Rated PG13 for some language and mature situations.

Last Rest Denied

Part 2: Hot Zones

Written by: Trynia Merin

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Synopsis by [email protected]

"Care to explain what the hell is going on here?" Talon asked no one in particular.

Mona sniffed the air curiously. "Can I see the victims? I might be able to help..."

"What can you do?" Talon asked

"Please, let her help," Rayna said. "She might have a unique perspective on the disease..."

"What are the symptoms," Mona asked as she moved up to Talon and Rayna.

"Pallid skin, rashes..." Maggie ticked off on her fingers. "They just keep dropping like flies..."

Angela also followed, a bit surprised at how quickly Mona was taking charge. Talon stormed after her, still demanding an explanation. A mass of convulsing crowd shuddered. Rashes spread over white and tanned skin. Moans rose up in a collective din as the small group entered the main chamber. Jaws clenched and unclenched spasmodically, muffling the chorus of pain.

"Let her try," Angela gripped his arm as Maggie showed Mona the makeshift infirmary, down one side passage. A number of cots and mattresses had been set up, with nearly the whole floor covered with the ill.

Mona leaned down by one woman, who glanced up at her with frightened eyes. "Shh, it's okay," Mona whispered, carefully glancing into her eyes and examining the skin. The woman trembled, her jaw clenched spasmodically. A frown came over her face.

"How long has this been going on?" she turned to Talon, who stood near her with hands on his hips.

"About the last two days..." he shrugged. "But that doesn't explain why the hell..."

"Nepharyn 4," she whispered. "Toxic, deadly to humans. Smells like apples..."

"What?" Maggie asked.

"Nepharyn 4?" Rayna frowned. "Mona, are you certain?"

"Yes..."

"It looks like tetanus to me," Talon snorted.

"Then how would you account for the odor?" Mona whirled on him.

"Whatever. But if they die, you're responsible!" Talon pointed. He stormed off towards a side chamber, for two figures had suddenly moved into the throng, an Indian man, thin boned with a plump black woman at his side. They moved to Talon, embracing him. Mona and Rayna began to look at the other victims. The more she examined, the more concerned she got.

"What is she doing here!" Elisa Maza suddenly snapped. She had just come in, with Maria Chavez.

"Exactly why I want you..."

"Mom, Dad... Derek?" Elisa rushed up to them. "What are you doing here?"

"Get them out of here, this instant!" Mona cried, rushing up to Elisa and Maria. "This disease is..."

"Who is that..." Diane and Peter Maza turned from their Son, seeing the female gargoyle rushing up to them.

"Mona..." Chavez got out as the gargress approached them.

"You have to get them out of here! This disease is lethal to humans..." Mona shouted. "This place must be sealed off at once..."

"Elisa, who is that, and what is..." Diane got out as she suddenly dropped the stack of blankets she was carrying. Suddenly she started to cough, and convulse, dropping to the floor.

"Mom!" Derek and Elisa shouted, as she collapsed.

"Let me through!" Mona pushed past them. Elisa blocked her, but Chavez pulled her aside, as Rayna restrained Talon. Mona dropped to Diane's side, quickly looking her over. Diane's hands clamped on her throat as she began to convulse.

Grimly Peter Maza gripped his wife, sweat on his hands as he cried, "Diane! Can you talk... say something..."

Her face flushed blue, and Peter desperately tried to lay her flat. Mona helped pushed her down, clearing her air passage. "She's not breathing!" Peter shouted.

"Get me some epinephrine, now!" Mona shouted. Maggie scuttled off quickly to the medicine cabinet.

"Diane, hold on!" cried Peter, steadying her as Mona listened.

"No breathing," she whispered, and tipped Diane's head back. Inhaling deeply she gave a rapid breath. Peter clamped to find a pulse.

"No pulse!" he gasped.

"Start CPR!" Mona muttered, and continued to breathe. Peter didn't even stop to think that this was an inhuman gargress. He crossed his fingers, feverishly pressing down on his wife's chest.

"Mom... get away from her!" shouted Elisa.

"Shut up!" Chavez hissed. "She's saving her life..."

"Let me go!" Talon shouted. Then Maria Chavez looked at him peculiarly.

"Derek, is that you?" she asked.

"Yes... I mean no... I mean that's not important now, my mother's dying..." he snapped.

"She's saving her life!" Chavez repeated, and then looked at him in shock. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Dr. Sevarious," he growled.

"Captain... are you just going to stand there and..." Elisa cried.

"Maza, shut up, and that's an order. And you, Talon, Derek... where is that epinephrine..."

"Right here!" Maggie rushed up, giving it to Mona.

"Take over," Mona shouted to Talon. He stopped at his mother's side, taking over the rescue breathing automatically. Elisa stood numbly to one side, Maria's hand on her shoulder.

"Get them out of here!" Mona shouted. "It's not safe for humans! And someone get some isolation suits and seal this place off pronto! Call Xanatos!"

"I'll do that right now!" Angela nodded, and rushed towards a phone.

"Come on!" Rayna pulled Elisa and Peter Maza away. They were put into a side room, which was separated from the main chamber by a glass barrier.

Diane coughed, glancing up into the faces of the gargress and her son. Elisa turned as she fought against Rayna, who struggled to push her and her father away.

"Captain!" shouted Elisa, as Peter Maza pulled his daughter away. The rest of the hour faded into a blur as Mona and Derek worked over her mother.

Meanwhile, Mona slipped up Diane's shirt. Quickly she inserted the needle into Diane's chest, right between the breastbone and two ribs. Her taloned thumb did not shake as she pressed the plunger home. Talon continued to give rescue breathing to his mother, as Maggie moved in to continue the chest compressions. Angela had reached Fox at the castle by now, and Chavez was anxiously waiting nearby as Rayna moved to seal off the room with plastic draperies.

"Ria you shouldn't be down here..." said Rayna as Chavez helped her to fix the next set of seals. All the air had to be pumped out. Steel Clan robots already tromped in, laying their medical supplies down. Huge plastic draperies and a stack of suits were slowly accumulating.

"I know... but you need all the help you can get..." said Maria. "And don't you think it's weird that I haven't been affected, while Diane and Peter have?"

"You only just got here..."

"Ray, I've been here for fifteen minutes, and I'm fine..." she said. Elisa and Peter were waiting tensely in the small side room, while Maggie had pumped them full of epinephrine. Already Elisa and Peter were starting to convulse. Only the injections had calmed them enough so they could watch Mona's ministrations on Diane. Who was now laying on a cot, breathing. Talon pulled up an oxygen tank, securing the mask over his mother's face. Mona continued to check her pulse, wiping sweat from her crested brow. Odd, that look in her eyes was nothing but pure concern.

"I need a centrifuge, and a blood sample. I've got to make an isolation of the antigens in my own blood, and try and make an extract..."

"But you're a gargoyle!"

"Nepharyn 4 is a toxic gas, that mimics Ebola and Tetanus. It's a nerve gas, and all I need to do is isolate the agents from my blood..."

"It's too risky!" he snapped.

Chavez moved over, leaning at them.

"Maria, you shouldn't be in here without a suit!" Mona scolded her.

"I think I have your source of serum," said Rayna. "She's been in contact with the Nepharyn 4 for half an hour and she's still all right..."

"Why is that?" Talon demanded. "And why aren't we affected?"

"Nepharyn is ineffective against Gargoyles and Sevarious mutates," said Mona. "Now get me a syringe..."

"Already here," Rayna handed her a plastic wrapped one, her claws already wrapped in rubber gloves.

"Still I think it's better Ria, if you take some epinephrine ASAP," said Mona to her. She nodded, as Mona prepared a shot. Rayna fixed up the syringe, rubbing Mona's inner elbow as she plunged in the syringe, and pulled out a sample. Shortly she did the same for Chavez, the red blood seeping quickly into the demarcated lines.

"I hate shots..." Maria muttered, as Mona thrust a needle into her upper shoulder quickly. "But since you're taking stuff out..."

"Got it," Rayna quickly took both tubes, and rushed off to the makeshift laboratory further down. Plastic rustled distantly as she entered the airlock.

"Now, get out of here, pronto," Mona pleaded. "There's no good in you becoming affected..."

"I've always been a quick healer," Chavez remarked, and then felt a bit dizzy.

"The Nepharyn might not affect you now, but it will in time... you are only human after all," Maggie pleaded, and helped her friend into the room where Elisa and Peter were sequestered.

"By the way," Talon gruffly muttered to Mona.

"What?"

"Thanks."

"No problem. But it remains to be seen if this will help."

"She wouldn't be alive now if you didn't," Talon folded his arms. "But it had better work..."

"For everyone's sake," Mona nodded, glancing up at him.

Mrs. Jones admitted the Latino woman in. "She is here... Mrs. Florez. I assume you got her phone call..."

"You bet I did! Puercos!" Spat Maya. "So where is she..."

"In the library studying..."

"Good. At least your employer has the good sense t' keep her nose in the books. Speaking of... is he in?"

"As a matter of fact...."

"Mrs. Jones... who is it?" came a Scottish accented voice from the side room. Lennox MacDuff strode in casually, comfortably dressed in his usual academic outfit.

"Signora, a pleasure as always. Dinna worry... she's all right..."

"That's what I wanted to know. What happened..."

"Right this way..." Macbeth said. Then turned to Mrs. Jones. "Could you bring my evening coffee into the drawing room this time? Make it for two..."

"Certainly, Mr. MacDuff..."

As he led her in, he noticed her glancing up at the stained glass window thoughtfully. Macbeth was beginning to wonder if that was more trouble then it was worth!

"Quite a place you have, Senior," she turned to look at him when they sat down.

"It's been my home for quite some time..."

"So who was it... and what was it. The details..."

"Cesar Ramierez," said Macbeth slowly. A dark look crept into Maya's face.

"Caramba! I told her that the boy was nothing but trouble! Just like his father, and grandfather."

"Cesar family? why do they all bring trouble."

"And the death of old friends of mine, killed during their stone sleep, back in Cuba..."

"You knew the Havana Clan?!" Macbeth gasped. For a moment his steely grey eyes widened in shock. They stared at Maya, struggling for recognition. What was it about her that seemed so damned familiar?

"As you did yourself and Rayna, amigo." Maya finally said. A twinkle came into her eyes when she saw Macbeth's battle to remember an elusive wisp of memory.

"Pica?!? is that ye, lass?!" Macbeth suddenly asked. It all made sense now!

"In the flesh, Mac..." she laughed. "Been a long time..."

"I scarcely believed it was you..." he gasped, taking her hand. "Tis been nearly fifty years!"

"And you aren't a day older, are you, Lennox MacDuff?" she asked with a knowing wink.

"Well er..." he fumbled.

"Or should I say, Lennox MacLaren? Or Macbeth?"

"Point taken," he nodded. Mrs. Jones quietly brought coffee in, and set the tray before them.

"That's fine, Mrs. Jones. Could ye see we are not disturbed for quite a while?" he waved her with a smile.

"Of course sir. But what about Miss Dominguez?"

"Make sure she has what she needs t' be comfortable. I'll check on her myself straight away."

"Certainly."

"As a matter of fact, why don't you go ahead and go home for the night. I'm quite fine as it is..."

"Thank you!" Mrs. Jones said, a bit surprised. "But Mrs. Florez..."

"Is more then welcome to stay as well," he nodded.

"I'll get another room ready before I leave then sir?"

Both friends soon tucked into the shortbread and fruitcake his housekeeper had brought. The hot coffee washed each bite down between words of conversation.

"But what ever happened to Rayna?" Maya asked him later.

"We... parted on rather odd terms. She.. vanished without a trace in a plane accident... and I thought for certain I would never see her again. I had... lost hope that she would ever be found alive. But then... she returned about three years ago, as a professor of geology in San Francisco."

"But aren't you two professor at the same University now?"

"Aye. But I had gotten on with my life, and so had she. The feelings were still there, but I had come to know that she had suffered her own loses... and things could never be the same..."

She sighed. "Ah, what a shame. But Lucia is quite taken with you now, isn't she?"

"I have deep affection for your niece," Lennox said softly. Grey eyes softened as they regarded Maya.

"I can see that. So you fancy her, eh?"

"Indeed I do," Macbeth admitted. "She is an extraordinary young woman. You should be most proud of her."

"And you see yourself going on to the next level... in this... relationship?"

"I assure you my intentions are purely honorable," Macbeth reiterated, sipping his coffee slowly.

"Mm hmm," Maya nodded. "So where is she now?"

"Resting," Macbeth said. "This way..."

Lucia buried her face in the pillow, sobbing even when Macbeth had carried her gently upstairs. He had lain next to her for close to an hour, kissing away her doubts. Till at long last she fell fast asleep, and he left her to sleep off her ordeal.

