Here's a Muppet News Flash… I don't own these guys. They are the property of Disney and I wont be making a single cent off of them… so if they feel so inclined to come after me the best I can do is give them my Magic 8-Ball and hope they will accept that in lew of actual money.
I warn you now, this contains sexual content (a gray area between R and NC-17) so if this kind of thing offends you or you happen to be underage, then I suggest you look else where… Don't say I didn't warn you….
This actually links "A Darker Side of Light" to "Keeping the Faith". While it's not completely necessary to read either, I surely would appreciate it and as always, feedback is welcome.
P.S. Yes Pony, I'm still working on the follow-up to "Keeping the Faith"… I just need a good kick in the pants to get it done.
Happy Reading! J
Shadow Runner
***** ***** *****
Goliath finished his patrol early and now stood alone on the balcony of Elisa's apartment. They had agreed to meet tonight, but when he arrived, he found no one home and was troubled that something might have happened to her.
It had been just over a month since he'd had spent any real time with her. Ever since their most recent run in with Jon Canmore and the subsequent, and highly unauthorized, sting operation she, her partner Matt Bluestone, and the rest of the Clan had run two months ago, Elisa had been under close scrutiny by those in 'authority' positions within New York Police Department.
No one could argue that it was highly unusual for someone to be kidnapped, then found, and not have any suspects or arrests made as a result. If these events had occurred within a standard precinct, there would have been an immediate and full-blown investigation.
But they didn't.
They happened in the 23rd Precinct, therefore it was par for the course.
The difference this time revolved around the fact that Elisa was the 'victim', Matt was directly involved in the investigation, and there were a few unconfirmed rumors that David Xanatos had somehow been involved in the situation.
Accordingly, there were some within the upper echelons that had serious doubts about the integrity of their story. But it was common knowledge that if a case was solved and it didn't involve major damage to the city or rumors of non-existent beasts then Captain Maria Chavez could live with the outcome.
Considering everything else the NYPD, not to mention the entire city, had been through in the last year it was a miracle they didn't put Elisa in protective custody. But in the end, and taking into account there was no evidence to dispute Elisa and Matt's version of the events, those with doubts had no choice but to let the matter drop.
But it didn't mean they would like it and it certainly didn't mean they wouldn't ask questions.
And there had been a lot of questions.
Goliath knew the situation weighed heavy on Elisa's mind, but in the end they had no other choice. The actions they had taken ensured the Clans safety, at least for the time being. The Hunter might be willing to lay low but there were other threats in the city that weren't so accommodating.
Sometimes, while he was on patrol, Goliath would see her working and it took all his strength to not defy her wishes and go to her. He had to constantly remind himself of the inherent dangers and if he were to do so, the problems would be increased by a factor of ten.
They knew every time they were together the risks of discovery increased and the Clan's safety still depended on anonymity. Rumors could be always be dispelled, unconditional discovery could not, so they now saw each other when it posed the least amount of danger to all the parties involved.
Despite that, Goliath missed her sorely and lately… he found himself wanting more.
And it bothered him greatly.
Glancing out over the city, Goliath took in a deep breath. He had no idea how long he had been standing on her balcony but Elisa still wasn't home and he was beginning to think something had happened to her. He was about to leave to find the others when the light flicked on in the apartment. He stepped back into the shadows for a moment and waited.
Elisa walked in with a grocery bag in her arms. She set it on the counter of the kitchen and ran her fingers through long black hair as she walked back into the living room. She looked as if she were pondering what to do next.
Goliath remained silent, watching her.
He observed as she removed her bomber jacket and tossed it on the couch and then returned to the kitchen and started to unpack the contents of the bag; candles, wine, and a few other items. She quickly moved about the room, placing the candles around and then walked over to the stereo systems and fiddled with the controls.
Soon, soft music replaced the quiet and once again, she was moving about the room, adjusting the furniture and such. She disappeared into another room and returned with a blanket and several large pillows. Spreading the blanket out on the floor, she tossed the pillows down and returned to the kitchen for the wine and two glasses.
Returning to the living room she began moving about, lighting the candles and dimming the lights. It quickly occurred to him that she was preparing for his arrival and probably hadn't expected him to arrive before her. He felt his heart swell as he smiled at the woman who had so captured his heart.
Elisa turned and glanced over to the balcony just as Goliath stepped into the light. She favored him with a wide grin, apparently not at all surprised to see him already there.
Walking over, she opened the doors, "I was wondering how long you were going to stand out there."
"You knew I was here?" he questioned stepping back slightly.
"Come on Big Guy, the balcony isn't that big…"
Elisa stepped out to join him and paused to rub her arms in a half effort to warm herself as an unexpected breeze blew across the terrace. Below, she could hear the distant sounds of the city coming to life and was grateful for the merciful night off she had been granted.
A part of her felt guilty about accepting the time off since she and Matt still had a pile of work on their desks. Captain Chavez had told them it would still be there when they returned and probably have grown during their brief absence and not to worry about it.
