Chapter fourteen
Jesse told how after the spell had been cast on the gargoyles, she had gone with the others, to Kenneth's castle north of Wyvern. She then explained how Kenneth was killed by Constantine, and they fled to Avalon. Jesse had left to find the gargoyles, and instead, Avalon had "sent her through time", and she ended up in Scotland, 1000 years later.
She had then gone in search of the America she had been told about, and had ended up in the police station, where she had met Elisa, and her parents had taken Jesse into their home as a foster child. Two years later, the Xanatos' decided they were going to adopt Jesse, and went through with it, ripping Jesse away from all her friends and the people she had considered family.
"And that's what happened." Jesse said.
"All those years, when you felt so alone." Brooklyn said "I should have been there with you."
"You helped save us too." Angela said. "This is pretty strange. You were a teenager when I was an egg, and now you're only two years older, and I'm almost twenty-six."
"Kinda throws a monkey wrench in the works doesn't it?" Jesse asked. "So they named all of the hatchlings?"
Lexington jumped up. "We have names too."
"Oh really?"
"Yep. I'm Lexington, he's Broadway, and lover boy over there is Brooklyn."
Bronx jumped on Jesse and began licking her face. "And this beast?"
"Ah, down with ye." Hudson said. "This be Bronx."
"Bronx. What about you?"
"I'm Hudson, like the river."
"I see, you all named yourselves after places in New York." Jesse said. "So, I told you my story, how about you tell me yours."
The trio jumped all at once to tell the story. But Goliath stopped them. "That tale will have to wait until tomorrow. The sun is about to rise."
They all rose and started for the tower. Jesse and Brooklyn held back. He pulled her into an embrace one more time.
"Thank-you for not giving up on finding us."
"'Twas all I could do to keep from losing hope. I'm glad we're together again."
They shared a long kiss.
Goliath smiled. He walked over to Xanatos. "I--we owe you a great debt. You have given us back our home, our lives, and now, our child. How can we ever repay you?"
"You don't have to. Seeing Jesse happy is all the payment I need." Xanatos said.
"Perhaps you aren't as bad as I thought. Maybe there is hope for this world. Brooklyn come, the sun is soon to rise."
Brooklyn reluctantly left his love standing there, and followed Goliath up to the battlements.
Jesse stood there smiling. Fox walked over to her. "And you young lady, bed, now. We can't have you getting any sicker. You're lucky we let you out tonight."
Jesse smiled. "Thank you. For everything." And with that, she went up the stairs to her room.
* * *
That day was spent between sleep and consciousness. Awake for two hours for each meal, then back to relaxing and finally sleep. Only twice did Jesse hear Alex's muffled fuss through the intercom, all of which were permanently tuned to the nursery.
She fell asleep after that and the next thing she knew, Brooklyn was shaking her awake, just like he did long ago.
"Wake up sleepy head." He said, kissing her on the forehead. She sat up yawning. "That's right. Now what are we going to do tonight?"
Jesse smiled weakly. "I don't know. My stomach feels like a butter churn right now." She felt that strange feeling that told her she was about to throw-up, and ran for the bathroom, spilling her lunch into the toilet.
Brooklyn wisely stood outside the door, giving her her privacy. She walked out looking pale and, well, sick.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked
"Yeah, I'm--" her knees buckled. He swept her into his arms and set her on the bed. "--fine. I'm just getting over the flu, and I guess my excursion from the couch last night didn't help my condition. Sorry, guess I won't be much fun tonight. Why don't you go on without me."
"And leave you to suffer by yourself? I think not." he said and took the chair from her desk and set it by the bed. "I promised you the story, and I'm gonna give you the story." he smiled and started into his tale, beginning with their awakening.
* * *
Brooklyn left his slumbering love and wandered out to where Fox and Xanatos were playing with Alex. He paused a moment, then cleared his throat, nervously.
"Can we help you?" David asked.
"Uh, yeah. I just wanted to tell you that, Jesse's sick. She just threw her lunch up and is resting now."
Fox looked worriedly at her husband. "David, maybe you should call the doctor again."
"I think I might."
