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The gargoyle within the dungeonlike cell of the minor tourist attraction had only one gargoyle to gaurd her. She did not acknowledge him. All that existed to her was the work in her talons. The alabastar figuring was transforming from a slab of rock the size of the pink gargoyle's fist to a slender serpentine figure White chips gathered around her two-toed feet.

"It’s almost sunrise," her sentry told her. He was a deep green in color and tall with an athetic build that was no where near as buly as some of the other clan members. His long tail ended in a cloud like tuff of light brown hair. The rest of the hair on the top of his head also as curly. A pair of thick curled horns was on each side of his head and his feet ended in hooves. "It is best to continue your carvings tomorrow."

She sighed at looked at the half developed lump. "I have no choice." She set the carving and the chisel she was using down and swept the sweat that had gathered off her brow and spiral horn in the center of her forhead. She was close to a hundred carvings. After she was handed over to her clan a few years ago she was placed in the pison as a form of humilating punishment. A few months priar the clan leader, L’ung, had told her if she carved a hundred of the dragon statues she would be given a release.

"Are you are very close," the ram like gargoyle told her while he unclasped his leathery wings.

"I can see my egg, all of our eggs." She added the last part to include the rest of the clan’s eggs. She stood to her full height and stertched out her wings. Her tail, ending in four long finger like apendages was halfway above the floor when she struck her fierces stare. Stone sleep covered over both her and the gargoyle standing watch.

Chi Lin opened her eyes when she felt an intense heat over her entire body. She was no longer in the dungeon. She wasn’t even in the castle. She was in the middle of the nearest forrest and all the trees were set a blaze. They appeared to have their autum leaves back. Large flames darted up, trying to touch the thick cloud of smoke and shooting off sparks.

"Chi Lin," the deep baritone caused the female to stare up. She nearly fell backwards when she saw the long glowing streamer of light that flew around in a wide circle. Extenions from the serpentine form appeared like the claws of a tiger in shape, hawk like wings extended from the middle. One end tapered of in a long and slender tip, the other had a vulpine head with long horn like protrusions and long whiskers whipping back and forth.

"Dragon," Chi Lin mouthed the words. She couldn’t release a sound.

The being stared at her with eyes that were merely gaps in it’s illuminated form. "Manhattan."

Darkness had overtaken Chi lin before she felt the usual uncomfortable feeling of both not being ale to breath and covred in dried mud. She roared as sent pieces of her stone skin flying into different directions. It had only taken her a minute to realise she was not in a burning forest but back in her dungeon. It was a dream.

"How?" The gargoyle gaud had resumed his position once he had awakened. He had noticed the statue on the floor where the half carved block was. The dragon figure was complete. It was fully chiseld and covered in enamel and gold. "Was it one of the humans?"

Chi Lin shook her head. It couldn’t have been the humans even if they tried. She didn’t know any who was that good at carving. "They knew the condition of my punishment." She picked the figure up. It looked even better that the other statues she had created. She could never get the whiskers that thin or the details of the feathers and scales that good. It was covered in a different enamel. The usual kind had a slick and shiny finish. The kind used on the new dragon had a pearly luster. The colors of red orang and gold blended into each other, the wings were white with golden edges. The spikes running down the dragon’s back was covered in the same kind of gold. The faceted eyes looked like somone had set tiny rubies into the sockets.

"If the humans didn’t, then who."

She picked up the figure and felt warm, the same kind of heat that had developed her in her dream. She wondered what the clan would think of her dream and if the statue would count as her 98th.

Creamy white suds formed a blanket of a snow floating on top of the warm surface of the bath water. The thick mass had thinned over time as they tiny bubbles dispersed and the suds broke up into clumps that floated around like icebergs in the arctic ocean, peaceful and undisturbed until a pair of small hands decided to scoop them up.

"It’s like snow," the soft voice giggled as tan hands with a hint of a purple undertone placed the mass of suds on top of a sleek sable brown hair. Rebecca Maza continued to giggle as she reached for her soap bunny that floated next to her.

"It does look like snow," bronze colored hands that were dressed in the soothing material of bath gloves scrubbed the last section of Rebecca’s dark wings and grabbed onto her hands. "Although if you wiped the suds against your skin it will help you get clean."

"Weely?" the second occupant of the tub held onto the blue and yellow plastic boat high above his head. Rowan slammed it down into the water in front of him, causing a splash that sprayed his sister and mother’s arms.

"Careful," Elisa continued to scrub her daughter’s arms. Like Rowan, Rebecca had five figures on each hand, unlike her brother she had pointed spurs on her elbows. "We don’t want you to splash too much and make a mess."

"No mess," Rowan grabbed at a few of the suds that floated next to him and scrubbed them against him and squished them inbetween his hands. "I make no mess I clean myself." He rubbed his hands against his chest and stomach before trying to scrub his arms.

"Well you are trying to make this easier for myself," Elisa smiled. She had wished she waited until after sunset so that her husband could lend a hand without giving the twins their bubble bath. She would have needed his help at the end when trying to convince the two when it was over and had to get out of the tub. Rebecca always cried when she lifted her out and Rowan would try his hardest to keep Elisa from taking him out to dry. There was a reason why she didn’t wait. She wanted the twins and herself to look nice when the clan had awaken.

"I help too," Rebecca grabbed onto the pink plastic toy and extracted the bar of soap from it’s grip. She rubbed the soap against her hands until they nearly became white from foam and she proceeded to rub her chest and tummy.

"This is making the task easier," Elisa handed the bar of soap over to Rowan to see if he would lather up and begin to clean his arms while Elisa moved on to Rebecca’s legs. To her delight her son followed his sisters example and began to clean his arms. "You both are growing up. We are going to tell your father how you were able to clean yourselves." Elisa moved on to scrubbing her son’s back and wings afar she had finished cleaning Rebecca while Rowan scrubbed his feet. She was going to have to clean his tail and legs, but the task was going by much faster, meaning the crying and pouting will come sooner. "Sit down and rinse off," Elisa instructed after she had finished scrubbing her son. She gritted her teeth, bracing herself for the shrill cry that Rebecca always made whenever bath time had ended. Elisa hoped this time the crying will cut short. She took one look of her children before she flipped open the drain.

"No!" Rebecca screeched the second she heard the gurgling of the drain. "More bath. Wanna stay."

"I’m sorry," Elisa reached under her daughter’s arms and pulled her out of the bath. "It’s over." She placed  Rebecca down on the bath rug and draped a warm towel around her shoulders and reached into the tub to pull out Rowan.

"Wanna stay," Rowan spread his wings, legs and arms and tried to form a tight grip onto the sides of the bath tub. "Not over."

"Yes it’s over," Elisa thread her hands under Rowan's arms. "And when you come out of the bath tub you will get a nice surprise."

"Surprise?" Rowan released his grip and stood up. He nearly slipped out of his mother’s hold trying to get to the rug next to his sister.

"Surprise?" Rebecca echoed.

"That is right," Elisa draped the other towl around her son and began to rub the cotton against his skin. She concentrated on his wings, arms, legs and tail. "I have a special surprise just for the both of you." She moved on to Rebecca and began to dry her.

"Want surprise," Rowan tried to finish drying himself off

Elisa opened the door to the bathroom and reached for the two hangars on the knob. "Here s your surprise." She turned around and held them out before her. Hanging on the left was a dark blue suit that was small enough for a preschooler. The other hangar had a bright red dress in the same size.

"A dress?" Rebecca’s eyes widened to twice their size.

"Yes a dress for you, and a new suit for Rowan. We are going to dress up nice for your father." She hung the hangars over the towel racks. Once she had the twins dried and dressed she would remove the apron that shielded her own dress from betting splashes. All she had left to do was her make up.

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She was not the only one who was dressed up. Rowan wore a pair of blue slacks with matching dress jacket and a white shirt. Holes were cut and stitched for his wings, tail and knee spurs. Rebecca was dressed in a pretty red gown and a white hat with a bow. The back of her gown had slits cut in for her wings. Both she and Rowan wore dress shoes that were made for their feet.