On a deeper level, Elisa knew if they didn't take the night off, Captain Chavez was likely to force them into the time off in light of recent events.
They all needed some down time.
And that was exactly what she had in mind for tonight.
She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms behind his neck to kiss him and felt him tense slightly, "What's wrong?" she inquired.
Goliath remained quiet, not trusting his voice and afraid she might hear the unsteadiness of his voice. He had been on the edge before, the edge of panic, and hadn't realized how worried he'd been until just that moment. So afraid something had happened to her, so relieved when he knew she was all right. Instead of answering her question, he leaned down to kiss her.
Elisa pulled back and gave Goliath a questioning look, trying to understand what the problem was. He was trembling and it was obvious that something had frightened him but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what the problem might be.
Goliath could see the questions in her eyes and gave her a light kiss on the forehead, speaking into her hair softly, "I am glad you are safe..." He finally allowed his gaze to fall back on her, "I do not know what I would do if you were to be taken from me again…"
She took a deep breath and held him close as if to reassure him she was really there; that she was OK. She now understood where his fear was coming from but had assumed they had put the incident with the Hunter behind them.
Elisa cringed as another tremble wracked its way through Goliath's body. While she had placed the episode far from her mind, it was clearly not the case for him. Cautiously, she pulled away from him and leaned against the ledge of the balcony with her arms crossed over her chest. "Big Guy… Let's not do this, OK?"
Goliath immediately recognized her stance but elected to ignore her warning tone as well as her request to please change the subject and favored her with a look of concern, "Elisa… I will always be concerned for your safety when I am not there to protect…"
"You can't be there every time I run off half cocked…" Elisa stated matter of factly. She could feel herself being pulled to the defensive and wasn't thrilled with the direction the conversation was about to go. This was not how she planned on spending their evening.
Goliath took a tentative step forward, "But I should be…"
Elisa felt her face grow hot under his intense gaze. She had a pretty good idea of what he was getting at but at the same time she wasn't sure how to respond to his comments.
While most couples gauged their relationships in terms of months and years, Elisa measured hers with Goliath in terms of minutes and more often by seconds. It always felt like the limited time they had to spend together was dictated by outside forces.
She glanced away to look out over the city, lost in her own far away thoughts, "Goliath… we've been over this a thousand times before…"
He gave her a gentle smile of understanding and pulled her back into his embrace, "And we will be here a thousand times more…"
"True…" Elisa smiled and returned his embrace, surprised to find she wasn't irritated by the over protectiveness he was displaying. Slowly she took him by the talon and led him into her apartment. The lights were low and the candles flickered slightly from the breeze of the open balcony door.
She stood before him, tracing her fingers over his chest. Her touch made his wings twitch slightly. He could almost feel her heartbeat even though they were nearly a foot apart. He knew their hearts might not ever beat as one physically… but they did so in spirit. He pulled her closer and wrapped her in his wings, needing to feel her close against his skin.
Maybe it was the time apart that made the embrace feel different from the other times he had held her. Elisa seemed to radiate energy as if her body was charged with electricity. The need to have her physically near him was stronger than it had ever been, and at the same time, it reminded him of something from long ago.
A memory faded with time but the feelings remained strong.
Goliath felt as if he were standing on unstable ground. He was fighting to restrain himself and lost as to what to do. He was uncertain how to proceed but felt his instincts beginning to take over.
He looked down at Elisa and saw only trust and love in her eyes, and with that one look, his body made the decision his mind failed to make. Goliath pulled her down to the floor, and settled with his back against the couch and her by his side.
Elisa traced her fingers up and down his lavender chest. It had a familiar feel and reminded her vaguely of the tightly stretched leather from a ceremonial drum her father had when she was a child. She could feel the peculiar beating of his heart and noted that his breathing was slowly increasing. She took a deep breath, savoring his sent, he smelled of leather and stone after a summer rain.
She knew this was where she belonged.
It felt like home.
The passion was increasing between them, moving in a directing they'd never attempted before. Goliath tipped her head back to kiss her, now well versed with this human custom. There was a time when the human behavior seemed foreign to him. Now it was second nature to him and he wondered absently why Gargoyles had not picked it up sooner.
He was lost in his own thoughts of her, the softness of her skin on his, the touch of her hands over him. Her sable hair smelled of strawberries but underneath that there was another sent; tender and comforting but at the same time carnal and powerful.
He once again felt himself wanting… needing… more.
Elisa felt him push her away slightly, to look deeply into her eyes. It was as if he were looking into her very soul. His black eyes were smoldering and she looked away self-consciously, unable to read his intense expression. She reached over and lifted the wine from a near by table and handed Goliath the bottle. She was about to hand him the corkscrew, but realized he didn't need it.
With a soft poke of a talon, Goliath pulled the cork from the bottle.
