> "How deep is Your Love?"   T. Coy tpcoy@alpha.delta.edu  P.S. If you ever
> wondered who provides the voice for Fox also known as Janine Renard
> another web page lists the actress Laura San Giacomo as the uncredited
> voice talent.  Not well known but she is in some very well known films
> (Pretty Woman, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Stephan King's The Stand, etc.)
> She resembles another actress named Karen Allen of Raiders of the Lost Ark
> but without the freckles.  By the way Renard is French for Fox.  Well on
> with the story. A tale of the Weird
> sisters, Fox, and an attempt to make a coven.  I often wondered how Fox
> got from being pregnant down to fighting weight in only a few hours. Some
> people are just perfect.  Perfect until someone trys to destroy it.   
> 
> The Great Hall of the Gathering in Avalon:
> "Oberon delays with returning with Puck," said Phoebe.
> "Shall we travel to the mortal plane to learn what has delayed him?" asked
> Selene.
> "The Gathering is at hand and Oberon's last words were stay put. It would
> be impolite to disobey," said Luna. "He did charge us with guarding Avalon
> while he was away."
> "That was another time sister.  Then we were the only immortals here. Now
> there are many," said Phoebe.
> "Yes let us go and satisfy the curiosity," said Selene.
> "I would enjoy seeing Puck humbled," smiled Luna. "But let us go covertly
> so Oberon may not see us and perhapsbe displeased with our leaving the
> Gathering."
> "Agreed!" they said in unison. A flash of green energy and sorcery surged
> between them, enveloping them, engulfing them.  They became the energy and
> vanished from Avalon.  Their thoughts of Oberon guided them to the mortal
> plane where he was and they sensed others.  Their thoughts brought their
> consciousness to the master bedroom of the Eyrie Castle.
> 
> "TITANIA!" Oberon screamed in rage and she appeared behind him. "Let us
> conclude this business that we might return home." His voice was barely
> controlled.
> "As You wish my lord," Titania said clamly adding stark contrast to
> Oberon's seething rage.
> "It is time to relinguish the Child!" Oberon snarlled. The object of
> Oberon's rage at this moment was a statuesque woman with flaming red hair
> apparently human.
> The woman did not waver at the demi-god's command but the glare in her
> eyes was of the deadliest determination.  Her voice, when she spoke of
> the, of the hardest iron, "Over . . . MY  . . . Dead . . . Body." And she
> raised her weapon.
> "As you wish," Oberon spat as she fired.
> Oberon easily deflected the energy blast back at her.  As determined as
> she was the  bullet never noticed, striking her weapon blowing it from her
> grip into  her body.  She  and the now uselesss  weapon croumbled to the
> cold floor.  The door to  the chamber burst open from the massive force
> of  three creatures.  Only two  wof  whcih the sisters recognized.  The
> largest of which was Goliath, leader of a lcoal gargoyle clan, Puck the
> demi god trickster, and next to him a human clad in iron.  However they
> got not further than the door. Titania with her attention  unoccupied
> froze them in midleap.
> Oberon walked unchallanged to the cradle to gather up the baby.  The weak
> woman on the floor begged weakly for Oberon to stop.  Then perhaps because
> he was frightened or hungrey the child chose that moment to cry.
> To man the power of a baby's cry is a mystery they will truly never enjoy.
> But  to the body, soul, and spirit of a woman particularly that child's
> mother that cry is  energy.  Energy enough to move the world if need be to
> help that child.  In this case it was more than enough  to move Oberon.
> The  woman reared up like an animal. her face a mak of hatred and
> determination that no longer looked human. Her hair crackled and her eyes
> resonated with green sorceretic power.  She threw her arms up and out as
> if throwing a great weight.  The sorcery blast wave struck Oberon in his
> side lifting him off his feet and carrying him across the room through the
> inner wall and the outer wall and an unknown distance beyond that.
> 
> "Did you See THAT my sisters?!" Selene exclaimed pointing.
> "She has the same kind of power as we!" Luna exclaimed awestruck.
> "How fascinating," Phoebe said slyly.
> 
> "How did you do that?" Titania asked unnaturally surprised.
> "I don't know," said the woman obviously worn out. "I just couldn't let
> him take my  baby."
>  
> " Sisters, I sense the  power in her," said  Luna concentrating, " a vast
> untapped reservoir  of magic in her."
> "But  who is she? And why  are Titania and Oberon here?" asked Selene.
> "We will watch  and learn sisters,"  said Phoebe, "watch and learn."
> The scene played itself out.  Oberon allowed the  child to say on the
> mortal plane leaving Puck stripped of his poweres and banished  from
> Avalon to  train the child in magic.  The they learned the reason Oberon
> and Titania  had tried to lay  claim to the child.
> 
> "That woman is our sister?" Selene exclaimed.
> "Half sister," Luna corrected. "Our father Nagus is buried on Avalon."
> [readers note: In Avalon part two the weird sisters called Nagus father.]
> "Nevertheless there is  a connection.  Think  of it sisters: If she were
> added to our numberwe could wrest control from Oberon and rule Avalon!"
> Phoebe asserted.
> " Do we dare challenge Oberon sister?" Selene asked.
> "He has let us guard Avalon," Luna joined in.
> "But never rule.  We are his heirs, yet he is immortal.  Will he ever step
> aside?  What good  is being an heir if  you nefver receive  your
> inheritance?" Phoebe finished. 
> "How will we proceed?" Luna asked. "Puck is still here.  Whilde he is
> without power he knows usand could warn the humans."
> "The same power used against Obewron would  thwart us," Selene finished.
> "She would have to reject this world and join us."
> "I have a plan. We will work covertly and when the time come we will
> remove Puck and finish the  assimulation," Phoebe spoke confidently.
> "What of the Gathering and Oberon?" asked Luna.