"Good evening lass," Hudson, not Goliath was the first to address the human. "Ye and yer children look verra nice."

"You look lovely," Brooklyn added while crawling off his perch next to Goliath’s. "The twins look adorable."

"Thank you," Elisa did not look at them. Her eyes were staring intently at Goliath. "Re, Ro, and I wish to speak with Goliath alone."

"I understand," Hudson nudged the crimson gargoyle closer to the entrance. Brooklyn did not object towards the gesture and hurried towards the steps leading to the inside of the castle.

"I know what you are going to say," Goliath stepped down from his perch and approached her. "You are still worried for my concern."

"I’m worried for the whole clan," she grabbed onto the hands of her children. "I’m worried about our children. I’m worried about my brother and his clan."

"I feel the same as you do."

"Then why don’t you do as I ask? Why won’t you reduce the amount of patrols, only send out half the clan each night. Don’t go out as much, reduce the hours."

"I cannot do that," he frowned. He had thought she understood by now. The city was his and the clan’s protectorate. He wouldn’t allow anything, not unseelie, not monsters, not Quarrymen or any other gargoyle hate group to scare him from what he was raised to do.

"Why won’t you? You were shot a few nights ago. Jerry is still recovering form his injury. These fanatics are still out there and I can’t bare the thought of you being injured again." She shuddered, either it was from what she feared of she shivered because of the temperature. Goliath couldn’t tell

"To lessen our patrols will mean they have won," he stared back over the city. The lights from the buildings almost seemed to twinkle when low level clouds floated by. "We have never turned our back on the city before, even with the Quarrymen we still continue to protect the innocent."

"You held back when the Quarrymen were fresh." she released her hold on the twins when she snapped and quickly, and gently grabbed them again.

"Nearly the whole city was against us at the time." He knew it was no good trying to convince his wife and mate. The determined look in her eyes seemed to have stated so. He would have to try

"Don’t go out tonight." She rested her hands on the shoulders of the twins. "Please stay for tonight. If you won’t stay for me, then do it for our children."

"This is low," Goliath’s voice rose, causing both children to cower behind their mother. "How dare you use our children to get me to bend to your will. I want you to take them inside where it’s warm." He grabbed onto her hands and felt his wife tremble, not out of fear to him, but from the exposure to the elements around them.

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"That doesn’t sound good," Brooklyn had stood on the bottom steps, leaning towards the opening at the top of the tower.

"It’s only a small fight," Cecilia had explained. The rest of the clan had gathered near the steps. Angela, Broadway, Othello, and Desdemona had glided over from the tower the four of them shared to greet with the rest of their clan. "This isn’t the first time they had an argument."

"I’m saying I don’t think this is good for the clan," the beaked gargoyle stared up at the opening. He was ready to usher everyone downstairs to the  main part of the castle incase he felt Elisa or Goliath was about to descend on them. "In a way Elisa is right. These H.A.M psychos are more relentless than they Quarryman, even before Canmore was sent to the nut house."

"What will ye have us do?" Hudson asked. The elderly gargoyle stood back away from the rest of the clan members and stood on a few of the steps leading down to the main part of the castle "Ye know we canae go against Goliath’s commands."

He closed his eyes and lowered his head. "I know we are going to have to go and patrol, but he won’t say for how long."

"What do you have planned?" Lexington asked. The small gargoyle stood the closest to the second in command.

"All of us who are not with Goliath will patrol until we stop one crime or save someone’s life. Afterwards we return to the castle."

Broadway raised a hand. "What if we don’t find anything?"

"We rarely have any quiet nights," Brooklyn reminded him. "If by chance we don't find anything then return to the castle two hours before dawn. We can’t risk being caught outside while we sleep."

"I don’t think I like this idea of yers," Hudson reached up and scratched his chin.

"We are not breaking Goliath’s orders," Brooklyn turned back towards the stairs. "As second in command I can’t risk something happening to my clan because of Goliath’s pride."

"What about he other weregoyles?" Marle asked.

Brooklyn blinked at the sound of footsteps begining to desend down towards them. "We’ll discuss the issue further in your room," Brooklyn motioned the clan to hurry with his hands. "We’ll even vote." He waited until everyone had started running before he followed them.

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There hadn’t been any fresh snow in over a week. There were nights and days of sleet and a light snowfall that had lasted for a few minutes, but not a thing that could compare to the wintry snowfall that had lasted for a few hours, coating the tops of buildings in a whitely blanket and painted windows with a frost. Thick gray puddles and formed on the sidewalk and street from the sleet, creating an undesirable slush.

The miserable weather did nothing dampen the spirits of Jon Canmore. It would have to take a lot to remove the grin from his face as he continued down the sidewalks. He did dress in his favorite dark blue coat and a pair of black gloves and he did carry an umbrella, but that was the only effect the weather had on him. He was on a mission of the heart, trying to seek out the perfect gift for his wife.

One window display drew in Canmore. The clear window for the "Enchanted Crystal" store was filled with delicate jewelry boxes placed on a blanket of burdungy velvet. All of the boxes were beautiful to behold but one drew in the eyes of the weregoyle more than the others. It was carved out of mahogany with several drawers with tiny brass handles, perfect to place bracelets and necklaces. The top was designed like a roll top desk. The curved part would roll back to expose tiny shelves that can be pulled out to place rings and earrings. The very top had a tiny angel carved out of crystal as a decoration.

"Probably verra expensive," Canmore said underbreath. It may leave a serious dent in his wallet, but it will be worth it when he sees the smile on his beloved Lorrie’s face.

"Jon Canmore?" The voice came out almost to joyous sounding to be asking a question. "Jon Canmore can we ask you a few questions?" The woman repeated.

"Aye," Jon spun around and nearly fell back against the display window. He was nearly surrounded by two people carying video cameras and a woman with a microphone.

"Nancy Korbess here from WVRN," the cheery voice rained out of the mouth of a young woman dressed in a cashmere blouse and imitating gray jacket and matching pair of pants. Her strawberry blond hair was styled short. A pair of glasses framed her bight green eyes. A pink smile was stretched from ear to ear and nose to chin, displaying pearly white teeth that were too bright for Canmore’s eyes. "Before we film do you prefer to be called Canmore or Castaway?"

"Canmore," Jon tried to find away out but the reporters were too close, like a pride of lions closing in on the wounded animal. He couldn’t remember if he ever was that vicious when he took on the brief job as a reporter.

"Good," she snapped her fingers indicating for her crew to begin filming and brought her microphone closer to her. She stepped in front of the camera’s until she was right next to Jon. "Nancy Korbess here with the founder of the Quarryman, Jon Canmore. The Quarryman who have made it known to the public that they are not afraid to get their hands dirty in their hunt for gargoyles."

‘Dear God," Jon could not believe what was going on. ‘Do these people not believe in personal space?’ At least when he had interviewed Detective Bluestone he gave him some breathing room.

"Now for the past weeks people have seen some activity form a new group called Humans Against Monstrosity, or simply H.A.M. Do the Quarryman see them as allies or rivals?" She pointed the end of her microphone at Jon.

"Neither," Canmore stared at her finely manicured nails. The color of her polish matched the pink color of her lipstick. "I see them as enemies."

"Enemies?" Nancy pulled back the microphone before Jon even had a chance to finish his thoughts. "Are you not after the same goal? The elimination of the gargoyles?"

"If that was the only goal of theirs I would have agreed with them," Jon glared into the camera. He had to choose his words carefully, as much as he wanted to lay the blame of the bombings on the group he knew he couldn’t without proof and did not want to risk being sued for slander. "They have made it clear that gargoyles are not their only target. They have claimed they were also after sentient beings who were not human. This includes cyborgs, mutates and those unfortunate souls that we have described in our Quarryman newsletter, weregoyles."

"Technically those people are not really human anymore."

"Aye, but they still have their souls. They are not monsters. Where do they draw the line at humans who have had robotics parts attached to their limbs? Technology is improving every day and people who have lost a limb in Iraq or due to a disease have new parts attached. Are they going to declare those people are no longer human?"

