Disclaimer: Disney, Buena Vista Television Inc, owns the Characters of Gargoyles. References to Doctor Who, Rassilon, Flavia, Thalira and the Time Lords are property of BBC. The character of Rayna Vitreum, Mute, Marianne Ellis, Keith Polaski, Sharon Lewis, Lucia Dominguez, and Carlos Garcia are mine. Eric Spellburg is property of Jade JJ. Chas Quinn Cassidy, alluded to, is property of Beth Strong. This story does not mean any harm to the show.

Part 2: At Fate’s Whims

By Trynia Merin

***************************************************************************

By the time Broadway broke forth, wings flaring stone fragments aside, it was Tuesday Night. Beside him Lexington broke free, his eyes blazing. The snarl of a female as her wings flew out alerted them both. Delilah shook free stone from her platinum blond mane, daintily stepping from the pile of stone shards.

Nearby, Mute came out of her stone sleep, glancing over at Delilah. She waddled over, slipping her arms around Delilah's shapely waist. Delilah held the small gargirl on her sizeable hip, rocking her. Mute pressed a kiss to Delilah's brow ridge, making no sound in her contentment.

"Hey, where's Hudson?" Broadway asked, shuffling over to his rookery brothers.

"I dunno. He's not in his perch," said Brooklyn, glancing around. Bronx whined, glancing around in confusion. Goliath had broken free, wandering around with caped wings as he glanced at Hudson's usual place.

"Hey Goliath, have you seen Hudson?" Brooklyn asked.

"I trust he did not return, that would explain his absence. But I assure you he is a crafty one. He'd have found a place for the day..."

"But those Quarrymen," Broadway pointed out. "Maybe he ran into some trouble!"

"Didn't you tell him to protect Rayna Vitreum?" Lexington asked.

"Maybe there's a gentler reason," Angela grinned, flicking hair out of her face.

Lexington and Brooklyn looked at each other that instant. "Oh boy," Lex suddenly grinned, with a devilish look on his face.

"He didn't want to come back," Broadway picked up on Angela's meaning.

"Don't even go there," Brooklyn grumbled, sauntering away.

"The old dog," Broadway grinned. "Whaddya know..."

"Don't you dare say anything," Angela whispered fiercely, trying to hide the grin on her own face as well. For then they caught the distant shadow of Hudson as it grew larger, and larger across the face of the moon. Hudson landed nonchalantly, laughing as Bronx knocked him over playfully.

"All right boy, I'm all in one peace mind ye!" Hudson chuckled, pushing the Doggoyle out of the way as his tongue slobbered all over the warrior's face. Slowly he pushed Bronx off, rolling to his feet.

"Where were you, we were worried sick!" Brooklyn began, turning to face him.

"Now dinna make a fuss lads. If ye'll but give me a minute I'm fair near famished. And there's a special match of Celebrity Hockey on in five minutes..."

Hudson quickly moved out of view, capeing his wings as Bronx bounded happily after him. Angela and Broadway exchanged a knowing wink. Brooklyn groaned as he heard the familiar sounds of an old Scottish song echoing in the background. Hudson, singing? This was just too unbelievable!

"Somebody had a good time," Broadway said in a singsong tone.

"Oh stop," Angela hushed him. Delilah watched them all, a bit perplexed. Still Mute clung to her neck, watching them all carefully with bright eyes.

"What is wrong. Hudson... sick maybe is?" she asked.

Lexington lost it, his laugh prompting Broadway to join in. "He scored," Broadway laughed.

"What game does he play?" Delilah scratched her head. Mute turned a shade of confused pink.

"The game of love," Broadway answered, grinning from ear to ear. "You owe me a pizza, Lex!"

"Gimme a break," Brooklyn moaned. "You two made a bet?"

"Wouldn't you?" Lex asked. "Remember that time when Elisa..."

"Shh!" Brooklyn hissed, indicating the wide-eyed Mute who listened carefully to every word. "Ixnay earnay the idkay..."

"You made a bet on my Father and..." Angela raised her brow ridge. "You are such... such... men!"

"I'm not a man I'm a gargoyle," Brooklyn snarled.

"What is going on here?" Goliath asked. "

"Uhh... nothing..." Lexington and Broadway glanced aside, hiding their grins. Secretly they high-fived.

*****************************************************

"Och, go on nau!" Hudson snarled at the screen, a piece of popcorn flying at the screen. "Ye call that a goal?"

Bronx snuffled at his feet, resting his paws on Hudson's knee. He glanced questioningly into the warrior's face. Hudson scratched Bronx behind his fan shaped ears, muttering as he took a swig of Killian's Red. He liked this brew, its sweet heady taste rolling easily down his tongue. A large bowl of popcorn sat at his elbow, already half gone.

"Mm, a guid brew still exists after all these centuries," he muttered, wiping his mouth with the back of one hand. Half a plate of sandwiches had vanished in fifteen minutes. Legging clad feet were propped on the matching ottoman before him. There were few things more satisfying then a belly full of Broadway's roast beef sandwiches and half a six pack of Killian's during a match of Celebrity Hockey.

"Okay, spill it!" came a laugh as he jerked his head around. Broadway stood near him, holding a plate of fresh sandwiches and chips. "Where were you last night?"

"Do ye mind Lad, I'm right in the middle of a game," he snapped. Broadway grabbed the remainder of the six pack, dangling it just out of Hudson's reach.

"You sure are," Lex grinned, picking up the bowl of popcorn and holding it away.

"I want details," Broadway said, swinging the six pack hypnotically before Hudson. "I've got the evidence right here..."

"What are ye blathering on aboot," Hudson laughed. "Now if ye dinna mind, I'd like nothing better then t' finish ma game in peace!"

"You don't think we don't know," Lex winked. "Gone... all night... no note..."

"I've been away before, what's all this fuss about?" Hudson growled, swiping for his missing beer.

"Protecting the innocent, eh?" Broadway leapt onto the ottoman, pulling the beer behind his back. Lex snatched the remote away as Hudson leapt out of his chair.

"Give that back, ye little..." Hudson whirled, noticing Lexington's movement out of the corner of his eye. Lex held the remote up, Hudson lunging for it and stopping short as he gripped his back with a bit of a moan.

"Long night, huh?" Broadway winked, as Hudson glared at him. "The little stone sleep didn't' quite work out all the kinks did it?"

"Mind ye, the old warriors no done in yet," Hudson grumbled, snatching back the remote from Lex. Bronx had come to his aid, pinning Lex under his front paws as he licked away the imp’s smirk.

"I'll say," Lex laughed, pushing Bronx off him. "You're giving it off in waves..."

"An what does that mean?" Hudson raised a brow ridge at him as he settled down in the lazy boy again.

"Sooner or later you'll fess up," Broadway grinned, dropping the six pack on Hudson's chest. He tapped the side of his nose. "You can't keep a good sleuth at bay for long..."

"Go back to yer mystery novels," Hudson tossed a bit of popcorn at him. "Mind ye I niver get a minute's peace around here..."

"I bet you got plenty last night," Broadway laughed.

"If ye must be knowing I did protect the lass yes," Hudson admitted, matter-of-fact. "I was hit square wi a Quarryman hammer, which fair near shocked the life out o me. The lass merely nursed me back t' health till dawn. Tis nothing more..."

"Oh really," Lex shook his head, sniffing in Hudson's direction. He made a slight face. Curse those young ones and their sense of smell, Hudson inwardly muttered.

"Man you have it bad..." Lex commented. "It's all over you, don't deny it."

"What are ye..."

"The scent of a woman," Broadway said. "Sorta nice... like... outdoors... evergreens. You haven't been anywhere near Central park..."

"I just thought of something. It's been a while since ye straightened up the war room. And if I'd be remembering... it was yer turn Lexington. So if I were ye I'd hop to it nau..."

"Ah nuts," Lex snapped his fingers as he sauntered off.

"And ye Broadway, isn't it time fer ye t' be on patrol tonight?"

"Must've forgot in the excitement," Broadway laughed as he headed off. Hudson shook his head, settling down again. Bronx curled at his feet, happily diving into the remains of the sandwiches he placed before him.

***********************************************************

"Okay what was that about?" Brooklyn asked, as they both darted from the room. "Mind letting me in on the secret?"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about it," Lex laughed.

"He's really in the scent!" Broadway lowered his voice. "Man, I haven't smelled it so strong since Goliath that time Elisa took him to Central Park..."

"You should talk," Lexington muttered, waving aside his hand as Broadway leaned near him. "Every time you're around Angie..."

"Hey..."

"I... well... I'm curious okay, so sue me!" Brooklyn snarled. Broadway moved him out of earshot. Before he could continue, they heard Hudson's voice clearly calling, "Now lads! Ye only have eight hours till sunrise. And take Brooklyn wi' ye!"

"Thanks a lot," Brooklyn muttered. "I need some air anyway. It's a little too stuffy around here..."

"You're just annoyed cause he scored and you haven't," Broadway said.

"Well some of us... don't have a girlfriend yet..." Brooklyn said pointedly. "So excuse us bachelors while we go sink our sorry tails in a brew..."

"Hey, don't be all mad," Lex said. "I was thinking, how would you like to play a VR game..."

"Not another damn video game..."

"It's not just any game," Lex said, holding up a CD-ROM in its plastic case. "It's something special. Something for us bachelors to have a ball with. I call it... Midnight Madness..."

"Swell," Brooklyn rolled his eyes. Broadway shrugged, moving off to patrol.

"No, give it a chance," Lex said. "I didn't tell you about it before, but I've been working with some new VR software. Making some new gear. You might be interested in it..."

"Blasting little ships into atoms is not what I wanna do right now. I feel like I want to tear someone's skin off..."

"You can do that. But wouldn't you rather do a little sword and sorcery. This game has it all..."

"Midnight madness, huh? Does it have any damsels in distress?"

"Of course! Do the words Laura Croft mean anything to you?"

"Okay, I'll give it a whirl... but you'd better not program any hokey music in the background like Wayne Newton or Barry Mannilo..."

"More like Blink 182, Strobe 9, and Foo Fighters," he said.

"Okay, hit me," Brooklyn said, grabbing the disc from Lex's hand as he scampered away.

*******************************************************

"I am concerned about the Clan," Goliath muttered to Elisa, who leaned against the parapet under the moonlight. Goliath stood opposite her, wings caped, his hair flapping in the midnight breeze.

"Why?" Elisa asked.

"Hudson seems preoccupied as of late..."

"That's not what Angela says," said Elisa with a knowing grin. "She said he was in a good mood when he came back..."

"And Brooklyn has been ill mannered lately. Restless."

"Can you blame him? I mean he had the hots for Angela, and now that she's with Broadway, you can't help but notice he's jealous. Goliath, he and Lex need a little female companionship..."

"But there are only two females within the Clan. Even with Delilah... I had hoped that Brooklyn would choose her..." Goliath shuffled his claws. "But Lexington..."

"He's fine," Elisa grinned. "That new VR game's keeping him out of trouble."

"Hmm, I do not like his preoccupation with finding companionship in a game," Goliath growled. "It is not real."

"But it's a way for him to escape," Elisa shrugged. "Look, you know as well as I do that they have their urges. And what better way then to find some way to relive them... I mean you're not against... well..."

"No," Goliath coughed. "But there is a female perfectly accessible for them, Delilah, and they have not shown interest..."

"But Delilah has that kid she's worrying about..." Elisa pointed out. "Excuse me, but she has her hands full..."

"The Child is the child of the whole Clan," Goliath said. "And Angela will be its mother..."

"What happened to your sudden preference?" Elisa teased him.

"That was because Angela was the only hatchling. But as we have found this new little one... we must let it be welcome in the traditional gargoyle ways..."

"Even if she and Angela are the last Females on earth, adults I mean... you can't force them to make baby gargoyles," Elisa said. "I mean look at the pandas at the Bronx zoo. They couldn't get Ling-Ling to mate with any of the males. And they finally had to use artificial insemination..."

"I am thankful Angela and Broadway at least have chosen each other... but I had hoped... perhaps Brooklyn and Lexington should visit Avalon... to chose among the females there..."

"Not a bad idea. But didn't Angela say there were more males then females?"

"Often when the Clan had fewer females... there was... some... sharing..." Goliath said awkwardly.

"But I would prefer that it is last resort..."

"I know. I know. But since you guys breed once every ten years... or twenty... gosh look at us we sound like my parents!"

Goliath chuckled. "In a way you perhaps are their mother. For it is clan tradition that they have many mothers and fathers. And as you and I are mated..."

"Okay, okay!" Elisa held up her hands. "I had to open my big mouth. But seriously, give them a chance Goliath. They're still young..."

"Aye, indeed," Hudson chimed in. Goliath and Elisa turned to see the old warrior fingering his beard thoughtfully. "If what ye say be true, there be the other clans. And if there be the other clans, perhaps there be females elsewhere we have no found yet..."

"I wish that were so," Goliath said. "But if only..."

Goliath's voice trailed off when Elisa saw him making a most odd face. His nose wrinkled ever so slightly when Hudson came into view of them. She rarely saw him wrinkled his nose over anything, except when Broadway made that chili and anchovy pizza. Or else when he was literally sniffing out a scent of a crime. How strong was their sense of smell?

"Aye," Hudson nodded. "They will settle down. When Delilah is ready, she will choose. She is jest a frightened wee thing. Tis not every day she has two males fawning over her..."

"Are you well old friend?" Goliath asked him. "When you did not return, I could not help but be concerned."

"I'm quite fine, thank ye," Hudson waved a dismissive hand.

"Is Rayna Vitreum... safe?" Goliath raised a brow ridge.

"As safe as an egg in the rookery," Hudson chuckled. "Ye need not worry about that lass. She fights as a gargoyle female protecting her young... why..."

"You seem rather... fond of her," Goliath said. "I must admit I was impressed and surprised with her strength... it is not the average human."

"She is not quite human mind ye. She herself says she is from another world..."

"It is good that we have found another ally for the Clan," Goliath nodded.

"Indeed," Hudson nodded. "Now, if ye'll excuse me... I'd be seeing t' the lads..."

"Yes..."

Something buzzed on Goliath's belt. He scooped up the black box, and squinted at the numbers.

"What be that wee black box?" Hudson asked. "A summoning talisman?"

"Xanatos insisted upon these... pagers. So that we would not miss any communications. He wishes to see us this minute..."