Now that Maya had come, Macbeth thought it best to risk waking her. Slowly he strode into the room, its ornate furniture shadowed in cool darkness. It was not the Master bedroom, but a smaller nicely furnished guestroom with a full bed instead of a king.

"Lucia, m'dear," he whispered, leaning over her on the bed as Maya joined him. Gently he brushed a hand through her dark locks, stroking softly as he lay a kiss on the back of her neck. She still wore the long skirt and floral blouse she'd gone to campus in, her platform sandals on the floor by the bed.

"Mmn," she moaned, shaking her mass of curls as she turned over. Macbeth pressed a kiss to her lips gently.

"It's all right. Yer safe here. And ye have a visitor..."

"Chia," Maya whispered, leaning over Macbeth's shoulder. "I'm here..."

"Aunt Maya," she gasped. Panic filled her face when she sat up abruptly.

"I heard all about what that bastard did. And I swear he won't get away with it!" Maya gritted her teeth. She noticed the nasty bruise on her niece's cheek, and the bruise marks that swelled on her caramel flesh, where Cesar had grabbed her arms fiercely.

"Auntie no!" she shivered. Macbeth held her gently, as she trembled against his chest.

"This is war," Maya glared. "You must tell Maria..."

"But the police already know," said Lucia. "Molly told them..."

"That's something," Maya snorted.

"But if Aunt Maria knows... she'll stop at nothing..." Lucia stammered.

"Exactly. It's time those Puercos get what they deserve."

"I am sure Captain Chavez will do her utmost to help," said Macbeth, looking at her carefully. "If I know her..."

"You know?" Maya looked at him.

"Yes," he nodded.

"I don't want to be the cause of more violence," Lucia snapped. Macbeth's grip tightened around her.

"We must fight this," Maya nodded. Macbeth shared her steely defiance.

"I'm so tired of the fighting," Lucia cried. "First Carlos, then Keith and Sharon almost go... then Rayna... and now... me..."

"Sleep m'love," he whispered, hushing her. "Jest sleep. It'll all be look a sight better in the morning..."

Laying on a cot, Chavez glanced out at Mona, who continued to inject the fallen victims. Yawning, she climbed to her feet. Slowly she kicked off the high-heeled shoes, slipping her feet into the cheap disposable slippers that had come with the hospital gowns and other various supplies provided by Xanatos. Elisa slept fitfully, near Peter Maza. Rayna tirelessly schlepped tray after tray of the anti nerve gas serum.

The last few hours vanished into the tune of whirring centrifuges, clanking test tubes, and silent whispers of injection plungers. Walking up to her friend, Maria gripped her shoulder.

"You okay Ray? You're looking a little rough around the edges... let me take over..."

"Ria, I'm glad you're still all right..."

"No worse for wear. But Mona..."

"Is a real trooper, as you'd say."

"Let me help with this round..." Maria offered, and followed her friend out into the main infirmary.

"Nice footwear, Ria," Rayna pointed to her slippers.

"Oh, the latest down here... and less murder on the feet then my pumps. But look, there's something I've been wondering about. Why haven't I been affected?"

"I have a few ideas about that," Rayna muttered.

"Ray, Ria," Mona sighed, as she saw her friends beginning the next round of injections. "Good... how many more..."

"Twelve more in the last few hours. Talon's bringing them all in here..."

"So this Nepharyn 4, you know all about it," Rayna muttered. "Strange thing, since I only knew it existed in 2145, Mars Colony, when the Free Earth society used it to attempt a hostile takeover of Lowell City..."

"It did exist... in 2020," said Mona. "Which makes me wonder why it was here and now..."

"Yes," Chavez nodded. "Is it possible it could have been invented and you didn't know about it?"

"No. Dr. Sevarious had just developed it when it hit the Labyrinth..."

"Isn't it funny that it just suddenly hits when you showed up?" Chavez asked, her cop instincts kicking in. "I mean you only just arrived yesterday..."

"Oh shit," Mona muttered.

"You're not thinking what I think you are?" Rayna asked.

"Dr. Sevarious..." Chavez asked. "In this... time... could he have developed this nerve gas earlier maybe..."

"No... impossible..." Mona muttered.

"Unless..." Rayna muttered, her eyes widening in horror. Mona shared her look.

"Wait a minute, you don't think that..." Chavez picked up on their meaning.

Turning over, she struggled once again to wrap herself in sleep. No end of weird dreams paraded through her head, those last memories of prom night reforming. Black silk upon caramel skin whispered under his fingers. His words were soft and gentle coaxing. A hushed cry sounded from her lips, which was followed by a shout of pain as he thrust home. He did not let her adjust to his size and stiffness. That strange excitement built up and spilled over as tears slipped from her cheeks. Grunting, he moved off and asked her why she was crying.

"Hey you, don't cry! That's not allowed!"

"It was so... so..."

"Come on now, girl! You really are a virgin! What do I have t' do, make ya sleep with a hundred other guys before I break ya in?"

His words were said in jest, but they stung. She flinched and pulled away.

"Now look, you are gonna want this, so make it worth both our whiles okay..."

"You want me to sleep with others?" she snapped. "Other men? Like some kind of whore?"

"Don't even catch me seeing you think about being with another man," he snapped.

"Cesar I didn't mean..." she stammered.

"You're my girl, okay?" Cesar continued, and his voice rose steadily in pitch and volume.

"But Cesar... why did you say if you didn't mean it..." she started to cry. Anger broiled over his sweating face as Cesar raised his hand high. Hot tears spurting down her cheeks, she pushed him away.

"Hey now... I was only joking," he flubbed, and roughly grabbed her shoulder. "Look, you got no sense of humor... I didn't' mean it..."

"You didn't? But why did you say it then?"

"You're just tired. Let's just get some sleep now..."

Tears formed on her cheeks, and at that moment she wished she was anywhere but by his side. Even as he lay with his back to hers, butt pressed up against hers she flinched away. Till somewhere in sleep he pulled her roughly to himself with his arms wound possessively around her. Mingled comfort and sickness welled up in her stomach. Only now did she realize why. The next time or the next after that she had thought nothing serious would explode, till that time he had raised his hand...

"Bitch, how dare you look at another man!"

"I didn't do anything! Carlos and I... we were just talking..."

"You don't talk to other men, you don't look at them! You're mine!"

"I don't belong to you! I'm not a jacket or a wallet or a car, damn you!" she screamed. "Why are you doing this! I didn't mean..."

"Liar!" he hollered. A sickening smack crossed her face, and she landed with a thump on the bed, her tears smarting hot out of her eyes.

"I'm not a liar!" she screamed. Suddenly she felt her face flush hot with anger. His scowl, and that laugh grated her ears. Something inside her exploded that had not be let loose before this. How dare he!

"You're the one with the problem!" she screamed, and threw herself on him, nails raking against his face.

"I did nothing! Nothing!"

Lucia felt herself surfacing out of what seemed a black pit. Her fist slammed against wood, the pain spreading into her hands.

"Bastard!" she screamed. "How dare you! How dare you!"

Realization hit as her eyes took in the blur of morning dawn. Here she was, in a queen-sized bed, legs tangled in sheets. Silk clung to her sweaty body like a second skin, and she almost lost her balance as she landed into thick soft pillows again. Her knuckles throbbed, and then she realized she had hit the ornate headboard. Sense tumbled in. She was safe, far away from him and his slaps and accusations.

Wait, she had not remembered that right? If only she had hit him back... scratched out those leering eyes that reproached her, would he have stopped? What if she had squeezed that accusing throat which only uttered lies? When his stinging slaps and hurtful words had seared her, why didn't she fight back?

"Why didn't I fight back?" she asked, voice a frightened sob as she curled up on the bed. "Why?"

"You mean to say that Dr. Sevarious... your Doctor Sevarious... might be here in this timeline also?" Maria asked.

Rayna moaned. "Great Rassilon this was enough of a headache..."

"Wait, can't this world's Sevarious have invented the gas yet?" Maria suggested.

Rayna shook her head, "Nope. It would involve nanotechnology more advanced than the Matrix is, which is currently the top."

Mona sighed, and then felt the odd changes coming over her. She winced, her face contorting in pain. Inside it felt as if she were being ripped apart. "Ahh... ergg..."

"Mona..." Maria gripped her arm.

"It's... all right..." she gasped, inhaling as the pain subsided. Before their eyes, her skin flushed pink, the wings shrinking like deflating balloons as they retreated under her halter-top. High arched feet twisted back into human ones, with five toes. Extra fingers sprouted from her hands, as they were human again.

"I'm okay really," she assured them.

"Madre de Dios you have to go through that every day?" Maria asked, holding her hand tightly.

"Yes. I'm used to it by now..."

"So Sevarious... your Sevarious is here then," Rayna reiterated.

"Damn..."

"I hate to think of what he's got planned. But how did he escape, if you say my universe was destroyed... unless Lexington used that dimensional teleporter..."

"Dimensional teleporter," Rayna muttered. "This is even worse then I thought... dammit!"

"So you mean there are more doubles out there?" Maria scratched her head. "Damn is right!"

"I am sorry... I may have well endangered us all..." Mona shook her head.

"Chica, you couldn't have planned everything," Maria rubbed her back. "Stop taking the weight of this world on your shoulders..."

"She's right," Rayna nodded. "Last time I tried that I almost had a nervous breakdown..."

"Ray, why am I immune, if Dr. Sevarious hadn't invented this gas yet?" Maria asked.

"Good question," Mona also glanced at Rayna, who coughed.

"Well... it's rather... complicated..." Rayna coughed.

"Ray, you shouldn't be ashamed," Maria scolded her. "Mona's a friend."

"Wait... were you two... involved?" Mona asked, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Many moons ago, ancient history," Ray coughed.

"Oh, you stinker," Mona nudged Maria, who was smiling broadly.

"Don't tell me you're ashamed of what we had," Maria whacked Ray on the knee.

"Not at all I just didn't know if Mona here was into that sort of thing..."

"Come on I've been alive for a thousand years!" Mona groaned. "I've seen everything! It would explain why you're' immune, Maria..."

"It wasn't what you think of automatically..." Rayna coughed. "It has to do with a blood transfusion, I gave her... a few years back..."

"You mean when I had that gunshot wound... when I made Detective Sergeant?" Chavez asked. "Ray here donated two pints of blood. I've got a rare type, AB-... and Ray here was the only donor available..."

"I was reluctant, for I'm not exactly human," said Rayna. "Not that I wouldn't give anything to help Ria... but I was afraid certain questions would be asked. You see, Time Lord blood has many similarities to human blood, but transfusions tend to alter the body chemistry of the recipient. Ria... that would explain why you're immune to Nepharyn 4. Your immune system is centuries advanced compared to other humans."

"Why?" Chavez asked.

"Time Lord DNA has coding for regeneration. Our bodies are capable of entering a coma that enables healing. Also we can sustain great damage to our bodies, above and beyond Human capabilities."

"So you mean I have your blood..." Chavez asked.

"Holy..." Mona muttered.

"Which means Ria, you could well live a rather longer life then you'd been expecting..."

"How long?" Chavez asked.

"Two hundred years... at least," Rayna hung her head. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you... but I wasn't sure of the impact of human and Timelord blood transfusions..."

"Holy shit," Chavez muttered, the reality of Rayna's words sinking in. "I will... be around for a while then..."

"You make it seem like a bad thing," Rayna said, gripping Chavez' knee.

"Well I guess you'll have to put up with me for another 2 centuries," Chavez shook her head.

"Speaking of which, why haven't you turned to stone?" Maria Chavez asked Rayna, who looked at them both oddly.

"I... don't know..." Rayna glanced at them both, in shock.

"Lass?" someone shook her shoulder. Sleep passed away again from her like a curtain. All around her the morning hues painted the room a soft white and pink. "Lucia?"

"Lennox?" she stammered, turning over to face him. Tear swollen eyes looked into his soft steely gaze.

"Whist ye have ye been crying yet again?" he asked. The bed shifted while Lennox sat on the edge of it. Reassuringly his hip brushed against her blanketed one.

"I'm sorry I can't stop..." she glanced.

"What are ye apologizing for?" he asked, slipping a hand over her cheek as she looked away. "There's na need for it... trust me..."

"If only I had fought back whenever he hit me..." she threw off his gentle touch, burying her face in the pillow. "Why did I just sit there and let him..."

"Lucia, it wasn't yer fault," he said. "Dinnae dare think it was! If anyone is at fault it is he. He's the one with the problem! By nature or nurture he learned that hitting women was socially acceptable, even though God knows he has nae right!"

"Why don't I believe it... I want to but yet I keep thinking if I had said something differently... or done something differently..."

"Yer safe nau," Lennox stroked her back. Again the bed shifted when he lay down next to her and embraced her from behind.