"I see what you mean," Nancy nodded. "What about the race of new Olympians and those who live in the nation’s capitol?"

"I truly have no comment."

"I was recently informed one of your men was injured by a member of H.A.M?"

"Aye," Jon nearly pulled the microphone out from her hand. "He and another member were hunting down the gargoyles when he was accidentally shot by them. This is another reason why I see them as enemies. They are incredibly careless. The don’t care who they hurt just to kill a gargoyle. We value the lives of the innocent over the deaths of the monsters."

"This has been Nancy Korbess with on the street opinion," She kept the grin until the lights on the cameras dimmed. "Thank you Mr. Canmore." She lead her entourage of cameraman down the street towards the news van.

Canmore released a sigh as soon as that woman had put some space between her and him. Now he was going to be paranoid that an any instant a reporter may surprise him from behind, and he wouldn’t be able to get away.

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The dessert was the same shade of brown as the roots of the woman’s hair. Eyes that were the same shade of green as the island she was born in were closed as she savored the taste of the chocolate mousse her husband prepared before. She didn’t care how rich or fattening the dessert was. She was going to gain weight anyway due to the life growing inside her womb.

"I do enjoy seeing you smile," Macbeth folded the paper napkin in half before he wiped his mouth. The only sound in the house came from television at the front of the living room. Once a while the couple enjoyed having dessert on the couch with their dessert dishes and glasses of wine placed on the coffee table. There was only one glass of wine and one glass of fruit juice that night, and it has been that way since Angelica made her announcment to her husband. "Would you believe this was the first time I prepared chocolate mousse?"

"Even though ye are older than me by a few centuries?" She placed her spoon into the empty dish. "I can believe ye never had the opportunity ta prepare such a treat."

"Should I add it to the menu for Valentines day?"

"I am certain they would find it quite enjoyable," Angelica replied. She stared over towards the teevlision screen and reached for the television remote. "Canmore."

Macbeth turned to the screen as the reporter had placed the microphone in front of Jon. "This could be quite interesting."

"Aye, but they still have their souls. They are not monsters. where do they draw the line at humans who have had robotics parts attached to their limbs? Tenchology is improving every day and people who have lost a limb in Iraq or due to a disease have new parts attached. Are they going to decelerate hose people are no longer human?"

"He has drawn a line," Angelica sighed. "Its a pity he can’t see even further and learn what a mistake he is machine’ wit his crusade."

"Yer little curse has helped in opening his eyes." He reached over to take her hand. "We can’t force him to change his mind."

"There are times when I feel like he is a lost cause, and then I see something like this." She pointed at the screen with her other hand. "He hates this other organization because of what they stand for and their methods. I think ye are reaching him."

"I truly hope so," Macbeth smiled as they continued to watch the interview.

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The two thieves lain unconcious on the cold hard ground. The near empty lot was right next to the drug store and gas station. The cotton book bags was inbetween them, lying in it’s side. The containments were spilled. Instead of books, folders and notebook paper it was filled with wads of folded dollar bills.

"They are probably going to think twice about robbing this place again," the hulking form of Goliath stood in front of the two thieves. He had relaxed his glower, but not his frown as he watched the two cooks breath.

"I don’t think they can hear you," Broadway carefully walked around the humans towards their chosen loot sack. "I think I rammed their heads together a little too hard."

"We can never be too careful," Goliath told him. " They were carrying weapons." He stared at the twisted and crumpled mass of lead in his talons. One carried a baseball bat that Rayne had snapped in half and the other carried the gun.

"We don’t want them to paralysed." He swept up the spilled contents into the bag.

"No we don’t," he turned towards the store entrance where Rayne was talking with the owner. "We are going to leave soon."

"Are we going back to the castle?"

"We still have patrols to take care of. We are going to continue for a few more hours."

"Don’t you think it might be a good idea if we slowed down a bit?" Broadway almost shrank back as soon he asked the question. The had been going along under Brooklyn’s sub order for weeks and Goliath seemed to not notice. He never was suspicious when he and his patrol group had returned to find the rest of the clan waiting for them.

Goliath raised his brow ridges. "Where would you come up with such an idea?"

"With these new guys running around and acting even worse than the quarryman I thought it would be a good idea."

"Elisa has put you up to this?" Goliath could not hide his shock. First she had begged when his arm was in a sling, she had dressed up their children for the sole purpose to beg him to slow down and now she was asking various members of the clan to beg Goliath. "She should know better."

"What do you mean she should know better?" Broadway narrowed his eye.

"To go around my back like this. Trust is a key ingredient in marriage."

"And so is love. That is why she doesn’t want you or any of the rest of the clan to get hurt."

"Her work during the day is the same to our work at night," He placed the gun between the crooks. The taller of the two humans had already began to moan. "This is the reason why have to continue. The police can’t be everywhere."

"We are not able to help them during the day." He twitched his nose at the new smell entering his nostrils, amongst the scent of gass and damp cement he picked up the rich aroma of cocoa. "We should relax on our patrols until the members of H.A.M. are arrested."

"Cocoa?" Broadway asked.

"Yeah," the clerk handed over the cup he was holding to the corpulant gargoyle. The young man was a tall figure with a bit of muscle. He kept his long copper colored hair swept under a baseball cap and wore a rain jacket over the flannel jacket he wore with warmth. "Nice and fresh just for you guys. I even added marshmellows and a bit of whip cream."

"Thank you," Goliath smiled at him. "We appreciate your treat."

The clerk shrugged. "After saving my hide back there, it’s the least I can do."

"Gargoyles protect. We save the citizens of this city without expecting any form of payment." He paused when he noticed the pleading look from both Broadway and Rayne. It would be rude to refuse a nice offer from a human and it was a always welcome to see a reaction other than screaming. (They have been screaming and running less and less.) "I have to say that as leader so you don’t feel you have to give us something every time. We accept your kind gesture." Goliath took one of the cups from Rayne’s hands.

"You need something to warm you up since the two of you is only wearing those scraps to cover up stuff I don’t want to see." The young man shoved his hands in his pockets.

"The cold doesn’t affect us much," Broadway explained before he slowly sampled some of the cocoa. He wasn’t going to risk burning his toungue to satisfy his sweet tooth. "Some of us do have to fill our nightly chocolate requirements."

"I hope you enjoy your treat," the human turned back to the store. "The cops are on their way. I am going to give my manager an earful. I wasn’t even supposed to be here tonight."

"Thank you," Goliath told him before he lead his patrol group to the side of the station. They could climb up the wall while still holding their drinks. They could also drink while gliding.

The snow was on and off throughout the day and into the evening. It was not strong enough to cause a hindrance to the three gargoyles as they glided over towards another party of the city for their patrol. They flakes were the size of a pin head and speed of the snowfall was extremely light. Goliath took the lead as they continued towards Madison Square Garden, the point of their patrol area. Once they had circled the scene a few times and hadn’t seen any form of trouble they would glide towards the next patrol route.

Gliding next to him on his right was the female gargoyle from Florida. On his left side was the aqua colored from of his daughter’s mate. Large wings stretched out to carry his ample gut. His large fan shaped ears were able to pick up sounds far better than the others. While he could pick up sounds from a greater distance than the others they could all hear the ear splitting explosions of gunshots from below.

The cougar like roar exited from Rayne’s throat when one of the bullets peirced through the middle of her foot. The styrofoam cup she had been carrying was released from her grip the second she was struck. Despite the burning pain she felt in her foot she continued to ride he air currents with the hope she will get out of range of the bullets.

"Rayne!" Goliath grabbed the female by her hand just as another gunshot was heard. He turned towards the nearest building, and pulled Rayne towards it along with him. Broadway flowed closely behind while the sounds of the guns firing continued.

"How bad is it?" Broadway asked once they had landed and approached the center of the building, hopefully out of range of the guns.

