Previously:

The Official Welcome - "New York is now your home. We will no longer judge you." The Mayor smiled as he brought out his hand for Goliath to shack, which he took with pride. Many cameras were going off as the two-shacked hands.

Official Announcement - "Marry me Elisa." Though she was too speechless she wasn't immovable. She nodded her answer. Goliath stood and took the ring out of the box and placed it on her ring finger. To her surprise the ring fit perfectly.

New Officer

Elisa Maza and her partner Matt Bluestone walked into the police department, with a hooker in handcuffs. She was arrested for being caught with illegal drugs. The woman was pleading that she was innocent. But the evidence was evidence. She was placed in an integration room for questioning.

"So partner," Matt said. "You want to take this one or shall I?"

"I will. For some reason, I believe her. Someone could have placed the drugs on her to cover their own ass."

"Well we'll see what she says in a bit. I'm surprised she hasn't asked for a lawyer yet."

"That's why I'm not convinced that the drugs were hers to begin with."

"Maza. Bluestone," Captain Chavez called. "In my office now."

"Wonder what she wants now?" Elisa questioned. Both of them walked into the captain's office. "You wanted to see us Captain?"

"There is rumors going around that you are wearing an engagement ring," the Captain said.

"I am," she said and showed her the ring.

Matt looked at Elisa and smiled. Though the pairing was off, he was happy for her.

"Who is it?"

"You may not approve but I don't care. We are planning to have a long engagement so everything can sink in." Elisa looked at her Captain as she glared. "Alright. It's Goliath."

"The Gargoyle leader?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I have known him for three years and in that time, I've developed feelings for him and he to me. And we have decided to take the next step, marriage. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else. Goliath treats me with respect and they are so few men today who are like that."

"That is true. I hope you know what you are doing. They just became part of the city. We don't need a riot happening because of your union."

"Captain, with all do respect. A riot may break out with or without me marrying Goliath. There are still anti-Gargoyles. But talking about my engagement is not why you asked me in here."

"No. There is a new officer and he needs to be shown the ropes. Maza, I have volunteered you."

"Again. Why is it that you always ask me to show the new officer the ropes?"

"You are my best officer."

"Are you sure this time he is an officer and not another decoy trying to get rid of the Gargoyles?" Matt asked.

"I went and did a background check on him and contacted his last posting. He was just transferred from the 6th Elm Precinct."

"That's in Brooklyn. Who is he?" Elisa asked.

"Detective Ric Valance."

"He's known as one of the best Detectives in that area. How come he was transferred here? Wasn't he doing well over there?" Matt asked.

"Yes and that is the reason he was transferred here. You will continue doing your shift in the evenings. For the time being, Bluestone will be without a partner."

"How long will this last?"

"A week. He just needs to know the neighborhood. Why you're at it might as well introduce him to your friends so he knows the other side of the law enforcement. Valance is waiting for you at the front desk. You're dismissed."

Matt and Elisa walked out of the office. "Well I guess you got our latest catch," Elisa said.

"Just my luck. You might as well take your new partner to the Gargoyles now before going on duty."

"That would be a good idea," she said. She walked out towards the front desk. There standing beside the desk was a tall man with sandy blond hair, bright green eyes and broad shoulders. His brown jacket and black jeans made him good looking.

"I'm Elisa Maza, your new partner," Elisa said to the man, extending her hand for him to shake.

"Ric Valance," he responded. "I hear you're quite the friend to the Gargoyles, guardians of Manhattan."

"Guardians of Manhattan?"

"That is the name everyone from Brooklyn call them."

"Yeah I am. The Captain would like you to meet them so if you don't mind, I'll introduce you to them before starting our shift."

"Sure."

At the top of the Eyrie building, Elisa and Ric arrived. Only one of the Gargoyles was standing guard, Hudson. It was natural for him to watch the castle, since he was the oldest one. He didn't find his skills were as useful anymore. He'd rather watch the castle then go out on patrol.

Elisa smiled. "Hudson."

Hudson turned to the sound. "Lass, you've stopped by." He quickly noted Elisa's companion. Who's the lad?"

"For the next week, he's my new partner. He just transferred from Brooklyn. Meet Ric Valance."

"Ric, this is Hudson. The oldest Gargoyle and was once the leader of the clan."

