- DEMONA'S LOVE REBORN  -
Chapter 1: "Hidden Desires Reborn"
     
A Gargoyles Adventure by:

Scott S. Mercure and Ryan Stout

     Send all comments, suggestion and input to both myself and
Ryan Stout (we both worked on this story and deserve equal
credit).

Scott Mercure:
dragon@kersur.net

Ryan Stout:
proteus@prolog.net
stoutjb@iu21.cliu.k12.pa.us

Written on April 3, 1996

*** PG-13 ***

     All Gargoyles and characters are copywritten 1996 by Disney
and Buena Vista Television. Any characters that appear in this
story that have not been seen in Gargoyles is the sole creation
of the authors. In addition they are in no way related to any
person in the Gargoyles history or past characters. Any
resemblance is purely a coincidence.
     We're not out to infringe on Disney or BVTV copyrights in
any way, shape or form. We write Gargoyles fanfiction solely
because it's a wonderful series, full of promise and adventure.
Fanfiction writers, like ourselves, enjoy creating their own
episodes to see their favorite characters do thing THEY want.
     Anybody who wants to use my characters is welcome too, as
long as they contact me (Scott Mercure) first. Tell me what you
plan to do with them and chances are I won't mind.

** CREDITS **

     I would like to personally thanks all those people at Disney
who brought us the Gargoyles. The writers have done an excellent
job in bringing these characters to life.
     To my loving fiancee, Isabelle Saucier, without her I would
still be alone, with only my writing to keep me company.
     Another big thanks goes out to Ryan Stout, another great
writer who's also done some great Gargoyles fanfiction. He also
co-wrote this very story!
     Thanks to Elizabeth Sanborn and Zack Macfarlane for their
confidence in my work. I will never forget your kind words, they
help me to keep writing.
     And to all those others who are too numerous to name, thank
you all for your wonderful phone calls and e-mail.

     NOTICE!!!! This story deals with the older reader, if you're
not into mild sex and language then stop now. I believe that just
because they don't show it on television doesn't mean you can't
READ about it. Just thought I'd let you know before you started
reading and got to a place you found offensive (Yeah, right!)

     This story takes place shortly after the episode entitled
"Outfoxed." 

*** PLEASE READ! ***

     In case you haven't done so already, please read my other
three stories that take place before Demona's Love Reborn. They
are called "OLD TIMES", "FULL MOON RISING", and "OLD SURPRISES,
NEW FRIENDS" in that order. If you do not then there will be some
things with this story that won't make much sense.
     You should also consider reading Ryan Stout's stories: ALTHENA,
RESURRECTIONS, TOIL AND TROUBLE and GEMINI.
     Note: If you need any of the above stories please contact me
(Scott Mercure) and I'll get them to you. My e-mail address and
home telephone are listed at the end of this story.

* * *

     Alone behind the computer terminal, James MacGregor stared
at the monitor, its light casting his face with an eerie glow.
The last of the students he taught had left well over an hour
ago, ecstatically bursting out of the school building to a Friday
of movies, friends, and hopefully a little passion. Now he sat
all alone in his classroom, stooped low over the keyboard and
squinting intently at what he saw, making sure that nothing
escaped his gaze. Typing his password he opened the file
containing all his students grades for the term. As each name
came onto the screen it was followed by his or her work history,
class grades and work credits.
     All his students were passing, many with high honors. The
university he taught at had given him a few awards for
excellence, nothing to get worked up over. He was pleased, the
teaching job was good, but he would have preferred his own lab.
The means to work on some of his own *private* projects was what
he desired most. The school labs were okay, but they did not have
the technology he needed.
     And with his rather...sordid history he was quite sure he
would not get any funding from the school board, nor any other
organization for that matter.
     Satisfied with his students records he closed the file and
dialed his home computer. It rang once before connecting with a
modem's unmistakable squalling. A second later a new window
opened and asked for a system's password.
     His hands moved expertly on the keyboard as he typed a six
character password: DEMONA. The computer paused for a second,
hard drive whirring, and displayed a menu of options.
     Moving the mouse pointer he positioned it over a selection
labeled: Private Database. Another menu of options was displayed.
He selected to open an existing file and was presented with a
file selection.
     There was dozens of files in the directory but he knew which
one he wanted. Scrolling down through the files he highlighted
one called: DEMPROF.PDB and hit ENTER. It took a few moments for
the computer to download the file.
     When it finished a new window opened in the upper left
corner and began to display a picture. The picture was of a
female gargoyle with blazing red hair. Once the digital photo was
done refining itself, some text appeared next to it.

Subject profile: DEMONA
Height: 6'
Weight: 180lbs (Flesh), 700lbs (Stone)
Hair color: RED
Skin color: Light blue, gray

PROFILE INFORMATION GATHERED BY DAVID XANATOS ON:
MARCH 13, 1994
DATA STORAGE LOCATION: 443554, AREA 45a
ACCESS RESTRICTED BY DAVID XANATOS (MY EYES ONLY)

     It hadn't been easy to break into Xanatos Enterprises'
computer system. It had taken around two weeks, but when he
managed it he was able grab just about anything, bypassing
billions of dollars worth of security systems. He had been
scanning Xanatos's personal finance areas and came across an
oddly protected file that looked quite promising. It had caught
his eye and within five minutes was downloading its data to his
portable system, nearly five hundred megabytes of mostly text
files and digitized pictures.
     He was smart enough not to use his home system. Portable
computers worked great when you used them with pay-phones. When
the file was done he logged out and went home to see what he had
gotten. To his surprise it was not financial records, but some of
David Xanatos's own personal records.
     There weren't ordinary records, however. Some of them he
couldn't break into, being too heavily encoded;  Files named
things like "Coldstone," "Thailog," "Athena," and "Pack." Others,
however, he was able to crack open and look inside. They
concerned some kind of strange looking creatures, hideous things
with too many limbs that seemed to defy modern taxonomy.
     The file described them as gargoyles, a total of six,
complete with personal records. He read each one, but when he
reached Demona's his eyes widened.
     Reaching into his pocket he removed an ancient leather bound
journal and opened it to a marked page. There was an inked image
inside of a quasi-demonic creature, similar to the gargoyles
described in Xanatos' files, that looked like it could be this
Demona's twin sister. Scrawled under it was a short paragraph,
scribbled in an ages-old script: "The feeling one gets from
sharing something a simple as a kiss is worth more than anything
in the world."
     "Is it possible that you are the very descendant of this
Demona?" He asked himself, looking at the picture on the screen,
then at the journal. "What I wouldn't give to meet you, just
once."
     He sighed and tried to bring his thoughts back to reality.
"But it's hopeless." He said, shaking his head. "I'm living in a
fantasy world."
     He logged off from his home computer and deleted the data
from this one before turning it off. Grabbing his lab coat from
the chair he about to leave when somebody rapped sharply at his
door. He paused for a moment before answering.
     Standing outside was the famous industrialist David Xanatos,
and a few feet behind him was his personal assistant, Owen
Burnett. The multimillionaire smiled and held out his hand,
waiting for the scientist to do the same.
     "Professor MacGregor?" Xanatos said, shaking his hand. "I'm
David Xanatos, I'm sure you've heard of me?"
     For an instant MacGregor's heart sank into his feet.
Standing before him was the very person he had stolen the data
from. Suddenly the fear of going to prison flashed though his
mind.
     "Aye," James replied nervously, his slight Scottish accent
giving away his background. "I've heard of ye. Tae what do I owe
the pleasure of your visit?"
     "I'm here to offer you a job." David said, letting go. "At
one of my Gen-U-Tech laboratories outside town."
     "Gen-U-Tech." He answered, trying to keep a calm tone. One
of the most advanced genetic engineering corporations on the
planet! "But I already have a job here, teaching."
     He began to wonder if Xanatos actually knew that he had
broken into the Xanatos Enterprises mainframe. If Xanatos did
know, James was afraid he would use it as leverage to force him
to join the firm. Was that what this visit was all about?
Blackmailing him into working for no money?
     David smiled and stepped into the room, Owen did the same.
The assistant gazed coolly at James, making him break into a cold
sweat. "So I see, Professor," the rich man continued. "But I've
looked into some of your past requisitions for funding to start
your own laboratory. All of which have been turned down, I might
add."
     "So?" James replied, crossing his arms and cocking an
eyebrow.
     The professor was somewhat displeased by the billionaire
poking into his affairs. It was too ironic for his tastes,
considering that he had just been browsing through Xanacorp top
secret information.
     "Owen," he said in a blas‚ tone. "Can you tell me why the
professor's requests for funding have been denied?"
     "Of course, mister Xanatos." Owen replied dryly. He removed
a small computer from his pocket he opened it and pressed a few
buttons.
     "Quite an interesting past, I must say." Owen commented as
the information popped onto the screen. "Arrested eight years ago
on the charges of illegal computer tampering. It seems you tried
to gain access to several bank accounts."
     The professor did not like the man's accurate data, but it
didn't stop there.
     "And just last year an experimental serum you were working
on in one of this Universities' labs got out of hand." He added
before closing the computer.
     "The report was that five students were killed and a dozen
more injured. You were arrested and jailed for four months,
suspended from here for eight more before coming back as a
chemistry teacher." Owen inclined his head to one side. "You got
off on a technicality. You should have been put away for life."
The assistant paused, then added darkly: "Or death."
     "What does my past have to do with this?" James growled
irritably, indignant at hearing his past recited to him as if he
were a child. "I've done my time and paid my debts to society.
Why don't you leave me alone and let me get on with me life?"
     David laughed softly at the professor's remarks. "How
clich‚! Why settle for a teaching job when you work for me? I'd
be willing to pay you fifty thousand dollars a month."
     The amount he was offered almost caused James to fall to his
knees. "F...Fifty *thousand*? But... Why me? I'm sure there's
others out there who are more qualified."
     "I know," David answered, gesturing in the air with a
flourish. "Sevarius, Phobos, Straussmore, and a host of other
world-famous genetic engineers that I'm sure a well-informed man
like you has heard of. But you see, they're all already working
for me, and I want you for a special project. Your qualifications
in computer science and biochemical engineering are above
standard. You would make an admirable addition to my 'Gene
Team.'" The dark-skinned man smiled, narrowing his eyes. "Think
about it, Professor. All the greatest minds in your field,
gathered together and being paid handsomely for their time. *You*
could be one of them, Mr. MacGregor."
     "Special project?" he said, puzzled. His brows knitted
suspiciously. "If yer asking me to create some kind of weapon you
can just turn and leave right now, because I'm not interested."
     "Professor MacGregor, I assure you that I'm just an honest
businessman." David said. "If I needed genetically-developed
super-viruses I could simply buy some off any number of
governments, including the United States. No, all I want from you
is to perform a series of tests, primarily on the regeneration of
damaged cells in the human body."
     The billionaire's reason sounded interesting. "Why? Are ya
trying to make some kind of miracle cure-all?"
     "Something like that." David replied. "If it's successful,
then your name will go as its creator. The fame and fortune you
will receive will be far better than anything you'll get here."
     "And if it doesn't work?" He asked.
     Xanatos shrugged. "Then you'll move on to other projects
similar to it. If you thought to be fired upon failure you are
very wrong. My employees do not get fired unless they perform
illegal activities."
     "Mister Xanatos is offering you a better living." Owen told
the professor. "Your past will have no effect on your future with
Gen-U-Tech."
     James sighed and thought about what he was being offered and
its possible future implications. With this job he could have
access to the latest technologies and scientific minds. His own
laboratory with himself in charge, and the pay wasn't too bad
either. A tiny voice inside him said not to pass it up, but
another side of him felt as if he were being deceived.
     'Why should I stay here?' He asked himself. 'I don't even
enjoy teaching, and I don't make a fraction of what he's offering
me.'
     MacGregor removed his lab coat and tossed it onto his desk,
grinning widely. "Mister Xanatos, you've just hired yerself a new
biochemist."
     "Excellent!" David replied, shaking James's hand again. "My
aid will see to your leaving the university. Right now why don't
you come with me to see your new laboratory?"
     The professor nodded his head enthusiastically and followed
the pair down the hall, through the front doors and into a sleek
black limousine. Owen, as was his job, took the driver's seat and
pulled out of the large parking area, maneuvering the heavy
bulletproof vehicle with uncanny ease.
     Looking down at his watch James noticed that it was almost
six o'clock. He had still not eaten and the sounds from his
stomach were getting louder. Xanatos noticed his professor's
unusual racket and laughed lightly.
     "Owen, I think a little dinner is in order." Turning to face
the professor he asked, "What kind of food are you partial to?"
     "Me?" he replied, pondering for a moment. "I prefer Chinese
food myself."
     "Very well, Owen, take us to the best oriental restaurant in
Manhattan."
     Owen nodded his head and within a half hour the three found
themselves sitting in an elegant restaurant. The professor was
lucky he had been wearing good clothes. They were waited on
immediately and the food looked very tantalizing.
     "So, mister Xanatos." MacGregor said as he helped himself to
the cuisine. "Tell me more about this project I'll be working
on."
     Looking around to ensure that nobody was listening Xanatos
leaned forward and began to explain.
     "I'm hoping to develop a serum that will speed the healing
of damaged cells in the body." he said, smiling. "Your background
in genetic engineering is perfect for this job. "All. the data
from previous attempts is already there.
     "All you have to do is find out where everybody else went
wrong, professor. I know it's possible, but I need you to figure
out how to do it."
     James swallowed the food in his mouth and pointed his fork
at Xanatos. "I know of other geneticists that would probably be
better at it them myself. There must be another reason." 
     Xanatos shook his head. "No, my dear professor. You're a
different kind of scientist, not like the others. You seem to
enjoy trying to do what others could not. That's why I need you,
not those others who go by the book."
     The professor smiled and tried not to laugh. "So I'm being a
rogue scientist now, am I? Never quite figured meself as the
Frankenstein type. Well, mister Xanatos, I don't a know what
you're planning, but I'll give it me best shot."
     David smiled, leaning back in his chair, and began eating
himself. Owen picked at his food but did not seem to be very
hungry.