"Why didn't I hit him back? I could have... for Pete's sake! But I just sat there like a coward... and let him hit me!"

"Don't even say such things, my love," Lennox shushed her. "You had nae warning of what he was to do. Trust me when I say yer no coward, but a very brave lass for recognizing that it was a bad relationship."

"He's still there..." she stammered. "When I go back... I'll have to face him... eventually..."

"You have nothing to fear from him as long as I have anything to say about it..."

"I feel awful getting you involved in this..." Lucia sobbed against him. "Your academic career could be at stake! There's no telling what lengths those bastards will go to to ruin you! If they find out that I'm here... there's no telling what scandal! I should have never..."

"Lucia, look at me," Lennox gripped her chin. She whimpered, not able to meet her gaze with his.

"Lennox... it's my fault..."

"Please... look me in the face... lass..." he urged, tilting her chin so her eyes fixed into his. "If ye need t' remain here for a few days, you're more then welcome, till you determine what course of action to take..."

"But I can't just hide here, when he's there. Getting away with this!"

Lucia gripped Macbeth's hand.

"Och lass ye need time t' gather yer strength..." he shook his head. Still he fingered her chin gently.

"Even if I do stay, I feel like I'm running away from my problems..." Lucia sighed.

"The decision to remain or take your leave is yours, and I trust your judgment. But remember you are not alone in this predicament. I doubt sincerely this Cesar will stop his foolishness..."

"I don't know what to do, Lennox," she glanced at him. "Part of me wants to stay here, and forget it ever happened. But the dreams just keep coming. I find myself asking a million times why I didn't just leave him..."

"Ye should be proud of yourself for leaving him when you did. You showed maturity and wisdom by removing yourself from a detrimental relationship, when many lasses your age might have persisted."

"I know that, Lennox," she sighed, as he wrapped her in his arms. Still, he lay beside her on the bed, her chest pressed up against him. Only the blanket separated her from him. Strange how he was fully clothed, and she was in her nightgown. "But it doesn't help me feel that much better. I just wish I had done something... that I didn't feel so helpless now."

"Perhaps I can remedy the situation," he smiled mischievously.

"You've already done so much..." she sighed, kissing him gently before his ear. Lightly she ran her tongue along the outside, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from him.

"Well, That wasn't what I was going to suggest, even though I'm perfectly willing to..." he sighed. "But after all, you are her niece, and both guests in my home..."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Self defense," Macbeth said. "So no one will dare lay a hand on you again..."

"Really? You would! Oh you're wonderful!" she seized his face and planted a firm kiss. He deepened her gesture slowly, deliciously moving his mouth over hers. It was the first time in so many hours she had not flinched at his touch. Even though she knew he meant no harm, the trauma of Cesar's visits had unleashed a slew of bad memories.

"Won't my aunt... wonder why you're not down there eating breakfast by now?" she laughed when they pulled apart to breathe.

"I had best see that yer aunt is enjoying her repast..." Macbeth reluctantly pulled out of her embrace. "And that there is indeed some left for us..."

"Hmm," she laughed. "I'll be right down!"

"Mona!" Chavez gasped, as her friend suddenly began to convulse. "Ray! Something's happened to Mona!"

"Damn it!" Ray spat out, resorting to a very human expletive. "I should have foreseen this!"

A rash began to spread over Demona's face, flushing it an ashy tinge. She wheezed, her heart pounding fast in her chest.

"Epinephrine!" Ray cried, as Maria grabbed the hypodermic. Without hesitation, Ray shredded the shirt to expose part of her bare white chest. Grimly Maria slipped the needle in betwixt the breastbone and two ribs.

Just then, Rayna gasped. "I... can't... stop it..."

Before their eyes Rayna's skin fused to pure stone. Still she held Demona in her talons, upright and gasping.

"Shit," Maria muttered. She jammed the plunger down, hoping and praying she had the heart. Human anatomy in college seemed like a distant memory. Head thrown back against Rayna's stone chest, Mona gasped desperately for breath.

"Hang on girl, hang on!" Chavez firmly shook her. Quickly she grabbed the automatic inoculation gun, fitting in a new cartridge for the anti-gas agent. Unfortunately such a thing couldn't be used for the epinephrine, for it had to go directly into the heart, below a cage of bone. She jammed the muzzle of the inoculation gun into Mona's clenching arm. There was a "phutt" of compressed air as Chavez pulled the pneumatic trigger.

Eyes rolling into the back of her head, Mona shuddered. Within seconds her quaking muscles subsided to gentle twitches. Rayna's stone talons held her upright. Maria Chavez did her best to ease Mona out of the stony grip and onto a palate. Even though her friend knew she would be all right because of the toxin, there was no guarantee that something else might not go wrong. After all, she had just been hit. The others down here had enough treatments.

"Easy girl... I'm getting you help..." she urged, and rushed out into the main corridor. "Talon! Maggie! Get me Fox! Mona's been hit..."

"What..." Maggie almost dropped the tray of water bottles she was schlepping into the temporary ward.

"Mona... when she transformed... she got hit..." Maria huffed. Stopping, she hugged her chest as she caught her breath.

"Didn't you give her the anti toxin?" Maggie asked.

"Yes... but she's slipped into some sort of sleep..."

"She should be all right... but I'll call Fox at the building to be sure..." said Maggie, rushing to the phone. "Stay with her..."

NYU, that next day:

Cesar Ramirez was just getting settled into the fraternity. It wasn't easy for a mid semester transfer, but he had succeeded in the best way. With his new brothers.

Angrily he thought of wiping blood from his face, cursing redheaded, uppity Irish women. They could not mind their own business. Although in passing glance that girl Molly was rather a nice treat to the eyes. Good hips and nice ass. But Lucia, was whom his desire burned for. The gargoyle lover. Maybe he could have Molly as an added bonus, or share her once this was done.

Oh he'd seen her picture in that rally. Amongst those students. How sweet it would have been to be the one to convince her of her error. But she was corrupted now, and had to be reeducated slowly, carefully.

"You okay, man?" Arthur Davidge asked him.

"Yeah... just a little setback..."

"Yo, why don't we go for a pizza and a brew. There's a good place on campus..."

"All right. But I have a stop to make first... you know that girl..."

"Your girlfriend? Sure. I take it she wouldn't listen..."

"No..."

"Well, then, she's been brainwashed by those gargoyle lovers. We might need some more persuasion..."

"Yes... have anything in mind?"

"I heard from Roger Doyle that she often runs to the park. Maybe we can find her there. If not, we can catch her this afternoon when she shows up for work at the Javastop."

"That's what I was thinking..." Cesar nodded. Both roommates readied themselves, slipping their jackets on overtop of what equipment they concealed.

They all ate breakfast in the "drawing room". Large French windows overlooked his garden, and the large forest in back.

"I'd best be going now," Maya Florez announced. She daintily wiped her mouth with the real cloth napkin on her lap.

Lucia was just working on her second plate of scrambled eggs and fruit salad. She reached for another croissant from the abundance on the plate to once side.

"Volunteering again, Auntie?" she asked.

"Our friends need lots of help, considering they have had a strange illness come over them. But I've had it on good authority that someone recognized it an is even now pulling the worst of them out of it?"

"May I inquire the institution?" Macbeth asked, after a sizable draught of orange juice. The pitcher was filled with fresh squeezed juice, which was thick with sweet pulp.

"A homeless shelter," she shrugged.

"Come nau, no secrets between friends," Macbeth laughed good-naturedly. Putting down his juice glass he reached for the coffeepot. "Can I freshen that up for you Senora?"

"No thanks, I've had my quota," she answered, holding up a restraining hand.

Lucia was grateful that they were getting along so well. The scrambled eggs mingled with cheese and mushrooms were ambrosia, and the orange juice was sheer nectar.

"I'll have a refill," Lucia passed her cup. He obliged with a fresh shot of the hot java, and followed it up with fresh cream. Not two percent milk, but whole.

"He knows about the Gargoyles, Aunt Maya. And Aunt Maria..."

"All right," Maya sighed. "Well, it's the Labyrinth. OR that's what its inhabitants call it now. Derek and his girlfriend help them out normally. But they've fallen under a strange illness. And Fox Xanatos has been helping out there with medical supplies already..."

"Hmm, I would be more then happy to..." Macbeth started.

"No need senior, but it's awfully sweet of you to suggest. You've got your hands full as it is. I'll be fine..."

"At least let me have my driver take you there," Macbeth offered, rising from the table. "I'll make the arrangements..."

"A perfect gentleman he is," Maya grinned at Lucia.

"I'm glad you think so," Lucia smiled.

"Darn sight better then some. You don't let this one get away..."

"Even if he is three times my age?" Lucia raised an eyebrow.

"Nowadays since people are living longer, does it matter? A hundred years ago you would have been married off anyway! All young women would be so lucky... But anyway..."

Macbeth returned, and sat down again. "It's all arranged. Just let him know where to let you off..."

"Thank you Senior," she smiled, and pressed a kiss to his cheek as she got up. "Now you two behave yourselves..."

She crossed over to Lucia, and pressed a kiss to her lips as well. She whispered, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do..."

"Aunt Maya!" Lucia groaned. Macbeth grinned to himself as Lucia grimaced.

"Whoo, what digs," Molly muttered. Already the gardener had led her to the front door, which was paneled in rich mahogany. It was late morning, and Molly O'Keefe still couldn't get over the vast open spaces. Tall trees abutted the tall castle that seemed to be transplanted from France itself. She wondered if she dared even grab the knocker for fear of mussing the polished brass. Instead she settled for ringing the doorbell. A humming noise came as the door clicked open. Lucia stood behind it, glancing at her thoughtfully.

"I'm so glad you're not hurt..." she breathed.

"I was hoping ya were okay," Molly O'Keefe breathed. "I didn't see you for three days..."

"I was...sorta? like not myself..." Lucia shrugged. "I'm really sorry..."

"Tosh, don't apologize! You weren't the one who acted like a bastard! How come you're staying in here, in the first place?!" Molly asked, looking very bewildered.

"Er... well... it's a long story..." Lucia muttered.

"Don't just stand there, let the girl in," called Mrs. Jones from behind Lucia's shoulder. "Come on in. There's lemonade and sugar cookies..."

Lucia groaned, but let Molly in. The red head whistled cheerfully as she took note of the huge foyer. Green eyes drank in the rich paintings and thick plush carpet underfoot while they watched Mrs. Jones urged them into the kitchen, down to one side.

"Wow, and I thought I was in New York!" Molly muttered. "I brought some of yer clothes from school. Thought you might need them..."

"Well I do have stuff here," Lucia said, helping to get the bags. "But I appreciate the thought... are you okay?"

"Me, I'm foine," she laughed. "But I was wondering where ye were for the last night or so. But I'd be guessing you've been crashing here then?"

"Well..."

"This way ladies..."

"Uh, Mrs. Jones, would it be okay if I uh... took it up to the room or something. Molly and me... we kinda wanna catch up..."

"Girl talk and all!" Molly grinned, helping to pick up a plate of sugar cookies as Lucia took a pitcher and two glasses from the huge center island. The kitchen itself was the size of two dining rooms, nearly as large as the one in their dorm hall.

"Not at all! Talk to your little friend! You have much to catch up on," Mrs. Jones caught Molly's wink. "Just make sure to keep the crumbs off the carpet now... they've just vacuumed..."

"All righty then!" Molly said. "But the suitcases..."

"Are already on their way up," Mrs. Jones nodded. "Run along now..."

"First class eh? This the Ritz or a museum?" Molly joked. They sat in the goodly sized room Lucia had occupied for the last few nights. Not the master bedroom, it was a smaller chamber in one of the towers, with a good view of the ocean bay far below. Before long both girls were sitting at the small dressing table as if it were their dorm room back home.

"I appreciate you doing this..."

"Feh, think nowt' o it," Molly devoured another sugar cookie. "Tis what a friend is for. But you could do me a favor in return..."

"What?"

"Tell me about yer gentleman friend." Molly winked, tossing her head around the room. "He must be in really good with Professor MacDuff. Is he a relative of the good Professor then?"

"Well..." Lucia sighed, settling on the bed as she began to unpack one case. Molly must have brought half her closet up here!

"I bet you come here for a secret rendezvous..."

"Well, he's handsome, smart, and gallant," she started.

"Details, girl..."

"Mm well, he's strong. Very buff. You wouldn't believe it for his age..."

"Mm, age?" Molly laughed.

"Loves fencing, history, and hunting..." Lucia added.

"How is he between the sheets? A good snog?"

"Molly!" she groaned, blushing.

"Ah hah, thought so!" Molly laughed. "Yer hooked right enough! So who's this stud muffin of a man... as if I didn't know. Who bagged ye... come on, we're roomies... what cousin or nephew or son of the good Professor is he?"