> "Oberon will be preoccupied with thoughts of  his defeat and entertaining
> those gathered," said Selene.
> "We may slip away  here and guide the plan," finished Phoebe.
> "Let us put it into motion," smiled Luna.
> Selene and Luna touched Phoebe who had the plan consenting their power to
> hers.  Phoebe fired a simple magic spell into Fox after she laid the child
> Alexander in his crib.  The  spell simply turned a switch in her body's
> metabolism and told her mind simply this, "You're hungrey."
> "The  plan is in motion sisters," Phoebe said," Let us return to the
> Gathering."  With that they left. 
> 
> Three weeks later.
> David Xanatos rolled out of bed still tired. Late night business again.
> He turned to his wife Fox who still slept.  She had not  been quite the
> same since Alexander was born.  She seemed to  have slowed down.  She also
> ha put on a few pounds. "Come on David," he scolded  himself," are you
> going to let a few pounds keep you from loving your wife?" No he said to
> himself.
> He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Morning beautiful."
> "Thanks handsome," she said and kissed him back.
> "What have you got going today?" he asked getting up.
> "I  thought I would see a doctor," Fox moaned.
> " Is something wrong?" David asked genuinely concerned.
> "I don't think so but I can't seem to getr rid of this baby fat.  I've
> done all my regular exercises and I don't seem to have any energy
> anymore."
> "Well perhaps some after effects of pregnacy and being a new mom."
> "I hope so.  Because none of my  clothes fit. How about you? What
> occupies your day today? Hmmm?"
> "Job interviews. I think you need some help so I've arranged to hire a
> governess and housekeepers. I'm doing it personally."
> "Thanks David," she smiled and moaned as she got up. "I need that."
> David's jaw dropped after she got up. She looked even heavier than when
> she went to bed. "You're welcome," he said and excused himself.
> 
> For Fox the doctor's office was cool and comforting much niner than the
> heat outside. Being overweight wasn't helping and Alexander was fussy.
> Finally he sat Fox down to talk to her.
> " Well you have put on weight. In my opinion the pregnacy changed your
> metabolism.  Instead of expending energy like  you used to your body is
> storing it.  I'd say you might consider a lifestyle change.  Try taking it
> easy.  Your blood pressure is elevated."
>     "Are there any drugs or surgury that would help?" she asked.
> "There are procedures and drugs but it is far too soon to consider such a
> drastic action.  The situation may correct itself."
>     "When can we tell doctor?" 
> "If the problem does not seem to be correcting itself in six months come
> back and I'll reevaluate it."
>     Fox readied herself to leave and as an after thought, "Doctor how much
> weight do you think I'll have to loose to not be overweight?"
> "Well you weigh 198 pounds now.  Your pregnacy weight . . ."
>     "Wait, wait, wait," Fox interupted, "Did you say I'm 198 pounds?"
> The doctor looked at his chart again, "Yes that"s right."
>     "No that is not possible. I weighed myself yesterday.  I weighed 170
> pounds."
>     "I can only say you should nave those scales recalibrated.  You go
> home and take it easy.  Just don"t fill your time up with eatting.  Things
> will work out."
> Fox left the doctor's office with Alexander not even noticing the three
> identical nurses differing only in the color of their hair.  No one saw
> them work there before that day and no one would see them working after
> that day.
> 
> The day was hot and being overweight wasn't helping.  Fox decided on her
> walk back to the tower to visit some place she had been avoiding for
> nearly three weeks.  She might as weel see what she paid for.  Perhaps the
> visit would help.
> The memorial cemetary was deserted of visitors at the time.  Fox liked it
> that way.  She did not want any possible gawkers around, not that many
> would care.  She found the tombstone she wanted quickly. She picked the
> site personally because from it she could see the Xanatos tower and
> Cyberbiotics in the distance.  She felt it fitting.
> The marker was  stark white marble with beautiful gold leaf engraving.
> Attractive rose decorations adorned the stone lovingly.  She read the
> inscription.  It read:  Anastasia Rinard . . . Loving Wife of Halcian
> and Mother of Janine . . . Born . . . Married . . . Died.  Dates and all.
> Every word of which was a lie.  The stone marked neither body nor grave.
> In truth Anastasia Rinard never existed but Fox only found that out three
> weeks ago when she nearly lost her son.  She lost her mother instead.  Fox
> wept as the realization swept over her.  She was alone.
>      "Fox?" came a familiar and now unwelcome voice.
> Fox choked down her tears and hardened herself to face the creature that
> had pretended to be her mother.
> "What are you doing here Titania?" She growled determined to return the
> pain this creature had caused her.  She turned to face the image she once
> called mother. But it had never been her.
>      "You know you can still call me mom."
> Fox shook her head spitefully.  " My mother died three weeks ago.  The day
> my son was born."
>      "You know I still am Anastasia.  What you felt for me I still am."
> "You lied to me for thirty years and Daddy longer than that.  I left him
> because of you.  I looked up to you, I trusted you."
>      "I am sorry Fox," she said reaching out a comforting hand.
> Fox drew back from the hand. "The day you told us you were Titania 'Queen
> of Avalon!' is the day my mother died.  Don't you ever . . . EVER! show
> yourself in the image of my mother again. Do you hear me! If you try to
> return to Anastasia's life you will find her legally declared dead."
>      "I am sorry to hear that. Is this better?" the creature asked as the
> image of Anastasia shifted to its true form.
> "You know I read about your kind.  You were going to steal Alexander and
> maybe leave a changling in his place.  And don't give me that it was
> Oberon's idea. I was there mother I heard you ask him to get Alexander for
> you!"
>      "I had a reason for that daughter.  I tried to whisper some of it to
> you before I left.
> "Don't call me that!" Fox shouted causing Alexander to start crying. "I
> don't care about your reasons. You are not my mother," she pushed
> Alexander's stroller away. "You never were."     
