In Thirty Days – By Princess Alexandria

Day 15

Trini woke up to someone banging on her door again. She was pretty sure she knew who it was. Still exhausted, she checked her reflection in the bedroom mirror. Her burgundy silk pajama bottoms showed the outline of the tail that she had wrapped around her leg while she slept. She straightened her tail and made it run down the inside of her left leg, it stopped being visible. She also wore a tight sleeveless t-shirt, she grabbed a regular button up shirt to wear over it. She didn't bother with the buttons. Her ears were still pinned back, she had been too tired to try and fix that last night. Tugging on one ear she decided that it would still hold. She fluffed up her hair and went for the door.

"Let me guess." She called out through the door. "Avon?" She still had make-up on her mind. Gee I wonder why? She thought sarcastically to herself.

"Trini, it's me." Elisa's voice called back. Trini unlocked the door and let her friend in. She was surprised to see that Elisa was soaking wet. She looked out the Balcony doors and noticed that it was pouring out. "Sorry to drip all over the floor." Elisa grinned.

"Take off your coat, we can hang it in the bathroom." Trini ordered, while heading to the kitchen to start water for tea.

"I woke you up again, didn't I?" Elisa called out from the bathroom.

"It's okay." Trini glanced at the clock, it was 11 am. "It's almost the afternoon. What's up? Why the sudden visit?" Trini was hoping it wasn't another stay away from Dominique lecture.

"My car broke down nearby. I had it towed, but I thought I'd stop by and visit, rather than wait in the shop for hours. Figures that it would break down on my day off." Elisa walked into the kitchen. Trini felt happy and warm knowing that Elisa just wanted to spend time with her. "I hate to ask, but do you have any pants I can borrow, mine are soaked."

"Oh, sure." Trini glanced at the pants, they looked tight and uncomfortable. Elisa would probably feel naked in her baggy pants. She grinned and went to choose the baggiest she could find. Trini changed her pants while she was at it.

When Elisa came out of the bathroom, she looked drier, but Trini could see she was also tired. The pants were a little loose on Elisa, since her waist was smaller, so it hung down around her hips. "Elisa, how much sleep did you get, because you need a refund." Trini studied her friend with concern.

Elisa gave a weak chuckle, "I haven't slept." She took one of the cups of tea and started sipping it. "Um...warm..." She smiled lazily.

Trini started a fire and went to get a few throw blankets. She didn't want Elisa getting sick.

"Are you hungry?" Trini placed the blanket over Elisa's lap.

"A little." Elisa said distractedly, and then added with more energy, "Trini, honey, you don't need to fuss over me."

Trini leaned over and kissed Elisa tenderly on the lips, then her eyes went wide in shock. She hadn't meant to...she was so tired...she wasn't thinking, "Oh, Elisa..." Trini started to apologize.

Elisa just slowly touched her own lips, "No...no, it's okay." She murmured quietly, then she just turned to look into the fire.

Elisa had fallen asleep around noon. Trini quietly walked up to Elisa and studied her relaxed, unguarded face. She gently placed the other throw blanket over her. She then tiptoed out of the room and quietly set her laptop up in the bedroom.

Trini was going to the bathroom when she heard the apartment phone ring. She knew it must be Andrea, because that was the number she gave the artist, since Andrea didn't have a cell phone yet, her cell was long distance. She hurriedly finished up while she heard the answering machine pick up.

"Trini, It's Andrea, Dominique and I are going to the PIT meeting tomorrow. I finally talked her into going." Andrea sounded like she had won a battle, and Trini didn't doubt that it had been. That busy executive probably will need to be dragged out of her office. Dammit...that means that she will be there when she goes with Fox! She didn't think she could just ignore the woman, just because Fox and David were there and didn't like her. Andrea continued, "They asked me to bring some of my art! Can you believe it! Call me." She sounded absolutely giddy. Trini could understand that, this was an opportunity for Andrea to show off her art to a group that would really appreciate it. Andrea hung up just as Trini came out of the bathroom.

Elisa was sitting up on the couch, the call had obviously woken her up. Trini glanced at the clock, it was 3pm. "Hello sleeping beauty." she smiled at the sleep deprived detective.

"You let me fall asleep." Elisa accused playfully, while wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"You really needed it." Trini studied the groggy looking woman. She mentally crossed her fingers, hoping that the Detective was too tired to notice that Andrea had mentioned Dominique.

"What time is it?" Elisa asked, and Trini felt the joy of a lecture averted.