"okay! okay! I'm telling you! no need to scream like a banshee! You know that new professor in history?" she asked. Molly looked stunned for a sheer minute, her eyes perfect circles with her rounded mouth.

"Not Dr. Summers," she groaned.

"No! The silver haired gentleman with the beard," she felt her face flush hot. "He's older..."

"Professor MacDuff? Ye mean the Professor and ye are... and not a relative of his...." Molly's jaw dropped.

Blushing, Lucia nodded. "Lennox himself."

"Ooh lass, yer making me fair jealous! But isn't he a wee bit auld..."

"I thought the same at first, but he's soo wonderful!" she hummed as she thought about their first time.

"I'd have t' agree with ya there!" Molly grinned, and swigged down the last of her lemonade.

"He's so gentle," Lucia sighed, hugging the pillow as she lay back in the bed. "When he kissed me that first time... I could have fainted..."

"Wait, he kissed ye... how on Earth did ya pull that one off?"

"Well it was during a history lesson. I was so nervous my shirt was accidentally unbuttoned, and he was looking at me with a very shocked expression. I couldn't resist, and kissed him them and there..."

"Ye kissed him? Oho, ye are wicked! I've corrupted ya through and through!"

"Well, it wasn't that easy to convince him. It all blurted out of me at once... and then I thought he'd hate me. And then something very weird happened..."

"Oh?"

"I told him men my age were... jerks. And he wondered what I meant... Then I blurted something about not being able to kiss...."

"And?" Molly nudged her.

"He asked me to demonstrate what I meant!" Lucia giggled spasmodically.

"Oho ye are a shrewd one! And did he kiss ye then?"

"Well I kissed him. Then he said something about young people always being in a damn rush, and he put his arms around me, got very close so my cheeks were tickled by that beard of his... ooh it feels soo soft like velvet, and he was breathing right into my face. I almost died and went to heaven. Then... he kissed me so softly I melted inside..."

Both of them erupted into laughter, pitched with screams of shared girlish delight. "Aww I can't believe it!

Ye are a vixen!" Molly laughed, clapping her on the back. "So... did you and he... nudge nudge..."

"Did we ever!" she sighed. "We went back here... when he said something about continuing this in less academic settings... and ooohhhh I'm still tingling all over when I think about it..."

"Hmm," Molly giggled. "This the room?"

"The master bedroom! We're talking a king size canopy, twice the size of this one here! I wondered if I had gone to Buckingham palace!"

"Whoo, what fun!"

"He used protection. The first gentleman I was ever with that didn't ask. He assumed...." Lucia nodded.

"Cesar never..."

"Forget Cesar! I want t' know about yer professor..." Molly smacked her playfully on the knee.

"The feel of those muscles against me... it's so strong and shivery," she muttered with a laugh. "It's like making love to a... racehorse who's a thoroughbred...."

"And how did you feel the next day? Worn out?"

"Like a marathon!" she breathed. "It ached at lot... but it was that nice kind of pain... he was so considerate... he didn't rush... which made it even more... delicious when we finally did!"

"It gets better each time," Molly grinned.

"Ye deserve him," Molly nodded. "And what's this... he gave ye a present..."

"Yes, only yesterday," Lucia nodded, showing her the pendant.

"Hmm, he's a Moray is he?" she asked with a slight laugh. "Haven't seen that family in a fair while!"

"Well," Lucia felt a bit awkward. "His name's MacDuff though..."

"Still that means little when ye look at bloodlines..."

"But what was your first time like?"

"Mm," Molly sighed wistfully. "That'd be a while back..."

"Okay, your last boyfriend..."

"Ah, Rory," she sighed, deeply. "I miss him much I do. That lad had the best stayin power I ever had the fortune t' witness. Strong, a bit lithe, but ooh so lively he was! If ye got past the sulking!"

"Sulking?"

"Nae jobs fer him in Ireland. Didn't know a trade, and I tried to convince him to come here to America," Molly shook her head. "Twas all I could do t' loosen him up. You wouldn't believe how tight his back was! Like a guitar!"

"Magic fingers?" Lucia laughed, making a massaging motion.

"That fair near helped. But you know what was the best foreplay?"

Lucia blushed, "Uh..."

"He loved hearing my stories," she giggled. "Got him in the mood. Then, a little bit of tongue in the ear... and soft voices, and he was putty in me hands..."

"Tongue in the... ear?"

"Don't knock it till ya try it," Molly smiled. "And he was very partial t' a bit of going down upon too..."

"I couldn't..." she flushed very red. "He's... old fashioned..."

"Works wonders when they are stressed," Molly nodded. "A few times of that... and he learned t' relax much better... especially in the moors at night... and trust me, there's no a man old nor young that doesn't like a good blow job..."

"Ohhh noo..." Lucia felt herself wanting to die of embarrassment.

"Heh, don't act so pure and mighty now," Molly teased her. "I've seen the way ya eat a Popsicle. It's just the same..."

"Molly... you are terrible," Lucia groaned. Just then a knock shattered their girl talk. Molly squealed with surprise.

"Yes?" Lucia asked.

"May I have a moment, m'dear?" asked a familiar voice. Molly cast a knowing wink to a very mortified Lucia.

"Okay, you'll be all right now," Fox Xanatos assured a very exhausted Maria. Mona slept quietly, her eyes pressed tightly shut.

"Are you sure?" Maria Chavez asked Fox.

"I should ask about you! How the hell can you be here without a protective suit is beyond me..."

Fox strode about in her armor, which included a self-sealed visored helmet. It was quite a contrast to some of the other volunteers who milled about in positive pressure suits amidst shiny plastic draperies. Even more of a contrast to Maria Chavez, who wore nothing but shirtsleeves.

"It's a long story. But if you did my bloodwork you must have noticed a difference," Chavez answered cryptically.

"I'll say," Fox shook her head. "Your blood is very rare. So rare that there are proteins in it that appear in no other human sample I've seen."

"Simple explanation," Chavez pointed to the statue of Rayna, which stood watchfully over Mona's bedside.

"You two.. have some history?"

"You could say that..."

Fox grinned. "I always knew you were a wild one, Chavez. Underneath that businesslike exterior, you're a player..."

"Well, not a player," Chavez clarified. "But look, what about Mona. Is she all right here?"

"Well, in a few minutes David's going to be moving the worst ones who are still affected to hospital. I was thinking it's best given Mona's unique situation, that she be moved to the infirmary. Even though she said this Nepharyn doesn't affect Gargoyles... we hope..."

Maria Chavez nodded, and then one of the new volunteers caught her eye.

"Maya?" she asked, grabbing one as they shuffled past.

"Maria!" came the muffled answer. "What are you doing here?"

"Maya, what are you doing?" Chavez responded. "This isn't any place for you with your condition..."

"I'm not laying dead for crying out loud," Maya laughed. "And I do have a suit..."

"Fox, this is my sister, Maya Florez," Maria smiled.

"Nice to meet you," Fox grinned.

"But what are you..." Maria asked. "Don't tell me, you know this place!"

"Please, I knew all about Derek when I first came here..."

Mona slowly groaned, writhing in her sleep. Maria and Fox rushed to her side. "She's coming out of it," Fox muttered.

"Who is this?" Maya asked. "Haven't seen her here before..."

"Mona," said Maria Chavez. "A gal I found... she's new..."

"Yeah," Fox nodded. "She's the one who found the cure for the illness..."

"Extraordinary young lady then," Maya glanced at Mona, who blinked slowly.

"What... hit me..."

"The Nepharyn almost got you," said Fox with a wink. "You should have left here before morning..."

"Maya... Florez?" Mona glanced up at her. "You... you're Lucia's aunt... but why... are you here..."

"You know Lucia?" asked Maya.

"We... are... were friends," Mona smiled gently, rubbing her eyes. Maria gripped Mona's hand firmly.

"Glad you're all right. You scared us for a while..."

"I feel so weak," Mona groaned.

"Are you a medical student at the university then?" asked Maya, rubbing her chin. "If you found a cure for this disease?"

"I know many things... over the years..." Mona sighed. "I mean I have learned a little here and there..."

"Let's say she took some classes," Maria hastily explained.

"Mrs. Florez... your suit..." Mona suddenly pointed to a small rip that had appeared.

"Caramba!" Maria Chavez gasped.

"It's positive pressure, but we should get you an injection quickly," Fox said. Maria took her sister's arm, and helped her to the isolation area.

"No," Mona whispered, and clutched at the silver crucifix around her neck.

Strangely they waited, and she did not show up for work. They waited lazily, sipping coffee with their mates, till four. Still no sign of her. Cesar and Arthur became a bit nervous watching the people walk by.

Finally they decided to try Central Park... which was a good hike of city blocks from there.

"Let me know if you find her..." he said. "Me and Brother Ramierez are heading out..."

"We'll keep our eyes open..."

Ramierez and Davidge nodded, heading out of the busy shop onto the street. It was rush hour, and the campus was jammed. Both were quickly split up in the crowd, but little matter, for they had their pagers to keep in touch.

He saw a few professors, milling about as they walked with their briefcases. He caught site of a silver haired gent heading his way. Something seemed familiar. Ah well, on to the park, he thought.

"Mr. Ramierez?" came a deep voice, with a Scottish Accent.

"Yes..."

"There is something I would like to discuss with you. Do you have a moment..." it continued. A powerfully built man, clad in corduroy jacket and a blue colarless shirt, peered at him. Those steely blue eyes fixed into his with an icy calm. He must be a professor, for that briefcase with the initials L and M and the long black coat seemed professorial.

"Sure... what's on your mind Mister..."

"Lennox MacDuff. Professor MacDuff to you, young man. I understand you are acquainted with Lucia Dominguez..."

"Yeah, I know her," he grinned. "She's my girlfriend..."

"Are ye so sure?" the Professor glared at him, steely eyes piercing into his dark ones.

"Hey man, like... easy..."

"I'm only going t' say this once, lad. Ye stay clear of her, lest something happen t' ye that ya might well regret..."

"Or what?" he asked. "What's it to you, sir?"

"There is a penalty against battery and assault..." Macbeth growled, glaring right at him with a look that would have slain Cesar if it contained ammunition.

"What are you talking about?"

"A student of mine, with a suspicious bruise on her cheek, crying and weeping in fear. Does that ring a bell, lad?" Macbeth continued, voice low.

"I don't know nothing about it. You'd better lay off, if you know what's good..." Cesar snapped back, pushing Macbeth away.

"Was that a challenge?" Macbeth asked, hiding a look of contemptible amusement.

"I know who you are now!" Cesar snorted. "You're the gargoyle lover who disrupted the recruitment..."

"Very perceptive lad. Did ye include hitting innocent lasses in yer course work?"

"Shut up!" he snapped, and his fist flashed out. Macbeth instantly blocked, grabbing Cesar's offending hand.

"Dinnae tempt me laddie. Ye’ve a lot of spunk, I’ll admit that. But ye havena a prayer?#034;

"Let me go, you son of a bitch..." he snarled, and kicked. Macbeth's foot shot out like lightening, drop kicking his feet from under him as he crashed into the pavement.

A foot landed on Cesar's throat, Macbeth standing over him. He grabbed up, twisting as he pulled Macbeth down. Angrily Macbeth rolled over and over, his fist cracking into Cesar's jaw with surprising force. Already a crowd had gathered. Stunned, Cesar lay there with a nasty bruise to rival Lucia's.

"Frickin asshole, you'll pay for this!" he snarled, as Macbeth turned away. He rushed forwards to the attack. Neatly Macbeth dodged, throwing the boy over his shoulder. Cesar ate cement as he landed roughly.

"Ye started this, I recall, insolent whelp... and if you ever so much as touch her again... ye'll answer t' me!" Macbeth pointed at the stunned Cesar.

"What's going on here?" a police officer asked, grabbing Macbeth's arm.

"That man hit me!" Cesar snapped, blood dripping from his nose.

"You'll have to come with us sir..." Morgan grabbed Macbeth's arm. Angrily he cooperated, seeing Cesar's smug grin. At least he was spitting blood for a change!

"Yes... I'll be there right away," Xanatos nodded. "What happened..."

Owen watched his boss carefully, knowing who was the source of the call, but not quite sure what had possessed Macbeth to hit a student!

"Owen, get ten thousand out of my personal account, in cash. We have a favor to an old friend to pay back..."

"Is Mr. Macbeth in trouble?"

"Yes, plenty. Seems he punched out a quarryman... a neo quarryman..."

Xanatos stroked his beard, chuckling, "A neo-quarrymen, Owen?"

"One of the new recruits that Castaway signed on. Named Cesar Ramierez..."

