Half an hour later, after Elisa had shown Skyler around the apartment. Liam had been lulled into sleep by Skyler's gentle voice and manner, and he was currently curled up in his crib.

Goliath had returned with help. He had brought Skyler's two saviors, and Angela as well.

"Oh!" Skyler exclaimed, seeing the three new Gargoyles out in the open rooftop courtyard.

Elisa smiled. "We figured you could use an extra pair of hands or three. Do you have a problem with heights?"

"I... " Skyler seemed to be thinking hard. "I don't think so. I've never been on a plane, or if I have been on one I can't remember."

"You don't have to go with them if you don't want to. Flying is the fastest way to get from here to there, but if you have any issues, just let the guys know, and they'll bring you back." Elisa said, putting a supportive hand on the girl's shoulder. "We can take my car just as easily."

"I'll give it a try," Skyler said with a mischievous grin. "It could be fun."

"Trust me, there's nothing like it," Elisa said with a grin of her own.

Together, the two women walked out into the courtyard.

"Skyler," Goliath greeted. "I would like to introduce Angela, my daughter, and this is Broadway, my daughter's mate."

"Hello," Angela greeted the young woman with a very human handshake.

"It's nice to meet you," Broadway said, offering his arm in the old warrior's greeting Goliath had used earlier.

"It is wonderful to meet you, too," Skyler smiled at him and repeating the forearm shake.

"And this," Goliath said, gesturing towards the red male, "Is Brooklyn, my second in command."

"Hello," Brooklyn said, opting for a deep formal bow instead of the handshake.

Skyler dipped into a classic curtsey, much to the amusement of everyone. "I am thankful to have the opportunity to see you both again."

"Again?" Broadway asked, puzzled.

Skyler looked almost crushed. "Yes, you both helped me a few weeks ago, when I first got here. I was leaving the bus station, and…"

Brooklyn smack himself in the forehead. "The girl with the plant!"

"Yes," Skyler said, looking less distressed. "It's a cutting from a Blue Girl rosebush that I potted and brought with me when I left Colorado."

"We're glad that you're okay," Broadway said with a smile. "It's not often that we get to talk to the people we help."

"Yeah," Brooklyn said, bitterness fairly dripping in his tone. "Most of them just run away."

"What?' Skyler burst out. "But… why? You helped save me in more ways than one that night. I would have thanked you then, but you left so quickly."

"Habit," Broadway said with a shrug. "Sorry."

"That's o.k. I'm just glad that I get the opportunity to thank you all now."

"Shall we go and help you gather your belongings?" Goliath asked, interrupting the conversation.

"That would be wonderful," Skyler said, smiling.

"Angela," Elisa said, "Can you stay with Liam so that I can help Skyler carry her things out of the hotel?"

"Sure," Angela said with a smile. "It will be a vacation to watch a young one other then my two little heathens."

"Oh, you have children too?" Skyler asked.

"Yes," Angela said, wearily. "Twins."

"Twins are fun," Skyler said. "They always have someone to play with. And someone to get into trouble with."

Angela smiled. "They do that, yes."

"Shall we?" Goliath asked.

"Yeah," Elisa said, "Brooklyn, can you take Skyler?"

"Sure," Brooklyn said.

"Uh," Skyler walked towards him uncertainly. "How do we…?"

"Like this," Elisa said, walking towards Goliath. He leaned down and scooped her into his arms.

"Oh," Skyler said, blushing. "Alright."

Brooklyn held his arms out to her, and Skyler stepped into them. Effortlessly, Brooklyn swept her off her feet and into his arms.

Skyler let out a surprised laugh, reflexively throwing her arms around his neck.

"Ready?" Elisa called out.

"Sure," Skyler called out.

As one, from years of acting as a unit, the three males ran to the edge of the building, lept onto the low wall and caught the wind in their wings.

Elisa had to give Skyler credit. The girl hadn't screamed.

Looking over Goliath's shoulder, Elisa could see that Skyler had her face hidden firmly in the space here Brooklyn's neck met his shoulder. Brooklyn didn't seem to mind, however.