* * *

     Perched atop his favorite reading ladder Goliath was busy
perusing a book. He still missed his castle home but this library
was a bonus they did not have before. At the moment he was
looking through a book entitled "West Side Story".
     But his mind was not focused completely on the story, for he
was instead thinking of the past. For the last few days he had
been having dreams he wished he could forget.

Scotland - 980 AD - Castle Wyvern

     Goliath and Demona were alone in the woods, concealed
amongst the dark branches that stretched out above their heads.
Both were sitting on the damp, grassy ground, with her sitting
between his legs, the back of her head cradled on his chest. He
was gently stroking her long hair and reciting some poems he had
read in a book. Her eyes dimly glowed with red fire, like dying
embers being stoked in a fire.
     "Humans can love just as well as our own kind," he had
whispered into her ear.
     She turned her face so that she could see his. "They do
write lovely poems, don't they?"
     "Yes." He replied, his voice low and loving. "But you, my
Angel, you are the poem that fuels the fire of my soul." He was
feeling wordy tonight, she mused.
     Smiling warmly she slowly turned her entire body to face his
and placed her hands on his chest. With little effort she pushed
his body to the ground, ensuring their faces were never more than
few inches apart.
     Their mouths parted as they came together, their breaths
merged, their passion displayed in the wonderful acts of love. It
was not the first time they had made love, but the way she held
him in her arms, the way her wings enveloped him, the ways she
made it last... It was as if it was his first time, then and
every time afterwards.

     They were just dreams of the past as it faded to the present
again. There were no more woods, no more ponds where they had
spent so many hours. Goliath shook the cobwebs from his mind as
reality reasserted itself, displacing his dreamland utopia. His
fantasy was gone and he sighed his displeasure.
     He let the past fade away as much as he could and looked
down at the book.
     It was then he detected footsteps coming from behind one of
the many bookcases, sounding somewhat dainty to ears that were
accustomed to hearing quarter-ton gargoyles thumping around.
Breathing easily he knew it was simply Elisa Maza coming for a
visit, as she normally did.
     "I thought I'd find you down here, Goliath," she said as he
jumped down to meet her, his powerful legs absorbing the fall.
"You like to read a lot, don't you?"
     "Yes." He replied, his low, majestic tone as strong as
always. "I find reading an escape from reality."
     Elisa laughed. "True, but my escape from reality is coming
home alive each day to a hot bath."
     Goliath smiled and led her up to the clock tower where the
others were watching the television.
     "Don't you do anything besides watch television?" she asked
them.
     "Yeah, we help protect Manhattan from evil once in a while,"
Broadway replied. "We can never thank you enough for bringing
this neat stuff. It's not like we can go out and buy it."
     "Yeah, thanks a lot for thinking of us, Elisa." Lexington
said without turning away from the set.
     "No sweat, I know how boring it can get up here," she
replied, welcoming their thanks. "What are friends for?"
     "Friends are fer people who are alone and have nobody else
to turn to," Hudson said, reaching down to scratch Bronx.
     Brooklyn was the only one who was not present.
     "True words." Goliath commented. "Is there something we can
do for you, Elisa?"
     She shook her head and slumped her shoulders in a half-
shrug. "Nope. Just came by to say hello before starting my shift.
By the way, where's Brooklyn?"
     "Oh, him?" Lexington replied. "He said something about going
out and cruising the town. Didn't say why."
     "Can I have a few words with you before you leave, Elisa?"
Goliath asked.
     She followed him outside to where the gargoyles hibernated
as stone during the day. He approached the railing and jumped
onto it with uncanny grace. The air was warm and comfortable, and
accompanied by the sounds and light from the city it was tranquil
setting. Above the sky was clear and filled with tiny stars, and
a quarter moon hung overhead casting soft light onto where they
were standing.
     "What's on your mind?" she asked.
     He seemed to hesitate before speaking, as if what he wanted
to tell her shamed him.
     "For the past few night I've been having an odd dream." He
began.
     She smiled. "Everybody has dreams, Goliath."
     "I know." He replied, sounding more and more distracted.
"It's been about Demona and how we used to feel about each other.
I can't get her out of my thoughts, and now she even haunts my
sleep."
     "Sounds like you're lonely." Elisa replied, quite aware of
what he was trying to say. "What you need is somebody you can be
with when you're lonely."
     "Yes," he said. "I have the others, but they do not see
things the way I do. Aside from Hudson they are young and have
not yet experienced love."
     "You've always got me." She said, placing her hands on his
muscular arm.
     He sighed as if something pained him. "You are a good
friend, Elisa, but I'm a gargoyle, and you're . . .  You're. . ."
He could not bring himself to say it. It was hard to accept that
after all the emotions welling up within him about her, she was
still not of his species.
     "Human," she finished. "So what? I'll always be there for
you, don't ever forget that."
     With his hand he took hers and slid down from the stone
railing. He placed both heavy talons on her shoulders and drew
her closer to him, so he could actually feel her heartbeat. For a
human he found her very attractive, but that's what she was, a
human. He started to wonder if she felt the same about him. They
enjoyed each others presence.
     On many occasions they had saved one another, at least a
dozen times over the past two years. He considered her part of
his clan now, but he wondered if there was something more.
     Looking down he noticed that she was smiling. She was not
resisting his pull either. As she drew closer he could feel his
heart beating faster. A growing feeling of warmth rose up within
him. She *was* beautiful, even if she did lack wings, claws, and
a supple tail. Her skin, her hair...
     Her lovely face was only inches from his when an intruding
voice abruptly shattered the romantic the setting.
     "Hey, Goliath!" came Brooklyn's voice from above. "Man, you
should see some of the things they got on the far side of town.
It's something called a Renaissance Faire."
     Their silence broken, he let go of Elisa's shoulders and
watched as she stepped away from his embrace. Like himself she
too looked upset at the interruption. Only a few seconds longer
and... "And what? What would have happened?
     Brooklyn landed and approached them, a look of fascination
on his face. But when he saw the expressions on their faces he
frowned, slightly embarrassed.
     "OOPS, I interrupted something," he said, knowing what might
have been going on. "I'll go inside and tell the others about the
Faire."
     Goliath nodded and watched as the young warrior vanished
through the door at the base of the clock. He approached Elisa
again. His heart and feelings were still there but the setting
had been ruined.
     "Elisa, I'm sorry if I was . . ." He started, knowing what
would have happened if they had not been interrupted. "I was . .
.  and you looked . . .  I apologize."
     Although she looked disappointed she still held a smile and
patted his arm. "Like I said, I'll always be there for you."
     With that she turned and vanished through the door. Goliath
jumped back onto his cornice and sat down. Sighing heavily he let
his shoulders and head droop.
     "I am still alone." he said softly. "Why is it that when I
find something as wonderful as Elisa it slips from my grasp?"
     As he sat there, he failed to notice Elisa had returned and
was standing in the doorway. She had overheard what he said and
wanted to go to him; to feel his strong hands around her again.
Sighing, she suppressed her feelings and left.
     The others waved their customary good-byes as she walked
down the steps to the library below. At the base of the steps she
looked back at the glowing opening above and smiled bitter
sweetly.
     "No Goliath," she whispered. "You are not alone, nor will I
ever let you be."
     Walking back though the library she noticed several books on
a table near Goliath's ladder. She approached the table and
looked at the assortment he had laid out. They had recently been
read, and all seemed to cover the same thing.
     "Love." She murmured, picking one of the many books, it was
entitled: Human Passion. The author was anonymous.
     She noticed a bookmark and opened it to the page it marked.
It was some kind of poem:

     When all else fails, and love is beyond your heart,
     let go of your feelings and let hatred rot.
     For there is always one out there who is like yourself,
      you only need to stride ones self. Look not on
the outside,
     but what lies within.
     Because only then, when the two are joined, will you
     find the true meaning of love, from within.

     Below it was a hand written note, "For my dear Demona, who
is the sun that warms my heart."
     From the marks on the page she guessed that Goliath looked
at it often. She felt a small tear well up in her eye and roll
down her cheek.
     Letting the book fall back to the table she hurried out of
the library, down the stairs to the station and out the front
doors. A few officers tried to talk to her along the way.
     One in particular was captain Chavez, who had emerged from
the ladies' room. Elisa nearly collided with her.
     "Elisa." Chavez said, stopping her. "Where are you rushing
off to in such a hurry?"
     "My shift started a half hour ago," Elisa replied, trying
not to sound too upset. "I'm late for my beat."
     Chavez seemed to notice her discomfort. "I've known you too
long, kiddo. Something's bugging you, care to talk about it?"
     "Not really." She frowned. "Just a case of a broken heart."
     "Ah, ha." Her boss frowned. "What happened? Found out he was
using you, or is it another woman?"
     Elisa felt a small tear roll down her face. "I guess his
heart belongs to another."
     "If that's true then he's not the right guy," Chavez said
softly. "You're young and attractive, I'm sure there's somebody
out there. You just need to keep your spirits up, and if you need
to talk don't hesitate to call."
     "Thanks," Elisa replied, trying to sound relieved.
     Feeling a little better she buried her emotions until she
was in her car. Rolling down the window she stuck her head out
and looked at the clock high above. She did not see Goliath on
his cornice and guessed he had gone inside.
     Wiping her nose she was kind of grateful that Matt was on a
short vacation. She did not feel like trying to explain why she
was so upset, especially when she bowed her head and started to
cry.