"Ramierez... Ramierez... where have I heard that name before," Xanatos pondered. It was right there on the tip of his brain and he was loathe to forget it.

"I seem to recall sir, that the Dracons had ties with a family named Ramierez in an arms smuggling operation a few years back..."

"Ah now I remember," Xanatos snapped his fingers. "Roderigo Ramierez! Dominic Dracon's old business associate. Supposedly his families had ties to the drug cartel in South America... cut their teeth to big time crime by smuggling cocaine in those colorful dolls and pinyatas they used to crate up. Small time, but big enough to get them into weapons smuggling..."

"You do your homework, Mr. Xanatos..."

"Undoubtedly. I once considered having them smuggle some of the Steel clan parts up from Cyberbiotics, through Cuba, to New York. But Ramierez got sloppy..."

"Could he be related perhaps to this Cesar. It is a common name... but Mr. Ramierez was in this country since the nineteen fifties..."

"Fill me in on the way Owen. Pull up the old Internet files of my old contacts. This might answer some questions..."

At the police station, Detective Maza shook her head. Lennox MacDuff allowed Matt Bluestone to lead him passively out of the holding cell. Both knew he was capable of flattening almost any resistance they could throw at him. The fact he was so compliant now with the law was a blessing and a quandary for Elisa.

"Macbeth, what were you thinking?" Elisa snapped at him, as Matt sat him in the questioning room. Calmly Macbeth's gray eyes fixed into hers.

"I was merely righting a wrong. Cesar Ramierez abused Lucia Dominguez. I saw the evidence with my own eyes. The bruise on her cheek last night as a matter of fact. No one else took action to stop it..."

"But you keep taking the law into your own hands, Macbeth! In God's name, what gives you that right?" asked Elisa.

Macbeth returned her cold stare, folding his hands on the wooden table before him. Steel gray eyes locked into hers. "What gives ye the right t' judge me, lass? Have ye been alive for 900 years and seen what I have? Experienced what I have?"

"Wait... you mean that guy hit Lucia?"

"Yes. She is in a considerable state of shock over it too. Apparently this is not the first time he lay hands upon the lass. I merely told the lad I would not tolerate such behavior. He was the first one to throw a punch. I merely defended myself."

"He could have done a lot more damage to him," Matt pointed out. "As it was, the report said that all he got was a bloody nose and a few cracked ribs."

"Miss Maza, if I had fought him to the full extent of my abilities, I assure you Mr. Ramierez would have suffered far worse. A fractured spine, and a shattered jaw would only be the tip of the iceberg. I pulled that punch considerably..."

"I know you meant well, but this is going to cost you. You can't go around punching someone out even if they do deserve it! That's what the police are for. We could already add charges of vigilantism to this charge of aggravated assault!"

"Nevertheless, I could not stand by while Miss Dominguez felt her life was threatened. Molly O'Keefe was also endangered. This man sneaked into a girl's dormitory room, Detective! Who knows what else he is capable of!"

Elisa turned her back on him with a big sigh. She folded her arms across her red jacketed chest. For a moment, she chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Macbeth, you are a good man. I sincerely believe that you thought you were doing the right thing. But you can't keep doing this. People are going to get hurt. You could be put away for life... as it is you're gonna have to stand trial!"

"Lass, considering how long I have lived, fifty years is nothing," Macbeth joked sadly. "And that man would walk free to terrorize and torment Miss Dominguez. Not to mention others. Who can tell what his current behavior would suggest! I have seen hundreds of boys like him, angry and full of their own self-purpose. One of them was Canmore... the son of the man that murdered my Father, and who was the Second Hunter. I wasted centuries chasing after my own death when I should have stopped the insanity of the Hunters!"

"Oh Lord. Look, Macbeth, I want to help you here, but this isn't looking good..." Elisa sighed. She turned the chair and sat with her chest propped up against the chair's back.

"Ms. Maza, I respect you for doing your job. Surely you can understand a gentleman's personal code of honor. Of what is right and what is wrong."

"Macbeth, look, you haven't exactly proven that your motives are selfless. What about when you tried to steal Excalibur from King Arthur, or stole the Scrolls of Merlin?"

"I admit that was done out of foolishness," he hung his head. "I was desperate for any advantage, any means of ending my centuries of torment..."

"But why the change of heart?" Elisa demanded. "What makes this time different from all those others?"

"Your Goliath said a few years ago, when Demona had turned the city’s inhabitants to stone by night, that Death is not the answer. I suppose I have learned that now..."

"For our sakes I hope so," Elisa responded. "And for Lucia's as well!"

"What?" Matt asked.

"Why else would you be fighting like some schoolboy? I think that you have more then just a passing interesting in her as a student..."

"That is her private affair, and my own," Macbeth coughed.

Matt grinned a bit, and Elisa shot him a glare. "Look, I don't want her or you getting hurt. I don't know what you two have going on, but if she is in any way put into danger..."

"That is precisely why Cesar is nursing a hurt jaw," Macbeth rubbed his hand. Matt burst into a fit of laughter, and Elisa slowly felt steam coming out her ears.

"Jalapeno, cut it out Matt! This isn't helping!"

"Sorry partner! I just never thought I'd see... Mac here... heheeehe mixing it up like a knight in shining armor, to the rescue of the fair damsel's honor!"

"Don't even go there," Elisa sighed disgustedly.

Macbeth allowed himself a small smile. Even handcuffed there, he had never felt so glad he cracked an insolent whelp in the jaw. It was as if he had hit Canmore and Gillcomgain themselves for centuries of torment. Yes, the Weird Sisters had said that vengeance solved nothing. Still, why did it feel so damned satisfying sometimes?

Keys clacked under Keith's fingers. It wasn't too long before he would have some answers to the many questions floating through his brain. Lucia's constant disappearances and Sharon's fretting over Rayna had forced him to take drastic action. The illuminated words of Destiny Incorporated flickered backwards across his amber lensed glasses. Soon he would find Dominique, and the answers to such questions.

In the background the strains of Paul Stanley belted out the song Strutter. Indeed he was finding out a thing or two about the elusive Dominique. He couldn’t get her figure out of his brain since then.

He could not forget the taste of action as he and Macbeth had taken on the quarryman. Nor could he forget the fact that when he woke up, Mac had been standing over him in that same black suit of armor, sitting patiently for him to wake up.

"So it did happen," Keith had muttered when Macbeth removed the wet cloth from his head.

"Aye lad, it did," Macbeth had answered sullenly. What was that look of sorrow in those steel eyes in regard to?

"But Castaway... didn't you nail him?"

"I did," Macbeth muttered.

"Well..."

"He's been arrested... and will face trial I am sure..." Macbeth sighed deeply. Arms folded across the front of his black suit of armor.

"You mean you didn't kill him?" Keith gasped. "I thought you swore to Rayna..."

"I almost did kill him, God help me," Macbeth sighed. Slowly he rose to his full height, and strode over to the French window. His eyes glanced out into the morning sun. In that instant, Keith realized the complexity of this strange, regal figure. How long had he been alive, and what terrors had he lived through over the centuries?

Keith shivered when he recalled the look of sadness and foreboding written on Mac's face when he turned back from the window. The rising of the sun seemed so commonplace to him, and so wearisome to the black armored figure.

"Ye face a decision lad," Macbeth sternly stated. His steely gaze bored right into Keith's soul.

"Oh don't tell me. This is the part where you give me some crap about keeping my mouth shut and carrying some deep dark secret, right?"

"Essentially you have guessed it. But what you do with this is entirely up to you. I doubt anyone would believe your story anyway, since I gathered you are quite the fan of science fiction. Also, I know that your sense of adventure would lead you to use such skills to as you say... nail the quarryman the next time they should strike..."

"So... what does this mean?"

"Ye are a talented young man. I could... use your skills from time to time. Provided ye behave yerself..."

"You and me, kicking Q-men butt?" Keith laughed. "This just gets better and better..."

Now Keith was putting some of his so called skills to use. When he confronted Mac about Rayna, all Macbeth would say was that he was attempting to find out what Rayna wished. Whether Rayna had chosen to stay with the Gargoyles or rejoin Demona seemed up in the air. Especially when he recalled Demona had saved his life those few weeks ago.

His meetings with Macbeth were brief, yet full of questions. Each time Mac assured him he would let Keith know when next he needed a favor. Whenever her asked about Rayna, Mac said he did not know.

Now Keith had his own agenda. Mac had been arrested, and that put an end to pestering him where Rayna was and how she was doing. He would find out for himself!

A series of beeps and his computer dialed the number he had secured. Any calls to Castle Wyvern were never answered.

"Destiny Incorporated..."

"Uh hi. Can you put me in touch with Dominique Destine?" Keith asked. "I represent a certain computer software firm..."

"She is not available... but I will leave a message..."

"Just tell her a Mr. Polasky wants to talk to her..."

"Shit," he muttered. Seconds later he dialed yet another number. Dominique's unlisted personal line.

"How did you get this number?" her voice grated.

"It's Keith! Look, I need to talk to you! It's about Rayna!"

"What do you know about that?"

"Is she there?"

"There is no one by that name here," came the feral reply, tinged with a snarl.

"Demona... I'm worried about her..."

"How do you know..."

"Come on! You saved my life, and I'm grateful. But can you please tell me if Rayna's okay!"

"Who are you?"

"Macbeth's padawan! Keith's the name, finding Rayna's the game!"

There was silence on the other end. "She has chosen her place, human. At Castle Wyvern. And if you know what is good for you, you will be very cautious in your actions. I spared your life once, but don't tempt me to think it a mistake! Good evening!"

"Demona! wait!"

"What, now?"

"You take care, okay?"

Silence met his words, and for a moment Keith thought she had hung up on him. Imagine his surprise when her voice responded, "You too, hu... I mean... Keith Polaski..."

The phone clicked off, and Keith grinned.

"Bingo."

"Sharon!" Keith shouted, pounding on the door of her dormitory room.

"What?" came her annoyed grunt. Slowly she lifted her head from her textbook. Glancing at her watch she realized she had fallen asleep right in the middle of studying for a history exam!

"I have something important to tell you about Rayna!" Keith’s voice came.

"What?" she cried, leaping nearly a foot out of her chair. Immediately she jerked the door open on an anxious Keith. His hair was a stirred mess, his bluejean jacket with the KISS army logo on one lapel thrown on over an old Akira T-shirt.

"Why didn't you say so!" she snapped. "Where the hell is she! How the hell is she?"

"Well... she isn't quite the same old Rayna..."

"What could have happened..."

"Um I'd better tell you on the way..."

"On the way where?" Sharon demanded.

"Castle Wyvern. Get your coat. We can just about make the next subway train if we leave now..."

"Keith, why didn't you tell me you heard something?" she asked again, slamming the door behind her as she threw on her bluejean jacket. Down the stairs of her dormitory they both trotted. Keith's long legged pace was difficult for her to keep up with.

"Well, Rayna was afraid of how we'd react. She had a bad accident... that had something to do with those Quarryman..."

"Is she in the hospital... I swear if they..."

"She's fine now... if you want to call it that..."

"Call for Miss Vitreum," Owen Burnett announced. All around him the Gargoyles roared to life, showering Xanatos' Major domo in a hail of stone shards.

Hudson stretched, next to Rayna. "What, I have a call? Who is it?"

"A Mr. Keith Polasky. He says it's urgent."

"Keith?" Hudson asked. "Isn't he one of your students?"

"Yes but how did he..."

"Do you wish to talk to him or not?" Owen asked, and held out the cell phone to her. Rayna looked from Hudson to the cell phone, her face fraught with worry.

"Lass, ye have t' face it sometime," Hudson assured her. "Ye can't erase yer past..."

Sighing, Rayna took the phone from Owen. "Hello... Keith..." she asked.

"Rayna! Thank God! Why the hell didn't you call me?" Keith's angry voice crackled. "I was worrying my ass off!"

"Keith... I didn't know if you could... accept what has changed..." Rayna choked into the phone. Hudson frowned when he saw the anguish in her turquoise skinned face. What did this student mean to her? It seemed far beyond just the usual concern of a student for a teacher.

"Shit Rayna, Mac told me what happened! You could have told me! Why the hell didn't you..."

"Keith I'm so sorry. So many things have happened. Look, I want you to come to Wyvern. I want to apologize to you in person..."

"That's more like it! Rayna, I miss you dammit..."

"Keith... could you bring... Sharon with you?"

"Sure thing! See you tonight..."

Slowly Rayna clicked the phone shut resigned, and handed it back to Owen. "I'll... be expecting company," she told him.

"Bring a human friend here?" Hudson asked, a bit concerned.

"Why not?" Rayna turned on him. "He deserves to know..."

Hudson exchanged a gruff look with Owen. Burnett shrugged, and moved off into the castle.

