8U aah sorry for the long wait ! A lot of things are happening this summer for me ! Also I've started re-writing an old fanfiction of mine from another fandom, so right now I'm on two projects.. (Also I'm a slow writer, forgive me)
Also, I'll have to say it AGAIN but this fanfiction is not happening after Goliath's Chronicles. It began near the episode ''Protection'' and will end at the episode ''Hunter's Moon'' :)
I can't wait to write the next chapter, it might be longer too :O !

A loud buzz awoke Vee, making her jump out of her bed in a hurry and get to the intercom that was a communicator to the main entrance.

"Yes?" she asked, still trying to wake her mind.

"Vee, it's me, Elisa," cracked the speaker. "I'm here, as I promised."

"… Get in."

She pushed a button, allowing the door downstair to unlock. Soon she heard footsteps approaching.
Vee tried to arrange herself, still in her pajamas and her hair were all over the place.
She didn't wait to open her door, revealing the black haired woman on the other side, about to knock. The detective rapidly observed the other, a small smile appearing on her face.

"Am I coming at a bad time?"

"No, I was about to wake up, don't worry," replied Vee, invinting the woman in. "I just had a rough night yesterday."

"Yeah about that, I really wanted to apologize," added Elisa. "Last night we hit pretty hard on Tony Dracon and his gang. He was trying to get all the small shops around to pay him for 'protection' since all the other street gangs are acting pretty rough lately. With Goliath and Broadways' help, things went faster than I expected."

Vee nodded: "It's alright, I guess I just wanted to share my insecurities. … Ever since I met the gargoyles, I've been feeling like I'm followed day and night."

"You could have went in the station and ask for help from any other officer, we don't bite!"

The young woman ruffled her hair, feeling uneasy.

"Yeah … but I wouldn't know how to word things: Hey hi, I feel followed because I met some gargoyle creatures? … My second choice were the gargoyles but I didn't know where to find them until Lexington and Brooklyn landed on my roof last night."

"… I see."

Elisa seemed to think, slowly pacing the apartment.
She finally sighed in desesperation, conceding to some thought: "I guess I have no other choices now; I have to show you where they live. Regarding your situation, I could probably make an exception."
She approached the brunette, pointing her finger in some accusative way.

"But you have to promise that you will never lead strangers to that place or talk about it. If something bad ever happen to them, I will know who to blame and you won't like it!"

Vee slightly lifted her hands as a surrender.

"Hey, don't worry. I only wish the best for them."

The detective showed a small smile, patting the other's shoulder in a friendly manner.

"Alright. Meet me in front of the police station before the sun sets."

Vee shivered against the cold wind blowing on this early evening. She was happy she thought about bringing a scarf, her black trenchcoat not being enough against the elements raging on.
Like agreed, she arrived near the station, patiently waiting for Elisa to show up.
Her thoughts went back and forth to the events of last night, wondering if she was doing the right thing by hiding the fact she had meet Xanatos. She knew if she told Elisa, the woman would forbid her from ever seeing the gargoyles again. And Goliath … Vee trembled once again, thinking about that colossus getting angry.
Why did she accept? Why was she doing all of this?

"Hi Vee!"

Elisa's voice woke the woman out of her thoughts. She forced a smile, greeting the detective.

"I hope we don't have to walk too far, this wind is horrible," shivered Vee.

"Don't worry, we're heading inside the station!"

The young woman was puzzled, but followed the other without hesitation. Elisa stayed close, speaking in a fast and hushed tone: "They are living above the station, in the clock tower. The only way to get in is to access a ladder that is hiding in a janitor closet."

"Wow that's, uh … creative?"

"It's the only place I could think of for them. I don't have to worry about where they are or if they are in danger during the day. … Let's say it saves me a lot of stress."

"I can imagine. But what if other officers find the place?" questionned Vee, slightly glancing around them as they were walking through the station.

"Hey Elisa, who's that? A new recruit?"

Both women turned around, their eyes landing on a red haired man. Elisa looked relieved, leaving a hand on Vee's shoulder to apease the situation and introduce her to the newcomer.

"No Matt, here's Vee. She and I has … friends in common. I was simply showing something to her. Sometimes she'll come here to wait for me and she'll know where to wait."