* * *

     High above the city a new form appeared in the night sky,
its wide wingspread producing a very distinct silhouette against
the bright crescent of the moon. Demona had not been happy when
she discovered Xanatos had recruited the scientist known as James
MacGregor.
     She had hoped to get to him first but she was sleeping at
the time.
     A few months ago she had placed a bug in Xanatos's office,
made of certain high-quality plastics that wouldn't show up on
most scans. It transmitted information in short, modulated bursts
at intervals when the Eyrie Building security was at its lowest,
and the things it had to report were always most interesting. He
often spoke of this Professor MacGregor and what an unusual
scientist the man was. She found it interesting and began to
wonder if this scientist could help her.
     According to the bug Xanatos was going to take the professor
out to see his new building. She knew it was located outside of
town in a secluded area. It was also well guarded but that did
not faze her. Guards were simply lambs to be slaughtered, and
fences were a pointless barricade against someone who could leap
twenty feet straight up and rend steel with her bare hands.
     She made a few low circles around the streets, trying to see
if she could locate the limousine. Not seeing any sign of it, she
caught an updraft and started toward the Gen-U-Tech building.
     There was a good air current and she found herself making
better progress than she had anticipated. In a matter of minutes
the two story building came into her view.
     As she had guessed there were several guards walking the
perimeter of the fence; dogs too. She laughed at their protection
and descended to the rooftop, almost wishing that a squad of the
Xanatos personal army troopers would show up. She could use the
exercise, and it had been far too long since her claws were
whetted with human blood.
     Walking to the edge of the roof she looked down and saw the
limo parked next to the front door. There were no other cars
positioned in the parking lot: A good sign. She noticed that only
two large windows were lit on the second floor and there were
shadows within.
     Stepping stealthily over the edge, she dug her talons into
the thick concrete and made her way down to the window in a
manner reminiscent of a descending spider.
     When she reached the edge of the lit windows, she slowly
looked inside, her smoldering eyes carefully scrutinizing the
room. She could see David Xanatos with his aid, Owen; the human
never seemed to be without him. The other man present had to be
the one she was looking for.
     She smiled and bared her fangs; It was the professor whom
she wanted to speak with. If he was as good as she had read then
he was just the person to undertake her request...voluntarily or
otherwise.
     David shook James's hand before he and Owen departed,
leaving the professor alone.
     She considered herself lucky that the large window was
already open. With little effort she swung herself inside,
landing silently on her feet and uncoiling her body like a tense
spring.
     The professor was busy looking over some computerized
testing equipment and did not seem to notice her presence.
     "Fascinating!" he said aloud. "I've only read of these
devices in magazines! I feel like a kid in a candy factory."
     "You must not eat too much or you'll get sick." She replied,
her voice playful with a severe undertone of threat.
     He seemed startled, but when he swung around and saw her, he
looked absolutely stunned. She was amazed that he did not scream,
or even try to escape. The human only stood there, staring at
her; Not the type of reaction she was expecting.
     "Greetings, professor MacGregor," she said, purposely baring
her white fangs to his gaze. "You are just the man I wish to
speak with."
     "Who . . ." He stammered. "Who are you? What are you?"
     She smiled and stepped closer, enjoying the fact that she
intimidated him so. To her amazement he did not try and move
away. "My name is Demona, and I'm what your kind calls a
gargoyle. What's wrong professor? Am I a hideous creature?"
     He shook his head. "Hideous, no." Indeed, he found her
surprisingly alluring, a fact which was evident on his face and
one Demona did not miss. She blinked at this unanticipated turn
of events.
     Closing her eyes she growled and bared her fangs, trying to
make herself look as scary as possible. When she looked at him
again, he seemed to be even more fascinated with her.
     She could not understand why the human was not afraid of
her. He was either very stupid or very brave, and in her
experience there weren't a great number of brave humans. Didn't
he know she could run him through with a single claw?
     "Enough of this!" She said aloud. "I've come here to offer
you a proposal."
     "Another proposal," he said, regaining some of his
composure. "What else could happen to me today?"
     "Ah," she grinned wickedly. "What else indeed? What kind of
project is Xanatos giving you to work on?"
     He smiled and shook his head. "He wants me to create a new
medicine that will speed up the healing in the human body."
     She grinned at the professor's reply, her face resembling
that of a tiger about to pounce. "I thought as much, but let's
get to my proposal. I would guess that you do not know anything
about my kind."
     "Not much," James replied, sounding sarcastic. "Gargoyles
were not one of my studies while I was in school. I thought you
were rain spouts."
     "Yes, you humans never seem interested in other species,"
she said. The hairless apes rarely acknowledged their superiors.
"Let me tell you a little about my race."
     She explained how she turned to stone at sunrise, and flesh
again at sunset. The professor seemed interested in her story,
and stood with quite concentration while she related her tale.
The way he looked at her made her tail unconsciously fidget. His
odd openness was not something she had been prepared for, and she
found herself less and less hateful and more and more
uncomfortable...or at least, caught off guard.
     "Do you REALLY turn to stone at sunrise, or is it some kind
of chemical reaction? I mean, if you were to truly turn to stone,
how could simple granite change back into flesh and blood?"
     "I don't know!" She spat, her eyes thin with impatience,
little glowing slits of fire. "It's not as if I'm awake when it
happens. Why do you think I went through so much trouble to see
you? I want you to find out why we turn to stone at sunrise, and
how to stop it."
     He listened to what she was saying and then sat down before
a computer terminal, more relaxed than he perhaps should have
been. "That's being a tall order lass, and an interesting one I
must say. But what about the project Xanatos wants me ta work
on?"
     "You will do as he asks," she answered, seeing that he was
interested in her request. "All you need to do is put some time
aside for my request. I can pay you for your work, just name your
price." And if you set your sights too high, she neglected to
add, I'll simply gut you from throat to thorax.
     He smiled and sat back in the chair. "Now how can I accept
money from one so lovely?"
     She shook her head in shock. Why was he acting this way? It
was as if he always talked to gargoyles. Why wasn't he afraid?
And why could she not understand why this human found her so
fascinating? Could this monkey-thing truly be attracted to her?
What twisted flaw of mating instincts would cause such behavior?
His comments about her looks were strange enough, but not
accepting money... This human was unlike any other she had
encountered, except perhaps Xanatos.
     However, deep beneath it all, what made Demona truly nervous
was that she didn't know how to react to him. Why didn't she just
kill him? Why couldn't she find the conviction?
     "I ask you again, name your price." She repeated, letting
her anger show by the redness of her eyes. But it was more feeble
than she intended. "I have no need of your foolishness!"
     James saw her flaming red eyes; they almost matched her
long, blood red hair. He was fascinated by her, the way she
looked and acted, her wonderful body. The way her muscles moved
so smoothly beneath her skin, the way she radiated power and
authority... The sparseness of her clothing did not in any way
disgust him either. He loved her leathery wings and long tail,
even the light blue coloring of her skin. His eyes found
themselves wandering up the curvature of her thigh...
     "Tell you what, lass," he replied, getting to his feet.
"I'll take your project, but my fee will come at a later date."
     His answer took her by surprise. She did not like to play
games, and this human was.
     "Then you WILL do what I'm asking of you?"
     The Scotsman nodded his head and smiled. "But you must give
me your word of honor that you will fulfill the payment I
require. Agreed?"
     Demona did not like the sound of that. Gritting her shark-
like teeth, she walked up to him, grabbed the front of his coat
and lifted him off the ground. The professor gasped in amazement
as he was lifted three feet from the floor. Razor-tipped claws
brushed lightly against his larynx.
     "You will tell me your payment now or I will throw you out
the window!" she growled. "You're not the only biochemist in this
world, Professor. I can easily find another! It's your choice."
     "Okay . . ." He gasped. "Okay, you don't have to be so
forceful!"
     She could no longer put up with the human. The way he made
her feel, not just uncomfortable, but almost...vulnerable. It was
sickening, intolerable. Just as she was about to throw him
through the window he began pleading something.
     "Please, Demona?" Robert gasped again, the terror in his
eyes. "I did not mean to anger you so."
     This was what she wanted to see and hear, him pleading for
his life. She grinned and let him fall unceremoniously to the
floor. She felt so much better when her dominance was reasserted
over the situation.
     "Very well, whatever you want I will give it to you. Now
WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
     "My payment is very simple:  I wish to kiss you." He said
this with complete and utter calmness, his face an unchanged
mask. Her mouth dropped open with an almost audible *clack* and
as her pupils dilated to stare in shock at him he got to his
feet.
     Not since she was in love with Goliath did she EVER kiss
anybody, and *certainly* not a *primate*. Something inside her
forced her to turn away so he couldn't see her saddened
expression. She wondered was possessed the human to ask for such
a thing.
     "But why would you desire to kiss me?" she asked, turning to
face him again. The anger in her voice was noticeably forced. Of
all the payments on earth, she never would have guessed this one.
It was insanity.
     He stepped closer, only this time she did not back away from
him. For one small, fleeting moment, she felt defenseless. She
*hated* defenseless. "To tell you the truth, I've known of you
and your kind. I've known about you all for some time."
     "How?" she found herself asking. Her voice held genuine
curiosity, and this weakened her position even further. The human
now knew that she cared about what he said.
     He laughed. "My expertise in computer science isn'ta limit
of my schooling. On many occasions I've broken into Xanatos's
personal computers and looted data.
     "One day, about a month ago, I was wandering through his
financial archives and found some personal files. The files were
very detailed profiles of seven gargoyles. I viewed them all, but
when I came to yours I was stunned."
     He smiled and laughed. "Your file was longer than th' others
and much more interesting."
     Demona frowned. "Then why the ploy? You seemed to know who I
was. How?" Grudgingly, her respect for the human had just upped a
notch. Deceit was a trait of the strong and the fit, an admirable
trait in an ally.
     "I know something very interesting, Demona," he said,
sounding mysterious.
     She began to feel threatened by what the human seemed to
know about her. Something strange began to well up within her,
though she no longer felt the rage that had been so customary to
her over the centuries when she dealt with humanity. She knew she
was beginning to lose her dominance over the conversation.
Instead of her telling him, he was beginning to tell her.
     "You must have other desires," she said, trying to change
the subject. "Money, or something else of value? What possible
benefit would you get from such an...outlandish fee? I am not
even of your species!"
     "There is another reason, Demona," he said. It wasn't the
first time he'd used her name, but he emphasized it to make sure
he held her undivided attention. "One that goes back a thousand
years, back to Castle Wyvern itself."
     When he mentioned the castle her heart leapt into her throat
and she was startled. Unconsciously she retracted from her
threatening pose and actually took a step backwards.
     "What do you know of castle Wyvern?" she asked, trying to
make sense out of it. "What about the past?" She did not like
this, not one bit. She had lost control of the situation.
     "You look like the one in my ancestor's journal," he said.
"Are you her descendant?"
     Demona needed to step back again, the predator become the
prey. "What are you talking about? I am nobody's descendant! What
journal?"
     Reaching into his pocket he withdrew the leather bound book
and showed it to her.
     Her eyes fell upon it and she seemed to get very upset. The
last traces of violence seemed to crack around her. "Where did
you get that, human?"
     "It's been in my family for generations. Strange how it's
remained intact all those years," he answered. "Do you know of
this journal?"
     "Know of it!" Demona yelled. "I knew the human it belonged
to!"
     MacGregor shook his head and tried not to laugh. "That's not
possible. He died back in the tenth century. If you knew him then
you'd be over a thousand years old."
     Demona stepped towards the large window and gazed into the
night sky. James sensed that his comment had struck something
deep within her.
     "I am no descendant of anybody. For over a thousand years
I've wondered where that journal had gone," she said softly.
     James sat down in his chair and stared at her. "You're
playing games with me. If you know about this journal then where
did you get those earrings?"
"A very long time ago," she answered. "I knew a human at Wyvern
castle that gave them to me before he died."
     He was shocked; the answer was accurate but he was still not
convinced.
     "What did he say to you before he died?"
     She touched her earrings and seemed to hesitate. "The
feeling one gets from sharing something as simple as a kiss is
worth more than anything in the world."
     The professor almost dropped the journal as he opened it to
the sketched picture he had found earlier.
     His questions began bringing out something that she had kept
buried for a millennium. In an instant her attention focused on
another time, another place. She remembered well, and it was a
memory she did not wish to remember. But his words had struck
deep within her soul, uprooting the events of a time long past in
a country half a world away, pulling up thoughts and shameful
feelings that she had kept secret for over a millennium.
     The mighty Demona was helpless as her mind was dragged,
kicking and screaming, into the abyss of the past.