* * *
The doctor put his stethoscope away. "I can't figure it out. I think maybe she should go the hospital and get a few tests run. She has had the flu too many times, plus it's the middle of summer. The flu isn't too common at this time of the year."
"Do you think it could be serious?" Fox asked.
"Don't know. But get her checked anyway. Till then, you know the drill."
"Rest and plenty of fluids." Jesse said mockingly.
"That's right."
Brooklyn snuck in through the window as the adults left. "Hey, how ya feelin'?"
"Nauseous, tired, and frustrated"
Brooklyn smiled. "How about a song to put you to sleep?"
"Sound great."
She listened to the soothing tones of his beautiful voice, and soon fell into a deep slumber.
"Brooklyn, we're going to see a movie, wanna come?" Came Angela's voice from the doorway.
"Naw, you go ahead."
"All right. See you later."
"Bye."
* * *
September 1, 1996
Eyrie building
"I don't see why I have to go to a boarding school. I won't know anybody there. Can't I just go to my old school?"
"Now Jesse, you know we can't do everything with money. Besides The Academy is a great school. And it will only be one year, then you'll graduate." Fox said
"But I haven't seen Brianna or P.J. since the last day of school last year. I was hoping to see them this year. If I go to a boarding school, I'll never see them."
"Jesse, you'll only be at the school from Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be spent here where you will pursue your independent study with Owen." Xanatos added.
"But. . ."
"No buts. It's how it's going to be."
Jesse stormed off to her bedroom. Brooklyn caught up with her. "Hey, why don't we do some independent studying of our own?"
"Nice pick up line." she said sarcastically. "Where did you here that one?" Jesse closed her bedroom door.
"Hey, Lex isn't the only one who can use a computer." he said and pushed her down on the bed.
"Are you sure you want to do this. I could have some dangerous disease." She said through his mouth.
"You bet. It's been over a thousand years." he said pulling away, "And if it comes back to bite me in the ass tomorrow, we'll deal with that then."
"Okay, okay." She said, and pulled him back on top of her. "But you do remember what happened last time we did this."
* * *
A few hours later, someone knocked on her door, it was followed by a lighter rapping. Jesse smiled as she recognized Alex's tapping, and opened the door. Puck was standing there holding him. He gave her a once over, and seeing her in her bath robe, decided that he had come at a bad time.
"Did we interrupt something?"
"Nope. I was just on my way to the shower. Why?"
"Alex and I were about to have another lesson, and we wanted to know if you would like to join us."
"Sure, where you gonna be?"
"Down by the pool. We're trying the water lesson again."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Jesse said, grinning. She snapped her fingers, and was instantly clothed.
"Hey, you're getting good at that." Puck complemented.
"Thanks."
Puck offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She twined her arm in his, and they disappeared in a puff of smoke.
* * *
Brooklyn sat in the library, reading a book. Angela walked in and took a seat beside him.
"Hey, whatcha reading?" she asked.
"Shakespeare." he answered. marking his place and setting the book on the table beside him. "How was the movie?"
"Okay. I guess, if you go for that sort of thing."
"What did you see?"
"Independence Day."
"Oh. Angela, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, why not."
"Do any of your rookery siblings...look like Jesse?"
Angela thought a moment. "Now that you mention it, she does remind me of one of my sisters. In fact, if Jesse had wings, they could be twins. But her skin is more like the color of yours, only a bit paler. Why do you ask?" Angela said. Then after putting two and two together, "Oh. Let me guess, you and her. . ."
Brooklyn blushed and nodded.
"Wow, life does get interesting. Do you realize, that if mother and daughter ever met, Jesse would be the younger of the two?"
"Confusing, but true. What's her name?"
"Um. . .the princess named her after one of her relatives. It's a really long name, and I can't really think of it right now. But we always called her Odet."
"Odet." Brooklyn said thoughtfully.
* * *
"No!" Puck screamed. Alex's lip quivered. "No, Alex it's okay. I didn't mean to yell."
