Chapter 3

The Next Night.

Angela was quiet as she patrolled the city with her father. The only noise they had made was her screech when they stopped several muggers.

Goliath noticed this. "Does something trouble you my daughter?" Goliath asked, falling back a bit to glide beside her.

Angela smiled at her father. "Kind of," she sighed. "What's the difference between gargoyle mating and human mating?" she asked. "At his look of shock she explained. "On Avalon, we were taught about mating by Princess Kathrine, Guardian Tom, and the Magus. And they taught us the human way. I was thinking about it and I realized that I didn't know if their even was a difference."

Goliath's face took on a thoughtful expression. It was something he should have foreseen, but hadn't expected. He knew that she and her rookery would be raised differently when he asked the Princess to care for them, but over time he had forgotten it. Perhaps her asking the question meant that she wanted to finally choose one of the trio to be her mate, and she didn't want to do anything wrong.

"We have many similar customs," the larger gargoyle explained. "Like humans, we court our potential mates. The relationship is not much different than modern humans, but it was more equal than it was in the old days. Back when I was mated to your mother, aside from my position as leader in the clan, she was my equal. And we made those choices which would only affect us together." He paused for a moment. "It is only in extreme cases, such as your mother and I, that mates separate."

"The differences lie in our nature he continued. Gargoyles are, in general, not materialistic," Goliath continued. "It is rare to exchange gifts, though not unheard of. And what gifts are given, tend to be easily carried on the wing. As I said earlier, our relationships also tend to be more equal than those of humans, with females holding the same authority as males. A male may not speak on his mates behalf without he permission, same with the females speaking for their mates. It is also rare for a gargoyle whose mate has died to take another. Unlike humans, we also do not, copulate, for pleasure. While it is indeed a pleasurable act, it will only take place on a couple's mating flight, and upon the breeders moon when the females are fertile."

"What about same gender relationships?" Angela asked.

Goliath raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Princess Kathrine taught us that it was wrong for two males, or two females, to lay together," Angela explained. "And I know that today there are such couples."

"Yes, there are such couples today," Goliath rumbled uncomfortably. "But they are human and it does not concern us. Gargoyles do not take mates of the same sex, it is simply not done. Why do you ask?"

Angela shrugged. "It's just that the humans today often conflict with what Princess Kathrine taught us. It is...," she hesitated for a moment, "...confusing at times."

Goliath nodded. "I understand." And he truly did. When he had awakened in this century, humanity wasn't at all what he remembered. A human such as Elisa would never hold the responsibility she has if she had been born back when he was hatched. She also wouldn't be the warrior she was either. And men such as Xanatos would never have been able to build the wealth he had from his poor beginnings as a fisherman's son. And Fox, well she'd likely be burnt at the stake for being a witch. It was natural that she'd have questions when seeing the differences between how she was raised and the people of today. "I am sure that Elisa would be willing to explain more about what is acceptable to humans nowadays as opposed to what Kathrine taught you. That's not to say that you should forget what she taught you, but perhaps you'll be able to understand the people of today better."

"I will think about it," Angela mumbled.

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Elisa wasn't paying attention as she turned a corner in the precinct, her cup of coffee in one hand and a report in her other. It was only when she bumbled into him and spilled her coffee on his shirt, that Elisa saw Sgt. MacAuley, one of her supervisors.

He was a tall, and muscular man, with a full head of longer, red hair, peppered with gray, pulled back into a small pony-tail. A walrus-like mustache mustache rested above his lip, and vivid violet eyes held a hint of sternness that belayed his usually cheerful and playful nature. But Elisa also knew that he was a hard-ass when people got on his bad side or failed to follow his orders .

"I'm so sorry," Elisa said as she realized what she had done.

Connor MacAuley just smiled and waved her off. "It's no big deal Detective, I keep several spare shirts in my desk for just such occasions," he said with a faint Irish accent in his voice. The older man chuckled looked up from his shirt at the detective. "Just be a bit more careful. I don't think the Captain would be as forgiving if you ran into her. What's got you so distracted?"

Elisa sighed and handed him the report she had been reading. "It's the Quarrymen. They've supposedly attacked another P.I.T. meeting. They didn't use hammers, and Castaway is claiming it's a frame-up. Of course the assailants were wearing hoods so we have no leads to identify them, and hence no way to prevent this happening again."

"Hmm," MacAuley hummed as he eyed the report. "I can see where you would be distracted. I think maybe I'll have a talk with the Commissioner when I see him. Maybe we can get some units to keep an eye on P.I.T. when they meet. Unless we get some leads, I don't see much else we can do."

Elisa raised an eyebrow. "You really think the Commissioner would listen?"

MacAuley grinned. "I walked the street with him back when he was but a lonely patrolman," he explained. "He'll listen. Now I think I'll go change my shirt and then be on my way. It's the end of my shift, and I'm already late as it is."

"Late?" Elisa asked.

"Aye. I'm having dinner with my daughter, and I'm already running ten minutes behind." He began walking back towards his desk, shedding his jacket in the process. But he turned back to Elisa. "Oh, when you see your dad, tell him I he still owes me twenty bucks," he said with smile.

Elisa laughed. "I will."

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Kat waved as she saw her father enter the restaurant, signaling him. He smiled when he saw her.