The man seemed to realize something: "Oh, ok, right! Don't worry, I'll remember that. See you later then."

After he left, Vee kept looking at the detective with a perplexed look, wondering about this Matt and his sudden understanding. Elisa chuckled, still leading the way.

"Matt knows about the gargoyles, if you're wondering," she finally said. "He's my partner and had no other choice but to meet the guys at some point. You can trust him."

She opened a door, the closet she was talking about earlier, and urged the other inside. Going further, Elisa pulled a chord, revealing a ladder before them. She gestured the younger woman to climb, soon following and making sure to close the path behind them.
Vee's next sight left her speechless, discovering the clock tower's interior. Some furniture were installed here and there, such as a couch, a television and a refrigerator, but most of the place had kept its antique charm. Many wooden logs were near the ceiling, holding up some clock mechanisms in place. But what attracted the woman more was the huge cadran, glowing softly of a yellowish color. The clock hands were immobile but still very impressive.
Elisa brought her to a door carved into the cadran's bottom, leading to a large balcony with a view on the city. The wind once again caught up to Vee. She shivered, not only from the cold, but from the magnificent view she now had; the sun slowly falling down in the distance and tall buildings dotting the horizon around them. She approached the stone edge, looking down with awe.
They were very high and for once she felt safe…

Vee turned around to Elisa, but her eyes locked on a statue beside her which strangely resembled someone she knew.
Observing it in details, she gasped, finally recognizing the sculpture as being Brooklyn. He was holding himself in a threatening manner, arms up and ready to roar. Vee backed up, falling on Elisa who got a hold of her shoulders in a comforting manner.

"Don't worry, they always like to look menacing when they sleep," she explained.

The brunette looked around, seeing more of the statues near the edge. She also recognized Lexington, Broadway and Goliath, but she couldn't place any names on two other ones.

"Looks like the sun's finally disappearing," pointed the detective. "We better back up a little or we'll receive stone on us."

Vee didn't understand, although she followed the other.
But as soon as the last ray of light went away, strange cracking noises rose. The human girl could see the stone envelopping the gargoyles rapidly fissuring, suddenly exploding and letting the night creatures free to growl and roar. Vee knew she jumped at the sudden move and hoped the other didn't notice it.

"Hey look! Elisa's here and she brought Vee," happily announced Broadway as he turned towards the clock's entrance.

He, Brooklyn and Lexington got to the young woman, cleary glad of her presence. Goliath, for his part, got near Elisa, asking her if this was a good idea. She simply stated that she could be trusted and managed to explain a bit of Vee's insecurities.

The brunette shared the same enjoyment as the gargoyles, relieved to finally know where she could find them in times of need. She couldn't continue her discussion for long as a large mass suddenly pounced her to the ground, dog noises filling Vee's ears. She let out a small scream of fear, finally seeing the author of this impulsive action to be a massive gargoyle with a dog-like demeanor. He was smelling her, growling a bit, until he landed a lick on her cheek.
A hand got a hold of the beast, freeing the woman.

"Get off this lass Bronx, ye numpty dog," rose an old male voice.

Vee got up with Brooklyn's help, her gaze finally meeting the elder gargoyle. He was of a brownish color with white hair and beard. He wore more clothes, unlike the others, and had a sword hanging to his side. But his most defining feature was the scar on his left eye, leaving it veiled in a gold color, probably blinding him. And next to him was the blue feral gargoyle, standing on four legs like a dog. He was massive, almost like a bulldog, but seemed much more agile and fast.
The old one extended a hand to the human, as a form of greeting.

"It's good to finally meet ye, lass. The boys kept talkin' about ye, especially Brooklyn."

"Oh really?" answered Vee in an amused tone, slightly glancing at the red gargoyle with a smile. The concerned one avoided her eyes, probably blushing a bit under his crimson tone.

She shook the brown's gargoyle's hand.

"The name's Hudson," he continued, then gestured at the dog-like gargoyle beside him. "And this doofus is Bronx."

"Pleasure to meet you, you can call me Vee."

"Don't be too harsh on Bronx, he was just curious," tried to defend Lexington.

"Ye don't push a lass to the ground, it's rude!" explained the elder.