She cocked an eye at him and held out the glasses. "That's a handy little trick," she said softly.
As he poured the wine, the music played softly in the background. She took one glass and handed him the other. They tapped crystal flutes lightly and the sound seemed to blend perfectly with the music.
Goliath gazed at her over his glass, the wine tasted sweet on his lips and made his head buzz slightly as he allowed his eyes run over Elisa's face and down her body.
She wore a light blue button up blouse with light colored slacks. It was a different look than her work attire, more casual and relaxed. The sleeves were rolled up a bit to expose the lower part of her arms. She had kicked off her shoes earlier and he marveled at the smallness of her feet.
Goliath chuckled to himself. How could someone with such small feet be so strong?
He found himself thinking of all they had been though in the last two years; of all the events they had fought and suffered for to get to where they were today. It had been a perilous journey and often the road was rough, but in the end he could think of few events that he would have changed.
Elisa gave him a questioning glance. Goliath was often quiet and introspective but it was becoming clear there was something else besides their time together occupying his thoughts at the moment. "What's on your mind?" she inquired gently.
Goliath's voice was deep and seemed to reverberate in the room. "I am trying to understand how we got to this place..." he replied softy.
There was a long pause as Elisa followed his gaze. "By looking at my feet?" she inquired casually trying to lighten his mood.
Goliath allowed the comment to go unanswered and shifted around until he felt her lay her head against his shoulder again. They sat this way for several minutes each lost in their own thoughts.
Elisa felt a rush of warmth radiate from Goliath's body as she rested against him. "Is it that important how we got here?" she finally asked in reference to his earlier words.
"Yes… I think it is…" he replied thoughtfully.
Elisa was quiet. For months they had avoided the subject of their tenuous relationship, but now it would seem the time for slow was over and both of them had run out of excuses not to discuss it.
Human and Gargoyle reactions to situations were not always compatible and it was often reflected in the almost comical ways they interacted with each other. The first time she slipped her tongue into Goliath's mouth, he very nearly jumped out of his skin.
Elisa lifted her head and studied Goliath's face, which was now just as curious and inquisitive as hers had been before. She absently, almost instinctively, touched his face and brushed a finger over his lips, "I don't know…I wish I did, but the truth is… I just don't know…"
She sighed as she laid her head back onto his shoulder and spoke in the general direction of his neck, "It just... happened…"
Goliath felt the heat from her breath on his skin and felt the need growing again. He didn't want to press the issue, but the images entering his mind were becoming harder to control and he didn't with to alarm her. In an effort to hide what he was feeling, he none too gently pushed her away and saw the hurt expression on her face when he did so.
"Goliath," She said softly. When he didn't respond, she set her glass down and repeated his name a bit louder, "Goliath."
Hearing her speaking his name pulled him out of his contemplation, but he refused to look her, "Don't shut me out… not tonight…" she implored.
The anguish in her voice brought nearly brought tears to his eyes, "You know not of what you ask…"
She lifted his head so he could see her. So he could look into her eyes and understand what it was she was telling him, "Yes… I do…"
Goliath searched her eyes, praying for a reason to keep her back; knowing he wouldn't find one.
Elisa closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his. He shifted and wrapped his wings around her and held her tightly. His tongue slid across her lips and into her mouth and this time it was she who nearly jumped out of her skin. She could feel his talons tremble as his they roamed up and down her back, pulling her closer trying to meld them into one being.
"Elisa… please… we must stop…" he gasped out suddenly.
"Why?" She murmured into his neck.
Goliath felt her breath, warm against his skin. He sat up and kissed her softly on the top of the head, needing her to understand what it was that he was not only asking but also desiring. "Because I do not wish to pressure you…"
"What makes you think you're pressuring me into anything?" she inquired.
Goliath glanced away in mild embarrassment, "I do not know that 'this' will even be possible…"
The last part was spoken almost like a plea and to Elisa it almost sounded like a request for her to put a stop to this before they went any further.
She shifted around and took his glass from him setting it on the near by table. He expected her to return to her original position, but instead she raised up slightly and straddled the lower part of his body and ground her hips against him. She was immediately rewarded with his soft moan of desire.
"Why wouldn't it…?" she teased, "Seems to me that 'this' is working out just fine…"
In Elisa's heart she knew she wouldn't refused him no matter what the problems might be. In fact she was rather surprised that he was even speaking of his desire to be with her in such a way. She leaned back and traced her finger over the ridges of his brow as if in reassurance and then placed her arms around him and leaned into his chest. She slowly caressed the area where his wings joined his back and smiled when she felt him quivering in reaction to her touch.
"Elisa…" He warned again.
She ignored him and leaned in and kissed him softly on the brow, the eyes, the bridge of his nose, and finally resting on his lips. "Believe me… I think between the two of us, we can figure it out…" she whispered between kisses.
She began cautiously, building slowly. Running her fingers through his hair and over the ridges of his head she traced the outlines of his face with her hands.