Delilah tentatively walked up, holding Silence in her arms. "Ah, Miss Delilah? We could use your help in the infirmary... with Miss Mona..."

"I shall go to assist..." she nodded.

Thirty minutes later, Owen Burnett waited by the main lobby. The doorman had called up to announce Rayna's guests had arrived, and were on their way up.

"You won't believe what's happened to her," Keith said to Sharon, as the elevator door opened. Sharon pulled down the short skirt of her sphagetti strap sundress, and pounded her platform sandaled feet impatiently. She struggled to get her short cropped blond hair into some order.

"What?"

"Well... she said she finally wanted to see us, explain why she wasn't at school. Her voice sounded different... so I want you to be prepared for a shock..."

"What could possibly..." Sharon asked.

"Ah, welcome, Mr. Polaski, and Miss Lewis..." Owen nodded matter of fact. He smiled to himself when he recognized them from Rayna's office two months ago. Back before the events had been set in motion.

"We're here to see Dr. Vitreum..." Keith said, thrusting a hand into his bluejean pocket. Owen eyed them both matter of fact, with an air of some disdain at the choice in clothes.

"She's in the infirmary with a patient..."

"Oh?" Keith asked. "What happened..."

"I would recommend waiting..."

"We want to see her now..."

Rayna suddenly exited a small room, coming off the main corridor. Sharon's eyes dropped out of her head as she saw a blue skinned gargoyle striding in, wearing Rayna's glasses.

"Sharon... Keith..." she said, holding out a claw.

"Holy shit," Sharon muttered. "Rayna?"

"Yes... it is me... "Rayna said.

"Hey, um... Well... you could've come out sooner," Keith said, nervously going up to her.

"Rayna... what happened?" Sharon asked.

"Well, I went through a change..." Rayna said, as Keith pulled Sharon over to her. Still her blonde friend was in shock, but whether it was revulsion or just surprise Rayna couldn't determine.

"I thought you were horribly disfigured..." Sharon stammered. "But this..."

Rayna lowered her head, eyes shining. "I know it's a shock..."

"Thank God you're alive!" Sharon opened her arms, and leapt into Rayna's, almost knocking her over. Her arms latched around her friend's waist, hugging tightly. In surprise Rayna felt her arms wrapped around Sharon, folding her friends in her wings.

"You... you... could have told me!" Sharon cried, pressing a kiss to Rayna's cheek. "Ray, Hon, I was soo worried! how did it happened to you?"

"Shar... I didn't think..."

"Oh shut up!" Sharon wailed, and pressed a smacking kiss to Rayna's lips. Her tongue gently slipped against Rayna's fangs, her lips soft, and sweet, tasting of strawberry lip-gloss. How sweet it felt to be so kissed again by a familiar set of lips. How unexpected.

Surprised, Rayna pulled away gasping, "I thought you would be... repulsed..."

"Ray, damn you! Don't do that again! You had me worried sick!" cried Sharon, her eyes glistening with tears as she fingered Rayna's dark hair.

"Hey, what do you think we are, bigots?" Keith asked, slipping an arm around Rayna. Slowly she lifted a wing and let him pull her close. "Move over, Shar..."

Keith's kiss was just as welcome, and she felt her own hot tears as she pulled off her glasses. Both of her students held her close, and she could just about wrap them in her wings as they pressed against her.

"Oh Matrix I missed you..." she choked.

"Hell, what do you think?" Keith said, stroking her back.

"Shit, why didn't you let me see you before this?" Sharon scolded her.

"Well, considering past.. Ahem... activities... I didn't think you would be amenable to..."

"Shh," Sharon kissed away her doubts. "Look, at least you're alive. Let's take one step at a time..."

"Hmm, I wonder..." Keith got that wicked look in his eye. His fingers brushed a wing strut, and Rayna jumped, flushing.

"Hot spot," Sharon glanced at him.

"This could work," Keith grinned at her.

"Not in front of Owen," she chided them. Owen gave a little smile at the reunion, only interrupting with a cough, "Excuse me, but our patient wants to talk to you..."

"Oh... but..."

"Guest?" asked Keith.

"Hmm... you might as well meet her," Rayna took their hands in her talons and led them into the infirmary.

"Dee, prepare an IV with glucose and penicillin."

"Yes doctor," she nodded. Delilah had already learned much basic medicine over the past few months. She had started under tutelage of a homeless doctor that had come to the Labyrinth when the Clone Clan lived there several years back. It felt good to put the skills to use again, especially since Thailog strongly discouraged any such learning. Demona had allowed Delilah to continue her training with some strange disdain. which made it even more difficult to see her facsimile there in the patient bed.

"Her heartbeat is strong," Delilah pressed a stethoscope to Mona's chest. "But body temperature is lower then should be..."

"All right. It would appear that her electrolytes are off balance..."

Mona groaned, shaking her red haired head. It was odd to see her without the gold tiara, yet Delilah recalled some talk among the others of the Manhattan clan regarding her activities.

"She saved all the people in the labyrinth," said Dr. Frazier. "Quite a feat... considering it was a disease none of us had even heard of."

"Nepharyn... 4..." Mona muttered. Eyes sprang open, and flickered between Dee and Dr. Frazier.

"Easy, miss, you've had a nasty shock..."

Just then the phone rang on Dr. Frazier's belt. "Excuse me. Take over, will you, Dee?"

"Doctor..." Dee protested, but gave up when he slipped out into the hallway. Nervous, she turned to Demona.

"Why... am I in the infirmary?"

"You were hit... by disease," Delilah coughed.

"Dee... you're... a doctor's assistant?" Mona smiled. "I always knew you had the skills to heal... but I never thought to see you actually carry it through..."

"You... knew me from your... world?" Dee asked.

"Yes... my pretty one," Mona smiled. "You and I were mother and daughter. When Angela..."

At the mention of the name Angela, Dee noticed the pain in Mona's face. Clearly a bad memory had surfaced that she did not wish to recall, for the next moment she changed her topic, "But that is that world, and this is here and now..."

"What was... I like in your world?" Dee asked. Dr. Frazier had left by then to check on his other patients.

"You were much as you are now. Always caring for Mute... I mean Silence. Helping to teach the young in the rookery. You were always soothing their aches and pains, and I remember you had this really good massaging technique I always used on brook... on my mate..."

"You and I... mother and daughter you said," Delilah looked at her oddly.

"Yes," Mona smiled, raising a talon and cupping Dee's chin. "I would like it if... we could at least be friends. Whenever I was tired of the fight, you... she... was always there to reassure me it was worth fighting for... the clan..."

Dee smiled shyly, and slipped her talon into Mona's. Hesitatingly she said, "I... will give it a chance..."

Mona was practicing signing with Silence when she saw the three approaching. Silence had just asked what her name was, when Mona struggled. She had to find something that would distance them from the bad memories of her past and forge a new present. Then the business with the Nepharyn 4 had blotted out the memories for now. She was grateful for the disease that had suddenly overcome her in human form.

"Wow! Who's that gorgeous gargoyle babe?" asked Sharon, seeing the female gargoyle sitting near Silence, in the hospital bed. Indeed the twilight blue gargoyle with the burgundy hair, bobbed was lovely. Those tapering hips and smooth face smiled at both of them.

"Sharon... is that you?" Demona asked, sitting bold upright in bed.

"Uh... yeah... do I know you?"

"Holy shit... it's that Demona lady who took you away!" Keith exclaimed.

"This is not what you think," said Rayna.

"But she looks like..."

"Demona?" she said, holding a hand out to Keith. "I know what you're thinking... but I mean no harm..."

"She's from an alternate universe," Rayna explained.

"No shit," Sharon gasped.

"Okay..." Keith muttered, rubbing his head. He noticed she wore no gold crown, and the look in the eyes was pleasant, kind. Briefly he remembered the hunger within the eyes of the other gargoyle, her loincloth and halter-top hanging around her shapely form. But somehow this one appeared... younger.

"And she saved the lives of everyone in the labyrinth," Rayna added.

"From a toxic nerve gas..."

"Whoa... shades of Burning Zone," Keith muttered appreciatively.

"But we can't call you Demona... can we?"

"No," she muttered, rubbing her chin. "Hmm... I was called... Angel... once..."

"Hmm, Angelina?" Rayna supplied.

"Yes, that is it. I am... Angelina..." Demona smiled. "A new name... for a new start..."

She glanced down at Silence who was struggling to sign the new name. Yet all she could do was make the sign of L, over her heart.

"Lina?" Angelina said.

"Hey, that's nice," Sharon said. "But how... why?"

"How did you get here?" Keith asked.

"It's a long story... Keith..."

"How do you know us... did you tell her Ray?" asked Sharon.

"No... not yet..."

"I know all about you, Keith Polaski, and Sharon Lewis. But I doubt your lives will be the same again... from what I remember..."

"Why do I get the feeling this is gonna be a long story?" Keith asked, as he pulled up a chair and sat down. Sharon took a chair nearby.

"What do you mean he got arrested?" Lucia demanded of Owen. Already the poor major domo had been taxed trying to explain this to everyone else. This was the worst, if he suspected what was true.

"Aggravated Assault," Owen calmly explained.

"But why?"

"Ask him yourself," Owen said. "Mr. Xanatos has gone over to pick him up... once he posts bail..."

"Dios!" Lucia moaned. She had a nasty suspicion what the motive was.

Just then the door burst open, and Macbeth stormed out, an angry look on his face. He turned to Xanatos, and extended his hand.

"My thanks, David..."

"My pleasure Lennox..."

"I will of course pay ye back..."

"No problem, consider it my contribution to the cause against that low-life Castaway. He owes me big time..."

"I seemed to have left my wallet behind..." Macbeth muttered.

"Madre de Dios, what the hell did you do?" Lucia rushed up to him, tears in her eyes. She threw herself into his arms, burying her head against his chest. "I was so worried..."

Xanatos and Owen exchanged a look of mute surprise. Slowly a smile crept over Xanatos' saturnine face. Interesting indeed. So the mighty Macbeth had fallen under Cupid's spell as well.

"Merely righting a wrong, m' lass," Macbeth explained as she grabbed his lapels, tears smudging her mascara. "Unfortunately the authorities may not share that opinion..."

"You didn't..." she gasped.

"According to the police, you nailed him. At least that's how Alex would put it..." Xanatos chuckled.

"Oh Dios, no!" Lucia looked at him with a mix of horror and admiration. "You hit Cesar?"

"Plastered him right in the jaw," Macbeth nodded. "It felt rather cathartic. The insolent pup was begging for it, I'd imagine."

Lucia put a hand over her mouth, not sure whether to laugh or cry. Her expression said a little of both. Still she gripped his lapel with the other as his arms rested on her waist. The immortal king pulled her close, his face lowered over hers as she glanced deep into his eyes. They seemed lost in their own reality, as Goliath and Elisa were often wont to do.

"I promised ye that ye'd be safe as long as I'm concerned. And I do keep my word..." Macbeth whispered into her ear.

"Ahem... what about that other matter?" Owen reminded Xanatos.

"Sorry to interrupt this rapturous reunion, but we have found the source of your... problem," Xanatos announced.

"What problem?" Lucia and Macbeth asked together, their heads snapping around simultaneously.

"You complained of pains," Xanatos shrugged. "If you'll come this way we have the answer in our infirmary..."

"Did Demona..." Macbeth got out as they ushered him out of the room. Still his hand was clenched firmly in Lucia's.

Angelina straightened up as she heard familiar voices down the hall. Already Keith and Sharon were talking animatedly to her, and Rayna was also present, very amazed at their ready acceptance of Angelina.

"Lucia?" Keith and Sharon got up, and saw their friend, hand in hand with Macbeth. What the hell was going on here, Keith inwardly wondered.

"What are they doing here of all places..." Macbeth tensed his hand within Lucia's, then his eyes darkened.

"Demona!"

Before he could leap on her in anger, Rayna got in his way.

"No! It's not what you think!"

In the meantime, Lina had climbed out of the bed, and was halfway across the floor. Her eyes were full of happiness, and glad tears. The Cuban girl gasped at the site of the gargoyle woman striding up to her with wings caped around her shoulders.

"Do I know you?" Lucia asked, bewildered. Suddenly she was swept up in strong arms as Angelina hugged her tightly. Keith and Rayna, gurgling his protest restrained a shocked Macbeth.

"Sharon... Keith?" Macbeth stammered out. "What in the Devil are you doing here?"

"Don't go nuclear Mac!" Keith said. "She just saved everyone's ass in the labyrinth!"

"OH I'm so glad you're alive my friend! But look at you," Angelina cried, holding her out at arm's length. "You're so young!"

"Er... what's going on?" Lucia asked confused. From what she last remembered, a gargoyle very much like this one had tried to slay Macbeth!