"Three..."

"Three! I need to call the garage and find out about my car." Elisa got up and Trini pointed to the phone on the kitchen counter.

Elisa called the garage and then a cab to go get her car. "Trini, thanks." She said softly, as if Trini had given her more than a place to crash. Trini studied the woman and could feel the vulnerability Elisa was projecting. It was strange that such a strong woman was showing that, and in a sudden flash of insight Trini realized that something happened last night that upset Elisa. She took three steps and enveloped Elisa in a soft, comforting hug. She held her until Elisa hugged her back.

"Anytime Elisa, anytime." she murmured into the detective ear, and she meant it. Releasing Elisa she opened the front door. "You can always drop by." She smiled.

Trini called Andrea and told her that she was already invited to the PIT gathering, and that she was looking forward to seeing what the artist brought to show.

Trini then took a good long shower, giving the adhesive a chance to soak, before she tried to remove it. The skin it was adhered to was feeling itchy. She probably should have taken it off last night.

She collapsed on the bed, naked, and feel asleep again. She planned to go out that night, rain be damned, and she didn't want to fall asleep in some soggy tree.

She rolled over onto her back with a soft, contented smile on her face. She hadn't been able to lounge around in bed for a long time. It was almost dark when she had finally woken up. She made no attempt to get up. She rolled onto her back and stretched her arms above her head and groaned. This was nice. She felt so relaxed. She'd kicked to covers off at some point during the nap, but the apartment was delightfully cozy. She lifted her left leg up a little, so that she could unwrap her tail. She then let the leg fall to the side lazily. Her tail fluttered about, reflecting her contentment.

Trini just closed her eyes and enjoyed this rare feeling. Her tail was long enough now to fall just below her knee, when it was completely stretched out. Her tail curled up and gently touched her inner thigh. Trini arched her back lazily, "Mmm." She clasped her hands above her head, as her tail started a light stroking of her labia. "Yesss." she murmured. The sound of her own voice heightening her arousal. She could feel the throbbing of her clit as her tail lightly circled it. She ran the tail softly up and down between her lips, collecting the wetness that was gathering there. She whimpered as it past over the entrance to her vagina, pressing it down a little, to feel the delicious resistance, before pulling it back to lightly flick at her clitoris. Her breathing was coming in light pants, as she arched her back. Oh...it had been too long! Her tail started to move more quickly, stroking her clit, as her hands gripped the pillow under her head. Her hips began to thrust up into the empty air above her as her tail began to move faster than the eye could really see. The black blur that pressed against her causing her to moan loudly, and then clench up in release. She clamped her mouth shut, to avoid the scream that threatened come out. She collapsed back onto the bed with a shuddering breath. "Yesss." She lay there for a few minutes, enjoying the aftermath of her release, with a slight smile on her lips.

When she finally rolled out of bed, she noticed that the pillow looked damaged. She picked it up, and was surprised to find several puncture marks where she had held it during her orgasm. She carefully examined her hands, but they looked normal. "I don't get it." she muttered to herself. "Damn, now I have to buy Trish a new pillow." She tossed the damaged one back on the bed. She'd buy a new one tomorrow, she had things to do today.

Trini was very grateful when she walked out of the apartment building and saw that the rain was over, and that she could see the stars in the sky. She strolled to the park, wearing her usual patrol clothes. She really didn't expect many people out, since the plants and ground were still wet. It just felt like the kind of night that people would stay inside. Maybe with fewer people out the gargoyles would show themselves again. Maybe that bitter female with the sexy voice would be out again. She really wanted to talk to her. She'd feel more comfortable talking with a female, and she knew that the local clan only had the one.

Trini was right, the park was almost deserted. In spite of that she still did the rounds, just in case someone was out there and in trouble. Since it was so dead, she didn't really bother going through all the bushes, since they were wet,and she didn't really want to get muddy if she could help it.

Trini was standing on the path, tossing rocks at the base of a street light nearby. She was bored... She didn't hear the gentle whoosh in the air coming nearer. She screamed when strong hands grabbed her under the arms and dragged her...up into the air.

"I think it is time that you and I had a little...talk...Human." a familiar voice hissed into her ear.

Day 16

Trini stared wide-eyed as the rooftops speed by underneath them. The grip the gargoyle had on her arms was painful, but she wasn't going to complain. That grip was all that was keeping her from plunging down to the ground, which was far to far away. The rest of her body dangled in the wind, and part of her was amazed that she was actually flying. She had dreamed about seeing the city from this height since she was a little girl. It was something she knew that she would never be able to do on her own. Too bad fear was making it impossible to enjoy.

