Chapter 4

	"I don't believe it", Angela gasped,  "It's Gabriel".
	Goliath and Elisa shared in Angela surprise, while the others where merely puzzled.
	"But I thought you said Gabriel was on Avalon?"  asked Lexington.  "What is he doing here?"
	"That's a good question, Lex...", Elisa answered.
	"Wait a moment!  You mean you know this Gargoyle?"  Xanatos questioned.
	Goliath gave Xanatos a quick nod.
	"Valiant!  Stand down yellow alert.  Let him land", Xanatos spoke into his headset microphone.
	Within moments, Gabriel landed in front of them with a sound of rushing wind caused by his wings.  But before he could say a word, Angela ran to him and nearly leaped into his arms.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged his with all her might, to test that she was not dreaming... that her Brother was really here.  As she felt him place his arms around her waist and return her hug, she knew.
	She then looked him in the eyes and saw him smiling at her.
	"I missed you...", he said softy.
	"I missed you, too", Angela returned.  Laying her head on his shoulder, she added, "I'm glad you're here".
	*Well... If you can't take Angela to Avalon... take a little of Avalon to Angela", Elisa thought, glad to see Angela showing signs of life again.
	"But, Gabriel", Goliath spoke, his voice filled with concern.  "Why are you here?  Is there trouble on Avalon?  Are your rookery siblings in danger?"
	Angela drew back from Gabriel, looking him straight in the eye.  The expression on her face was one of fear as her Father's words impacted on her mind.  Could her hatch-place be in danger again?
	Gabriel saw the concern of both of them, and said, "No... No, all is well on Avalon".
	"Then why are you here?", Angela asked.
	"Because we haven't heard from you for so long, we were concerned as to your fate... and wondered if you found the Manhattan you spoke of".
	"Well, as you can see", Goliath responded, "We are well and have found our way home.  There was no need for worry".
	"So I see", Gabriel agreed.
	"But you will stay?" Angela hoped.  "At least for a little while?"
	"Perhaps for the rest of my life...", Gabriel sighed.
	"What do you mean?" Angela asked, puzzled.
	Gabriel sighed before he answered, "The skiff we arrived in was destroyed by a mysterious force:
 a fire-ball from the sky...."
	"Wait a minute!"  Elisa interrupted.  "What do you mean, 'we'?  Didn't you come alone?"
	Gabriel sighed, then closed his eyes and bowed his head in mourning.  "No... When the skiff was 
destroyed... we were thrown into the water.  I survived.  Ophelia didn't...."
	Angela's eyes widened in shock, then glistened as tears filled them.  With a sob, they overflowed
and streamed down her cheeks.  She collapsed in Gabriel's arms as her strength left her.  "No... no...no", she 
sobbed.
	"I'm sorry...", Gabriel whispered to comfort her.
	A hush settled over the group assembled as the joy over seeing old friends was replaced by sadness
caused by loss of one.
	"Not again!", Xanatos exclaimed.
	Both Goliath and Elisa glared at the billionaire.
	Xanatos soon felt their eyes upon him, and he quickly explained:  "It's Valiant.  He's saying another
UFO is approaching.  It's a Gargoyle... and it's female".  He pointed to the northern sky, "There!"
	In less than a minute, they could all see the Gargoyle.  She landed before them.  She looked weary;
from emotional trials as well as physical.  Exhaustibly, she asked, "Gabriel?"
	"Ophelia?..."  Gabriel pondered out loud.  Then he saw her face, and the weak smile that crossed it.
	"Ophelia!"  he cried as he and Angela rushed forward to greet their rookery sister.  But Gabriel 
reached Ophelia first, crushing her in a bear-hug.  "Thank Heaven you're alive!  I thought you had drowned!"
	"I thought the same of you", Ophelia explained,  "I awoke near what looked like a harbor for ships the Guardian told us about when we were hatchlings.  But you were no where in sight.  I searched for you every night.  I had almost given up hope when I saw a Gargoyle glide toward this castle.  I prayed for it to be you".  Returning his hug she added,  "Thank Goodness you're safe.  I don't know what I what I would do if I lost you..."
	Wrapping her wings around them, Angela embraced her rookery siblings; her tears of sorrow 
transformed to tears of joy.  "I'm glad that you are both here".
	"But what are we going to do, Gabriel?"  Ophelia worried.  "With the skiff destroyed, there is no way 
back to Avalon for us".
	"Then perhaps Avalon means for you to stay here", reasoned Goliath, stepping forward.  "But at least
you can be thankful you are still with your clan... with your family".
	"Speaking of which, I'm Lexington",  he chimed in as approached the new arrivals.  "And this is 
Broadway and Brooklyn..."
	"Hi", the two responded in unison, but flatly.  Broadway didn't like the way Angela reacted to 
Gabriel, and Brooklyn just sneered at the pair.
	"... and Hudson..."
	"It's good to finally meet ye, Lad and Lass", Hudson joyfully greeted, as he took both young 
Gargoyles' hands.  "Angela has told us all about ye".
	"And this is..."
	"... Coldstone", Coldstone finished.  He continued, "And this is Coldfire".
	While Ophelia gave the cybernetic pair a curious, if not concerned look, Gabriel merely nodded in
acknowledgment.