Goliath felt his earlier concerns slipping away, being pulled from him by her gentle touch. He relaxed as the sensations and soft kisses continued. Her lips still tasted of the wine and he hungered for more.
Gradually, he raised his arms to touch her tentatively on the shoulders. When she didn't flinch at the contact, he became bolder, moving them down her arms, caressing her delicately. Stopping to grasp her hands, he brought them to his lips, kissing them and rubbing them to his cheek.
The CD player clicked softly as the discs shuffled around. The music continued, but Goliath heard none of it. He was lost in the magic of the moment, and didn't want to focus on anything but the woman before him.
His Elisa.
Elisa slowly leaned back from him, as this was the moment of truth. She knew if she stopped now, Goliath might allow his earlier concerns overtake their mutual desire. Slowly she pulled her hands from his and began unbuttoning her blouse.
Goliath reached up to stop her. The hurt look on her face made him realize she was misinterpreting his actions. He brought her arms back down to her sides and smiled at her. After a momentary pause he raised his talons to her shoulders and slowly, almost deliberately, he moved to the buttons of her blouse.
With quivering talons, he began to finish what she had started.
Elisa's breathing was coming in short bursts, and if she knew if she wasn't careful she was going to start hyperventilating. She closed her eyes and tried to control it but was having little luck.
When Goliath finished he lowered his arms and gazed upon her. The blouse was still partially closed but it exposed enough to make him want more. Carefully, he brought his arms back up and slipped it from her shoulders… and then stopped once again.
Elisa opened her eyes carefully when she felt him stop and was surprised to find him just looking at her. She wondered for a moment about what he was looking at, what he might be seeing, and cocked her head slightly, "What's wrong?"
He didn't speak as he was in awe. He just sat there listening but not hearing; looking, but not really seeing. He let his gaze roll over her body, noting the way her chest rose and fell with her breathing, he could almost see the pulse of her blood in the veins of her neck.
He let his talons trace over her skin and started to give her a soft smile but stopped; the uneasiness he felt earlier had found its way back to him. Elisa was about to reach over to him but he abruptly lifted a taloned hand up to prevent her from touching him and refused to meet her questioning gaze.
Elisa looked at him in bewilderment. At first she had no idea what had caused him to react to her in such a way. She felt her eyes being pulled in the direction of her own body and looked down to see what he was seeing.
His eyes were locked on a scar high up on her chest.
Not just any scar but 'The Scar'.
She felt her heart stop for an instant and realized this was the first time he had actually seen it. They both knew there was another, smaller vertical surgical incision, near the base of her spine… where they removed the bullet from her.
Goliath flashed to that night, Owen Burnett standing on the parapet of the castle to inform him she'd been shot. Of seeing her lying helpless on the hospital… of learning it was not Anthony Dracon who had almost killed her, but Broadway.
Elisa raised his talons to the scar and when he hesitated, she pressed slightly, "It's OK…it's a part of me…"
He finally allowed her to lead him, to guide him to the point on her body that was causing such anguish for him.
"See?" she said softly, it's a part of who I am now…"
He traced it slowly, "So very fragile…"
Elisa didn't think he wasn't referring to her but rather the circumstances. She refused to allow him to dwell on things they could not change and instead focused on the reality of the situation, "Well… I'm still here… so unless you plan on sending me away, I'm not going anywhere… "
Goliath allowed his hands to develop a mind of their own as they began moving over her body. He gently caressed her breasts, cupping one in his large claw, rubbing a talon over the fabric of her bra and the hardening nipple beneath. Elisa tried to stifle a soft moan but it somehow managed to escape her lips.
Goliath watched Elisa in wonder as he continued his gentle caress. It was magical to see the changes coming over her by his touch, the way she responded to his actions. To know she truly trusted, needed… and wanted him.
The sensations caused goose flesh to break out over her exposed flesh and Elisa shuddered. She felt the nearly dormant and all but forgotten feelings of passion building within her. The dull ache of knowing what she wanted and having it so very close. She listened to the soft voice of desire, long thought non-existent, coming to life. She groaned softly, arching her back slightly and reached back to unclasp her bra and set it off to the side.
Goliath pulled her to him, the feeling of flesh on flesh for the first time with her, however limited it might become, was intoxicating. He ran his talons over her back and down to the base of her spine. He felt the need building in him again, "Elisa…" he gasped out.
"If you tell me we have to stop then we will…" Elisa closed her eyes and leaned in, kissing his neck, but stopped for a moment breathing heavily into his throat, "But I'm kinda hoping you won't…"
He brought her closer and nuzzled at her neck, "I doubt I could stop even if I wanted too…"
Elisa felt his tail begin tracing small circle on her back, causing a whole new batch of goose flesh to break out on her. She also felt something else. Something she hadn't noticed before and it didn't take long for her to realize the effect she was having on him.
She shifted around on him trying to get into an acceptable position but between her slacks and Goliath's belt, something was going to have to give.
