Lance smiled crookedly at Goliath as he struggled to stand up.  When Brooklyn moved forward, lending him a hand he let him.  Looking up into Goliath’s usually cold face, Lance was stunned to see the concern behind the dark eyes.  But the firm, stubborn set of the Gargoyle’s jaw suddenly reminded him of Keith, sending a sharp stab of home-sickness running through him.
     “You never answered my question Lance.  What are you doing out here?”
     Sensing a challenge in Goliath’s voice, Lance hastily pushed away from Brooklyn, fighting to stand up straight and meet the taller warrior’s gaze.  Falling back on old, worn defenses he said the first thing that came to his mind.  “Just wanted to see the sunset and find out if anything could really crack the stone you seem to be made of.”  He’d meant to hurt with the comment but seeing the flash of pain on Goliath’s face he felt suddenly very hallow inside and incredibly tired.
     Goliath sighed heavily and moved towards the castle, “Very well.”
     Moving a little too fast, which caused his vision to swim from pain, Lance caught one of the burly mauve-colored arms, forcing Goliath to look back at him in surprise.  Lance’s mouth went suddenly dry, but he swallowed hard, unable to meet Goliath’s gaze.  “I-I’m… I didn’t… sometimes… what I’m trying to tell you is that I…”  He took a deep breath, trying to make the world stop spinning out of control.  He finished very softly.  “I apologize.”
……………………..
     Goliath smiled slightly, realizing just how hard it had been for Lance to say that.  “Your apology is accepted but you do realize that I am only concerned for your safety.”
     There was a faraway look in the boy’s eyes.  “Yah.”  Before Goliath could question him on it though Lance turned and headed back inside stiffly, with Brooklyn by his side.
     Letting the others go in before him Goliath cast a glance out over the city, wondering where Demona and Hagar were.
……………………..
     Lance sat down heavily on the couch, feeling suddenly very cold and pulled the blanket he’d slept with around him.
     Staring idly at the furniture he couldn’t help but think of the others.  Were they alright?  Did they need him?  Were they hurt?  Dead?  Had he let them down; like he’d let down his family?
     Not quite realizing it he huddled deeper inside his blankets and sunk further into the sofa feeling suddenly so tired and helpless that it hurt to breath.  Hot tears burned his eyes but he bit his lip in an attempt to push it all away but he couldn’t.  Realizing he was about to fall apart in front of the Gargoyles he pushed himself out of the couch and moved to the library as quickly as he could.
……………………
     Hudson caught Brooklyn’s arm as the young Gargoyle started after Lance.  “Nay lad, allow me.  Sometimes tis best ta let the old ones tread where experience shines light on the situation.”  Moving purposefully towards the library, he entered closing the door behind him and moved silently to stand behind the boy who was staring out the window.
     He waited a couple of minutes before clearing his throat, causing Lance to spin around to face him and nearly fell in obvious pain.  With a quick hop, Hudson was able to grab a hold of him and move him to a chair.  “Tis alright lad.  Tears are nothing to be ashamed of.  It just means that ye have a big heart.”
     When Lance looked up Hudson saw something very few people had ever seen, he saw what lay behind the mask.  He saw the lost and scared little boy who felt as if he were all alone, as if he’d let everyone he’d ever loved down.  And Hudson did the only thing that even occurred to him.
     Opening his arms wide he let Lance fall against his chest, sobbing in such a way that Hudson’s own heart beat painfully in his chest, and made him realize that Lance, despite everything he’d said and done, was only a young boy who felt all alone and that made him hold the him tighter in an effort to offer him some small comfort.
………………………..
     Lance pulled away from Hudson’s embrace, staring at the floor, face red.  “Um,… thanks… I’m, uh…”
     A hand slid under his chin, lifting his face to meet the old Gargoyles tired but firm gaze.  “Ne lad, donnae apologize for feeling.  Ye have been good to us, ye have been a friend so it is our turn to be friends to ye.”
     Lance blinked at him before trying to get to his feet.  The pain was intense but he gritted his teeth and stood anyway.
     Hudson shook his white head in slight amusement.  “Ye be a stubborn lad.”
     Lance gave him a cheeky grin, “That’s what Keith is always telling me.  Give it time and Goliath will start too.”
………………………..
     Lance left the library with Hudson only to enter the room where the others were standing to the side watching a heated discussion between Goliath and a man he’d deduced was Xanatos, from what Brooklyn had told him earlier.
     He hid his shock when the dark-haired man turned to him, smiling like Lotor, “Well you must be Lance!  I’m…”
     “Xanatos.”  Lance said calmly, briefly shaking the other’s extended hand.
     “Yes.”  The man smirked slightly.  “I hope you’ve been feeling better son, and enjoying your stay here.”
     Lance breathed deeply a few seconds before responding.  “Yes on both accounts Mr. Xanatos.”  The older man was starting to get on his nerves.
     “I also hear that you’re a pilot.  Is this true?”
     Lance wasn’t sure what trap the man was setting but he figured the less he said the better.  “Yes.”
     “But you’re only about sixteen, isn’t that a little young?”
     Lance almost fell into the lie about him being eighteen, “Maybe things are just different where I’m from.  Besides, what makes you say I’m sixteen?”
     He was surprised when Xanatos laughed, “You’re a smart one aren’t you.  I had Owen test a tissue sample.  After all I have to protect my investments.”
     Lance’s eyes narrowed but he smiled coldly, “Of course.  Don’t we all.”  He moved past the man but was stopped by an arm on his shoulder.
     Ever so slowly he let his dark eyes drift upward, first to the hand on his arm and then to the man’s face.  Raising an eyebrow he kept his voice neutral but cold, “You had something else you wished to discuss with me?”
     Xanatos wisely removed his hand but the smile never left his face.  “Actually I do.  You see I’m in need of the services of a pilot…”
     Lance felt his heartbeat quicken despite himself.  He missed flying, being land bound was making him feel claustrophobic, but he knew better than to trust someone who gave him a bad feeling and made his guts twist.  “I’m sure there are many people who would find that very appealing Mr. Xanatos.”
     “You’re not one of them?”
     Lance met his gaze head on.  “Flying is like breathing to me but I doubt this world has enough technology to make it worth my while.  Besides my first priority is nailing Hagar and getting back home.  Everything else is irrelevant, including my current state of flightlessness.  Sorry but if that was an offer I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”  He turned away, walking to where Lexington and Brooklyn stood but sensing something from behind he ducked just as a ball flew at where he’d been standing.  The moment he realized it was just a baseball he thrust out his good arm and caught it.
     Xanatos’ face was smug and satisfied.  “Owen was right about you.”
     Straightening up he clutched the ball slightly and frowned in confusion.  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
     Xanatos looked over at his man servant, “Owen, care to enlighten Mr. Braddock?”
     The blond man cleared his throat and his blue eyes pierced Lance’s soul.  “You are the Lion’s heart, the inner fire.”