Tears ran down the little boys cheek. Jesse picked him up. "There, there, Alex. Uncle Robin doesn't have control over the things that leave his mouth. He wasn't yelling at you. He was just. . .yelling." Alex's eyes dried up. "There. Now why don't we try it again." She rested her cool fingers on
the boys temples and talked to him telepathically. Both of them closed their eyes in concentration.
Slowly, a bubble of water rose from the pool. It quivered midair for a second, then plummeted towards the fey. Puck shielded himself, but as the water was about to hit him, it stopped.
"Good boy!" Puck said gleefully. "Now shape it."
Jesse giggled and the bubble took shape.
"Why are you giggling? Giggling is not good. Jessondra, what are you telling him?"
The water shaped itself into a bucket, then to Puck's horror, the bucket tipped over and spilled it's contents on his head.
Jesse and Alex opened their eyes to see if it had worked, as if they couldn't tell by the sputtering noise coming from Puck. Jesse laughed out loud, not even trying to conceal it.
"I fail to see what is so funny." Puck said, spinning in a quick circle to dry off. "Avalon knows, what you put into that boy's head."
"He did it didn't he?"
"No, you helped. Helping doesn't count. But since you're so eager to practice, it's your turn. Levitate"
"Huh?"
"Don't play stupid. Levitate."
"You're joking, right?" She asked hopefully, but the stern look on Puck's face told her otherwise.
Jesse closed her eyes and concentrated. Puck watched. This girl had potential, but sometimes she could be a pain in the butt.
She started to float, ever so little, then dropped. Jesse opened her eyes.
"I can't do it."
"Sure you can. Try once more. Think how long telepathy took."
Jesse took a deep breath and closed her eyes again.
When she opened them, she was floating near the ceiling, with Puck beside her, sitting cross-legged in the air.
"I did it! I did it!"
"Not bad for a beginner. But it shouldn't take a lot of concentration. You need to practice."
"Thanks, I think."
* * *
The next night
The telephone in the study rang.
"I'll get it!" Jesse yelled and dove for the phone before any of the trio could get it. "Hello? Hey Brianna! Long time no see!"
"Hey Jess, who's Brianna?" Brooklyn asked.
"Shh." she said clamping his beak shut.
"Jesse, was that a male voice I just heard?" Brianna asked slyly. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, me and a bunch of uh. . .friends, were just watching a movie."
"Oh. Well, I guess I'll let you go then, so you can get back to your 'movie'"
Jesse knew she had put quotation marks around the last word. "Say, Brianna, why don't you come over, and spend the night. We have three more videos We're making it an all-nighter."
"Sounds great! My parents are out of town, and I'm staying with my grandpa, and he won't care. I'll be right over."
"Want me to have Owen bring the limo over?"
"Naw, I'll hop a taxi."
"Okay, bye."
As Jesse set the phone back down, Brooklyn gave her an uncertain look.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Why?. . .oh. Sure. Brianna's smart, she can understand. I think you'll really like her. She's easy to get along with, and lots of fun."
"Should we make more popcorn?" Broadway asked.
"Sure. I'm gonna go wait downstairs for her. Angela, where's Elisa?"
"I think she went off with father. Your guess is as good as mine."
"I'd rather not guess." Jesse said making a face, and ran from the room.
* * *
"Okay, now don't open your eyes till I tell you, 'kay?"
"All right" Brianna said. It's not like she could anyway. Jesse had her hands clamped over them, tightly.
"And no matter what you see, you won't scream, or run, or. . ."
"Jesse, I'm cool."
"Okay. . .open them."
Brianna opened her eyes, and there before her were four gargoyles.
"Whoa. . .They really do exist!"
"Another strong believer." Brooklyn muttered under his breath. Angela stamped on his foot. "Ow!"
"That's Brooklyn." Jesse said pointing out her mate. "And Broadway, Lexington, and Angela."
"Hey, the name's Brianna." She said "So what movie are we gonna see?" And then she sat down beside Angela.
Jesse took her seat on the other side of Brooklyn, and rested her head on his shoulder. "I told you it wouldn't be a problem." She whispered in his ear.
A crash issued from the floor above them immediately followed by a "Bronx! Nay!" and a scream from Fox.