Scotland - 981 AD - Castle Wyvern

     Breaking free of her stone sleep she stood from her kneeling
position on the tower cornice. Tiny shards of stone chips fell
from her bluish skin as she flexed her wings and launched her
powerful body into the air, soaring down to the ground below.
     It wasn't her night to go on guard duty. There was nothing
to do but stroll around the castle.
     There were a few humans walking around, guards and servants
mostly. As she walked she noticed a lone figure in the distance
carrying some scrolls.
     It was unusual for somebody to be carrying such things
around, since many were unable to read or write. The only other
human she knew to have scrolls was the Archmage.
     She was curious and did her best to try and catch up to the
man without seeming to be interested. The human was heading for a
small cabin when he stopped and turned around.
     He had sandy brown hair with matching beard. The man wore
the usual soldier's garb, leather armor with a longsword at his
side. In his arms were about six scrolls and a small book. If he
was a solider, what was he doing with scrolls and a book?
     "Is there a reason you are following me, lass?" he asked,
smiling. Inwardly she sighed with relief, his comment confirming
that he wasn't one of the bigots that were all-too-prevalent in
Castle Wyvern.
     "I saw you carrying those scrolls," she replied. "I was just
wondering where you got them. The Archmage is the only human I
know who has such things."
     "Oh?" He said, laughing. "These are not magic items, lass,
just something I picked up in an old monastery. I am called
Robert. Do you have a name, young one?"
     "Our kind have no names," she replied. "The gargoyle known
as Goliath calls me Angel."
     "Angel; a lovely name for a lovely lass." He bowed and waved
his hand. "And what is the young Angel doing tonight?"
     To tell the truth she really did not know. She was, in fact,
quite bored.
     "Nothing in particular," she replied. "Can you tell me
what's on those scrolls?"
     Robert nodded and asked if she would accompany him to his
living quarters. She wasn't sure if she wanted to do that, but
the scrolls intrigued her. Reluctantly she agreed and followed
him into the small cabin. She decided that she trusted him, and
after all, what could a human do against a gargoyle?
     Robert sat down at a small table and motioned her over. She
looked down at the book he had and saw several drawings of two
people fighting. She knew the language in which it was written,
Latin. The writing seemed to be instructions for each of the
pictures.
     "Fighting techniques of the monks, milady," he said,
pointing to the pictures. "I've been studying their fighting for
many years and have gotten quite good."
     "So?" She replied, puzzled. "What's wrong with strength and
skill of the sword, or a battle-ax?"
     "Nothing," Robert answered, holding up one hand. "But this
style of fighting, th' only weapons ye have is yer hands, feet
and body."
     She continued to look at the book as he began to explain
each of the pictures. One could disarm an opponent with a quick
flick of the wrist, or block with a sudden body movement. It
sounded quite interesting.
     "I can teach you, if you wish," he said suddenly. "Th'
skills are not only good fer fighting, but fer building up
power."
     The offer for him to teach her sounded rather strange. She
could easily kill him. No human yet could match a gargoyle in
strength, even one as young as her. Fighting with only hands and
feet? That was fine if you had long, hard talons and horns, but
all the humans had were soft pink fleshy fingers with weak nails.
However, the thought was appealing to her and she decided to try
it. Perhaps there was something to this after all, and it
couldn't hurt to try. At least it would give her something to do.
     "Very good," he said, standing. "This isn't the best place
to teach. Let us go outside where we can move around."
     She nodded and followed him back outside as he looked around
and picked an out of the way area; a small patch of grass.
     It was rather dark so he went over to some boys and asked if
they could go fetch some torch stands. They nodded and scurried
away.
     "Come," he said, motioning to her. "Stand before me in a
position that you would use to attack me."
     Not knowing why, she did as he said and took a fighting
position where she would leap forward and pin him. Her wings
unfurled from their usual cloak-like resting position and fanned
out, allowing her full range and freedom of movement. She would
not complete the blow, as it was her nature to slash with her
talons. And humans were so very, very fragile.
     The boys returned a few minutes later carrying five torch
stands. Robert arranged them in a wide circle and lit each one as
he went along. Soon the grassy area was will enough to provide
with ample sight. He noticed that the boys had not left, and the
light was attracting others, including guards.
     "Okay, me dear," he said, taking up a crouching position in
front of her. "Attack me!"
     Angel bared her fangs and growled as she leapt at him. She
felt a dull thud on her side as he caught her arm and spun her
away. The sudden counter sent her sprawling to her back a few
feet behind him.
     Everyone present applauded Robert's actions. Angel, on the
other hand, did not. She had never been so easily tossed away and
this angered her. What angered her even more was the fact that
everyone who was present had seen what happened. She felt
humiliated by a weakling human.
     "Are ye all right, m'dear?" he asked, kneeling down beside
her. "I apologize if I in any way injured you."
     "No!" she hissed angrily. "I should NOT have been so easily
thwarted! You used some kind of trick. I'll bet you could not do
that to more than one opponent!"
     Robert felt bad that he had dishonored her by humiliating
her in front of everybody. He had to do something to regain her
trust.
     "I'll give a gold piece to any one of three men who can best
me in hand to hand combat!" He shouted out loud.
     She stood up and watched as three burly men stepped forwards
to accept the challenge.
     'This will be interesting,' she said to herself. 'Let's see
how he likes to be humiliated.'
     The first man lunged at Robert and tried to punch him in the
face. Robert ducked to the side, caught the man's arm and kicked
his legs out from under him. The man fell flat onto his back with
a dull grunt.
     Another man tried to take him from behind and managed to get
his arms around him. Robert threw his own legs in the air and got
the other man off balance. Both went to the ground, but the man
needed to let go. Robert took the advantage and rolled away.
     The last person watched what had happened to the first two
and held his hand up in defeat. "No way, buddy, I'd prefer ta
tackle an armed man."
     Robert smiled and nodded his head. "You see, Angel? It's
very easy when ye get the moves right. I can teach you how to
fight in this manner, if you wish?"
     She watched as the three challengers left and could not help
but smile. His willingness to teach her seemed interesting, but
like all humans he would want to be paid.
     "I have nothing in which to pay you with," she added.
     He shook his head and smiled. "If I require payment I shall
do so at another time. Agreed?"
     She really did want to learn the new fighting style so she
agreed.
     From then on, every other night they would get together and
practice.
     It went on for almost a year.
     One day a bunch of rowdy drunks started a fight in a local
tavern. It was very late and Robert was on guard, with Angel not
too far away from him. In the days they had spent together they
had gotten to become very good companions, and were now fighting
partners.
     Robert overheard the commotion. He took Angel and four other
guards to try and break it up. When they entered the tavern there
were ten men locked into a bloody brawl. The patrons had left and
the tavern keeper was crouching behind the counter muttering
angrily to himself about this being the third time in the last
two weeks.
     When the drunks saw the guards the they went into action and
attacked. Whatever their argument was, the guards stepping in
made them forget, and the alcohol fogging their minds made them
lash out irrationally. The rowdy bunch seemed to be well trained
in sword combat and were overpowering the guards.
     It would be a few minutes before more guards would arrive,
so Robert pulled out his sword and joined the fray.
     One of the drunks who had just plunged his blade into a
guard started towards him. With ease he parried the blow and
swiped his weapon in a low arc. The man screamed as the blade
sliced through his belly.
     He turned to see Angel in melee with another. She was using
the new fighting style he had taught her.
     The drunk tried to stab her with his knife but she did not
let him get near. At one point he fumbled the weapon and she
pounced.
     She struck the man behind his neck, sending the drunk
crashing to the ground. Smiling in satisfaction, Robert was about
to go after one of the other brawlers when he noticed something.
     From the corner of the counter he saw one of the men take
out a long, thin dagger and prepared to throw it. From the angle
he was aiming at, his target must have been Angel.
     In a panic he ran towards Angel, adrenaline fueling his mad
dash. There was not enough time to warn her. She was locked in
combat with another and would be unable to respond.
     He dropped his sword and grabbed her as he ran past. Robert
felt a piercing pain in his back and collapsed. Angel fell from
his embrace and tumbled to the ground. She got up and noticed the
knife protruding from his back and gasped.
     She looked at the drunk who had thrown it and screamed.
Anger filled her heart. She could feel waves of hatred flash
through her mind. Her eyes glowing red, she screamed and lunged
at him.
     The man never had time to escape. She lashed out with her
talons. Her thirst for his blood seething through her, she let
loose with the fury so characteristic of her species and of a
woman scorned. The man shrieked as her talons raked his face and
neck, tearing deep into fragile tendons and bone.
     The force of the blow sent him spinning. Dark trails of
blood sailed through the air and splattered on the wall. He was
dead before he even hit the ground.
     There were still three drunks left standing, so she focused
her anger and struck. One by one the drunken men were cut down in
a bloody rage, regardless of whether or not they tried to
surrender. Even after they were dead she raked their bodies to
reek her revenge.
     When she saw nobody left to tear apart she ran back over to
Robert and knelt down next to him. She pulled the knife from his
back and rolled him over.
     "Robert?" she whispered, almost crying.
     Her teacher open his eyes and smiled. He could feel the
blood running from the wound.
     "Me dear," he whispered. "How goes the battle?"
     She looked up to see the other guards cowering away. They
were no doubt too scared to go anywhere near her after what she
had done.
     "We are victorious, my teacher," she whispered. "The ones
who hurt you are dead. I have avenged you, Robert."
     "That's good," Robert replied simply. A spasm of pain shot
through his back, causing him to wince. "But I fear my fighting
days are over now."
     "No!" she screamed as the other guards approached them. "You
will be fine, I still need to you teach me. Please, Robert?"
     "Remember when you offered to pay me some time back?" He
said, reaching out to grasp her hand.
     She took it without question and squeezed. "I do."
     Robert smiled. "For me payment I would consider it an honor
to kiss you." His glazed look swept quickly up and down her body,
covered in blood and protruding sharp edges, yet still so
alluringly feminine:  The perfect blend of savageness and
sensuality.
     With tears rolling down her cheek she did not ask why. She
simply lowered her head to his. Their lips met and they kissed.
Their mouths were one.
     A new feeling welt up within her. She felt it for the other
of her kind who had taught her to read, Goliath. He had said it
was love and she was feeling it for Robert.
     When they broke away she looked down at him, he was rapidly
losing his strength. One of the guards ran off shouting for the
Archmage, but in her heart she knew it was too late.
     "Me dear," he whispered. "You were a good student, you've
mastered all me teachings. I want to give you something."
     Reaching into one of his pockets he withdrew a small pouch
and held it up. She reached out and took it, upending it she saw
two  golden earrings tumble into her hand.
     "They used to belong to me beloved," he whispered. "She died
a few years back.. Before she died she gave me these. Since I
have nobody to give them to I pass them on to you."
     Angel shook her head. "I don't want them, I want you."
     Robert winced and shook his head. "As long as you keep me in
your heart, I shall always be there to guide you. The feeling one
gets from sharing something as simple as a kiss is worth more
than anything in the world. . ."
     She watched as he went limp in her arms. Gathering her fears
she let out a bellowing scream. Streams of salty tears crept down
her cheeks and neck. The commotion had attracted many others and
they were now standing around them.
     "No. . . My love." She said softly, hugging him as if he
were still alive.
     Inhaling again she held him in her arms and screamed at the
top of her lungs. "COME BACK TO ME!"
     She repeated it several times, each time saying it softer
and softer.
     Prince Malcolm was approaching her, the Archmage following
close behind. Also in the background were several humans and
gargoyles, including Goliath. The prince stepped up looked as the
solider in her arms.
     "My dear," he said, his caring voice. "He fought bravely and
died defending you. By my word he will be forever honored among
us."
     "My Angel." Came another familiar voice. "He was a friend of
yours?"
     She looked up to see Goliath approaching, the look on his
face was soft and gentle. Looking up from Robert's body she began
crying again.
     "I'm ashamed for trying to love a human," she mumbled, not
wanting to put Robert's body down. "Please forgive me."
     Goliath smiled shook his head. "My Angel, I will always care
for you. I understand how you felt about the human, you have
every right to be sad."
     "Robert MacGregor was a good man." Prince Malcolm said. "His
loss will weigh heavy on all our hearts."
     The people present bowed their heads in prayer. Goliath
looked at the human in her arms and felt sorry for her. He bent
down and took the human from her. She sniffed and kissed Robert's
lifeless lips one last time before taking him outside.
     She could not help but still feel love for the human, the
man who had accepted her and taught her. In her heart he was the
best thing in her life, now he was gone.
     Deep in her heart she knew it was her fault, she should have
been more alert. Robert gave his life to protect hers, and there
was no way she could repay him for it. After all, he had been but
a weak human, and she was the gargoyle; Born and bred to protect.
     Looking down at the two golden earrings, she swore to
cherish them for the rest of her days. More tears rolled down her
cheeks as she continued to follow Goliath, and the human she
wanted so desperately to love.

     Demona was not aware that she was crying. She had not only
been remembering the past, she had recited it aloud. It occurred
to her that professor MacGregor had overheard the entire thing.   
  
     At the moment she didn't care and was sorry she had even
come. Her purpose was to enlist his help and what she had gotten
was a broken heart. 'What are you doing?!!' a voice deep within
her screamed insanely. 'This is a *human*! How can you reveal
these things to him?! How can you reveal such *weakness*?!'  But
for the first time in centuries, for reasons she could not fully
comprehend, she ignored the voice that had governed her actions
for so very, very long.
     "You have no idea the anguish I went through," she growled
softly. "When Robert died a part of me died with him."
     The professor felt bad for what he had done to her. He knew
she was telling the truth, the journal proved that. He put the
book on a nearby table and approached her.
     "Demona, please forgive me," he said, sounding sad. "The
last thing I wanted to do was hurt your feelings. I would be more
than happy to help you."
     She sniffed and turned to face him. He saw the wetness in
her eyes and sighed his displeasure.
     "All I wanted was for him to love me back," Demona said.
"Why wouldn't he accept my love? Why must humans always be so
barbaric?"
     "Perhaps he did love you, Demona." James answered. "Maybe he
was afraid to show it because he did not want to lose you."
     Demona swallowed hard and tried feebly to wipe the tears
from her eyes. Perhaps she should have struck James when he used
a tissue to dab her eyes, cut him down like all the other
worthless human vermin she'd butchered over the years, but
somehow she didn't have the strength or the conviction to attack
him. Something was different about this one. Perhaps...perhaps he
was different from all the others. Perhaps he had learned to rise
above his pitiful species. When she took a good look at him she
could see how much he resembled Robert.
     When he touched her face she felt a strange sensation creep
up her back. Swallowing again she did the only thing she felt
like doing; She began to cry and threw her arms around him. She
had never exposed such weakness and vulnerability before, but the
secret she had carried over the millennium hurt too much when it
was exposed. Her Veneer of hate and constant fury was cracked and
broken.
     She buried her head into his shoulder and continued to cry.
He hugged her tenderly and tried to calm her by saying how much
he cared for her himself. He could feel the inhuman muscles
moving supply under her smooth skin, hard and sinuous like a
jaguar's.
     For the first time in a millennium she felt relieved that
she could let it out. She felt strangely secure in his arms and
did not want to let go. All the barriers of hate and anger she
had built up for so long were suddenly missing, letting her
emotions escape into the open like a water pipe that burst under
the steady pressure of a thousand years.
     It took a few minutes of coaxing from him but she finally
pulled away from his embrace. She looked down at the journal and
sighed.
     "Do you know why Robert's journal has been so perfectly
preserved all these centuries?" she asked, pointing to the item.
     He shook his head and said that he had been amazed since he
was a child.
     "Not long after he drew that picture of me I cast a spell of
preservation on the book," she said, wiping the last of the tears
from her eyes. "Since he cherished so much I did not want
anything bad to happen to it."
     "A spell?" James replied. "I don't believe in those things."
     She let out a soft laugh before speaking. It was the first
non-malicious laugh she could remember uttering. "As a scientist
you know that no book can survive that long. Whether or not you
believe me the book is here, just as it was a thousand years ago.
You humans are so narrow-minded."
     The professor sighed and placed the journal back into his
pocket. She was correct; no normal book would have lasted even a
quarter of the time that this one had.
     "My ancestor was a fool to deny your love," he said in a
soft tone. "I'd have accepted you in a second, Demona. No matter
what happened in my past."
     Demona looked at him cautiously. She'd met him less than an
hour ago, and he was tearing her insides apart. "A kiss for your
payment...? So be it."
     It happened so quick the professor didn't have a chance to
prepare for it.
     She leapt at him, grabbed his arms and pressed her face to
his. Their mouths met, her tongue gently parting his lips. He
could feel her warm breath enter his mouth and he immediately
returned the favor. The feeling of dominance she exerted, the
sheer thrill of knowing that she could crush him in her arms was
strangely exhilarating. It was like tasting a goddess.
     She released his arms and, using her hand ran one through
his hair. With the other she cupped his cheek and kissed him like
she used to kiss Goliath.
     His hands free, he found himself sliding them under her arms
and onto her back. Her bluish skin felt odd to his touch, like
smooth leather. Demona did not resist as he pulled her body
towards his, savoring the warmth.
     A minute passed before she finally pulled her face away,
only she did not move away. She looked at his face, and a strange
feeling began to come over her. At first she did not understand.
The feeling of a thousand years of loneliness seemed to vanish.
Hatred and spite were replaced by a yearning desire for things
she had not experienced since the Tenth Century.
     He was going to say something but she did not give him the
chance. Before he could act she kissed him again, just like she
did the first time.
     She knew what she was feeling, though it had been hidden
from her for all these years; companionship.
     When she pulled away again she looked at him and smiled,
baring her needle-teeth in satisfaction.
     "Paid in full," she said, her grin simultaneously both
malicious and playful.
     "I get the feeling this job will be very interesting," he
said softly, rubbing her back with his hands.
     "Just think," she purred. "You haven't even started on the
project yet. You will no doubt need me around quite often to
assist." He didn't know that back-rubbing was a gargoyle's method
of inducing mating. His hands sent thrills of pleasure up her
spine.
     He nodded his head and smiled, wondering why her head was
lulling to one side in pleasure. "That is true. I'll need to get
blood and skin samples so I can begin to decode your genetic
structure. Then I'll need to have the computer examine you as you
transform from flesh to stone."
     "Will that take long?" she asked, pulling away from his
embrace. There was just a hint of suspicion in her words; After
all, she had just started a mating ritual with a member of the
species she was sworn to exterminate. One thousand years of
cynicism did not evaporate so quickly. However, her body was
filled with not only lust but the hope that she could develop, in
time, a feeling of...love with this man.
     If he didn't know any better he would have sworn she looked
a little sad. He could understand what she was probably feeling
and decided not to move too quickly. He could easily fall in love
with her and he wondered if she felt the same way. At the moment
it was primarily lust governing his actions.
     "The future is a what we make of it, me dear Demona," he
said softly, trying to raise her spirits. "Tell me what yer
feeling."
     She smiled and let out of soft laugh. "I'm not sure I want
to tell you." I'm debating whether to sleep with you or kill you,
she neglected to add. Perhaps both...
     James smiled and put a finger to her lips, silencing what
she was going to say. "You don't have to, Demona. When the time
is right you'll know, until then. . . Who knows? By the way, how
did you come to know about me?"
     "Xanatos isn't the only one who's skilled in the art of
espionage." She grinned wickedly, exposing predatory teeth. "I
have his office bugged."
     MacGregor smiled and laughed merrily. "You are a very evil
creature, Demona."
     "Yes," she hissed silently, remembering another human
telling her that a few decades ago. His name had been Hitler.
"You have no idea of just how nasty I can be."
     The professor didn't understand what she meant but he found
it very intriguing. Demona was a very unusual person; That's what
he adored the most about her, given the few short minutes since
he'd met her.
     Demona chuckled softly and began looking around the lab.
"Tell me about these tests you will run on me," she ordered
abruptly.
     He nodded and began to explain what some of the procedures
that she would have to expect. As he spoke he showed her the lab
equipment and how it would be used. To his amazement she seemed
to understand what he was saying. He guessed that one could learn
a lot in a thousand years.

