Brooklyn landed on Danielle's balcony and hesitated. It had been more than a week since the two had spent any quality time alone, not since the night after she'd received the offer.

It amazed him just how tried he felt, especially since the clock had only just struck mid-night. After introducing Celine, Kevin, Demon, Eve, and Matthew to the non-gargoyle members of the clan; he, Angela and Broadway had taken them on a tour of the castle and then a short glide around the city.

Danielle would leave in the morning, well technically in just a few hours, and most of the clan had made tear-filled goodbyes already. She'd be taking Xanatos, Fox and Alex with her for the next three or four days for assist in making sure her apartment comfortable. The new position would start next week, and he'd heard Xanatos tell Goliath how happy the firm was to hear she'd be willing to return sooner rather later.

Everyone in the established clan besides himself had hugged her, even Lex expressed just how much he was going to miss her. Though the newbies were unsure of how to feel on the matter, every one of them congratulated her. Brooklyn had no delusions about Celine's presence affecting his behavior; and he knew she'd felt it. He had walked up to Danni and offered his hand and mentioned something along the lines of just how different the castle would be without her.

She had taken it and met his gaze, but he could tell it was taking everything she had not to break down, there and then. It wasn't long after that, Hudson pulled him aside and heavily recommended the idea of a private goodbye. After everything they'd meant to each other, that was no way to leave it.

So, he sat watching through the thin curtains as she moved around her nearly empty room. He could tell she'd been crying, her slow movements and the way she repeatedly brushed her hair back were a clear indicator of her mood.

He became so lost in his own thoughts that he nearly missed her stepping outside, their eyes meeting instantly. He realized she had changed into the same pajama shorts and tank top pair that she had the last time they'd planned to read together. Her eyes were red, and his heart ached knowing he was more than likely on top of the short list of causes.

He hopped of the railing and stepped forward, but she stood her ground. "Hi, I um…."

She brushed back some loose hair, glancing behind him before returning her gaze. "What are you doing here?"

That brought him to a dead stop, just a foot from her. He sighed, feeling more guilty over her saddened state than he'd felt all week. "I want to say goodbye properly. The way I treated you down there, you deserve better Danni."

'Really?!' She laughed, scarcity, lifting her arms in the air. "You've been avoiding me all week! Now you want to come up here and "do the right thing"? Please, don't bother yourself."

That hurt but he couldn't blame her. "You're right. I have been an ass to you, and I'm sorry." He turned away. "I'll go." He'd made it to the railing and hopped onto it his heart breaking. 'What have I done to us…"

"Did you love me?"

Again, her words stopped his movements, his taloned feet gripping the rail. It was like ice had flown into his veins, he couldn't move, couldn't speak, though his beak moved as if he only could.

Danielle smiled sadly, though he couldn't see it. She hadn't decided weather or not to even ask until the last second, yet she had to know. As she closed the distance between them he turned and crouched so their gaze would be level. She could see the panic and pain in his eyes, the way his wings shuttered as he wrapped them back around his shoulders. "Danni…"

Determined, she invaded his personal space, staring straight back at him. "I need to know…" Her right hand cupped the left side of his face. "…please."

Brooklyn sighed, the feeling that this would ruin whatever friendship they had left loomed over him. "You know that I care abo…"

Her hand caressed his face and he stalled, unable to resist leaning into her palm ever so slightly. "That's not what I asked." He lifted his check back. "Before you saw Travis kiss me, did you love me?"

He still hesitated, heart racing. 'What are we doing? Why ask this now?!'

She smiled softly. "I loved you, and I think a part of me always will."

Her other hand came up to cradle his face and his own hands rose to encircle her wrists. He could feel the tears welling. "Danni, what good will come from this now?"

She laughed, heartbrokenly. "Absolutely none." Tears fell, and he brushed them away for her as his own finally broke free. "I need to know Brook, please? Don't let me leave without knowing."

Nodding, he pushed her back slightly and hopped down, standing now in front of her. Moving had broken their contact so he could take her hands in his and met her teary-eyed gaze. "Yes, I loved you."

As more tears slipped from her, his resolve diminished, and his eyes fell, finding any little detail of her balcony to focus on. After a moment she pulled her hands away, and he allowed her. This is what he'd feared, total rejection, though he couldn't blame her.

His shame kept him from moving until she called his name. "Brooklyn."

Realizing she so seldomly used his full name, his stomach felt as though it were filled with rocks. Still he couldn't deny her now and looked up. As he did, her hands found his checks again, and a slight pull brought him forward to connect his mouth with her own.

At first, with his beak and their size difference the kiss was somewhat clumsy. Time and an angle change allowed for more pleasure. Soon enough he found himself lost in it, his hands reaching out to cup her shoulders, and his eyes closed. Her warm tongue against the softer, more fleshy part of his beck and excited a gasp from him. One that she took advantage of deepening their embrace, causing his wings to snap open in surprise.

All too soon she stepped back, turning from him without a word, shoulders shaking. Brooklyn kept his hands still, as if her shoulders were still beneath them. "Danni?"

Danielle moved away, back towards her doors, meeting his worried gaze over her right shoulder. 'I love you.' "Goodbye Brooklyn."

Heartbreak drove her into a run, slamming doors behind her. Reality hit him like a brick wall, she was broken, and in hours she'd be gone. As her lights turned off, he could make out the sound of her crying uncontrollably into her pillow and sorrow filled him.

Moving back to her railing, he stopped and glanced back at her bedroom once more. 'Goodbye…my love.' With wings spread he leapt over the railing in a drive and pulled up and away from the castle.

From the shadows of the next balcony, glowing eyes watched him leave and a growl filled the air.