"Not bad," Rayne answered for him as Goliath helped her sit down. There was a visible hole in the center of her foot. Blood spilled down in streams down the arch and stained her talons, more dripped from the hole. "Might take a couple nights of stone sleep to heal." She ripped off the pant legs and tied it around the middle of her foot. She tore off the other and wrapped it over the first binding.

"Do you think its those H.A.M guys again?" Broadway asked.

"It wouldn’t surprise me if they were." Goliath carefully approached the ledge and stared down. There two people who stood in the middle of the sidewalk. The other people that may have been around had fled the scene when they heard the sounds of guns being fired. Hopefully, some of them called the police. They were not dressed in any specific uniform "Rayne I want you to glide back to Wyvern. Broadway and I will make certain they will not harm you."

"What about you guys?" She stood on one foot and used her tail to maintain balance

"We’ll be fine," Goliath motioned towards Broadway. "We are going to climb down the otherside of the building and circled around to them." He turned around and walked towards the other side of the building. "Try to glide over as many buildings as you can and try to avoid gliding over the streets."

"Becareful," Rayne limped over towards the side of the building, using her tail as a walking cane. She spread her wings to glide and waited for Goliath and Broadway to begin climbing before she allowed the wind to carry her.

They were only a few feet away and five stories beneath him yet they didn’t notice the corpulent gargoyle was near them. Both humans were involved in a deep discussion. Broadway could only pick out a few words of it. One of them thought about entering the building and riding the elevator to the top floor so they could reach the gargoyles. The other thought about going around to see if the gargoyles had climbed down the other side and tried to glide back home. The first one complained that it would have taken too long.

‘Keep arguing,’ Broadway thought. His talons had dug into the building. He just had to wait until the signal form Goliath before he could sweep down and attack.

The deep roar from Goliath ended the conversation and brought their focus towards the right.

Broadway waited until the had drawn their guns before he let and glided towards them. None of them had even turned around. Broadway landed on one causing the human to sprawl a few feet down the sidewalk, the gun became sprinted form his hand. Broadway stepped on the gun before he turned towards the other one and leaped for him before he had a chance to pull the girder.

Goliath landed in front of the sprawled out form of the first gunman Broadway had knocked over and picked him up. He heard the crunching sound of Broadway squeezing the other weapon in his large hand.

"You may kill me," the gunman tried his hardest to hide his fear. "The city will see what you truly are and we’ll be able to destroy your kind."

"You said we’ll," Goliath growled. "Who are you referring too?"

"None of your business."

Goliath’s eyes lit up to their full brightest as he ripped of the man’s pants pocket. There was nothing in it. He could feel the human’s fear as he ripped off another pocket. A metallic pin fell to the sidewalk. Goliath used the end of his tall to flip it over so he could read it. "H.A.M"

"They are both with H.A.M." Broadway dropped the limp form of the other man onto the sidewalk. The other human fainted from the confrontation. The same pin that had fallen to the ground was on his jacket.

"You are still hunting us down with guns," Goliath snarled. "Do you not care if you accidentally hurt an innocent person."

"I care, that is why I don’t shoot until I have a clear shot. If another person steps out in front of them to shield them from the blast then they deserve being shot."

"You have a lot to answer for," Goliath could hear the approaching sirens. He will not let go until the police car had pulled up on the curb and then he will throw the gunman towards the cops.

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There was no one waiting for the two of them when they had returned. Goliath had hoped there would have been atlas someone waiting to give them the news of Rayne. He had to at least know if she had returned home safely.

"No one is here," Broadway commented as they landed on the tower they usually slept on. His toes curled down and grabbed the stone floor for a brief second

"Broadway," the honeyed voice of Angela range out towards their ears before the lavender female stepped out of the entrance. She raced to her mate and threw her arms around him. "Father." she embraced her father for a few seconds shorter than Broadway.

"How is Rayne?" Goliath asked once Angela had ended her hug.

"She is being operated on as we speak," Angela’s eyes shed a few tears. "I’m not crying. I’m just relieved. When Rayne returned we helped her towards the operation room. She told us what happened and I feared the worst."

Broadway pulled her back into his arms. "You don’t have to worry. We made it back. We were also able to hand over those H. A. M heads over to the police." He curled his talon down and wiped away the tears with his knuckle. She was so beautiful, even when hereyes were pink and puffy from crying too hard. She was right about not crying. Her schlera was still white.

"Rayne said that the three of you had suspected it was the members of H.A.M. I thought Elisa and Matt were arresting those who use guns out in the open."

"They are trying," Broadway sighed. "They have interviewing each member of the organization and comsigating their weapons to see if they hac been fired recently." It was still not enough. "I bet the police will crack down on them harder now that we helped capture two more of them.

A deep growl erupted from Goliath. " The human laws are doing everything, except make it illegal for the organization to exist. This hate group values their fellow human’s lives in little contempt," Goliath clenched his hand. "They have practically admitted the were willing to hunt down those who did not share their views."

"Perhaps if they keep arresting members they will have to shut it down," Angela said.

"They still have a right to meet, unless they are considered illegal organization." Goliath’s eyes became opaque. "Even then they will contest. There are still plenty of humans who see us as a threat."

"There were probably witnesses," Angela suggested. "Somone may have heard their confession."

Broadway shook his head. "Many ran off when they heard the gunshots. Even those that hung around couldn’t have heard the H.A.M member confess."

"I will have to speak with Elisa. She would know when, how and if the city can shut them down." He folded his wings across his shoulders. "I am going to check on Rayne first." He stepped into the tower and climbed down the steps that lead into the castle.

________________________________________________________________

Wyvern’s medical room was empty except for Lexington when Goliath entered. The over seven foot gargoyle recognized the expression on the web wing’s face. His mouth was clenched tightly and arms appeared to have almost wrapped around himself, covering his slender form with his webbing. Only his head was left uncovered. His large eyes appeared to have been glazed over from his worry. Lexington didn’t even address his leader when he had entered the room.

"How is she," Goliath asked as he approached the smaller gargoyle.

Lexington blinked before he sat up. "She is still being operated on."

"I’m sorry," Goliath sat in the chair next to Lexington’s. He wanted to reach out and take Lexington’s hand into his own. "Did they say anything?"

"Since it was through her foot they think she is going to need a cast." He shifted his legs around, creating a small popping sound. The small gargoyle was probably seated like that for a while.

"She might be in a cast for a few nights?"

"Yeah," Lexington’s eyes narrowed at the question. "Which means she won’t be able to go on any of your patrols for a while."

Goliath shrank back from the sudden sharp tone in the web wing’s voice. "I’m just worried if she might be bed ridden or if the medical team would create crutches for her."

"Yeah, you were worried," Sarcasm dripped from his mouth. "You were so worried you glided with her back to Wyvern. You didn’t try to stay behind so you could of have your revenge on the bastards that shot her."

"It was not about revenge," Goliath frowned. He felt himself sliding over to the next chair away from Lexinton. "I had to make sure the others in my patrol group were able to return to the castle. Broadway and I attacked them to keep them from further attacking us."

"I bet you stayed until the police showed up." Lexington stood up in the middle of his chair.

"I had to make certain they were arrested. With each arrest we are closer to officially shutting down H.A.M." He blinked when Lexington growled at him.

"So that what was. You don’t care about your clan as long as you can have H.A.M removed Rayne could have been bleeding to death in an alley, but you don’t care, as long as H.A.M is removed. She could have been attacked on the way home by the Qarrymen, but-."

"That is not true!" Goliath cut him off. "I care about my clan. That is why I want that group to be shut down, so they wont harm my clan or anyone in my protectorate again."

"That isn’t true," Lexington’s eyes lit up. "If you actually cared you would have returned home sooner instead of prolonging the patrols. All you care about is protecting the city. You don’t care if we are injured or even killed."

"We have to protect, its the gargoyle way."

"The gargoyle way," Lexinton hissed out the words. "If you wern’t such an asshole you know there is more to the gargoyle way than just gaurding over your protectorate."

"I see you need to be alone," Goliath did not want to argue with him. He knew he wouldn’t be able to speak with the smaller gargoyle while he was this upset. He turned around towards the entrance and nearly ran into Broadway. From the look in the portly gargoyles eyes and his expression, Goliath could tell he had heard the whole conversation.