Elisa hid a smile at Hudson's ongoing confusion at the modern world. Five years awake and he still was flummoxed by pocket pagers, cell phones, and cyberspace. "Should I go along as well, just to make sure he's behaving himself?" she asked.

"Yes my love. I would have you at my side..."

Hudson scratched his chin. "And what wuild ye have me do... tell the lads t' come?"

"I would like you to come with me as well, old friend..."

*****************************************

"Demona still managed to wipe out two thirds of my domestic output at Gen-u-tech," Xanatos muttered, drumming his fingers against his desk. Rayna Vitreum entered, Owen opening the door for her. She looked a bit tired, rubbing at her eyes as she slipped off her glasses. Goliath stood off to one side, arms folded across his chest as Hudson lowered himself into one of the comfortable office chairs.

"Ms. Vitreum to see you sir..."

"Ah good. We're all here..."

"Why precisely have you asked to see us?" Goliath asked him.

"I want to spell things out to you, plain and simple. I might very well have to file for chapter 11 soon, thanks to Demona...."

"I thought your overseas operations..." Goliath said.

"Are in financial straits..."

"Didn't your refineries construct new drilling at the sites I found?" asked Rayna.

"Yes. But it will be six months before they go into phase ii production," Xanatos continued, still drumming an odd rhythm on his desktop.

"I did do what you asked of me," she sighed.

"Not that it isn't appreciated. But it's this plain and simple Goliath. You're a liability right now. I have to downsize..."

"But you cannot drive the Clan from its home..." Goliath said.

"You may terminate my services if that is what you require," Rayna said. "I can go back to the University..."

"I don't' plan on doing that, Ms. Vitreum, or Goliath. Your services are valuable in their own regards. Which is that you'll be earning you keep in a most unusual way."

"What?" Goliath's voice rose in pitch.

"Listen to what he has to say," Elisa shushed him.

"What I mean is that this place will be open to the public as a museum. I have plenty of artifacts people would pay good money to see."

"And what do we do during the day when Quarrymen might use this chance to strike?" Goliath snarled.

"That's where my security system comes in. Fortunately, it doesn't take as much money to run as security guards. But at night, you'll have to protect it. And I do mean protect."

"But we do that already," Hudson pointed out.

"I don't understand what you expect of us?" Goliath asked, resting his claws on the table.

"Simply Goliath, that you and the clan will remain living here. But you'll be helping to earn a profit. Enough to keep this place going. But things might have to be a little tight around her for the next six months.."

"What if you do go bankrupt? Will you be pitching them out of the street then?" Elisa asked.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it Detective. But I'm afraid I'll have to ask your Clan to be less... frivolous with the luxuries here..."

"We might as well go back to living in the clock tower," Hudson muttered.

"You are part of this castle... and I keep my word," Xanatos said. "Now let's not panic. I am certain this arrangement will work out, given time. Ms. Vitreum, I'll have to hire you on a per contract basis..., which means you'll give lectures for my science department, and pay a certain percentage... to the Corporation..."

"Ye canna do that to the lass," Hudson suddenly cut in. "T' pay ye the privilege of working for ye..."

"Hudson please!" Rayna broke in.

"That isn't something that's your business," Xanatos said sharply. "You should be grateful of my generous offer. I told you my terms. You're free to take it or leave it..."

"And if we dinna like the terms?"

"Then go by all means..." said Xanatos. "But don't come crying to me when you're in stone fragments..."

"Hudson, I will speak with you later..."

"Ye canna take this from him!" Hudson snapped. "Ye reinstated us in our home! Is this how ye prove yer..."

"Hudson!" Goliath snapped. "That will be enough. This is not the time or the place for such outbursts."

"Vera well," the old gargoyle fumed, falling into gruff silence. If looks could kill, Elisa thought, Hudson would perhaps have slain Xanatos within seconds.

"We will consider your terms..." Goliath said.

"I do hope you'll see the necessity..." Xanatos steepled his hands before his face. "Trust me, we all have to get along..."

*********************************************************

"I canna believe ye'll accept that guff!" Hudson growled as Goliath confronted him on the roof of the Castle.

"He might as well put us in a theme park," Goliath growled back at his Mentor. "But where else do we have to go?"

"That might not be a bad idea..." Rayna said. She got an evil look from the leader, a low snarl curling his lips back.

"Sorry, just a suggestion..." she flinched.

"The last experience with that was less then thrilling," Elisa explained. "I'll tell you about it someday. Come on Goliath, I think maybe it would be time for you to take me on a little evening flight..."

"Mr. Xanatos has his resources," Rayna gritted. "I cannot see why he's loosing money..."

"He is a crafty lad indeed," Hudson muttered.

"But what about Halcyon Reynard," Rayna said. "Fox's father. Surely he might be willing..."

"There is little love lost between Fox and her father," Goliath corrected her. "I doubt Xanatos would go crawling to him for help..."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Elisa shrugged.

"He often said he never wastes anything. I didna think it'd be so soon he'd find a use fer us t' make him money again," Hudson muttered to himself.

"Would you have us leave?" Goliath asked Hudson.

"Aye, if it were a choice between protecting the innocent and serving for Xanatos' personal gain... but since ye are Leader, I must respect yer decision Goliath..." Hudson said, inclining his head. "WE served Prince Malcolm long ago, to live wi in these walls. And fought with his armies. But it was to protect those innocents. What Xanatos asks for..."

"It might not be so bad," Rayna said. "True all of you don't like being on display. But it might be a way for people to get used to you in a controlled environment. The root of many prejudices is lack of information. I remember a dispute with a series of miners on Pyorrhea 3... where they wanted to chase off the natives..."

"Perhaps I shall hear of this later," Goliath said firmly. "I shall think on Xanatos' words. And speak to the rest of the Clan upon my return. Brooklyn is in charge till then..."

"Aye," Hudson sighed. "Take care lad, and lass... I'll tell the others if it please ye..."

"Yes, I thank you old friend. Your wisdom is still of value to me, but I do not wish to show discord between us before Xanatos..."

"Understood..."

"Have a good time," Rayna added. Goliath grunted in return, sweeping up Elisa as he leapt off the building.

"Why do I get the distinct impression your leader is less then impressed with me, as a friend to your Clan?" Rayna asked Hudson, as she leaned her head on her hands. Both arms rested on the parapet, her back to Hudson.

"I wouldna take it to heart, lass. He's angry, and decidedly so... the reality that we may be at the mercy of Xanatos again..."

"I don't like it either, but your leader must see the positive nature of this situation," Rayna said, turning around to face him. "Especially if you can protect the city from this vantage point. If only he could see that you'd be having jobs, just like the humans of the city do. As I do. Just because I'm an alien doesn't mean I can get out of working to earn my food and shelter. If you are to be accepted into society, maybe if people know you're working for a living..."

"That's not it Lass," Hudson rested a talon on her shoulder. She felt a jolt of adrenaline from his touch.

"Xanatos offered his word that we would be safe. And somehow I think that spells trouble... fer last time..."

"You got screwed, as the people in this time would say..."

"Tis true, but such language is not befitting a lass," he said, a stern look upon his face. Yet from the twinkle in his eyes she knew he was half joking. Gently he brushed a lock of her hair out of her face with a talon.

"Sometimes I don't feel as if I'm being taken seriously..."

"Dinna try so hard. Remember what I told ye about earning trust. If ye go oot of yer way t' please others, how can ye be who ye really are..."

"Sometimes I don't know. Seven hundred years and I still am not sure..." she glanced up out over the city.

"T' a gargoyle, friends are few, but trust me. Goliath is stubborn, and not swayed wi words, but by deeds. And so far, all ye have done suggests ye stand as a friend to the clan. So stop wi' the fretting and fussing. It doesnae become ye..."

She let slip a small chuckle. "An almighty Time Lord and I'm taking advice from a gargoyle... on what they'd call a second rate planet on a third rate star! Shows how much they know..." she laughed aloud, shaking her fist at the heavens. "You hear that, Lord President Flavia! Chancellor Edrahn and Castellan Thalira? I'm getting advice from an unauthorized life form!"

"Yer masters no doubt?" he asked, chuckling. "Wuild they not be a bit... angered t' hear such defiance..."

"You guessed it," she nodded. "But I don't half care. They use people like me to do their dirty work so they won't have to claim interference. Officially they say they don't interfere..."

"They sound like Xanatos," Hudson's voice dropped to a slow whisper. He shared her mirth. A low shiver ran though her sturdy shoulders. Gently he extended his wings, folding her in them from behind as he rested his bearded chin on her shoulder.

"Ye had best be getting inside. The night chill does nae guid fer ye..." he fussed over her. A jolt shivered her even more. Still it was rather warm within the shelter of those leathery wings, his breathing form snuggled up to her back. Silence passed betwixt the two ancient ones. She lifted her face to glance up into his, words about to form on her mouth.

"Er, Hudson?"

"Yes lass?" he asked, whiskers tickling her cheek.

"You didn't have to... come to my rescue back there. I can fight my own battles with Mr. Xanatos..."

"He's a crafty one he is," Hudson snorted. "The idea ye'd have t' pay a fee fer working fer him is no fair..."

"But I don't need the money really. It doesn't take much to make me content. At least physically. A warm crackling fire, solid food, clear water and fresh air. Although in Manhattan, fresh air is a commodity that few can claim..."

"Uh... excuse me... guys..." said Brooklyn, interrupting the awkward moment. Why was he making that odd sniffing noise? Perhaps he smelled pheromones, Vitreum wondered. Inwardly she felt her temperature rising ten degrees in embarrassment.

"What is it lad?" he asked, turning his head in irritation. Quickly he removed his wings from around Vitreum's shoulders. "I thought ye were on patrol!"

"I got sidetracked. And you told Broadway to patrol, not me..."

"Well, don't be... as you say side-tracked. Goliath left ye in charge, and I dinna think ye like what I have t' say. Xanatos has seen fit t' put us t' work. He's er... er... something about Chapter 11... , which means that there will be a whole mess o' people running through the castle in the daytime. So it's either we put up wi that, or find another place t' live..."

"What???" Brooklyn's eyes widened. "When the hell did this happen?"

"Demona's crime wave," Hudson said. "Seems our host hasnae recovered at all from the crisis..."

"Despite the alternative energy technologies I suggested," Rayna muttered under her breath. "I wish he'd consider investing in geothermal energy... or energy derived from the kinetic energy of planetary movement..."

"Say what?" Brooklyn tipped his head to one side.

"Sorry," Rayna shrugged. "Talking out of turn..."

"Hey, somebody forgot to turn off the TV!" came Angela's voice. "Are you still watching it Hudson? If not, could you please turn it off... the energy it wastes is..."

"Angela, do me a favor and get Lex and Delilah up here... I think they gotta right to know before Goliath gets back," Brooklyn asked. "Some serious shit’s been going on..."

"Gotcha..." she said. "But Broadway..."

Hudson groaned at the crass language, shaking his head. Rayna leaned against the battlement, laughing.

"I'll wait till he gets back..." Brooklyn said. He glanced oddly at Hudson who stepped two paces back from the geologist. A hot flush covered her face, and there was the odd smell of pheromones radiating from her in waves. Oddly she didn't smell... human. Brooklyn's sense of smell wasn't quite as acute as Hudson's or some of the others. Still it was far above that of a human being.

***********************************************************************

On campus one of the best places for coffee was the local Javastop. Many a professor grabbed a cup while waiting for their next class. Or a student would chatter with their friends over muffins and cappuccino. Wednesday morning was no exception, for the silver haired gentleman pondering over the danishes as he clutched his tray was a recent addition to the NYU staff.

Clutching the tray in hand, he selected a particularly gooey confection to place next to the steaming mug of black coffee. No milk or sugar, only the coffee itself would suffice. Carefully he balanced the tray on the way to the cash register, gripping his briefcase in the other hand. A long black coat was neatly folded, thrust between the straplike handles and draped over the briefcase.

"Your usual today, Prof. MacDuff?" the young student behind the cash register chirped.

"Aye. And how are ye today, Lucia?"

"Okay I guess," she threw him a somber glance. "But I wish I knew why I've been seeing those black hooded guys on campus the last few days. I could swear I saw a Quarryman van..."

"I'm nae surprised, lass," he said, setting the tray out as he fished out his wallet. "One thing they're noted for is recruiting among the universities for fresh volunteers. A travesty really..."

"You know I have nothing to do with their garbage," Lucia nodded. "I think it was cool of you to stand up for the Gargoyles. I saw you on TV with that Margo woman. What a witch..."

"Indeed, she shuild hae been burned in the middle ages," MacDuff joked, his gray eyes twinkling into her brown ones. She counted his change, suppressing a sigh as his strong hand brushed over her.

"It just sucks about Professor Vitreum though…"

"What do ye mean lass?"

"I just saw her when she went through the line… she said she wasn’t going to be teaching here anymore…"

"Really," MacDuff muttered.

"Yeah. And if it wasn’t for the rude lady behind her in line… and the fact that I have to work this afternoon… I would have found out the whole story! Just wait till I tell Carlos!"

"Let me talk t’ her," MacDuff said, with a hint of sternness. "I'll be seeing ye in class tomorrow ,this time I hope. Remember, 'tis easier t' learn it the first time around...."

"Sure! Sorry about last time, but I had an exam… and tell Dr. Vitreum we’re behind her 100%!" she babbled, feeling the surge of adrenaline under that gaze. Man was he hot for someone who was supposedly over the hill! That voice alone sent shivers down her spine whenever she heard it!

MacDuff scanned the forest of tables, looking for a likely spot. His eyes narrowed as he took in a familiar figure sipping over a plastic Eco-mug. Her long hair was tied back in a French braid, streaked with a few encroaching silver hairs amongst the brown. As usual her face was tucked into a science magazine, the fruit salad half eaten to one side of her elbow.

"This seat taken, Professor?" he asked. She dropped the magazine, a bit startled.

"Ah, Prof. MacDuff, didn't see you there! Go ahead and set down..." she glanced up at him. Hastily she scrabbled to clear the other journals off the opposite seat. He helped, setting his briefcase down to one side. Once he'd settled down, he rested his chin on folded hands, glancing at her with those steel gray eyes.

"They tell me ye've had a change in employment..." he said.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Xanatos, eh? Strange change o' environments indeed."

"I know. Half the faculty think I'm crazy for accepting it, the other half are patting me on the back. But some of the administrators gave me sour looks... and there's the issue of finding a replacement. I don't want to stop teaching here, but Mr. Xanatos insisted...."