>      "Can't I visit my grandson?" Titania asked and placed her hand on the
> baby's stroller and quickly removed it in pain.
> "Hurts doesn't it?" Fox scowled. "All Alexander's clothes and personal
> items have pure iron incorporated into their design.  Xanatos industries
> and Cyberbiotics industries each have iron defenses installed in every
> floor and covering every building surface in a fine mesh.  Plus every
> employee is required to wear an iron identification band.  You and your
> kind will not try what you did a month ago.  I hope you have a horrible
> eternity," Fox hissed.  If her sorcery power was developed she would have
> lashed out at her. Instead she stalked off pushing Alexander before her.
>       "Take care of yourself Fox," the creature called after her.  "You
> aren't looking well."
> Fox was in tears and Alexander was crying.  Nothing was going right.  She
> made her way back to the Xanatos Tower being sure to stop off at the
> ladies room to make herself as presentable as possible.  She sighed as she
> beheld herself. Large and flabby.  Still she was a fighter and she was
> sure she could beat this.  After all she was only fighting herself.
> 
> David Xanatos was grinning broadly as Fox exited their private elevator.
> "Hi Honey, I have some people I'd like you to meet." He said and kissed
> her quickly and the cheek. "May I present . . . Brunhilde," David
> presented a beautiful dark haired woman.
> "Guten tag, Mil'lady," she said with a thick German accent.
> "This Gilda," David presented a beautiful woman with golden yellow hair.
> "Guten tag, Mil'lady," she said with a thick German accent.
> "And this is Wilamena," David presented a beutiful woman with seemingly
> impossibly white hair.
> "Guten tag, Mil'lady" she said with a thick German accent.
> "Are you three sisters?" Fox asked for only there hair color differed.
> "Yes Mil'lady," said Glida. "Our differing hair colour avoids confusion."
> "How fortunate," Fox stated with just a hint of sarcasm.
> "They have excellent references my dear."
> Fox gave Daid a tired look.  They were thin and gorgeous so Fox instantly
> hated them jealously.  She stalked away with Alexander.
> "Honey wait.  What did the doctor say?"
> "Nothing, nothing at all." she was hurt and made her way master bedroom
> with Alexander.
> "You must excuse my wife.  After the birth of our baby she's had some
> health problems.  It has been stressful for her."
> "We understand Herr. Xanatos," said Brunhilde.
> "Well good," he said, "you said you could start immediately.  Your iron ID
> bracelets won't be ready for a day or so, but I'll speak to security.
> They'll guide you until then. We'll see you tomorrow."
> "Danke Herr Xanatos," said Gilda coyly. Xanatos dirested them to the
> private elevator punching in his security code allowing his new
> employees to return to the lobby.  Only when the sisters were outside the
> building did they discuss their concerns.
> "The building is virtually an iron cage to us.  Our powers are nearly
> useless within."
> "The iron bands will surely reveal us."
> "Calm my sisters. A cage is only a cage if the door is closed.  We will
> not tip our hand within.  The iron bands need only look as iron."
> "For the half breed to join us our powers must be unhindered."
> "She will leave her home. We will see to that.  Then she will be ours.
> The spell within her will see to that."
> "AGREED!" they sang.
> 
> David was awakened in the morning by a smell.  He could not place it.  He
> turned over and felt an unpleasant sticky feeling. "Have to check the
> humidity," he thought.  He looked for Fox and instead saw a mountainous
> body next to him.  It took a moment for him to remember she had put on
> weight.  It took him another five seconds to put two and two together and
> realize Fox was the source of the smell and sticky feeling.
> "I married this?" Xanatos' mind thought quickly.  He reminded himself he
> was bigger than mere physicality.  One thing Xanatos was sure of was that
> he was not going to get anymore sleep. Getting up he collected his clothes
> and . . .
>      "Having trouble sleeping honey?" came Fox's breathy voice.
> "If only she had a body to match that voice," Xanatos' mind thought
> automatically. "She did!" his inner voice scolded the thought.
>   "Yeah, I have work to do," he called back to her.
> Fox did not need ESP to realize the reason.  She felt and smelled dirty
> and sweaty.  She could not help feeling herself as she walked to the
> bathroom.  It felt disgusting.  She nearly cried at the sight of herself
> in the mirror.  "No wonder I didn't get a good morning kiss," she whined.
> Her hair was matted and lifeless.  Her neck as thick as her head with a
> bulbous flab of fat for a double chin.  Her breasts had merged with her
> barrel shaped body.  Cellulate hung everywhere.  She wanted to run away
> from the reflection, to say it wasn't real.  But she knew it would not go
> away without being confronted.  She had to know what what she was facing
> if she was going to win against the fat.  She stepped on the scales.
> Stealing a moment of courage she looked at the read out.
>    "219 lbs," it said.  Fox was shocked.  How was it possible?" She
> thought.  She had hardly eatten anything yesterday.  She started to cry.
>          "QUIT WHINNING!" came her inner determined voice. "Get off your
> duff, go down to the gymnesium and work those pounds off."  She swallowed
> her tears and got herself ready for a major workout.
> 
> "Mr. Xanatos, the overseas project seems to need our personal attention,"
> drolled David Xanatos' personal assistant Owen Burnett.
> "The project does seem to require the personal touch.  But I don't believe
> both of us must go.  I'd like to spend some time with my son away from
> worry."
> "I understand sir.  I will depart as soon as possible."
> "Thanks Owen. I trust it will be successful."
> "I will be available if you need me sir," Owen said as he walked out of
> the office.
> "I have your number," Xanatos called after him.
> After a few minutes alone.  Xanatos decided to get started with enjoying
> time with his son.  Using the tracking device he found his son and Fox in
> the company gymnesium.
> Fox was drenched in sweat.  She had obviously been working hard for some
> time.  Alexander was in his crib nearby joyfully watching his mother
> pummel the stuffing out of a full body punching bag.  She was putting a
> lot of effort into swinging her extra weight around.
