New Beginnings

Part One

Written by Donald E. Fleming II

Story concept by Donald E. Fleming II

Disclaimer: All Gargoyles characters are the property of Disney and Buena Vista Studios and are being used without their consent or permission. Other Gargoyle characters are the property of The Gargoyle Saga (TGS) writing staff and also are being used without their permission. The character of Don Michael Taylor is my creation. I am receiving no reward for this story other than the satisfaction of being able to share it with others as it is intended solely for my own entertainment and the entertainment of Gargoyle fandom everywhere.

Thanksgiving Day

The Labyrinth

Elisa set the tray on the table before looking around at the people gathered around to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner. Off to one side she spotted Delilah laughing as she bounced Danny on her knee, being careful not to injure him on the spur. It looks like he brought out her maternal instincts, she thought. It was hard to believe that this was the same boy that several months ago was suffering from a debilitating illness. Now that he was receiving treatments, he was full of life and energy.

"I think motherhood agrees with her," Maggie said as she followed Elisa's gaze.

"What?" Elisa said.

"Delilah," Maggie said. She pointed to the clone. "Motherhood agrees with her."

"Danny's not her kid," Elisa said. "You know that."

"I know," Maggie said. "But he's gotten real attached to her ever since Thailog put his mom in the hospital. How's she doing anyway?"

"Dr. Sato said she should be out in another couple of days," she said. "She was lucky."

"Danny's the lucky one," Talon said as he came over. "If it hadn't been for Delilah insisting on taking care of him while Kate recovered in the hospital, he probably would have ended up in a foster home."

"Where he probably wouldn't have gotten the care he needed," Elisa said. "It's a good thing he's got people here who care enough to look out for him."

"It's too bad they'll end up looking for handouts after Kate gets out of the hospital," Maggie said.

"What makes you say that?" Elisa asked.

"She used to work for Demona, right?" Maggie said. "It'll be a miracle if she lets Kate have her old job back after all this time."

"I think you're selling Demona short," Elisa said. "Who do you think has been covering her hospital expenses and Danny's treatments?"

"You're kidding?" Talon said. "Demona?"

"Who'd have thought it possible?" she said. "But stranger things have happened in the past couple of months. Don shows up again, Delilah gets a job as a stripper." Elisa quickly looked over at the clone, making sure Delilah hadn't heard her. More than once, Delilah had objected to that term. As far as Delilah was concerned, she was an exotic dancer, not a stripper. "And Macbeth and Demona put an end to their hostilities. I really think that things are beginning to turn around for her."

Talon looked over at Delilah and Danny. "So Demona's paying for Kate's medical care, huh? This is going to take some getting used to. Next thing you know, she'll be inviting us over for drinks."

"Funny you should mention that," Elisa said and smiled as she told them about Demona's afternoon out with Don.

"Okay, everyone," Broadway chimed. "Soup's on."

Diane Maza stood back and watched as people started filling up their plates with food. More than a couple came back for seconds.

"I think you really outdid yourself this time," she said, turning to look at the blue-green gargoyle.

"I love Thanksgiving," Broadway admitted. "It gives me an excuse to really go all-out on the food. And I had some great help this year." He turned and looked at Angela, who was piling food on a plate for an eager ten-year-old.

"And I'm going to have to do some extra digging when I get back to Arizona just to get rid of the extra pounds," Beth quipped as she loaded her plate. "Otherwise, I'm going to end up as big as you." She playfully poked Broadway in the middle.

"Then perhaps you shouldn't eat so much," Angela said.

"What, and insult your hubby?" Beth said. "I couldn't possibly do that. Besides, where else can I get great food like this? Too bad you don't deliver, Broadway. You'd make a killing in the catering biz."

"Now there's an idea," Broadway laughed. "You think Demona would float me a small business loan to get started," he asked Angela.

"I don't know," she said. "You could always ask her." She put her arms around her rotund mate. "Although, you might want to wait a while," she continued, knowing that Demona was still getting over her break-up with Don. She had hoped that things would work out between her mother and Elisa's former love, but she saw how things had changed between them after the incident with Thailog. Demona had broken off her relationship with Don shortly after that.

"I thought Don was going to be here," she heard Beth say.

"He called a little while ago," Diane said. "He said he had a few things to finish up before coming over. Something about the clan down in Guatamala."

Broadway remembered Don mentioning to Goliath an interest in heading down to Central America to take some pictures of the gargoyles down there. Ever since he got out of the hospital after the Newtech fire, Don had become more active as a photographer for P.I.T., and Andrea Calhoun had begun featuring several of his gargoyle photographs alongside her own artwork at some of her more recent gallery showings. Not bad for someone everyone thought was dead for eight years.

As if in response to his question, Don walked into the Sanctuary, heading straight for the table. He was carrying several dishes that were covered up by foil.

"Am I too late to add something to the table?" he asked.

"Not at all," Dianne said. "What have you got?"

"A few of my personal favorites," he said. He set the dishes on the table and pulled back the foil. "Scalloped corn and home-made mashed potatoes."

Broadway bent over and took a sniff. "Smells great," he said.

"Sayeth the Master chef," Don said. He quickly backed off as several people, including Beth, helped themselves to the new additions to the meal. Within minutes, most of what he brought was gone. "I guess I should have made more," he said.

"That's okay," Broadway said. "If you want, I think Talon and Maggie have some uncooked potatoes in the kitchen if you want to make some more."

"Sounds great," he said. "I'll get right on it. But first…" He took a look around and focused on one particular individual. "I see a certain platinum blonde who is in serious need of some attention."

"Who's that?" Broadway asked.

Don smiled as he turned and headed over towards Elisa and Delilah. Angela felt her heart sink as she realized what was about to happen.

Elisa looked up as Don approached both her and the hybrid clone. She couldn't help but see the smile on Delilah's face. Something tells me there's something going on with these two, she thought, remembering the very quick, but nonetheless rather intense kiss Delilah had given Don a month ago.

"Ah, my two favorite ladies," he said. He bent down and gave Elisa a quick kiss on the cheek, but when he turned toward Delilah, the hybrid clone quickly snaked her hand to the back of his neck and pulled him into a longer, somewhat more intense kiss on the lips.

"Ahem," Elisa said after several moments. When they finally broke the contact, she raised her eyebrow at them. "Is there something the two of you would like to tell me?"

Delilah blushed brightly as she turned to face her. "We've been…seeing each other." She paused as she took Don's hand into her own.

"I gathered that," Elisa said. She looked at Don. "But I thought that you and Demona were…"

"We…broke up after what happened last month," Don said, absently rubbing the spot on his cheek where Demona had slapped him earlier that month. I know she really didn't mean the things she said, he thought. "Delilah sort of caught me on the rebound."

"I hope you don't mind," Delilah said nervously. "I know that you and Don were once in love…"

"You know what," Elisa said. "I couldn't be happier. I'm just surprised it took the two of you so long to…" She stopped and a shocked look came over her face. My God, she thought. I'm turning into my mother! She remembered her own mother saying almost the exact same thing over nine years ago when she and Don made the announcement that they were seeing each other. She laughed to herself and she looked up to see Don smiling at her. He remembers, she thought.

"I take it you were thinking the same thing," he said.

Elisa shook her head as she laughed again. "I guess they're right when they say that motherhood is genetic."

"What?" Delilah asked. She looked at both Elisa and Don, confused. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing, sweetheart," Don said, bending down to kiss her on the cheek. "I'll explain it later."