	Then Xanatos stepped forward.  "Gabriel.  Ophelia.  This is my wife, Fox.  My son, Alexander.  My
assistant, Owen Berrnet.  And I'm..."
	"...David Xanatos", Gabriel finished for him, his eyes narrowing.  "I've heard a lot about you".
	Xanatos' eyes narrowed as well.  "Obviously, not very good things".
	"Wait!  Gabriel, how did you know what Xanatos looked like?"  Elisa questioned.  "For that matter,
how did you know where to find us?"
	"I... I...", Gabriel stammered, "I found this".  Gabriel took a page of newspaper that had been stuffed
under his belt and handed it to Elisa.
	Looking as the paper, Elisa realized it was from the New York Times from three weeks ago.  It was 
the headline story about the Gargoyles rescuing the passengers from the train that has been attacked by the 
Quarrymen.  "Angels In The Night"  read the headline.  Elisa also noticed a sidebar story about rumors as to 
where the Gargoyles may be hiding during the day.  It mentioned the Eyrie Building, and even had a picture of 
Xanatos on the side of the column.
	"I found it on the street while I was searching for you", Gabriel explained.  "I looked everywhere
else - this castle was the only place left".
	Elisa noted that the article helped to confirm his story, but her cop instincts still gave her the feeling
that something was not right here.  Gabriel was hiding something.
	"Well", Xanatos started, "If  the two of you are to stay with us, we should have you get better 
aquatinted with Valiant".
	"Who's Valiant?" asked Ophelia.
	"You'll see", Xanatos answered.  "Follow me, and Owen and I will get you both logged into the 
security system".
	Angela took Gabriel's arm for reassurance, and lead him into the castle after Xanatos and Berrnet.
Ophelia soon followed them, her wings draped over her shoulders - her eyes cast down toward the cobblestone
courtyard.  Fox also entered the castle to put a sleepy Alexander to bed.
	"The city has been without us of two nights", Hudson began.  "We should go on patrol".
	"Agreed, Hudson", Goliath replied.  "Brooklyn, Broadway, and Lexington - you'll come with me
on patrol.  Hudson, you and Bronx will stay here".  Then Goliath looked to his rookery siblings, "But what 
about you?"
	"If you do not mind, my Leader", Coldfire requested, "Coldstone and I would like to stay here 
tonight.  It has been awhile since we have been home".
	Goliath smiled.  It was good to have the two of them with his clan again.  "All right then, you may 
stay to help Hudson guard the Castle.  Hopefully we will not be gone the entire night".
	With that, Hudson, Bronx, Coldstone and Coldfire entered the castle, while Goliath turned to leap
from the parapets, but Elisa stopped him.
	"Wait, Goliath.  I need to speak with you.  Alone".
	The clan leader stared at Elisa, trying to figure out what was troubling her.  He then turned back to 
the three young warriors who were waiting for him.  "Go ahead with out me.  I'll catch up with you".
	The adolescent Gargoyles obeyed their leader's command and took off at the next available updraft
to begin their patrol.
	Turning to Elisa, Goliath asked, "What troubles you?"
	"I'm not sure", she began, "But something about Gabriel's story doesn't make any sense.  Why 
would Tom send Gabriel and Ophelia to find us, and not come himself".
	"Maybe he couldn't", Goliath reasoned, "The Guardian is not a young man any more.  Perhaps he
is tired of all this adventure".
	"Perhaps.... But Tom and Princess Katherine struck me as very protective types.  I doubt that 
they would allow two of their 'eggs' to leave Avalon all by themselves; especially since neither Gabriel nor
Ophelia have any experience in the outside world".
	Goliath could not form a rebuttal to that.  Elisa was right.  Something was wrong here.  But what
would either Gabriel or Ophelia have to hide?
	"Maybe we do need to talk to them.  But I'm sure there is a legitimate reason for all of this.  But
now, I need to catch up with the others.  Do nothing until I get back.  We'll handle this together".
	Goliath then leaped from the parapet and glided off into the night.
	As Elisa watched him fly away, she said to herself, "I hope you're right, Goliath.  I sure hope you
are right".
			*		*		*
	Gabriel and Ophelia were led into Xanatos's office, and they were amazed by what they saw.  A
large face that resembled Goliath's looked down at them.
	"Surely, this is sorcery", Gabriel whispered in awe, his eyes wide.
	Ophelia just stared at it, open-mouthed.
	"Come on, Gabriel", Angela encouraged, encircling her arm around his.  "There is nothing to worry
about".
	"Of course, there is nothing to worry about", confirmed Xanatos.  "Now, if you'll just step forward,
we can get started".
	Hesitantly, Gabriel left Angela's side and approached the great computer.
	"Valiant!  We need to add two new people to your files.  Authorization code:  7-delta, 9-beta beta
beta".
	"AUTHORIZATION CODE ACCEPTED.  PLACE FIRST NEW PROTECTORATE'S HAND ON
PAD TO BEGIN IDENTIFICATION PROCESS".
	Xanatos motioned to the pad next to the keyboard, and Gabriel placed his paw on it.  As he touched it,
the pad glowed softly with a pale blue light.
	"STATE NAME"
	"I'm... I'm Gabriel".
	"IDENTIFICATION PROCESS COMPLETE.  GABRIEL RECOGNIZED".