"If there's one thing I know about Xanatos is that he goes to great lengths to achieve his goals. Once he sets his mind upon one thing, he will move the earth itself to suit his aims," MacDuff commented. He took a swig of hot steamy coffee, then held the mug betwixt his hands to feel the warmth. Even through the Styrofoam he felt enough of the comfortable heat to take the chill off the drafty cafeteria.

"That's also the funny part. When I approached the department chair, about still teaching half time the rest of the geology classes, he insisted the matter had been... 'taken care of' and that I was to resume my work with Xanatos full time. When I asked why, and that I was capable of doing both, he said that the matter had been decided, and that I was to go ahead and leave with all my things. It was rather strange!"

"Hmm. So ye still wanted t' teach... and they wouldn't let ye...."

"But my students... I was about to tell them today in class that I won't be here anymore. But the administrator said that wasn't necessary... in fact he firmly insisted I clean out my office, and had one of the secretaries help me. Even so I had to rush off and leave it...."

"Is that why yer here today, Rayna?" MacDuff asked her. "T finish up, and t' possibly say goodbye?"

"You guessed it, Lennox. I'm hoping to catch one or two of them between classes... thank Matrix Lucia works here so I could tell her… to let them know. Hell, I was even thinking of going to class this very day to confirm that my replacement was doing a good job... but when I went to my office, I found my stuff neatly packed in boxes, and someone else already in there! They had even changed the nameplate on the door already. I know I just changed jobs, but they made it seem as if all traces of me were gone! Talk about cold!"

"Tis not right of them t' brush ye off with a change in jobs... especially since ye told them it was a sabbatical, didn't ye?"

"That's what's got me a little bit worried, Lennox," she shook her head. "Someone's not thrilled about my leaving, and they're rubbing it in, in a big way. I was told that my contract couldn't be renewed even when I announced I'd be returning next fall..."

Lennox MacDuff's eyes darkened. "They cannae do this..."

"I know, but they did. And I don't know what to do about it... all my energy has gone into Xanatos and the surveys for new minerals..."

"I'll see if there is anything I can find out," Lennox nodded. "Yer too guid a professor for them t' loose. After all, the students I have in my classes speak highly o' ye..."

"Considering History and Geology are two separate subjects here, I'm impressed," Rayna seemed a bit surprised. "Although you can't know geology without a historical perspective..."

"And likewise History is shaped by Geology... particularly in cases like Pompeii and many other civilizations...."

They both fell silently into self-reflection. MacDuff started to work on the danish, tucking small bites away in between sips of black coffee. Rayna stabbed at the remains of her fruit salad gloomily, shoulders hunched over. After five minutes, MacDuff leaned across the table, voice low as he asked, "And how are ye, Rayna Vitreum? Is this what ye want?"

"I don't know, Lennox," she shook her head.

"Did ye find what ye were looking for?"

"Yes. But I went through some trials getting it. And they don't even have the nerve to come get it! Instead I'm left to baby-sit it till they make up their minds to retrieve it..."

"Which means if anything happens to the item while ye are after it in the meantime... it's on yer head, is that it?" MacDuff snorted.

"Yes," she sighed. Rayna gave up on her fruit salad, and pushed the plastic bowl aside. "Curse their supposed non-interference..."

"Must be frustrating, I can see," he nodded.

"But enough about my situation. How are you doing? I know it's been a while since we've really talked about anything other then our own day to day lives. Have you found anyone special..."

"Heavens knows I've tried," he gave a sad laugh. "But the closest I have come is the fulfillment of a crush that my new... student had. And my auld memories tainted by a spell..."

The story spilled out of him slowly, in hushed tones. None paid them any attention, as MacDuff recounted a tale of sadness and regret. Rayna gripped his hand in sympathy when the words finally stopped, sighing, "So Marianne Ellis... your student, actually did have feelings for you?"

"Yes blast it," MacDuff growled. "And I cuildna help but feel the same way about her. She's every bit the image of... of... Mary..."

"I know," Rayna nodded. "I was her friend too, remember..."

"Seems as if it was only yesterday," MacDuff nodded, gazing into the depths of his coffee as if it held his fortune. "I had almost forgotten it as of late, the last few decades. And nau... the ancient feuds have taken present time, with the old allies along wi them...."

"Old enemies," she blinked at him. "And you and Marianne?"

"She's committed t' another," he said. "One who I once trusted, who I saw as late on Avalon... during the time I was not myself..."

"You cannot mean..."

"Aye. The Blacksmith... although nowadays I've been told he's a photographer..."

"It's been years since I've seen him around," Rayna muttered, a sudden look of regret filling her dark eyes.

"Sorry t' mention it. I had forgotten that you and he..."

"Old history, best forgotten for now," she waved her hand. "And he's still as angry at you now?"

"The feud runs bitter. And when he learns of this revelation, I canna help but feel fer Marianne."

"You've changed too," she noted, looking at him oddly. "A new appreciation for the life you lead now..."

"That's one bright spot in the whole mess. The threads of fate no longer bind me," he released a sigh, straightening up."

"You mean... you're no longer..."

"Aye," he grinned.

"That's wonderful," she smiled. "I had hoped that you would... be fortunate enough... to be normal... to lead a normal life again... if there is such thing for people like you... and me..."

"Perhaps fer me in time, but ye, Rayna?"

"No," she shook her head. "Not for me. There's just so much to learn, and so many things to do..."

"As always," MacDuff folded his hands, glancing at her wistfully. "Ye said much the same thing five hundred years ago as I recall..."

"I know..." she shook her head. "I still think..."

"Tis past. And for the best perhaps. Fer our friendship is worth far more. It's been an easier time knowing that there were others like me... even if they beheld other skies then I..." he took her hand.

"I know," she nodded.

"But enough about that. It is not my intention to continue to spoil the mood of today. I'd best be running along. But know this, I shall make inquiries about this affair... and don't ye give up the fight, Fiona Vitreum..."

"Never, Maelbeatha Dunkeld," she whispered under her breath as he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. Not from romance, but the kiss of friendship between two equals who had become as family. The closest thing she might ever get to kin in this world. He was the only living soul on this world who knew her true name.

Hurriedly he gathered his briefcase with the brass initials LM inscribed on its well-worn surface, and pulled on his coat. The sound of his true name from her lips brought a strange tumble of memories flooding back that he could not deal with at that moment.

************************************************************************

Dominique Destine sighed as she entered the space behind her office. She glanced at the setting sun, assembling the objects before her. A gold ring, a silver bell, a feather, and a lit candle. She'd tried this before, with less then pleasing results. Perhaps if another could be summoned other then the Puck it might work.

In a low clear voice she spoke, "Cum aescerat argentum et aurum in volare..."

With a soft puff she blew the feather into the silver surface. It hit slowly, rippling the mirror face like a sheet of vertical Jell-O. The image of four children fleeing from odd clay statues materialized. Face frozen in horrified shock and anger, the last child turned. "Postea Fae ad speculum, Titania penetrare!"

Titania's mirror had been smashed four years ago. Demona had taken great pains for it to be painstakingly repaired. She had asked the help of a Blacksmith, who for the sake of his lover agreed to mend the mirror in return for his lover's live. The Taliesin, and Blacksmith of Avalon himself lay hands upon the mirror in the light of the full moon, mending it with great magic. Then she placed it within a very special spring far away in England for sixth months to reabsorb the magical energy there.

Only now had she bothered to extract it. For she had a use for it now. A new player had entered the gambit, and Demona was dammed if it would slip through her fingers this time. Now that she had lost the Phoenix Gate, she had to consider other options.

Ripples appeared in its surface, slowly forming into the image of a young boy. His ears were slightly pointed, his amber eyes glowing with fear. He slid into the chains, which snapped around him, glancing up at Dominique sullenly.

"What's going on?" he asked. "Where are my friends?"

"Do not be afraid, child. I have great need of you. No harm will come to you if you listen to what I say... for you have been plucked from a dangerous situation indeed. You will be returned to the instant before you left, if all goes well..."

Just then the sun slipped behind the skylines of Manhattan. Dominique doubled over in pain, gasping. Eric Spellburg reached a hand out to her in concern. Her face wrinkled, strange bulges appearing under her red jacket.

"Ahhh! Agrh! Ahhhh!" Dominique screamed. Her clothing exploded before his eyes, bat wings sprouting from her back. Pink skin darkened into twilight blue, her eyes flared crimson as a snarl escaped her lips. What stood before him in the dying light of evening was a slender tapered figure. Long fangs glistened from parted red lips. Sharp talons sprouted from her painted fingernails. Running a talon through her hair, she regarded him.

"I am in serious need of help..." she kept her voice low and smooth.

"So this isn't a normal call," the boy with the amber eyes glanced up at her. "Is that... what you need help with?"

"Not exactly, child. I am really a Gargoyle. That human form was but to protect me. But there is something else that you can help me..."

"So what do you want with me?" he asked, a bit nervous. "I'm just a kid..."

"That may well be," Demona smiled sweetly. Despite her fearsome fangs and ripped clothes, she had a nice smile. "But you are a very... gifted child. And I have need of your talents."

"Why are you saying that?"

"I know the mark of the Elfish. The mirror summons only them..."

Eric glanced at the mirror, groaning, "This isn't my day is it?"

"Oh... but it is... my child. You can help me..." Demona said. "I'm one of the last of my kind. And I need allies...there are those that destroy my kind... and I must protect my clan against them..."

Amber eyes regarded her, "Why would that be Miss???"

"Because... the Hunters... killed my kind... my clan... over the centuries.."

"Why?"

"We only protected the humans, but they betrayed us!!"

"What has this to do with me?"

"There are those... that have sympathy for my plight... and I need your help... to bring them to me."

"Well some people fear what they don't understand."

"Those people are fools," Demona spat. "My kind will survive... if you help me. If you help me... perhaps I can help you learn to use your magic better. For I am a bit of a sorceress myself..."

She waved her taloned hand and an image of a woman appeared. "This is Rayna Vitreum...she is one who can help. for she has listened. but she does not yet understand..."

Eric wiggled a bit within the chains. She looked sincere enough but that woman in the mirror bothered him. Something about her made Eric wonder. This Vitreum lady didn't seem quite human. Was it the way she stood there, her face fraught with worry surrounded by those other gargoyles. Why was that large lavender one frowning at her?

"Excuse me, miss... miss..."

"By day I am Dominique Destine." Demona said. "But in this, my true form, you may call me Night Angel..."

"Why do you need my help if you're a sorceress... Miss Night Angel?"

"The magical book of spells I had is destroyed at the Archmage's hands. I cannot work my magic without it. I still know the workings of magic if I am given the right spell and the right channel. So I need you, to help me find her…. And change her mind…. If ncessary."

"Oh," Eric said.

"She is protected... held captive by those of my kind who betrayed me..."

"Well I can try but I'm not all elf ya know..." he admitted shyly.

"I see," Demona tapped her talon against her lips. "Your blood is thinned then?"

"Only by one half," Eric admitted with pride.

"No matter. I sense a great power within you. If you bring the woman... Rayna Vitreum... to me... I will return you home... only an instant after you came through the mirror. And in return I will give you the knowledge you need to tap your true potential..."

"Okay but that the deal," Eric nodded, extending his hand. "Right. I do what you ask, and you help me, and then I go home, right?"

"Yes... of course," Demona smiled again, shaking his hand. "But... there is one other detail. She is not human... and is on the run from her masters..."

"So I might need your help... to disguise her once I convince her of my sincerity. There is a wizard that is helping me... you can assist him in his spells..."

"Oh I know that feeling," Eric closed his eyes.

"That is good. Those that enslaved her... are the Lords of Time... and they even now seek her out to do their bidding. I would offer her refuge.. in my Clan...."

"Being what I am isn't easy."

"You see my words are true then. They hate me for being a gargoyle and I am disguised as human during the day. I had a plan to help her escape if she joins my Clan.... if you could but give her the power of being a Gargoyle... her masters will not be able to find her... and she will be safe..."

"Now she must agree to that for the spell to work," Eric cautioned.

"Yes... that is so?" Demona thinks, tapping her chin.

"Would she... want it?" he asked.

"I know a reason why she might agree..."

"Yes it's a safe guard..."

"She loves... a gargoyle in the clan, but she is not gargoyle... maybe if you changed her she could win his love. And maybe he would help me as well. For he was once the leader of my clan, till their leader betrayed me and his actions doomed the clan..."

"The leader of the clan holding her prisoner?" asked Eric.

"Yes. He is Goliath, the one I once loved. He believed the humans, and they plotted to destroy us. I tried to lead the clan to safety, but he refused. And for that, they died!" she snapped bitterly. "I only want what is best for my Clan, my kind."

"Mmm, like I said she must agree to be change but other than that I can do what you ask of me," Eric said. "Where is she being held?"

"In a castle, in the clouds. But it is best that you take her during the day. When the others are in stone hibernation. That way you can convince her to come with you. Tell her you come on behalf of Dominique Destine of Nightstone industries. That I know of her plight and agree to help her solve her problems with her masters...."

***************************************************************************

Wednesday evening came to Castle Wyvern after a very frustrating day for the geologist. She had failed to make contact with the students, and when she finally caught site of them it was only for a few minutes. Before she rushed after them, two campus police had grabbed her and firmly ordered her off campus. They gave no explanation, save that she didn’t have the proper identification. It was ludicrous!

Rayna immersed herself in the catologuing of various meteorite samples. She had already called a number of contacts with queries regarding asteroid mining. It seemed feasible enough, but would Xanatos think it was a viable business venture given the cost?

"Come, and have a seat here fer a change," Hudson offered.

"Mmn what?" Rayna asked, looking up from her work for just a moment. She had brought her laptop into the main lounge where the Gargoyles usually spent evenings. Somehow their presence calmed her a bit.

"I trust the couch wuild be more comfortable then that hearth," Hudson again said, patting the sofa beside him.

Rayna crouched at the fireplace, slowly piling wood into the huge stone hearth. Carefully she wrinkled papers and stuffed them between cracks in the teepee of wood she had assembled. Once a tiny flame had sprung, she worked it into life with a gentle breath between cupped hands. Only a few minutes passed till the fire licked around the main logs. Brushing off her thighs, she arose. The couch shifted when she lowered herself into it. Hudson plunged his hand into an icebucket at his feet, extracting something. To her amusement he extracted a bottle of pinot grigot, wiping the condensation from the label with one hand. Reaching behind the sofa he produced a set of wine glasses, placing them on the coffee table. Uncorking the bottle he poured two portions of fine golden liquid. He handed one to Rayna, taking the other for himself.