"I certainly hope so," Delilah said. "I'd hate to think I missed out on something important."

She was lost. She was sure about that. Despite the directions Dominique had given her, Andrea was hopelessly lost. Labyrinth is right, she thought ruefully. Any minute now, the Minotaur is going to pop up and…

"Who you?" a voice behind her asked. She cried out in surprise and spun around. There, standing before her, was a gargoyle. A gargoyle that looked vaguely familiar.

"Br…Broadway?" she asked.

"Not Broadway," he said. "Hollywood. Broadway is…" He hesitated, trying to find the proper word.

Hollywood? Andrea thought for a moment, then it dawned on her. "You're one of the clones," she said. Dominique had told her about them. She said they guarded the Sanctuary during the night.

"Yes," Hollywood said. "I am clone. Broadway is original."

Andrea studied his face for a moment. He seemed almost depressed by the fact. I probably hurt his feelings when I mistook him for Broadway, she thought.

"And you?" he asked.

"I'm Andrea," she said.

"An…drea," Hollywood repeated. "You are artist friend?"

"Yes," she said. She looked around. "And I'm lost," she admitted. "Can you show me where the Sanctuary is? I tried to follow Domi's directions, but I think I took a wrong turn somewhere."

"Domi?" the clone asked.

Andrea mentally kicked herself. They don't think of her as Dominique Destine, she realized. To them, she's Demona. "I mean Demona," she said.

"Is she with you?" he asked, looking up and down the tunnel.

"I wouldn't be lost if she were," she said. "Can you show me where to go? I don't want to get lost again." She paused as she considered the clone. "And I'd feel safer if someone were with me."

"Sure," he said. He turned and started back the way she had come. "I show you. This way."

Andrea smiled as she followed in his wake, thankful for the company.

It didn't take them long to reach the Sanctuary. When they got there, Angela caught sight of them and rushed over to greet her.

"Andrea, hi," she said. "We weren't expecting to see you. Is Mother with you?"

"No," Andrea said. "Dominique still in Paris. She said that she had to take care of some important business, but..." She paused as she looked at Angela. "I know she's still upset over what happened." Demona had told Andrea about her break-up with Don, but not the reason, although Andrea had a feeling she knew why. She doesn't want what could have happened to me to happen to him, she thought. "She said I could come down here if I wanted to." She looked over at Hollywood. "I kinda got lost, though. But Hollywood found me and escorted me here."

Angela smiled, grateful that the clone had found her friend. "Thank you, Hollywood," she said.

"Yes, thank you," Andrea repeated and gave the clone a quick peck on the cheek. He blushed brightly in response.

"I better go back to post," he said and quickly turned to leave.

"How's the arm?" Angela asked.

Andrea looked down at her left arm, which was in a brace. Thailog had broken the arm in order to force Demona to show him how to use the Bloodstone. The magic had repaired most of the damage, but she still needed to keep the arm immobile to allow it to heal properly.

"It's still a little sore," she said. She flexed her fingers. "But at least I can still use it."

"I'm glad," Angela said. "I'd hate to think what you'd do if you lost your gift."

"I don't even want to consider it," Andrea said. "I'm just glad we all got out of there alive."

"As am I," a voice behind her said.

Andrea shrieked as she turned, moving quickly to hide behind Angela. That voice…

"I am sorry, Andrea," Goliath said. "I did not mean to startle you."

Andrea relaxed as she took in the lavender gargoyle. "No, it's all right," she said. "I should have realized it was you." Thailog's voice still haunted her at night, as did his face, his laugh, but she knew that Goliath wasn't Thailog. The voice may sound the same, but Goliath's sounded warm and compassionate, whereas Thailog's was cold and uncaring. There were still nights where she woke up in a cold sweat, afraid that Thailog was coming for her again, but she knew she had friends she could call on if she needed to. And here, she was literally surrounded by them. Thailog was never going to hurt her again. And if Dominique ever caught up with him…

"I heard a scream," Elisa said as she came running. She slowed when she saw Andrea.

"It's okay, Elisa," Angela said. "Father just caught her by surprise."

"Is she okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine, detective," Andrea said, not realizing she used the same expression Demona usually used for her, until she caught the look on Elisa's face. "I mean Elisa. It's just that…"

"I know how you feel," Elisa said. "Thailog tends to have that effect on people." She looked up at Goliath. "Thankfully, not all gargoyles are like him."

"Thank goodness for small favors," Andrea said.

Elisa smiled. "Goliath, Don asked me to find you. He had an idea, and I think you're really going to like it."

"A gargoyle yearbook?" Goliath asked.

"Something like that," Don said. "Although a Millennium Book would probably be a better name for it. Or something else along those lines."

"And this Millennium Book would include…"

"I was thinking maybe family portraits," Don said. "Individual stills, head shots, clan affiliations. That kind of thing. Maybe even a family tree, showing ancestry and descendants."

"Hmm," Goliath murmured.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Elisa said. "Sort of like a family album, but on a bigger scale."

"I like the idea, too," Angela said. "After all, humans do the same thing. Remember the photo album that Elisa's parents have? It was full of pictures."

"And some of those pictures date back over seventy years," Diane said. "I remember going through one of my grandmother's old photo albums for pictures to keep after she passed away. I ended up keeping all of them because I couldn't bear the thought of losing them. It was all we had left of her."

Brooklyn and Sata looked at each other, staying slightly off to one side so no one could see the knowing glance that passed between them.

They're planning the Compendium, he realized. During their stay in the future, Angela and Broadway had shown them the original Gargoyle Compendium. It was a matter of pride for the clan. The original had photographs of nearly every single clan in the world, and Angela had said that it took Don nearly two years to complete it. Now I know why that photograph Don had taken of him, Sata and the twins looked familiar, he thought. Angela had said it was one of the first to be selected for the book. And Angela had also said that he had a hand in its creation...

"What do you think, Brooklyn?" Goliath asked.

"Hmm," Brooklyn asked. "Sorry, what?"

"Do you believe that this is a good idea?" Goliath asked, repeating the question he had asked while Brooklyn's mind was wandering. "This project of Don's."

"I think it's a great idea," he said. "Just think what it could mean to future generations of gargoyles."

Elisa and Goliath shared a knowing look, realizing that Brooklyn had just given them a hint of the future. "Then it is settled."

"All we have to do now is choose a suitable name for the project," Don said. "Then we can get started."

"Why wait to choose a name?" Andrea asked. "With a project like this, shouldn't it begin as soon as possible."

"You know what, Andrea," Don said. "You're right. Where's my camera bag?"

Talon and Maggie watched as Goliath began clearing an area away from everyone else and Don began checking his light meter.

"What's going on?" Talon asked.

"Don came up with a great idea for a project," Diane said. "He's going to put together a kind of yearbook for the gargoyles. Hopefully, he can get pictures of all the gargoyles around the world for it."

"Sounds like quite an undertaking," Talon said. "Are they going to start now?"

"Yes," Diane said. "Don said he wanted to get started as soon as possible. Derek, can you bring the clones over here? Goliath said that they should be included in this."

"Sure thing," he said. He turned and headed across the Sanctuary.

"Derek," he heard Maggie call out to him. He paused long enough for his wife to catch up to him. "Did you tell them?"

"No, not yet," he said.

"You know they're going to have to be told sooner or later," she said.

"I know," Talon said. "I just wish that…"

"Wish what?" Peter asked. Startled, Talon and Maggie spun around to find Peter Maza looking at them. "Derek, is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Dad," Talon said. He gave his wife a nervous look.