They circled over a building's rooftop and then landed. The gargoyle had released her as soon as they neared the roof, causing Trini to land painfully on her hands and knees. She hissed in pain, and stood up slowly to face this female that grabbed her out of the park.

The gargoyle was just staring at her with a cold look on her face. Even as angry Trini was at the treatment she was receiving, she was astounded by how beautiful this female was. It wasn't the one she had been expecting. This gargoyle was blue, with a purple hue to her wings. She had flaming hair that gave her a savage beauty. She wore little in the way of clothes, just a halter-top and a loincloth. She was the gargoyle from Andrea's painting.

"Listen...Human..." The gargoyle said the term like it was the ultimate derogatory remark. "I don't care if you are a hunter or not. You have been far too persistent for your own good." The gargoyles eyes began to burn red. Trini remained rooted to the spot she stood.

"I don't understand...whatever a hunter is, I'm not that..." Trini protested.

"And I am sure that the clan will believe you when you say that..." The gargoyle interrupted, obviously getting more agitated, "but then you will betray them...like all Humans do...and Angela will get hurt."

"I wouldn't betray anyone..." Trini realized that this was going very badly; she was probably not going to be able to get this female's trust. "Please...I just need help!" she cried out in frustration, clenching her hands.

The gargoyle advanced on Trini, backing Trini up to the ledge of the building. Trini started talking faster, "Please...I came to Manhattan because I needed to talk with a gargoyle. That's all...I need help! Please." Trini started to feel her heart beating in fear

“So you don’t need me specifically? Last time you said you came to see me.” The gargoyle prodded, mocking hurt.

“I…” Trini looked quickly around the roof, “I…thought you might be able to help.”

"Stupid Human...why would I want to help you?!" The gargoyle sneered at Trini, and Trini realized that this female really did hate all humans. Trini felt uncomfortable with her proximity to the edge, so she quickly ducked under the gargoyles arm and spun so that she was facing her from the other side. Backing up a few steps, she held her hands out, palms out, trying to placate the angry gargoyle.

“Don’t do this!” Trini pleaded, as she saw the gargoyle get into a fighting stance, legs apart, hands opened, with talons out.

The gargoyle lunged forward, causing Trini to lean back to stay out of reach of those talons. Trini felt sick that it had come to this, she kicked out, hitting the gargoyle in the stomach, and then backed up some more to stay out of reach. She saw the surprised look in the gargoyles eyes, before they flashed with red again. She’d hurt her with that one. Again, Trini backed up, holding her hands out, “Please…I don’t want to do this!” And she really meant it. She had delivered a good kick, and the female was still standing. She wasn’t strong enough to take on a gargoyle, and any damage that she did manage to do would just prove to this female that she had been right. That Trini was nothing but a threat. As the gargoyle took a step towards her, she started talking frantically, “My name is Trinity…I came from Seattle to try and talk with you. Please.”

“Listen, Human…I don’t care!” the gargoyle yelled at her, eyes flashing.

"Stop calling me that! I'm not human!" Trini threw out her most precious secret, in hopes that it would help. The gargoyle looked surprised for a second, then glared even more coldly. The beating blades of a helicopter cut off whatever her response would have been. Both of the women dodged back away from each other as bullets hit the places they were standing.

“Shit! Quarrymen!” Trini grabbed the gargoyles hand and dragged her behind an air vent for cover. “You need to get out of here!” she yelled at the gargoyle over the din of the helicopter blades.

As another bullet flew past Trini, the gargoyle spoke, “They don’t seem too fond of you either.” She yelled back, the fight between them forgotten for now.

Trini reached into her fanny pack and found she still had a small number of rocks. The helicopter was riding so low that she could make out the shapes of the two shooters. She turned to the female with an intense look in her eyes, “Get ready to move!” she ordered, and then stepped out into the clear, with her arm held back. She spent the time to take careful aim and threw her rock at one of the shooters; she was quickly yanked back behind the cover by the gargoyle. She noticed the man she aimed at slump in his seat.

“Are you insane!” The gargoyle looked outraged. Trini smiled at her, amused that this was the woman that was going to kill her not one minute ago.

