I have been very neglectful of my duties as late. I do hope that you will still read and review this. I have been trying to concentrate on some of my easier projects and getting them out of the way before moving on. But as requested I will "Post more already!" Thanks for the kick in the butt!

Please take some time to visit my web site. Here you will find all of my stories in one central location, and linked directly to the first chapter of each in their respective writing sites (Either Fanfiction.net or fictionpress.net) also you will find a fairly extensive collection of drawings and art that I have drawn over the years. Please take a look: www.darwinsdomain.net and let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you!

Darwin

Chapter Five: Benefits and Drawbacks

Tanner gained altitude as he neared his destination. His breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of the enormity of the midnight crowd. From his vantage it was a vast moving sea of many colored dots under the intense stadium lighting. Night had been turned into day below the glare, and that gave him a measure of relief knowing that anyone who looked up would be blinded by the lights and would not see him.

Tanner circled the area once, feeling the thrumming base as one of the bands played below him. He could just barely pick out the distorted chords of guitars and strains of lyrics wafting up to him at intervals. Tanner smiled again and began descending. Swooping in low Tanner landed lightly behind several neatly trimmed bushes with a white stone building at his back. Glancing quickly around him, Tanner released his pack from his back and pulled out the several articles that would hide his true identity from those attending the concert. He wanted to ensure that he would not be disturbed by anyone as he made his transformation.

Tanner folded his wings close to his body, hooking the shortest finger at the knuckle of each wing over his shoulders. He tucked the trailing leathers and the supporting fingers into specially designed pockets in the overcoat. The coat pockets effectively hid them from any casual onlookers. Just as carefully Tanner curled his tail up lashing the prehensile tip through the belt at his waist so that it did not drape beyond the confines of the outfit.

Tanner pulled the overcoat the rest of the way on buttoning it up enough to prevent a view of his overlong feet and odd stance. To hide his brow ridges and crown-like horns Tanner had folded a bandana into a two and one half inch strip and tied it about his forehead. He smiled again and nodded at his own ingenuity. Picking up the now empty pack and slinging it over one shoulder Tanner stepped out of concealment and turned toward the noisy gathering of humans.

Tanner stopped again just outside the influence of the bright lights watching the activity. Eddies of humans swirled and flowed past his spot in a ponderous dance slowly moving closer and again further from the stage well to the other side of where he stood. They mingled and mixed, dancing and singing with varying talent along with the omnipresent music now vibrating the air.

Without and real conscious thought Tanners head began bobbing in time and a slight smile twitched one corner of his mouth. His tension slipped away and shoving his hands deep in the outer pockets of his coat he allowed his feet to take him further into the mass of bodies.

Having successfully integrated himself into the current he took a moment to pause by a gargantuan screen. Colors swirled across it interspersed with images coming from the stage, the band sang and danced alternately singing melancholy ballads and raucous rock pieces. Their images were huge upon the screen and looked like an oft-repeated image of demigods come to life and lording over the festivities.

He moved aimlessly really, allowing the music to carry him. Bodies jostled all around him passively altering his course as they pressed against his flesh. He felt energized and alive in a way that he had never felt before. He was free of the restrictions placed on him by the Clan, something that he could never claim before now. Always he had been with another flying patrol, going out to see movies, and the only respite he was able to take was in a small corner of one of the castle rooms, a place Xanatos had allowed him to keep for himself. But now! He was going to be able to do all the things that he had been dreaming of! And it started with this concert, then tomorrow when he awoke he would wander the city seeing sites that he had only seen at night and from a height.

He watched with decided interest as a small knot of young men danced past him, exuberantly leaping into the air, bouncing off one another and generally seeing how many bruises they could give each other. Tanner laughed to himself, realizing that humans tended to be much less reserved than Gargoyles.

Tanner started to move forward again eyes still on the boys quickly being swallowed again by the crowd. He had only taken a step when he ran into another body and none too lightly. He stepped back quickly so as not to step on the person, seeing that the impact has caused them to fall. Tanner reacted with reflexes honed by many battles, scooping up the person before the press of the crowd trampled over them both.

"I'm so sorry," Tanner said automatically as he set the human back on their feet. His works caught in his throat as he actually took a close look at the human. She was probably the most beautiful human that he had ever seen.