* * *

     Demona and James were not the only two who were sharing
ideas. Back at his castle headquarters Xanatos was sitting behind
his desk, standing before him was Owen.
     "You have news about professor MacGregor?" Xanatos asked his
personal aid.
     "Yes, mister Xanatos." He replied, his monotone voice showed
no emotions. "It appears we have a new player in the game."
     He held out a video tape. "I think you'll find it very
interesting. It's only about two hours old, but I think you'll
get the idea."
     Xanatos looked at Owen and noticed that he was smiling at
something. Owen *never* smiled.
     "What are you so amused about, Owen?" he asked.
     "I think you should watch it for yourself," he replied,
adjusting his glasses.
     David shrugged his shoulders and inserted the tape into the
video machine on his desk. The screen flickered to life as
professor MacGregor's lab came on. He was talking to James on the
screen and explaining the project he was to undertake. They shook
hands, the professor asked if he could stay, and he and Owen
left.
     "I fail to see why you've brought me this," he said, knowing
what had already transpired.
     "Please continue watching, mister Xanatos, it gets better,"
Owen replied, looking at the screen himself.
     A few minutes later, after he and Owen had left the lab, he
saw Demona enter the scene.
     He watched as the pair began talking. She asked him to work
on the problem of turning to stone during the day. The part he
didn't like was when MacGregor told her of how he came to know
about the gargoyles.
     "Interesting. . . Illegally accessing a corporation computer
system," Xanatos mumbled. "This may come in handy in the event
the good professor decides to try and back out."
     Owen was right, this was interesting. But the part he liked
best was when the professor asked to kiss her.
     "I like his bravery." Xanatos smiled, but when she actually
lunged at him and kissed he gaped. He half-expected her to bite
his tongue off. "If only Goliath and the others could see this!"
     "That could be arranged," Owen commented.
     David thought about it for a moment but shook his head. It
would have a great to see Goliath's expression, but an even
better idea came to mind.
     "No, let the professor undertake her request. I think she's
playing him for a fool." He smiled. "All this might prove useful
in the future. I think I did very well in choosing professor
James MacGregor."
     "Excuse me for asking, sir," Owen spoke. "But why do you
want professor MacGregor to make this miracle cure?"
     Xanatos smiled and tried not to chuckle. "It's not the cure
I want, Owen, it's the method by which it's made. Actually
Demona's request just might fit into my future plans."
     Owen frowned and put both hands into his jacket pockets. "I
fail to see what you're planning, Mr. Xanatos."
     "Something wonderful, Owen," David purred. "Something to
bring the gargoyles back into my service."
     "I doubt they will do that while Goliath is around," Owen
reminded.
     "Perhaps I have a way to change that," he said in an evil
tone. "And I think Demona will no doubt want to assist me in
doing it."
     Owen shook his head and still did not understand what
Xanatos was talking about.


Chapter 2: "Unforeseen Circumstances"

     This part takes place one month after part 1, somewhere
between the television episodes: "Double Jeopardy" and "Upgrade".

* * *

     Professor James MacGregor sat before the complex medical
computers, staring at the monitors. Resting on a small metal
table near him was a steaming cup of black coffee. A bit away
from the medical computer, a large tubular piece of machinery was
humming away.
     Grabbing the cup of coffee he took a gulp and watched as the
scan data began fading onto the screen, sighing contentedly as
the scalding liquid burned down through his insides to pool
comfortably in his abdomen. At first the image was slightly
distorted, but a few keystrokes on the computer corrected it
instantly. There were four monitors, each with a high resolution
color image of a body scan.
     To the normal medical eye, the readouts it was producing
would have perplexed the most skilled of doctors. Professor
MacGregor was interested in the bio-scans, but he was expecting
it. A human's was ordinary. A female gargoyle's, however, was
slightly different.
     Trying to yawn away the soreness in his body he took another
swig of coffee and started reading the screen.

* M.R.I. DATA SCAN READOUT *

     Subject: Demona
     Height : 6'
     Weight : 180.7 lbs.
     Body Temperature: 91.7 degrees/f  (ERROR!, ABNORMAL!)
     Heart Rate: 190  (ERROR! Does not match body weight!)
     Breathing: Normal, no irregularities
     Pulse: Elevated, possibly due to increased heart rate

     Below it was a detailed scan of her internal organs, brain
scan and vials. The professor looked at them and shook his head
in wonder. All the parts of a gargoyle's body seemed to be
comparable to a human's. There were all the basic organs, no new
ones, and all the systems seemed to operate on the same premise.
If the chemical controls of a gargoyle's body were different from
those of a human's, than at least they were molecularly similar.
Clearly, whoever or *whatever* had first created the ancestors of
gargoyles, they had obviously modeled their creations after
mankind, only with certain... upgrades.
     "You have some very odd body functions, Demona," he
whispered to himself. "But everything else looks normal. Heart,
lungs, stomach and intestines. If it weren't for your looks I'd
think you were a pretty healthy human." Indeed, one might be able
to engineer a gargoyle from a man simply by adjusting the gene
expression of existing human DNA, rather than splicing the
genetic materials together. However, gargoyles were magical
creatures, and contained mystical traits not found in mankind.
     Leaning back, he instructed the computer to save the data to
tape. The last thing he wanted was to leave this type of scan in
the system's hard drive. It was encoded, but he was not taking
any chances, not with Demona.
     When the computer said it was finished, he removed the tape
and dropped it into one of his lab coat's deep pockets. The scan
itself had taken nearly an hour and he was quite sure that she
would want to get out of the device by now. He had a feeling
Demona was slightly claustrophobic.
     Standing, he approached the tubular device and pressed a
button on the control panel. A door opened and a horizontal table
began to slide out. Demona looked strange lying there, her wings
wrapped around her body, reminding him of an alluring yet deadly
vampire from certain higher-budget horror films. Complete with
glowing red eyes. The look on her face told him that she did not
enjoy herself.
     "Did you know that thing makes a terrible racket from the
inside?" she asked as she sat up. "My kind have very sensitive
hearing."
     He smiled. "Sorry, Demona, but it's all part of trying t'
find out why ye turn to stone. We're done here, let's git back ta
th' lab so I can'a examine this some more."
     She nodded and followed him out of the medical room, draping
her extra limbs about her like a cloak. His lab was upstairs, so
they took the elevator. What he didn't know was that the scan did
not finish saving. MacGregor was not paying attention to the
screen when it said it was finished.
     Back in the room one of the screens was displaying a
message.

>>SCAN PASS 1 (NORMAL M.R.I. SCAN) - COMPLETED NORMALLY (SAVED)

     A second passed before another line appeared below the
first. The empty drive whirred nosily, searching for the tape,
which was in the professor pocket.

>>SCAN PASS 2 (REPRODUCTION) - COMPLETED NORMALLY (SAVING)
     
>>ERROR! ERROR! CANNOT SAVE TO EXTERNAL DRIVE - TAPE MISSING
>>SAVING DATA TO MAIN SYSTEM DRIVE, PASS ENCODED BY:
          
>>Professor James MacGregor, Main Genetics Lab
       
>>FULL SCAN COMPLETED -- SYSTEM CLOSEDOWN COMMENCING
       
     The hum from the tube diminished as the computer shut each
system down for the night. One by one the screens went blank and
their displays were replaced by the Gen-U-Tech logo screen.
     Unaware of what had just transpired, professor MacGregor and
Demona stepped into the lab. Demona smiled and took a seat next
to the main computer, swinging her tail around the chair's back.
James sat next to her.
     As he inserted the tape he sighed and leaned back, rubbing
his eyes. "These long nights are a killin' me, Demona. Would you
mind if we let th' computer tackle it fer the night?"
     She looked at him and smiled slyly. "Are you trying to say
that I'm wearing you out?" Her lips parted in a grin that would
have scared a man who was not used to seeing her.
     He nodded his head. "I need some sleep, Demona. I canna turn
to stone like you, we humans must slumber when we're tired."
     "Very well," she replied, patting his shoulder. "Come, you
will be my guest tonight at my home."
     The professor smiled and removed the tape from the drive as
he stood up. He did not know where she lived, but now was a good
a time as any to find out.
     "Thank ye, lass. You donna know how much this means ta me."
     Demona stood herself and started towards the window. It was
a clear night and the moon was almost full. She watched as he
opened the safe and placed the tape within it. As she gazed at
him she began wondering if she doing the right thing, getting
involved with a human. She found him very attractive, especially
for someone with three limbs too few, and the way he pleased her
senses was wonderful. A thousand years of cumulative mating urges
were suddenly screaming to be let out, and she kept them bottled
just below the surface of her emotions.
     He said he was finished and that they should get going. She
nodded and walked with him to his car, her almost feline gait
attracting his eyes. Her body seemed to simply flow forward when
she walked, in perfect harmony with itself and her environment.
     She was not accustomed to riding in cars, but really did not
feel like flying. "I'll pick you up down the road a piece," he
said, knowing full well that the guards would check him at the
gate. He'd rather not explain to Xanatos why two of his security
people were found mauled to death at the front gate...
     She nodded and began climbing up the side of the building to
the roof. He watched in fascination as her talons dug easily into
the hard concrete, crunching loudly through the tough material.
When she was perched on the edge she spread her wings and leaped
into the air with inhuman power, launching herself twenty feet
into space before she caught an updraft and soared into the
indigo night sky.
     An invisible thermal flow filled her wings and she ascended
gracefully up and out of sight. 
     "Amazing!" he said in fascination. "If only I could fly like
that."
     It was then a new idea came to him; he had her genetic
makeup and bio-scans. He was a geneticist and quite aware of the
steps it took to clone DNA. If he could somehow create a serum to
inject himself, it was possible he could turn himself into a
gargoyle.
     "We could be together always," he said softly, looking down
at his human hands. "To have such strength, the ability to glide
on wind currents." Yes, it could actually work! Dr. Phobos and
Sevarius excelled in the fields of recombinant DNA technology,
and all their work was on file. Anything he couldn't figure out
for himself could be provided for him by Xanatos Enterprises!
     But how could he work on yet another project when he was
already killing himself with two? Somehow, he said to himself,
somehow he would find a way.
     Smiling with the possibilities he hurried into his car and
drove off. As was their normal routine, the guards checked his
pass and let him leave without so much as a wave.
     Demona was not too far down the road, standing slightly
behind a tree. She waved and stepped out as he approached a dark
angel materializing from the forest's edge. After getting in, she
instructed him on how to get to her castle home.
     It took about a half hour, since he needed to take every
side street to avoid traffic and the public. As they approached
the stone structure he was amazed at the size of her property.
Ironically enough, her home's parapets were adorned with other
gargoyles, of the type which obviously did not turn to flesh at
night.
     There was a stone wall with security cameras that were
constantly moving left and right. The entire place looked like it
was taken from a horror movie. It stuck out like an open sore
among the buildings and skyscrapers, from the looks of the
overgrown vegetation it was not kept up.
     "You live in a odd place, Demona," he said, looking at the
KEEP OUT sign over the gate. "Are ye rich?" Stupid question.
     He stopped at the iron gate where upon she got out and
walked over to the intercom button. Overhead a camera was pointed
down at the drivers side window. She pressed some buttons and
spoke into the speaker.
     "Let's just say I've been saving over the years," she
replied, smiling secretively. "Front gate, Angelica MacAnay,
security pass seven five oh nine."
     The gate buzzed and swung open.
     She got back into the car and told him to drive up to the
stone house. As they passed through the gate and into the front
yard he could not help but be amazed.
     "Is that yer real name?" he asked. "Angelica MacAnay?"
     She laughed and shook her head. "Who do you know would sell
such a place to a gargoyle named Demona? I go by a plethora of
non-de-plumes, including Dominique Destine and Angelica MacAnay."
     "I still donna understand how you bought this place," he
replied, pulling up to the front steps. "You had to talk to a
real estate agent in person?"
     Demona sighed and hoped he would not begin asking such
questions, but it was unavoidable.
     "While I was still allied with Xanatos I accumulated quite a
few favors that he owed me. Besides, I was not a gargoyle during
the day at the time," she answered. "Up until two months ago I
was under the spell of a pesky little Imp called Puck. I turned
into a human at sunrise instead of stone."
     "Human?" he replied, suddenly startled. "Why din'a ye tell
me that before?"
     "It's a long story that I'd prefer to tell you inside," she
said, getting out of the car. "Come, while there's still some
night left."
     He was very puzzled now; if she turned into a human during
the day then why did she need his help? Shaking his head he
decided to follow and get some more answers.
     When they were inside she led him past several museum pieces
that looked centuries old. Statues, pictures and tapestries were
in abundance. There was even a portrait of some regal-looking
man; when he asked her who it was of, she sneered and spat the
name "MacBeth" contemptuously. He decided to drop the subject.
She led him into the living area and sat down on the soft padded
couch.
     "Come," she said, patting the cushion next to her. "I think
you'll find this tale both interesting and unbelievable."
     Without saying a word, he nodded and sat next to her,
smiling slightly when her tail curled up around his leg.
Apparently Demona didn't even notice that she'd done this. She
closed her eyes and began telling him about how she came into
possession of a certain mirror. The mirror had a special purpose,
to bring a Child of Oberon into the world.
     She went on to tell him of the huge workings of magic
between the human and gargoyles; How the Imp had twisted her
instructions and turned the humans into gargoyles, and the
gargoyles into humans.
     When she told him how Goliath had freed the Imp and cast the
spell upon her, he was stunned. But it didn't stop there; she
went on about the Three Weird Sisters and how she and MacBeth
were linked for eternity. She decided to leave out the part about
her going on a rampage, slaughtering all the humans who had been
turned to stone.
     Then there seemed to be silence, or at least that's what she
remembered.
     "If you were taken by these, 'Sisters,' then why are you
back here?" he asked, still somewhat puzzled.
     "I don't know, one day I awoke from a slumber here," she
replied, hunching her shoulders. "Not that I minded, but I
thought I was still under the spell of Puck. It turned out that I
wasn't, and thus turned to stone at sunrise instead of human."
     The professor sat back and said nothing, she sat back with
him and placed her arm around his neck.
     "Are you. . ." she began, her brow knitting slightly. "Are
you angry at me for keeping this a secret?"
     "Angry?" he replied, smiling. "Nothing ye can say could ever
get me angry at ye, dear Demona." And God help us both if *I*
ever get *ye* angry, he reminded himself.
     She smiled and wrapped her other arm around his neck. With
no resistance he leaned back as she kissed him. With his own hand
he slid them under her arms and onto her back.
     She had to hesitate. What was she doing? part of her
reflected. This is a *human!* A filthy disgusting *human!* How
can you be thinking these things about an inferior species? You
are defiling yourself! She sighed inwardly and looked over at
him, staring back at her with those beautiful eyes, so gargoyle-
like...
     That's it! she thought suddenly. How could I be so foolish?
He's not a human. He could never be one of them. She grinned,
displaying twin rows of fangs. No matter what he looked like,
James MacGregor was no human. He was better than them. He was
*superior* to them, all the rest, the whining, weak, pitiful pink
fleshlings that were so easily broken.
     No matter what his appearance is, she said to herself. He is
a gargoyle! This revelation enthralled her, and she saw him in a
new light. To her he was suddenly one of her own kind, not some
foreigner... And suddenly one thousand years of suppressed mating
instinct surfaced.
     Rolling over she lifted one leg and sat on his lap, facing
him. His eyes widened with her sudden and obvious change in
attitude, but did not complain when she forced her mouth to his.
They gazed into each others eyes and continued to kiss, soft and
passionate. She wrapped her wings about him like a soft, velvety
cocoon and pushed against him with her hips. After a short time
she found him caressing her body in sensitive areas.
     "Why don't I show you the rest of my home." She purred, a
sensual yet inhuman sound, now that she was aware of his
intentions toward her.
     Sliding away from him into a standing position she helped
him up and led him into the foyer. She pointed to a stone arched
doorway and said that there was a granite stairway leading to the
upper rooms.