“I got one of them…I’m going to try for the other, then we run like hell.” She yelled back at the blue gargoyle, while holding her hat down on her head so that it didn’t fly away in the winds. Before the gargoyle had a chance to reply Trini jumped out and tried her luck at the other shooter. Sand blew into her eyes, as she was getting ready to release the rock, she heard the clank of the rock hitting the helicopter, and the shot being fired. A strong arm wrapped around her and dragged her to the edge of the building.

“I’m not done with you yet!” the gargoyle hissed into her ear, and jumped off the building with Trini in tow, facing backwards toward the helicopter. When her vision cleared she could see the remaining shooter take careful aim and fire. The bullet tore through the gargoyles chest, causing her to buckle in pain and drop Trini. Trini screamed as she plummeted down several stories. The screams ended suddenly when she hit the ground with a loud crunch.

Two hours later a dark figure limped out of the alley, wincing with every step. She looked up towards the roof of the building and realized that it must be at least twenty stories tall. "Oh God." she had tears falling from her eyes as she painfully moved her gaze back to the street ahead of her. She leaned against the building she had been tossed off of and cried. Her sobs shaking her aching body painfully, but she just couldn't stop. She hugged her arms around her body, wishing that they were Elisa or Fox's arms. She didn't want to be alone, she wanted someone to hold her and tell her that everything was going to be alright, but she knew that it would have been a lie. That gargoyle must have trusted her to make that shot. She still had her blood on her. Drops had splattered her face. She had hunted around the alley, on her hands and knees, trying to find the body. She hadn’t seen it. Trini bent over and threw up. She was horrified that she had gotten a gargoyle killed.

Trini made it to the street corner, and looked up to see where she was. She held her arms around her stomach. It ached. She wasn't even close, probably several miles away from the apartment. She wasn't going to be able to make it. If even the most basic thug attacked her, she was in no shape to defend herself. Tears filled her eyes. She could feel the pieces of her cell phone in her fanny pack. She had probably landed on it. She noticed the pay phone in front of the gas station across the street from her. She also saw the bar, complete with a group of rowdy men standing outside just a block away. She hated feeling this vulnerable; she cringed at the men's loud laughter. The image of Kelly's body, abused and left in the bushes came to her unbidden. She made her way to the gas station. She needed help.

Trini watched the red Ford Fairlane turn into the gas station. She took a deep breath and started trying to down play her injuries. She couldn't let Elisa take her to a hospital. Her back protested her motion, as she double checked that her hat was still on her head. She had spent a good five minutes looking for it after she regained consciousness. It hadn't been easy to find the black hat in the dark alley while almost writhing in pain.

The Ford drove up next to the outdoor bench that Trini was sitting on. Trini saw the concern on Elisa's face, and she tried to stand up without wincing. She stood up so slowly that it wouldn't have mattered. It was obvious that she was in a lot of pain. Elisa's eyes widened and she opened her door and rushed out to help Trini, leaving the car running.

"Oh...Trini." Elisa's voice sounded pained as she went to take her arm, and helped her around to the passenger side. Trini was grateful that Elisa was at least waiting to get her in the car before asking questions. Elisa carefully helped Trini get settled into the seat, and she reached around Trini to fasten the seat belt for her. She then rushed around to get in to the driver's seat.

"The details can wait, you need a hospital!" Elisa stated, as she put her car into reverse.

"NO!..." Trini panicked, "Please, Elisa...I can't go to a hospital!" She turned to look at Elisa, and pain shot up her back, almost making her scream out. She could see by Elisa's expression that it didn't help her argument. She had been weak, she shouldn't have called Elisa, and she should have known... tears started to fall.

"Look at you..." Elisa glanced at Trini, "You can barely sit up." She turned back to the road, as she turned the car. Trini could see tears falling down Elisa's face.

"Elisa, I can't go to a hospital." Trini pleaded, her vision blurred with tears of her own.

"You need medical help. You're hurt pretty badly." They stopped at a red light, even though there was absolutely no traffic in the area, and Elisa turned toward Trini, she reached out a hand and lightly traced the bruise on Trini's cheek, "You might have a concussion. Just trust me honey, we need to go to the hospital. I'll stay with you." Elisa tried to comfort Trini.

"Please...Elisa...can't you trust me when I tell you that I can't go to a hospital...Please just trust me." Trini sobbed out.

"No...honey...you need to go...it'll be okay. I promise." Elisa's voice caught in her throat.

It was then that Trini realized that Elisa wouldn't listen...wouldn't just trust her. She'd made a mistake calling her. Trini quickly took off her seatbelt and jumped out of the car. Her muscles screamed in protest.