"Now I know something's up," Peter said. "C'mon, you two. Spill it."

Talon began rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, you see, Dad," he said. "It's like this…"

"Like what?" Diane asked, approaching the three. "I thought you were going to go find the clones."

Talon looked at his mom. "I was," he said. "It's just that…"

"I'm pregnant," Maggie said finally.

The Sanctuary was plunged into silence as the word 'pregnant' seemed to reverberate off the walls. And everyone's eyes seemed to focus on the pair.

"You're…pregnant?" Peter finally managed to say.

"Maggie, are you sure?" Diane asked as a crowd started to converge on them.

"Did I hear what I think I heard?" Elisa, the first one to reach them, asked.

Maggie looked at the small crowd that was gathering. "Yes. I'm pretty sure. And yes, you heard correctly," she said, answering each question in turn.

Suddenly, there was a blur of orange and black as Claw scooped Maggie up in his arms and gave her a joyous hug. There were tears of joy in the silent Mutate's eyes.

"I think Claw is happy," Sharon said with a smile on her face.

"How can you tell?" Elisa quipped.

Sharon gave her a wry look.

"Yes, Claw," Maggie said, with some measure of difficulty. "I'm happy, too. But could you please put me down!"

"Claw, stop squishing my wife," Talon remarked.

An embarrassed look spread across the Mutate's face and he quickly set Maggie down on her feet. Then he made a flurry of gestures that Elisa had trouble keeping up with, but she got the general idea.

"That's right, Claw," Maggie said, watching as Claw linked his arms together and made a motion as if he were rocking a child in his arms. "I'm going to have a baby."

"Are you absolutely certain?" Diane asked.

"Well, I did miss my last two…" she started, pausing as she looked at the number of males gathering around them. "You know, those. And I have been feeling queasy in the morning."

"Sounds like she's pregnant to me," Elisa said.

"Did I hear right?" Don asked as he, Delilah and Goliath finally made it through the crowd. "You've got a bun in the oven?"

"Bun in the…" Goliath repeated, confused. "I thought…"

"It's an expression, Goliath," Elisa said. "One of our cute human sayings. I'll explain it later."

"I'm so happy for you," Delilah said, hugging Maggie, somewhat more gently than Claw had. "I know you'll make a fine mother."

"And you will make a fine father," Goliath said to Talon. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, Goliath," Talon said. "But we're still not absolutely sure…"

"I'll stop by the drugstore tomorrow and pick you up a pregnancy test," Elisa said. "I doubt we could schedule you to see Dr. Jackson, though, so you may have to…"

"Who?" Goliath asked.

"Dr. Jackson," Elisa said. "She's a…an…"

"She's an obstetrician, Goliath," Diane said. "A doctor that specializes in pregnancy and childbirth." She thought for a moment. "Think of her as sort of a midwife."

"I see," he said, although he was still a bit confused. "But why would you need one now? Wouldn't she be needed during the actual delivery of the child?"

"Pre-natal care has come a long way since your time, Goliath," Elisa said. "Now we generally go to an obstetrician to see if a woman is pregnant, to make sure she gets the proper care and nutrition and to make sure that the child is developing properly." She smiled for a moment. "Even to find out if the baby's going to be male or female."

"How is that possible?" Goliath asked. "Sorcery?"

"Not really," Dr. Daniel Goldblum said as he approached the couple. "Although, one could look at it that way." He looked at Maggie and Derek. "I understand there is a question as to whether or not you are with child," he said. "If you would like, I can run the test for you."

"Could you?" Maggie asked. "Right away?"

"Well, not today," he said, looking over at his wife and children, who had joined him to celebrate Thanksgiving in the Sanctuary this year. "Tomorrow perhaps, after I get a few things." He looked at Elisa. "I will need for you to pick up a very reliable test," he said. "I can tell you which one I believe is the best, but if you have a preference…"

"I'll trust your judgement," she said. "I haven't needed one for a while, so I guess whichever one you think is best…"

Dr. Goldblum took out a small pad of paper and made a quick note. "This one gives the best results," he said, handing the paper to Elisa. She committed the name of the test to memory and stuffed the slip into her pocket.

"In the meantime," Don said. "It looks like we've got something else to celebrate tonight." He gave Maggie a quick hug and shook Talon's hand briskly before taking Delilah by the hand and heading off into the crowd, all thoughts of the Compendium temporarily forgotten in the wake of the joyous news. The resulting celebration lasted well past midnight and continued almost until dawn.

December 1, 1999

Castle Wyvern

Elisa snuggled closer to Goliath, allowing him to envelop her in his wings as they sat on the sofa in front of the fire. She was happy, and Goliath was as well.

"Soon the New Year will be upon us," he said. "Any thoughts about the coming year?"

"Actually, I'm still trying to recover from Thanksgiving," she said. "So much has happened this year, what with Don coming back and what's going on now between him and Delilah, Angela and Broadway finally getting married. Madoc. Thailog." She paused, sighing. "I think I want to wait a while before looking ahead to next year. Although…" She turned in his arms and looked up at him. "I have been thinking about Derek and Maggie."

"And their coming offspring," Goliath said. Dr. Goldblum had run the test as he had promised and the results were positive. Maggie was indeed pregnant.

"Yeah, and it got me thinking," she said.

"Elisa?"

"I want us to have a child, Goliath," she said.

"Elisa," Goliath repeated. "I do not know if it would even be possible for us to produce a child."

She brought her arms up and wrapped them around his broad neck. "We could try," she said. "I mean, it's not like we've been celibate all this time. We know that in some ways we're compatible. Maybe it's possible that we can."

"Perhaps," Goliath said. "But we should take this one step at a time." He set his hands around her waist and pulled her close. "Before we start making any decisions about this, we should consult a professional, someone who could advise us on how best to proceed."

"And who did you have in mind?" she asked.

December 2, 1999

The Labyrinth

"Thanks for seeing us on such short notice, doctor," Elisa said.

Dr. Goldblum smiled at Elisa and Goliath. "It's my pleasure," he said. "What can I do for the two of you?"

"You are aware that Elisa and I have decided to become mates," Goliath said.

"Of course," he said. "Have the two of you set a date yet?"

Elisa looked up at Goliath. "Not yet," she admitted. "But it will be sometime next year. We're hoping sometime in the summer."

"Good for you," he said. "I guess you're here to make arrangements for a blood test, then."

"Not exactly," Elisa said. "We want to find out if we're genetically compatible enough to have kids."

Dr. Goldblum did a double take, clearly surprised by their request. "The two of you wish to have children?"

"I know it's a little unusual…," Elisa said.

"To say the least," he said. "But I quite understand. And I am honored that you would ask me to help you out in this. Of course, there's always the possibility that you can't, but…" He looked across the Sanctuary to Delilah. "I don't see why a miracle can't happen twice in one century." He turned and headed for the Sanctuary lab. "If the two of you will come with me, we can get started."

Elisa sat with Delilah, rubbing her arm, which was still sore from the needle Dr. Goldblum used to extract blood samples for the test. Goliath paced back and forth across the outer office.

"What is taking so long?" he finally asked.

"It takes time," Elisa said. "We don't want him to rush this. It could make all the difference between saying we can and we can't."

"What are you hoping for?" Delilah asked.

"I'm hoping we can," Elisa said. "And just think, if the tests are positive, it could mean that you and Don could have children of your own someday."