Bronx let out some saddened growls, as if trying to apologize, which brought Vee to pat his head: "Don't worry, boy, you just got me scared for a moment."

"I don't know about you all, but I'm hungry for some breakfast," commented Broadway afterward.

Lexington cheered, following his rookery brother inside the tower, same for Hudson and Bronx.
Vee felt Brooklyn's hand on her arm, gesturing her that he wanted to talk to her alone for a moment. They got near the stone edge, the human noticing they were now alone, Goliath and Elisa probably off to another place. She glanced back down another time, getting new chills from the intense height.

"Are you afraid of heights?" asked the red gargoyle.

The question surprised Vee, but she smiled when looking back at him.

"No, I've been in planes and high places before. I love it, in fact."

"I'm glad Elisa decided to bring you here, it'll give us more time for my proposition!"

The woman quirked an eyebrow, still wondering what he had in mind since last night. She could see the softest smile appear on her friend's face, taking her hand with caution, as if she was fragile.

"Wanna try gliding?"

Vee's eyes suddenly widened, a large smile coming to her face: "Seriously? … I thought you would never propose."

"Never propose?" replied the monster with amusement. "Sorry for being polite and not impose you something extreme at our first meeting!"

"Don't worry, I'm not mad at you," added the woman with a small laugh. "… In fact I'm glad you're asking me this, I've been thinking about it for some time."

Brooklyn looked slightly surprised: "Really? You're not scared I might drop you or something?"

"I don't see why, I trust you, Brooklyn."

Vee was sincere, placing her hand on the gargoyle's arm as a sign of acceptance and affection. The monster soon showed a mischievous look.

"You'll have to climb on my back then."

"… Why not carry me the way Goliath does for Elisa?"

"Heh, it's less fun. Come on! You said you trust me and, truly, it will be the best way for both of us."

His overconfidence somehow helped Vee in her decision to follow him on the balcony's edge.
The wind got stronger at that point, making her gasp and grab the gargoyle's arm to steady herself. She let out a nervous laugh, blushing at her new proximity with the creature. Brooklyn soon expanded his wings, offering the woman his back.
Vee shyly climbed, firmly embracing Brooklyn at the base of his neck right after. She couldn't help but catch his smell, noticing scents of earth and rain.
The red gargoyle adjusted the human's legs on his waist, closer to his hips. He wanted to feel her entirely and realize that it wasn't a dream.
Facing the open space before him, he smirked while looking at Vee another time.

"Hang on tight, sweetie."

"I'm already hanging on tig-aaaaAAAAAHH!"

She couldn't finish her sentence that the gargoyle jumped into the air, extending his wings with force. Vee stopped her screaming when she finally got a good look at the world below them, but the gargoyle began some maneuvers, making the scenery spin.

"Stop or I'll be sick!" was able to blurt out Vee as some ultimate plea.

Brooklyn steadied himself with a laugh: "Afraid already?"

"No, but I think my stomach is! Please slow down or you won't like it."

The human soon felt the other slowing his pace, the wind less likely to rush into her ears. She lifted her gaze to the horizon, seeing the sky-scrapers towering around their position. She felt Brooklyn's muscles flex at each of his movements, getting to the best angles he could only to avoid upsetting Vee.
A smile soon crepted on the woman's face, exclaiming her satisfaction. She finally felt free, above every atrocities of this city! She didn't hold back herself, nuzzling the gargoyle's neck and whispering a "thank you" and "that's amazing".
Brooklyn seemed to stiffen a bit at the human's gesture and was glad she couldn't see his face.

They were next sitting on a building's edge, laughing while making up silly stories about the passerbys down below.
Vee started shivering against the cold, her hands rubbing her arms. But soon she felt one of Brooklyn's wing covering her, like a cloak, bringing her closer to him. She smiled and sighed, observing the urban landscape shining like the night sky filled with stars.

"… Thank you again, Brooklyn," she began. "It meant a lot to me, you know?"

"You don't regret the stomach ache?" he asked in a playful tone.

"A bit, but that's not the point! … For a long time I wanted to touch the sky in a certain way and you helped me. It was truly amazing to see the world from your point of view."

"Hopefully tonight won't be the first and last time!"

