The plane ride, as she expected, turned into three hours of self-loathing and doubts running through her mind. Because of the way she'd heard him behave, Danielle could only guess that seeing it in person would make her physically sick. Her mind drifted back the last time she'd spoken to him. She'd made the trip home for two days.

Flashback Four months earlier…

David had been called to be on the cover of 'Business East Coast' magazine. Because of her success, he'd mentioned the idea of having them appear together and everyone from the publisher to her superiors had loved the idea.

She arrived in town around ten in the morning and couldn't deny the relief she'd felt knowing the clan would be asleep for most of her visit. She'd only have to endure one meal and then she could retreat to her own space. No one would doubt her once she mentioned the daily grind and how exhausted she was then.

The shoot went as planned with the two of them posing in his office, dressed in business suits. They followed that with some less formal set ups with Fox and Alex in tow. They'd changed for these, and she'd chosen to wear a white off the shoulder sweater, and black leggings, with tall black boots.

After the crew had left, she joined David and Fox for a late lunch out and then they walked back to the Eyrie building. Elisa had come upon them on the way and walked with them before returning to work the last of her shift.

When dusk arrived, the clan awoke, and she was surrounded by most of them for what seemed like hours. Goliath had greeted her warmly and then moved to the study until Elisa would join him. It wasn't lost on her that Brooklyn had chosen to stay out on the battlements instead of greeting her, so she went to him. "Hey Brooklyn."

"Hi." His tone was somewhat friendly, but he refused to face her. "Welcome home Danielle. How long will you be here?"

She tried to smile, even though dread filled her. "Just tonight, I have a flight back in the afternoon."

He scoffed. "Well, I hope you enjoy it." She watched his wings spread. "If you'll excuse me."

Sensing his hostility, she marched up to his back, frown taking the place of what she'd hope as an easy smile. "Is this really how it's going to be? Are you going to hate me for all eternity?"

He turned, his fury shinning in bright eyes, but it didn't scare her. He growled. "Maybe. Right now, I just don't know."

She sighed but wouldn't back down. "You told me to go! You said, 'take the job', you wanted a gargoyle mate by your side! Don't pretend this is all on me!"

Watching him loose his temper, another growl escaping as he closed in on her, was enough to finally cause her pause. "I know what was said. I also know you kissed that damn human and said you didn't know what you felt!" Danielle had every intention of defending herself until he stepped closer and pinned her to the wall. "And then you kissed me."

She nodded, knowing he was aware even though he stood close enough now to crush her if he chose to. "What happened with Celine?"

Her question seemed to bring him back to reality, and he cursed before stepping back. "Doesn't matter." He turned away. "Don't bother yourself with the details."

Without looking at her again he moved to the wall, jumped up and spread his wings. Danielle knew this would be the last time she saw him and moved forward, just barely resisting the urge to touch him. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry Brooklyn."

He didn't bother to acknowledge her before leaping into the sky and moving across the city. He didn't have to reply, Danielle could tell just how shaken he become; just as she was. With a shaky sigh and hands to match she wiped her face dry of the tears she hadn't notice falling and turned to rejoin their clan.

Present Time…

As she disembarked and started down the walkway towards baggage with the rest of her plane mates, Danielle's stomach turned. She knew this wasn't going be easy, facing him last time had honestly been what had kept her way until now. But she also knew something had be to done. 'I won't lose him, not this way.'