Delilah took a quick glance over to Danny, who was asleep on a sofa opposite her. "I think I would like that," she said, smiling. Even though her relationship with Don hadn't proceeded to that level as of yet, she was hopeful that one day it would.

The door to the lab opened and Dr. Goldblum stepped out, wearing a smile. "I have good news," he said.

"The tests are positive?" Elisa asked.

"Yes," he said. "Of course, you may want to check with your own doctor before actually conceiving a child, but as far as genetic compatibility is concerned, I see no problems."

"Thank you, Dr. Goldblum," Goliath said as Elisa and Delilah hugged each other, overjoyed by the news.

December 6, 1999

Office of Dr. Elsie Jackson, OB/GYN

10:00 AM

Elisa sat on the chair, waiting for Dr. Jackson to return. More than once she got up to pace around the office. She stood up and began pacing again.

"Pacing won't make her come back any sooner," Diane Maza said.

"I know, Mom," she said. "It's just…"

"You're nervous about the test results," Diane said.

"Yeah," Elisa admitted. "I really want to make sure I can do this," she continued.

"Goliath and I are really looking forward to this."

At that moment, Dr. Jackson returned to the office. She was carrying Elisa's chart and wearing a smile on her face. Both Maza women took that as a good sign.

"So, what's the verdict?" Elisa asked. She sat down again.

"Considering your line of work, Elisa," Dr. Jackson said. "You're an extremely healthy young woman. And as far as I can tell, you're clean."

"So there shouldn't be any problem with me becoming pregnant?"

"Not as far as I can tell," she said. Dr. Jackson opened the chart. "Just as long as you take the necessary precautions. I did find something unusual in the blood work-up, but it doesn't appear to be causing any problems. It shouldn't affect the pregnancy." She closed the folder. "Of course, you'll probably want to schedule an appointment for the prospective father to see a…"

"That…could be a problem," Elisa said.

"What?" the doctor asked. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Yeah," Elisa said, looking to Diane. "About the father…"

"Elisa, don't tell me he's a user or an illegal."

"No, he's…" She hesitated, wondering if she should tell the doctor. She's bound to find out eventually, she thought. "He's a gargoyle."

"What?" Dr. Jackson said. "You're joking!"

"I'm afraid not," Elisa said.

Dr. Jackson sat back in her chair. "I always knew you were a strange one, Elisa," she said. "But I never thought…" She sighed heavily before continuing. "To be honest, if you're serious about this, I'm going to have to recommend against a pregnancy."

"Why?" Elisa asked. "If it's because he's a gargoyle…"

"That's part of the problem," she said. "But not for the reasons you think. I have no problem with them." She pointed to the painting hanging on the wall. Elisa instantly recognized it as one of Andrea Calhoun's early works. "I think they're fascinating. But there's still so much we don't know about them. Most importantly, their reproductive cycles. There is not one medical text available about them. About the only thing concrete about them is their stone sleep."

"No pun intended, I hope," Elisa said.

Dr. Jackson smiled. "Maybe just a little," she said. "But it's their stone sleep that worries me, Elisa. Will the child hibernate during the day like they do? If so, it could put an incredible strain on your system. We could be looking at a possible miscarriage."

"I hadn't thought about that," Elisa said.

"That is, even if the DNA is compatible enough to produce a child," she said.

"Dr. Goldblum seems to think that it is," Elisa said

"Dr. Goldblum?" she asked. "Would that be Dr. Daniel Goldblum?"

"Yeah," Elisa said. "He's been doing research along similar lines, and he was kind enough to run a few tests for me." Elisa was reluctant to tell her the true nature of Dr. Goldblum's work. That was still being kept under wraps.

"Well, if he thinks that the DNA is compatible," Dr. Jackson said. "I guess I can't argue with that. But are you absolutely sure? I mean, there are no real precedents for this kind of thing…"

"There is, actually," Elisa said.

"I don't understand," she said.

"There's already one human/gargoyle hybrid in existence," Elisa said.

"I wasn't aware of this," she said. "When did this happen?"

"About three years," Elisa said. "Her name is Delilah."

"The dancer?" Dr. Jackson said. "I thought she was a full-blooded gargoyle."

"No, she's a hybrid," Elisa said. "She was cloned, actually. My DNA and the DNA of a gargoyle, so we know the DNA is reasonably compatible."

"Who…" Dr. Jackson started, wondering who had created her. "Did Dr. Goldblum…"

"No," Elisa said. "Let's just say that the guy who created her used less-than-ethical means to do it."

She realized the answer. "Let me guess. Anton Sevarius?"

"Yeah," Elisa said.

"I'm surprised you let that butcher anywhere near you," she said.

"Believe me, Elsie," Elisa said. "It wasn't voluntary. Somehow, he got a blood sample from me and grew her in a cloning chamber."

"And her gargoyle half?" Dr. Jackson asked. "Did it come from the same gargoyle that you…"

"No," Elisa said. "It came from his former mate. She and I weren't exactly friends at the time, either."

"I see," the doctor said. She sat back in her chair. "Elisa, I know you want this. But until we know more about the gargoyles, I'm still going to have to recommend against you having a child by one. Perhaps, if we could get one here so I could ask some questions about their reproductive cycle, maybe then we could go ahead with a pregnancy. But until then…"

"Would tonight be okay?" Elisa asked.

The Eyrie Building

Elisa watched as Goliath broke out of his stone sleep and turned to gaze at her. He quickly jumped down and hugged her. "Good evening, Elisa," he said.

"Hi yourself," she said. He noted that she seemed a little depressed.

"Are you well?" he asked.

"I'm just feeling a little disappointed," she said.

"Then I take it things did not go well at the…" He hesitated for a moment.

"Not really," she said. "Dr. Jackson recommended against my becoming pregnant."

"I see," he said. "Would it be because of my being a gargoyle?"

"Yeah," she said. "She's worried about what could happen during the pregnancy."

She absently kicked at a piece of Goliath's stone skin.

"She worries about the stone sleep," he said.

"You guessed it," she said. "I hadn't really thought about it before, but I should have figured that Angela would have turned to stone when Demona was pregnant with her."

"And your Dr. Jackson worries that it would cause complications during the pregnancy," Goliath said.

"Yes," Elisa said. "And she's not the only one. Now Mom's worried too."

"As am I," Goliath said. He placed his hand against her cheek. "I would not want you to risk doing this, Elisa. Not if it meant losing you."

Elisa placed her hand over his. "That means a lot, Goliath," she said. "But we still shouldn't give up. There's still a few options left open to us."

"Such as?" he asked.

"Well, that's something I want to talk to the rest of the clan about."

"Very well," he said. He picked her up and glided down to the courtyard where the rest of the clan had gathered.

"So that's the whole story," Elisa said. "Dr. Jackson has pretty much nixed the idea of Goliath and I having a child."

"That's terrible," Angela said. "Did she give a reason?"

"She worries about the stone sleep," Goliath said. "It is a valid concern." He looked at Sata, Brooklyn's mate, and their children. "Up until now, we had never thought much about the possibility of offspring." He paused as he put his arm around Elisa's shoulder. "But with Elisa's decision to have a child, it is something we must address."

"Not to mention what goes on during the delivery," Elisa added. "From my understanding, gargoyle eggs are...what, this big?" She held out her hands to what she thought was a typical size for a gargoyle egg.

"Just a wee bit bigger, lass," Hudson said. When Elisa opened the distance between her hands a little more, he nodded and Elisa's eyes went wide. Maybe I should rethink this after all, she thought. But then she looked up at Goliath again. No, she thought then. Somehow, I'm going to make this work.