"This is Angelina..." Sharon explained.

"She's like... Demona from an alternate sliders universe or something," Keith supplied. Lucia was very confused.

"But... but..." Macbeth stammered.

"It's true," she held out her hands. Rayna released Macbeth, who was stunned.

"Macbeth... I am so sorry for all the pain I've caused you... over the centuries..."

"How... is this possible..." he wondered.

She pinched a fold of skin, and he winced. Understanding dawned in the steely blue eyes. "I don't know how it's possible... but we are..." she started.

Everyone looked at Rayna. "Well, it's theoretically possible that at the instant of transition, the Macbeth of her reality died... and she bonded to our Macbeth... and since the enchantment was negated in this reality... but not in Angelina's..."

"Whatever," Keith shook his head.

"I see," Lucia nodded. "So you are bonded, in that same spell by the Weird sisters..."

"Yes," she nodded. Macbeth shook his head, cursing something very unflattering in Gaelic.

"I am sorry," she apologized. "I never meant to cause you more pain..."

"This is major league heaviness," Keith shook his head.

"But why are you here?" Macbeth stammered. "For what purpose?"

"To save lives, I hope," Lina looked at him.

"Hey Mac didn't you hear me when I said she saved everyone's ass in the Lab, like in the Hot Zone..."

"Keith, put a sock in it!" Sharon hissed to him.

"So what now?" Rayna asked Macbeth. "You have my word she is from another reality..."

Macbeth sighed. "I dinna ken..."

"Please, can there not be peace between us?" Angelina asked. "I am so sick of the fighting. I would hope we could be friends..."

"Please..." Rayna said, eyes begging. Macbeth hated that look he couldn't resist over the centuries.

"All right then, I give ye one chance. A truce fer now. But ye canna expect me t' accept all this at once..." he sighed deeply. Slowly she extended a talon, and he reached out a hand to her. Both clasped, feeling the odd sensation of each other's hands caressing. Shyly they both withdrew their hands.

"Where did you get that cross?" Lucia asked, glancing at the silver crucifix at her throat.

"You yourself gave it to me before I came here..." she said. "For luck. You always wore it after your Aunt Maya died..."

"Dios... I would do that," Lucia muttered.

"They share pain," Lucia wondered, and a wicked thought came to her mind. That thought of the time before, when she first learned of this whole enchantment. How much pleasure did they share? With a mischievous smile she walked over to Macbeth, and lay a soft kiss on his cheek. Angelina lightly brushed her own cheek in the corresponding place. Keith suddenly caught on to what was happening.

Slowly she worked her way to his mouth, struggling to stand on tiptoes to reach him. Automatically he bent at the knees, lifting her to his level. Lina licked her lips, hungrily feeling the sweet sensation of hot breath in her mouth. Both of them hummed with content at the same time as Lucia withdrew.

"Holy shit," Keith muttered. "Symbiosis!"

"Sort of," Lina laughed a bit. This Keith certainly was refreshing, all full of piss and vinegar that the sarcastic embittered counterpart embodied in forty years.

"Apparently we discovered, at one time... that we share each other's pleasure as well as each other's pain, whenever we are in proximity. However the pain is felt at a greater distance," Macbeth explained reluctantly.

"So when did you two... become an item?" Sharon asked Lucia, pulling her over to one side while Keith listened to Macbeth and Lina.

"Since two weeks ago," Lucia said matter-of-fact.

"Why didn't you tell us," Sharon pulled her sleeve.

"I didn't want a scandal..."

"The fact he punched out your ex doesn't?" Sharon put in.

"How did you know..."

"Please, it was on the Campus news!"

"Oh shit!" Lucia got out, before she clapped a hand over her mouth. Everyone looked in her direction.

"I'm having a good influence on her already!" Keith laughed. "Sandra Dee has defected, ladies and gentlemen! Lucia has officially sworn her first good swear under duress!"

"Young man," Macbeth started, his glare knocking Keith back into his seat.

"Who, Mac, you stud muffin!" Keith laughed out loud. "Way to go!"

Lucia and Mac shared the same blush of sheer embarrassment.

"Virgin territory no longer!" Sharon laughed at Lucia, gripping her arms.

"But I wasn't one to begin with..." she protested. Then she added in a whisper, "I only wish he was the one..."

"Cinderella has found her Prince Charming!" Keith added smartly. "So where did she hide her glass shoe, eh Mac?"

"If we're quite finished discussing Miss Dominguez and my personal business, can you tell me what the devil is going to happen next?"

Macbeth folded his arms across his chest, casting his most stern schoolmaster's gaze yet at everyone.

"Mac, lighten up already," Keith groaned. "We're all friends here. I mean like you and me... kicked major ass with Castaway..."

"But Cesar is a quarrymen, and now you're in trouble for what you did," Lucia sighed at Macbeth, smacking him on the arm.

"Yeah, and I quote, 'when you strike one Quarryman, you strike us all,' and I know he'd make good on that threat!" Sharon added, as if spitting a bad taste out of her mouth. "No telling what the hell they have planned."

"There might be a way to find out," Lina muttered.

"What are ya thinking?" Keith asked.

"Do the Quarrymen take new recruits?" she asked.

"Oh no, you're not going to..." Macbeth scolded.

"How would you know unless you're psychic?" Lina asked him. "WE may share each other's pain but I doubt we share thoughts as Well..."

"Might I suggest you and Lu keep a low profile?" Rayna put in. "I mean... you are a wanted man..."

"Yes senior," Lucia scolded him. "You go home right now... before you decide to punch out any more of my ex boyfriends!"

"Very Well," Macbeth reluctantly nodded.

Many a rookie's eyes fell on the slender attractive redhead that strode into the 23rd precinct that morning. The spaghetti strap dress with the small pink flowers and the butterfly clips in her bobbed hair made an interesting combination. She carried a black purse slung across her body.

"Heya, can I help you?" Officer Morgan asked, intercepting her as she stood before the main desk.

"I'm here to see Captain Chavez?" she asked.

"Your name miss..."

"Er... Lina. Angelina... er... Wells..." she stammered out, fumbling for a name. "I'm a good friend of hers, and said that I had some information for her latest case..."

"I'll take you back," Morgan offered.

She glanced around at the repair crews still painting the walls here and there. "Been a while since the explosion, eh officer?" she asked Morgan.

"Three years ago," he nodded. "Still picking up the pieces. Say, you look familiar Miss Wells. You sure you haven't been around here before..."

"Captain Chavez and I went shopping a few days ago. Maybe you saw us in Little Cuba?" she laughed.

"Maybe. Here you go. But try to make it quick... the Captain's a busy woman..." he urged.

Morgan knocked on the door, and Chavez' curt "come in," didn't' surprise Lina. She seemed all business, the phone receiver cradled between her cheek and upraised shoulder.

"Lina! What a surprise," she said, muffling the phone with her hand.

"She said she knew you..." Morgan said.

"I don't want to bother you if you're busy," Lina began.

"No, no, no. Morgan, let them know to hold my calls for the next thirty minutes... oh, and could you get Bluestone in here when I'm done..."

"Sure thing Captain..." Morgan nodded. The cacophony of the squadroom was banished as he closed the door behind him.

"So what brings you for a visit?" Chavez asked, indicating the seat.

"Wanted to see where I worked, eh Hon?"

"I have an idea... to help prove Mac is innocent?"

"Mac?" Chavez raised an eyebrow.

"Lennox MacDuff. I heard he was arrested for punching a student. In fact he came to the infirmary with Lucia..."

"With Lucia?" Chavez frowned. "Look, I know you're all worried about Lu and everything... but that case is under investigation..."

"I would hate for him to be found guilty of something that was a misunderstanding... since Cesar has a history of battery and assault. Isn't domestic violence a crime?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you know that Caesar hit Lucia?"

"Of course... but... Lina... you shouldn't get involved in this. I care a great deal for you... but I have a job to do... and there are times that business and personal shouldn't mix..."

"Even if I might be able to help as they say, put a lid on this case... or bring new evidence to light? Maria... please..."

"All right," Chavez sighed, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "What's on your mind?"

"Undercover work. Someone should go undercover as a new quarryman recruit..."

"I do have that angle covered, between you and me."

"But if I know Castaway, he's already got that covered. And I have someone in mind that none would suspect..." Lina said.

"Who?"

"Me. I'm untraceable. IN this reality as a human I don't exist. No one can implicate me. Please..." she said, as Chavez began to shake her head. "Let me give something back for your kindness. If I can prove Mac was only acting in self defense..."

"I still don't think this is a good idea for you to try this, Hon," Chavez shook her head as Mona, now calling herself Lina, showed up at the modest apartment building.

"I need all the information I can get on the Quarrymen," said Lina.

"Especially now that Mac's a wanted man..."

"Mac?" Chavez asked, with a slight smile again. "You told me he's a friend of yours..."

"Well I hope he'll find me to be one," Lina sighed. "And Robyn too..."

They knocked on Matt's door. There was the dragging scrape of a pull chain, followed by the click of several dead bolts being drawn back.

"It's Chavez. Can we come in?"

Blue eyes glanced from the crack in the door. "Oh, Captain. Sorry, I just get a little bit jumpy... hunter's instinct... who is that with you?"

"Lina Wells... she's a... niece of Dominique Destine..." Chavez said. "She wants to help stop the Quarrymen..."

"What?" Robyn asked, totally confused.

"Can you let us in?"

Robyn gave Lina a glance mixed with anxious fear, and curiosity. As Lina followed Maria Chavez in, Robyn flinched at the similarity between Dominique, and this new arrival. Despite the different hairstyle, and younger face, she was almost the same!

"Captain?" Robyn asked, shutting the door behind them. Still she kept her distance from Lina.

"I know what you're thinking, Robyn," Lina said, holding out a hand. "I look exactly like the woman...whom your family hunted for years... but I assure you I'm not the same..."

"How is this possible?"

"Be prepared for a long story. But Lina has a plan to infiltrate the Quarrymen... and gather evidence that might help save a friend..."

"All right, shoot," Robyn sighed. All three women sat down, Robyn glancing warily at Lina. Even though Chavez seemed very comfortable around her, Robyn's programmed Hunter instincts still screamed of possible foul play.

"So... what do you need to know from me?" Robyn asked. She sat on the edge of her easy chair, while Chavez and Lina settled into Matt's sectional couch.

"Any possible likes or dislikes Castaway has? What most likely might get her close? Any leads... anything," Chavez said.

"How close do you plan on getting?" Robyn asked, looking doubtfully at Lina.

"Close enough to convince them I am worth recruiting," said Lina.

"But you realize he'll recognize you... since you look so much like Dominique... even though now I had to look twice to believe it..."

"We can help with that," Maria grinned. "A little makeup, a little hair dye... hmm..."

"Why are you doing this?" Robyn asked Lina. "If you're not Dominique... who the hell are you?"

"Someone who knows Dominique even better then she knows herself," Lina glanced into Robyn's eyes. "Someone who knows all about the bitter feud between your family and the Demon. Someone who is very sorry for the pain she has caused the Canmores over the centuries..."

"What..." Robyn's eyes narrowed. "Do you know about that?"

"I'm very well acquainted with all of this. For I am not from this world, but one very much like it," Lina breathed. "I already told Maria here about my story. I don't know if you'll believe me or not. But I am what Demona could have been had she given up her hatred of humanity and joined in the fight to preserve her race..."

"And I'm supposed to believe you're some... some... double of Demona that's gone good?" Robyn laughed. "That's a good one! Who or what are you really..."

"I am or was Demona," she glanced levelly at Robyn. "Although in my reality you and I joined on the same side to fight against Xanatos."

"What..." Robyn stammered out. "That... that's crazy..."

"Be ready for a shock," said Maria. "It gets better..."

"Are you sure that it's okay for you to be back here?" Molly asked Lucia. Both of them walked back towards the dormitory.

"I can't live in fear, Molly," Lucia admitted. Her dark eyes fixed into Molly's blue ones.

"Can't ya just move in with yer gentleman friend? I'm sure he'd be more then willing to put ya up!"

"Ah Molly, it's not that simple! God knows I'd love to, but my Aunt might not approve! After all I am unmarried..."

"Tosh, it's the twenty first century! You're a legal adult! What's to stop you?"

"Molly, it's the principle. If I don't try to come back, he will have won. Cesar will have intimidated me, and that's as good as a Quarryman victory..."

"I shuild know better then t' try arguing with you," Molly muttered, thrusting her hands into her leather jacket pockets.

Lucia glanced up at the dormitory again. Swallowing, she took one step after the other towards the front door. Molly shook her head, and followed her friend.

