Three weeks later…

Brooklyn sat in his favorite oversized chair in the library, a worn copy of works by Poe in his taloned hand as it had been for last several nights, though his mind half transfixed upon anticipating Danni's arrival. She'd been walking through those doors any minute now and they'd spend the rest of the night together. This had quickly become their custom since her second night "home".

They'd taken to retreating here and reading aloud, some nights taking turns, some night his voice would lull Dannielle into a quite slumber. The first few evenings, they'd sat across from each other on the couch to his right. Soon enough though, they had gravitated together, sitting closely, and then cuddling. At some point they had agreed without a word to this round chair and had claimed it for their own. For the past week, Danielle had begun sitting between his bent legs, and then reclining against him, head nestled on his shoulder.

His eyes glanced at the clock which read nearly nine; she was late tonight. At David's insistence, Dannielle had begun to help with his and Fox's projects to keep her occupied during the day. This had led to the three of them missing tonight's meal when the clan awoke, just as it had four nights before. Brooklyn found that going on with his patrol and then returning to read near the fire was a reasonable use of his energy until Danni could join him.

They'd become so much closer during the short time, and he couldn't deny that he enjoyed her company over everyone else. Something about her set his soul at ease whether they were here with the clan or out for a glide. He realized rather quickly that her friendship had completed something inside of him, as if she were his missing piece.

The object of his thoughts stepped into the room at that moment. The sweet scent of strawberries left no doubt that she'd come straight from a shower. Not for the first time, that thought set a fire inside of him. 'Damn, she smells so good.' Closing the book, Brooklyn set it beside him on the table and met her gaze. "Hi."

She was dressed in a tank and shorts pajama set, her hair loose and still damp from the shower. Smiling Danielle moved to sit between his bent knees and leaned back against him. "Hey." Her head settled against his shoulder, damp hair leaving a cooling trail against his skin. "Sorry I'm late, is it safe to assume you've been on patrol?"

Nodding he relaxed, rubbing his hands down her arms, and hugging her from behind. Their touches had grown to be more personal as the days went by. They would each rub each other's arms and shoulders, and Danielle had taken to cupping his check when bidding him a restful sleep. He had even carried her to bed several times, tucking the covers around her body.

At nearly dawn this morning, Danielle had playfully asked if she would get a kiss goodnight from her "dashing gargoyle", and he had willingly obliged; leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "Uneventful has become the usual, but I can't complain. How was your day?"

She yawned, reaching back to work her fingers into his hair. She'd managed to work up the nerve to do this more than a week ago and had continued every night since. He was convinced that she just enjoyed the shutters her fingers drew from him. "Busy. David is partnering with the city to build a better homeless shelter that will be mostly self-sustaining. The residents will be able to grow their own crops with equipment he's going to provide. And an agreement with local markets to supply meats and other necessities was reached today."

She yawned again, released his neck and settled further against him; her head resting against his chest. "Fox is in talks to get a more positive opinion of gargoyles out to the rest of the country, as you know. We heard from several networks today that are competing to get the first interviews. It'll mean some travel for the two of us and sooner than later for at least a few of you. Goliath has suggested Angela and Broadway as the clan's ambassadors."

Brooklyn brought his hands around to encircle her waist, just resisting the urge to kiss the top of her head. Being like this with a female had consumed his dreams for years but now that Danni was here and their relationship developing, he hesitated. "I won't know what to do with myself while you're gone."

'You're so sweet.' Danni chuckled and laid her own arms above his, interlocking her fingers with his talons. "You'll be fine, but I'll miss you too."

As the words left her mouth, Danielle realized just how true the statement would be. In the three weeks she'd lived among the clan, she and Brooklyn had spent very little of his waking hours apart. In such a short time he'd become her best friend, and so much more.

It was no secret that the clan, humans included, that their friendship was budding into a relationship seemingly on its own. Thankfully, everyone had kept comments to themselves, and were just allowing them to grow. Neither Dannielle nor Brooklyn were ready to put a label on things, although she'd never been comfortable enough to spend time like this with anyone else. Not even Travis, as they had never been ones for cuddling.

The sound of a throat clearing brought their attention to Goliath standing in the open doorway. "Forgive the intrusion, but Elisa just called. There's going to be a raid at the docks, she is going to need our help. We are leaving in less than five minutes."

Nodding Danielle slipped from the chair, allowing Brooklyn to stand behind her with a nod. "I'll be right behind you."

As Goliath returned his nod and left the room, Danielle sighed and turned taking Brooklyn's hands in her own. His gaze softened and a smile lit his features. "We'll be fine."

Nodding again, she tried to sound like there weren't doubts and fears about the clan engaging men with guns filling her mind. 'I hope so.' "Just come home in one piece." 'To me.'

Brooklyn pulled her forward into a hug against his chest. Because of their height differences this brought his arms around her shoulders and her own around his lower back. "We always do." 'I love you, Danni.'

Slowly he started to break their embrace. When their eyes met, he hesitated, and she noticed the slightest frown cross his features before he completely released her. A cough from the doorway drew their attention again, although this time it was David standing there. He motioned with his head to the corridor behind him. "They're waiting for you."

Brooklyn graced her with a quick smile as he left the room, wings spreading as he took to all fours and run towards the clan's living room.

'Good luck.' Already filling a bit empty without her favorite gargoyle's company, Danielle moved to retake their chair when David stopped her. "I wouldn't get comfortable, if I were you."

She met his steady gaze, and instantly knew something was bothering him. "Why shouldn't I?"

Her crossed the room to stand in front of her, his hands coming to cup her crossed arms. "Because Travis is just getting off a plane, and quite insistent about meeting…with you."

Danielle's eyes widened as the seriousness of David's words sunk in. 'Jalapena…'