"Thank you," she smiled, tipping back a bit. In miniscule sips alcohol wasn't detrimental. Even so it had little intoxicating effect upon her, more a deadening of her nerve endings. She also noticed a plate with a goodly selection of various cheeses had been sitting there all along and she hadn't noticed it! That is till he held the plate before her with a slight nod.

"Hudson, what are you doing," she asked a bit, transferring the wine to one hand.

"What does it look like lass? Offering ye food and drink. so that ye might fer one minute think about something other then yer rock samples. Ye've been at it fer the better part of a week."

Rayna glanced at the plate before her. She took a small chunk of the brie, and several crackers from a basket right at her knee, setting them on a plate on her lap. High fat content, but very pleasing as it rested on her tongue.

"Hmm," she sighed, pillowing her neck on one arm, wine in the other hand. "It's great to sit down by a fire, even if it is in the middle of a concrete jungle."

"Aye. Far too bright and noisy fer the likes o' me."

"And yet you are still here," she teased, knocking back another sip. Hudson nodded, tipping a sizable draught into his mouth.

"Speaking of the which, why are ye still here? Nau that ye have the Phoenix gate, don't yer superiors want it back."

"I have to wait till they come and claim it," she explained, shrugging. Slowly she stared into the depths of the fire.

"Why do they keep ye waiting?"

"I just don't know," she sighed. "I just don't know."

"One thing ye can be sure of, is that ye are a friend of the Clan. And as such ye are always welcome here."

"Unless Xanatos decides to sell," she shook her head.

"Dinna take on so," he scolded, setting his wine glass aside. Gently he took her hand in one of his large chocolate brown ones. They were as rough as hers, callused with the scars of many battles.

"Ye are nae alone. I had hoped ye'd stay a wee bit longer."

"I thank you for your hospitality, even if Goliath does tend to think otherwise." she blushed, with her eyes still fixed to the lapping flames of the fire. Very delicately his talons of the other hand tilted her face to regard him.

"He doesna choose his friends lightly. Nor do I." he spoke softly, that Scottish brogue low and soothing from his gargoyle throat. "I did hope ye wuild teach me more about this geology."

"You called it a fancy."

"Aye but no more then the Magus spellbooks hae sounded," he pointed out.

"I have a feeling that there is another reason," she murmured, looking down at her hand clenched in his.

She felt warmth flushing into her face. Was it just from the fire's radiance? Non it was that same warmth she felt in the other night in her apartment. Lightly he brushed his knuckles against her cheek, then her forehead. Hesitantly she raised her hand to finger his beard. The hand traveled through silver coarsness to brush his brow. Across her thighs rested a mass of living tail, twitching. Fingers kneaded along its length, caressing. From his throat erupted a low contented growling.

"Ach ye have magic in yer hands ye do…. Tis jest the right spot…"

"I try," she laughed.

"Ye are right enau, Rayna. There be a very good reason I'd ask if ye'd be staying." he began, gripping her hand firmly. He cleared his throat, glancing over her shoulder as if the right words would be read there to spill out onto his tongue.

Unfortunately the mood shattered into anxious fragments when Owen Burnett's clipped voice said,

"Pardon the interruption, Dr. Vitreum, but there is a personal phone call for you."

"Later," she waved him away.

"Forgive me, but I don't think it is wise to keep her waiting. She sounded most excited to give an offer for an accessible vein of iron ore."

"I'll get on it," Rayna began to get up, moving Hudson's tail out of the way.

"Do not bother rising," Owen raised a hand. He extracted a small flat device, handing it to her. She took the small cellular phone from him, pulling out the little antennae from it.

"Do tell her to return the phone when she has completed the call," Owen asked Hudson. Gruffly Hudson grunted his affirmation, and Owen slipped out.

"Vitreum here. You can call me Rayna yes! Who is this? Angelica. Destiny? And you represent whom?"

She listened intently for a moment, choking back a gasp as Hudson's tail lightly tickled the back of her left knee. "Asteroids? Are you serious? But I didn't think you possessed. you do? Yes. Xanatos has rockets available for shifting payloads."

Muffling the talking end, she turned to Hudson. "I found a new source of iron ore…. and it's completely green."

"Whatever ye say lass," Hudson patiently responded. "But where be it?"

"Outer space!" she laughed, then turned back to the phone. "Yes, I'm here! You would share profit, 70 percent in favor of Xanatos Enterprises! And if we process it. we share mining rights! Do you have a fix on asteroid Toutatis?"

Hudson's tail again twined around her leg, and Rayna let loose a small shriek. "Good!" she gasped. "I'll let him know. When do I come. all right. I'll come tomorrow!"

She finally clicked off the phone, and shut it. A shriek of joy escaped her lips, eyes bright as she cried, "You hear that, Hudson? Outer Space! Xanatos Enterprises could well be the first company to mine ore in space!!!"

"That's grand indeed, lass," Hudson nodded. "So. they have one of those asteroid things then?"

"That's it exactly," she grinned, and threw her arms around his neck. The geologist clutched Hudson close in a firm hug, pressing kisses to his cheeks. Hudson drew her equally close, muscled arms folding her in as his wings wrapped around her.

"You read the first three chapters of that textbook," she said with surprise.

"Aye," he nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Then ye will be staying a wee bit longer with us, I hope?"

"Yes, I think so," she said. "About what you were going to say earlier."

His kiss gently pressed to her lips, sharing the tremulous excitement. He struggled not to accidentally bite her lips with his fangs. For last time he had almost nipped her tongue and lips in his excitement. Rayna did not pull away, but turned her head to the side, gently slipping her tongue betwixt her sharp teeth. Her cool breath wafted into his mouth, deliciously warmed as it surged back into her own mouth.

Rayna and Hudson surfaced for breath, regarding each other shyly. "Er, quite incredible," she stammered out. "You're. becoming quite accomplished, with the human custom of kissing."

"Now that I have good reason t' practice," he nodded. "Tis not every day that I have found a reason t' bother… and nau."

"Hudson, you mean?" she glanced him square in the face. "That you like…. Me? That's so sweet!"

"Ye have said it, plain enau. Not always easy t' find the right words to say."

He kissed her hand softly, with the same tenderness as she had that night a week ago. Rayna's lip trembled at the surge washing up from her stomach. A smile came over her face.

"I was thinking, perhaps ye wuild want t' bide a wee time before telling Xanatos the good news, seeing as ye will be paying him the privilege o' working for him."

"You're terrible, but you're absolutely right," Rayna nodded with a grin. She clicked shut the cell phone, tossing it idly onto the coffee table. Hudson dropped his remote, pulling Rayna down onto the firm cushions of the sectional.

**********************************

Thursday morning came quickly enough. Four angry students stood before a desk, demanding answers.

"What do you mean Dr. Vitreum's no longer teaching the class?" Keith Polaski exploded. They had all been to class yesterday morning, only to find that Dr. Vitreum was not teaching. Then Lucia reported seeing the Professor on campus, and when they had tried to continue their conversation, two campus police had escorted Rayna out of the Javastop. When they stopped by her office Wednesday afternoon, they didn't see her. They caught a glimpse of her at the coffee shop, only to be whisked away in the shuffle of students rushing between classes.

"I'm sorry but Dr. Vitreum's taken a leave of absence...." The secretary patiently explained.

"That sucks!" Keith snapped.

"Didn't she tell why?"

"No other explanation was given..."

"The school didn't kick her out, did they?" Carlos asked.

"No, Mr. Garcia. But I do suggest that if you have further complaints, tell the Department chair. I'm sorry but I don't' have any other information."

"The hell you don't!" Keith snapped.

"Come on, let's go back to the dorm," Sharon pulled his sleeve. Disgusted, Keith stormed out of the department chair's office. Those eyes flashed darkly behind the yellow lenses of his thick black framed glasses. Carlos and Lucia followed. It was a sunny day, evident by the light green and blue striped bowling shirt Keith wore over his well-muscled chest. Carlos wore a similar style shirt, each with the baggy pants and a chain hanging from wallet to belt loop. Sharon wore a small cardigan over a white shirt, buttoned only at the top button, her blonde hair held back by two butterfly barrettes. Lucia's long floral print skirt swished about her legs as she struggled to keep up, nearly tripping over her platform shoes.

"What the hell is going on here?" Keith asked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he slung his bag over one shoulder.

"This is so not fair!" Sharon lamented. "We finally get a professor that gives two shits, and she's gone..."

"Guys, what can we do about it?" Carlos shrugged, adjusting his baseball cap as he scratched his goatee-clad chin. "I mean it's not like they care what we say. Hell we're only a bunch a dumb freshmen and sophomores..."

"You are, but I'm not," Keith grumbled.

"Hey, don't even go there," Sharon pulled the sleeve of Keith's lime green bowling shirt.

"Everyone, we gotta find out what happened to her," Keith whirled about on the concrete path. "She wouldn'tve just left without telling us... her students where the hell she's gone. I think they kicked her ass outta the department, then made up this crap about her working somewhere else..."

"We don't know that..." Lucia sighed. As ever she was the voice of reason in the small group.

"Well I'm not gonna sit on my ass and do nothing," Keith snapped. "I'm gonna get to the bottom of this!"

"You and who else man?" asked Carlos.

"Sharon, cant ya tell that school paper of yours?" asked Keith. "Like... write an editorial or something?"

"Yeah," she said, the light turning on. "Hey yeah..."

"What are you thinking?" Lucia shook her head.

"Demonstrate! Demand that they get her the hell back or we don't go to class..."

"Bright idea, dumbass," Carlos muttered. "Like you're doing a hell of a lot better in that class then we do, and it's not our major..."

"Hey, do we stand together or not? Or are ya chicken?"

"No fucking way!" Carlos snapped. "I just don't want my ass in trouble!"

"You never do," Lucia clicked her tongue.

"All right already! Okay, I'm in. I'm cool. But don't be making this the enda my college career..." Carlos agreed.

"So let's start..." Sharon nodded.

Nearby they saw a black van trundling. Several black suited people climbed out of the door, which had a hammer painted on the side within a letter Q. Carlos' lip curled in disgust, as he muttered, "Will ya look at that? Those dipsticks have the nerve to come on a college campus?"

Stacks of leaflets fluttered in their hands. One of them brought a folding table out, and began to place literature on the table. Another placed odd crates here and there.

"I think I just found another reason to protest," Keith muttered. "Let's go before they start handing out hammers!"

************************************************************************

That Thursday afternoon, Professor MacDuff stormed out of the Department Chair of Earth Science's department, a scowl on his face. "The nerve of that sassinach," he muttered under his breath, briefcase swinging in his hand. "Saying he canna discuss that issue!"

Angrily MacDuff's boots pounded down the main steps of the hall. He happened to glance around campus, towards the main assembly area. Just then he accidentally collided with a young student rushing off.

"Sorry Professor MacDuff!" Lucia apologized. A stack of fliers dropped out of her hands, and MacDuff helped her to scoop them up.

"No harm done lass. Say, what is this?" he began, then peered at one of the fliers in the stack as they both stood. "Stop unnecessary cutbacks. Protest Professorial dismissal of Dr. Vitreum... today at three PM... before the Student union..."

"Sorry... but I gotta go..." she stammered, as he handed them back to her.

"A student protest," he raised one eyebrow. "Verra risky is it not..."

"Please... you know she was kicked out... don't you... and I'm only trying to do what any student should during social injustice..."

"There's a fine line between that and disrupting a college campus," he started.

"But didn't you say that you protested at Berkeley during the 1960's for civil rights?" she asked.

"That was Edinburgh, lass. And yes... it is important t' make a stand. Which is why I'm very proud o' you and yer friends fer doing this thing. It is also precisely the reason why I'll accompany ye there.."

"You will... oh... great!" she cried, as he helped her carry the boxes of fliers.

"Allow me," he nodded gallantly, taking the worst of the stack in one hand as they continued towards the student union. With the presence of the History professor at her side, Lucia's confidence soared. Maybe they could be heard if other faculty got in on this! As they walked along he helped to hand out fliers to passers by. Together they stapled the fliers on bulletin boards and telephone polls. He noticed that each flier had the campus stamp of approval, the ink still fresh on the bottom corner of each.

"It's a shame, Professor MacDuff. I mean she's there teaching one week, and the next she's gone... and when we tried to ask the other professor, she said Vitreum was dismissed. But when I saw Dr. Vitreum last time on Friday, the last class we had with her she said that she would be around for questions and tutoring, but that some of the classes we'd have a substitute. Keith was there when that guy from Xanatos Industries came in. And offered her that job..."

"Aye. She herself told me. Didn't ye and yer friends meet her at the Javastop? She was waiting fer a better part of the day fer ye..."

"We glimpsed her, but got lost in the crowd. And then two campus police grabbed her..."

"What?"

"It's going from weird to downright bizarre," she shook her head, black curls bouncing in the breeze.

"I ken," MacDuff nodded. Just then his eyes caught site of a familiar black van, pulled up to the student union. Already a bunch of students were yelling at the black suited figures sitting behind a table.

"What in blazes?" MacDuff asked, gripping Lucia's arm suddenly.

"The rally wasn't supposed to start till three," she looked at her watch.

"I dinna think it's fer Dr. Vitreum," MacDuff peered at the signs and angry shouting. Some of the signs did have messaged scrawled on them, but the things that were being shouted had nothing to do with a certain professor that had been discharged.

In fact, one of the students rushed right up to the Quarrymen display table, ripping the recruitment banner. "Get this trash off our campus!" Carlos' tenor voice shouted.

"We have every right to be here," the lady behind the table said. "Ask the administration."

Strangely enough, a few students had lined up at the table, brochures tucked in their hands. Lucia dropped the box of fliers when she saw a black clothed figure stride up to Carlos, and push him back.

"Young man, is this the sort of respect they teach you on campus?" asked the gentleman. He looked very familiar with that fake British accent and the close cropped blond hair. That mustache gave him a militaristic countenance, MacBeth reflected. Hot anger welled up in the pit of the one time immortal king's stomach when he beheld his ancient enemy, Canmore.

"WE don't respect nuts like you!" Carlos snapped back. "Get the hell out of here and peddle your fascist hate somewhere else!"

"My, my, we are using fancy language..."