Jesse told how after the spell had been cast on the gargoyles, she had gone with the others, to Kenneth's castle north of Wyvern. She then explained how Kenneth was killed by Constantine, and they fled to Avalon. Jesse had left to find the gargoyles, and instead, Avalon had "sent her through time", and she ended up in Scotland, 1000 years later.
She had then gone in search of the America she had been told about, and had ended up in the police station, where she had met Elisa, and her parents had taken Jesse into their home as a foster child. Two years later, the Xanatos' decided they were going to adopt Jesse, and went through with it, ripping Jesse away from all her friends and the people she had considered family.
"And that's what happened." Jesse said.
"All those years, when you felt so alone." Brooklyn said "I should have been there with you."
"You helped save us too." Angela said. "This is pretty strange. You were a teenager when I was an egg, and now you're only two years older, and I'm almost twenty-six."
"Kinda throws a monkey wrench in the works doesn't it?" Jesse asked. "So they named all of the hatchlings?"
Lexington jumped up. "We have names too."
"Oh really?"
"Yep. I'm Lexington, he's Broadway, and lover boy over there is Brooklyn."
Bronx jumped on Jesse and began licking her face. "And this beast?"
"Ah, down with ye." Hudson said. "This be Bronx."
"Bronx. What about you?"
"I'm Hudson, like the river."
"I see, you all named yourselves after places in New York." Jesse said. "So, I told you my story, how about you tell me yours."
The trio jumped all at once to tell the story. But Goliath stopped them. "That tale will have to wait until tomorrow. The sun is about to rise."
They all rose and started for the tower. Jesse and Brooklyn held back. He pulled her into an embrace one more time.
"Thank-you for not giving up on finding us."
"'Twas all I could do to keep from losing hope. I'm glad we're together again."
They shared a long kiss.
Goliath smiled. He walked over to Xanatos. "I--we owe you a great debt. You have given us back our home, our lives, and now, our child. How can we ever repay you?"
"You don't have to. Seeing Jesse happy is all the payment I need." Xanatos said.
"Perhaps you aren't as bad as I thought. Maybe there is hope for this world. Brooklyn come, the sun is soon to rise."
Brooklyn reluctantly left his love standing there, and followed Goliath up to the battlements.
Jesse stood there smiling. Fox walked over to her. "And you young lady, bed, now. We can't have you getting any sicker. You're lucky we let you out tonight."
Jesse smiled. "Thank you. For everything." And with that, she went up the stairs to her room.
* * *
That day was spent between sleep and consciousness. Awake for two hours for each meal, then back to relaxing and finally sleep. Only twice did Jesse hear Alex's muffled fuss through the intercom, all of which were permanently tuned to the nursery.
She fell asleep after that and the next thing she knew, Brooklyn was shaking her awake, just like he did long ago.
"Wake up sleepy head." He said, kissing her on the forehead. She sat up yawning. "That's right. Now what are we going to do tonight?"
Jesse smiled weakly. "I don't know. My stomach feels like a butter churn right now." She felt that strange feeling that told her she was about to throw-up, and ran for the bathroom, spilling her lunch into the toilet.
Brooklyn wisely stood outside the door, giving her her privacy. She walked out looking pale and, well, sick.
"Hey, are you okay?" He asked
"Yeah, I'm--" her knees buckled. He swept her into his arms and set her on the bed. "--fine. I'm just getting over the flu, and I guess my excursion from the couch last night didn't help my condition. Sorry, guess I won't be much fun tonight. Why don't you go on without me."
"And leave you to suffer by yourself? I think not." he said and took the chair from her desk and set it by the bed. "I promised you the story, and I'm gonna give you the story." he smiled and started into his tale, beginning with their awakening.
* * *
Brooklyn left his slumbering love and wandered out to where Fox and Xanatos were playing with Alex. He paused a moment, then cleared his throat, nervously.
"Can we help you?" David asked.
"Uh, yeah. I just wanted to tell you that, Jesse's sick. She just threw her lunch up and is resting now."
Fox looked worriedly at her husband. "David, maybe you should call the doctor again."
"I think I might."