"Hmmm…I think… maybe… we do need to stop…" she mumbled as she rolled off him. She struggled with the buttons on her pants and was dismayed to find her hands shaking so badly that she was unable to get them undone.
Slowly Goliath rose and pulled her to her feet and moved large talons to the button of her pants, "Allow me…"
Elisa felt a cool breeze as Goliath slipped them down around and removed them.
She stood before him, clad only small cotton panties. He knelt before her and pulled them down, pushing them over her hips and down her legs. She stepped daintily out of them as he took in a deep breath and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. He lightly kissed the scar on her chest and whispered her name into her taunt flesh. He felt her raise her hands to stroke the back of his head lovingly.
They remained like that for some time until Elisa gradually worked her arms between them and began tugging at his belt. She could not understand why the stupid thing was not coming off and began yanking at it in frustration.
Goliath finally stood and assisted her before she became irate to the point of getting a knife to cut the leather. He tossed the belt to the side and the loincloth fell to the floor. They now stood completely naked before each other.
Elisa looked down coyly, and was taken back for a moment. She looked up quickly and was greeted by Goliath's bemused expression, "Not quiet what you expected?" he inquired.
"No… yes… ahhh…" she stammered and tried to compose herself, "Maybe not 'exactly' what I expected…"
He pulled her to him, feeling the beat of her heart and for a moment, he could actually hear it in his mind. The sound made him feel warm and lightheaded much the way the wine had earlier. "Elisa… If we continue…"
"Shhh…" she said softly as she placed a quieting finger to his lips, "No words… not right now… we'll worry about the rest later…"
Goliath pulled her closer, and for an instant, her heart did beat in time with his. It took a few minutes for it to return to normal, but it still raced to beat with his. He was lost in how extraordinary it felt to actually know and feel a heartbeat that wasn't his own.
Slowly he guided them both to the floor, he on his back with his wings still wrapped firmly about them. He loosened his grasp slightly so that she might be able to move about. They quietly moved into the positions they were in before, with her straddling his lower body. She lowered her head and slowly laid small kisses down his chest.
Elisa looked up at him, needing to see his face in the dim light. His eyes were closed but he had a gentle smile on his face. One arm held her in a loose hug, tracing his talons up and down her back while the other flexed tightly and then relaxed as if in an instinctive reaction to what she was doing to him. She continued with the light kisses, running her fingers up and down his chest, slowly moving down towards his groin.
When she finally touched him, he sucked in a sharp breath and arched his body to her. She slowly wrapped her hand around his growing erection, noting her fingers barely touched when she fully grasped it.
She felt Goliath's claw on the side of her head and her heart skipped a beat, "Have mercy…" he whispered.
Elisa smiled again and returned her attention back to him. She figured he'd be big, not quite like this, but wasn't so much the size that made him different. Overall it was much like a… man's… but different.
The color was much the same as the rest of him, with the tip being a bit darker than the rest and the shaft was lined with a series of soft barbs and ridges. He didn't have the crown the way human men did, rather it merely tapered at the tip and was crooked away from him rather than to him. She continued to trace a finger around him, stroking and teasing him lightly.
Goliath clinched talons tightly, holding on to nothingness. Her touch was becoming too much for him and as he pulled her gently to him, he murmured softly, "Come to me…"
He lifted her onto him and she slowly slid down on him. She gasped out loud slightly as another moan escaped her lips as he entered her for the first time.
Goliath halted his actions as a look of concern crossed over his face. It appeared his earlier concerns might have had some merit and he had no desire to hurt her.
"Are you alright?" he inquired.
Elisa was breathing heavily, "Don't you even think about stopping… if you do, I swear to God I'll smack the hell out of you…" she warned.
The pressure was enormous for both of them. It had been years since her body had know a lover and over a thousand for him. She was much tighter than he expected and he took great care as not to hurt her. As she became accustom to his size, she slid down a bit more. After several minutes she had taken as much of him as her body would allow and they were joined as one. Neither moved, taking in all the sensations they were receiving from each other.
Goliath could actually see her pulse racing and her breathing was rapid. Emotions poured out from her and he received them all with open arms. Love poured out clearer than the rest and that was the one he held to the tightest, never wanting to let the feeling go.
For Elisa it was the most earth shattering feeling she'd ever had. Never before had someone, anyone, taken such care in loving her. Slowly she began to rock, her mind reeling as the passion built within her. She felt his claws at her hips slowly guiding her movements and creating a delightful friction. She felt her need threatening to over take her control and gasped again in an attempt to catch her breath.
Goliath rose slightly as if to sit up and she shifted to wrap her legs around him. With his tail he traced at the small of her back. Elisa reeled in the perception that if she'd had wings this would be where his tail was now tracing small movements… much the same way she had done to him earlier.
It was an extraordinary sensual feeling.
Their eyes locked and in an instant all that would ever need to be said passed between the two of them.