Knowing that Brooklyn would take care of Skyler, Elisa leaned into her husband's embrace and enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness that she had come to enjoy when soaring through the air with the clan.

The Gargoyles set down in the darkened alley beside the small hotel.

Skyler was laughing as Brooklyn set her down on her feet. "That was amazing." She held up her hands to cover her cheeks, in an attempt to warm them from the cold air she'd experienced on the flight over.

Brooklyn sent the place a doubtful look. "You were staying here?" It was an old, dark brick building. The windows all had bars on them, and some had been boarded up to make up for the lack of actual glass in the frames. There was loud thumping bass coming from the club across the street that displayed three giant "X"s in the blacked out window.

It was not the best of neighborhoods.

Skyler flushed with embarrassment. She reached out and began fiddling with her charm bracelet, a motion that Elisa had picked up as a nervous gesture. "It was all I could afford."

Elisa slung her arm around the girl's shoulders. "This is nothing," She said flippantly, trying to ease her discomfort. "You should have seen my first apartment. Rats so big, I could have ridden them to work and back like a freaking horse."

Skyler laughed as Elisa steered her towards the street and the entrance of the hotel. "Oh, yeah. And don't get me started on the roaches…"

Elisa glanced over her shoulder in time to see Broadway slap his rookery brother on his shoulder. "Way to go, Casanova."

"Ow," Brooklyn yelped. "What?"

Elisa sighed. "He didn't mean to insult you," She said to Skyler.

"Oh," Skyler said softly. "I didn't mind. It's not exactly The Ritz."

"Maybe not," Elisa said, following Skyler through the door into the miniscule lobby. "But it's hard when people point out things that make you uncomfortable, not knowing how hard you work for something."

Skyler smiled sadly. "At least someone understands."

Elisa nodded. "I grew up with two parents who worked full time and whatever overtime they could get. They had three of us kids to take care of, and they were facing prejudice at every turn because of their different races."

"It's hard to find a job when you age out of the system. It's all, "happy birthday. You're eighteen now, so here's a bus ticket, fifty dollars and a list of group homes. I was lucky to find a nanny position, even if I didn't make much money, because I had a roof over my head."

Skyler took a large red plastic tagged keyring out of her pocket and opened the door to her small room.

Elisa followed her in and drew in a breath. "Rat Hole" would have been insulting to the rats. Peeling wallpaper, carpet stained beyond repair, and the comforter had so many cigarette burns in it that it was more burn than blanket at that point.

"Well," Elisa huffed out, "You'll be making some good money with us, and you won't be deducted for rent, either."

"Really?" Skyler whipped around, a small stack of folded clothing in her arms.

"Really," Elisa said. "I own my condo, so money is not really a big issue for me right now. I'm not Xanatos rich, but I'm not in such dire straights that I would deduct rent from your pay."

Skyler's eyes were huge, and she seemed to be processing that.

"You're taking care of my son," Elisa reminded her. "You deserve to be paid well for it. We'll take care of the groceries, too. If you have any dietary requirements, just let me know."

As she had been talking, Elisa had been gathering up the little odds and ends that she had found around the room and the small bathroom. She was going to feel a lot better once they were out of there.

Elisa handed the items to Skyler and watched as she expertly and efficiently packed her small suitcase. A small box packed with a small stack of books, and the potted rosebush clipping joined the pile.

So few things, but Elisa thought that it must be a byproduct of being a foster child and forced to move over and over.

Elisa shook her head, sadly. That could have been Liam, had things gone differently.

"Okay," Skyler said. She did a quick turn, scanning the room. "That should be everything."

One suitcase. One small box. One potted plant.

Elisa was going to have to mother this young woman a little, she could sense it now. First chance she got, Elisa was going to take the girl out shopping. Full on, frivolous girl shopping. She would not be allowed to buy anything that she needed, but things that she wanted.

Elisa shuddered. She wasn't a big shopper herself… Maybe she could con Beth into taking Skyler out. Beth was the queen of frivolous shopping binges.