She smiled in a bemused way as she moved long blond wavy tresses out of her face. Her eyes were a blue a shade darker than the sea and they twinkled, not with anger, though she should have every right to be angry for being run down. No, her eyes sparkled with amusement and friendliness. The woman's face was slightly rounded with a bare hint of cheekbones and her nose was small but not such that it detracted from the beauty of her face. Her lips were neither full nor thin, but seemed perfect, complementing her in a way that Tanner couldn't explain to himself.

She was dressed in a tight black half tank top over which she wore a sequined mesh shirt that dangled all around with tassels catching occasional light and reflecting it brilliantly. She was thin and tall, for a human, she still didn't quite come to his chin, and she accented her trim body with a dark pair of hip hugging jeans. There was a wide black leather belt hung askew across her hips the buckle down at the low side allowing the extra length to dangle down her thigh.

Tanner's eyes were drawn to her stomach, it was flat and there was just a hint of muscle under her smooth tanned skin. And an ornament adorned her belly button like the large jewel had come to rest there. It was then that he noticed that his hands were still settled on her hips.

"I…I'm sorry," He repeated dumbly, snatching his hands from their resting spot and shoving them deep into his pockets.

The woman's smile broadened at his reaction and then she simply shrugged and said, "No harm done."

Her voice was a tone that he had not heard before. Angela's voice was always deep, still feminine, and Elisa's voice was only slightly higher than that. Most other human women he had taken the time to listen to seemed very high to him. This woman's voice fell somewhere between those two.

Tanner tensed a moment as he noted the woman's eyes wandering over his appearance. If she noted anything askew about his outfit or that she saw something she shouldn't have she gave no indication.

"Funny," She said humorously, "You don't seem like the type to be at this kind of concert."

"Really?" Tanner said genuinely intrigued by the comment, "And what type would you expect to attend one of these?"

She laughed shortly, "For one thing…Guys usually take a lot more advantage of rescuing a woman from trampling."

"Oh?" Tanner said naively.

"Sure, swoop in save the day and then get a little grope in for their effort. No need to thank them, 'cause they just take their own payment," She added, laying one hand on her hip as she emphasized the point with the other. Tanner's face screwed into one of disgust at the mental image that painted for him, "Especially in a crowd like this. Nothing like a pack mentality to turn everyday boys into sexual monsters."

"You sound a bit bitter," Tanner noted out loud.

She smiled in embarrassment, "Yeah I guess I am, huh? Sorry…here I haven't even thanked you for picking me up after knocking me down."

Tanner looked down a moment concealing his own embarrassment, "I was watching some of the dancing."

"Oh," She said immediately, "I was kidding. My name's Michelle." She said extending a hand to him.

Tanner nearly balked at the prospect of shaking her hand, for his were not exactly human, "Um, Tanner," He said, hastily shaking her hand and then just as quickly shoving the extremity back in his pocket before she could get a good look at them.

"Tanner, that's a different name…I like it," if she had noted anything about him again she made no mention, she turned away a moment looking into the swirling bodies and then back into his face, "I mean in this crowd you can't help running into people. And I have to confess I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to where I was going either. Besides, I have run into much less interesting people."

Tanner looked up again seeing that warm smile on her face again, and felt his own smile again, "So who are you here to see?" Tanner asked.

He stepped up next to her and she turned to face the direction she now wanted to go glancing up at him and saying, "Polygon."

Tanner looked down at her in confusion, "I have never heard of them."

"No probably not," She said, "They're pretty new, and don't even have a song on the radio yet. Shoot their blessed really to be playing this concert, it's a good sign."

Tanner again was confused by this, "You…know them?"

"Oh!" She said looking up at him with wide eyes, "Didn't I mention that?" Tanner shook his head, "No, oh, sorry. My cousin, Tyler, is the lead singer."

"Really?" Tanner said, "How cool is that?"

"Not as cool as you think really, at least not yet," She added with a wink, "How about you, who is your favorite band?"

"Linkin Park, actually," Tanner said, "Their seventh album is due out any day now, and I heard that they are going to be premiering some of their new material tonight."

"They're awesome, aren't they?" She said shaking her head in admiration, "Not a single album of theirs has been bad…That's saying something. It's too bad they play last, the sun will probably be up by the time they get on stage. As it is I am going to be hard put to be awake that long."