	Gabriel removed his hand from the pad and held it with his other hand, as if the first had been 
injured.  "What does all of this mean?"  he wondered aloud.
	"It means that Valiant, the brains of our security system, sees you as part of our little family.  
You'll have complete access to the building and the castle.  Also, Valiant will protect you", explained
Xanatos.
	"So, he is like a Gargoyle, and he sees us as members of his clan", Ophelia reasoned.
	"Exactly", Xanatos confirmed.  "Now it's your turn, Ophelia", motioning to the young female.
	"Come on, Gabriel", Angela said excitedly, wrapping her arm around his arm once again.  "I want
to show you around the castle".
	Gabriel smiled as he looked into her joyful, eager eyes.  He thought he heard Angela saying 
something to Ophelia about joining them when she was done.  He also thought he heard Ophelia respond with
something like, "Yes.  Right.  Sure", but he was not really paying any attention to anything around him.  He
didn't even feel the stone floor beneath his feet.  The joy in his heart made him feel like he was flying.
			*		*		*

	The night passed all to quickly, and Goliath and his young warriors had lost track of time.  The four
of them had broken up six muggings and two armed robberies.  Apparently, the crooks had finally come out of 
their hiding.  It was almost dawn before they returned to Castle Wyvern.  Elisa stood near the parapet awaiting
their return.  With a rush of wind, the four warriors landed.
	"Goliath!  Where have you been?" Elisa asked.  "I was afraid that you wouldn't make it back before
daybreak".
	"We would have been back sooner..."Goliath began, giving Brooklyn a hard look, "but there were
complications this night.  How was everything here?"
	Elisa shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing much happening on the home front.  Hudson and Bronx 
caught up with their TV viewing.  Coldstone and Coldfire kept watch.  And Angela gave Gabriel the grand
tour of the castle".
	"What about Ophelia?"  Goliath asked.
	"I'm right here", Ophelia called-out as she stepped into view, "Did you wish to speak with me?"
	Unnoticed, Hudson, Bronx, Coldstone, and Coldfire appeared to stand with the others, and greet
the morning.  Angela and Gabriel, however, were nowhere to be found.
	"Yes, I...", he started, but the sun rose, and the rest of his words remained unspoken.
	Elisa found herself surrounded by stone statues, save for two cybernetic Gargoyles.
	"Well, it looks like Q & A will have to wait until tonight", Elisa commented.  It was then she noticed
Coldstone and Coldfire.  "What are the two of you going to do as the rest of the clan sleeps?"
	"We will sleep as well", Coldstone answered.  "We can shut down our systems to conserve power,
and have our internal chronometers re-activate us at sunset.  What about you?"
	"Looks like I will get some sleep, too.  But I'll be back before sunset".  She then turned to leave, and 
to go to a welcoming bed at her apartment.
	When Elisa was gone, Coldstone and Coldfire slumped down like wind-up toys that wound down, 
with a whirring sound.  The light flickered in their eyes for a moment, then dimmed, until it was completely 
gone.
			*		*		*
	Elisa had always thought of  herself as a night person.  In the past three years, this was especially 
true.  But sometimes, her nocturnal habits were hard on her, like today.  She could only allow herself six hours
of sleep, since she needed to report to work.  Things were easier when the Gargoyles were in the clock tower
above the police station.  She could just visit them before she went on duty.  But now she felt like she was 
running all over the city chasing her friends.  It was especially difficult for her and Goliath.  After two years of
avoiding and dismissing the feelings they had, they had finally admitted their love for each other a year ago.  
But even still, it seemed their relationship was mainly business.  If it wasn't avoiding attacks from the 
Quarrymen and other bigots, it was chasing after the thug-of-the-day.  In those few times they did spend alone,
she always felt that Goliath was holding back.  They both knew what they wanted... but nothing ever came of 
it.
	Was their love impossible?
	She could not answer that question now... the Captain was waiting for her report.
	"So...", Captain Maria Chavez began, still not comfortable with the fact that mythical creatures
inhabited the city, "... how did everything go with the Gargoyles, Maza?"
	"It was a bust, Captain.  They couldn't find a trace of this mysterious Gargoyle", Maza answered.
	"What the Atlantic City police told me confirms this", Bluestone added.  "They haven't had a 
reported sighting in the past three nights".
	"So this Gargoyle just disappeared, it that what the two of you are trying to tell me?!" Captain
Chavez snapped, frustration obvious in her tone.
	Both detectives were taken aback my this.  They knew the Captain took her job with an intensity
and seriousness that made her one of the best cops on the force, but it was unlike her to lose her cool over 
something as minor as losing a perpetrator's trail.  Something else was wrong.
	"Captain", Maza stammered, "We're sorry..."
	"Don't be.  I shouldn't have snapped at the two of you.  But it seems that we have more problems
than a few Gargoyles:  mysterious or otherwise".   Chavez narrowed her eyes.  "Tony Dracon got parole.  He
was released this morning", she growled.
	"What!?!"  shouted the shocked Detectives in unison.
	"How's that possible?!  He was sent away for twenty-five years!  Without parole!"  Maza asserted,
slamming her hands on the Captain's desk in anger.
	"I know", said Chavez, "But his slick lawyer pulled some strings and got Dracon a hearing. 
"Amazingly, the board granted him parole".