"Trini!" Elisa screamed from inside the car after her as Trini tried to run. She stumbled a few steps, her vision blurred with tears, until she reached the sidewalk. She could hear the Ford's wheels squeal as Elisa turned the car around to follow her. She turned into an alley; sure that Elisa's car wouldn't fit in it. Her running was so incredibly slow, and pain racked her body every time her foot pounded into the ground. She heard a car door open, and then she heard rapid footsteps approaching her. Dammit...Elisa...just let me go! her mind screamed.

"Trini! What are you doing?!" Elisa screamed at her from not very far behind her. Trini felt her heart sink once she realized she wasn't going to get away. Elisa was going to find out...Oh, God...she was going to lose her. Tears blinded Trini and she stumbled over something in her way. She fell hard onto her already sore hands and knees, sobbing. Elisa was by her side in a second. "Trini! Oh, God...are you okay?" Elisa was breathing hard; she had been running as fast as she could, tears crept into her voice, "Why in hell would you run away from me?!"

Trini turned to cling to Elisa, sobbing, "I can't go to a hospital. Please...please...I'll be okay soon...I'll be okay." She buried her face into Elisa's coat, and Elisa wrapped her arms around Trini's shaking body.

"Why...why can't you?" Elisa choked out, obviously trying not to cry. "Were you raped...If you were raped, it's not you fault. You don't have to be ashamed...Oh, Trini...talk to me!"

"No..No...not that." Trini turned to look up into Elisa's watery eyes. For the second time in her life she uttered the words, terrified at what this admission would cost her, "I'm not human." Tears fell from her eyes as she waited for the response. Elisa blinked a few times, and then studied her face. When Trini saw Elisa reach up slowly to remove her hat her sobs renewed. She curled up into Elisa, holding her so tightly that Elisa winced. She felt the hat being taken from her head, and the cool night air blow through her hair. She heard Elisa gasp, "Please don't leave me..." she whispered through her tears.

She felt Elisa's fingers lightly touching her ears, verifying what she saw. "Oh...Trini..." Her voice was full of wonder.

Trini forced herself to pull away from Elisa's body and look at her face. Her back spasmed in pain, and she winced. Elisa saw that, "Trini...we need to get you back in the car." she said softly.

Tears filled Trini's eyes. Elisa wasn't running, wasn't calling her names, wasn't doing any of the things that she had been terrified she would do. Still, she whispered out, "I can't go to the hospital." just to make sure Elisa understood.

"I know." Elisa placed the baseball hat back on Trini's head tenderly, brushing her bangs out of her face. Elisa then helped Trini stand up and helped to support her on the trip back to the car. "I know some people who could..."

Trini tensed up and stopped walking, "No one can know! No one!"
"Will you be okay?" Elisa brushed the hair that had moved back into Trini's eyes.

"I'll be okay...I just need some time." Trini whined out, desperately hoping that she really could trust Elisa.

"Okay..." Elisa thought for a second. "Come home with me." When she saw that Trini was going to protest, "I just need to know you're okay...Please...just give me this." Trini nodded and they resumed their way back to Elisa's car.

Trini stepped into Elisa’s apartment and stood staring up at the sky light. Nice… The place was tidy, and not as tiny as she expected the woman to have on a cop’s salary. Elisa turned on the light. “Oh, Trini, the back of your shirt is torn up.” She stepped closer to examine Trini’s back through the holes in the shirt. “I need to take a look at your back, there’s blood on your shirt.” Elisa walked around Trini and started unbuttoning her shirt.

“Elisa!” Trini was shocked, and tried weakly to bat the woman’s hands away.

“Look!” Elisa stood in front of Trini, with her hands on her hips, obviously irritated. “You need medical attention, and I will not just ignore it!” Elisa moved closer and gently tilted Trini’s head up, so that their eyes met. “I’ll be gentle. Let me help you.” She said softly. Trini took a deep breath and nodded shyly. No one had seen her since…but Elisa already knew. Still her heart hammered in fear of Elisa’s response to seeing…how different Trini really was.

Trini tried to unbutton her shirt, but her hands were shaking so hard it was making it impossible. "Here, let me." Elisa murmured as she reached out and deftly unbuttoned it for Trini. Elisa hissed softly as she glanced at some angry bruises on Trini's arms. She carefully took a hold of the opened shirt and lowered down over Trini's arms. It pulled open some bleeding wounds on her back, but she tried not to flinch and make Elisa feel bad about that. "Oh...Trini..." Elisa's voice held her concern, "You are really scraped up." Elisa then knelt down and started to untie Trini's shoes, she carefully helped Trini lift up her leg so that she wouldn't fall over, and she slipped each shoe off in turn. Elisa then stood up and looked Trini in the eyes as she removed the black baseball cap, so she was able to easily see the uncertainty in Trini's face, "It's okay...I'll take care of you." She whispered calmly. She then reached down to start unfastening Trini's pants.

