Goliath returned to the castle around five-thirty with the rest of the clan in tow. The raid from preparation between the clan and police to criminals being hauled off in cuffs had only been around five hours long. Since the clan had become public knowledge however there was always a need for them to say afterword. Their combined efforts had produced a successful mission with only one of Elisa's men being injured.

Despite this, He could tell all his clan were tired and had no desire to occupy their time further in the hour before dawn's first lights would greet them. Or at least that had been his plan until reaching the castle, and they were greeted by Owen. The disgraced elf in human form wasted no time with pleasantries. "Mr. Xanatos would like to see you and Brooklyn in his office, immediately."

Without waiting for a reply, Owen left them standing there and Goliath turning to the curious expressions of his clan. Frowning, he nodded first to Brooklyn, who moved without a word to the open doorway and paused. Glancing over his shoulder brought his attention to his daughter, Lexington, and Broadway. "We have only an hour until dawn arrives, enjoy the time and if there is something of importance to share, I will find you."

The three nodded and moved into the castle, Hudson on the other hand had not moved from his place beside Goliath. "Perhaps I should accompany you as well lad, if what Xanatos has to share is troublesome, ye may benefit from my presence."

"I had thought the same." Goliath nodded to Brooklyn as they entered the castle together and moved through the halls towards Xanatos' office.

Upon reaching it, the door slid open to reveal Fox standing just inside with a worried expression. "Come on in, we won't have long."

Nodding to her, Goliath stepped inside with Brooklyn greeting Fox with his own nod and Hudson offering her his arm as she closed the door. Goliath's gaze met with Xanatos'. "What's on your mind, Xanatos?"

David sighed. "We had a situation develop while you were away, it's premature but I thought you should be aware of the circumstances."

Hudson sat on a small couch to the right side with Fox and could fell her hand tense beneath his own. "Spit it out Lad. Are we dealing with, another group of gargoyle hunters?"

His attention fell to each of them and then locked with his wife's. "No, it's nothing like that." He turned the monitor on his desk around to face them. "I'm afraid this is much more personal." The screen displayed security footage of an office the three gargoyles could assume was somewhere in the lower levels of the tower. Danielle could be seen looking over a folder of papers and discussing its contents with a man across from her.

"Travis arrived two hours ago, although he had phoned nearly four before that to announce his visit and insist that he see Danielle. Against my advice, she agreed to meet alone."

Brooklyn growled and clinched his fist. "What could he possibly say that you would allow him in the same room with Danni, never mind alone?"

Hudson frowned, the lad's emotions were sure to run away with him when Danielle was concerned, and their discussion was going poorly. "Easy lad, Ah believe Xanatos will be gettin' ta that."

Xanatos nodded. "She's a grown woman, and while I would have preferred to handle this, everyone in this room knows the hell that would rain down if I had."

Goliath acknowledged that with a rumble deep in his chest. He glanced in Brooklyn's direction before turning his attention to Danielle, focused on the folder beneath her hands. "Do you know what is in that packet?"

Fox sighed and moved to stand beside Xanatos. "I had security hold and search him for an hour before she was ready to see him. That gave me us the chance to look through the folder she's holding."

Xanatos' own attention turned to the screen. "It's a rather large offer to return from her firm. They've purposed that she returns as the senor head of her department with a rather large pay increase and benefits package. They've so given her the next five weeks to complete any work she's currently involved in here, so long as they receive her answer in the next two days."

Goliath eyed Xanatos and then the screen again before sighing. "That is…rather generous."

Fox folded her arms. "It's everything she's spent the last eight years working for, and then some. Ordinarily, I would encourage anyone in her position to go forward and damn anything in their way."

Brooklyn heard the discussion going on around him but could only focus on the screen. Time stood still for him as Danni stood and moved towards the door, folder held in one arm. He realized that she had dressed well before confronting her ex, the tailor suit conforming to her body; her hair pulled neatly into a tight bun. The look was a stark contrast to the thin pajama tank and short set she had been dressed just hours ago and pressed against him.

He realized with a heavy heart that the business world and interactions like this were naturally to her, this was indeed her world. Everything about her demeanor projected the professionalism he'd witnessed a few times when she'd entertained a phone call in his presence over the years; until her handshake was offered.

Brooklyn watched as Danni held her hand out and waited for Travis to join her at the door. Her smile wasn't as genuine as he'd expect but given her company, no one would blame her. His blood boiled as her ex took her hand but did not simply shake it. Taking the opportunity to cup her arm with his other hand, Travis stepped closer and kissed her. 'Damn him.'

Everyone's eyes were suddenly glued to the screen, their conversation stopped dead. They watched mortified to watch Travis not only end the curt kiss but seem to gain Danielle's approval and engage her again, which she returned.

Hudson was the first to break the silene, breaking everyone's attention from the screen, and to see the fury growing in Brooklyn's eyes. "Lad, perhaps you should…"

"I'm fine."

The other four in the room knew better, and Xanatos shut the monitor off as it showed Danielle leaving the room. "As I said, I thought you should be aware of his presence."

Goliath nodded. "We appreciate the warning." Turning he met Brooklyn's troubled gaze. "It's nearly dawn."

Brooklyn didn't even bother with pleasantries as he stormed from the office, his emotions running wild. Without a word to anyone, he stumped out onto the battlements to avoid the curious stares he received from his brothers and Angela.

The only thing that penetrated his angered state was the sound of a running pace in high heeled shoes. As the sound grew louder he cursed the sun for not having already delivered him from a sight he was sure would fill his nightmares.

"Brook!"

Knowing his suspicions would be right, he turned to see Danielle standing in the castle doorway, the clan moving around her to take their places. She was out of breath and panting, her bun beginning to pull free. He wondered briefly if it where the kiss or the run had her heart truly racing. "I need to see to you tonight, first thing. Please?"

He could see the emotions welling in her honey-colored eyes, and for the first time, it angered him. 'What am I, her pet?' The first rays of sun rose upon them, and a sad smirk spread across his beak as his body began to turn. "Sure Danielle, whatever you say."