They scaled the stairs to the third floor, and Molly slipped the key into the lock. Friends smiled and waved as Lucia came by. Lucia dropped her bag once they got into the door. Things were a bit neater then usual, but so cramped compared to the open rooms of Macbeth's mansion.

"What the heck is that?" Lucia asked, picking up a box that sat near her bed.

"I don't know..." Molly muttered. Then her eyes grew bright.

Lucia suddenly felt Molly throw her to one side. The box fell with a clatter to the floor. A loud scream rang in Lucia's ears as Molly struggled to push her out the door.

Smoke and fire exploded the next moment. The world ended in a blaze of light far hotter then anything she could anticipate. A siren scream rung in Lucia's ears, cutting her consciousness blissfully from her subconscious.

Windows rattled for two blocks. Chavez and Lina glanced at each other. "What the hell was that?" asked Lina, her eyes widening.

"It came from the direction of NYU!" Robyn snapped. "Sounded like a plastique explosion too!"

"NYU? Madre de Dios! I need to use your phone!" Chavez snapped. Leaping to her feet she stabbed buttons on Matt's phone.

"Captain Chavez here! Bombing situation on NYU campus! Send units to investigate!"

"No..." Lina gasped, her eyes widening in horror. "Lucia!"

She was halfway out the door when Chavez joined her. Robyn watched in horror, and silently hoped none had perished. Together Chavez and Lina pounded down the stairwell to the front door, almost cracking the glass as they burst onto the street.

"What part of Campus do you think?" Lina asked.

"I don't know..." Chavez huffed. Matt Bluestone pulled up, in an unmarked car. They leapt inside and roared off towards where Lina had heard the blast.

All around Canmore Hall swarmed the police and firefighters. A line of curious students was physically pushed back by uniformed officers. Shouts and crackling flames were drowned in the whoosh of hoses and loud piecing sirens. The top floor smoked with occasional tongues of fire. Rubble filled one stairwell to the east, and the other in the middle slowly belched clusters of students in the chaperone of firefighters. Stretchers were threaded through the fallen chunks of masonry and brick scattered on the sidewalk.

"Lucia!" Maria Chavez shouted, as she climbed out of Matt's car. Lina was close behind the police captain, who automatically rushed up to the knot of police officers.

"What the hell happened?" she asked them.

"Bombing... incendiary... on the second floor..." Officer Morgan reported. "Real mess..."

Lina slipped around the line of policemen as Carlos was struggling to get past Morgan and Elisa. Few noticed the young redhead creeping along the line of struggling refugees. Somehow Lina knew where Lucia must be under that mess.

"Miss, you can't go there! Miss!" Morgan shouted. He saw the red headed woman Chavez had come with almost halfway to the stairwell filled with rubble.

"But there are still two people trapped in there!" Lina protested. "Two friends of mine!"

"You're not doing them any good by getting in the way, now please step back!" cried Morgan, gripping her arm gently yet firmly, and pulling her away.

"Molly..." Lucia gasped. A scream rang in her ears, and for a moment Lucia wondered just what it was. It sounded much like a cross between a sonorous lullaby, and an air raid siren she'd remembered from a PBS special about the 1960's atomic bomb drills. That high shrill whining mingled with a woman's soprano tones.

Over her, Molly crouched, and yet it wasn't Molly. A tall slender figure with long flowing hair drifted a foot above the floor. That siren song tumbled from between her lips, its blue crackling energy forming a shell of power for nearly a five foot radius.

Lucia could only see the wisps of green cloth swirling around the slender legs, the long hair spilling and furling in a mystical wind. All around them the room shambles crumbled from the bomb blast. Sheets of sheer flame licked around their barrier. Yet it held proudly against the inferno.

Slowly she tried to push up off the floor with both palms pressed flat. A sharp pain sent her screaming in agony, its white hot knives slipping up her arm. The figure's head flickered around and two white radiances fell upon Lucia with concern.

"Who... what are you..." Lucia gasped.

"That is a secret known only to a few, little one..." came the voice. Slowly Lucia was lifted in the power of her song, wrapped in solid blue sound which precipitated into blue eldritch fire. The sphere of sound burst through the wall of flame, which slowly was beaten back by a high compression hose.

Till they both emerged in the still intact stairwell to the west. Suddenly the figure's song took an odd discordant shriek. Looking up, Lucia noticed the line of blood seeping down from the spring green gown. If she traced it up she could see pieces of metal protruding from a cut in the nymph's narrow bosom. "You're hurt!" Lucia gasped, and the sound stopped as they both hit the ground.

"Iron... metal... lethal..." she wailed. Lucia struggled against pain to support the fallen figure. In reality it was featherweight, yet taller then she by at least a foot. Crackling flames hissed closer and closer.

"Do not mind... mortal..." she gasped. Sights and sounds gelled around them when the blue nimbus faded. Lucia wasted no time in trying to figure this out, she wrapped the figure's arm around her neck and stumbled out of the way of the belching smoke. A high pressure hose shot through the stairwell, beating back the creeping flames.

"There they are!" came the voices of men and women.

Lucia grunted, fighting against the sharpness in her useless right arm. Had to get clear or the flames would sear them both.

"Iron... deadly..." the sidthe lady coughed. Lucia gripped the piece of metal protruding from her chest. It was a bit of shrapnel from whatever bomb had gone off. Surely to tear it out would cause a bigger problem. But to leave it in? Her mind jumped at top speed. Iron... that creature... faerie?

She pulled at the metal, gripping with her good hand. The fae let loose a wailing keen as it jarred free. Lucia pressed her hand to the wound to stanch the trickle of blood. Relief spread over her face as the metal came loose. Slowly the shape collapsed into the familiar form of Molly O'Keefe.

"Thank... you..." she coughed, and passed out. Lucia soon followed as she collapsed beside her friend.

"We've found two more!" came the voices that settled around them.

"Get them outside!"

Epilogue:

"It was a really bad explosion... it's a miracle either survived," the Doctor said as he regarded Maria Chavez.

"Firebomb, ground zero," Chavez muttered. "How do you figure they survived?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," the Doctor said.

Lina looked from Chavez to Dr. Frazier, both of whom were relieved and flummoxed. At the back of her mind familiarity mated with recognition. Molly... O'Keefe. Where had she heard that name before in her time?

"Is Miss O'Keefe all right?" Lina asked.

"She took a load of shrapnel in the chest..." Dr. Frazier announced. "She bore the brunt of the explosion..."

"Can we see her?" asked Lina.

 "We had to take quite a lot of the iron out of her," said the Doctor. "She'll be in surgery now. But you can see Miss Dominguez now..."

"Let us know when Molly's out, okay?" Chavez asked, taking Lina's anxious shoulders as she guided her out of the room.

"Will do..."

Lucia slowly came around, feeling a strong hand pressing into hers. Slowly she blinked into the faces of her Aunt and Lina.

"Hello sleeping beauty," Chavez grinned.

"Molly!" Lucia gasped.

"She's okay," Lina said, gripping Lucia's other hand. "Are you all right? We were so worried..."

"Chicha," Maria sighed, stroking Lucia's forehead. "What happened?"

"I remember Molly throwing me to the side... and there was a loud screaming... and then there was flames..."

"What next?" Lina asked.

"This is going to sound nuts, but it was the strangest thing. I don't know if it was a dream or not..." Lucia glanced up at her aunt glazedly.

"I've been used to serious stuff. Tell me... it might help to pin the perpetrator down..."

"It was as if there were some force shielding me from the blast. The next thing I know I woke up and I saw a strange blue light, and an odd wailing noise. Molly was gone... and there was this... woman in green... it was so weird. I thought I was hallucinating..."

"Woman in green?" Maria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Shh," said Lina. "Go on..."

"She fell into my arms, grasping her chest. I helped pull her out of it..." Lucia shook her head. "It was as if the metal had... poisoned her. Did I dream it?"

"Maybe," Chavez muttered, and saw the recognition in Lina's eyes. What revelations had her niece's words sparked in her new friend?

Just then a stretcher was wheeled into the emergency room by a cluster of EMT's and medics. A redheaded woman breathed into a ventilator, with bags of saline dripping into a vein on one arm. "Molly!" Lucia gasped.

"She'll live," they said as they pushed her into position. "She wanted to see you..."

A pair of blue eyes fixed on Lucia, and they took the mask away. Weakly Molly reached a hand to Lucia across the gulf, till she was wheeled next to her roommate.

"You're one brave young woman," Chavez said, coming over to Molly and touching her shoulder.

"'Twas nothing... a friend wuild na ha done fer another," Molly shrugged.

"Did they take all the shrapnel out?" Lina asked. Molly glanced over at the new voice, confusion in her eyes.

"Aye they did. But who be ye?"

"Lina," said Maria Chavez. "She's new in town."

"Molly O'Keefe, you are a woman of many talents," said Lina carefully. "Maria and Lucia owe you more then you can imagine..."

"And how wuild ye be knowing that?" Molly asked, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Lina.

"I know who you really are, Molly O'Keefe, or should I say, Banshee?" Lina winked. As Molly's mouth dropped open in protest, Lucia and Maria stared at Lina.

"It's okay," Lina said. "I know. And the secret is safe..."

"Banshee?" asked Lucia. "What has that to do with my weird dream? Did you really... put on a yard of hair... and two feet in height back there?"

Molly glanced at the three women, and said nothing as she gave a mischievous wink. Slowly she dropped into wearied sleep.

"Care to explain what that was about?" Lucia asked her aunt and Lina.

Later, Molly surfaced from the pits of sleep. Weakly she turned her head to regard her roomate, whspering, "Lucia.. I...."

Over her leaned Lucia, her arm wrapped in a sling. Softly she took her friend’s hand, shushing her, "Shhh easy, Chica. Lina explained to us."

Molly’s eyes widened at the sound of the unfamiliar name, "Lina?"

"The red haired knockout." Lucia indicated with a raised brow, tossing her head in the direction of where her aunt sat quietly with the other woman, who leaned her head on Chavez?shoulder. Lina was fast asleep next to Chavez, who was reading a magazine quietly.

"H?how did she know?" Molly asked, gripping her roomate’s arm. Still her grasp was weak.

"Well, she's...hum... Demona's from another dimension. The one that Puck mimiced to fool Goliath, if I remember well."

Molly’s look of shock and confusion rivaled Lucia’s of a few hours before.

 "So what is the Banshee exactly?" Maria Chavez asked, shifting the bag of groceries from one arm to the other. Lina grabbed the bag just before it toppled.

"A member of the Third Race?#034;

"Third Race?"

"There are gargoyles, humans, and the Eldrich. Those that tap into magic instead of technology. Elves, faires, gods, whatever they are, they are real. And they are all collectively known as the third race?#034;

"Wait, you mean elves really exist? Like in Aria?"

"Exactly," Lina nodded, when Chavez fished out her keys from her purse.

"So?let me get this straight. You said gods? Like Greek gods?"

"They too are members of the Third Race?#034;

"But where is this Third race today?"

"They live in a realm of magic, called Avalon. A mystical island that supplies them with their nascent magic?#034;

"Nooo!" Chavez screamed into the night. Sweat poured down her forehead in rivulets as she jerked awake. Around her the unforgiving night loomed with that same loneliness as before. Was she really awake to the reality that haunted her so many sleepless nights before.

Across the dark the red lights of her alarm clock flickered out 3AM. Memories fell into place once again. Out of the darkness came a winged shape, its eyes red as the clock’s LED. A voice whispered, "Maria, are you all right? I heard you scream?#034;

"Lina?#034; Maria stammered out. Beside the bed the shape stopped, resting a twilight blue claw on Chavez?nightgowned shoulder. The large double bed seemed all too empty right now.

"What’s wrong?"

"I had?a nightmare," Chavez glanced up at her. "I thought you would be asleep by now?but I guess that’s stupid seeing you transform at night?#034;

"Not really. I was catchign the late night shows. Didn’t really feel tired tonight. But are you all right?" Lina asked, and slipped an arm around Maria’s shaking shoulders. The police chief was strugglign not to appear overly vulnerable to her.

"I’m fine?it’s just an old dream?#034; Chavez sighed.

"No it’s not okay. That scream I’ve heard before?the scream of a mother who has lost her child?#034;

"How do you?#034; Chavez asked.

"I’ve screamed it too many times," Lina explained, and nudged beside her to sit on the edge of the bed. Her hip was warm against Chavez, comforting.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"It’s okay, you don’t have to be strong all the time?#034; Lina felt herself saying. "Tell me about your daughter?#034;

"My daughter?it has been a long time?#034; Chavez said, glancing up at Lina. She fought back the tears that threatened to form in her green eyes.

"Tell me," Lina whispered. "Please?#034;

Gently Chavez stroked fingers through Lina’s hair as Lina lay her head and shoulders on the older woman’s lap. "It was a long time ago?#034;