* * *

     Outside the bank Elisa and Matt crouched behind her vehicle
as random gunshots whizzed from the bank windows, shattering the
otherwise still silence of the night. The shots would sometimes
hit a nearby police car, or echo into the air. 
     Several police radios were being used as multiple
transmissions crackled to life. Matt reached in and grabbed the
mike in their car.
     Not too far away a news team was set up behind police lines
and were filming the entire robbery, even though one of their
reporters had already been shot with a high-powered rifle.
Needless to say, he was no longer reporting.
     "Base, this Matt Bluestone," the detective said, pressing
the mike's side button. "Where's that SWAT team, we've got a
shoot-out down here! Reports confirm that they have hostages."
     "This is base, SWAT team en route . . ." came the reply.
"E.T.A. fifteen minutes, hold your position until then."
     "Ten, four," he replied tossing the mike back through the
window. "Heck of a way to end the late shift, eh, partner?
     "Ain't it convenient for thieves that we have twenty four
hour banking. Just another typical New York City night."
     Elisa stole quick look into the air. In her mind she knew
what was coming.
     A shot rang from the bank, grazing the hood of her car with
a loud *spang.* Her thoughts were dragged back to reality by it
and she crouched down further. That was going to kill her
insurance premiums.
     "Hey!" she shouted. "That's original paint!"
     Matt shot her a look of surprise. "You have a lot of respect
for those hostages, don't you?"
     Elisa simply shrugged her shoulders and looked into the sky.
     She knew there would be a SWAT team coming, only it wasn't
made up of crack policemen. Her special team had wings, and the
strength to put an end to all of this.
     Matt looked up and shook his head. "By the time the team
gets here it'll be time for breakfast."
     "Yeah," she mumbled, knowing full well that the news media
alone would bring the Gargoyles here. "At least this time we
aren't dealing with multimillion dollar energy weapons or any of
Dracon's particle beam guns."
     Within the bank were four masked men. One was stashing money
into brown bags behind the tellers' windows. Another was pointing
a gun at the employees who were huddled into a corner. The last
two were watching through the front windows, taking a shot now
and then to keep the police from rushing in.
     "Hey!" yelled the one holding the hostages. "Will you hurry
it up?! We gotta get outta here, fast!"
     The man looked up from the teller's window and told him to
keep his mouth shut. He jumped over the counter and went into one
of the offices.
     One of the men keeping watch heard a soft noise from
somewhere above them, almost like rustling leather. Cocking his
gun, he looked up to see five hulking creatures falling out of
the air, all teeth and fangs and horns. He screamed and began
shooting wildly at the monsters, not one bullet connecting with
anything substantial.
     Goliath roared as he landed next to the man, his feet
smashing spider-web cracks into the marble floor. Baring his
fangs, he grabbed the assault rifle and with little effort
crushed it. He quickly seized the shooter by the front of his
coat and heaved him towards the other one holding the hostages at
gun point.
     Hudson needed to move out of the airborne man's path and the
two thieves connected, both crumbling to the floor. Goliath
looked to see Brooklyn and Lexington stalking the one in the
office, and Broadway was growling at the other lookout. The men
were so terrified that they didn't even try to open fire.
     When his prey tried to turn and run, Broadway grabbed the
man's collar and punched him in the face. A loud, dull *thunk*
was heard as his fist made contact, not encountering much
resistance as it struck the criminal's nose. The poor soul fell
from his grasp into a heap on the floor.
     They had just enough time to see the last guy flying out the
office door into the far wall. Brooklyn stepped out, slapping his
hands together, a look of satisfaction on his face. Lex was right
behind him.
     "I don't think they liked our offer," Brooklyn said,
smirking. "And I don't like to be ignored."
     "Come," Goliath said sternly. "Let us leave here so the
police can take them into custody."
     One by one they leaped into the air, dug their talons into
the wood and climbed to the ceiling, leaving a long series of
claw marks in the wall. A large glass skylight that had been
their access was now their exit.
     As the last one scrambled through the opening the hostages
slowly broke away from each other and gaped. The bank manager
shook his head and went to the front door to get the police. 
     Elisa, seeing the man emerge from the door screaming for
them not to shoot, knew what had happened. As by instinct she
looked up to see Goliath and the other gliding away from the
building.
     She muffled a low laugh and stood up.

* * *

     "Do you realize the cost of this new project you've
finished?" Owen commented as he followed Xanatos into the
elevator.
     Xanatos inserted a key into the panel and turned it. The
elevator began moving upwards, to his castle headquarters.
     "I'm quite aware of how much I spend," he replied, putting
the key into his pocket. "But when you see how well the new Steel
Clan robots have turned out you'll change your thinking."
     "Indeed," he replied, adjusting his wire-framed glasses.
"You are still determined to destroy the gargoyles? I thought you
had decided to let them live?"
     "I never said anything about using them against the
gargoyles, Owen." Xanatos said, smiling. "I want them for a
special job."
     His employer had apparently not told him of his plans.
"Special job?"
     Xanatos simply looked at him and smiled. "Let's just say I'm
having strange feelings about professor MacGregor and Demona." 
     Owen still had no idea what he was talking about and decided
not to push the matter any further. As the elevator came to a
stop the doors opened, revealing a long stone hallway.
     Stepping out, Xanatos led the way, the hard soles of their
shoes echoing off the cold stone. They passed several security
doors before stopping. The steel door in front of them had a
yellow oval on its face with the words "Authorized Personal
Only!" He inserted a key card into a security scanner next to the
door and it hissed open.
     Within were several high tech computer systems. The vast
complex machinery was humming softly as numerous screens
displayed data. There was nobody around and the room was empty,
with the exception of a platform with five figures covered by a
heavy sheet.
     "Come," Xanatos said, stepping closer to the covered forms.
"When you see this you'll know why I kept it a secret."
     As if he were showing off some grand piece of artwork, the
multibillionaire grabbed a corner of the sheet and pulled. When
it fell to the ground Owen needed to step back in wonder, though
his face registered as little emotion as ever.
     Standing before him was a gargoyle that Owen had never seen
before. The beast was standing there, wings draped around his
shoulders, and it seemed to be asleep. The thing had blonde hair
and a brownish complexion.
     "What are they?" Owen said, quite impressed, as indicated by
the elevation of a single eyebrow.
     David laughed. "The newest in bio-mechanical engineering!
They look real on the outside, but inside is a powerful Steel
Clan skeleton. I was inspired by a rerun of 'Terminator 2.'" Owen
cocked another eyebrow and Xanatos shook his head. "I'm kidding,
Owen, just kidding."
     "But, how do they fly?" he asked, finding no thruster pack
on the bio-robot.
     "The thrusters are in the sole of the foot and are only for
getting off the ground. The exhaust vents then iris shut,"
Xanatos began to explain. "But like the real gargoyles they need
to glide on air currents."
     "Quite fascinating, sir," Owen replied as he watched his
employer uncover the others.
     If he hadn't know better he would have sworn that he was
standing before real gargoyles. There were five of them, three
males and two females. Each had their own characteristics and
skin colors, but they looked very lifelike. Even their skin was
warm to the touch.
     Owen could not help but stand there in stoical wonder.
     "Their wings are the best achievements," Xanatos began.
"Micro hydraulics hidden under real tissues.  I modeled the whole
design on living beings, and even toyed with the idea of making a
nanotechnological immune system... But I decided to save that for
a later project. These androids are not only stronger than the
older Steel Clan robots, but each has its own AI computer, thanks
to pioneering advancements my programming staff made on Coyote."
     "Artificial intelligence?" his aid replied. "Why go through
all this for the professor and Demona?"
     "I think he's keeping something from us, Owen," he said in a
low tone. "I have no access to the Gen-U-Tech computers because
the good professor has locked out all outside access.
     "And from watching the camera he does not save anything to
the system drives." He frowned. "He puts it all on tapes and
keeps them locked away." Xanatos ran a finger along the cheekbone
of one of the female robots. "Besides, it wasn't all that much
trouble. I already had the technology under development for a
different project; One named Athena. But you don't have to worry
about that one-- It's just a minor project, one that I don't
expect any trouble from. Let's go on to other business."
     Owen knew his employer did not like being kept in the dark
about any of his projects. But for whatever reason, Xanatos had
built these new robots for some strange purpose. He cared little
for the perplexing reasons of his employer, but he respected them
nonetheless.

* * *

     Demona lay there in her large bed, the slow heartbeat of her
human love in her ear. She was nestled up next to him, her arm
and head resting on his chest. Through the covers she could feel
her limp wings resting against his body, allowing her to seem to
surround him.
     It was strange lying on a bed in her gargoyle form; she
would have thought it would be uncomfortable. To her amazement it
was just the opposite. She needed only to relax her wings.
     On a small table next to the bed was a very old leather
journal. Worn with age, it looked as if it would fall apart at
the slightest touch, yet it held itself together with an
unnatural tenacity. Reaching over, she took it and started
looking though the yellowed pages. It was a complete history of
Robert MacGregor, and she was amazed it still existed. His every
thought and adventure were there, many with ink sketches.
     She had been pleased when James told her he had brought it
in with him.
     About halfway into it she noticed that he had written about
her. When they had met in the castle, their sparring and the
other moments they had spent together. She even found the quote
he told her before he died. He had apparently thought of it but
had never had the courage to tell her.
'The feeling one gets from something as simple as a kiss is worth
more than anything in the world.'
At one point she found a sketch of herself, kneeling atop a rock
on what looked to be a beach and staring off into the dark
horizon with regal defiance.
     As she gazed at the sketch her mind went back to Castle
Wyvern and the times she and Robert MacGregor had spent together.
She could not think of anything that could have stopped her from
loving him. It was a foolish thing, she knew, but she had been
quite the fool back then...
     Wandering, her mind seemed to fly away on its own, drifting
into the past, into wonderful memories.