* * *
The doctor put his stethoscope away. "I can't figure it out. I think maybe she should go the hospital and get a few tests run. She has had the flu too many times, plus it's the middle of summer. The flu isn't too common at this time of the year."
"Do you think it could be serious?" Fox asked.
"Don't know. But get her checked anyway. Till then, you know the drill."
"Rest and plenty of fluids." Jesse said mockingly.
"That's right."
Brooklyn snuck in through the window as the adults left. "Hey, how ya feelin'?"
"Nauseous, tired, and frustrated"
Brooklyn smiled. "How about a song to put you to sleep?"
"Sound great."
She listened to the soothing tones of his beautiful voice, and soon fell into a deep slumber.
"Brooklyn, we're going to see a movie, wanna come?" Came Angela's voice from the doorway.
"Naw, you go ahead."
"All right. See you later."
"Bye."
* * *
September 1, 1996
Eyrie building
"I don't see why I have to go to a boarding school. I won't know anybody there. Can't I just go to my old school?"
"Now Jesse, you know we can't do everything with money. Besides The Academy is a great school. And it will only be one year, then you'll graduate." Fox said
"But I haven't seen Brianna or P.J. since the last day of school last year. I was hoping to see them this year. If I go to a boarding school, I'll never see them."
"Jesse, you'll only be at the school from Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday will be spent here where you will pursue your independent study with Owen." Xanatos added.
"But. . ."
"No buts. It's how it's going to be."
Jesse stormed off to her bedroom. Brooklyn caught up with her. "Hey, why don't we do some independent studying of our own?"
"Nice pick up line." she said sarcastically. "Where did you here that one?" Jesse closed her bedroom door.
"Hey, Lex isn't the only one who can use a computer." he said and pushed her down on the bed.
"Are you sure you want to do this. I could have some dangerous disease." She said through his mouth.
"You bet. It's been over a thousand years." he said pulling away, "And if it comes back to bite me in the ass tomorrow, we'll deal with that then."
"Okay, okay." She said, and pulled him back on top of her. "But you do remember what happened last time we did this."
* * *
A few hours later, someone knocked on her door, it was followed by a lighter rapping. Jesse smiled as she recognized Alex's tapping, and opened the door. Puck was standing there holding him. He gave her a once over, and seeing her in her bath robe, decided that he had come at a bad time.
"Did we interrupt something?"
"Nope. I was just on my way to the shower. Why?"
"Alex and I were about to have another lesson, and we wanted to know if you would like to join us."
"Sure, where you gonna be?"
"Down by the pool. We're trying the water lesson again."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Jesse said, grinning. She snapped her fingers, and was instantly clothed.
"Hey, you're getting good at that." Puck complemented.
"Thanks."
Puck offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She twined her arm in his, and they disappeared in a puff of smoke.
* * *
Brooklyn sat in the library, reading a book. Angela walked in and took a seat beside him.
"Hey, whatcha reading?" she asked.
"Shakespeare." he answered. marking his place and setting the book on the table beside him. "How was the movie?"
"Okay. I guess, if you go for that sort of thing."
"What did you see?"
"Independence Day."
"Oh. Angela, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, why not."
"Do any of your rookery siblings...look like Jesse?"
Angela thought a moment. "Now that you mention it, she does remind me of one of my sisters. In fact, if Jesse had wings, they could be twins. But her skin is more like the color of yours, only a bit paler. Why do you ask?" Angela said. Then after putting two and two together, "Oh. Let me guess, you and her. . ."
Brooklyn blushed and nodded.
"Wow, life does get interesting. Do you realize, that if mother and daughter ever met, Jesse would be the younger of the two?"
"Confusing, but true. What's her name?"
"Um. . .the princess named her after one of her relatives. It's a really long name, and I can't really think of it right now. But we always called her Odet."
"Odet." Brooklyn said thoughtfully.
* * *
"No!" Puck screamed. Alex's lip quivered. "No, Alex it's okay. I didn't mean to yell."