> Two of the weird sisters were watching the scene when the third joined
> them.  "Our business diversion has worked sisters," she began. "Puck will
> be out of the country for many days.  We may begin the acquisition." said
> Luna.
> "My turn," said Selene.  She saundered out into the gymnesium wearing a
> tight fitting leatard.
>  
> Xanatos was playing with Alexander.  It had been too long since he had
> actually enjoyed such simple games.  He had graduated to adult power games
> that could cost one dearly.  Most often the game cost Xanatos' opponents
> or pawns.  Like a human puppetmaster he thrilled at those games.  
> Xanatos' eyes drifted from Fox to a new employee just beginning her
> workout on the uneven bars.
> The blonde was lithe  and agile on the bars like she was born to it.  It
> seemed familar to him.  She finished her routine with an Olympic dismount
> that would probably have scored an eleven.  It impressed Xanatos enough
> for him to applaud.
> "That was terrific," he said. "You should be in the Olympics."
> "Thanks," the blonde said wiping her hair, "but I am going for more gold
> than that."
> Fox had to leave the gym then.  Those were the exact first words she had
> ever said to David Xanatos when they first met.  Her thoughts were all
> jumbled.  She needed to get away.  She left Alexander with David. Her mind
> was racing.  Too many thoughts.  Hurriedly she left the building observed
> by the unseen weird sisters.
> "She has left the iron cage my sisters," said Phoebe.
> "Now we may work our craft unhindered," said Luna.  They raised their arms
> and were transported to their secret place where to prepare their spell.
> "Sisters," Phoebe said, "it is time to prepare to join a fourth sister to
> our coven."
> "She must become one with us," said Selene.
> "Of one mind, one blood," said Luna.
> "So let it be," they said and raised their hands and a cauldron appeared
> before them.  Stretching their hands to each other each pricked the
> other's hand. Instead of blood a glowing burst of energy released. Each
> sister stretched their pricked hand to a single point over the cauldron
> causing the energy to join. It then dropped into the cauldron.  Each
> sister began to chant in unison. "Oh cauldron of our common blood join our
> power to a human blood.  Make her a sister of our blood.  Make her a
> sister of our body.  Make her a sister of our soul. Make her a sister of
> our power." There was a flash as the cauldron coalesed the spell into
> physical form, a sweet smelling liquid.  The sisters gathered it up into a
> vial.
> "Soon my sisters," said Luna, "very soon we will have all the power we
> will need to wrest Avalon from Oberon."
> 
> The knocking was insistant and Detective Elisa Maza could no longer ignore
> it by trying sleep through it.
> "Whoever that is better hope they don't have a rap sheet," she grumbled
> trying to conjure up thoughts of arresting someone for disturbing a
> peaceful sleep.  She checked the peephole out of habit more than from
> fear.  It was some large woman.  Strange that she looked oddly familiar.
> She openned the door slightly intending to ask who it was but as soon as
> she saw the tattoo over the woman's right eye she recognized her. "Fox!"
> she exclaimed at the sight of her.  Elisa did not know whether to draw her
> gun or comfort the woman but a moment's observation told her Fox was not a
> threat. "Fox what happened?" Elisa asked genuinely shocked at seeing this
> pitiful creature rather than the trim, graceful, as well as dangerous
> physique she knew.
> "May I please come in Detective?" Fox sobbed failing to look tough.
> Too shocked to think Elisa let her heart take over, "Yeah, sure, come in,"
> and openned the door.
> "She must weigh nearly three hundred pounds," Elisa's mind thought
> quickly.
> "I don't know what's going on," Fox sobbed.  "Nothing's working. I feel so
> out of control."
> "Fox you just had a baby.  Your body is probably readjusting," Elisa
> offered but something told her there was more to it.
> "I know, I know, I've heard it all before," She continued sobbing. "But I
> have tried every exercise, every workout, and all I seem to do is gain
> weight. On top of that I think David is seeing other women.  But do you
> know what the worst part is?" Fox asked quizzingly.
> "No, what?" Elisa asked.
> "I don't blame him one bit," Fox said turning to a mirror. "How could he
> love something like that?"
> "Fox you were never perfect.  You had beauty on the outsidebut inside you
> had a lot of ugliness."
> "That hurt Maza," Fox shot back. "You did not have to say that."
> "Yeah. I'm sorry. I was wrong," Elisa said woefully. "I guess I never
> pictured you coming to me for anything unless it was to kick my butt.  Why
> did you come to me?"
> "I'm not sure," Fox sniffed turning thoughtful. "Perhaps I admire your
> strength and convictions.  It could be I really had no where else to go.
> David would deny it or say I was imagining things, Daddy would try to
> launch a war against David if I turned to him all the while saying I told
> you so.  The former Pack members would probably kill me for my weakness
> and working against them once.  And mom? . . . mom is dead to me. Even an
> enemy can be company Detective. Can I stay here for a while?" Fox asked
> suddenly.
>     The words were out her mouth before she thought. "Yeah sure," Elisa
> said still thinking with her heart.  "I've got to go out soon though."
>     " That's alright," Fox said waving her off. "I'd like some time
> alone."
> 
> It was dark out when Elisa left her apartment.  It was a warm late summmer
> evening.  A nice night to have off work and clear one's head.  That was
> when there was a familiar whoosh of air from above that signaled a
> gargoyle descending.  There was a brief worry that it might be Demona come
> to attack her, but it quickly passed as she recognized Goliath.
> "Hello, Big Guy," she smiled.
>    "Good evening Lady," he bowed in classic medival etiquette. "I was
> going to visit you at your apartment but someone I did not recognize was
> there.  I did not want to intrude."
>    "Oh that's Fox."
>    "Fox?" Goliath asked surprized. " Are you sure that is wise?"