Standing up as he reached the table, Kat gave Connor MacAuley a hug and he kissed her forehead softly. Standing back she said, "I thought you weren't going to show, you're almost fifteen minutes late."

"Sorry," Connor apologized as they sat down. "I was running late already and one of the detectives bumped into me and spilled their coffee down my shirt. I took the time to put on a clean on." He smiled. "It's good to see Kathy."

Kat rolled her eyes. "Daad," she whined.

Connor just chuckled and ordered his meal as the waiter came over. Once the waiter was gone, and had brought him a diet coke, he asked, "So what was so important that you had to talk to me this weekend?"

Kat sighed and her smile dimmed on her face. "I found my mate," she said softly.

Noticing his daughters expression, Connor placed his hand over hers and held it. "What's wrong then? Did he reject you?"

"No," Kat shook her head. "Nothing like that. But he is actually a she, and wasn't as receptive as I would have hoped. She just wants to be friends at this point."

Connor sighed. His Catholic upbringing had never prepared him for the nature of his wife and daughter. "Did you explain things to her?" he asked.

Kat nodded. "Yes, the night after we met."

Connor sighed. "You may have given the poor girl an overload Kathy," he chastised softly. "Do you know if she was attracted to girls before seeing you?"

"No, she said she'd never been attracted to another girl."

"Kathy, I want you to listen closely," Connor said. "You put too much information out at once. Your mother didn't tell me what she was until we'd dated for three months, and didn't tell me about us being soul-mates until a month after. And you, not only just met the girl, but you told her what you are, and that you're soul-mates, a girl that has never been attracted to another girl before. She's gonna need time to sort through it all. I know I did, and I'd none your mother a few months."

He smiled sadly as he saw a few tears gather in Kat's eyes. "Kat, I know you have a habit of barreling in headfirst, but there are truly times when patience is better. That's not saying that you've fucked things up yet," he added with a smile. "But it is going to take her time to process it."

"I know Daddy," Kat said. "But sometimes I just need you to make me feel better."

Connor smiled. "What else are Dad's for?" He stopped as their food arrived. As he began to cut his Steak he said, "So tell me about her."

Kat smiled as she began on her B.L.T. She took a bite before answering. "Her names Angela, and she's a gargoyle..."

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Angela sat on the castle battlements, looking out over the city in the direction she knew Kat's shop would be.

She didn't know what to think. Princess Kathrine and Guardian Tom had taught her that to lay with another woman was a sin. Her own father had said that it simply wasn't done amongst gargoyles. But she was still attracted to Kat. And after they had spent the last night getting to know one another, she could actually see herself falling in love with Kat.

"What's got you thinking so deeply?"

Angela turned to find Fox standing behind her, a look of concern on the ex-mercenaries face. The gargess sighed. "How did you know Xanatos was the one?" she asked.

Fox smiled, ad sat up on the battlement with Angela, though she faced the courtyard. "I just did," Fox said. "I can't explain it, but I just knew. One day, I looked at him and realized that, for all of his faults, he was the only man for me."

"Did your parents approve?"

Fox laughed. "Hell no. My father, still to this day, hates David. He thinks he corrupted his little girl, even if the truth is probably the exact opposite. As for my mother, well you know what our relationship's like now, but before I knew she was fae, when I began seeing David, she cautioned me against him. Though she wasn't as...obvious in her dislike for him, I don't think she ever truly approved of him, not until he fought Oberon to defend our son. But she just wanted me to be happy, or at least I think she did," the red head added ruefully.

Fox gave Angela a compassionate look. "So who have you fallen in love with that your parents wouldn't approve of? And while we're at it, which parent are we talking about disapproving?"

Angela smiled weakly. "I won't say I've fallen in love yet, but I am attracted to the possibility. As for who would approve of them, I don't think any of them, Goliath, Demona, Princess Kathrine, Gaurdian Tom, or the Magus would approve. She's, human, for the most part."

"Most part?" Fox asked.

Angela shook her head, "That's something I won't tell. It's also why I won't tell you her name."

"So your attracted to women." Fox smirked impishly. "Does this mean I need to close the blinds when I change?"

Angela's eye's widened and she blushed. "No...I mean...I would never..."

Fox started laughing. "I'm just teasing Angela. I know you would never peep," she explained, calming the gargess down.

Angela glared at her. "It wasn't funny."

Fox held up her hand and indicated a little bit with her fingers, and Angela couldn't help but grin.

"There's that smile I've been waiting for," Fox said. Her face turned serious. "Angela, I won't care if you are in a relationship with a human woman. I can't tell you how the clan or Elisa, or your mother will react, but I can give you these pieces of advice. It's your life, and your love, do what you feel is right for you, regardless of what others will think. And love, however brief, is worth the risk." She placed her hand on Angela's cheek. "No matter what happens with the clan or anyone else, you can come to me and I'll help. David will too."

Angela smiled. "Thanks Fox, I needed that." She gave Fox a sly look. "It's a good thing we live so high up."

"Oh?" Fox asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because Xanatos would need to build a security system for just your window to keep the peepers away," Angela smiled.

Fox laughed and but her arm around Angela. "Come on, let me buy you a drink. You can use one."

"And where will you be taking me for this drink?" Angela asked climbing of the battlements with the former mercenary.

"My room of course, we don't want any of the men to intrude on our girl time."

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