Scotland - 981 AD

     The sun had long since disappeared beyond the western
horizon, leaving the clear sky filled with the brilliant
pinpoints of the ever-mysterious stars. It wasn't too often that
she left the walls of castle Wyvern, but when Robert MacGregor
invited her to walk with him on the beach she did not refuse. 
     With the moon overhead one could clearly see the slow
rolling waves of the ocean. As each wave slapped the smooth sand
it foamed and slid back into the sea. The sand was still warm
from the sun beating down on it all day, heated by a ball of
unimaginable fire that she was sure she would never see. She
found the warmth rather pleasing.
     Wearing nothing but his normal civilian clothes, he and
Angel walked side by side. They did not speak to one another, but
both seemed happy to be together.
     Not too far off was a large flat rock, where the moon's
light seemed to shine upon its smooth surface. He looked at her
and pointed to it. She nodded and followed, her clawed feet
leaving dragon-like prints behind her.
     He asked her to kneel on the edge facing the ocean. She
asked him why and he said he wanted "to take down a memory." Not
knowing what he meant, she did as he asked and waited patiently. 
     Robert remained on the beach and removed a leather bound
book from his pocket. From the other he pulled out a plugged ink
well and a small, feathery quill pen. He found a piece of
driftwood and sat down upon it's worn surface. Opening the book
up to a clean page, he looked up at her and began sketching on
the parchment.
     For a long time he sat there, looking up for a second once
in awhile and then continuing with his drawing. At one point she
though it would take forever for him to finish, and so she was
grateful when he finally did say he was done.
     "Come, little Angel," he said, waving her down. "See how
I've captured yer beauty?"
     She stood and hurried back to him, taking leaps and bounds
that were short for a gargoyle but would have broken a man's
legs. He blew on the ink to dry it some more and showed it to
her. It was beautiful, the way he captured the background with
her in the foreground and the moon's light from above.
     "It's wonderful, Robert," she replied softly, smiling. "You
seem to be skilled in several arts."
     He smiled back and replaced the book into his pocket, along
with the other implements as well. Taking him by the hand, she
led him back onto the rock and sat upon the edge.
     The wind had picked up a little and the sea was slightly
rougher. As the waves would strike the rock a fine mist would
cascade in the air before them.
     "Robert," she said quietly as he sat next to her. "You are
the only human I know who's ever befriended a gargoyle the way
you have me. You've taught me many things, not just fighting, but
other ...arts, as well."
     From the soft tone of her voice he got the general idea of
what she was talking about. He tried to think of something to say
but he was unable to do anything but take in a deep breath. She
was a lovely creature, perfect in every way, and he respected her
for it. But...
     Reaching up, she touched his cheek and gently ran her clawed
finger down his neck. She leaned towards him, her mouth parted in
a thin smile. He seemed nervous and took her hand into his to
stop her from going any further.
     "What's wrong, Robert?" she asked, not sure of why he
stopped her affectionate advances. "I thought you. . . cared for
me?"
     "I do, little Angel." he sighed, rubbing her hand. "More
than you can imagine, but yer heart already belongs t' another."
     "My heart belongs to whoever I want it to," she replied,
trying to sidle up next to him. "I want you to have it."
     Robert let go of her hand and turned his head. "You are very
beautiful, Angel, and I'd accept you in a second."
     "But...?" she sighed, knowing what he was going to say.
"You're a human and I'm a gargoyle. Who cares? We'll leave the
castle and go someplace else; Others have done so before,
gargoyles with human mates who were afraid of how the clan would
react. We can be together, Robert, just you and me."
     He shook his head and tried to hold back the dampness that
formed in his eyes. "I wish I could, little Angel, more than
anything. But I cann'a leave my position at the castle. And I
canna ask ye to leave yer kind.
     "You would be better off with th' other gargoyle ye seem to
care fer," he said, wiping his nose. "I already lost someone
close ta me, an' I donn'a want that to happen again. Please
forgive me."
     She swallowed hard and tried her best not to let her
emotions overpower her. For a moment she felt like throwing her
arms around him but decided not to. Thick foot-talons dug into
the sand with anxiety. They were good friends, and she did not
want to jeopardize that aspect of their relationship, too. Deep
in her heart she felt a growing feeling of love for the human.
     Wiping a tear from her own eye she took his hand into hers
and said that she understood, but the words coming out of her
mouth meant nothing. Didn't he understand? He smiled and put an
arm around her, pulling her close. She sniffed and leaned into
his warm hug, the little hands on the tips of her wings running
through his hair.
     "We will always be friends, me Angel," he said, slowly
rocking her back and fourth. "In combat we shall fight side by
side, and I shall guard you with my life."
     She started to cry silently into his shoulder. "I would give
my own life to save yours, Robert. Any who make an attempt on
your life will regret it."
     "Come now, little Angel," he whispered. "'Tis time we be
gettin' back to the castle."
     That was the last thing she felt like doing. The setting was
perfect and she enjoyed the warmth of his embrace. She would give
anything to win his love, even at the cost of her own life.
     He was worth dying for.

     As she let the journal close she could feel tears of both
sorrow and rediscovered joy drip noiselessly down her face. The
droplets hit James's chest lightly and rolled down his shoulder
onto his neck.
     Robert MacGregor had given his life to save hers, just as he
had said he would. Now she found herself wishing it had been the
other way around. Things were so much simpler then, before the
Archmage, before the visit from her future self, before the
Wyvern holocaust and the Vikings, before Avalon and MacBeth and
Xanatos and Coldstone and the Phoenix Gate....
     She moved her head so she could look at his face. He looked
so peaceful as he slept, the soft sounds of his breathing.
Perhaps it was a good thing he asked her to go easy on her
project. They could use the extra time to be together, not as
working partners, but as lovers. He was not like the other
humans, not like the rest of that savage, worthless species.
     "Nothing," she said softly. "Nothing will come between us
this time, MacGregor. Not Xanatos, not Goliath, not anybody."
     It wouldn't be long before the sun would begin to rise. Now
that she turned to stone during the day she did not want it to
happen here. She would crush him for certain. Gently lifting
herself off him, she pulled the covers from her body and stood
up, wings draping themselves over her like a dark, velvety cloak.
     Her garments were resting on the floor next to the bed and
she grabbed them. As she was getting dressed she heard James
begin to stir. Still adjusting her top, she knelt back on the bed
and watched as he opened his eyes.
     "Where are you going, Demona?" he asked, still quite tired
and blinking the sleep out of his eyes.
     "The sun is going to come up soon," she replied, stroking
his hair. "I have to revert into my stone form." She winced
slightly as she realized she was leaving him vulnerable during
the day. Even after all this time she still contained the basic
gargoyle need to protect. It was an inescapable urge, unique to
her species in its intensity.
     He slowly sat up in bed, swaying slightly from the head
rush. "We should get back to the lab so I can examine this."
     She shook her head and pushed him back down. "Nope. You're
going to stay here and get some more sleep. You asked me to let
you relax and you're going to do it." She grinned, fangs glinting
in the dim light. "I took a lot out of you last night, after
all."
     He knew better than to go against her word. In the month
they had been together one thing he knew was not to anger her.
Nodding his head he promised to get more sleep, but said he would
have to return to the lab later. He said Xanatos would get
suspicious if he were missing.
     She agreed and gave him a long kiss before leaving him alone
in the room. As he watched her leave, his eyes allured by her
supple tail, he began wondering again what it would be like to be
a gargoyle. As his eyes and mind drifted back to sleep he could
think of all the possibilities...

* * *

     At the gargoyles' police clock tower, the entire clan was
taking it easy. Broadway and Brooklyn were sitting in front of
the television watching The Lion King, Hudson was busy reading a
book and Lexington was showing Goliath what the Internet was.
     Lexington loved his new computer. Everybody was shocked when
Elisa had brought it. It was the most expensive thing she had got
them as of yet. Lex in general was thrilled and very appreciative
of her latest gift. When Goliath asked her why she had bought
such a expensive gift she simply said it was on sale. Amazing
what one could do on a detective's salary.
     She had said that it had a high speed modem and was already
set up for Internet access. Lex knew what she was talking about
and thanked her continuously. He was even able to get a T3 shell.
     "See," he said, pointing to some text on the screen.
"Anything you want to know about gargoyles."
     Goliath watched as a small box in the upper corner reveled a
feminine stone figure perched as a rain spout. "That's a very
impressive gargoyle, Lexington. Not one of use, I should say."
But still somewhat attractive, he mused to himself with a grin.
     "Nope," he replied, moving the mouse pointer to the scroll
bar and shifting the text off the screen. "Anything you want to
know is here. Pick something, Goliath. Anything."
     "Hmmm," he mumbled, trying to think of something. His eyes
narrowed. "What about... Shakespeare's plays?"
     "Sure." Lexington replied, typing on the keyboard. "Just
watch and see, it's really cool!"
     When he had typed in the search pattern the computer screen
cleared and a list took its place. It was in alphabetic order and
everything Shakespeare had ever done in his rather colorful life
was there.
     Lex moved the mouse pointer to the picture and clicked the
mouse button. The screen cleared and displayed the man's complete
history, from his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon to his death
in 1616. Goliath was suddenly fascinated with what the Internet
was capable of.
     "Very impressive, I must say," Goliath said, smiling. "Can
you read his works on this as well?"
     "Sure," the kite-winged gargoyle replied, returning to the
previous screen with a click of the mouse. "Which one do you
want?"
     Goliath looked at the long list and came across a particular
play he was familiar with.
     "MacBeth," he said, pointing to the name. "Bring up that one
if you would." Perhaps he could find a clue as to how Shakespeare
had learned of Puck and MacBeth. Could he have known Demona? She
certainly seemed like the Lady MacBeth of the play...
     Lex nodded and put the mouse pointer over "MacBeth" and
clicked the button. There was a momentary pause as the
information was downloaded. When it finished, the complete works
of the MacBeth play were there, along with historical references.
Goliath began reading the familiar text and was even more
impressed.
     "I would be interested in this fascinating thing myself," he
replied, placing a hand on Lex's shoulder. "Is it hard to use?"
     "No way," he answered. "I'd be glad to show you how the
computer age works. Any idiot can use the computer. Why, through
chat rooms I've talked to fanfic authors who don't even know all
the DOS commands."
     Goliath smiled and kneeled down next to him, watching and
listening to what he was told. It was rather interesting just to
see how Lex had adapted his own typing style to suit his unique
fingers. A short while later they heard Elisa enter, carrying
some books. Broadway saw the load she was carrying and went to
help.
     "Greetings, lass," Hudson said, marking a spot in his book
and setting it down. "More stuff to read, I see. Thank ye,
Elisa."
     Bronx looked up from his sleeping rug next to Hudson's chair
and wagged his stubby tail at her presence. Elisa smiled and
wondered if he smelled her cat, Cagney, on her clothes.
     "Keep this up and you'll have a library similar to the one
downstairs," she replied. "How's the computer working, Lex?"
     "Great!" he answered. "I'm showing Goliath how to use it. He
likes the Internet access you got for me, thanks!"
     She smiled and went over to see what they were doing with
the computer. It wasn't her specialty, but she knew what Lex and
Goliath were doing. The other thing she knew about personal
computers was how much one cost...
     "Going off shift, Elisa?" Goliath asked, taking a short
break from the computer.
     "Yeah. That bank job you broke up earlier was the highlight
of my shift," she replied, yawning. "Good work on the thugs, I
don't think they'll pull something like that again." Considering
two of them are in traction and one's in a mental ward, she
thought.
     Goliath smiled and led her up the steps to the clock face
and out onto the platform. She followed without question and
leaned against the stone railing.
     "What's up?" she asked gently.
     "Nothing," Goliath replied, looking out at the city
wistfully. "Why do you ask?"
     "Because when you bring me out here you usually have
something on your mind," she smiled. "Spill it."
     He sighed and looked at her, a thin smile on his face. "I
would like. . . That is, are you busy right now?"
     "No. I just got off my shift," she answered, knowing well
what he was trying to say. She looked up at him encouragingly,
her eyes mesmerizing in the moonlight. "Why?"
     Goliath shook his head slightly and seemed to hesitate, like
he was trying to find the right words. He was so awkward whenever
he was close to her...
     "Would you care to walk with me in the park tonight?" he
finally asked. "I could use the... companionship." He turned his
head immediately after he had said it, his face turning a deeper
hue, instantly regretting that he'd blurted that out so quickly.
How embarrassing.
     Elisa smiled and felt impressed. "You mean you're asking me
on a date? Goliath, I never thought you'd ask such a question. Of
course I'll go with you."
     Goliath blinked at her in surprise and then looked at her
warmly. He seemed to feel better and the smile on his face proved
it without question. Going back inside, he told the others that
he was going out for a while. When they asked why he said he and
Elisa were simply going out to see the sights.
     When Elisa stepped up behind him she gave the others a fast
wink and ginned. She shook her head silently so that Goliath
would not see her.
     Brooklyn noticed it and whistled. "Hey, Goliath is taking
Elisa out for a date tonight." He grinned maliciously in that
boyish teen-aged manner of his.
     "Good for you, lad!" Hudson said happily. "Nice to see
you're seeking female companionship again."
     The others laughed aloud, making Goliath to feel out of
place with them. He fidgeted his tail nervously, and his face
blushed a deeper shade of purple.
     Elisa noticed it and patted his arm. "We'd better get going,
Goliath, before they find out you're taking me to the park." She
put her hand over her mouth in mock gesture of shock. "OOPS, I
guess I don't know when to keep quiet."
     "Sounds romantic," Lexington said with batting eyes,
clapping his hands together and smiling with patronizing
sweetness. "The moon, the clear night, just the two of you. Quite
a love scene if I ever saw one."
     Hudson stifled a laughed and held up his hand. "That's quite
enough of that, lads. Leave yer poor leader alone. Goliath,
perhaps you'd better be off now and get on with your. . . date."
     Goliath said nothing and stepped out of the door, wishing to
get as far from Hudson and the trio as possible. Elisa smiled at
them and followed. He picked her up in his arms and leapt off the
building. The air was warm so Elisa wasn't worried about getting
too cold.
     Hudson looked up at the departing couple with a shaking his
head and a wry smile. "Well, it's about time those two got
started on a new rookery." Brooklyn and Broadway, who were within
earshot, snapped their heads around and stared, slack-jawed, at
their mentor. Hudson placed his hands on his hips and glared back
at them. "Well what're you two looking at?" he snapped. "Somebody
had to say it!"
     As Elisa and Goliath glided on the air currents she wrapped
both arms around his neck and nestled closer to his chest. He
noticed it and tried not to lose his concentration. The park was
still a ways off, so it would take a few minutes to get there.
     He wanted to say something to her, to apologize for what the
others said back at the tower. Nothing came to mind and his eyes
wandered about, trying to find something of interest, but they
kept sneaking back to Elisa...
     When they reached the park he was glad to see that nobody
was around. They set down next to the lake, near to the boathouse
that had once been destroyed back when they'd first met, nearly
two years ago. Back when she'd barely known him, yet risked her
life to take out an entire squad of Xanatos' lethal attack
troops.
     She slipped from his grasp and looked around to make sure
the coast was clear. Seeing nobody around, she grabbed his arm
and led him down to the shoreline.
     There was a stone bench there facing the water. They sat
down next to each other and remained silent for a long time.
     "Goliath?" she said, breaking the silence. "How do you
really feel about me?"
     "You are a good friend, Elisa," he replied after a moment's
contemplation, not really wanting to tell the truth.
     She bowed her head, the inky cascades of her hair flowing
down her neck, catching his eye. "That's not what I meant,
Goliath. I mean how do you REALLY feel about me?"
     "I. . ." He paused, still not wanting to reveal his true
feelings. "I care for you a lot, Elisa. . . Perhaps too much.
Since losing Demona a part of me has been missing."
     Elisa slid closer and reached up, placing her palm upon his
cheek. "You can be honest with me, Goliath. Nothing you can say
will hurt me."
     He stood angrily, growling under his breath. "How can one
like myself tell a human he's in love with her!"
     Suddenly aware of what his anger caused him to say he spun
towards her and frowned. 
     "Elisa, I'm didn't mean to. . ." He stammered, feeling quite
afraid of his actions. "Please don't be angry."
     She looked straight at him for a few seconds and then rushed
abruptly into his arms. "Oh Goliath, thank you! Thank you for
being honest with me. I wasn't sure you loved me, I was afraid to
tell you that I loved you." She squeezed him tightly, the
pressure warming him more emotionally than physically.
     Taken by surprise by her actions, he wrapped his arms and
wings around her body. The numbness of the initial shock abated
quickly. He suddenly felt complete, the missing place in his
heart having been filled. She continued to hug him tightly and
did not want to let go.
     "Elisa?" he said softly. "How can we love each other? We are
of two different races."
     "No, my parents are of two different races. We're of two
different *species.*" She paused as a tear welt up in her eye and
she looked up at him. "But I don't care. Love has nothing to do
with what you look like or where you come from."
     He smiled and wiped the tear from her eye. "I never had the
nerve to tell you how I felt. I was afraid you would reject me
like Demona did. I did not want to go through that again."
     "Thank you, Goliath," she whispered. "For being so honest
with me. Look at me for a second, will you please?"
     Tilting his head he bent his knees so they could be at face
level. He was about to ask what she wanted but her quick reaction
beat him.
     She pressed her lips to his and kissed him. He was taken by
surprise and felt powerless to stop her, his wings giving a quick
and involuntary flap that blew her hair about momentarily, making
her seem even more beautiful. New feelings flashed through his
body, past events with Demona, only Elisa's face took their
place. The mighty gargoyle was suddenly at the mercy of one
small, attractive human.
     When she pulled away she wrapped her arms around his neck
and placed her head upon his chest. Together they stood there,
their arms wrapped around each other in a tender hug.
     He felt complete and no longer alone. The powerful act of
love had conquered his loneliness, and it took Elisa to bring it
out. For the first time more than a year he was pleased. He had
said how he felt about her, and she had accepted his love
gracefully.