"Back off, creep!" Sharon snapped, joining Carlos. Keith moved up beside her, a sign in his hand bearing Dr. Vitreum's latest yearbook picture.

"Yeah! We don't want your little messages of violence here!" Keith added. "Go corrupt some other place!"

A shout of agreement sprang up from the three dozen students that had already gathered behind the three co-eds. Lucia moved forwards as if to join them, but MacDuff held her back. "Let me handle this," he whispered.

"You children clearly have no respect for your elders," Castaway tisked, folding arms across the chest of his double-breasted jacket.

"Scum like you don't deserve it!" Keith shoved his finger under Castaway's nose.

"Back off, Polaski!" came the answer from one of the students who had just slipped on a Quarryman button. "They're making sense! Those gargoyles are a threat man!"

"If you'd leave them alone they wouldn't bother us!" Sharon snapped. "It's because you hunt them down they get violent! They're protecting their own!"

"Yeah, isn't it illegal to hunt an endangered species?" Keith added, glaring right at Castaway's shocked expression.

"They are monsters... a threat to humanity..." Castaway laughed. "Not whales or dolphins!"

"They said the same thing about Bigfoot, and every other animal that Man has slaughtered to the brink of extinction!" Keith retorted. "IT doesn't justify it then, or now!"

"My good boy, you perhaps would have supported the Communists themselves under fear that they were an endangered species with that attitude..." Castaway countered.

"The gargoyles are intelligent creatures, not a political group!" Keith growled. "Don't you dare mix arguments on me!"

"My you are off track. Since when were you protesting gargoyle control? Your signs clearly have another meaning..." Castaway shook his head. "If I were you I'd stick to one issue at a time..."

"Well it's because of your crap that she's been dismissed!" Carlos said, grabbing the school paper. "Admit it, you're buddy-buddy with the Administration, because it was your corporation that donated the money to build Canmore hall!"

"My you do have an overactive imagination," Castaway laughed nervously, taking a step back.

"It's all here," Sharon shoved the paper in his face. "In black and white..."

"And you have the balls to show up here with your little conversion squad, and try and trick us poor gullible impressionable college students into your cause..." Keith laughed. "You are one sorry man..."

Castaway turned to the lady behind the table. "Call security, I'd like to report a disruption..."

"If you have the freedom to be here, then we have the freedom to protest," Sharon said to Castaway.

"And we'll sit here till you leave..."

"I cannot accept that," Castaway shook his head. "I am afraid I must insist you protest elsewhere, young lady..."

"Excuse me," Lennox MacDuff coughed, as he strode forwards, Lucia behind him.

"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Professor MacDuff. I did see your television interview..." Castaway shook his head. "So you are behind this little spat, are you? Stirring up the students in a cause, are we?"

"I want to know why you are here on campus, sir. And if you have the proper clearance to do so," Lennox folded arms across his corduroy jacket.

"You'll find all the proper paperwork is in place," Castaway wagged his finger. "If I were you I wouldn't try anything foolish..."

"And jest who authorized this?"

"The President of the School himself," Castaway fingered his lapels.

"That goes to prove he's a Quarryman!" Sharon spat. "Well I'm not gonna become a little puppet on a string smashing gargoyles!"

"Neither am I!" Keith shouted.

"You see, they are not exactly thrilled to see you," MacDuff added. "And I dinna think ye'll get any fresh blood from this lot..."

"Au contraire. I have over fifty signatures for membership already..."

"Bug out, Professor MacDork!" shouted the same person who had opposed Keith. "We don't listen to gargoyle lovers!"

"And this is the help ye plan on giving our young?" MacBeth asked. "You complain this young man and this young lady dinna respect ye. But it would seem that those that follow ye are guilty o' the same crime..."

"You would be well advised to take these students with you when you leave," Castaway said to him icily. "After all I have powerful friends on the board of directors..."

"While we're pulling rank, I'll have ye know that I am close personal friends with the Dean himself," MacBeth glared back at him. "And I'll not stand fer this rubbish on an academic campus."

"A significant portion of this school's new endowment comes from my industries..."

"As does mine," MacBeth countered. "Nae money will sway them. Guid or bad. Ye think I do this teaching fer pay? Why I have enough t' live quite comfortably. I'm here t' teach fer I love it. And why are ye here, but t' spread yer messages of intolerance. It's Gargoyles today, but what next? Who else will be yer next target once yer little Quarrymen have done their duty? Those who want t' protect the innocent as well?"

"How dare you..."

"Nae, how dare ye, Castaway! It's people like you who should be stamped out!"

"He's right!" Keith shouted. "Men like you sent people, for no better reason, to be human sacrifices in World War II in the death camps! Mostly because people like my family were Polish! Or Jewish! Half my grandmother's family was wiped out because of men like you, Castaway!"

"Yer no wanted here," MacBeth glared at Castaway, who was at once a loss for words. "Jon Canmore..."

"I'm not the only one with dirty little secrets. Who are you really, Lennox MacDuff..."

Already students swarmed on the table, their chants increasing in volume. Any further words between Canmore and MacBeth were drowned out in the fray. For the students holding quarrymen fliers suddenly pushed Keith back, and grabbed Sharon. Lucia screamed as someone threw a rock at Carlos. Before long pushes became blows, and bottles and rocks flew between the two groups.

MacDuff grabbed Lucia as one of the new quarrymen recruits yanked her by the hair, kicking and screaming. A quick solid blow to the student's arm released her. Holding her close he fought his way through the forest of flailing hands and flying fists.

Sharon's scream pierced the crowd. Keith leapt after her, grabbing onto the student Quarrymen who gripped Sharon around the chest. "I'll show you a thing, Gargoyle loving bitch,"

He crumpled with a fast punch to the jaw. Keith rubbed his knuckles, laughing, "I think you just saw something else, creep..."

"Keith, behind you!" Sharon's eyes widened. For Castaway's hand clamped down on Keith's shoulder, his arms suddenly pinioned behind his back.

"Naughty, naughty, little boy," Castaway scolded. "I think you need to learn some manners. For when you attack one Quarryman, you attack us all..."

"Let him go!" Sharon screamed, throwing herself on Castaway. Her nails raked his face, drawing a line of blood on his cheek. Angrily he slapped her away.

"Sharon!" Keith hollered, struggling to wrench away from Castaway. But the man had a death grip on the teen.

"Take them both with us!" Castaway barked. Already they were lost in the angry throng of students. Lucia and MacDuff were at Carlos side, MacDuff on his knees beside the fallen student. "Sharon! Keith! They have them!"

"What?" MacDuff shouted, jumping up. He hefted Carlos over his shoulder carefully. From behind the waving signs he saw Keith and Sharon struggling in the grip of hooded figures. Another black van had pulled up on campus, Quarrymen spilling out of its side.

Campus police also pulled up, sirens blaring. A loudspeaker blared over, helpless against the angry screams and shouts.

"Sharon! Keith!" Lucia screamed, rushing after them. MacDuff caught her by the waist, dragging her back.

"Let me go!"

"Stop it lass!" he gripped her firmly against him. "Ye'll get yerself hurt!"

"But they took them! Why?" Lucia kicked as she tried to worm her way from MacBeth's side.

Putting Carlos down he grabbed her arms, pulling her to face him. "Lucia, listen t' me! The police will handle this, and I swear they won't get away with this! Castaway's made the biggest mistake of his life!"

Lucia fought angry tears, squirming in his grasp. "Carlos," she whimpered, dropping on her feet to tend to him. Gently MacDuff pulled him to one side, and lay him flat on the grass. Carefully he dabbed away the blood from Carlos' scalp.

"I promise lass, that we will stop them," MacBeth whispered to her as he gripped her shoulder tightly.

***********************************************************************

"There's a call for you on line five," Owen dryly commented to Rayna. She glanced up at his wooden expression, seeing extra seriousness present.

"Who is it?"

"An unidentified party. They claim to have information about one of your students, that's gone missing..."

"What?" Rayna exploded.

"Yes. A Mr. Keith Polaski."

"What in Matrix," she muttered, grabbing the phone. "Hello?"

A garbled voice answered, "If you want to see Keith alive again, you will come to the deserted mansion near Central park. Do not tell the police... and do not tell his parents... for they already know."

"I don't pander to blackmail... and I swear if he's harmed."

"Don't be foolish, Dr. Vitreum. I know all about your little study groups. It wouldn't do to have the press suspect that you were fraternizing with a student..."

"Cut the subterfuge. What do you want?"

"You, Dr. Vitreum. You alone. For you must pay for your crimes against humanity."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know well, gargoyle lover. Bring yourself and ten million dollars to a location to be disclosed later, and you might see your precious students again..."

The line clicked off. Owen glanced at her, holding something in his hand. Rayna's expression darkened. Suddenly Xanatos came into the lab, carrying a cell phone.

"I heard the news. And I assure you I'll do all I can to catch whoever it is..."

"I don't know if you should," Rayna looked seriously at him.

"Giving into extortion doesn't work..." Xanatos said.

"I could ask Elisa to help, but they said no police," Rayna chewed her fingernails. "How did they know?"

"They can find out anything if they dig hard enough," said Xanatos. "Just say the word and I'll get someone on it..."

Rayna flopped into her chair, head in her hands. "He's only 20 years old. I swear if they harm him..."

"Owen, call some of my friends. The ones who owe me some big favors..." Xanatos said. With a hand on Rayna's shoulder, he left her alone.

Her fist contacted the desk, smashing a sizable dent into it's polymerized surface. Within the hour she got another phone call, but instead of the kidnapper, the familiar Scottish brogue of MacBeth greeted her ears. His frayed, choked voice crackled over the phone, "Rayna, there's been bad news.... I assume ye've heard it..."

"I just saw it on the television... and Lennox... I got a call from the kidnappers. They have Keith and Sharon... and I don't know what to do..."

"What? Where are ye now?"

"At the castle. Xanatos won't let me leave. And he insists I not call the police... but what can I do..."

"I saw Detective Maza at the rally. She was one of the officers that came..." Lennox's voice admitted.

"Where are you?"

"At the emergency room at Manhattan general. With a very distraught young lady. Carlos had a nasty knock on the head at the rally. I'm staying wi the lass and lad till their parents come. But if ye want..."

"No. Stay there. Protect them," Rayna's voice choked off.

"Aye, I shall. But if Castaway harms them, I swear he will pay. Take care lass..."

The phone clicked off, and Rayna listened to the silence. She grabbed her rolodex and punched numbers.

"Get me detective Maza, please!" Rayna snapped. "I want to report a kidnapping!"

Rayna waited tense moments as the operator connected her. A few pulses rang, and Rayna began to wonder if she could get through. How relieved she was to hear Elisa's voice. Notes were compared back and forth over the cell phone:

"And the protest rally was for my benefit but..."

"We know. I was there, remember," Elisa said.

"But what do I do? Xanatos said he'd come up with the money... but when I got the call..."

"Stay by the phone. If they call again, we'll be sure to trace it. We're working on all leads already. The perp already called the parents..."

"I have to do something. Perhaps if I..."

"That's exactly what they're expecting. Look, I know it's hard.... Let us handle this..."

"If I do, there's no telling what they might do to him..." said Rayna, voice choked.

"As soon as we have another contact, let us know..." Elisa said. "But don't, I repeat, don't do anything they say before letting us know. Chavez already has a plan. And don't let MacBeth do anything either!"

"All right," Rayna sighed. "I'll play by the rules..."

************************************************************************

Thursday night dragged in from the endless influx of hours. Rayna desperately wanted to leave the Castle, but Xanatos wouldn't hear of it. Hudson and the other Gargoyles had woken by then, concerned about the strange gloom that had descended upon the castle. Elisa was nowhere to be found, and according to Owen, no one was to leave the castle for the climate in the city had grown increasingly hostile. Quarrymen ran everywhere.

"I must know what's going on!" Rayna muttered, pacing around the small room that was her lab.

"You're not leaving here," Xanatos said, firmly. "Giving into extortion isn't the answer..."

"But my students..." Rayna grumbled, and flopped down into the office chair before her desk. Goliath and Hudson happened to pass by the lab that moment. Their sensitive ears picked up the argument within. The grizzled Mentor tossed his head in the direction of the door, and Goliath nodded his affirmation. They both entered. Xanatos leaned over Rayna's desk, shaking his head.

"Your students are adults," Xanatos insisted. "You're not responsible for this. And between the NYPD and Xanatos enterprises, we will find those students!"

"Lass, I heard the news," Hudson came to her side as she rested her head on her hands. His claw gently caressed her shoulders. "If there is anything the Clan can do..."

She glanced up at him. Goliath and Hudson both stood over her, concern on their faces. "I don't want to trouble you..."

"Nonsense..." came Hudson's soft reply. "Ye are friend, are ye not. Owen told us what happened..."

Just then the person in question strode in, his face in a frown. "Mr. Xanatos, Detective Maza is here to see Dr. Vitreum..."

"Good. Has there been any word," she asked, face lighting up. However, Owen opened the door upon a distraught Elisa. Her face was lowered, glancing at her feet. It was a full minute before she could meet her eyes with Rayna's.

Xanatos urged her to a chair opposite Rayna, and glanced questioningly at Owen. Impassively Owen regarded his employer, his face betraying no emotion. Past him Elisa moved, towards the seated geologist. Her brown eyes fixed into Rayna's, voice low.

"We found out a possible lead," she said.

"Keith?" she asked. "Where is he?"

"Quarrymen activity around NYU's campus. There was a rally held there, and for some reason some Quarrymen recruiters were there at the same time. Things turned ugly, and they grabbed the student protesters and held them hostage."

"I know," Rayna said impatiently.

"Well, we found someone... just a few hours ago that matched his description."

"Where is he?"

" Nightstone industries... reported strange activity tonight. It seems our Quarrymen friends were busy poking around there..."

"And?" Rayna asked, and moved to the edge of her chair.

"Some of the boys investigated, and there was a whole dozen chasing two teenagers through the abandoned warehouses.."

At these words Rayna leapt up, hands planted flat against her desk. "Are they all right? What happened?"

"Get to the point, lass," Hudson impatiently interrupted, gripping the back of Rayna's chair. Goliath's eyes met Elisa's for a second. Within their depths he sensed what she was next going to say. How difficult to tell someone of tragedy it was. Elisa faced that uncomfortable burden of bearing bad news.