	"What about the rest of his gang?"  Bluestone asked, trying to remain calm.
	"They're still in prison, thankfully", the Captain assured.
	"There has to be something rotten here, Captain.  Bribery?  No way would a legitimate parole
broad let slime like Dracon go", Maza insisted.
	"You're probably right, Maza, but there is no evidence of bribery or extortion, or anything like that".
 Chevez sighed, "Until Tony Dracon does something, like break parole, there is nothing we can do".
	"So that's it.  We bust our tails with a sting operation to put Dracon away, and then a year and a 
half later, he just walks away a free man", Maza snarled.
	"I'm sorry, Maza... ", Chevez began.
	"Save it, Captain! I don't want to hear it!", Maza snapped, storming out the Captain's office.
	"Maza!"  Chevez called out, but Maza was already gone.  "Go after her, Bluestone.  Keep her from
doing something stupid.  That's the last thing we need now".
	Bluestone nodded.  He quickly went after his partner, trying to keep his own frustration in check.
	Chevez just slumped back into her chair and put an open palm on a weary head.
	Blue soon found Maza.  She was just entering her car as Matt ran up to her.
	"Hey, Partner!  Where do you think you're going without me?"  Matt asked, sliding into the passenger
seat.
	"I'm going to give our friend Tony Dracon a little social call.  Remind him that he doesn't own this
city... at least not while I'm still breathing".  Elisa began to put her keys into the ignition.
	Matt grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
	"Let me go, Matt!  So help me!..."  she yelled.
	"No!  I'm not going to let you throw away your badge over Dracon!  He is not worth it!"  he 
yelled back.
	The two detectives struggled over the keys, but only for a moment.  Matt was soon able to wrestle the
keys from Elisa's grasps.  Elisa shot Matt a look that was meant to kill.  But her expression soon softened, and
Matt saw something the couldn't believe.
	Elisa was crying.
	"Damnit!" she sobbed.  "It's not fair, Matt.  Damnit, Matt, it's just not fair!"  She slammed her fist
into the dashboard.  "We worked so damn hard to put slime like Dracon away, and then the revolving-door of
the so-called justice system just lets them go!  And then everyone complains that the police are nothing but a 
bunch of donut-eating slobs!  It's not worth it!  It's... not worth it anymore...."  Elisa then sank back into the 
car seat, her hands over her face, sobbing uncontrollably.
	In the past two years he known her, he had never seen her like this.  He had never seen her cry.  He 
had thought that she was just another hardened, but wise-cracking, New York cop.  He had thought that she 
was make of stone.  Matt just stared at her, uncertain as to what to say.
	So... he said nothing.
	Instead, he just wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her close.  She didn't resist his 
embrace, but continued to shake with heaving sobs.  Matt gently rocked her, his eyes closed, her head under
his chin, and they just let the whole world pass around them.
			*		*		*
	Time, like the sun, rolled over the city, and soon dusk was on Manhattan.  As the other Gargoyles
broke free of their stone shells, Coldstone and Coldfire whirred to life, like computers booting-up.  But for all
the Gargoyles, be they flesh and blood or stone and steel, their eyes were bright, like fire.
	"Ophelia...", Goliath began, remembering what he was doing last night, "I need to ask you 
something."
	"Like what?" she asked, with more than a bit of hesitation.
	The Gargoyle leader sensed this, and secretly wished Elisa was here to help him.  But she wasn't here
when they awoke.  Where could she be?
	"Why did the Guardian send you and Gabriel here to find us, and not come himself?"  Goliath asked.
	Ophelia gave him a puzzled look, "The Guardian did not send us".
	It was Goliath's turn to look confused.  "Then why did the two of you come to Manhattan".
	Ophelia's expression changed from one of puzzlement to one of concern.  "It was Gabriel that wanted
to come.  He had found a skiff embedded in Avalon's beach... he thought that it was a sign.  He thought that
Angela might be in danger.  I... I just came along...  to help".
	Goliath's eyes narrowed.  Elisa was right... Gabriel was hiding something.  But how much more to 
the story was there that even Ophelia didn't know?  Where was Elisa when he needed her?
	In answer to his silent question, Elisa stepped into view.  He saw her worried expression and the 
puffiness around her eyes, although the tears had long since been wiped away.
	"What's wrong?"  Goliath asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.
	"It's Dracon", she answered.  "He got parole".
	"WHAT!?!"  Goliath roared.
	As the Gargoyles gathered around Elisa to hear the details, one of them slipped away silently. 
Because she did, only she saw what was going on in the lower wall below.  She saw an awakened Angela and
Gabriel talking, then smiling, and then taking each others' hand before leaping off  the parapets into the night.
With wings capped, and a tear rimming her eye, Ophelia disappeared into the bowels of the castle via the stone
stairs.
			*		*		*
	"Angela, show me the city" Gabriel stated, smiling.
	Angela smiled back, and then taking his hand in hers, they leaped from the wall, letting the wind 
blow them over the city into adventure.
	It was a perfect night.  The sky was clear, and the moon was in its fullness.  Although he could see 
no stars in the sky, Gabriel mused to himself that the thousands of lights below him were just as beautiful.  But
nothing could compare to the beauty that glided next to him; whose hand he held in his.