* * *

     He had been working for about two hours now and the computer
had done very little in that time. Tapping the computer keyboard
he brought up an image of the genetic makeup of Xanatos's
project, the holographic double-alpha helix of DNA projected into
the air above the console.
     The cells were completely wrong and he wondered how the
project even got started. If the others Xanatos had previously
hired to do this were either crazy or completely stupid. He shook
his head and accessed more of the past records.
     Nothing he could get could jive with what he was supposed to
be doing. The computer records were incomplete and all the data
was grossly wrong. There were parts where it didn't even cover
human cells, they were animal cells. And he was fairly certain
that sample A-12 had been a fungus at one point, but by now it
was impossible to tell.
     Whoever was doing that study was quite ignorant. If he
didn't know any better he'd swear he was chasing ghosts. It was
almost as if the records had been slapped together by some
geneticist in a hurry.
     All the records were incomplete and data had been removed in
several areas, leaving him with little to go on. He had only been
working on Xanatos's project for three weeks and already his work
thus far had blown the past data away. In his opinion, he was the
first one who seemed to be doing ANY work on this project.
     "I donn'a know what you were thinkin', Xanatos," he mumbled
to himself. "But it wasn't th' regeneration of damaged cells."
     Shaking his head, he cleared the screen and closed all the
open files leading to the old data, the holographic display
flickering out overhead. He did not even want to look at it any
more. It was sidetracking him.
     Standing, he walked over to a metal cabinet and removed a
syringe and test tube. Rolling up his sleeve he wrapped a rubber
band around his upper arm and tied it. Slapping his biceps, he
injected the needle and withdrew a quantity of blood.
     He removed the needle and with a cotton ball cleaned the
spot of red welling out of his flesh. Taking a bandage from the
cabinet, he placed it on the spot where he had put the needle.
After removing the band he moved to a small computer in the
corner. Next to it was a round device that would hold ten test
tubes in a circle for analyzing and experimentation.
     Holding the test tube, he squirted his blood into it and
placed it the rack. He closed the top with a plug and pressed the
activation button and it hummed to life. The small computer was
already on-line so he pressed the "ANALYZE" button and watched as
it began to scan the test tube.
     There was not much he could do but wait for the computer to
break down the sample. Later he would introduce a fake infection
to see how the computer would handle it. From that he could get a
map of the cells trying to heal the problem.
     It wasn't much of a start, but it would have to do. He
thought about working on Demona's project but remembered what she
had said.
     "Yes," he said to himself. "Let's see what I can do about
mutating my cells. If Demona doesn't a want me to work on her
project then I'll work on one of me own."
     Smiling, he sat before the computer and started a new file,
password encoded, or course. Grabbing a blank tape from a stack
next to the computer he inserted it into the drive.
Moving easily over the computer keyboard he set the system up to
save to the tape and typed a filename:

"Demona's Love Reborn"
       
     He entered his own reasons for beginning the experiment to
keep an accurate record of the work. Within the file he explained
to himself what he wanted to do and how he was going to do it.
One way or another, this would probably end up to be a rather
painful process.
     It would not be hard to analyze Demona's genetic makeup and
try to duplicate it. He knew it would take months, but he felt
confident he could do it. It would just take a little careful
planning, mapping out how he would splice their combined DNA. He
had to be cautious, lest he found himself developing mammary
glands and producing the gargoyle equivalent of estrogen.
     Setting up the system to perform the necessary scans and
duplication processes, he heard the intercom next to the door
beep.
     "Damn it," he grumbled, not wanting to be disturbed.
     Standing, he went over to the intercom and pressed the reply
button. "Main genetics lab, Professor MacGregor here."
     "Professor MacGregor," came a young woman's voice. "This is
the medical department, M.R.I. room. Did you use the scanner
recently?"
     "Yes," he replied, not knowing why. The computer kept logs
of who had used it. "What's wrong?"
     "Oh, nothing sir," she replied curtly. "But there's
something saved onto the system drive. It was encoded by you,
apparently you tried to save it to tape but it failed. Could you
come down and get it please?"
     A deathly feeling suddenly came over him, a deep cold spot
formed in his stomach, his intestines squirming like some
demented serpent.
     "Yes," he replied, trying to keep calm. "I'll be there in a
minute."
     "Very well, professor," she replied, clicking off.
     Grabbing a handful of blank tapes, he hurried out of the lab
and down to M.R.I. There were five people there, three men and
two women. They looked at him as he entered with blas‚ gazes. 
     "Professor MacGregor?" spoke one of the women. From her
voice to was the one who contacted him.
     He nodded his head and waited for something else to happen.
The thud of his pulse was loud in his throat.
     "The data is still there, professor," replied one of the
older men calmly. "Since it was encoded we could not do anything
with it."
     He sat down before the computer and inserted a tape quickly.
He accessed the scan data and instructed the computer not to
decode it, only write it to tape. It started without question and
the timer said it would take two minutes to finish.
     "What were you scanning, Professor?" the young woman asked
with genuine curiosity.
     He was not ready for the question and thought fast. "A
friend of mine was interested in how th' machine worked. I gave
her a demonstration. Why?"
     "Just curious," she replied. "But there is something I need
to tell you."
     "What?" he asked, fearing what they might have seen.
     "When you did the scan you didn't clear the last command
before you started," she explained. "We were working on the human
reproductive system and had the scanner set up to do it.
     "When you scanned your friend it did a reproductive organ
system scan. I'll have to bet that's what was stored in the
computer drive. In a way it was our own fault."
     "No harm done," he replied, quite relieved.
     When the computer beeped its completion he removed the tape
and deleted the scan from the system.
     "Thank you, Professor," replied one of the men. "Sorry to
have bothered you with this."
     He said it was fine and left the trainees to their work.
When he entered his lab again he shut the door and wiped it
forehead.
     "Thank God it was encoded," he mumbled to himself, he would
have had a hard time trying to explain that to them.
     Looking down at the tape he tilted his head. "Reproductive
system scan? Hmmm, I wonder. . ."

* * *

     Jacob walked silently up the stairs towards the professor's
bedroom. In his hands was a silver covered tray, a white cloth
napkin was draped over his forearm. He set the tray down on a
small table next to the professors door and knocked.
     The professor rolled beneath the blankets when he heard the
knocking. He looked up the digital clock and smiled. As always,
Jacob was on time with breakfast. His attention was drawn from
Jacob to the form lying next to him.
     Venus yawned as she became aware of what time it was. She
had been sleeping with him for nearly four months. In that time
she had grown accustomed to being waited on. Seeing Jacob at
7:00am every morning was the normal routine.
     Scott leaned over and kissed her like he did every morning,
careful not to cut himself on her ivory-white fangs. For some
reason he saw something forlorn in her eyes; she didn't look like
her normal self.
     "Is something wrong?" he asked, rubbing her shoulder beneath
the silk-soft wing.
     Venus sighed, reached up and kissed his hand. "It's been
over three months and nothing's happened."
     The professor frowned and drew her into a soft hug. "Well,
we are two different races, my love. It's possible that it can
never happen."
     "But I want to have a child," she whispered sadly. "I want
to have *your* child."
     Scott kissed her cheek and ran his fingers through her dark
hair. "There's not much we can do but keep trying." He grinned
playfully. "I enjoy it."
     "I saw on television the other day that it is possible," she
replied. "These couples were unable to have children, but this
doctor helped them."
     "Yes, artificial insemination, it's quite common today." But
when he discovered what Venus was suggesting he shook his head.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
     Venus hung her head and sighed. "I know, but there has to be
some way."
     Scott got up from bed and went to open the door. As always
there was tray resting on a table next to the door. He wheeled
the table inside and pushed it so it was next to the bed.
     "I have a lot of money, my love, but it can't buy
everything," he explained. "We just have to hope for the best."
     "What about. . ." Venus started. "What about that Xanatos
person?"
     The professor almost dropped the plate he was holding and
shot her an angry look. "Are you out of your mind? After
everything he's done? How could you even think it?"
     "I'm sorry," she said, her eyes glistening with possible
tears. "Please, Scott, I'd do anything to have a child. . .
Please?" He had once told Venus he'd do anything to make her
happy. It was true, he'd do anything for her, but this was too
much.
     "I don't know about this, Venus," he mumbled. "I doubt
Xanatos would even listen to me. What am I saying? I can't even
believe I'm considering doing this!"
     Venus slid from under the covers and put her arm around him.
Scott felt her warm body though her blue silken nightgown and
closed his eyes as her membranous wings enveloped him, warming
him.
     "Just how badly do YOU want a child?" she whispered into his
ear.
     Scott closed his eyes and lay back down on the bed. Like
Venus he wanted to have children, to have a loving family. He
often f