"Did yuir doctor give any possibility of changin' her mind about this?"

Elisa looked at Sata and Angela. "Well, she did say she would like to talk to one of the clan to get an idea of what really goes on during pregnancy..." She hesitated. "Sata, would you come with me to her office? All she wants to do is ask some questions and maybe run a few tests."

"I am honored that you would ask me, Elisa-chan," Sata said. "But I remember very little of my own pregnancy. I do remember that I had some difficulty towards the end caused by my exposure to the magic of the Phoenix Gate. I would make a very poor choice for a consultation with your Dr. Jackson."

"I understand," Elisa said. "Thanks anyway."

"You could ask my mother," Angela said. "I know that she's still uneasy about the idea of the two of you becoming mates, but it couldn't hurt to ask her."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Brooklyn said.

Destine Manor

Elisa pulled up to the main gate of Destine Manor and reached out to press the intercom button. She paused for a minute, unsure if she could actually go through with it. C'mon, Elisa, she told herself. You and Demona aren't enemies anymore. After all, she did save you life, and you did give her some advice about Don, even if it didn't last. You can do this. She reached out and pressed the button.

The intercom stayed silent for what seemed to be an eternity. "Maybe she's not back yet," she asked aloud. Angela had said that Demona had gone to Paris on business, but they both suspected that there was another reason. I can certainly understand her reasons for taking off, she thought. She looked at the camera, knowing that if Demona were inside, she was most certainly aware that she was there. She reached for the intercom button again.

"Yes, what is it?"

Demona's voice made her jump, but she quickly mastered her surprise.

"It's Elisa," she quickly said. "I'd like to talk if you don't mind."

"About?"

"It's...personal," Elisa said hesitantly.

The intercom went silent for a moment, and Elisa wondered if Demona was going to let her in.

"I really don't feel like talking about Don right now, detective," Demona finally replied.

"I'm not here to talk about Don," she said. "It's about another matter." She paused for a moment. "And it's not something that can be discussed over the intercom."

The intercom was silent for several more seconds. "Very well," Demona finally said and the gate began to slide open. Elisa quickly drove her car inside and parked in front of the manor.

I just hope I'm not making a big mistake, she thought.

"So you want me to go with you to this doctor to talk about how gargoyles breed?" Demona asked.

"Not exactly," Elisa said. "She has some questions about the gargoyle reproductive cycle. When I told her that I wanted to have a child with Goliath, she was less than thrilled about it."

"As well she should be," Demona said. "Have you any idea what you'd be getting yourself into, detective?"

"I'm starting to get an idea," Elisa said. "I'm guessing it wouldn't be pleasant."

"To say the least."

Elisa leaned forward in her chair. "Look, Demona. All I'm asking is that you talk to her. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as everyone thinks. And even if it is, think about the benefits of having someone in the medical community versed in gargoyle reproduction."

Demona thought that over. After a few moments, she returned her attention to Elisa. "And I should trust this individual because…"

Elisa smiled. "I think once you meet her, you'll like her." She smiled then, deciding to try to pique Demona's interest. "Besides, she's got this absolutely fabulous painting in her office."

"What sort of painting?" Demona asked.

December 7, 1999

Office of Dr. Elsie Jackson, OB/GYN

Dr. Jackson watched as Demona looked over the painting hanging up in her office. "I hope you're not offended by that," she said hesitantly.

"Offended?" Demona said, turning to look at her. "I'm envious! How did you get one of Andrea's early works?"

Dr. Jackson was taken aback by that. "You know her?"

"She and Demona are good friends," Elisa said. "Andrea even painted a picture for Angela's mating ceremony."

"Who?"

"My daughter," Demona said. "Andrea did a very beautiful painting for the ceremony."

"As a gift?" Dr. Jackson asked.

"A commission," Demona said. "Although I am certain that Andrea would have done it for free if I had asked her to." She looked over her shoulder at the painting on the wall. "And yours?"

"A birthday present," she said. "A friend of mine bought it for me."

Demona crossed her arms. "Your friend has excellent taste, " she said. She looked over at Elisa. "Detective Maza said you had some questions you would like answered. Questions about gargoyle reproductive cycles?"

"I hope you don't mind," Dr. Jackson said. "I know that in some cultures this kind of discussion is taboo, and if you're uncomfortable about this…"

"Not at all," Demona said. "Shall we get started? I'm certain you have all sorts of questions you want to ask me." She looked at Elisa. "You might want to wait outside, detective. Some of the answers may be a little graphic."

Elisa looked at her watch. "I have to get back on duty anyway, or my captain will have my head on a platter. Do you want me to stop by later to pick you up, or…"

"I'm certain I can find my way home from here," Demona said. "Besides, I suspect Dr. Jackson and I will have quite a bit to talk about afterwards."

Elisa smiled. "I told you you'd like her," she said before leaving the office.

Demona sat down in the chair opposite the doctor. "Now, where should we begin?" she asked. "Do you want to cover conception first, or the gestation period?"

December 8, 1999

The Eyrie Building

"Well, I just got the bad news," Elisa said. "After talking with Demona for most of last night, Dr. Jackson is firmly set against the idea of my having a child with Goliath." She looked over at him. "I'm sorry, Goliath."

"And there's no other way of you having a child?" Hudson asked.

"Well," Elisa said, looking over at Fox and Owen. "There is one possibility I had thought about."

Owen knew what Elisa was hinting at. "I'm sorry, detective," he said. "As you know, Oberon's rules state that I cannot perform magic except while training Alexander or protecting him from harm. Changing you into a gargoyle is something I would not be allowed to do."

"There is something else to consider," Demona said. "The elfshot Madoc shot you with earlier this year may have left some residual damage that your doctor won't be able to detect. Your doctor did say she found something unusual in your blood work-up."

"Yes," Elisa said, although she was a little surprised that Dr. Jackson would disclose that to Demona, given that it would probably violate doctor/patient confidentiality. "But she didn't think it would interfere…"

"With a normal pregnancy perhaps, detective," Demona said. "But it could interfere with what you and Goliath plan to do."

"As much as it pains me to say it, detective," Owen said. "Demona is correct. There is no way to know precisely what would happen if you were to be transformed into a gargoyle while this unknown factor remained in your system. It could cause irreparable harm not only to the child, but to yourself as well."

"Then what about changing Goliath into a human," Angela asked. This earned her a shocked look from both her father and her mother, but they understood why she asked it. If Alex was capable of changing herself and the Trio into humans for a day so they could experience life as humans, then the same could be done for him so he could father a child with Elisa. It wasn't as if Goliath hadn't been changed into a human once already.

"Unfortunately, there are other risks involved, Miss Angela," Owen said. "Goliath's outward appearance would be changed, but not the underlying genetic material. The child would still be half gargoyle, and therefore subject to the stone sleep."

"There has to be a way," Angela said.

"None that I can see," Owen said. "There are other options available if Detective Maza is sincere in her wish to have a child, but barring magical intervention of a magnitude greater than my own, the possibility of her safely carrying a gargoyle fetus to term is nil."

Elisa looked to Demona. "Do you think it would be possible..."

"If I had that kind of power available, detective," she said. "I would do what I could to aid you." She looked at Owen. "Unfortunately, only Oberon and Titania have that level of power, and we saw what happened the last time their aid was requested."