"Once Rayne is healed he will be in a better mood," the portly gargoyle placed a hand on the leader’s shoulder.

"Aye," Goliath mumbled as he exited the waiting room. He didn’t notice his second in command until after he had closed the door.

"Goliath we need to talk," the crimson gargoyle had his arms crossed in the same fashion Goliath had when he was about to make a lecture.

"Very well," Goliath sighed. He had a feeling his second was going to speak about what had recently happened with Rayne. He knew Brooklyn would be a bit more rational and would not snap at every word Goliath said.

Brooklyn breated in deeply. "We need to lessen the amount of patrols." He had spoken as if her were giving a command instead of a suggesting. "At least until the threat with H.A.M is diminished."

"I can’t allow that," Goliath began to walk down the hallway. He was getting the third dragger from everyone recently. His mate, Broadway, Lexington and now Brooklyn.

"Why not?" Brooklyn followed him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Broadway stay next to the door to the waiting room. Good. Somebody should stay by if and when Lexington caled down and needed someone to talk to "It is evident that the city is not as safe as it used to be."

"Turning back on patrols would mean I would be turning back on being a gargoyle. It is simply something I cannot do. A gargoyle can no longer stop protecting the castle-"

"Than he can stop breathing the air," Brooklyn finished for him. "I feel the same instinct to protect as you. Everybody does. I am not saying we give up on patrols completly. We just don’t go on them for as long."

"Nae."

"You are willing that we risk being killed?"

"We take that risk every night," Goliath stopped in his tracks He wasn't sure if he wanted to go to the kitchen to get something to drink or retreat towards the library. His mind was a mix of emotions and thoughts that he couldn’t organise."Whenever we chase after a criminal we cannot tell if they are armed. We cannot tell if a few Quarrymen show up. Why are you asking me to pull back now?"

"The criminals don’t purposely hunt us down with their guns. The quarrymen may occasionally use a lazer rifle, or a knife, but they prefer their hammers."

"They also don’t got go around bombing buildings or trying to murder the humans who support us. We can’t back down. We are not cowards, trying to hide in our stone tower."

"Why must you be so stubborn?" Brooklyn did not raise his voice, only narrowed his eyes before he took a turn towards the right.

Goliath shook his head. He will go to the kitchen and get some iced tea and then select a book for the library. He almost stumbled when he saw who was standing in front of him.

"Golitah," Demona narrowed her eyes at him. She was once his true love over a millennia ago. Grayish brown halter top and loin cloth dressed her azure form. A band of gold wrapped around her upper right arm while two gold rings hung from her lobes. A golden tiara fitted over her browridge right beneath her fiery hair.

"Demona," Goliath breathed the name of his former mate. She was the last person he wanted to and needed to see. He did not want to hear one of her lectures. "I know you have seen and hard our conversation. Please hold back on your tongue. I don’t wish to hear it."

"I will not say it." Demona spoke in a calm manner. "You might want to ask yourself why you won’t consider what the others have suggested."

"I know why," Goliath stared at the ground. "It’s a reason that I cannot explain to my clan. I cannot even tell Elisa."

"And you don’t be able to tell me," Demona nodded.

"For some reason I feel I can tell you," Goliath breathed in deeply. "This humbles me to say it, but I’m afraid." He briefly stared at the ground. "I’m afraid of the future and the upcoming battle between us and the demons and the Unseelie. I’m afraid for my family and afraid that many of us will not come out alive and we might loose. That is why I am overly stubborn about patrols. I want to protect the city while I still can."

"Goliath," the clan leader stared into her face. She did not appear as if she were going to chide him. Her eyes held an authentic look of sympathy he had seen several times in their daughter, a look he hasn’t seen in his former mate in a long time. "You are not the only one who fears the upcoming battle. I fear for my mate and my children. I fear for the members of the clan who do not share my immortality. I do not say this very often but knowing you will fight along my side brings me some reassurance."

"Thank you," He held out his arm and waited for her to take his arm. The claps they exchanged was the firm and formal greeting, and the shake of acceptance between two warriors.

________________________________________________________________

Valentines day was felt by everyone, even those who lived undergound within the Labyrinth. Couples shared hand made cards and promises theat things will get better and even if it doesn’t they will still be there for each other. Children who were old enough for elementary school returned home with paper bags they made in art class and cumped out the contents of cards, boxes of candies and cookes they recieved during their holiday parties. Brave souls used the magic of the holiday to ask out and propose to the objects of their love.

One soul seemed to be alone. She stood out from the majority of the labyrinth dwellers in her appearance. Winter stoold taller than the majority of humans. Her body was once athletic, but the years of being in the labyrinth cell did not give her much room to be active. Her bottom and thighs had grown more padding and her stomach had a bit of a pooch. The snow leopard mutate did not have to worry about ganging more weight. Winter was given an early release a few weeks ago She was confided to remain in the Labyrinth until August and then she would not be permitted to leave the city for a few months more.

"Winter?" Maggie had noticed the other female mutate was heading for the kitchen. "I think I’m going to need your help cooking tonight." She followed the other mutate after Winter placed a box on the dining room table and continued into the small kitchen.

Winter brushed a few locks of her red hair from out of her eyes. "I won’t mind helping, although I have to tell you I think you are an excellent cook." She was even taller than Maggie bya mere inch. That wasn’t wear the appearances ended. Maggie was covered in golden fur with a long silky man of brown hair and had wings that matched. Winter’s fur was white and covered in tawny spots with black edges. Her own hair was red and her wings were black. She prefered to wear shorts and a halter top instead of the leotard Maggie wore.

Maggie smiled. "You made a good stew the other day and I would like you teach me some of the recipes your Hungarian grandmother taught you."

"So it is a cooking lesson you are after," Winter could not hide her smile. "I’d be happy to give you some lessons, after I read my valentine’s letters from Fang and Spring."

"Do you know when they are going to come?" She reached into the fridge and pulled out a few cans of diet Pepsi.

Witner accepted the beverage from the other mutate."Fang will get another few days off around Easter." She took a a small sip before she and Maggie left the room and entered the dining room. "I get to spend Easter with my family as a free woman."

"You can help lead the children on the easter egg hunts."

"I’m looking forward to it," Winter’s eyes misted over. She thought of holding her daughters hand while Spring carried around a pastel colored easter basket. "I can help make decorations, bake cookies and dye the eggs." She set her can down next to the large heart shaped cardboard box. "I guess you are curious about what I got?" She raised her brow ridges.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested."

Winter cerfully removed the lid. The interior of the box was lined with bubble wrap. "Kind of a mataphore of how the fragil the heart is." She pulled out the two large envelopes. One was white and from Fang, the other was pin and sealed with a heart shaped sticker. It was from Spring. There was a fake pink rose tucked in the middle, two wrapped presents and a small cardboard box.

"A valentine’s care package," Maggie chuckled. "The only thing missing are home made cookies."

"They know I’m trying to cut back," Winter lifted the lid of the smaller box. It was filled with photos. She lifted the one on top nd smiled. It was a picture of Spring playing in the snow. Even though she was covered in tawny fur her father made sure she was dressed warmly in a coat, thick pair of pants, wool hat, scarf and gloves.

"She has gotten bigger." Maggie watched as Winter stared at each picture for a few minutes. There were several of Spring. The young mutate was still covered in the  brown spots all cougar cubs have.

"I can still pick her up." Winter picked up a picture of Fang. Her heart leaped when she saw his image. He had dressed up for that picture. He had replaces the bikini brief botom and wife beater top for a pair of khakis and a button down blue shirt. The fur on the top of his head had been combed back. She couldn’t believe she had given up on him at one pint. Seeing his picture reminded her that he was the reason she wanted to be a mutate in the first place.

Maggie noticed the tears developing at the corner of Winter’s eyes. "I’ll get some tissues."