Vee's smile faded, looking uneasy. Her meeting with Xanatos was still a heavy burden in her heart. And to think she was considerating an alliance with that man…. She wondered how could she be worthy of the gargoyle's trust and friendship. Brooklyn's voice broke her thoughts: "Hey are you alright? Since last night you seem kind of distant…"

The woman sighed again, rubbing her arms once more and looking away.

"… I did something I'm not really proud of."

One of the gargoyle's talons came under her chin, gently turning her back to him.

"You know you can tell me anything, right? We're friends and that's what friends do…"

Vee tried to smile, but it was a broken one. She scooted away from Brooklyn, taking some steps on the building's rooftop.

"It's not important, we don't need to talk about it."

The red one approached her, looking concerned.

"Judging by the way you react I'd have to say otherwise. … Don't you trust me enough for that?"

The human brought her hands to her temples. That was her problem; she trusted him so much, she didn't want to lose all of it. But when his hand touched her shoulder, she exploded: "I met Xanatos last night. There, are you happy?"

They both froze, eyes locked on eachothers.

"… Wait, what? Why?" began Brooklyn. "Did he take you by force?" he ended with a slight growl in his voice.

"No, his assistant, Owen, got to me and asked me to go meet Xanatos. … I had no other choice, they know I know you guys and Owen said they would do horrible things to you all if I didn't come."

Her voice was shaking, obviously scared of what would be the gargoyle's reaction.
One of Brooklyn's hand got to the woman's cheek, his thumb slowly stroking it.

"Oh Vee, please, you don't have to worry about us. We know how to handle that guy…."

"But when I got there, Xanatos said he didn't care about you all anymore," added Vee. "… He had a proposition for me."

The creature's gesture stopped, frowning: "What did he has to say?"

The human girl gently took the other's arm extended to her and lowered it, keeping his hand in hers.

"He talked about a project. I'm not sure if I want to take part in it, I'm still undecided. But for now he proposed a job for me which only consists of singing to various soirées of his. It's maybe not much, but I can still try."

"Are you out of your mind? Any projects or propositions made by that man always lead to something aweful!" replied Brooklyn in a harsh tone. "Next thing you'll know is that he'll either try some experiment on you or fool you to do something against your nature. That man is foul and can't be trusted."

"You may have your opinion, but that doesn't make it mine," quoted the woman with equal intensity.

She remembered Xanatos saying the same thing when speaking about the gargoyles' hate towards him.
She hated herself for a moment, but knew it was right.

"Vee, please, try to understand," pleaded the red one. "I'm trying to save you some troubles."

"And I'm trying to help myself. I'll need to make money soon, my personal funds are getting low and I certainly don't want to live on the streets. Xanatos came to me with a solution that suits my needs and passions, I won't let it slip away."

She couldn't look at him as he was observing her intently. She felt like she was backstabbing him and it only made her want to cry.

"Please, let me see what he really wants," she continued, her voice shaking with renewed force. "I promise I'll go away if there's something wrong. … Please don't tell the others."

Brooklyn sighed: "Come here…"

He brought the human to him, hugging her tenderly and wrapping his wings around her. It felt weird for a moment to have her that close, but at the same time it felt like the correct thing to do.
For her part, Vee appreciated the gesture, closing her eyes and feeling the gargoyle's warm skin against her cheek and body. Her emotions were overflowing and she tried her best to retain them.

"… Please, don't leave me alone," she whispered.

The gargoyle growled softly: "I won't. You're my friend, Vee, and I will protect you. … I'm not really fond of this situation, but I will support you. Simply promise me that you'll be careful."

"For you, yes."

Brooklyn sighed, wondering how he could stay calm to such news. It would be hard to hide this from the clan, but looking at Vee and holding her close … he knew he didn't want to lose her. He couldn't be truly angry at her either since she had her reasons, but would she be strong enough against Xanatos' strong influence?
He released the human, still keeping one of her hands in his.

"Come, I'll take you home…"

After she nodded, the gargoyle took her bridal style, making both of them blush slightly. He took some steps to the edge, finally jumping and deploying his wings against the city's currents.
This time Vee couldn't detach her gaze from him, truly grateful for the friendship she had found in him. He was the first, and if not only, good thing she had discovered in this city and hoped it would never end.