>    "There's nothing for her to steal there.  No information worth
> searching for.  Besides if anything's missing I'll know who to arrest,"
> she smiled.  "Seriously, I think she's genuinely hurt."
>    "Hurt? Perhaps I can help."
>    "I don't think it's anything you can help with yet.  She needs some 
> time alone.  I'll check on her in a little bit.  First lets you and I take
> a nice evening stroll."
>    "Oh that sounds fun," Goliath smiled and offered Elisa his arm and
> walked off.
>   Up in Elisa's apartment Fox was looking through Elisa's telescope.
> Behind her unseen the wierd sisters were manipulating what she was seeing
> through the telescope.  She was seeing her beloved husband David arm and
> arm with Detective Elisa Maza.  The strain was too much for Fox's public
> facade of strength and she collapsed in tears and self loathing.  Her
> heart longed to leave the pain behind but she saw no excape.  But then
> someone started knocking on the door.
>   It took a few moments for Fox to collect herself all the while thanking
> God for the knocking that got her out of her pity party. "Who is it?" she
> asked.
>   "Is that you Madmoiselle Xanatos?" came a familiar German accented
> voice.
> Fox looked anxiously through the peep hole and saw the three sisters David
> recently hired. She openned the door a crack. "What do you want?" she
> asked.
>    "David . . . er I mean Herr Xanatos thought you might be here," said
> Gilda and set down two suitcases.  "He thought you might need some
> things."
>    "How thoughtful," Fox said coldly and openned the door to pick up the
> luggage.
>    The three sisters turned to go but paused.  "Pardon us madame," said
> Wilamena, "but it really hurts us to see you in such pain."
> "Therefore we have brought something that will help you," said Brunhilde
> and presented Fox with a medium sized package.
>     "What is it?" she asked acceptting the package.
>     We had a relative who had a child and had the same problem as you.
> This was what helped her become perfect and desirable," said Wilamena.  
> "Just like us," said Brunhilde. "Have a good night mi'Lady."  Without
> another word the three backed away and left.
>     "Strange," Fox mumbled and collectedthe package and reentered the
> apartment locking the door behind her.
> Fox's interest was piqued so she openned the package.  To her worst
> nightmare she found inside . . . 
>     "Food?!" she moaned,"not more food."  She read the labels anyway.
> Apparently the food was composed of a new protien enzyme that burned fat
> quickly. It seemed strange to her that she had never heard of it.  Still
> she was curious so shutting the inner door she sat down and started to eat
> and found she could not stop.
> 
>      " Say I thought you  would be patroling the city?" Elisa said
> finally.
>     "I am trying something you humans call 'Having the night off',"
> Goliath smiled. "Besides it is good for the others to develope some skills
> of their own."
>     "Yeah you're right," she said upbeat and thoughtful.
> 
> The aroma was intoxicating.  Fox felt dull and sleepy. She was not sure
> what she was seeing. To her mind her body looked impossibly bloated.  She
> wept bitterly.  Images raced through her thoughts.  Images of her baby
> Alexander, her pregnacy that she blamed for her weight problems, and David
> in the arms of other women.  A thin and  sensual woman like she had been.
> Finally overcome she fell asleep.
>      Unseen above her floated the three wierd sisters in a circle they
> chanted around Fox's sleeping form.
>      "Work on oh magic potion," said Luna.
>      "Bring forth our sister red," said Selene.
>      "That our coven may be complete and power full," said Phoebe.
>      "Let the old pass away," they sang as one. 
>      "No longer are you Fox of the Pack," said Selene.
>      "No longer are you Janine Rinard," said Luna 
>      "No longer are you wife of David Xanatos," said Phoebe.
>      "Now YOU will become sister of our nature," they sang. "As with
> Selene, Luna, and Phoebe you are of the moon.  YOU are Artemis, Diana
> Huntress of the moon!"
> If one watched Fox's body closely subtle changes could be seen.  Her hair
> color darkened to a rich blood red. Her jaw line shifted and eye  line
> slanted more. That was all one would notice . . . for now.
> 
> "It's almost Dawn," Elisa said toward the distant glow of the sun.
> "Yes but do not worry. A gargoyle learns when the rising sun beacons him
> to rest. You seem to have developed the feeling as well."
>     Elisa smiled and almost laughed, "Go on git outta here befoe I have to
> explain a new statue in Central Park."
>    "But oh think how entertaining that might be," he smiled warmly and
> then he was gone.
> 
> Elisa turned back to her apartment building.  She occupied herself with
> how to deal with Fox.  Her training included dealing with distraught and
> disturbed victems and convicts.  Most began with a listening ear.  So when
> she arrived at her apartment, she was surprized to find a different Fox.
> Different starting with her demeanor.
>    "Detective Maza welcome home," Fox smiled. To Elisa Fox's look and
> voice seemed unreal. And weren't her eyes green and not a pale sightless
> blue?  "I am sorry to have troubled you. I feel much better now," Fox said
> but her words lacked strength and conviction.  "I should be going," she
> said almost like a zombie.  She picked up her meager belongings and left
> leaving a stunned and confused detective.
>     "AN ACT!" Elisa finally decided. "It was all AN ACT! Some kind of
> diversion.
> "You know Cagney," Elisa said turning to her cat, "I'm too gullible."
> 
> Xanatos was getting worried.  It was not like Fox to leave Alexander and
> dangerous.  He was about to contact Owen and ask him for help when a
> security desk called in.
> "Yes Xanatos here."
> "Private entrance security here sir," said the guard. "Your wife is here." 
> "Well send her up," He said perturbed.
> "Well sir there is a problem."
> Xanatos' voice voice became momentarily cold. "What sort of problem?"
> "The personal ID implant identifies her as your wife but . . ." the guard
> hesitated.
> "But what," Xanatos sighed.  Employee fear worked well for discipline not
> well for gathering information.