_______________________________________________________________

Matt Bluestone took a sip of his ice tea through the straw. His eyes were on his mate, seated across from him at their table. Even when he was satisfying his thirst he didn’t remove his gaze from Dominique. She looked ridatly beutiful with her crimson lips pulled into a smile and her hair done up. Part of it was pulled into a small bun and held secure with a clip, encrusted with real diamonds. She had used a hadful of products to smooth out and tame her wid hair before using a curling iron to add a few waves. Matt couldn’t remove his gaze from her and lowered his glass to the table.

"Is there something on your mind my love?" Dominique asked. "You are about to put your glass in the middle of your salad.

Matt looked down and saw that his glass was inches above the plate. "Nothing on my mind." He set it on the table. "I just can’t keep my eyes off you."

"Are you being extremly romantic because of the holiday," she smiled at him. "Or do you want to have some fun in the bed room tonight?"

"A littlel of both," he rapidly raised and lowered his eyebrows. "But mostly because I love you."

"I love you too," Dominique raised her own glass of wine. She could start getting just the slightest bit tipsy at the resteraunt and by the time she had turned to her office she would be completely sober. "And we are going to have some fun tonight." She gave him a seductive wink. "Are you sure you can’t leave work a little early?"

"Not all of us are CEO’s of our own buisness," Matt explained. He used his fork to spear th last olive in his salad. "I’m just thankful Maria is giving me an extra long lunch break to spend with you."

"We shall have a a nice romantic meal in our room, perhaps a movie and then bed." The way she said bed made it sound she had other intentions instead of sleeping.

"Sounds like a good plan."

"We can do it every night."

"I would, but I have patrols."

She shook her head. "Not with those vermin out there, hunting our kind down."

"We are doing everything we can," Matt didn’t want the mood to end. "They are going to be issued a citation stating that they cannot use a gun to hunt gargoyles from the ground."

"It’s still not enough," she reached over to grab his hand. "You do enough patrols during the day."

Ther was no use arguing with her when she was that intense. "I’ll talk with Brooklyn. I’m sure he can help convince Goliath to allow us to patrol less." He hoped his answer was enough. The feeling of her foot brushing agaisnt his convinced him it was.

________________________________________________________________

The scent of fresh cut peppers and a variety of spices filled the air of the Wyvern kitchen and dinin hall. The lucious scenes were accompanied by the hollow sound of a kitchen knife striking against the wooden chopping block and the sizzling of oil, butter and ground beef in the skillet. The other two pots contained refried beans and Spanish style rice.

Elisa chopped up the last of the onion and swept the wet cubes onto the plate with chopped up bell peppers, she wanted to add one jalepeno, finely chopped to the mix. The image of Goliath coughing with his eyes watering pushed that idea out of her mind. She could add sliced jalepenos to the add on platter. The spices she will be adding to the sizzling meat and vegetables will be enough flavoring. She poured the onions and peppers into the skillet and began to sprinkle in the spices while she continued to chew her gum. It was a technique she had picked up from her mother, and it did work. Not once did she shed a single tear while chopping.

"Fajitas?" Owen asked when he entered the kitchen. He stood at six foot when his true form was as short as Elisa. Blond hair was styled into an executive haircut and his pale blue eyes studied the kitchen behind a pair of wire framed glasses.

"It’s my valentines gift to Goliath," Elisa had to push her gum to a corner in her mouth with her tongue before she spoke. "He has never tried my fajitas before and requested them."

"He has had fajitas before," Owen explained while he opened the refridgerator. He pulled out a package of carrots, bean sprouts and stack of mushrooms and set them on the counter before pulling out the package of chicken breasts that Broadway had taken out the night before to thaw.

"He may have had your fajitas or Broadway’s , but he has never had mine." She gave meat and vegetables another stir before she checked on the other pots. "I know you and Broadway are excellent cooks, but I think it’s about time my husband has tried some of my style of Mexican cooking."

"I must have misheard you," the disguised fae opened up the pantry and pulled out cans of water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and baby corn. "I have a feeling he will enjoy your style of food more than anyone else’s. The same way Angela enjoys Broadway’s cooking and Kitty enjoys mine. Even if they didn’t know you had cooked it the spouse or mate would enjoy their true love’s cooking the most of all. some might say that a bit of love enters the food as it is being cooked."

"Where did that come from?" Elisa nearly swallowed her gum. "Was that you or your trickster self?"

"Maybe it’s a bit of both. The holiday can bring out the romantics in every one of us."

"I see," Elisa studied the ingredients he was gathering together. "Going to prepare Kitty a meal?"

"Actually I’m setting up the ingredients for Broadway. He wants to prepare chicken stir fry for Angela."

"What are your plans for Kitty?" Elisa turned the knobs onto stove to low. She wanted to keep the beans and rice warm and allow the meat and vegetables to simmer while she prepared the add on platter.

"I am taking her out to a dinner and a movie. She said she has a surprise for me."

"Are you going to the Fried Saturn with Othello, and the others?"

"No probably Cassios." He placed the last ingredient down. "Have a good Valentines."

"I hope it will be prefect," She set the tomato, Jalapenos and olives before her.

________________________________________________________________

Lexington stretched his arms out to their fullest span even long after he had roared. He usually took some time to stretch before turning towards others in the clan. The only gargoyle he wanted to look at more than anyone else was his mate.

"Happy Valentines day," Rayne had spent her first night out of her cast on the night before. She looked she had enjoyed being able to move around her toes more freely by gripping and relaxing her lower talons on her perch.

"Happy Valentines day," Lexington hopped down onto the stone floor behind him and helped his beloved down to the level next to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Great." She reached up to rub his brow ridges with her knuckles. "I’m looking forward to our evening together."

"Are we the only ones going to Macbeth’s?" Cecilia and Mercutio had hopped down at the same time as the other two lovers. The gray female ran her hand through her golden ringlets. "We should wait to see if anyone else is joining us."

"I think we are the only ones," Lexington did not remove his gaze from Rayne. Why would he want to look at anything else that night?

"Are you certain?"

"Othello, Desdemona, Brooklyn, Marle, and Frank and Jam are going to have their Valentines dinner at the Fried Saturn. Broadway and Angela are going to eat here. Hudson is going to spend some with both Maria Chavez and Jeffery Robins. We are the only ones who took up on Macbeth’s offer."

"What about the other weregoyles?" Mercutio asked. The crimson webwing stood up straight and reached over to brush his knuckles against his mate’s brow ridges. He was half a foot shorter than her and had to reach up to bursh against her forhead, or stroke the top of her hair.

"Jerry mention picking up some take out and spending time with Gloria," the olive hued gargoyle held onto Rayne’s hand as he jumped back onto his perch. "I don’t know about Matt and Demona, but they are not going to join us."

"I guess that means we can go," Mercutio felt he had heard enough to satisfy him. Everyone else had their own plans. He ran his talons through his shock of dark hair behind the pointed crest of flesh. "We’ll just inform Goliath we are leaving."

"No," Lexington’s expression shriveled up. His eyes narrowed into slits and his mouth appeared as if he had bitten into a fresh lime. "We are not telling him anything."

Cecilia blinked at Lex’s sudden change in personality."Is it not the way to tell our leader we are about to leave?" She asked.

"We don’t tell him when we go on his patrols or when we leave for our usual patrols."

"Not for duty, but for fun?" Cecilia raised her browridges. "We should at least do it out of common curtsey?"

"I refuse to give him any curtsey."

"Lexington," Rayne could not believe what her mate had just said.

"It’s still partially his fault you got hurt the other night," he spun around to his mate. "I still haven’t forgiven him."

"It’s Valentine’s day," Rayne took his hand into hers again. "I don’t want you to be this angry or continue to badmouth Goliath for this day."

Lexington took one look into her pleading eyes. "I won’t even mention him tonight. Can we please leave without facing him? I’m still too angry for a confrontation. Maybe in a few nights I will be ready to treat him with respect, but not now. It’s too soon."

"I agree with my fellow web wing," Mercutio hopped onto the battlement next to Lexington’s. "You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it pee in it."