It was a moment many never find, but somehow, despite everything that threatened to tear them apart… they had found it together.
Their climax came in the form of an explosion that took them both by surprise. Elisa's cry of release was all but lost in Goliath's subdued roar and his eyes blazed white in the darkened room.
Resting her head against his, she panted, "Godallmighty…"
Goliath was at a loss for words, "Jalapena..." he murmured quietly and smiled at Elisa's muffled giggle.
"Was that…" she paused attempting to catch her breath, "Is that…how… it always… is for you?" she asked in a shaky voice.
Goliath found his own voice barely strong enough to speak, "No…This was… something more… something I have never experienced…"
Elisa cocked her head in surprise, "Never?"
"No…never before… until now…" he voiced quietly.
Elisa knew he was speaking of Demona.
Neither said anything for a very long time. For the first time, and without even voicing it in so many words, he told her he loved her in a way he loved no other.
For Elisa it was more than she thought… dreamed… she might be a part of. It was more than their joining that had brought them to this point; they now had a tie, a connection, never to be broken. An emptiness she hadn't known she had was suddenly filled and in Elisa's mind the only explanation was for it was… love.
Love in its purest form.
For the first time she truly understood how rare and special their relationship was.
They remained locked in the feeling for some time. She smiled at him, tears welling up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tightly. Goliath, for his part just held her, allowing the wave of emotions to roll over them both.
Her voice was muffled, "I never thought…"
This time it was he who held a quieting talon to her lips, "Shhh… there are no words..."
Elisa felt the need growing again, stronger than before and she was surprised to feel him still erect within her. It was as if he was picking up on her desire and she quickly realized he probably was. He made no movement, not pressing her for more, allowing her to take control, to lead them wherever they might go next. She shifted around, trying to pull him over on to her without withdrawing from him.
Goliath hesitated, "Elisa, I'll crush you…"
"Not if we do this right..." she teased.
He rose up, holding her to him and careful not to release his grip. He rested her on her back and supported himself on his arms over her. She spread her legs a bit farther apart to give him more room and wrapped her fingers around his neck. Slowly he started to move within her. His movements were slow and cautious.
"I'm not going to break…" she said between clinched teeth.
"Yes, but I might…" He increased his stoke slightly and felt the now familiar burning need building once again. He was uncertain if the emotions were his own or Elisa's, since the two had somehow become interconnected. He slowed his movements, allowing the sensations time to build independently. He lowered his head and nipped lightly at her neck, allowing his kisses to linger on her lips.
Their lovemaking was slower this time, more practiced, as if they had been at this point a thousand times before.
She moved her hands from behind his neck and traced the outlines of his face, stopping on his lips. Holding his face in her hands she carefully slipped her tongue into his mouth, licking lightly at his teeth, feeling the points of his fangs, carefully exploring his mouth. She heard the low grumble in his throat, indicating that what she was doing was provoking stronger feelings to build within him.
Goliath increased his movements again, thrusting harder but taking care not to injure her. His only thoughts were of her and his desire to please her… and he wanted the feelings to last. He felt her legs wrap around him, pulling him tighter to her and knew he would not be able to hold off much longer.
She cried out his name over and over, professing her need and desire for him. Upon hearing this he increased his actions, trying to stay focused but loosing himself in the moment. Their eruption this time was as powerful as the first but carried more emotion.
Elisa moaned in ecstasy, barely able to speak and completely unable to move.
Goliath pulled her closer and lifted her slightly so that he wouldn't crush her when he collapsed. Never before had he felt so drained and spent, but the exhaustion was more than welcome. He shifted her around so that she could curl up beside his body. After several minutes, he realized she had fallen asleep with a tender but content expression on her face.
"Ahh, My Elisa…" He smiled in the darkness and whispered in her ear, echoing the words she said to him earlier, "I am here… and I am not going anywhere…"
***** ***** *****
They remained on the floor through out the night. Elisa drifting off to sleep periodically, Goliath holding her in his arms, the comfort of the quiet music still playing in the dark, the candles burning low.
Elisa stirred slightly, "Hmmm…you're still awake?"
"Yes."
"Not sleepy?" she inquired.
"A bit… but not overly so…"
She was still curled beside him with her head on his chest. She shifted and started to rise but stumbled slightly. Goliath started to rise in alarm, but she waived him off.
"It's nothing… just… a bit sore…" she said ruefully.
A cloud of concern passed over his face, "Because of…"
Elisa knew what he was about to say and stopped him before he could get the words out, "No, not because of you… It's just been awhile…"
He continued to look at her in confusion, so she left it at, "It's a woman thing."
Goliath nodded without really understanding and allowed her to get more comfortable. He was now leaning against the couch with Elisa between his legs, her back resting against his chest.
They sat in the quiet, Goliath running his talons through her hair, as she traced the edges of his legs. "We can't go back… to the way we were before can we?" She whispered.