"Uh...Elisa..." Trini swallowed nervously, and reached for her pants to stop her.

"Trini..." Elisa sighed, obviously not to happy with the delay. "You look like hell. I'm betting that you have injuries everywhere. Can you tell me that's not true?"

"...I...that sounds about right...but." Trini started to blush and stammer.

"I'm not going to take advantage of you. What's the problem?" Elisa gently caressed Trini's cheek, "I promise I won't do anything...inappropriate." Trini felt her heart race a little at the thought of Elisa being inappropriate with her, that new fantasy just made her blush harder.

"Um...that's not it. Elisa..."Trini tore her gaze away from the detective, "I..." Trini studied her socked feet, and whispered the rest, "I have a tail."

Elisa blinked stupidly for a second, "I thought you were a Fey?"

"Fey? What's that?" Trini looked up and stared at Elisa intensely. She hadn't expected the detective to recognize what she might be.

"You don't know?" Elisa reached out and touched Trini's ear, slowly caressing it. Trini cut off a moan. Elisa's voice was reflective "I thought...with these ears." Trini could then see Elisa force her mind back to the task at hand as she said more firmly, "nevermind, you still need medical help. We can talk about it later."

Trini nervously placed her hands on the couch as Elisa slid her pants down so that she could step out of them. She felt weak, nervous, and humiliated because she really couldn't have done that herself. Every movement stretched and tortured her raw skin. She noticed Elisa stare at the black tail wrapped around her leg for a moment, before shaking herself back into action. She took Trini's arm and helped her into the bedroom. "It looks like your backside took all the abuse. What happened?" Elisa finally asked as she helped the young woman wearing nothing but her underwear ease down onto the bed.

"I fell." Trini really didn't want to go into detail. She just didn't understand how she managed to live through things like that. Elisa gave her a look that clearly told Trini that she was going to have to come up with a better answer. She tried to shift on the bed, so that she could lie down, and she hissed in pain as she put pressure on her tailbone.

"Here, lie on your stomach, so that I can clean out some of these cuts." Elisa grabbed Trini's hand and helped her to roll over. Trini cuddled the pillow to her face. It smelled like Elisa's hair.

"Let me get the first aid kit, I'll be right back." Trini heard Elisa wander into the bathroom. Trini's face was near the alarm clock, it was only 4 am. She felt like days had gone by since the gargoyle took her from the park. She felt tears gather in her eyes at thoughts about the gargoyle. She firmly pushed those thoughts out of her head. She had already cried so much tonight. She refused to do any more.

She felt Elisa approach the bed. Trini was exhausted and she laid still and didn't acknowledge her when she sat on the bed next to her. She felt Elisa unfasten her bra and she didn't even flinch. "I'm just going to clean these out, and bandage you up." She heard Elisa say, before beautiful, relaxing blackness overcame her.

Trini woke up and opened her eyes to see that she wasn't alone in the bed. She stared wide-eyed at the back of Elisa's head as the events of the night before returned to her. At some point during the night she had rolled onto her side and wrapped an arm around the detective. Her heart beat strongly in her chest. She just stared at this marvel of a woman. A woman who saw what she was and was still comfortable enough to fall asleep beside her. Trini slowly and carefully tried to remove her arm, not wanting Elisa to think that she was trying to take advantage of her. She had already accidentally kissed the woman…twice. That was very unusual for her to feel so much affection for someone she had only known a few weeks. She stopped moving when a sleeping Elisa grabbed onto her arm and held her in place. Trini surrendered and scooted closer to Elisa. She fell back to sleep as the sun broke over the horizon.

"Trini?" Elisa watched her walk back into the room with Elisa's robe on, after having gone to the bathroom. "What are you doing out of bed?" She rubbed her eyes, "Are you okay?" Elisa sat up in bed, studying Trini.

"Yeah, but I'm still tired." Trini climbed back onto the bed still wearing the robe. She had woken up almost naked, and just wasn't comfortable walking around Elisa's apartment like that.

"Lay back on your stomach, I need to check your back. Oh, and take that robe off." Elisa ordered as she got out of the bed. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that came down to mid thigh.

