Disclaimer: You know what belongs to Disney, I'm just borrowing it and I ain't making any $ so don't sue. 'My Hearts In The Highlands' is a Scottish folksong (also not mine) Sable is mine, as is her network of friends and Stone Security. The pictures described belong to Raptor Woman. If you get a chance go check out her art. Mature audiences please, due to language and other stuff. Comments, flames, and abject adoration can be sent to me at waffle@micrord.com Enjoy! Sable's Gift by Montanna "Come on David, you know Sable was mother's personal guard. Daddy picked her for her integrity. She can be trusted. After all, she warned me about marrying you." David Xanatos smiled at this. Fox could always get around him. "Very well my dear. Contact this Sable and ask her to come." Japan... "My hearts in the highlands, My heart is not here..." The phone rang, interrupting the singing beauty. Pushing her dark hair out of her eyes, she made her way to her phone. Even though she was old enough to be Fox's mother, she only looked about 35 years old. Her skin still smooth and unwrinkled, body well muscled, and not a gray hair in sight. She answered the call, her voice accentless and smooth as warm honey. 'Lo you reached Stone Security, this is Sable Stone speaking." "Sable it's Janine... I was wondering if you could come and visit?" "Janey? Oh sure I'll come. Though isn't your name Mrs. Fox Xanatos these days?" "Checking up on me?" "Of course pup, I watched over your momma and you. Just because I don't get paid for it doesn't mean I quit. Protecting is what I do." "When can you get here?" "I'll fly down ASAP." Later that evening at Eyrie Building... Fox greeted the gargoyles at sunset that night. "Hello guys. I'd like to talk to you. I hired a security specialist to come here and help out. She'll be here in about an hour and I wanted to let you know." Goliath frowned, "Is that wise?" Fox smiled. "Don't worry Sable was Mother's personal body guard. Nothing phases her. If you'll stay out of sight for a few days we'll how you feel about meeting her." Sable entered the Eyrie building 20 minutes later. As she reached the Main Hall of the castle Fox greeted her mother's former guard warmly. After showing Sable her apartments, Fox gave her a tour of the castle. "So what do you think about my humble home?" "Kid, when you decide to settle down, you do it with style." The clan watched Fox and Sable tour the castle, listening to the random comments made by both. When Xanatos greeted Sable, the trio had to choke back laughter, because she promptly began to peel a strip of hide off Xanatos for his shadier actives of the past years. When she sweetly inquired if that was his head or another part of his anatomy on his shoulders, Elisa had to leave or risk being discovered. Goliath followed her out and held Elisa up when she collapsed with a fit of giggles. Xanatos meekly conceded defeat to the brash woman before him. He was saved from further lambasting by the arrival of Owen and Alex. Sable immediately picked the boy up and Alex wrapped his chubby arms around her neck. Diverted from chewing on David, Sable began to cuddle the boy. Goliath and the clan followed the women to Sable's rooms. She sighed and told Fox, "I missed holding my son..." Fox was startled. "I didn't know you were married! How old is your son?" "Oh, he's older than you. When I became your mom's protector, I had to leave my son with his father and the clan. It was for the best, I was wilder than you ever were. His father and I separated amicably and I'm sure our son took over leadership of our clan when he came of age. He had my fire and his father's mind." Alarms began to sound throughout the building. Giving Alex into Owen's care the two women raced to the main hall. The gargoyles were hidden in the shadows waiting to find out what was happening. "David, what's going on?" "The Quarrymen are attacking." Fox grabbed a large laser and smiled. "Let 'em come." The gargoyles were about to leave to deal with the intruders when they heard Sable. "Fox! What would happen normally when these gajins attack the castle?" "They'd be met by our night security. Why?" "Those losers have a news crew with 'em. Don't you think it would be wise to keep them from whatever they expect to find?" "So what do we do?" She looked at Xanatos and Fox. "Let me handle it." She swept from the room with a malicious grin and Fox said," I almost feel sorry for them. Almost." The cameras were rolling when Sable entered the courtyard. The clan took positions to help her if she needed it. Sable descended on the lead Quarryman like an avenging angel. Not expecting a human to meet them they paused momentarily. It was long enough for Sable to take the initiative. "WHAT IN THUNDER IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?! You boys haul your sorry asses out of here before I call the cops." She was answered by one invaders shout, "Bring out the monsters!" "What monsters? I don't know what you've been drinking and I don't care. You do not attack a lady's home and expect a polite welcome." She hefted the rifle and growled, "Get lost." Sable turned to leave when one incensed intruder swung his hammer at her back. It never found its mark. With one smooth motion she turned away from the impact and smashed his knee. He dropped to the ground with a howl. Grabbing him by the front of his shirt she snarled, "Never go for my back boy." Then she turned to face the rest of the horde. "You boys want to see what the SeALs taught me?" A ripple of sound permeated the gang. Then a gasp. "Shit! It's Sable Stone! I ain't messing with her, forget it." Several quarrymen broke off from the pack to bolt. Seeing this the others soon followed. With the situation disarmed Sable yelled, "Take this piece of trash with you!" Once the invaders collected their wounded and left Sable turned to the news crew. With an arched eyebrow she asked, "Do you know why they were here?" The reporter swallowed and said, "They told us gargoyles were here." Sable chuckled. "Gargoyles, yeah right. I believe in the Third Race and creatures that go bump in the night too." Laughing she returned to the security room. As she made her way down the hall she caught sight of a large shadow just before it vanished. Shrugging she entered the room. "Excellent work Ms. Stone." Grabbing a cup of coffee she said, "I think you can call me Sable David." Yawning she looked at the time. "Fox, I think I'll call it a night." Once she had left the room, the clan entered. Goliath