"No, we cannot…"
"Do you… feel any different?" she inquired.
He thought about her question and settled on, "Stronger… and you?"
"I feel…" she yawned sleepily and drifted off before finishing the sentence.
Goliath kissed her softly on the top of her head. Her hair was disheveled but in his eyes she had never looked more beautiful. He allowed his arms to hold her tighter, tracing small lines down her arms, causing her to pull in tighter to him; an automatic response to his touch.
His only desire in life was to keep her safe, but he knew that the nature of their relationship would not allow for that to happen.
Unless it changed.
And without a doubt it had.
He thought back to the conversation they had earlier that evening. Elisa had said earlier that he couldn't come after her every time she ran off half cocked but the truth of the matter was… he could.
Goliath shifted slightly not wishing to wake her and wrapped his wings around them in a protective cocoon, and drifted off to dream with his love.
Keeping them both warm and safe from the outside world.
***** ***** *****
Elisa felt Goliath stirring and pulled in tighter to him reluctant to give up the intimacy of their embrace, "What time is it?" she murmured.
He returned her affection briefly and then carefully disengaged from her arms to stand, "Dawn will be approaching soon…"
Elisa followed his movement and felt her spirits drop. She pulled at the blanket and wrapped it around her loosely, "I know you can't stay much longer…"
Goliath's reply was long in coming, "I should go…"
He remained quite, lost in the thought that he would soon have to leave her. Finally he spoke softly in the pre-dawn hours, "But I do not wish to leave you…"
Elisa glanced up at him in surprise, "Are you sure?"
"Yes… if you would allow me to stay…"
"Are you kidding?" Elisa favored him with a reserved smile. She would have felt guilty asking, knowing she'd be pulling him from the Clan, but she couldn't bear the thought of him not being close after tonight, "I'm glad you want to stay…"
He returned to the floor and sat beside her. They remained in the mutual silence for several minutes before Goliath finally spoke, "Elisa…" he voiced quietly, "What happened tonight was singular, unique…"
Elisa knew the subject was going to come up and in a way she was relieved but at the same time, she had no idea what to expect since Gargoyles weren't exactly known to engage in casual sex.
Not that her relationship with Goliath was casual and what they had experienced this night was more than just sex, but she didn't want this to become an awkward situation later on down the road and the sooner they talked about it the better.
"And changes everything..." Elisa concluded for him.
"Yes, it does change much…" he agreed. He shifted and pulled Elisa to her feet and then knelt before her.
He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts and then spoke softly, "Do you love me?"
The abruptness of his words caused Elisa to flinch in reflex. "What the hell kind of question is that?" she demanded.
"Just answer me…" he pressed.
Taken back by his harsh tone, she nodded, "Of course I do, you know that…"
"And you know that I love you…?"
"Yeah…" she responded, beginning to get suspicious. She had a feeling she knew where all this was leading, but remained silent waiting to see if she was right.
The roar of his pounding heart echoed in his ears as he fought the urge to just leave. He held her at arms length and looked deep into her eyes. He knew he was about to embark on a dangerous path that would ultimately be the true test of their commitment to each other.
For Gargoyles, it was a given after what they had experienced tonight, but Elisa was human and their customs were still new to him so he felt a certain need to ask before he assumed anything.
"Then… I would ask you…" he paused just long enough to collect his nerve. "Elisa Maza… I would ask you to become my Mate…"
It was more a demand than a request and it was spoken with a silent prayer to the Gods, Dragons, and anyone else he thought might be listening to him at the moment.
Shocked, Elisa opened her mouth to reply, but found herself unable to speak. Mating was a Gargoyle term but she knew it had the very same meaning as Marriage did in her world. Absently she wondered if this was because of tonight but one look into Goliath's eyes told her it was more than that and somehow she knew he would be asking this of her whether they had made love or not.
She was somewhere between laughing and crying but at the same time, she was touched that Goliath was willing to make such a strong commitment to her personally… but... was she ready to make the same vow to him?
Elisa had always believed the greatest relationships were born out of close friendships. They happened slowly, going undetected until one sudden unexpected instant.
She had that had with Goliath, but was she ready to allow herself to give that much of herself to him? Ready to let him truly be there for her physically and emotionally after denying him for so long?
Goliath was the one person who calmed her fears, supported her, and brought out feelings she never thought possible.
Feelings she had locked safely inside herself for so long.
Too long...
Was she ready?
She was.
She knew all along she was and though maybe she was waiting for the right moment to say so.
"Yes…" she whispered, answering his silent prayer.
Neither of them spoke or moved and finally Goliath cupped her head with gentle talons and pulled her to him. As close as they were, they hadn't truly made eye contact until now. He gave her a very tentative kiss, which was in turn followed by a more confident one, from which Elisa pulled away early and smiled thoughtfully at him, "Yes Goliath of Wyvern, I will be your Mate…"
Goliath looked down, "You knew I was going to ask this didn't you…?"