She was grateful when Elisa left the room to get "Some Supplies".Trini then slowly removed the robe, letting it fall to the floor. She was only wearing her black bikini underwear, which she had altered by putting a velcro fastener on the elastic so that her tail could be fastened in and her underwear wasn't riding too low. She had removed the bra after she realized that her aching muscled made it impossible to refasten it. She laid down before Elisa returned so that she wouldn't get a good view of her latest change. She noticed that this morning her nipples had become as black as her tail. As far as changes went, it was rather minor, and easy to cover up. She hadn't been naked in front of anyone since long before the tail started to grow, and didn't really expect anyone to ever see her naked again.

Trini crawled onto the bed from the foot of it, her tail hanging loosely between her legs. She could feel the tape on several bandages pulling with her movement as she settled onto her stomach and settled her head onto her folded pillow covered arms. Elisa brought the first aid kit in and set in on the top of the bed and left again. A few minutes later she returned carrying a bowl of hot, steaming water and a few rags. Trini was beginning to think that Elisa really liked playing nurse. "I'm just going to remove the bandages and take a look at how you're doing." Elisa told her, as she sat down on the bed. Trini felt herself tense up as Elisa reached out to remove the bandages. Elisa noticed this as well. "I'll try not to hurt you when I take them off." Trini just nodded and tried to force herself to relax.

Elisa carefully removed the bandages, and Trini never once felt any pain. Trini could feel the woman's eyes carefully studying her back. She then saw Elisa dip one of the rags into the water and ring it out. "I need to clean some of the dried blood off." She explained matter of factly. Elisa then gently began to rub the rag over Trini's back. The warm circling motion felt incredibly relaxing, and Trini moaned. She barely noticed the hesitation before the circling resumed. Elisa stopped occasionally to rinse out the rag and make it all warm and toasty when it cooled down. It felt so good that Trini didn't even notice when the rag repeatedly went over the two scars on her shoulder blades, or when it followed the black line that was slowly growing up her back. "It's amazing." She heard Elisa's awed quiet voice as she placed the rag into the slowly cooling bowl of water.

Trini had a contented smile on her face as she lazily asked, "What is?"

"Your back was scraped up and had a few deep cuts...but those are all gone. All that you have is..." Elisa took her bare hand and lightly circled Trini's left scar with her fingertips. Trini fought the urge to arch her back into that caress. Oh god...she had no idea that she was so...sensitive there. She barely controlled a moan of pleasure as Elisa gave the right scar equal treatment. "What are these?" Elisa asked.

"Scars from when I was little." Trini didn't really like to think about that too much. She was almost relieved when Elisa stopped the torturingly sweet caress, it was so hard to talk when she did that.

"What happened?" Elisa sounded concerned, like she already knew that she wouldn't like this story.

Trini hugged the pillow more tightly to her. She stared at the wall as she spoke, because she just didn't have the energy to look into Elisa's face. She was sure that she would see pity there. "I was born...a little different. When I was about four...mother arranged to have that dealt with." Trini took a shuddering breath. She had never been able to tell anyone the truth. "She needed to be able to send me to school, and it was getting hard to hide." She was surprised when tears started to fall from her eyes...this had happened twenty years ago. She was upset with herself that she couldn't let it go...that she couldn't really forgive her mother, even now...after she was dead.

"Oh...Trini." Elisa's voice held concern as she continued to lightly stroke Trini's back. She didn't circle the scars, just ran her hand up and down Trini's spine. It helped to calm Trini and soon she was relaxing again. Elisa hesitated and Trini could hear the uncertainty in her voice as she spoke, "Why didn't she have your tail amputated?" The word amputated made Trini's stomach clench...as a child she had thought of what had been done to her as stealing, or taking. To recognize the precise surgical name somehow made it worse. Elisa felt her tense up, "I'm sorry...if you don't want to..."

Trini interupted her, "It's okay. I never had anyone to talk with about this." She sat up, careful to keep her back to Elisa so she wouldn't see her breasts and moved to the end of the bed. She then grabbed the robe off the floor. She already felt too vulnerable, she didn't need to be practically naked too. Elisa said nothing as Trini put it back on and sat on the bed facing her. Trini took a deep breath, "I didn't have the tail back then. It started to grow about a year ago. Ever since then I've been going through different changes every once in a while. A few months ago my ears changed to..." Trini waved a hand at her elflike ears. "I've noticed other changes to."