"Hudson please, this is hard enough. Dr. Vitreum... Rayna... I was wondering if you'd come down to police headquarters to identify...who they are..."

"No," Rayna felt her legs turning to putty. Hudson slipped his arm protectively around her waist, supporting her.

"Wait, we don't know for sure..." Elisa added. "That's why we need positive identification..."

"But they wanted me... to come... alone," Rayna lowered her eyes. "They... they were so young..."

Rayna felt their words dizzying around her. Hudson gently helped her to her chair, helping her to sit down as she buried her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry..." Elisa said. "But we must have your confirmation...."

"You have their parents, do you not?" Rayna glanced up at her, tears in her eyes. She forced them back.

"Yes... but they are hours away..."

"Perhaps we should let her bide a wee moment," Hudson suggested. Goliath nodded, and Elisa gripped Rayna's hand. Xanatos slowly left the room with Owen. Softly the door clicked shut.

"We share you grief," Goliath rumbled. "And I swear my Clan will find who is responsible..."

"Leave me alone," Rayna held up her hand, pressing the other to her temples. "Please... I can't... I cant..."

"I'm sorry... we did all we could...." Elisa began, but Rayna turned away, ignoring her. Gently Goliath took Elisa's shoulders.

"She needs time to morn," Goliath whispered.

"But we can't just leave her..."

"I'll stay wi her," Hudson volunteered, and watched them depart Rayna's lab.

"It's my fault," she trembled, hugging her knees in the chair.

"Nau why do ye say that, lass?" he asked, stroking her back.

"If I hadn't left the university... with a better explanation... my students needed me and I wasn't even aware of it! What kind of a Teacher does such a thing?"

"Ssh now," he hushed her, folding her into his arms as she stumbled to rise. His wings also embraced her, warm and secure. "There be no blaming yerself nau... I'll not here that talk!"

"It's true, Hudson," she sniffled, glancing up at him. "I deserted them. They thought the administration hounded me out..."

"Why do ye say this?" he asked.

"The news," she pointed to the Internet website she had rung up. Hudson glanced over her shoulder, struggling to make sense of the text upon the screen. It was so blasted hard sometimes to understand it, even though he had been learning to read for five years now.

"Protest... rally... students protest the unfair dismissal of Dr. Rayna Vitreum. The Admin... administration... commented this... was an... incorr... incorrect apprisal... of the sit... uation. Protests erup... ted into violence... when a Quarryman demonstration atta... attacked the s... ss....tudents..."

"Yes," she nodded, gripping the strap of his battle harness, pressing her cheek against his chest.

Hudson continued to read, "Earlier this afternoon, the body of a white male was found near Nightstone industries, with multiple lacerations and burns about the body. An injured white female was also found, badly injured. She is in critical condition at Manhattan General..."

"Matrix," Rayna sniffed.

"Sounds t' me like the bairns were a bit mistaken. Tis no yer fault. If it be any, it be Xanatos..."

"I should have called the Administration. I had left a letter in the box, and Xanatos said things were arranged... I didn't think..."

"There be no changing the past," he muttered gruffly. "Better nau to ask... what are ye going t' do about it... and the answer is plain and simple. Let Elisa handle it. She's best suited fer this sort of work..."

"Rassilon curse it! I can't stand by and do nothing, Hudson!" she tore away from his grasp. Angrily her foot kicked the chair, hurling it into the far wall.

"Lass, ye must stop this!" Hudson firmly gripped her shoulders. "Yer doin yerself nae good! Nor the furniture either!"

"I feel so helpless and angry," she gritted her teeth. "An innocent boy in the grip of those savages... who would like nothing better then to decapitate anyone with any shred of sympathy for Gargoyles! He was defending me! Why him?"

"Quarrymen dinna make any sense," Hudson answered her, folding his arms as he blocked her from storming out of the room. "And neither are ye with this blathering. Calm down and think about it!"

"Damn it, Hudson! I am thinking about it!" Rayna snapped, turning on him. "How can I for one minute not think about those two, dying for a cause that I was responsible for creating? Their blood, their existence is on my hands!"

"But if they are yer students ye must know that there is a time fer the hatchlings t' leave the rookery," Hudson shouted back. "Ye canna take all the blame fer this! It's no fair t' ye or t' them! Blast it, Rayna when are ye goin' t' learn that Fate itself won't bend to yer whims! They chose their ain destiny! Ye dindna force them t' stand for yer behalf!"

"What do you know?" Rayna spat back. "How can you understand the complexities of fate? How each decision I make has a multitude of consequences?"

"That's life, lass!" Hudson almost snarled. "Why can ye not live it instead of trying to explain it t' death?"

"I..." she stammered, face crumpling as she held a hand to her head. This time she accepted his comforting embrace, letting the tears drip down her face. It was not just this instance. For other frustrations collected in those hot angry tears that splattered his battle harness's front.

"Hush, let it all out nau," Hudson rocked her slowly against him. Again, his wings folded around her tightly.

"Hudson, they were only children!" she sobbed.

"I can fair see it has been building up fer quite some time... Rayna," he hushed her. "This is no the first time someone has died that ye knew... and cared for..."

"No, and it won't be the last," she said, voice muffled against his chest. "Though I wish it were..."

"There's nothing more painful then loosing one ye care for. I've faced it myself more times then I care t' after a battle. When my mate died, and when my clan was slaughtered when I was in stone sleep..."

"I'm sorry... for loosing control like this," she grimaced, pulling off her glasses. "I was horrible to Elisa... and Goliath..."

"Nothing worse then bein' the one t' bear the bad tidings...." Hudson stroked her hair. "I'm sure she'll forgive ye."

"I did... as they say... shoot the messenger...."

"But it seems t' me that they are indeed fortunate t' have a teacher that cares as much fer them as ye do," he lifted her chin to glance into her eyes. They were swollen, tears rolling down much more freely now on her cheeks.

"Only last week they were in my office, coaxing better grades out of me on their papers. Carlos, he was wondering if I'd join him at the guitar club. And Keith... he...he... if only I had seen them, explained to them what was going on.... But it all happened so fast!"

"Same thing t' me wi those I had taught," he nodded. "Always ye ask if there was only something else ye could ha said or done t' make it right. Goliath faced the same trial as ye do now. As I have, every time I ordered my Clan into battle. Life or death was in my grasp, and I decided who lived or died. At least that was the way it seemed t' be. But I had no more control over Fate then the next gargoyle..."

"Oh Hudson if only you knew," she shook her head. "I could have... if I had know... and I still..."

"Life and death aren't ours t' control, lass," Hudson scolded her. "He might well ha died some other way, senseless and meaningless like those of my clan that lay scattered all oer castle Wyvern that day. Best he died fer a cause worth fighting for. Else his death had no sense..."

*************************************************************

Sunlight glared orange behind her closed eyes, and Rayna found herself slowly stirring. Blinking, she rolled over on the surface of the sectional couch, her blurry eyes unaccustomed to the haze of sleep. Her fingers found the glasses laying neatly to one side on the coffee table. There was no sign of Hudson in the room, but she recalled him laying her down on the sofa after the tears poured out of her in a deluge. Just how long she had cried she could not say. Save that her energy felt strangely drained.

"Friday morning," she muttered.

It was of little consequence when she thought about what would happen next. Two parents, their faces twisted in grief as the police gave them the news. Faces of grief that would twist into accusation when Rayna traveled to their upstate New York home, a basket of flowers in hand. No condolences could ease their pain.

Mr. and Mrs. Polasky, a thirtysomething couple who pinned many hopes on their three children. That one would make something out of his life other then the random ventures with his buddies. Or the jumps off the train trestles, or the weekends up at the lake with the marijuana parties.

Or Sharon, whose mother would be there at the emergency room, pinning the metal medallions to Sharon's pillow. Working little beads through her fingers as she whispered silent prayers of hope that her daughter would pull through.

Images pixilated before her mind's eye. Was it supposed to happen like this? It was their mistake, the wrong place at the wrong time. Was she responsible?

Yes. She was. Each event no matter how painstakingly planned had its repercussions. People she helped, the lives she had altered for the better sometimes met with tragedy. Those bright lights she had coaxed into life like the fire embers had grown cold in Time's relentless wind.

Not this time, Thalira, she whispered.

Slowly she dragged herself to the computer, and then reached in the drawer for something. Rayna extracted a small blue plate, a golden phoenix upon its surface. Dare she use it? Alter fate? What was the life of one student in the balance of others?

"I have the means here," she whispered. "And aren't I a time lord? This should not have happened..."

Her hand closed upon it, pressing the cold metal.

The Time Element is not to be used disruptively; she could hear her mind saying. It was not Thalira, but her own voice of caution. But if she had not come here... perhaps...

Perhaps...

"I can change it," she said, teeth gritting. "To the void with the High Council..."

Slowly she began the chant, "Des... Legrate... Muri... Tempi... Et. Intervailia!!!!"

*******************************************************************

Thursday evening found the students being pushed out of a van. The black hooded figures kicked the blonde haired girl out after him. Both landed on the asphalt.

"What the fuck do you want," Keith stammered, blood dribbling from his lip. Beside him, Sharon gripped his arm, as he pushed her behind him.

"Such language, little man," laughed Castaway. "Really she is a bad influence upon you. Don't you know the proper respect due your elders?"

"We'll give it when you deserve it, asshole!" Sharon shouted back.

"Fuck off!" Keith spat in Castaway's face.

"Teach this pup some manners... and his little vixen as well," said Castaway. "Let them be examples of the influence of the gargoyle lovers..."

"But they're only kids," said one of the Quarrymen from behind their hoods.

"Don't ever dare question me!" Castaway seized him by the shirtfront. "See how their influence is corrupting you!"

"Why cause they can actually think for themselves?" Keith laughed. Someone pummeled him in the stomach, and he doubled over.

"Leave them alone!" Rayna suddenly shouted. They glanced up, their view of the rooftop eclipsed by a pair of hiking boots. Blackness cracked into the first one's skull with the acceleration of gravity added to a one hundred and seventy-pound body.

"Dr. Vitreum!" Sharon gasped, seeing their professor suddenly appearing out of seemingly nowhere. What was that strange blaze of fire?

"Get out of here!" she shouted. Sharon grabbed the student, and struggled with him. Only to be cut off from one side by another Quarryman. Rayna's kick landed in the fellow's face as he raised his hammer. Sharon shoved her shoulder into another, while Keith punched him in the jaw.

"That's for my face, asshole," he snapped.

Sharon managed to bolt away, Keith after her. "Let's split!"

"Wait, and let her face those bastards! No fucking way!"

"But..."

"You go and get help! I'm gonna help the professor!" shouted Keith as he rushed back. Grabbing up a length of board from a nearby trash pile, Keith advanced on the pursuing quarrymen. He moved quickly, his board slamming right into the guy's legs, tripping him up. A blow from his heavy doc martin boot kicked the assailant senseless. Keith snatched away the hammer, hefting its weight.

Rayna dodged crackling hammer blows. There were only two: Castaway, and that woman's voice she recognized from last night. Her ice axe blocked the downward stroke of Castaway's crackling hammer.

"So, you did come after all, gargoyle lover?" Castaway's voice cackled.

"To protect the innocent, yes," she grunted.

"Don't make me laugh. You haven't a prayer...."

A sizzle of electricity crackled into Rayna's leg as the woman's hammer slammed into her leg. She staggered, struggling to keep on her feet as she reeled against the alley wall. Castaway laughed, raising his pistol to cover her.

"This has been amusing, but you really cannot be allowed to continue to corrupt our youth. Especially assisting that industrialist fool Xanatos in his hopeless company... a harborer for the gargoyles. And with you out of the way..."

Suddenly a hammer blow landed in the small of his back. His battle armor absorbed most of the blow, but it still sent him staggering. "What the?"

Another blow cut him off in the chest. Rayna staggered on her injured leg, clutching something in her hand. Her ice axe shot out, tripping the other remaining quarryman before she could aid her boss. "Come on!" she shouted to Keith, grabbing his hand.

Both bolted as fast as their legs could carry them. Castaway hugged his stomach, groaning far behind. "I thought I told you to get out of here!" Rayna huffed.

"Lucky for you I didn't Prof... thanks for saving my butt!"

"Thank you.... for saving mine..." she grinned at him.

"How did you find us?" he asked.

"Simple... deductive reasoning..." Rayna panted. Just then, they heard the telltale puttering of a chopper, blocks away.

"Oh shit!" Keith gasped. "Sharon!"

"Let's go... after her," Rayna huffed, pulling him into the shelter of an ally. Something blue glinted in her gasp as she pulled it out of her pocket.

"What's that?" Keith asked.

"Close your eyes, and hold tight..." she said. "Don't open them till I tell you..."

"What the hell. Okay, whatever you say," he huffed as she gripped his slender waist. There came a quick snatching sensation, and the words, "Deflegrate, Muri Tempi... et Intervailia!"

Suddenly they were in the same spot, Rayna pulling him behind her. It was nighttime, and Keith groaned as he reeled against her.

"What the hell... did you just do?" he asked her. "How did it get to be night?"

"You're delirious..." she said, helping him limp along. "That last quarryman jolt stunned you. Now let's keep moving..."

"There they are!" shouted a voice. Quarrymen dropped from a helicopter above, the rope ladder snaking out of the plane.

"I don't know how they escaped us, but we have them now..."

Desperately Rayna and Keith rushed away, feet slamming against the pavement. Still she clenched the Phoenix gate close in one hand. Dare she use it again?

Her question was mercifully answered as a winged shape swooped down on their pursuers. A loud banshee howl split the night. Hammers sizzled, red flashes of energy crackling into them. Cries and shouts resounded as a snarling, kicking mass descended upon them.

"Whoa... is that what I think it is," Keith asked, spinning to look before Rayna pulled him along.

"Thank Rassilon it is," she sighed deeply.

"Treacherous humans!" snarled a familiar cry. Crimson eyes flashed through the dust cloud. Rayna glanced back over her shoulder, seeing the slender figure turn to fire into the midst of the oncoming helicopter. Quarrymen bodies lay strewn about her clawed talons. She had made short work of them.

"You won't stop me!" came another quarrymen's voice, as the helicopter swooped in. Rayna watched in horrified fascination as the gargoyle raised the rifle to her shoulder, and aimed. Her winged shape was silhouetted against the onrushing searchlight as the chopper descended. Twin lines of machine gun fire stacattoed right to her claws.