> "But the external bio readings can not confirm her as being your wife."
> "The system is new.  Probably some bugs in the system. Let her pass and
> have it checked." The intercom clicked off.
> "Yes sir," the guard said to the empty screen. "You may go on up now," the
> guard said turning to Fox. "But please make an appointment for personal
> security measurements.  The machines should be able to indentify you
> completely."
> "I will," Fox said blankly, "thank you." She entered the elevator and left
> never looking back.  The guard shook her head. It almost looked like Mrs.
> Xanatos was floating.
> 
> 
> "FOX!" Xanatos exclaimed in uncharacteristic glee, "I was worried, where
> have you been all night?"
> "No need to worry David," Fox said,"I am alright."
> "Alexander was worried too," he continued.
> "He's a baby. He did not know I was gone. His nanny will care for him.
> Xanatos was perplexed .  He'd never seen Fox act this way.  But she was
> back and looked healthy.  Still he was bothered. . . As weeks passed he
> grew more so.
> 
> Weeks passed and Fox lost weight.  What bothered Xanatos was that she
> never seemed to eat or use the bathroom.  He kept putting off his concerns
> because she was probably doing these things while he was away.  Then he
> started noticing Fox no longer seemed to be like Fox.
> 
> "FOX YOUR HAIR!" Xanatos noticed one morning with a start.
> "What's the matter with it?" she asked distantly.
> "You changed it," he said noticing a deeper shade of red and her hair no
> longer parted on the side but in the middle. Long tendril locks hung from
> her sideburns.
> "Yes I changed my hair style," she said. "Like it," it was more a
> statement than a question. As she turned to face him he noticed something
> was a bit more inconspicuous.
>   "What happened to your fox head tattoo? It's faded."
>   Fox looked puzzled for a moment as if thinking how to answer then smiled
> as it came to her.  "The tattoo was a childish act.  I am removing it so
> Alexander will not grow up to want one as well. Don't you approve?" again
> it was a stratement more than a question.
>    " You just are not acting like yourself."
>    "I am a new mother David.  Priorities change." She then left the room.
>    "That's just it. You haven't been with Alexander," Xanatos said to an
> empty room. 
> 
> 
> "Mr. Xanatos the project seems to be seesawing between closure and
> collapse.  I am unable to explain it. Changes of opinion,
> arguements,walkouts for no discernable reason at all."
>     "Umhmm," Xanatos responded completely distracted.
> Owen Burnett was not easily angered but to be so easily ignored by his
> boss was close to it.  "It has also come to my attention that you are not
> interested in the report so I've decided to start working for the labor
> union."
>   "Hmmm. I'm sorry Owen," he sighed turning his atttention back. "I've got
> a personal problem here."
>   "Could you be more specific," he asked concerned.
>   "It's Fox. I'm afraid I'm losing her."
>   "What gives you the impression of that sir?"
>   "She's changed completely. I'm not even sure I should call her Fox.
> She's changed her hairstyle and hair color. She's talking differently and
> acting differently. You know she's even trying to change her eye color."
>   "Well you said she was trying to loose weight . . . excuse me did you
> say change her eye color?"
>   "Yes from green to blue. In fact pale blue like yours."
>   Owen's face took on a look of fearful dread. One David saw only when he
> himself was threatened. "Sir do you have a recent security picture of
> Fox?"
>     "I'm sure I can find one," Xanatos turned to his computer and
> accessed his personal security camera logs and downloaded a videolog of
> Fox the day before.
>    When Owen saw it. Sweat could be seen on his brow. and he swallowed
> hard before speaking. His voice was shaky. "Mr. Xanatos we are in very
> grave danger."
> "You mean from Fox?" he asked increduously.
> "Not Fox sir from the coven," he said shaking his head.
> "The coven?  Who or what are they?" Xanatos asked.
> "It would take too long to explain now.  Believe me Mr. Xanatos that it is
> very important that Fox does not leave the building.  I'm leaving for
> Manhatten immediately.  I'll fax my suspicions to you enroute.  You may
> need to enlist the help of the gargoyles in this one sir."
>   "Get here quickly Owen even if you come as Puck."
> "I am afraid I can only if Alexander is in danger.  As yet I see no
> evidence of that.  I will see you soon," he then hung up.
>   
> Xanatos did not waste any time.  He called Elisa Maza and lefrt a message
> on her answering machine.  Then called security to ask that Fox not be
> allowed to leave the building.  Thee problem he soon discovered was that
> she already had.  
> 
> A new voice was guiding Fox now.  The voice of her sisters that whispered
> her new name . . . Artemis.  She was heading toward Central Park and
> oblivious to the people around her.
> 
> When Xanatos reeceived Owen's guess work he looked at his watch and took
> note that there were just over three hours until night fall.  Then the
> danger would begin. "Hurry Owen, hurry." 
>  Meanwhile Fox was making her way to Central Park.  She now resembled the
> other three wierd sisters but with red hair.
> 
> Later at Laguardia airport sat the ever vigilant Harold the taxi driver.
> It wasn't his regular job you see but necessary with all the accidents he
> and Margoux have been having.  A supersonic transport from England had
> just arrived.  Only people with lots of money could fly them so Harold was
> hopeful to get lucky and receive a large tip.  Problem was so did most
> eevery cabby there and they had a lot more experience attracting
> customers.  Still there was one potential customer that Harold was suree
> the other cabby's had not seen.  Blond haired, blue eyed, and spiffly 
> dressed he seemed born to spend his life in the bored room.  He also
> looked familar, something to do with Xanatos Enterprises.  A prize
> customer just for him.  Harold collected himself, straightened his tie, and slipped up to the man
> who was glancing up at the dark sky and down at his watch.
>      "Excuse me sir, but may I offer my services in giving you a lift to
> your destination?" Harold said politely and congratulating himself on
> sounding so professional.  