"Oh," Tanner said in alarm, "Don't say that!"

Michelle looked at him strangely, "Why not?"

"Oh, Um," Tanner fumbled for an excuse that would sound reasonable, "I have to be to work by six, I mean I can only stay here at the concert until about four thirty of five at the latest…so I can get…ready."

"Don't you think you could call in sick or something? I mean how often does a chance to see Linkin Park for free, come up?"

"I wish I could," Tanner added enigmatically.

Michelle went silent for long moments, and Tanner wondered if she would take her leave of him. Suddenly she shook her head, "That's too bad…I tell you what," she said, "If it comes down to it," She reached into a large purse she was carrying, "I brought my digital recorder, I will tape their portion of the concert and then give it to you later."

"Michelle," Tanner said excitedly, "That would be great…you…you'd do that for me?"

"Sure why not?" Michelle said.

"I mean we only just met," Tanner said, "You're not concerned that I may be the worst person to walk this Earth?"

She laughed again and Tanner couldn't help but join her, "Why is it that the good guys always worry about being perceived as bad ones?" She laid a hand on his arm, "I have a good feeling about you."

Tanner felt his face heat up at that, "I would really appreciate that."

Michelle shrugged, "Hey lets hope we get lucky and they play before you have to leave," Then she laughed again.

"What?" Tanner said still smiling, "I just wonder what good you're going to be at work after being her all night long."

"Probably not much," Tanner added with a short laugh of his own, "I will be asleep on my feet."

"You sure will."

Tanner looked away a moment and tried to suppress the sudden levity he felt at how true that statement was. But it would have to remain an inside joke.

Michelle and Tanner spent the rest of the time at he concert in each other's company. She was even able to get them backstage where Tanner had the privilege of meeting Michelle's cousin, and his band. They stayed and chatted for a while getting to watch from back stage as Polygon played. Tanner's heart swelled with happiness for Michelle as the crowd showed overwhelming support of the fledgling band.

To make Tanner's night even better was the honor of running into Linkin Park. Tanner almost thought that he was dreaming as he stood talking to the men who made up the group. None of them had seemed to notice that he did not walk the same, that his feet were bare, three toed and clawed, or that his hands were deformed and long sharp claws tipped each finger. Everyone he met was very down to earth and more than happy to share little insider information with the two of them.

Tanner was euphoric as he stepped back out into the warm early morning air Michelle still beside him. That feeling was doused quickly as he looked up toward the heavily stained orange sky.

His eyes darted to Michelle, "What time is it?"

Flustered Michelle looked at her watch, "It's…Five fifteen."

"Crap!" Tanner uttered, as much because he didn't want this night to end as anything, "I'm going to be late!"

"Do you really have to go?" Michelle asked, still holding his muscular arm, "Your going to miss them play."

He made himself smile, "I know but I really have things that need to be done. Thank you for the evening it has been wonderful," He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, a bold move on his part. Then he turned and started quickly through the crowd.

"I'll record it for you!" She yelled over the din.

Tanner turned toward her again, "I would appreciate it," He added as he started to turn away again.

"Wait!" She yelled and he turned again to see her pushing through the crowd to get to him. She halted before him, "Where can I get this to you?"

"Um," He thought quickly, "I should be off at about seven tonight. I can meet you about eight-thirty in the Park. We can watch it together!" He said brightly.

"That sounds good!" She laughed, "Well I guess you should get going before your boss has your ass!"

Tanner laughed again, "Goodbye, Michelle, it was good to meet you. See you tonight!"

Tanner made quick time to his previously chosen sleeping spot, climbing to the roof of the ornate building at a blinding speed. He rushed to get into position between two other stone Gargoyles already dressing the heights before the sun forced him into sleep. Despite his rush there was a lingering feeling of euphoria. He had done it! He had done something that he had never been able to accomplish before, and his success was a heady thing.

Several hours after Tanner went to sleep a lone figure walked by the statue dotted building. The woman paused, looking up and noting the figure that did not belong amongst the others. She nodded to herself and a cruel smile twisted her lips up. She would observe for a while longer, and see just what exactly the boy's game was. She turned and strode away from the building, knowing she had time before the sun went down, she would be back.