At the last minute Keith grabbed Rayna, shoving her behind a garbage dumpster. A red light discharged over the white, the force kicking the gargoyle female backwards. Sheets of flame spread out from the growing fireball as the chopper exploded. Repeatedly the she-goyl rolled, bits of shrapnel tinkling from the enormous boom.

Rayna froze when she saw the Gargoyle get up, and shake herself off. In the orange glow of the sodium lamp, a gold crest glinted under a shaggy mane of scarlet hair. Gold glinted at her arm, and lower ankle as she glanced about. Her gun she raised to her shoulder, a low snarl escaping her throat.

"Demona," Rayna got out. Slowly she handed something to Keith.

"Rayna, I know you're here! Show yourself... if you are well?"

"Keith take this, and stay here," Rayna whispered to him. He felt something flat thrust into his hands. "Hide it till you see me again, and let no one see it..."

"I know you are here. Please... I want to talk..." Demona's voice echoed.

There came the sound of a motor, and a glint of headlights. Demona spun, her rifle raised to fire at the new threat.

"But Prof," Keith gasped, looking at the strange small plate.

"Do what I say, for once. Take this thing, and don't let anyone see it. Go tell the police where we are. Whatever you do, wait till I'm gone before you even dare get out of this ally..."

"But what about you? What if those bastards..."

"I'll be all right. Please..." Rayna implored him. "If you respect me as a professor do it! Besides... how are you going to get an A minus on your paper if you and I don't get out of here..."

"Shit, that doesn't matter!" Keith snapped, before she muffled him with one hand. "Who's gonna watch your back against that gargoyle? Sure she saved our cans, but she's got that damn gun..."

"Please Keith, do it..."

"Okay... but you be careful, Professor!" he said, and gripped her to him in a fierce hug. Rayna gripped his hand, and jumped out into the open.

"All right Demona, here I am. What do you want to talk about..."

"I thought I might find you here... after your student..." Demona laughed. "How predictable you are..."

"You weren't responsible I hope..." Rayna gritted.

"Since when do I work with those who would destroy my kind?" she asked.

"If it would suit your purpose..."

"It might suit both of ours.... if you come with me now, and continue this discussion in a quieter place. Otherwise you might not get out alive... and neither will I..."

"All right, let's go..." Rayna muttered. Demona smiled, fangs flashing.

"I knew you'd be reasonable...

*********************************************************

"All right, what do you want?" Rayna asked, as she found herself in the lobby of Nightstone Industries. Apparently, this part of fate had not been changed by her presence here.

"And why are we here for that matter? Wouldn't it attract attention if we were in a human business?"

"Oh, but I have a special pull with the owner," she laughed. "She and I are... business partners..."

"So there are some humans you find useful," Rayna breathed.

"Indeed," Demona smiled, laying her rifle down on the desk. "Won't you sit down?"

"What do you want from me?" Rayna asked.

"This is an odd gratitude for one who just saved your life," Demona shook her head. "You owe me your life. I owed you my freedom. Doesn't that entitle me to a moment of your time?"

"All right..." Rayna sighed. "Speak."

"I am here to give you a warning. Thailog plans on recovering a certain pair of gargoyle females from the Manhattan clan. They were rather ungracious as they refused the hospitality of his clan, and he wants them safely returned. But Goliath has them instead. I wouldn't want to get in his way if I were you..."

"And what does this mean to me?"

"Come now, you helped Goliath and his clan against my plans. It stands to reason you have a rapport with him..."

"Maybe I do," Rayna said. "But there was probably a reason those two gargoyles left Thailog. Something to do with multiple sexual encounters she didn't wish..."

"She has little education, and might not know any better," Demona shook her head sadly. "Thailog only wants them safely returned. I might persuade him to avoid his next move..."

"Which would be?"

"Xanatos is in dire financial straits. He risks loosing his cozy castle in the clouds. If some unfortunate accident were to befall a certain geologist, he might loose the one bargaining chip in his deal with a certain astroaeronautics firm..."

"So?" Rayna asked.

"I might be able to persuade him to stop this plan, if you help me..." Demona said. "You have a certain magic item I wish returned..."

"That's unfortunate. The Phoenix Gate is beyond your reach," Rayna said.

"Oh," Demona laughed.

"And even if you had it, I would not be responsible for you when the Time Lords come to take it from you by force..."

"Hmm, then perhaps there might be another favor you can do for me..." Demona laughed.

"I doubt I would like it... if it involves harming humans I'm not interested. And if it means any more innocents come to harm..."

Demona snarled, wrinkling her nose much as Goliath had done. Her voice trailed off as she paced a half circle around Rayna.

"What is that... odor?" she wondered. Then her eyes widened. Rayna didn't care for the hungry look present.

"The old fool," she chuckled, a look of mixed disgust and amazement on her heart shaped face. "I was right after all..."

"What are you talking about," Rayna narrowed her eyes at Demona.

"His scent is rampant upon your person," Demona said slyly. "You reek of Hudson..."

"The pheromones of mating," Rayna grumbled. "I ought to have known your enhanced senses of smell could differentiate..."

"You would not wish any harm to come to Hudson... and his kind would you?" Demona asked, resting a hand on her hip.

"Not particularly..." Rayna said nonchalantly.

"Oh but you think yourself clever... do you?" Demona purred. "Pretending he means nothing to you. I know that all too well, Rayna Vitreum. There is another reason you might want to consider what I have to say..."

"All right, what is it?"

"You don't like being forced to work for the Time Lords, do you? There may be a way I can help you..."

"What would you possibly offer with your world's limited technology? You have relied upon Science so much..."

"You insult your own intelligence," Demona laughed. "If you have traveled about Space and Time surely, you would have a much more open view of ancient Magic. An appreciation for sorcery. Yes I am right, am I not. I may not be one of your... Time Lords... but I have learned much over the millennium I have lived. I have used my centuries well. Have you done the same?"

"How would you know my true age?"

"Your eyes hold the wisdom of centuries..." she said. "Infinite sadness. The very same as I have often see in my own. Yes, I can help you. Where the Science of this world falls short, the Sorcery intertwined with it can do much. You know of Coldstone?"

"Yes..."

"He is a creature of science and sorcery. Dipped in Magic and clothed in Science... to steal a phrase from humans. I can do much for you. You say that you were altered. Was your DNA itself affected by the Time Lords?"

"Yes..."

"What would you say if I could undo what was done..."

"What do you want from me in return?" Rayna asked.

"The Phoenix Gate," Demona breathed. "You said you have disposed of it, but what if you are not telling the truth..."

"What if I told you that were destroying that which you sought to prevent..." Rayna asked. "There

are other ways to fight to save your race. I have even been considering finding a place separate from them, to preserve the clan. This feud has cost you much in time and energy. If you will let me find a safe haven for them, you might end your rage against humanity..."

"Your words... make sense... but I will have blood..."

"Then have blood by making your children live. That is the ultimate revenge. To survive and lick your wounds. Why exterminate the humans only to have Goliath stop you, when you could be in a place devoting time and energy to rebuilding your numbers?"

Demona's angry glare faded. Slowly she tapped her chin, considering Rayna's words, "That would be... most interesting. I will consider it.... if..."

"If?"

"You speak to Hudson of his folly. That Goliath is indeed misguided in his pursuit of me. If his Clan would leave me alone, I could be persuaded to... stave my pursuit of vengeance against the human race...."

"I would like to believe you, Demona," Rayna said. "Really I would..."

"You are a shadowy reflection of me. We are much alike. Alone, and knowing what is best. You had said so yourself, don't deny it. You hate serving those Time Lords. You could even... be rid of them all together."

"How do you propose to do this?"

"Remove the DNA sequences that they encoded you with. Replace them with the corresponding proteins. How was it done?"

"Proteases inactivated my Mantissan DNA, making them recessive," Rayna explained. "But each time I attempt to snip them out... they regenerate. For it is the nature of a Time Lord to regenerate if they are close to death..."

"That is precisely what I needed to know," said a sly voice.

"May I present Dr. Sevarious, the leading Geneticist on the Planet. He created my love... Thailog."

"Did you also make these?" she indicated the clones.

"Yes. But they were rather... crude. Specifically programmed to follow orders," said Sevarious.

"But what you ask is difficult, but not impossible."

"With the sorcery of Eric," she smiled.

"He's channeler of Magic, but I scarcely think that you have the control of natural forces..."

"I shall guide him. But you must not speak my name in his presence. It could... distract him... for he is rather sensitive..."

"All right," Rayna said. "But what is the catch?"

"None. Save the fact that you must rest for a time after the process. I give my word I will not move against Goliath's clan... lest he provoke me..."

"Give me your hand," Rayna said. Demona grinned, watching Rayna pull a small pocketknife from her vest. Rayna took the knife, slitting her palm before handing the blade to Demona. A sly smile on her face, Demon cut across her blue palm. Both women pressed their bleeding hands together.

"This is a custom. Blood oath, is it not?" Rayna asked.

"Yes. You are familiar with Gargoyle customs. I swear by the Great Mother of all Gargoyles that I speak truth... and you will be rid of the Time Lord filth that riddles your body. And I shall devote my primary purpose to stopping "

"I swear by Matrix I will speak to Hudson... and make him see your viewpoint. But beyond that..."

"We shall see..." she said. "Now... you shall meet Dominique... in a few hours. She will help as well..."

***********************************************************

"She could not have gone far, could she?" Brooklyn wondered. Hudson glided ahead, his expression darkly written across his grizzled countenance.

"Lass, where be ye?" he barked.

Beneath them, Bronx leapt from rooftop to rooftop. Angela kept pace with the grizzled Mentor, Lexington falling into formation beside her.

"It's almost dawn!" Brooklyn said. "Hudson, we can't keep this up..."

"I canna leave wi out finding her!" Hudson snarled. "Something's happened, I know it!"

"She's probably out of town..." Angela suggested.

"Nuh uh," Lex cut her off. "Mr. Xanatos wanted her to work on that latest report from the asteroid mining. So why would she cut out..."

"She was supposed t' give a lecture, she said so herself!" Hudson grunted, as he alit on a rooftop. "Why did she ha' tae go off like an idjit?"

"Because she felt responsible for her students," Brooklyn said, shaking his head. "You of all gargoyles should understand that..."

"Aye, but it makes no sense lad! Elisa ha' told her t' wait, blast it!"

"But maybe something else happened and she couldn't," Angela suggested.

Bronx had stopped, sniffing wildly in the air. "What did ye find boy..."

Brooklyn, Angela, then Lex dropped beside him. "Hudson..." Angela said, gripping his shoulder.

Hudson threw her hand off. "Bronx, ye got tae find the lass... come on boy..."

Bronx whined, wandering around the rooftop in confusion. "The trail's cold, Hudson," Brooklyn said. "That's why he's stopped..."

"Guys... it's like... five o'clock... If we don't get back now..." Lexington said.

"Curse it ye ye dinna think I don't know!" Hudson snapped at him. "Tis precisely why she must be found!"

"We don't know she's in danger... maybe she quit working for Xanatos..." Brooklyn said.

"She wuildnae wi' out telling us..." Hudson grunted. Angrily he folded his wings, gazing at the crimson bands creeping into the sky. A single star burned just above the expanding brightness stabbing into the night's darkest hour.

"Hey, I'm sure she's okay. What's gonna happen? I mean hey, she's probably stuck in..."

"You're not helping, Brook," Lex said.

"I know you care for her, Hudson," Angela said. "But we will keep looking, I promise..."

Hudson's reply was cut off as their skin hardened to stone. All four gargoyles froze in place.

***********************************************************

"Is all ready?" Dominique asked Sevarious.

"Yes," he said.

Rayna lay on the table, looking up at Eric Spellburg. "This won't hurt... I hope..."

"What do I do... Miss Destine?" Eric asked.

"After the Doctor injects his serum, you must chant the incantation as written. Use your magic to stop the body from healing... till the DNA is removed that was not belonging," Dominique instructed.

"Okay... I'm ready," Eric said.

Rayna felt a hiss of compressed steam poking her skin. Slowly the fluid sloshed within. Eric closed his eyes, gathering his energy.

"Easy boy. Easy does it," Dominique instructed. Slowly Rayna felt consciousness leaving her body, letting it drift away on a pink cloud. Softly Eric began to chant, holding the parchment before him.

Rayna groaned, feeling the odd burning energies seeping into her body. Slowly it slipped into its coma, her two hearts slowing, slowing. Her breath stopped, her temperature plummeted. One by one the lights in her brain drifted off.

"No..." she gasped, suddenly seeing the oddest images fleeing. A massive rush crashed into her brain. Old images whisked by... draining and spinning in an ever-expanding storm of voices that broke through.

**************************************************************

An eternity passed, or was it a nanosecond. Rising and falling gently on the tide, she surfaced. For a moment she felt herself weightless. Sharp flashes burst through the darkness. Floating forms in thick gooey liquid, a thousand wires seeping into a lump of bubbling flesh. Skin hardened, depositing layer upon layer within blue bubbles.

"It is almost complete..." cackled Sevarious' laugh.

"But that wasn't..." came Eric's voice.

"It is well done..." came Demona's cackle. "You have earned your freedom....."

"Thank you... Angel..."

"Angel?" Rayna wondered. But that wasn't her name.

************************************************

When Rayna came next to the consciousness of existence, she could not move. It felt as if she had been hardened stiff. Did lava encase her? Why had Demona put her on the rim of an active volcano? Her skin crawled, itching as if covered in sand. She couldn't breathe! Something hard encased her! She struggled, screaming into nothingness that entombed her alive.

Muffled voices came. "She cannot awaken!"

"Help her you fools!" came Demona's voice. There came a scrabbling sound. Was Demona digging her out of the lava? Lava, this made no sense!

Shards of stone fell from her face. At last, she inhaled deeply, her shriek ringing in the darkness. Piercing like a banshee's wail. Just before her moved strange shapes, their red eyes peering at her while their noses sniffled.

"Get back dolts! Give her some air!" Demona snapped, shooing them away. Rayna had to admit she was glad to see a familiar face. Any face...

"Can you hear me, Rayna?" Demona asked, peering into her face. For a moment, Rayna saw things in a crimson mist, a low moan escaping her throat. What was that red light that suddenly winked out. She felt odd, strangely energetic. A dust fell all around, choking her nose. Odd musky scents assaulted her nose.

"Don't try to move too quickly yet," Demona cautioned. "Raise your arms... good..."

"What... happened..." Rayna moaned. "Lava... hardening..."