"I suspected," Elisa answered truthfully. "But I wasn't certain until just now… tonight... was The Moment."
Goliath looked at her with some confusion, "The Moment?"
"The Moment," Elisa confirmed as a single tear roll down her cheek. "When my best friend became... so much more."
Goliath smiled and lifted a gentle talon to wipe the tear away. As he heard the words on her lips, he pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, "What you have brought to my life is so precious and so beautiful… I may not be worthy of such a gift…"
Elisa pulled back and looked into his eyes, "Listen to me Big Guy. Don't you ever say or think that again… not ever. You are my life…"
He pulled her close, "Whatever I am, whatever I have, it is yours. Now and forever…"
He could feel her tears on his chest and neck and realized they were mixing with his own as they held tightly to each other.
Holding on as if they would never let go.
Holding on so that the night might not ever end.
Slowly, they began to make love again… for the first time as Mates.
***** ***** *****
They stood on the balcony. Elisa was still wrapped in the blanket and Goliath was again wearing his belt and loincloth. He seemed almost uncomfortable with it on as he stood behind her with both taloned hands resting on her shoulders. His tail was wrapped around her ankle in a casual manner, as if they always stood like this waiting for sunrise.
Elisa glanced over her shoulder to look at him. This night had been magical for her and she was trying to find the one word to put it all in perspective. Unable to decide on just one word, she finally settled on turning in his embrace and leaning into him taking comfort in the knowledge that he remained with her not because he had to but because he wanted to.
Goliath looked down at her and smiled. If there was any doubt they would become Mates, it had long sense passed. He held her close, breathing in her sent, feeling the beat of her heart against his body for one last time this night.
"It is time…" He moved away reluctantly and knelt down on one knee to greet the dawn. Looking over his shoulder at her, he smiled softly, "Sleep well…" he spoke softly.
"I'll see you soon." Elisa replied.
The sun caught him just as she finished the words, but he'd somehow managed to get one last declaration out before the transformation took him.
"My Love…"
She stood there with him on the balcony, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. She rested a hand on his stone form and leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the head, "I love you too Big Guy." She doubted he heard but she felt better for having said it.
Slowly, she turned and walked back into the apartment to feed Cagney.
***** ***** *****
They stood on the balcony and gazed at the sleeping pair before them as an impossible fog engulfed the room.
The room smelled faintly of smoke and candle wax. On a near by table a bottle of wine remained next two crystal glasses, both hardly touched and still nearly full. The human woman lay on the couch wrapped in a blanket while the gargoyle, locked in his stone sleep, rested just beyond the threshold of the apartment.
Both were oblivious to their presence.
They were surprised to find them together so soon but it wasn't totally unforeseen.
Still, it had taken them some time to locate them.
They knew they could have inquired as to their location from the other Clan members but their visit was unannounced and they expected it was highly unlikely that any of the Gargoyles would be willing to tell them even if they knew were they were.
The Children of Oberon were not always welcome in the Human Realm.
Besides, they had been given explicit instructions not to go to Wyvern since its human inhabitants would take a very dim view of the intrusion… not to mention The Puck might consider them a threat and try to intervene.
Selene turned to place a subtle hand against the sleeping form of Goliath and turned to the others, "Explain to me why we have been asked to do this?"
Phoebe entered the apartment in a swirl of mist, her golden hair shimmering in the daylight, "It was a tasking Sister… not a request."
Luna moved in as well and stood over Elisa watching her sleep. "Such as it was… I will never understand the preoccupation with Humans… They are such a weak and inferior species…."
Each voice was nearly indistinguishable from others but at the same time they were distinctly different.
Phoebe inclined her head slightly, "Does he dream?"
Selene traced a delicate finger over Goliath's stone brow, "Yes, he does…"
Luna looked up as she brushed a strand of silver hair from her face and smiled a mischievous grin, "As does she… although I doubt she would admit to it…"
Elisa shifted and rolled over sleepily, mumbling incoherent words but did not wake.
The three women exchanged knowing glances and nodded in silent agreement.
"Then it shall be done…" Phoebe appraised the sleeping woman with a measured eye before raising her hand slightly and passing it over her body. A light blue crystal shimmering emitted from her fingers and was dusted over the human like a fine covering of snow and then disappeared.
The spell caused a breeze which blew across the room and lifted Selene's dark raven hair, "Goliath and his Clan are shielded against the magic of Avalon…" she replied gravely.
Phoebe smiled devilishly, "And Lord Oberon will not be pleased when He discovers we went against His Law…"
"But it is not His Law that we have been instructed to carry out…" Luna replied noncommittally as she continued to stare at the sleeping woman before her. "A certain interest has been taken in this one… and it is not our place to defy… only to serve."
All three moved together and formed a small circle and spoke in unison. "They share in a secret wish and therefore have been granted… a gift…"
And as quickly as they arrived, the Weird Sisters were gone.