Tears ran down the little boys cheek. Jesse picked him up. "There, there, Alex. Uncle Robin doesn't have control over the things that leave his mouth. He wasn't yelling at you. He was just. . .yelling." Alex's eyes dried up. "There. Now why don't we try it again." She rested her cool fingers on
the boys temples and talked to him telepathically. Both of them closed their eyes in concentration.
Slowly, a bubble of water rose from the pool. It quivered midair for a second, then plummeted towards the fey. Puck shielded himself, but as the water was about to hit him, it stopped.
"Good boy!" Puck said gleefully. "Now shape it."
Jesse giggled and the bubble took shape.
"Why are you giggling? Giggling is not good. Jessondra, what are you telling him?"
The water shaped itself into a bucket, then to Puck's horror, the bucket tipped over and spilled it's contents on his head.
Jesse and Alex opened their eyes to see if it had worked, as if they couldn't tell by the sputtering noise coming from Puck. Jesse laughed out loud, not even trying to conceal it.
"I fail to see what is so funny." Puck said, spinning in a quick circle to dry off. "Avalon knows, what you put into that boy's head."
"He did it didn't he?"
"No, you helped. Helping doesn't count. But since you're so eager to practice, it's your turn. Levitate"
"Huh?"
"Don't play stupid. Levitate."
"You're joking, right?" She asked hopefully, but the stern look on Puck's face told her otherwise.
Jesse closed her eyes and concentrated. Puck watched. This girl had potential, but sometimes she could be a pain in the butt.
She started to float, ever so little, then dropped. Jesse opened her eyes.
"I can't do it."
"Sure you can. Try once more. Think how long telepathy took."
Jesse took a deep breath and closed her eyes again.
When she opened them, she was floating near the ceiling, with Puck beside her, sitting cross-legged in the air.
"I did it! I did it!"
"Not bad for a beginner. But it shouldn't take a lot of concentration. You need to practice."
"Thanks, I think."
* * *
The next night
The telephone in the study rang.
"I'll get it!" Jesse yelled and dove for the phone before any of the trio could get it. "Hello? Hey Brianna! Long time no see!"
"Hey Jess, who's Brianna?" Brooklyn asked.
"Shh." she said clamping his beak shut.
"Jesse, was that a male voice I just heard?" Brianna asked slyly. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, me and a bunch of uh. . .friends, were just watching a movie."
"Oh. Well, I guess I'll let you go then, so you can get back to your 'movie'"
Jesse knew she had put quotation marks around the last word. "Say, Brianna, why don't you come over, and spend the night. We have three more videos We're making it an all-nighter."
"Sounds great! My parents are out of town, and I'm staying with my grandpa, and he won't care. I'll be right over."
"Want me to have Owen bring the limo over?"
"Naw, I'll hop a taxi."
"Okay, bye."
As Jesse set the phone back down, Brooklyn gave her an uncertain look.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Why?. . .oh. Sure. Brianna's smart, she can understand. I think you'll really like her. She's easy to get along with, and lots of fun."
"Should we make more popcorn?" Broadway asked.
"Sure. I'm gonna go wait downstairs for her. Angela, where's Elisa?"
"I think she went off with father. Your guess is as good as mine."
"I'd rather not guess." Jesse said making a face, and ran from the room.
* * *
"Okay, now don't open your eyes till I tell you, 'kay?"
"All right" Brianna said. It's not like she could anyway. Jesse had her hands clamped over them, tightly.
"And no matter what you see, you won't scream, or run, or. . ."
"Jesse, I'm cool."
"Okay. . .open them."
Brianna opened her eyes, and there before her were four gargoyles.
"Whoa. . .They really do exist!"
"Another strong believer." Brooklyn muttered under his breath. Angela stamped on his foot. "Ow!"
"That's Brooklyn." Jesse said pointing out her mate. "And Broadway, Lexington, and Angela."
"Hey, the name's Brianna." She said "So what movie are we gonna see?" And then she sat down beside Angela.
Jesse took her seat on the other side of Brooklyn, and rested her head on his shoulder. "I told you it wouldn't be a problem." She whispered in his ear.
A crash issued from the floor above them immediately followed by a "Bronx! Nay!" and a scream from Fox.