They all knew what Demona was talking about. Those tense moments months ago when Goliath had begged Oberon and Titania to save Elisa's life following Madoc's death. If it hadn't been for Demona's use of the Bloodstone to save her...

"If you will excuse me," Owen said, turning to leave. "I have other duties to perform."

"Of course, " Goliath said as the majordomo left. He turned to the rest of the clan. "If the rest of you will excuse us," he said as he crossed over to Elisa. He draped his wing across her shoulders and led her out the door.

Elisa looked out across the city after he led her outside. Already, a light snow had fallen, blanketing the city in layer of white.

"It's beautiful, isn't it," she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Elisa," he said, resting his hands on her shoulders. "I know how much you want this. But all is not lost. As Owen said, there may be other options available. We may find another way..."

"Another way," she repeated quietly. "But how long would it take to find one?" she asked. "It's not like we can go out and..." She stopped then, and there was a gleam in her eyes, as if she had been hit by divine inspiration.

"What is it?" he asked.

Elisa looked up at him and opened her mouth to tell him, but she hesitated. No, not yet, she thought. Not until I'm sure I can go through with it. "It's...nothing, Goliath," she said. "Just a passing thought."

"Are you certain?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said. She reached out and ran her hands over his biceps. "Listen," she said. "I've got to make a phone call. Can you wait for me inside? I'll only be a minute."

"Of course, my Elisa," he said. "May I ask..."

"Not just yet," she said. "I just...I need a little time to think, that's all."

"As you wish," he said. He drew Elisa into a quick embrace, then turned and headed back inside.

After he was out of sight, Elisa reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone, pausing for a minute to look at her watch. He probably won't be back yet, she thought. But if he is... She dialed a number and listened as she waited for someone to answer.

"Hello, this is Don Taylor," she heard as the answering machine pick up.

4:00 AM

Don's apartment

Don tossed his camera bag and duffel on the couch before pulling off his coat and shirt. He still couldn't get over the difference in the climate. Late fall, almost winter here in New York and it still felt like summer in Guatemala. At least the shoot had gone great. The construction of the new pyramid was almost completed, and Zafiro, Oro and Obsidiana had been perfect hosts. They had been suspicious at first, until they got in touch with Goliath. After that, they treated him like one of the clan, especially after he had shown them he wasn't a stranger to physical labor. I must have moved two tons of stone that first day, he thought. He flexed his newly tanned and well-muscled arms. I can't wait until Delilah sees this, he thought. She'll go nuts.

A beeping caught his attention. He went over to his desk and looked at the answering machine. There were several messages waiting for him. He hit the 'Play' button on the machine and began listening to the messages.

"Hello, Mr. Taylor. Have you even given a thought to the future? For a small initial investment…"

He hit the 'Delete' button. Someone wanting money again.

"Don, it's Andrea. I wanted to see if you were available for the gallery opening on the Fourth. Let me know by Thursday."

The fourth, he thought. Saturday. Sorry, Andrea. I was photographing the new rookery chamber in Guatemala on Saturday. You should have checked with Goliath or Xanatos about that. They would have told you I was still out of town. He made a mental note to call her back.

"Mr. Taylor. This is Matt Bluestone. When you're available, we need you to come down to the station to finish up the report on…you know."

Which report, Bluestone? he thought. The Newtech fire or that sorry incident with Thailog? Better call him back later.

The next two were hang-ups. He checked the Caller ID and didn't recognize the numbers. Probably wrong numbers, he thought. Or someone not interested in talking to a machine. He thought about C.Y.O.T.I., and the seemingly endless flight down to, and then back from Guatemala. I can sympathize.

"Don, it's Andrea again."

He thought about hitting the 'Delete' button. Sorry, Andrea, he thought. Out of town, remember? But he stopped himself. Might as well listen to the rest.

"Goliath just reminded me about where you were. I'll want to see those pictures when you get back for Guatemala."

Sure thing, he thought, smiling. He went over to the couch and opened the camera bag. He took out four rolls of film and the two memory cards for his digital camera. I'll drop the rolls off at the developers later. And I'll download these into the computer tomorrow. He picked up the camera bag and headed for the closet when his ears perked at the voice from the next message

"Don, it's Elisa."

He went back over to the desk and looked at the Caller ID, noting the date and time. She must have called a little while ago, he thought.

"Can you come to the castle after you get back? I need to ask you something."

Eyrie Building

It was just after sunrise and Elisa was waiting for Don when he arrived to the castle.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said, giving her a quick hug and a chaste kiss on the side of her mouth. "How's it going?"

"Okay, I guess," she said.

Don looked at her, sensing that something was bothering her. "Oh really," he said, raising an eyebrow. She caught the movement.

"I never could hide anything from you," she said. "I need to talk, Don."

"About..."

She turned away from him. "You know that Derek and Maggie are expecting," she said.

"I was there when they made the announcement, remember?" he said. "I think it's great." He looked at Elisa for a moment and realized what was bothering her. "And I'm guessing it's got you thinking too, hasn't it? About what we could've had?"

"Yeah," Elisa said. "I know we discussed this before you left for Saudi, and I understand your wanting to wait until after you got back..."

"But the Phoenix Gate kinda messed with those plans," he said. As soon as it became clear that he was actually going to end up in Kuwait, Don had insisted on taking precautions to ensure Elisa didn't end up pregnant before he left. He didn't want to saddle her with the responsibility of raising a child alone if something happened to him. As it was, he wasn't far off in his concerns. He stepped up to her and rested his hands on her shoulders. "Elisa, if you and Goliath want to have a child together, that's okay with me. You don't need to worry about how I feel. I'd be happy for the two of you."

"It's not that simple, Don," Elisa said. She turned back to face him. "Goliath and I, we...we can't."

"I don't understand," he said, thinking about his relationship with Delilah. "I thought that the DNA's were compatible."

"They are," Elisa said. "To a point. But there's also the question of carrying the child to term."

Don realized what she was taking about. "You're concerned about the stone sleep."

"Not only myself," Elisa said. "But also Dr. Jackson. She's advised against it."

"Is there another option?" he asked. "I mean Angela told me she spent a day as a human once. Couldn't the same thing be done for you? Couldn't you be changed into a gargoyle for the duration of the pregnancy?"

"We thought about that," Elisa said. "It might have been an option once, but..." Her hand drifted to her side. The scar left by Madoc's elfshot arrow had faded somewhat, but it was still there, as a reminder.. "I told you I got hurt earlier this year. What I didn't tell you how serious the injury was. It could interfere with the pregnancy."

"How bad was it?" he asked.

Elisa told him about the Unseelie War between the gargoyles and Madoc's forces. "Before we won, I was hit by an elfshot arrow meant for Angela. It almost killed me. Demona said the elfshot may have left some residual damage to my system. I can't carry a gargoyle child, Don. Not as a human, and not as a gargoyle. And Owen said even changing Goliath into a human wouldn't help, because his underlying DNA would still be that of a gargoyle. If I want a child, it's going to have to be a human child."

"And the reason you're telling me this is..." Don said, already guessing what she was about to ask him.

Elisa looked up at him. "Don," she said hesitantly. "I want you to be the father."

He took a step back, looking around to make sure the gargoyles were still in their stone sleep. "Elisa..." he started.

"Please, Don," she said. "I know that we can't have what we once did. I'm not asking for that. It wouldn't be fair to either of us, and I know both Goliath and Delilah would have a fit." She closed the distance between herself and Don. "All I'm asking is this one favor, Don. Be the father of my child. Just this once."