	It seemed Angela took him everywhere that night.  From Wall Street to Broadway to Time Square.
They even saw a late movie at theater, sitting up even above the balcony so as not to be seen by the Human
patrons.  Even though Gabriel was amazed by what he saw on the large screen (it reminded him of what he had
seen on the television that Angela showed him last night), he still couldn't pay close attention to it.  Something
else demanded his attention.  As they sat in the dark theater, he studied Angela's features.  He saw the way her 
eyes flashed and rapidly moved watching the action on the screen.  He saw the way her lips formed into a 
perfect smile; and heard the way her laughter was like heavenly music.
	For a moment he thought Angela would catch him starring at her, so he turned away, looking down
at the Humans.   In the back of the theater, he saw two Humans, a man and a woman, sitting side by side.  As
Gabriel watched, the man took his arm and wrapped it over the shoulders of the woman, and pulled her close.
The woman turned to the man, and smiled.
	Gabriel looked back at Angela, and before doubt could stop him, placed his arm around her shoulders
 and pulled her close, adding his wing as well in embracing her.
	Angela was surprised at first my her rookery brother's gesture of affection, but she didn't pull away.
	Instead, she looked at him.... and smiled.
			*		*		*
	"Did any of you see them leave?"  Goliath questioned his clan.
	"No, Goliath", Lexington tentatively answered.  "We were all listening to Elisa".
	Goliath let a low growl emanate from his throat.  First, Coldsteel reappears to threaten his clan again,
then Gabriel and Ophelia appear with no real explanation as to why, Brooklyn is acting belligerently and 
contemptibly toward him as the rest of the clan, Dracon is paroled, and now his own daughter is acting 
irresponsible.  Neither she or Gabriel has taken their headsets with them.  
	*"When it rains, it poars"*  as the Humans say*, he thought.
	"We'll search for them", Goliath began, "They couldn't have gotten far..."
			*		*		*
	A night of adventure and gliding left the two rookery siblings exhausted.  Gliding back to the Eyrie
building now would be impossible.
	"We can walk back", Angela suggested.  " It's not too far by foot, but we have to be careful.  Some
Humans still don't completely trust us, but we have made progress...."
 	Taking the back alleys would be a dangerous route for a Human this late at night, but Gargoyles had
little choice.  To be seen by Humans would still be risky.  But, as Angela said, they had made progress.
	Progress back to the Castle, however, was slow; slower than Angela thought it would be.  She worried
that they would no make it back before sunrise.  But Gabriel, she noticed, didn't seem worried at all.  In fact, 
her rookery brother had acted differently from what she remembered of him on Avalon.  He seemed to hang on 
her every word, and wanted to stay close by her side.  But what Angela found most strange is that it made her 
feel good, yet guilty, at the same time.
	"I enjoyed out night together, Angela", Gabriel finally said, breaking the silence of the moment, as 
they crossed a small side-street between two alleys.  "It was like the way things were on Avalon".
	"Yes", Angela affirmed, "We did have good times together".
	"The best times", he replied.
	Suddenly, a bright light filled the street!  I came from the headlights of speeding car heading straight
for them!  Angela reacted quickly and ducked into the alley across the street, but when she looked behind her,
she noticed to her horror that Gabriel was frozen in the middle of the street.  His eyes were filled with panic, 
and his mouth agape in shock!
	"GABRIEL!!!"  Angela screamed.  Without thinking she dived into him with such a force that the 
two of them were knocked back into the alley they just came from, crashing into several trash cans.  The 
out-of-control car roared passed them and turned onto the main street without even slowing down, its tires
squealing all the way.
	Angela's whole body shook and she could not make it stop.  She laid on top of Gabriel, her wings 
spread out over him.  A minute passed before she dared to look at Gabriel, but when she did look into his face, 
she found him smiling at her.
	"Thank you", she whispered.
	But she noticed something in his eyes, something she had never seen in them before.  But their bodies
being so close it was difficult not to notice it.
	It was a look of love.
	Then Angela, before she could think about it, held the sides of Gabriel's head with both of her hands
and kissed him fully on the lips.  Gabriel responded by enveloping her in his wings, and stroking her long, dark 
hair.
	Above them, lurking in the shadows of the rooftop, his glowing white eyes looked down a long, red
beak at the couple below.  A sinister smirk curled his lips, and an evil plan hatched in his mind.
			*		*		*
	It was nearly dawn, and Gabriel and Angela had not been found.  Everyone had participated in the
search.  Even Xanatos and Owen aided them, but to no avail.  Only Brooklyn had not reported in yet.
	Goliath waited atop the high tower as the sun threatened to rise.  Elisa stood by his side, sharing in
his worry.
	"Wait, look!"  Broadway exclaimed, pointing toward the eastern sky.  But his face fell as he saw who
it was.  I was not HIS love.
	Looking up, Goliath hoped to see his child.  Instead, it was his second-in-command.  Brooklyn, with
 a wind rush beneath his wings, landed in front of his leader.
	"Did you find any trace of Angela, or Gabriel?"  urgently asked Goliath.
	"No", Brooklyn answered, as he brushed a strand of white hair away from his eyes.  "I didn't find a 
clue as to where they could be".
	Goliath's heart fell as day broke, turning all the flesh and blood Gargoyles to stone.