> The man smiled curteously and said,"Thank you  but no.  My lift as you put
> it has been prearranged."  He then went back to looking at his watch and
> the sky.
> Harold was unpreturbed.  He knew that often times wires got crossed and
> rides were missed.  "So when are you supposed to be picked up?"
> "Right about now," the man said matter of factly.  Harold looked back at
> the line of cars.  While he looked a pair of purple clawed feet grabbed 
> the businessman by the shoulders and lifted him into the air.
>     "Well if they don't show up I'm right over there," Harold said to the
> empty space the man had stood in.  Stunned, Harold turned in circles
> looking for the prospective customer.  Finally catching sight of him
> being carried away by one of those flying night creatures that of late had
> come between him and Margoux.
>    "Good evening," the businessman said as he flew away leaving poor
> befuddled Harold near fainting on the curb.
>       
>     Goliath was too intent on looking for rising wind currents that would
> lift himself and Xanatos' servant Owen to the Eyrie tower to talk.  Owen
> was busy scribbling in his day planner.  The time for talking would come
> soon enough.
> In spite of Xanatos wickedness he did havwe impressive taste in
> archetecture.  The castle looked better on his tower than in the dingy
> moors of Scotland.  They entered through the balcony window followed soon
> after by the rest of the gagoyled clan.  Detective Maza was alreadythere
> as was Xanatos dressed in iron coated gargoyle battle armor.  "So Xanatos
> what error must we put right for you now?"
>     "I believe i can best answer your questions," Owen said fiddleing with
> his glasses. "It is my belief Fox has been cast under the enchantment of
> the trio Oberon's children known to you as the wierd sisters in an attempt
> to complete their coven of the four phases of the moon combined with the
> four acts of creation. Earth, sky, water, and now fire.  If they succeed
> they will be able to wrest control of Avalon from Oberon."
>    "Is that bad?"Brooklyn asked.
>    "Oberon's word protects us from a third race attack.  If Oberon's
> children should gain control they would have no such restriction.  Sorcery
> would replace science and the world once again would find itself in a dark
> age until mankind mastered sorcery.  And believe it when I say sorcery is
> a far darker master than science."
> "So how do we stop this?" Goliath asked.
> "Fox must be found and be returned to her human state."
> "Where is Fox now?"
> "In Central Park I would suppose," Owen continued. "Am I correct?"
> "That is where the tracker says she is," Xanatos said.
> Owen nodded. "The spell required for Fox to join with the coven is
> delicate.  It needs to be away from science influences.  Central Park is
> the one place in Manhatten that a place may be found away from science
> influences for such a spell to be attempted."
> "Well then let's go!" said Lexington.
> "A word of warning," Owen cautioned,"while Fox is still human she is also
> one of Oberon's descendents and is a conduit for the weird sisters power. 
> Her life must be protected or the source magic in her will join the
> coven."
>    "Here are some iron chains that may prove useful as weapons," Xanatos
> passed out the chains to each gargoyle.  The chain had a manicle on each
> end that could snap shut when triggered.  That done the gargoyles left the
> castle.
>    "Detective Maza," Xanatos said turing to Elisa. "I am entrusting my son
> to you, I am entrusting him to you and Owen. We may need him to win
> this battle. Owen I know you will protect him." Xanatos then jetted out of
> the castle.
> 
> Fox was searching for the sisters her body told her were there.  The
> search was not hard. The plants and hedges moved to form a path that
> guided her and closed behind her.  One hedge openned to her to reveal the
> wierd sisters floating above the stone structure of a classic Greek oracle
> temple.  A fire was lit below them in a pit.
> 
> "Welcome sister Artimis," said Phoebe. "Welcome to the coven."
> 
> "Keep a sharp eye out," Goliath said as they soared over Central Park.
> "I see them," said Broadway pointing.
> "Any idea on a plan of attack," asked Hudson.
> "you three tackle or distract the wierd sisters with the iron manicles.
> Hudson and I will do the same with Fox." Goliath wished he had more time
> to study the attack plan but whatever spell the wierd sisters were forging
> it seemed to have already started.  He was reasonablly sure their first
> attempt would fail but it would reveal much for their second.
>   "Come sister it is time to sluff off your mortal bonds and join us." The
> sister powers enveloped Fox.  Her clothing fell from her body replaced by
> garments made of magic.  She now resembled them completely.
>   "I come and join you," Fox said but her voice also changed into theirs.
> She stepped into the fiery pit, but Goiath and Hudson grabbed her.  At the
> same moment Lexington, Broadway, and Brooklyn attacked the wierd sister
> from behind.  Brooklyn and Lexington succeeded in manicling Selene and
> Luna.  Phoebe howerver turned at the last moment and Broadway missed
> manicling her arm.  That was an error he very quickly regretted.
>    "DEFILERS!" Phoebe shouted as she grabbed Broadway by his belt and
> flung him like a toy across the temple into one of the columns collapsing
> that section of the temple.  Lexington too found himself in some trouble.
> While he had manicled one of Luna's arms that left one arm powerfully
> free.  Hew found himself being flung like a whip.  Quickly he manicled his
> own arm with the other end. "That was smart," he told himself. "Now I'm
> just an extension of a whip."  It also may have saved his life.  When
> Luna's sorcery struck Lexington the iron chain acted as a conduit feeding
> the energy back to Luna. She fell from the sky.
>      Phoebe could see the battle was going badly.  It was time to bring
> the fourth member in to the battle. "Sister Artimis," she called out to
> Fox, "help us!" 
> Goliath was trying to put the manicles on Fox as well but Phoebe's summons
> had activated the sorcery within her.  The energy flash blew Goliath and
> Hudson away.  She then froze them inside an energy field.  As quick as
> shee turned she released the two sisters from their manicles.  Those
> sisteers in turn froze their would be captors Lexington and Brooklyn.