"That is drink it," Rayne couldn’t keep from chuckling. That ‘s what was missing from the situation and greatly needed, some of Mercutio’s humor, unless he was still having trouble with proverbs. She climbed up on to Lexington’s other side.

"Is that your real reason my love?" Cecilia raised a single brow ridge. "Are you not saying this because you are hungry and wish to reach Macbeth’s sooner?"

"You have read my mind," Mercutio had waited for Cecilia to climb up on the battlement before he leaped off. Cecilia had jumped off almost the same time and bother refollowed by Lexington and Rayne.

________________________________________________________________

Goliath was practically lead towards Elisa’s bedroom by his wife shortly after he had finished waking up. He didn’t even have time to wish Hudson and Brooklyn to have a happy Valentines day.

"Happy Valentines day, Big Guy," Elisa purred into his ear as soon as he entered the room. The savory aroma of the food spread out on the card table greeted his nostrils before he had even entered. "I hope you enjoy my gift."

"I am sure I will," Goliath said . His eyes took in the sight of the table, she had spread out a small rose colored cloth. Three small candles in crystal votives were lined in a neat row. Each side of the table was set with a plate, red cloth napkin and silverware. Plates of food covered the rest of the space: stacks of flour tortillas, sautteded beef, onions and peppers, large bowls of refried beans and and Spanish rice, and a plate full of shredded cheese, diced tomatos, sliced jalapenos and olives and tinybowls filled with guacamole and salsa. "It looks delicious."

"If you think it looks delicious then wait until you taste it."

"I can’t wait." He had waited until his Elisa had seated herself before he he gently pushed her in. He paused whe he had pulled out his own chair, seated in the middle of the cushion was a small statue of a dragon of an intriquite design, a recent gift from the clan in China. "Did I leave this in your room?" He picked up the figurine.

"You might have," she raised her eyebrows. "Let me put it-"

"No," he interupted her before she even had a chance to stand up. "Let me take care of it." He placed it on one of her selves before he sat down. "I am certain you will enjoy your gift."

"You first," Elisa held up a finger.

He did not have much choice. He selected one of the tortillas and layered a few spoonfuls of beef, onions and peppers onto the flat brad. He followed it with adding a few spoons of chopped tomatoes and sliced olives from the cold plate, taking extra care to avoid the jalapenos. He rolled it up and topped it t with shredded cheese, guacamole and salsa. He knew better to ask about sour cream. "Hmm," An explosion of flavors filled his mouth with just one bite. He could not remember the last time had tasted such a finely cooked meal. "This is delicious."

"I am glad you enjoy my cooking," Elisa began to assemble her fajita.

"I enjoy your cooking even far better than Broadway’s and Owens," He used the large spoon to lade on the rice and beans. He took a bite from each side dish before he took a sip from wine Elisa had poured him. "I don’t think I know of a better way to celebrate Valentines day than with you. I do have to wonder about the children."

"The weregoyle couples are watching them until we finish our meal." Elisa explained as she used a fork and knife to cut herself a bite sized piece of her fajita. "We’ll probably only have to worry about the older children."

"The twins and Ronnie should be in bed," Goliath nodded in understandment. "And so should Deidre and Holly."

"Just have to worry abou three of them," Goliath reached into the ppucht he had tied to his belt. He had placed the gift he had made for Elisa in it the night before, shortly before dawn so that he would not have to worry about racing to the workroom to retrieve it. He had a certain feeling his Elisa would have waited for him when he had awaken and he was glad his intuition proved to be true. "And now for your gift." He held the small gift in his open palm. He had wrapped it in pink wrapping paper and tied a red ribbon around the center.

"Goliath," she breathed his name for the second time that night as she rose to her feet.

"Stay seated." He rose from his chair and approached her. "Happy Valentines day, my love." He set the gift right in front of her.

Elisa accepted the gift from her husbands hand and carefully untold the ribbon. She had set the ribbon aside before she peeled off the wrapping paper, exposing the velvet covered box that was underneath. She stared up at her husband and opened the box. A silver heartshaped locket rested in the center, She could see the hand made metal work of the lid and hinges as well as the chain threaded through the top.

"It’s beautiful," she set it down and gave Goliath a kiss on the back of his hand.

"Open it."

She undid the small clasp and swung it open. Framed in the middle was a small picture of the twins. "Even more beautiful."

"I wanted to place our greatest treasure in the middle."

"Some might have considered this sappy, but not me." She picked up the locket form the jewlery box and reached up to her hair.

"Allow me,"Goliath selected the ends of the chain and and attched it by the thin hook and ring shaped clasp. "If you wish to take it off before you go to bed then tell me and I will help you."

"I don’t know if I’ll be ble to remove it," Elisa confessed. "I have something else for you." She reached under the table and removed the card she had taped prior to greeting her husband. "It’s a valentine and in way an apology."

"An apology?" Goliath raised his brow ridges.

"Have a few more bites of food and then open it."

Goliath placeds the card next to his plate and picked up the fagot he had assembled. The cheese had melted into a golden roof to coat the top of the meal. The lavender leader took several bites from it before he wolfed down spoonfuls of rice and beans. After taking several drinks he opened the envelope.

The card itself was hand made , used white paper, thicker than construction paper and thinner than cardboard, was folded in half. Elisa had painted on several red and pink water color splotches using sponges. She spelled out a Valentines greeting using rubber stamps.

"Happy Valentines day Big Guy," Goliath read of the greeting before he opened it up. Inside Elisa had placed a thin sheet of red tissue paper. She had glued on a picture of a red rose near the bottom and written a message using a silver pen. "It’s beautiful." His eyes focused on the words.

"Did you read it?" Eli’s eyes were warm with sympathy.

"Aye," Goliath closed up his card. "I accept your apology in a way you are right. I cannot stop the patrols, but I can reduce them."

"You don’t have to."

"I feel it is a must," he stirred around the beans while staring his wife in her eyes. "I have been putting myself in front of others. I do not want you to be worried about me and shouldn’t force the others to agree with me."

"I don’t want to force you to do something against your own will."

"And you are not. I am simply ready to confess my fears. I have only explained it to Demona, but after I released the feeling I have been bottling up for a while I am relaxed to the point where I want to confess it to others."

"It was easier for yourself to confess to her?"

"As strange as it may seem that is the truth. I have yet to admit it to anyone’s but the reason why I insist on patrols is because I’m a fraud that I will not survive after the battle with et demons and the unusually. I want to be able to continue patrols and protecting he citizens while I still can."

"Goliath," her voice was soft and her eyes were brimming with tears.

"It’s ture," he siad and allowed his wings to relax. With eah person he confessed to his back did not feel so stiff.

_______________________________________________________________

"Who is ready fer dessert?" Lennox Macduff called out from his kitchen. The rich mousse he had been preparing from scratch was complete and ready to be spooned into the goblet like dessert glasses.

"Me," Mercutio rang out as if he was a third grader who had been asked if he was prepared for recess.

"Why am I not surprised," Macbeth laughed. "Angelica my dearest, tell me if he has cleaned in his plate?"

"He has," Angelica stared at the empty plate in front of the crimson gargoyle. All that remain from his dinner was the bones from his pheasant quarter and they were picked clean. "He is a good eater, isnt he?"

"He is," Cecila tried not to look embarrased. They shouldn’t feel embarrased since they were amongst frriends, but the speed at her mate was eaten caused a twinge of shame to surface. She stared down at her own plate that still had a few bites of each serving. In addition to the pheasant the four guests were given mashed potates that were made with real cream, bits of skin and cooked until the cream peaks had turned golden brown and a medly of steamed vegetables.

Angelica reached for Mercutio’s plate. "I’ll take this and does anyone need their glasses refilled?"

"I do," Rayne spoke up. She hated making both Macbeth and Angelica feel like waiter and waitress, even if the humans insisted. "I think we all do."

"Sprite," Angelica pointed at Rayne’s glass. "Iced tea," she pointed at Cecila’s. "And Dr Pepper fer the boyos."