Don lifted his hand to her cheek and touched her briefly before withdrawing. "I'll have to think about it," he said.

Elisa caught the hand as it dropped. "Take all the time you need," she said.

Don's apartment

Delilah spotted Don as he stood on the roof, looking out across the city. He's back, she thought happily. She smiled to herself as she glided in and landed quietly on the other side of the roof. She walked up behind him and slipped her arms around him.

"Hey, lover," she purred as she kissed the back of his neck. Despite the fact that she and Don had yet to take their relationship to that level, she still thought of him as that, hopeful that one day, the two of them could make it true.

"Hi, Delilah," he said quietly.

She stepped back slightly, sensing that something was amiss. "Don, what's wrong?" she asked.

"It's Elisa," he said.

"Has something happened to her?" she asked, concerned.

"No, she's all right," he said. "It's just..." He turned and faced her. "Elisa wants to have a baby."

"I know," Delilah said. "She told me a few days ago when she asked Dr. Goldblum to run a compatibility check for her and Goliath." She paused and looked at him. "Does this upset you?" she asked. "I thought that you were over her by now." She stepped back, clearly upset.

"It's not that," he said. He stepped forward and took her in his arms. "Believe me, Delilah. Nothing would make me happier than to see Elisa and Goliath together. It's something else."

Delilah reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. "What is it?"

He looked into her eyes. "She wants me to be the father."

Delilah's hand dropped. She was stunned. "Why you?" she asked. "Why not Goliath? If they're to be mates..."

"There's a problem," he said. "Her doctor told her she can't risk carrying a gargoyle fetus to full-term, not in her present state. She's not even sure gargoyle and human DNA are sufficiently compatible to allow Elisa to carry one to term."

"Maybe if Alex or Puck were to change Elisa into a gargoyle for the pregnancy..." Delilah started, but Don shook his head.

"They thought about that," he said. "It's not possible. They said there was some residual damage from something called elfshot. It would keep her from safely carrying the baby during a gargoyle gestation."

"What about Goliath?" Delilah asked. "Couldn't he..." She stopped when she saw Don shaking his head again.

"His underlying DNA would still be gargoyle," he said. "Everything points to the same conclusion. Elisa can't have a child with Goliath. So she asked me to be the father."

Delilah pulled away from him. "And you agreed?"

"No," he said. "Not yet, anyway. I wanted to think it over first." He turned back to look across the city.

Delilah realized what was going on. He's worried about how I would feel, she thought. He doesn't want to risk losing me over this. She took a hesitant step towards him, realizing at that moment that he really cared for her.

"Don," she said, carefully resting her hand on his shoulder. "I know you still care about Elisa. She's my friend, too. And if you want to help her with this..." She paused when he turned to look at her. "I can't think of a better choice for her to make than to ask you."

Don brought his hand up and rested it against her cheek. "You're okay with this?" he asked. "You wouldn't mind?"

Delilah covered his hand with her own. "Maybe just a little," she said. "But like I said, Elisa is my friend. If this is something she wants, I won't stand in the way." She gave his hand a squeeze.

Don started to pull his hand away when she continued to apply pressure.

"But," she added, noting the sudden look of panic on his face. He looked at her and noted the playfulness in her eyes.

"I know, I know," he said, smiling as he pulled her back into his arms. "I promise I won't make a habit of this." He buried his face in her hair and felt her purr in contentment as he began nuzzling her neck. "I not too sure Goliath would be overly thrilled with the idea anyway."

"He wouldn't be the only one," she warned playfully.

The Eyrie Building

"Elisa, are you certain this is what you want?" Goliath asked.

"Believe me, Goliath," she said. She took his hands and squeezed them gently. "I want this more than anything. If there was a way the two of us could…"

"But we can't," Goliath said. Elisa had told Goliath her idea when he awakened that evening. He had taken it well, since he had long assumed that they wouldn't be able to anyway. But he was unsure about whether or not he should allow Elisa to have a child with her former love.

"Has Don agreed to this?" he asked.

"Not yet," Elisa admitted. "He said he wanted to think it over."

"But you hope that he will."

Elisa hesitated for a moment. "Yes," she said finally.

"And if he does agree to this," Goliath said. "What then? Will the two of you…"

"I…I haven't decided on that yet," she said, even though Goliath could tell by the way she looked away that she probably already had. She wishes to be with him for this, he realized. She wishes to experience one last night alone with her former love. Part of him understood the need; conception by natural means, while still an inexact method at times even after thousands of years of evolution, was still preferable to what science had developed over the past century. It also meant that the couple developed a bond with each other during that moment of conception and that was what worried Goliath. Don would be able to provide Elisa with something he himself could not. A child. But what if…

"Goliath," Elisa said, reaching up to place her hands on either side of his face. "You know how I feel about you. I love you. Nothing is ever going to change that."

"I know," he said. "It's just…I am uncertain about this. What if…"

"He won't," Elisa said. "Don and I went our separate ways months ago, remember? And besides, he's happy with Delilah. I don't think he'd want to jeopardize that relationship by trying to get back together with me."

"Are you certain of this?" Goliath said.

"Yes," she said. "I know Don. He wouldn't intentionally do anything that would hurt either me or Delilah. I trust him." She looked up at Goliath. "Will you trust me?"

"Always, my Elisa," he said, hugging her tightly. After a while, he watched her depart, knowing where she was going. I will always trust you. It is Don I am unsure about.

Don's apartment

Don looked over at the sleeping form of Delilah, curled up contentedly on his bed. He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek before getting up to get dressed.

"Where are you going?" he heard Delilah ask him sleepily.

"I'm going over to Elisa's," he said. He quickly went back to the bed and kissed her again, this time on the lips. "I promise I'll be back as quickly as I can."

"Don't be too long," she said. She yawned then and settled back onto the pillow.

He reached down and brushed a stray lock of white hair out of her face. "You'll hardly know I was gone," he said. He left the bedroom, closing the door quietly so as not to disturb his sleeping girlfriend, then quickly left the apartment.

Elisa's apartment

Goliath landed on the balcony and tapped on the door. Elisa quickly drew her bathrobe closed and went to answer him.

"Goliath, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"I am still unsure about this, Elisa," he said. "I need to know that this is what you truly want."

"It is, Goliath," she said. "And I know that you're worried about what could happen. I understand, especially after what we went through this summer. But Don and I…we both realized it wouldn't work out between us. Too much has happened to both of us." She reached out and took Goliath's hands in her own. "You've got nothing to worry about."

Goliath sighed and pulled his hands free, bringing them up to rest on her shoulders. "Elisa, there is something I need to know."

"What is it?"

"Do you still love him?"

Elisa was surprised by the question. "What does that have to do with…"

"Do you?" Goliath repeated. "Elisa, please. I have to know."

She hesitated before answering. "Yes, Goliath," she said. "I do still love him. I don't think I would be able to do this if I didn't." She felt Goliath's hands drop from her shoulders and she quickly caught them. "But I love you too, Goliath," she quickly added. "You know I do. Goliath, what you and I have nothing can tear apart. We may have had our differences at times, but that's what comes from being in love."

"And Don?"

"Don will always be a part of my life, Goliath," she said. "I don't think you can love someone as much as I loved Don and not have that happen."

"I think I understand," Goliath said. He had the same love for Demona once. When he learned that she had survived the massacre after awakening after a thousand-year sleep, he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and make up for the years spent apart. Of course, that dream had come crashing to a halt when he realized Xanatos' deception and Demona's betrayal, but even now, after five years, there was some small part of him that still loved his Angel of the Night.

