstand," Xuilan said softly. "The truth is that we were all aware of Elisa's presence before we had made the decision to come here."