"Thank you," Mercutio kissed the tips of his talons "Compliments to both chefs for this excellent four course meal." Mercutio had wolfed down his previous cources as fast as he ate his dinner, only slowed down when he had caught the scornful gaze od his mate. They had started out with an appetiser of a ploughman’s platter: thick loaf of crusty bread cut into slices along with wedges of real English cheese and picked onions, the appetiser was followed by bowls ful of warm beef soup and then follwed further by their main meal.

"How many times are you going to thank them?" Lexington asked in a chiding tone. He had been silent through out most of the meal. He had been thinking of a lot about Rayne and how beautiful she looked through out that night. He was also thinking about Goliath and the night Rayne was injured. He relayed the words he and the clan leader had exchanged. The more he though of it the more he realized he had made mountains out of mole hills.

"As much as I want," Merrcutio’s grin never left his face. "Good cooks love to her compliments."

"He’s right,"Angelica returned to the room carrying a small serving tra and placed the nearly empty glasses on them. "I’ll be right back wit yer drinks."

"You see," the crimson gargoyle pointed out. "They are artists like my beleoved mate, and she she creats a beautiful melody on her calliope she enjoys hearing the compliments and praises of her talent."

Dusky pink tinted the cheeks of Cecilia. "Thank you, my love, but not every song I play is beautiful."

"All your notes are," he gased into her eyes.

"It seems that all of you are near finished," Macbeth entered the room carrying a tray similar to the one his wife had. He moved slower than her and for god reason. Four crystal dessert glasses were placed on the surface,each one was filled with rich and creamy chocolate mousse and topped with whipcream. A small sprig of spearment garnished each glass. "One of ye is done and the rest have a few more bites left."

"They are gorgeous," Mercutio’s eyes grew as large as Lexinton’s when their dessert. "Not as beautiful as my mate, but still goregous none the less."

"I donae think a real dessert chef could ever creat a sweet that is nearly as beautiful as my wife and your mates." The immortal Scotsman placed the treat in front of Mercutio first.. "I am certain you are gointto want to be the first one to taste it."

"It is an honor," Mercutio dug his spoon into the mousse and whipcream and brought a heaping bite to his moth. He allowed it to rest on his tongue before he slowly swallowed and closed his eyes to savorthe flavor. "So light, so sweet, so creamy, it tastes like a dream."

Macbeth chuckled and stepped to the side to allow his wife to return with their drinks. "Would ye believe I made chocoloate mousse for the first time a few weeks ago."

"Some people are that talented," Mercutio mumbled between bites.

"I hope ye will be stayin’ long," Angelica said as she set the glasses down in front of the gargoyles. They had been refilled with both ice and the beverage of their choice. "I was thinkin’ that the six o us could watch a movie later, that is unless ye have ta be home at a certain hour."

"It’s our night off," Lexington explained before he took a sip of his Dr Pepper. "and as much as I want to return home to apologize to somone I want to enjoy my valentine’s night with my mate." He glanced across the table to see Rayne smiling back at him.

________________________________________________________________

Elisa hadad fallen asleep in Goliath’s arms within minutes of the movie’s ending. Goliath had noticed her eyelids lowering and her breathing becoming more rythmetic. He did not nudge her awake, he did not want to disturb her. She deserved to sleep she had a busy evening with preparing her dinner for her husband and trying to get a four year old to bed at eight and two boys to sleep after their bed time.

Goliath had carefully carried her to bed and slipper her under the covers. He was certain Elisa did not want to wake up just to put on pajamas. "My Elisa," he breathed the words while stroked her hair. He could spend the rest of the evening just watching her face and running his talons through her bluish black tresses.

A sudden movement brought his attention to the window. He stared out through the glass just as he saw the winged forms of some of his clan mates gliding in for a landing. It was the group that had glided towards the Fried Saturn had also went to watch a concert. He watched as Angela and Broadway, along with the beasts walk out to greet them. As much as he wanted to spend the rest of the evening with Elisa he knew his duty as clean leader came first. He had to assemble a meeting. He glided towards the crowd and landed in front of them.

"Father?" Angela raised her browridges in surprise. She nor anyone else expected to see him until it was time to sleep for the day.

"How was your Valentines evenings?" He asked and was met with positve responses of enjoyments and thanking him for asking.

"Why are you not with your mate?" Desdemona had inquired. "I thought you sihed to spend an evening with her."

"I would spend all night with her," Goliath stared up at his love’s window. "But I think it is wrong to keep her awak all night. She fell asleep in my arms." He glanced back to his clan and was met with smiles. "I need someone to find the other  weregoyles." He watched the sky as the form of Hudson gliding in for a landing.

"I’ll go get them," Jam said befor yawning.

"I know you want to know why I he you gathered out here." Goliath looked over the small crowd a few minutes later. Jam had already walked off to bed. Frank Gloria, Matt and Marle represented the weregoyles. The only ones who were not present where Jerry, Demona and the four who journeyed towards Macbeth’s. Goliath felt the others could hear from those present at the meeting. "It is about why I insist on patrols even though it had become even more dangerous for us. I’m afraid of future. We all know that a war between the unseelie and demons are coming soon. I’ afraid I and most of you might not live after it."

"We always have a bit of fear that we will not survive a war," Othello pointed out. He could not believe he was hearing his proud and brave rookery brother express a fear over such a detail.

"I know, but in the past it was against gargoyles and humans this is against the third race and demons. Most of us have faced against Oberon and we did not defeat him."

"We need weapons made out of iron," Brooklyn pointed out.

"I know," Goliath nodded. "I had feared that I wouldn’t have been able to protect the city after the battle and that I am holding as long as I can on the patrolling. I want to be able to protect as long as I can and I am unfairly forcing you to follow this as well. You might not survive this fight and you won’t be able to do what you most want to do."

"This isn’t like you," Desdemona said. She too expressed an emotional concern over her rookery brother.

"I know and that has been my downfall and the clan’s downfall."

"Downfall," the grayish blue female gasped.

"My stubborn pride refused to accept the fact that at one time we had move to the clock t owe. It had force me to not accept Elisa as my true love and force me to not listen to advice. I am going to try to be a bit more humble."

"Ye can be humble lad,"Hudson spoke up. "But canae ask the clan to turn it’s back on tradition."

"I am not asking for that. I just plan on making things bait easier for the future. Until the battle we will only have to patrol for four or five hours maximum and we will have the weekends off. Go and enjoy what you want the most in life. We need to savor it wile we can."

"If that is your order," Brooklyn said. "Then so be it." He did not want to admit to the similar comand he had already given behind his leader’s back.

"Have ye got all the details?" Hudson asked.

Goliath shook his head. "Nots as of yet."

"You can work on the details later," Broadway rested a hand on his shoulder. "While you watch over Elisa."

"Aye, this holiday continues until sun up," the clan leader appreoached the nearest wall and began scaling the ancient stone towards Elisa’s window.

_________________________________________________________________________

Jerry’s gond hand held onto the mouse of his onw computer. He would have attended the meeting except Gloria ordered him tostay. She thought he was fragil just because he still hd to keep the cast on for a few more weeks. He stared down at the plaster and the numerous names scrawled out in different colored ink. "At least my arm doesn’t change." He wouldn’t know what Dr Jones would have been able to do if his arm changed shape and size.

"What about your arm?" Gloira asked. Jerry stared upin surprise at her entrance. "Surfing the net while I was gone?"

"You told me to stay," he smiled back at her. "Just commenting that I am glad my arm doesn’t change inside when the sun rises and sets. How was the meeting?"

"It was real small," Gloria explained as she pulled out another chair and sat down next to her mate. "Goliath gave us the same order as Brooklyn did weeks ago. We don’t know the full details until tomorow night." She noticed her husband was more interested in the Network. "Any good messages?"

Jerry’s eyes widened at a particular message that grabbed his attention. "Again?"

"Again?" Gloria blinked. "What do you mean again?"

"Remember when member of L’ung’s clan had a dream about a dragon that mentioned our home and awoke to find the carving she was working on to be completed? It’s happened again."

"Another staute?"

He shook his head. "This time it’s a sword."