	"Don't worry, Goliath.  We'll find her.  We will find both of them", assured Elisa to his frozen form.
	"Indeed we will", Coldfire concurred.  "Coldstone and I will continue the search by day".  With that
the two of them fired-up their rockets, and zoomed off into the morning sky.
	"Good luck.  We're all counting on you two".
			*		*		*
	Elisa had the time to sleep-in today, but sleeping was the one thing she could not do.  The stress and 
worries of the past few days were taxing on her.  Angela's and Gabriel's disappearance was the final straw.
Still there was on thing she could do to put her mind at ease.
	"Hello?  Matt?  Did I wake you?"  she asked as she spoke into the phone.
	"Hello?  What?  Elisa?"  Matt answered, sounding like her just woke up from a deep sleep.  "No, 
you didn't wake me.  Is there something wrong?"
	"Yeah, Angela is missing.  She left last night without telling anyone where she was going, and she
didn't come back to the Eyrie Building this morning".
	"Maybe she just got caught away from the building.  You told me that happens to them sometimes".
	"Yes, but there's more", Elisa began, then she told him about Gabriel, Ophelia, and her worries.
"Could you get the morning shift to keep an eye out for her.  It may be nothing, but at least I'll be able to get
some sleep".
	"All right.  I will.... ah, Elisa,... About what happened yesterday.  I'm sorry".
	"Don't be.  I needed a shoulder to lean on just then.  I'm glad it was yours, Partner".
	"Yeah, right, Partner.  Well, sleep tight", he replied before he hung up the phone.  Then, he just
sighed.
			*		*		*
	Elisa slept the entire day away, and it was half-an-hour before sunset before she awoke.  Realizing
she would be late, she took a quick shower, and threw on her usual attire.  When she got to the Eyrie Building,
she raced pass the security guard who must have wondered silently why this cop had so much business with
Mr. Xanatos.  The sun had just dipped below the horizon when the elevator finally reached its destination. 
When Elisa reached the Gargoyles, they had already awakened and the cybernetic pair was telling of what 
happened as they slept.
	"Sorry, guys", she blurted out.  "I over-slept.  I guess you haven't found Angela or Gabriel yet", she
addressed Coldstone and Coldfire.
	"Sadly, no", Coldfire replied.  "There were too many Humans around during the day to check 
everywhere.  The two of them could still be in the city..."
	"Then why are we wasting time talking?"  insisted Broadway.  "Let's go find them".
	One by one, the Gargoyles jumped form the parapets, catching an updraft.  Goliath took Elisa in his 
arms and carried her off into the night.
	"Goliath?  Come in.  This is Xanatos", the billionaire's voice coming in over Goliath's headset.
	"What is it?  Has Valiant found Angela and Gabriel yet?"
	"No.  It is difficult for Valiant to track them without them wearing their headsets.  I was hoping 
Coldstone and Coldfire had some luck".
	"They found no trace of them.  But we are all searching now.  We'll find them".
	"Very good.  I'll have Valiant continue to monitoring the area around the building.  If they should
return, I'll let you know.  Xanatos out".
	"You know, there was a time I never thought it possible", Elisa mused.
	"Thought what possible, Elisa?"  inquired Goliath.
	"Well, that Xanatos could actually act like a decent person".
	Goliath chuckled.  "One thing you can be certain about Xanatos is that he is always full of surprises".
	"Yeah, I guess so.  I'm just glad his recent surprises have been pleasant ones".
		*			*			*
	The Gargoyles had split up to broaden their search area.  Broadway and Brooklyn had paired off
 to search for the missing.
	"I hope she's OK"  Broadway worried.  "Do you think she's OK, Brooklyn?"
	"I don't know, Brother", Brooklyn answered, "but what of we really know about this Gabriel 
anyway?"
	"Well, he's Angela's rookery brother..."
	"And Coldsteel is Goliath's rookery brother, and Demona was Goliath's mate, and look what they 
both did.  Coldsteel betrayed his siblings, and Demona betrayed her whole clan... our clan.  Don't you 
remember?  We can't be sure of anyone any more, Brother".
	Broadway was shocked by Brooklyn's words, but only at first.  When he thought about it, he
realized Brooklyn was right, and that made him worry even more.
	Seeing his growing concern, Brooklyn said, "Don't worry so much, My Brother.  We'll find her.  
Rescue her, it need be.  She'll be safe in your arms once again".
	Broadway smiled at him.  The big, blue-green Gargoyle was finally relieved that Brooklyn 
acknowledged the relationship between himself and Angela.  He had thought his rookery brother might
be jealous and hold a grudge.  But looking at Brooklyn, he only saw him smiling back.
		*			*			*
	Angela was filled with guilt.  She felt like a trader, but what had happened last night felt so good.
	So why did she feel so bad? 
	But she was thankful for one thing, they hadn't gone too far.  She had never BEEN with a male 
before.  Sure, she had kissed and cuddled Broadway before, but never more than that.  She wasn't sure if she
was ready for more than that yet, and she was glad she didn't have to find out last night.
	But still... their embrace,... their kissing... she never realized how passionate Gabriel could be.
Growing up together on Avalon, they had been the best of friends... 
	... But could they be lovers?