"You sound Scottish," Ric said.

"Aye. That I am."

"You Gargoyles are quite famous in Brooklyn. You have a name over there 'Guardians of Manhattan'."

"That's an usual name for us," another voice responded from the sky.

"Goliath," Elisa said cheerfully as she looked up and saw her future husband glide to the ground. "This is my new partner for the next week. Ric Valance."

"Hello," he said and extended his hand for Ric to shack. "I am Goliath, leader of the clan."

Ric hesitated at first. "Your name suits your height," he said.

"Where are the others?" Elisa asked.

"On patrol," Goliath answered. "I had just received a call that you were on your way here with a visitor."

"Speaking of patrol," Elisa said. "We should get going."

"Yeah we should. It's nice meeting both of you," Ric said. "Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

Elisa and Ric turned and headed for the elevators that led to ground level. While waiting for the elevator, Elisa saw Owen walk by. Neither said a word but nodded their greeting. When the two Detectives entered the elevator and the doors were closed, Ric turned to Elisa.

"May I ask why you didn't say hi to that man?"

"Owen and I don't always get along. He's Xanatos's right hand man."

"David Xanatos?"

"The one and only. He owns this building."

"Wow. I've always wanted to meet Xanatos. I know he has a record and all but..."

"But nothing. I really don't like him or his wife."

"Why?"

"Well for one they turned my family upside down and I don't know if I can ever forgive him. Mind you, for the most part, I just tolerate him. He has been generous. And he took care of the Gargoyles when the Quarrymen arrived."

"What did he do?"

Elisa went silent.

"O...kay," he said. "Let's change subject then. Where are we going?"

"To the Quarrymen's old hideout. The Captain wants it checked out for activity."

"I don't think they would stay in the same spot after over three quarters of their group have been arrested."

"That maybe so. But Castaway's men always likes to keep us on our toes."

When the elevator stopped on the main floor, both Detectives exited and left the building. Just as they got outside, two men in dark masks were trying to destroy Elisa's car. Elisa grabbed for her gun.

"Police. Freeze!" she yelled.

Both men looked up. When they did, Elisa got a good look of the logo on the shirt and it was the logo of the Quarrymen.

"The Gargoyle lover," one of them said.

"Let's beat it!" the other said to his partner.

They both started running in different directions. Elisa quickly ran off, chasing the one who was closest to her. Ric headed off in the other direction to catch the other one. Within moments, he caught up to the guy but was just out of hands reach. He placed his gun back in the holster and jumped.

The jump was pretty high for an average man, but this guy was in good shape. He tackled the Quarryman, making him slam into the ground, with a thud.

"You're under arrest," Ric said as he handcuffed the man.

"That was a big jump," Elisa said from behind. "You are as amazing as the papers say."

"Thanks," Ric said. "Didn't get the other?"

"No. A van came up beside him and drove away. I didn't even have time to get the license plate. If I have the Gargoyles here, he wouldn't have gotten away."

"Do you know, I find you depend on those creatures an awful lot."

"Well in all out reality, they are the ones who have made my job a lot easier. It became a breeze when I brought in criminals. That is why I never accepted awards for bravery and such. I felt I didn't deserve them because it wasn't all me who got them. The best time was when Tony Dracon was finally able to stay behind bars."

"I heard about his arrest. That was something. The 23rd Precedent brings down the best mob leader of New York. That is what the title said in the paper. In fact I kept that article."

"Well it seems, I was your idol and you were mine," Elisa chuckled. "Goliath and Broadway helped me that day. I was even undercover and they caught on it and played along."

"It seems so. Let's get this guy behind bars and maybe learn something about their new hideout."

"And I have the perfect way to making him talk."

"You're going to get the Gargoyles aren't you?"

"You bet. Goliath would love to interrogate this one. Just give me a few minutes." Elisa went back inside to the Wyvern Castle to speak to her fiancé.

Ric stayed outside and placed the man in the backseat of the car and then inspected Elisa's car for damage. When he found a few scratches and dents, he figured it would be nothing to fix, he got into the car and waited for the woman. He marveled at the woman's courage about being friend's with the flying beasts in public. But he knew the adventures of getting rid of the Gargoyles were far from over.