Elisa looked at the clock. It was almost seven. Don would be there shortly, and she still had a few things to take care of. She looked up at Goliath.

"Goliath…" she started, but then he placed a talon to her lips.

"I understand," he said. "You wish to be alone when he arrives. I should be going." He turned to leave.

Elisa almost called him back, but a knock at the door stopped her. She turned for a moment, irritated by the interruption, even though she knew it had to be Don, and when she turned back, Goliath was gone. She sighed heavily as she closed the patio doors and headed for the door.

Outside, Goliath stepped out of the shadows he had disappeared into and approached the patio doors.

Demona caught sight of Goliath as he stood by the doors, watching Elisa. He's worried about her, she realized. I would be too, if I were him. She considered heading away, not wanting to disturb him, but she realized that if she left him like that, he would fume about what was going to happen all night. She headed back and approached the balcony.

She landed softly and approached him. Goliath turned as he heard her approach and his eyes almost flashed brightly as he caught sight of her.

"What do you want, Demona?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said. "I just came to talk."

"Elisa is...occupied," he said. They heard the knock at the door and Demona watched as Elisa invited Don in. She hugged him briefly and Demona heard Goliath softly growl. This is not going to work, she thought. They need their privacy, and they won't get that with Goliath watching every move they make.

"I didn't come to talk to the detective, Goliath," Demona said. "I came to talk to you. Goliath," she said softly as she rested her hand on his shoulder. "You are not making this easier on yourself." When Goliath turned to glare at her, she quickly pulled her hand away. "What are you afraid for?"

"I fear..." he started. "I fear that I may lose her to him. Again."

"You have nothing to fear from him, Goliath," Demona said. "Elisa..." She paused when Goliath turned to look at her again. She never called her 'Elisa', he thought.

"Elisa does love him," she said, knowing it wasn't what Goliath wanted to hear. Then she rested her hand on his shoulder again. This time he didn't turn on her and she was encouraged by that. "But you know that she loves you too."

"And why should you care?" Goliath said. "I would think you would rejoice over this."

"At one time, perhaps," she said. "But not now. Not after everything that has happened this year. Not after..." She paused as she looked past Goliath into the apartment. "You know that Don and I were lovers."

The look of shock on Goliath's face told her that he didn't. "I had no idea," he said. "I know that you and he were close, but I never imagined…"

"It happened several months ago," she said. "I knew that I felt something for him after the fire at Newtech, but it wasn't until some time later that I realized I was in love with him. I had been in love with a human only once before, Goliath, and that was with Michel, so I know the feeling." She sighed heavily. "Don and I would still be together if not for Thailog." She looked up at her former mate. "Believe me, Goliath. I know and understand what you are going through. You told me once that I no longer knew the meaning of the word 'love'. That isn't true anymore. I do know what it is to love and to be loved. Angela has shown me the way back, and Don…" She paused for a moment as she let the words sink in. "Don has helped me rediscovered what true love is again." She reached up hesitantly and touched his cheek. "I can show you."

Goliath drew back, shocked. "What!"

"I want…" she started, but paused as she reconsidered her words. "I mean, I would like a chance to be your Angel of the Night one last time, Goliath. One night together is all I'm asking."

"One night…" he started.

"Don and Elisa are sharing one last night together as lovers," she said. "I would like the same chance with you, Goliath. One last night together as mates. Please." She stepped away from him slowly, then took his hands and began drawing him to a darkened area of the balcony. Goliath didn't resist.

Elisa took a deep breath before opening the door and letting Don in.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I was wondering if you were ever going to let me in."

"You know I would have eventually," she said as she stepped up to him and gave him a quick hug. Surprised, Don nonetheless responded by putting his arms around her. After a moment, Elisa pulled back, breaking the embrace, but held on to his hands as she stepped back. "Have you decided?" she asked.

"I have," he said. "I'll do it."

Elisa smiled widely. "Thank you," she said. She stepped forward and pulled him into another embrace.

"So how do you want to do this?" he asked. "I know a couple of clinics that specialize in in vitro fertilization…"

Elisa stepped back, surprised, and then realized what he was suggesting. Artificial insemination, she thought. That was a possibility she had considered, but she was surprised that Don had thought of it as well. But it's not what I want, she thought. Not now.

"What?" he said, seeing the look on her face.

"Don, I was thinking that the two of us could…" She paused, leaving the words unsaid as she stepped forward and ran her hands up his chest.

Don backed away from her. "Elisa," he started. "I…I can't!"

"Don, please," Elisa said. "You said that you would help me."

"I did," he said. "And I will. But not like this."

"I thought that you loved me," she said.

"You know that I do," Don said. "And you have no idea how much I want to do this. But I can't, Elisa. I won't betray your trust like this."

"Even if this is what I want?" she countered.

"I know you think you want this, Elisa," he said. "But…"

"It is," she said. "Don, please. I'm not looking to start our relationship over again, not this time. All I'm asking is this one last night together and a chance to have what we should have had before you disappeared. I want this, and I want you to be a part of it."

"And Goliath?" he said. "Does he know what's going on?"

"He does," she said, sighing. "And believe me, he has the same reservations about this that you do. But he understands that this is what I want." She paused as she looked at him. "Don, please. Do this, for me."

Don looked into her eyes, seeing the need there. She truly wants this, he thought. And you never could say 'No' to her, could you? He slowly put his arms around her. "Are you absolutely certain about this?" he asked.

Elisa unzipped his jacket and began pushing it off his shoulders. "I am," she said softly. She felt his arms drop for a moment to allow the jacket to come off and then helped him out of his shirt before she felt his arms around her waist again. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to pull him into a kiss.

Don resisted, his attention drifting towards the patio doors.

"What is it?" she asked, noting his hesitation.

"I think maybe we should take this upstairs," he said. He could have sworn he heard something outside on the balcony, but he didn't want to worry her.

"Okay," she said. She started to turn towards the stairs, but then felt him pick her up into his arms. She cried out in surprise, but she didn't try to get away. This is the way things should have been, she thought. She put her arms around his neck and held on as he carried her upstairs.

Cagney looked up in disinterest at the two humans heading upstairs before getting up from the couch and disappearing into the kitchen.

Don found the door to the bedroom slightly ajar, and he pushed it open, carrying Elisa inside. He set her down next to the bed and paused before putting his arms around her again.

As she felt him embrace her, Elisa reached around his neck and pulled him into a long, lingering kiss. She smiled inwardly at the taste of salt and cashews on his lips, realizing that he must have been snacking on the way here. She broke the kiss after a moment and looked down as she felt Don's hands move from her waist to drift towards the belt of her bathrobe. He gave the knot a slight tug and it came loose, allowing the robe to open. She looked up again to see what his reaction would be.

She was wearing the teddy, the one she had worn in the picture she had sent to him so many years ago. For some reason, she had never discarded it, since she had bought it solely for him as part of his 'Welcome Home' gift. Maybe because, deep down, you never gave up hope of seeing him again, she thought to herself. Even after you fell in love with Goliath.

Don inhaled sharply as he took in the sight before him. The photograph hadn't done her justice. The black cotton fabric molded itself perfectly to her shapely body. Whoa! he thought. He resisted the urge to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming and slowly caressed her.

Her headed lolled back as he bent his head forward and placed a very tender kiss on the side of her neck, the first of many that night.

To be continued…