A low chuckle filled the room. Red eyes blared in the dark, as a familiar figure strode up.

"Delightful. Most impressive, my love. Who is this ravishing beauty..."

"I present to you Rayna Vitreum, Thailog..."

"Thailog?" Rayna asked, wondering about the name. That tall figure stepped into the light, his red eyes glistening hungrily. A musky scent almost made her choke as it oozed from every pore on the ebony skin.

"You... are a clone," Rayna choked. She felt her knees give way, and pitched into Demona's arms.

"Easy now. There is no need to fear. I have you..." Demona whispered. She felt the solidness of the she-goyl, strange sensation of bare skin on hers. Very odd. Why did her hands feel so odd. It was as if her center of gravity was all wrong! Something itched on her shoulders, and Rayna lifted a hand. She froze, swearing she could see a claw flashing in direct unison with her movements. A light opalescent blue it was. Something twined around her ankle, refusing to let go. Demona slipped a claw under her, helping her to walk into the light. "Something is very wrong..." Rayna grunted. "My voice... the smells... my olfactory senses overwhelmed. Skin..."

She glanced down, seeing a shimmering blueness on her thighs. Her clothing was in shreds, hanging loose about her body. Odd. What was even more odd was she felt the floor under bare feet, but odd boots encased her legs, putting her height a little under Demona's. For before, the Female towered over her, but now she was perhaps a bit under Demona's height.

Realization hit her like a stone. She could not feel the pulse of a double heart. Her body felt hot, her hands tracing down the smooth blue bodysuit. Gargoyle claws ran up and down with dual sensation.

"Matrix..." Rayna got out. "What... has happened!"

A loud roar shot out of her throat. Again the crimson light flared from inside, painting the room in its blood red glow.

"By the Dragon," Demona said. "Come into the light..."

"What... have they done?" Rayna moaned, but her response came out as a piercing wail, which receded into a snarl.

"Stay here..." Demona cautioned. Rayna stepped after her, falling flat on her face over the large clawed toes. She felt like a dinosaur, as hard floor bashed her cheek. Instantly the odd clones were around her, sniffing and pawing her.

"Let me go!" she roared, claws slashing.

"Ah you have fight in you, my pretty," Thailog leered, towering over her. His hand gripped her claw, pulling her up. Still she tottered on those gargoyle feet, the ball of her feet contacting the floor. Something whipped around, feeling attached to her butt. It was a tail, she gripped in her hand. A light beryl color. Strange little bumps like a stegosaur's plates ran up

and receded to a spiked point of four long barbs. "Reptilian morphology..." she babbled. Her hands terminated in tapering claws, sharp and bony. Long hair hung chalky with dust. Her dust. Her stone skin!

Gasping, she felt something fluttering open. Wings. Membraned wings unfurled and raised upwards past her line of site to the side. Double membrane, in two sections, both a dark emerald green underneath. It almost knocked her off balance again.

There came a human cry, strangled off. At Thailog's feet fell a white-coated researcher. "Are you satisfied, you treacherous human?" Demona's voice dripped acid. Her eyes flared crimson, painting Sevarious' face in a red light.

"I did what you asked..."

"Traitor!" Demona snarled, sweeping him up by the neck. Rayna turned her head, hair whipping around as she broke away from Thailog. A low maniacal laugh echoed from the ebon version of Goliath.

"Let him go, my dear. The damage has been done. And we cannot afford to loose his services...." Thailog reminded her.

"As you wish," Demona sniffed, releasing her grasp. She let the geneticist thud to the floor, taking what little satisfaction she could from the sound of terror in his throat. Sevarious scuttled away into the shadows much like a crab escaping high tide.

"Oh Matrix," she babbled, sinking to the floor. She squatted on haunches, which seemed more comfortable then sitting on her bottom or reclining on her knees. That long tail she whipped, nearly tripping one of the Clones who rushed over her. Her claws covered her face, feeling hard bones under suede skin. As she felt her forehead, she contacted a series of strange bony protuberances. Much like spikes. In a sort of tiara shape, the middle point just above her nose sticking up and arching back over her hair. She still had the hair, soft and full in curling brown ripples.

"I am sorry. Sevarious betrayed us. He removed the foreign DNA, but his serum contained Gargoyle genetic material..." Demona's voice came, low and apologetic.

"Why?" Rayna got out of her choking throat.

"It's not a bad thing, what has happened," Demona continued. "Really, you will find in time that it is what you wanted. Look at me..."

Gently Demona pulled Rayna's talons from her face, her own eyes fixing into the geologist’s. "I know this is a shock. But you need not fear. You are my responsibility now. And I will not let you come to harm..."

"I... cannot... cannot..." Rayna babbled, her voice sounding like a pathetic sob.

"You may not see it now," Demona continued, tipping Rayna's head back with a claw to meet her eyes with the Geologists'. "But you are free of the alien DNA. When we removed it, you began to die. Sevarious grabbed a vial, laughing maniacally. But he did not tell me it contained my own genetic inheritance..."

"You... mean..."

"He plugged the holes with something. Anything. I thought he was going to clone your old sequences... the ones that were original, recessive. And plug the gaps in your genome," Demona lightly stroked Rayna's back. Still her wings hit the floor, as she struggled to keep them from flaring out of control. Everything felt so uncoordinated.

"Here, let me help. It is best if you fold your wings... like this..." Demona said, standing. "It's easy..."

Rayna watched as Demona unfolded her wings, the small claws reaching ceilingwards. Slowly she brought them around her shoulders, clasping one tiny claw around the wrist of the other limb. "It's like fastening a cloak..."

Rayna concentrated, furrowing what must be a brow ridge. It took much thought. But slowly her two limbs slipped, the tiny claws clasping below her throat. How natural it felt, almost like folding one's arms across their chest. It was in a sense. For Rayna surmised, the wings were a third set of limbs.

"Very good," Demona nodded, and slowly lifted Rayna to her shaky feet. "Come with me. There is much for you to learn if you are to be a gargoyle..."

"Is this... permanent then," Rayna glanced at her.

"I am afraid so. But you will see the advantages. In a way... we are sisters..."

"Your DNA," Rayna repeated.

"Joined in a blood oath."

"But the agreement..." Rayna stammered. "You promised..."

"I will not move my clan against Goliath's. Not now that I have you to help. To protect. And you will help my clan..."

"But... the Manhattan clan... they are my friends..."

"Have they made any effort to save you?" Demona asked her. "Why are they not here? If you are of

such value to them..."

"So hard... to think..." Rayna moaned. Her memory was fogged. "Post regenerative... amnesia..."

"Come, sister," Demona cooed softly. "There is much to learn..."

"Who are those?" Rayna asked, indicating the sorry figures clustering around them. "Clones of Goliath's... clan. To perpetuate the species?"

"You catch on well," Demona nodded approvingly. "But you see, I am the only female. Delilah ran away from us."

"But she said Thailog abused her."

"Thailog was foolish. He programmed the clones to be servile. He thought he did the same with Delilah. But she is smarter. Unfortunately, he knows little about how to teach Gargoyle Females. I tried to reason with him... but he was a stubborn fool..."

Four shuffled into view, following the two gargoyle females. "I smell.. Their pheromones..."

"Yes. Your sense of smell is greatly enhanced now. Hearing, vision. All these senses you did not have before..."

"As a Mantissan I did..."

"Perhaps," Demona said, hiding a look of revulsion. "But we must get you clothing. I have something that might work..."

"Go away you dolts," Demona sharply spoke to the small one, that looked like Lexington.

A low moan came from him as he said, "Mistress do not be mad... someone attacks us..."

"What?" Demona snapped, whirling on him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Attack?" Rayna asked.

A low rumbling shook the ground. Rayna toppled over, Demona steadying her. The clones looked about in confused panic.

"Don't just stand there, fools! Go to your posts!" Demona snapped. "Rayna, come with me. We must keep you safe..."

*****************************************

Outside the Mansion crackled gunfire. Black hooded figures fired their surplus guns into the walls of the ancient building. All around the property, the vans cordoned off the area, while helicopters battered the air overhead. From all sides and from overhead the black hooded figures aimed their weapons.

In the main helicopter, Castaway peered at Demona's Mansion through a cross hairs. He caressed the trigger lovingly. So close and yet so far.

"How many are in there?" he asked the woman to his left, once known as Fleance.

"It's shielded from our probes... but wait... I'm breaking through with the satellite enhancement... yes... there are four life signs on the upper level... and others lower down. Something is scurrying down around there!"

"We'll get that gargoyle bitch yet!" Castaway laughed. "There is no place you can hide from me, Demon!"

Turning to his henchman, Bruno, Castaway snapped, "Tell the main batteries to get out the tear gas!"

Smoke canisters dropped, some breaking glass as they hit the windows. Before long a green cloud rose from the building's upper stories.

"Rake with machine gun fire!" he laughed. "Anything that moves. But the Demon is mine!"

*****************************************************************

Rayna coughed, leaning heavily on Demona as they limped through the halls. The choking mist made it impossible to breath. Strangely, Rayna seemed not as affected. They managed to reach the stairwell, tromping past rooms crammed with artifacts.

Demona reached under a desk drawer, pulling out a gas mask. She pressed it to her face, then fished out one for Rayna. "Stay here..." she said, before diving into the fumes. Rayna leaned giddily against the ornate wooden highboy.

Where were the clones? She stumbled her way to an open window, and glanced up. A shot crackled inches from her shoulder, and she dove under a desk as the staccato increased in tempo. Bullets sponged, shattering glass in glistening shards.

Slowly she raised her head, and slipped to the wall. Ever so slowly she flattered herself against it, and edged to the now ruined window. Peering out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the chopper hovering overhead. Red rods shot towards it, from the Mansion itself. Of course, Demona would have her own defenses for a hideout like this.

"You fool you want to get killed?" Demona hissed from behind her, yanking her from the window. "They'll shoot at anything that moves!"

"Sorry," Rayna stammered. Demona pressed something into her hand.

"Then use this and help drive them off! I'm going to get the evacuation ready! Stand ready at the corner... and aim..."

"Wait, where are the clones?" Rayna asked.

"Thailog is rounding them up. Some are staying to cover our exit. Now when I tell you, fire!"

"But I don't..."

"Get ready," Demona hissed, ignoring Rayna's protests as she fumbled with the weapon. Quickly Demona leapt into view.

"Fire!" she screamed. A split second later her weapon discharged, a shot going off as she rolled away. Rayna's fingers fumbled on the trigger as she squeezed. A round discharged, the kickback blowing her ten feet into the middle of the room.

Something screamed, a loud boom and crackle sounded from outside. Rayna stumbled as the shockwave of fire slammed into the building, blowing in the next three windows down. Slowly she picked herself up, and looked around. Demona moved slowly towards her. Angry shouts and cries of anguish drifted from five floors below them.

"Well aimed, sister," Demona grinned. "Now let's make sure they are finished..."

"Is it necessary?" Rayna gasped, trying to steady her pounding heart. A gaping hole afforded a view of the sky. There was no chopper, but far below a flaming wreck collapsed in on itself. There seemed to be nothing moving within the mess of parts licked by flames. Other lasers had found their targets, as the vans were cut in two by the percussive force of the laser nests in the front yard.

"I don't think so..." Demona smiled slowly. "Now come with me. They still might try a frontal assault with hovercraft..."

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Castaway's face lit up in horror as two of his choppers exploded. The third veered off to a safe distance. Quarrymen vans began to light up like a string of firecrackers, one exploding after another. Dozens of black robed figures leapt out of the fray, retreating from the Mansion.

"What now? They're kicking our asses!" Bruno grunted.

"Turn that place into a smoking crater!" Castaway snarled. He elbowed Bruno aside, gripping the trigger. "Get me in close..."

"But boss!"

"Do it! That Demon has done her last foul deed! And I shall have my revenge! This ends now!"

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Demona and Rayna gasped in horror as the chopper roared right towards them. Both gargoyles raised their rifles, aiming for the main piston.

Red lights discharged, missing only narrowly. "We have to get out of here!" Rayna cried. Demona nodded gravely, pulling her after.

"I thought you said the Clones were defending us..."

Just then, an odd series of shapes shot forth, circling the advancing chopper. They appeared very much like Goliath's clan. An ebon shape swooped close in, aiming a rocket launcher. There came a loud boom as the missile spiraled towards the tail.

Only to miss. Rayna froze, watching as the chopper began to spiral out of control, whirling closer and closer.

Her next memories exploded into a haze of sparks. She heard Demona's anguished cry, feeling something solid slamming into her and pushing her out the ruined wall. Open air exploded onto her back, something catching her around the waist to stop her fall. Glancing up she saw Demona gripping her, wings extended and straining to arrest their descent.

Eyes gleamed behind tiny slits, dozens clustering around. Demona could not hold her weight to glide successfully.

Sheets of flame shot around them. Sounds of sizzling hammers festered their ears. Both females crumpled to the soft wet grass of Demona's front lawn.

"At last Demon... it ends tonight. For you and your spawn!"

"Noo!" Demona's banshee howl drowned out the snarls of triumph. Rayna felt herself staggering to stand, taloned feet digging into the ground. Ever so gently, the earth seemed to rock under the toes. Slowly she helped Demona to stand, glaring at all the black suited terrors.

Fear shot through her as suddenly as each hammer swung closer and closer. The ring slowly closed around the two gargoyle females. Demona's fangs bared, her claws swiping in mad circles. Rayna choked back the pounding of her single heart that seemed to have moved somewhere into her throat, her own eyes flaring crimson.

"Now you see what the humans do to my kind... our kind?" Demona growled to Rayna. "We must fight for our lives if we are to survive..."

Both females stood tail to tail, their claws raised to fight for their very existences. Cracks snaked into the pavement as a low rumbling split the night. Very slowly the ground heaved, as if gasping its last. Snarls and scrapes against black polymer armor ensued, leaping lightly on taloned feet away from the sizzling arcs.

A hammer pounded into Rayna's back, the electricity arcing over her. A loud scream, the echo of Demona's sounded through her throat. Under her feet the ground vibrated, heaving and bucking. Was it the ground, or her swimming head. Consciousness spiraling into the shouts and screams as pavement cracked and shifted. The earth itself quaked like a massive gelatin mold.

Then oblivion sounded, and Rayna knew no more. Her awareness snapped into the blackness around her...

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End of part 2! Find out what happens in Part 3, Second Metamorphosis