Part 5

Of all the people she needed to talk about her and Goliath's relationship, Elisa knew Talon would be the worst. She knew that long before Brooklyn brought it up. Elisa still refused to ever call Talon by that name. No matter what he looked like, Talon was always Derek to Elisa. While Elisa hadn't told Beth yet, she knew better than to keep this from Talon for too much longer. Either her parents would say something, one of the gargoyles would let it slip, or Talon would catch Elisa and Goliath somewhere; all scenarios ended with Talon going off the deep end, immediately. Elisa needed to talk to Talon herself and alone, before anything happened.

Elisa was sitting at home, after her night shift. She got a message to Talon, via Lexington and Maggie, that she wanted to talk to him. Elisa thought about going to the Catacombs, but she thought it best to have the conversation on her own turf. Though the more Elisa thought about it, the more she realized she should've asked Maggie to tag along. Maggie was the best at keeping Talon calm, even in his worse moods.

As the time got closer for Talon to arrive, Elisa kicked herself as she still had no idea at all how she was going to approach this. With Talon, beating around the bush didn't work before he became a mutate, and it certainly didn't work now.

Then there was the idea of being direct. And the possible consequences from that were just as bad. However, it was probably the better route.

Elisa didn't even try to kid herself. This was going to be rough, no matter what.

Elisa walked outside and, a minute later, she saw Talon flying through the sky. She smiled as Talon landed.

"Hey, Elisa," Talon smiled.

"Hey, Derek," Elisa greeted as they hugged.

After they separated, Talon leaned against the wall, "So, what's up? Maggie said it was important."

"Yeah, it is." Elisa took a breath. "I've… got some news and… I don't know how you'll take it."

"Oh, I'm scared."

"It's not scary. It's just… news."

"And the news would be?" Talon asked.

Elisa took a deep breath and exhaled. "Me and Goliath are dating."

Talon stared at her, blankly. He blinked a few times. "I'm sorry. I think… I had a stroke or something. You wanna repeat that one more time?"

Elisa rolled her eyes. "You heard me."

Talon glared at her, followed by pushing himself off the wall and pacing for a second.

"Okay, Derek, look…"

"No!" Talon said, angrily. "Stop!"

"You need to listen…"

"No, I don't! You need to come to your senses! I mean, dating Goliath! Goliath?! You're kidding me with this, Elisa!"

Elisa put her hand up, "I get why you're mad…"

"No, you don't!" Talon argued. "Or else you wouldn't be so calm! Or, even better, you wouldn't be doing something this stupid in the first place!"

Elisa felt her muscles tighten. She managed to keep her calm. "I know what I'm doing and it's not stupid!"

"You don't have a clue!"

Elisa suddenly found it harder to remain calm. "Yes, I do!" She took another moment. "Derek. I'm in love with Goliath."

Talon stared at her in absolute shock.

Elisa noticed his glare bordered on horrified.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Talon asked, furiously. "Love?! With Goliath?! What does he even know about that?"

"Don't go there, Derek!" Elisa warned, matching his fury in an instant. "That's the line and you're way too close to it!"

Talon growled. "You've lost it, Elisa! That guy doesn't know anything about love! He's a fighter! A monster when he feels like it! Pure and simple!"

"I warned you to watch it, Derek! I won't tell you again. He knows about love. All about it! The good and the bad! The worst! He's had his heart broken in the worst ways. You have no idea! And that's how I know he loves me! Because he's able to even want to risk it again after all he's been through!"

"This is so stupid. You're not thinking straight. Not if you're in love with that monster!"

"You seriously wanna keep calling him that?" Elisa asked, angrily. "He's the same 'monster' who's looked out for me since the first day I met him! Trusted me when he didn't have to! I trusted him! Yes, we both took a risk on that and there was a lot of doubt! But now… all of that is gone!"

"And now you think it's a good idea to date him?!" Talon asked.

"Not just date him, Derek! I love him! And why not? Give me a good reason why I shouldn't!"

"He's a monster!"

"That's all you got?" Elisa asked. "And, if that's it, based on what? What makes him a monster?! How he looks? Do you think I see you as a monster because of how you look?"

Talon glared at her.

"I don't! I never have. I never will! You're still my brother! You always will be! I love you, always! And I love Goliath. I'm never apologizing for that."

"And how are you two gonna date?!" Talon shouted. "Get married?! Have kids?! I know you, Elisa! Somewhere down the line, you want to have kids!"

Elisa ran her hand, angrily, through her hair.

"That will never happen with Goliath! You guys won't have a future! And I don't care how much you 'love' him, you know there's no future here!"

"I don't know that!" Elisa fired back. "I know this will be hard! I know it could be nearly impossible! But I also know there's a chance! He makes me happy, Derek! That's the truth! I love him, he loves me, and, no matter how hard it gets, we're going to make it work!"

"So, you'll sacrifice your entire life for this pipe dream?!"

"It's not a pipe dream! I'm not sacrificing anything! I'm taking a risk! A risk I know, beyond any doubt, is worth taking! And I'm doing it, whether you like it or not! I called you here to tell you! Not get your permission for the direction I take my life! I didn't ask, need, or, at this point, want your approval!"

Talon took a few breaths, turned his back to Elisa, and walked away a few steps.

Elisa exhaled, ruefully. "Derek…"

"This is wrong, Elisa," Talon declared. "You're only setting yourself up for heartbreak. You know it. He can't give you what you want or the life you deserve. No matter how much to think you love him or he thinks he loves you. You're fighting a losing battle. And you'll regret it." He leapt off the roof and flew away, leaving her alone.

Elisa let out another breath as she watched him fly away. Sadly, that went almost exactly like she knew it would.

A/N: Part 6 will be up soon!