"Elisa," Skyler said shyly, breaking Elisa out of her thoughts.

"Yes, sorry," Elisa answered, shaking her head.

"I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity."

"I should be thanking you," Elisa said. "You will be taking care of my son, putting up with my crazy work hours, and keeping some very important secrets for me. It would be enough to make most people go running for the hills."

"Oh," Skyler said, frowning. "It doesn't bother me. Really. I enjoy working with kids, I enjoy making friends...but as contradictory as it may sound, I really need to be able to have my privacy too. I don't open up to a lot of people because of my crazy background in the foster care system," Skyler continued, picking up the box and plant. "It makes people uncomfortable."

Elisa nodded. "I understand. It is kind of like when people find out I'm a cop. It makes people squirrelly, and I start wondering why. If I ask them why, they get more funny about it which only makes me more curious." She chuckled. "it's a vicious cycle."

"Hazard of the job?"

"You bet," Elisa said.

Elisa carried the small suitcase for Skyler. After a quick stop at the front desk of the hotel to check out, the two women made their way around the corner and into the back alley.

Broadway took the box of books and suitcase from the women, holding them securely in one arm so that he could still use one arm to climb to the top of the building for gliding height.

Skyler watched Elisa swing easily up onto Goliath's back, mirroring the action to ride to the top on Brooklyn's back, while keeping a death grip on her small potted rose. Once to the top, the five of them made their way back home.

Landing on the rooftop courtyard, Brooklyn gently put Skyler back on the ground.

"Whew" She breathed out with a joyful laugh. "That was so much better the second time!"

"It gets easier each time," Elisa assured her. "As you get more comfortable with it, you'll be able to look around and see the sights."

"Really?" Skyler perked up.

"You bet," Elisa said with a wink.

"I'll go get Angela," Broadway said with a smile, setting the suitcase and box down on one of the benches. "Then we can start our patrol."

Goliath nodded. "Brooklyn and I should go as well," he said, motioning toward his second in command.

"Uh," Brooklyn said reluctantly. "Yeah."

"Actually, Goliath," Elisa stopped her husband, "Would you mind helping me take these inside before you leave?"

Goliath looked confused from the small bag and box to his wife. He was probably wondering what was wrong, being that she could have handled both with ease. Still, he didn't argue with her and "helped" her carry the items inside.

"What…" Goliath began.

"Sorry," Elisa said. "Just give them a minute."

Together, they watched as Brooklyn spoke earnestly to Skyler. It seemed to go well, and a few minutes later, Skyler was smiling openly and conversing with Brooklyn.

Elisa smiled at Goliath. "I think the apology went well."

"Apology?" Goliath asked, puzzled.

"For what he said at the hotel and embarrassing Skyler," Elisa reminded him. "Knowing Brooklyn, as soon as someone pointed it out to him, he would have been compelled to apologize and make it right."

Goliath nodded at his wife. "That is true," he acknowledged.

"And," Elisa continued, "it also gave Skyler a chance to properly thank Brooklyn for his part in helping her the night she first got to Manhattan without anyone else around to make her feel self conscious."

Goliath smiled at Elisa. Reaching out, her ran a taloned hand through her hair. "You amaze me." He pulled her in close, wrapped his wings around them both and leaned down to whisper, "I love you, My Elisa."

"I love you back, Big Guy," Elisa responded.

Their kiss was regrettably short, but no less full of feeling.

Straightening up, Goliath gently withdrew his wings. "I will be back before sunrise," He promised, before letting Elisa go completely.

"We will be here," Elisa assured him.

They parted as Broadway and Angela came down the stairs.

The three of them exited the apartment and into the courtyard. Skyler and Brooklyn ended their conversation, both seeming easier with each other than before, and the gargoyles glided off to work on their patrol routes.

"They are…" Skyler drifted off, watching them glide away.

"Amazing?" Elisa interjected.

"Yeah," Skyler turned her smiling face towards Elisa. "That is about it."

"Come on," Elisa said, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder and gently steering her toward the doors leading inside. "Let's go set up your room."