	Through the high-placed, cracked narrow window, the light of day dimmed.  Angela and Gabriel
broke-out of their stone skin, the fragments falling to the dusty concrete floor.  The abandoned basement they
had found just before dawn had served well as a hiding place as they slept the day away.
	"Come on, Gabriel", Angela urged, "We had better get back to the Castle.  The rest of the clan must
 be worried about us".  Angela opened the basement door to the alley and stepped outside.  Gabriel followed 
her.
	The night was clear again, and as beautiful as the night before.  And to Gabriel's eyes, Angela was 
very beautiful.  Last night had been a fantasy come true... at least in part.  There was only one thing left to 
do.
	"Angela...", he began, reaching for his pouch.
	"Angela!"  Broadway cried out, swooping out of nowhere.  "Thank goodness we found you".
	Brooklyn soon landed as well.  Crouching down on his hunches, he spoke into his headset mike.
"Goliath!  We found them!"
	Broadway slowly approached Angela.  "Don't worry, Angela.  You're safe now".  He then took
Angela's hands in his, and looked deep into her eyes.
	Angela was worried.  She feared Broadway would see the guilt in her eyes.  She lowered them.
	Broadway lifted her head, and kissed her gently on the lips.
	A single tear ran down her cheek.
	Gabriel's grip on his pouch loosened, and then this hand hung limply at his side.
	"Come on", Brooklyn sneered, grabbing Gabriel by his arm.  "Goliath wants to see you".
		*			*			*
	"What did you expect me to think!!"  Goliath roared.
	"I expected you to trust me... as one of your children, and as a member of your clan", Gabriel 
returned.
	"But you lied to us!"
	"I never said the Guardian sent us!  You assumed that!"
	Goliath lowered his eyes.  Gabriel was right with that point.  "But you didn't tell us everything.
About the skiff.  About it being your idea to come."
	"I never had the chance".
	"I can't believe you, Father!", Angela scowled.  "I can't believe you could not trust Gabriel!  He has
done nothing to earn your mistrust!"
	"You have no place to speak, Angela!"  Goliath snapped.  "You were irresponsible in leaving the
Castle without your headset, and without telling anyone where you were going.  You know better than that!"
	"Stop treating me like a hatchling!"
	"Then stop acting like one!"
	With a frustrated roar, Angela turned and stormed out of the main hall.  Gabriel quickly followed.
	"Where are you going?!  Don't turn your back on me!! COME BACK HERE!!!"  Goliath bellowed.
	"Wait!  Goliath!" Elisa cried, grabbing his forearm.  "Let them go.  I looks like we could all use a 
cooling down.  Besides, this is my fault anyway.  I guess I'm just becoming paranoid in my old age.  I'm 
sorry".
	Goliath shook his head.  "No, Elisa.  You are mistaken.  You are just trying to protect us, as any
member of my clan would".
	Elisa smiled at him, looking deeply in to his handsome eyes.  Drawing nearer, she was enveloped in 
his embrace.  She closed her eyes as she snuggled against his bare chest. 
	Sighing, she asked, "What are you going to do about Angela and Gabriel now?"
	"Don't worry", Goliath breathed, "I'll make it up to them.  Somehow".
		*			*			*
	After leaving the Great Hall in anger, Angela made her way to the courtyard.  Upset as she was, she
did not notice Gabriel following her.  She did not stop until she was in the center of the courtyard, where then 
she fell upon her haunches and, with a fist, pounded the cobblestones violently.
	Angela then felt a presence behind her.  Without turning around, she spat, "I have nothing more to 
say to you, Goliath!"
	"Angela.  It's me.  Gabriel".
	Angela stood up as she turned around, and her face brightened.  But then it quickly fell.  "I'm sorry,    Gabriel.  I didn't mean to get you in trouble".
	Gabriel shook his head.  "If anyone should apologize, it should be me.  I asked you to show me the 
city.  It's my fault.  But then again, I was always the one getting us into trouble when we where hatchlings".
	Angela laughed.  It was good to have Gabriel by her side again.  Just like old times.  
	Gabriel laughed as well.  He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.  But then again, 
there was nothing he didn't love about her.  
	But in a moment, Gabriel got more serious.  Clearing his throat, he began, "Angela, about what 
happened between us last night..."
	Angela interrupted,  "Gabriel, there is no reason to apologize for that.  It was clearly my fault".
	"No, Angela.  You... you don't understand.  I... I...",  Gabriel reached in side his pouch, and pulled
out the gold ring.  Shyly, he held it between his talons.  "This... This is for you".
	Angela gasped.  "It's beautiful".  
	"Not as beautiful as you are, My Angel".  Gabriel slipped the ring on to her middle talon of  her left
hand.
	"But why are you giving this to me?"
	"Because I love you, Angela".
	"Well, I love you, too.  You have always been my favorite rookery brother".
	"Yes, I know.  And you have always been my favorite sister.  But I want us to be more than siblings".
	At this, Angela's eyes widened, and for the first time, she could see what was going on here, and what
had really happened last night.  She also finally realized why she felt guilty about it.  
	"Gabriel.... I'm sorry... but, I can't".
	"Why not?  You said you loved me.  I want us to be together... forever".  Tears began to rim his
eyes.
	"Gabriel...".  Angela fingered the ring on her left claw.  "I'm sorry, but... there is someone... else".
	"No.  No, I love you".  Gabriel gripped her shoulders.  "And you love me.  You have to!"