>   "Well done sister," Phoebe said impressed.  "Come join us in victory!"
> Fox again moved toward the pit but a flying metal demon tackled her.  
>    "Fox don't do this," David Xanatos shouted in her ear as they were
> sprawled on the ground.  "It's me David. Don't leave me."  Alook of
> recognition and concern crossed Fox's face that Xanatos found hopeful but
> the other sisters saw it as well.
>    "Don't listen to him," they said. "He's lying to you.  His love turned
> from you to the Detective when he found you unattractive."
>    Fox's expression hardened against her husband.  Xanatos only had a
> moment to respond and say,"That isn't true!" Xanatos was wearing iron
> armor but some of the seams were not and Fox's sorcery blast found them
> and blew the armor right off him.
>      Xanatos found himself across the temple dressed only in boxer shorts
> powerless.
>     Once again Fox walked to the pit to join her sisters.  Anxious
> anticipation edged in the faces of her new sisters urging her on.  Her
> foot dangled over the pit its heat searing her human flesh but her magical
> flesh welcoming it.
>    "WAIT!" came a shout of a female voice.  Thee voice so familiar and
> angering that Fox stopped and turned around.  Her anger increased.
>    Detective Maza, Puck, and Angela who held baby Alexander stood at the
> foot of the oricle steps.
>    "I should destroy you where you stand," Fox said coldly.
>    "Fox don't do this," she said unwavered. "Think about your son.  Think
> about how it will be for him growing up without a mother."  Fox's
> countence softened; she was thinking.
>    "Don't listen to her.  The child made you undesirable to your husband.
> Join your sisters.  Be one of us forever.  Be desireable forever," the
> sisters coaxed.
>    Fox looked confused.  She looked around herself.  All these people
> gathered here for her sake.  What had she ever done to merit this concern?
> Nothing her conscience said. "The child is better off without me," she
> sighed.  She turned back toward the pit.
>    Elisa took Alexander from Angela and ran after Fox.  "Fox listen to
> me," she said quickly. "God gave you and David Alexander just as you were
> given to Anastasia and Halcian.  Each of us are responcible for our lives
> and the lives we have been given.  Do not throw that gift back into God's
> face.  No one has the power to grant life. Not Oberon and not his
> children. Only God.  Whatever you've done in the past is finished.  We can
> only go on from today.  Looke at your son.  Don't you want to help him
> with life?"
>    Fox stopped at the edge of the pit looking down into the flames.  No
> longer were they enviting neither were they frightening.  They were just
> empty flames with not meaning at all.
> "I wonder if they are real," she thought.
>      "Momma?" came a new voice.  It was the sweet and small voice of a
> child.
>    She turned and looked at her son.  There in front of her was a vision.
> Through it she could see her son beckoning.  But the vision was different
> images of her son at different ages with the voice of her son at each age.
> "Don't leave us Momma.  We need you.  I need you and we love you.  That is
> why we are here."  The vision faded.
>   "Where did it go?" Fox thought furiously. "I want my son, I want my
> family."  She cried out and fell to her knees as her true self overwhelmed
> the sister identity.  But like links in a chain she was partly linked to
> the other sisters and they cried out as well and transformed into
> different hair colored versions of Fox.  When it ended each fell to the
> ground.  For a moment the sister link between the three was severed and
> each looked as an individual would.  Fox however was completely severed
> from them.
>    "Quickly," Puck called out," get Fox and Alexander away from here."
> While Elisa and Angela took Fox and Alexander away Puck started casting a
> spell over the sisters.  He could see he would have to work quickly.  The
> bond between the sisters was reforming, transforming them back into a
> single entity in three bodies.  Puck froze them in statis but did not
> remove them to Avalon.  Someone else did that.
>   "Where did they go?" Puck wondered.
>   
>   "I'm alright," Fox said to too many helping hands.
>   "Fox!" Xanatos exclaimed gleefully picking her up,"you're back to
> normal."
>   "Yeah, well get used to it.  I'm going to be normal for along while,"
> she said squirming in his grip.  "Say you look cute in those company
> shorts."
>   Xanatos blushed heavily.
>   Elisa laughed and said, "You know you are right he's even cuter when he
> blushes too."
>    "He's all mine Detective," Fox corrected sternly.
>    "Of course, sorry.  I'm just glad you are back." She turned and joined
> the gargoyles who were readying to leave.
>    "Are we ready to go sir?" asked Owen who held a gurgling Alexander.
>    "Owen I thought you could only become Puck if Alexander was in danger
> or instructing him," Xanatos asked smiling.
>    "Those are the rules sir, but I reasoned losing his mother would
> endanger Alexander's happiness.  It seems there is leeway with Oberon's
> decree."
>    Behind them the oricle temple vanished as the magic that created it
> faded.
>    "I think we're ready," Xanatos said. "Let's go home."
> 
> Meanwhile in Avalon the three sisters found themselves dumped on the
> gathering floor in front of Titania their Queen.
>    "How dare you try tio usurp the throne before your time," Titania
> scolded.  "You raised your powers against my daughter and her family.  You
> have severely hindered my plans."
>    "But my Queen," Selene begged, "is it not foretold of our assention to
> power."
>    "Yes it is," Titania respondeed, "but it will be given you not taken my
> force.  But now you have delayed my plans and therefore your destiny.  Go,
> leave me, I will not punish you in anger lest I destroy you."
>    In fear the sisters left their Queen.  Each dreading the punishment
> that may await them.
>    Titania was left behind on her throne brooding.  Before her her mirror
> imaged her daughter Fox and family.  Finally Titania smiled knowingly of
> thee many secrets to come.
> 
>                                 THE END.
> 
> postscript: Perhaps Titania once visited Earth in gargoyle form and gave
> birth to Goliath and Hudson is his father. Thought to ponder.