It was with some amazement that Elisa watched Skyler unpack. Every piece of clothing was neatly folded and put into the drawers of the small dresser with room to spare.

The books were all well worn, spines bent and covers worn from many readings, and were lined up neatly on a single shelf in the small bookcase that doubled as a night table.

Once the small planter with the rosebush cutting was positioned on the windowsill, Skyler was completely unpacked.

It was a sad testament to Skyler's past. As a foster child, being shuffled from place to place at a moment's notice, she must have learned to keep only the barest of essentials. Being able to pack quickly and not leave anything behind was a trait that Elisa had seen in many kids over her time on the force.

There weren't even any pictures to put around the room. Nothing to even hint at a personal connection to people.

"There," Skyler said, looking happily around the room.

"We will have to take you out shopping," Elisa stated matter of factly. "We'll see about picking up some things to jazz up the walls. Make the place your own."

Skyler looked surprised. "This is great, Elisa. Really."

"I know," Elisa shrugged. "But I'm looking forward to having you here for a long time. You might as well pick out a new paint color. Pictures for the walls. A new bedding set."

She shot a no nonsense look at the young woman. "I'm buying, so no arguments."

"O… Okay," Skyler stuttered.

"Good," Elisa smiled. "Liam will probably be up in a bit, and I'm starving. How about you?"

"Sure," Still looking a little stunned, Skyler followed Elisa back downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Do you like chinese food?" Elisa asked. "I know a great place a few blocks away that delivers. Great Mongolian beef."

"Sounds fantastic."

Elisa reached out and dialed the number from memory. She efficiently ordered a wide variety of things, not knowing what Skyler would like and knowing that Goliath would likely be back in a while and be hungry himself.

Liam, right on schedule woke up just before the food arrived.

"I've got it," Skyler jumped to her feet. She was halfway back up the stairs before Elisa could turn around.

So eager to please, Elisa thought to herself.

Elisa was happy to have found someone to help with Liam. Happier still to have found someone like Skyler. Obviously, she loved working with children, was well qualified and loved by her previous employers. She was friendly, but knew how to keep secrets.

Yes, she would be a fantastic addition to the clan.

Elisa was still smiling when she answered the door to get the food.

Goliath returned after the patrols had been finished.

"Hmmm," Elisa said out loud, her cooling mug of coffee in her hands. "Must have been a slow night."

"Why do you say that?" Skyler asked.

Elisa glanced over to where Skyler was sitting on the living room rug, playing with an alert Liam on her lap.

"He's back early." Elisa said, nodding towards the dark figure in the courtyard.

"Oh," Skyler said, surprised. "He stays here, too?"

"Yeah," Elisa said. This was the one sicky area that had not been broached yet. "He stays here most days. Is that okay with you? We don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"No, no," Skyler hurried to protest. "Do the others stay here too?"

"Once in awhile," Elisa shrugged one shoulder. "Not very often. We'll take you out tomorrow and introduce you to the rest of the clan."

"Are there other humans who know about the clan?"

"A few," Elisa answered, sipping her coffee. "There are a few others who know who they are and where they live."

"And," Skyler asked, a mischievous look on her face, "Are there other humans in relationships with them?"

Surprise caused Elisa to spray a small mouthful of coffee onto the tile floor of the kitchen. Coughing, Elisa gasped for air, struggled to think of a response. She had thought they were so careful to hide it for the time being…

"Are you okay?" Skyler asked. "Sorry, I was just curious."

"Uh, no." Elisa said slowly, her voice slightly hoarse from the coughing fit. "As far as we know, Goliath and I are the only gargoyle and human couple. How did you know?"

"I read romances," Skyler shrugged. "Goliath looks at you like I imagine all of the heroes in my books look at their soulmates. Like he'd take a bullet for you or something."

"Soulmates, huh?" Elisa asked, skeptically.

Skyler gave an exaggerated sigh, placing a hand at her forehead in an old victorian fainting pose. "You complete him."

Elisa was still laughing as she rose to open the patio doors. So much for being careful around Skyler. It looked like it wasn't needed.