	Gabriel crushed her into his body.  His wings enclosed around her.
		*			*			*

	"Hurry, Brother!"  Brooklyn called, as he climbed the spiral stairs to the top of the high tower.
Broadway was behind him, munching on the last few remnants of a snack.  "The night is young and we
have much of the city left to patrol".
	"Um... Brooklyn..." Broadway pondered, "Do you think Goliath will be hard on Angela?"
	"His own daughter?  No, My Brother.  Put your mind at ease.  Besides, we have more important 
things to worry about now.  We must finish our patrol before the dawn".
	Brooklyn then galloped on all-fours to reach the top way ahead of Broadway.  When he reached the
top, he walked over to the parapets and looked all around him.  But it was the scene unfolding in the courtyard
below that captured his interest.  
	When Broadway finally reached the top of the stairs, he said, "Perhaps you are right, Brooklyn.
She didn't do anything wrong.  I have faith in her, and I trust her".
	"Perhaps your trust is misplaced..."
	Brooklyn saw Broadway's face twist in confusion at his cryptic remark, so he quickly
added, "Look", pointing to the courtyard below.
	Slowly and carefully, Broadway walked over to the parapet and looked in the direction Brooklyn
indicated, and his face fell in disbelief.  Angela was in Gabriel's arms, held firmly against his body.  He 
watched as Gabriel enveloped Angela in his wings, and kissed her dark silky hair.
	"You see, My Brother, they betray you", Brooklyn suggested.
	Broadway felt his soul being ripped apart.  His heart was heavy with sorrow, but beginning to fill with rage.  How could she?  How could they?   A single tear fell down his cheek.
	"No...", Broadway moaned softly.
	"Yes, My Brother", Brooklyn asserted as he placed a clawed hand on Broadway's shoulder.  "Sadly, yes..."
	"No..." Broadway shook his head, eyes closed.  Clenching his fists, he scraped away a part of the 
stone, leaving deep scars in the parapet.  When he opened his eyes, they burned white-hot.
	"NOOOO!!!"  Broadway roared, leaped from the tower, and glided down to the courtyard in a rage.
	Standing back, Brooklyn smiled a sly smile.
			*			*			*
	Angela felt as if she was being suffocated in Gabriel's crushing embrace.  Using all of her strength,
she broke away from his arms and pushed away from his body, tears streaming from her eyes.  "Gabriel... I...",
she began,  but she never got the chance to finish.  For from above, Broadway swooped down, slamming into
Gabriel with a flying tackle.  Broadway's roar of outrage shook the Castle, and reached the highest heavens, 
filling them.  
	Not knowing why he was being attacked, Gabriel struggled with his large assailant anyway, more out  
of a sense of self-preservation than anything else.  Finally, Gabriel gasped, "Why... why are you attacking
me?!?".
	"Like you have to ask, Dear Brother!"  Broadway snarled.
	"Brother?"  Gabriel asked, puzzled, just before Broadway's ham-sized fist connected with Gabriel's
jaw, sending him sprawling to the cobblestones.
	Thankfully, Gabriel was not knocked unconscious, but he was knocked for a loop.  Rubbing his chin, 
he quickly contemplated the situation, and came to a startling conclusion.  "So... it is YOU!  You are my 
rival!"  With a lion-like roar, Gabriel went on the offensive, leaping upon the obese Gargoyle, claws flailing
wildly.
	After coming out of her initial shock, Angela began to protest, "STOP THIS!  STOP FIGHTING!"
			*			*			     *
	"WARNING!  DISTURBANCE IN SECTOR 5!  REQUEST FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS."
	Xanatos shot up from this desk as Valiant gave his alarm.  "Report, Valiant!  What is the 
disturbance?" he ordered.
	"PROTECTORATES GABRIEL AND BROADWAY ARE HAVING AN ALTERCATION IN
SECTOR 5".
	"Put it on the main screen".
	Valiant's "face" disappeared.  In its place appeared a video of the courtyard, but what filled the 
majority of the screen was the titanic battle enfolding in front of the camera.  Xanatos' gaze, however, centered
on the flashes of red that appeared from second to second.  It was blood!  Blood apparently from wounds 
caused by razor sharp claws.
	"YOUR COMMAND?" Valiant asked.
	"Stand down, Valiant.  I'll take care of this,... with a little help".  Picking up his headset, Xanatos
spoke into the microphone, "Goliath!  Meet me in the courtyard.  It's a matter of life and death".
			*			*			    *
	"STOP THIS!  STOP FIGHTING!"
	But Angela's pleas were futile.  Realizing this, she began to steep forward to end to the fight.
But as she did, she felt a pressure encircle her upper arm.  It took her a moment to realize it was a claw. 
Turning her head, she saw the owner of the claw.  It was Brooklyn.
	"Brooklyn!  What are you doing?!"  Angela gasped.  "We have to stop them!"
	"No", Brooklyn stated, his lips twisting into a sinister smile, "Let the fools fight.  Let them kill each
other.  I don't care.  You deserve better than either of them, My Lovely".
	Brooklyn grabbed her other arm and drew her close.  So close he could only see the shock, then fear,
in her eyes.
	His eyes then took on an evil white glow.  "You're mine...."

TO BE CONTINUED....