Just a note: this chapter takes place at the end of Season 2 Ep 28 – Sanctuary.

Listened to a lot of "Black winged Bird" by Emm Gryner, "Oh you delicate heart" by Hawksley Workman, and "New Light" by The Great Lake Swimmers (I have intentions of making a playlist accessible for everyone in the near future in case you've never heard of the songs or can't access them).

Thanks again for the follows and reviews. I appreciate them all!

Disclaimer Note: I don't own Gargoyles. Just writing a fanfiction out of enjoyment for enjoyment.

Angela sat next to the rudder of the boat as Goliath stood at the front and paddled. Elisa sat between them with Bronx next to her, his head in her lap. Elisa was struggling with the awkwardness of the situation not only because she didn't do awkward well, but it was as awkward as a situation could get. There were moments where Elisa thought she would have rather been pitted against Demona bare fisted a hundred times over than to be in that boat right then.

Elisa often admired Goliath for his adherence to his Gargoyle principles in the modern age, never mind that the Gargoyle principles were admirable themselves. She also had an enormous amount of respect for Goliath for trying to adapt to her modern world amidst his confusion and grief for his world. But was shocked, even disappointed, at Goliath's stubbornness, refusing to admit Angela as his own offspring.

On the other hand, Elisa felt sorry for Angela: raised by humans but knowing she wasn't human herself, then finding a link to her heritage, only to discover her greatest disappointment in not being acknowledged by, all rights and definitions, her father. Elisa couldn't imagine how that must have felt and sighed, feeling as though she couldn't pick sides. Even though it wouldn't feel right to get in the middle, she was literally and figuratively stuck between both Gargoyles, trapped on a tiny paddle boat.

Elisa wanted to think of anything but her predicament and letting her mind wander, thought of Demona. She blamed Goliath's former mate for all the unhappiness the Clan experienced, and by extension, all of her own unhappiness. She shook her head, physically trying to clear her head of unpleasant thoughts; there was plenty of agitation already filling up the boat.

She looked up at Goliath's back and suspected he could feel her eyes when he turned his head. Elisa caught a glimpse of his expression and it revealed nothing of what he was thinking. Elisa wondered, Why are you being so stubborn? Why can't you just acknowledge that you, yourself mated and produced an offspring?

Silence continued but Elisa's mind started to become a jumble of thoughts as she tried to puzzle out the answer. One thought stood out above the rest, but it didn't seem to make much sense, Maybe he's trying to protect you? It's what he does...

At first Elisa felt incensed by the notion. It made her want to throw a fit, punch Goliath in the face, and remind him that she could take care of herself. The anger quickly died out when another thought surfaced that maybe Goliath was not only trying to protect hers and Angela's hearts, but his own as well. With human loyalty so easily bought and sold, Elisa imagined that he felt the betrayal of Castle Wyvern every time he saw Demona. Now with Angela by his side she was a constant and everlasting reminder of the pain he was simply distancing himself from.

The detective sighed in frustration as she pieced together that Goliath was hiding behind his "Gargoyle Ways" to potentially save everybody from varying degrees of emotional pain. Elisa felt sorry for Goliath, having so many burdens placed on his shoulders, and admiration for the grace he managed to carry all his burdens with.

Wishing that Goliath would simply speak openly of how he felt, Elisa concluded that Goliath was just being a typical man's man, Maybe there are more similarities among males of both species than we realize. Men. Ha!