Elisa opened the door for Goliath, shutting it quickly behind him to keep the heat inside. It was still bitterly cold outside, and the snow had just started falling.

"Hey Big Guy," Elisa greeted him.

"Elisa," he answered in his deep, rumbling voice. Looking towards his son and their new caretaker, he nodded in their direction. "Skyler. I hope all is well."

"Oh, it's wonderful here," Skyler answered with a smile. "And little Liam is no trouble at all."

"We ordered chinese," Elisa told him. "Would you like some?"

"That would be wonderful," Goliath answered on a sigh.

Elisa frowned at him. "Rough night?"

"No," Goliath answered. "Just happy to be home."

Elisa scooped a good sized portion of both the mongolian beef and the broccoli beef onto a plate, and placed it in the microwave.

"Tomorrow is the day that you get your awards, is it not?" He asked Elisa.

"Yes," Elisa said with an eyeroll. "I still don't know why we need to have a big ceremony and all of the trimmings that comes with it. The good news is that I got them to delay the ceremony until 7:00 p.m. by pleading overnight working hours, and they'll be doing it on the front steps of the precinct."

Goliath smiled at her. "That is good news. I will enjoy getting to be there to see it."

"Why so late?" Skyler asked, puzzled.

Elisa blinked at her for a moment. "Oh, right… you haven't seen that particular event yet."

"What?" Skyler asked, more confused than ever.

"I'll explain in a bit," Elisa said, glancing at the time. "For right now, we'll just say that the Gargoyles don't get around in the daylight."

"Oooookay," Skyler drew out.

Elisa chuckled. "Sorry to be so mysterious, but I really will explain soon."

"No problem," Skyler said. "I have a feeling that there are going to be a lot of new things heading my way. I will try to be patient. In the meantime," Skyler gently placed Liam on the floor beside her so that she could get to her feet. She gently picked Liam up from the floor and placed him in the crook of her arm. "I think it is time for the little guy and I to get bathed and ready for bed."

"Go ahead," Elisa told her. "We'll be up to say goodnight in a little bit."

"Take your time," Skyler urged. "I will let you know when he is ready to go to sleep."

Once Skyler left the room, Goliath swept an arm out and around Elisa's waist to draw her closer. Elisa laughed as he drew her close for a kiss.

"I really did want to see you get an award," Goliath said softly, into her hair.

"I know you do," Elisa said with a sigh. "I guess I just wish it was for something that I felt I earned."

Goliath drew back enough to look into her eyes. "You do not think you earned one for rescuing Liam?"

Elisa shook her head. "Not really. I mean, yes, I am happy that I was there, that it was me that found him," Elisa struggled to explain her feelings. "But that's it. I found him. The doctors and the ambulance workers saved him. In comparison, I didn't do that much. Besides," She nodded towards the sound of running water in the bathroom, "I got the better end of the deal, being able to bring him home. Being able to keep him."

Goliath smiled then. "We did. We have Liam now, and a child of our own."

"Exactly," Elisa said softly, laying her head against his shoulder.

"I am glad as well," Goliath said softly. He gently tipped her face up so that he could meet her lips with his own.

A few short hours later, Elisa first explained and then showed Skyler how the Gargoyles spent the day in stone hibernation.

Since the award ceremony took place after dark, but early enough that Elisa was going to have to leave before the sun actually went down, Elisa also explained about how they broke free of their stone skins when they awoke in the evenings.

Skyler was more interested than scared, so Elisa answered as many questions about the clan as she could.

Elisa finally had to call it quits soon after though. Both women needed sleep, and Liam still wasn't sleeping eight solid hours yet.

"Go ahead," Skyler urged her. "I'm right next door, and I'm a light sleeper. If Liam wakes up, I can be there for him."

"Thanks," Elisa said, thankful once more that the Xanatos' had found her for them. Already, she was a bit of a lifesaver.

Elisa changed into her favorite cotton sleep pants and matching top. She was tired, and her day was starting earlier than she would have liked.

She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.