spoke first. "She is a fine warrior. I do not believe that she will find us threatening." Hudson frowned. Sable seemed familiar. He didn't know why, but he felt that he knew her. Saying nothing he left the clan as they enthused about this courageous human. He soon found himself just outside of her quarters. Glancing in his breath caught in his throat. There on the wall was a picture of Goliath as a hatchling with Demona at his side. Next to it was a pencil drawing of him, much younger; playing with a puppy aged Bronx. Who was she? Sable stretched and moved to the pictures. Chuckling at the pout on Goliath's face, she took both pictures and covered them. She set up her computer and began to send e-mail to her office in Japan. Japan... "You've got mail." Dakota looked to the computer in the corner of his office. Cheyenne and Sheba ignored to summons from the computer. Sighing, Dakota made his way to the terminal. Accessing the message he frowned. "Hey Sheba? What do we have on file about gargoyles in New York?" "Just some crap from the tabloids... Why?" "Sabes wants info. There might be gargs in Manhattan." "Chey, open the file on New York." After sending the information on to their employer, the trio returned to their work. Eyrie Building... Sable frowned at the sketchy report before her. Apparently the clan that lived here had some PR problems. She resolved to meet the mysterious clan that evidently lived here the following evening. She crept to the battlements at sundown. Sable looked on as the stone gargoyles exploded to life. Sable looked on as Detective Maza greeted the clan. Her eye widened at the sight of their leader and his mentor. She retreated to her room to finish her work. Sable sent a request to her Japan office for Sheba to make the trip to Manhattan. She would need more back up if the quarrymen were determined to capture these gargoyles. They wouldn't get this clan... no way in hell. Sheba received the fax and sent her reply. If Sable needed her, she would go. She looked up as her boyfriend Jarred entered her office. The others had already left for the evening. Jarred immediately began outlining her schedule for the next week. Sheba swallowed and said, "Sable needs me to make a trip to New York. I have to leave in the morning" Sheba felt the impact of Jared's fist as it hit her cheek. "You'll tell her you can't and you do it now!" Sheba felt her spine stiffen, she couldn't deal with this anymore. "No, I won't. I'm leaving in the morning. It's over Jarred, I can't see you anymore." Jarred left Stone Security 20 minutes later. Sheba carefully pulled herself to her feet. The beating had been savage, but she would heal. And she wasn't returning to Japan... Sheba applied her make-up with care. She had practice in hiding her bruises from the world. This time was the worst, and unfortunately the bruises showed through. Sable would be furious. Sheba sighed and gave the taxi driver the address of the Eyrie Building. Sable and Fox were checking the rooms that Owen had prepared for Sheba. They talked about business and the past. They reached David's office and were met by Detectives Maza and Bluestone. Owen escorted Sheba inside and introductions were made. Sable noted her quiet assistant had her hair covering the left side of her face. It was odd because Sheba usually kept her long auburn hair pulled neatly into a bun. As the meeting concluded, Sable tucked the hair behind her ear and froze. Sable sucked in her breath and said, "What happened Sheba." Sheba smiled weakly, "Let's just say that I won't be dating Jared anymore. I really don't want to talk about it now Sable." "Okay pup, why don't you go with Owen to your room and rest." Fox watched as Sheba and Owen left the room. Then she waited for the explosion. It wasn't long in coming. "I'LL KILL THAT EGG SUCKING SON OF A COYOTE BITCH!!! I'LL TEAR HIS HEAD OFF AND HIDE IT FROM HIM!!! No, I'll geld him, strip him, cover him in honey and stake him out over an anthill for days. THEN I'll cut his head off." She broke of and began to mutter, getting more and more creative in her plans to maul, maim, and annihilate the abusive bastard. Grabbing the phone, she placed a call to Japan, and said "Detectives... I don't think you want to hear this conversation..." Elisa and Matt shrugged and Matt said, "I didn't hear anything, did you Elisa?" "Nope." After telling 'Kota and Chey what had happened, she said, "You know it's rude to lurk in the shadows... I thought gargoyles had better manners." Goliath and the others froze. Then one by one they emerged from the shadows. Fox spoke first, "How long have you know?" "Since the attack." She turned to the clan. "I'm Sable Stone. A pleasure to meet you." Goliath introduced her to the clan. She had a kind word for each and thanked them for helping Fox and her family. Hudson followed her as she left the room. When they were alone Sable turned and said, "I can't fool you can I Elder?" "Lass? Is is that ye?" "Your warrior angel has come back." "How... What sorcery is this?" "The woman that I swore to protect was Queen Titania. I can shift form between human and gargoyle. I have traveled this world for 1100 years old friend, I've come home to my clan." Hudson looked in the face of the human before him and saw his former mate. The long sable colored hair that was the source her name. The elegant stride. "Sable lass, I.. I" "You did a fine job raising our son. I see he leads just as you once did." "Sable, lass... I missed ye. Will you..." "Telling our son about me is a decision that will take time. We'll have to see." Goliath withdrew to the hallway after hearing this. Hudson was his father?! And Sable his mother?! He now knew how Angela felt when Servarious told her she was his daughter. By the Dragon! He retreated to the tower. Elisa found him shortly after. "Goliath? What's wrong?" "I wanted to talk to Ms. Stone, so I followed her and Hudson... Elisa, Sable is a gargoyle, she was Queen Titania's protector. And... she's my mother. She was Hudson's mate. He's my father." Elisa's heart clenched at the confusion on Goliath's face. "Did they see you?" "No, what should I do?" "Nothing, get to know Sable. Give them a chance to tell you what happened. Okay? Everything will be all right." She stroked his hair and waited for him to relax. They greeted the dawn together, Goliath held in her arms. Sheba woke to really bright light and a feeling of well being. Jared was half a world away. He wouldn't hurt her ever again. She was safe.