Chapter Four- Chavez

"Elisa, you are welcome to sleep here today," Goliath said as the eclipse was about to end.

"Thanks. I will." She took up a spot nearby and struck a pose that she hoped looked intimidating. "It doesn't hurt, does it?" she asked casually.

"There is a feeling of your body stiffening, but it does not hurt."

Good. I've had enough pain today. She looked ahead and her face shifted to match her body's pose. The sky was starting to brighten as the moon continued on its path away from the sun.

Elisa heard the cracking of stone forming and waited to feel her body stiffen and for her to fall asleep; instead pain went through her and she doubled over and cried out. It soon passed and Elisa looked down to see human hands.

"Elisa, you're human again," Matt said.

"Then, that would mean that I'm a gargoyle at night only." She slipped off her spot and onto the floor. She shifted from foot to foot before they set off down the stairs. "Oh, that floor's cold," she remarked.

"I can imagine," Matt said as they dropped by the infirmary to retrieve Elisa's jacket and when they did, they found a pair of socks and shoes both of which Elisa put on gratefully.

"I'll need to tell Chavez what happened," Elisa said as they rode the elevator down.

"I called her while I waited for you to wake up. I spoke of the attack and the formula, but not who was responsible or what the formula does since I didn't have that information."

"So, she'll be expecting me," she said as the doors opened.

"Yeah, I think she is."

"Then, I better get to it as it'll be sunset in a few hours." Elisa got into her car and drove off to the station, considering her words carefully.

"Come in," Chavez said when she heard a knock. She looked up and put her work aside. "Maza, good. Bluestone told me you were attacked and that he was waiting for you to wake up." She gestured to the chair in front of the desk.

Elisa sat. "I don't know if we can arrest my assailant-," she began.

"Assault is a crime, as you know, so we can arrest him."

"Yes. It's just that…Captain, I know this will be hard to believe and I'll need to provide proof, but when it turned dark during the eclipse, I…turned into a gargoyle. Obviously, I'm human now but when night falls, I'll change again."

Chavez regarded Elisa with a raised eyebrow. "You're right," she said at last. "It is hard to believe and I will want proof."

"I can do that tonight."

"Agreed. Now, who's responsible for the attack?"

"Well, a man by the name of Maxwell did the deed, but I believe he did it at the direction of Castaway. Maxwell works for the D.A."

"Which would indicate that he was part of The Quarrymen and it explains how they found out about the train transfer. All right, Maza. You're dismissed but I want you back here to prove that you change into a gargoyle."

Elisa nodded as she rose and left, aware that her clothes were a bit tattered and resolved to trim them so that they looked more presentable when she returned. It would seem that I still have a job which means that much of my life won't change.

Chavez watched Elisa leave, noting the tattered jeans and knowing she would come back with them in better condition. She had been concerned when Matt called her to report the attack and that a formula with an unknown effect had been introduced into Elisa's body. Now, the effect was known and she would be given proof tonight.

If it's true, Maza won't be fired. She's still a cop and one of my detectives. Her body may change, but her mind won't. I find the attack odd as well as the ones responsible. I will contact Ms. Yale and question her about Maxwell to learn more about him. Naturally, I will tell her why I'm asking about him. With that, Chavez picked up her phone and dialed the D.A.'s office.

"I see," Yale said several minutes later. "Well, he does still work for me but given the circumstances, I cannot allow him to remain in my employ. I'm afraid he won't be in until the day after tomorrow. He said he would be out of town and didn't leave me a number to reach him at. Yes. Mr. Bluestone is welcome to come and arrest him when Maxwell reports in. Goodbye, Captain." Yale hung up and reflected on the phone call.

Not that long ago, she had been bent on prosecuting the gargoyles, been completely on the side of those who hated them. But when the gargoyles saved a train full of people from

The Quarrymen who were focused on destroying the gargoyles and not caring about the people had changed her opinion about them. She declared in front of cameras that the charges against them had been dropped.

Now, she found that Maxwell, who had been a loyal employee, had committed assault; moreover on Detective Maza. Captain Chavez had told her that Maza claimed a dart full of formula had turned her into a gargoyle during today's eclipse and that she would change again tonight.

Whether that's true or not is not my concern' mine is firing Maxwell and having him arrested. All I can do is wait for him to report for work and when he does, I will call Chavez so Detective Bluestone can make the arrest.

Elisa entered Chavez's office, her jeans trimmed and a modified black shirt under her jacket. Her shoes and socks were her usual ones and she began to remove them, putting them in a small pouch on her waist. "It will hurt, but I'll be okay," she said.

She felt a stabbing in her abdomen and she doubled over, clutching at it. She groaned at the pain and the sensation of her body stretching and altering into the one she had a few hours ago. Her eyes glowed before fading. She straightened up and looked at Chavez who had leaned back in mild surprise at her transformation. She tucked her hair behind her pointed ears and waited.

Chavez appraised Elisa before saying, "All right. This is solid proof. You're not fired, obviously. You're a good officer and I have no doubt that you will continue to be so."

"Of course, Captain."

"Then, get out there and do your duty. Report to me after sunrise."

"Yes, Captain." Elisa draped her jacket over her arm and left the office before heading to the tower above. Other officers gave her double takes and she simply nodded to them as she passed.

She entered the room to the tower and ascended the ladder to what had been the clan's home at one time. The destruction had been devastating and it still was. She made her way to the edge, looked down, and backed away.

"Elisa!" came a voice and Elisa looked up to see Matt with Goliath carrying him. The two landed and Elisa handed over her jacket and car keys.

"Be careful with my car," she said. "I'll need it in the morning."

"She won't get a scratch," he said as he descended into the station to report to Chavez who would update him on the matter of arresting Maxwell.