Elisa looked at her for a second, she was obviously in deep thought, "You didn't dye your hair did you?" Trini shook her head no. "You didn't stop wearing any blue contacts either."

"No...the changes are coming a little more frequently now." Trini didn't try to hide the fear this brought her. "I'm...scared that one day I'll wake up...and I won't be able to pass as human anymore. What would I do then?"

Elisa moved closer to Trini and took her hand. The detective started to lightly run her fingers through Trini's hair, "So soft." she murmured. The tips of her fingers occasionally brushed over the tips of Trini's ears. It felt so good to be touched...Trini nuzzled the petting hand. "I wish that I could tell you it will all be alright." Elisa said softly, "but all I can tell you is that I'll help you if I can."

Tears filled Trini's eyes, and Elisa leaned forward and gave her a kiss so gentle that Trini wasn't sure if it was real. She couldn't really tell if it was just meant to comfort her or if it meant anything more. Elisa then wiped the tears from her cheeks and pulled her into a hug. Trini heard Elisa murmur, "My friends will be home soon, you really need to meet them." Trini didn't really understand.

After sitting there for a while, comfortable and warm in Elisa's embrace, Trini was disappointed when the detective decided to pull away. "What happened last night?"
Trini didn't want to answer that question. "I...was attacked by Quarrymen." She remembered that she had told Elisa that she had fallen last night, so she better remember to use that now. "I fell off a building. I think they thought I was dead, or they didn't find me...I don't know."

Elisa looked pissed, "Do you think you could identify these bastards?" her cop persona took over.

"Elisa...I can't testify...There would be too many awkward questions." Trini looked at the Detective sharply.

"Why?"

"They saw me fall off the building. I don't think they know who I am, but if they know that I could survive that..." Trini's voice became a little higher.

Elisa gave Trini a horrified glance, "How tall was that building?" Her voice sounded tense, her eyes wide.

Trini looked down at the bedspread for a second, collecting her strength, before she looked into Elisa's eyes and answered. "I'm guessing twenty stories." Trini's heart began to beat faster, remembering her terror on the way down.

Elisa's face went pale. She whispered, "Twenty stories." and stared at Trini blankly. "How did you survive?"

Trini looked away, at the floor of the bedroom. Her throat felt constricted, as she answered, "I don't know...I just don't know."

"Oh god..." Elisa put her hand over her mouth. "Has this sort of thing happened before?"

Trini remembered the heavy rain, the screeching tires, and the endless falling. "Yes." she said quietly, getting lost in the terror of another night. Elisa moved to sit behind Trini and pulled her into a hug. They sat that way in silence for a while.

Elisa was getting ready to leave. "I wish I didn't have to work tonight." She looked at Trini, who had changed into the pants she had let Elisa borrow a few days ago and one of Elisa's t-shirts. "Are you sure that you can go out tonight? I mean...you were in pretty bad shape last night."

"I'll be careful to not overdo it, but I can't back out on Fox tonight." Trini remembered the tentative way that the redhead had asked her to come. If she didn't go tonight, she might never hear from Fox again. She was glad that Elisa didn't push it any more and just drove her home.

Trini rushed around the apartment, the one she had almost started to think of as hers, and managed to get ready in just 30 minutes. Fox and David were on their way to pick her up. She had no idea what was appropriate to wear to a PIT gathering, but since it was happening at an hour that many people would need to come right after work, she decided to wear the one business suit she had brought with her. The pantsuit was a dark gray, but she wore a royal purple silk shirt with it to give it a touch of color, otherwise it made her look too severe. The jacket flared out at her hips and went down to mid thigh. She left it unbuttoned. She had taped her ears back for the occasion, and she studied her appearance in the mirror. She liked what she saw, she would fit in with all the business executives that she imagined would be there. She knew of at least two that would, David and Dominique.

When someone knocked on the door, she grabbed her small black clutch purse and opened the door. “David!” She was surprised to see Fox’s husband at the door, she had just assumed that Fox would come get her. She had told them she could meet them outside, but they didn’t want her waiting too long and didn’t know how long it would take David to get out of the office.

“Wow…a woman ready on time!” David teased as she closed the apartment door, joining him in the hall.

Trini stood up straighter and took on a haughty look, “I’ll have you know that I’m the model of punctuality.” The corners of her lips started to twitch into a small smile.

David laughed, “Why don’t I believe you?” They both started walking towards the elevator. Margot, of course, chose that moment to leave her apartment. Trini wondered if that woman just waited by her door, waiting for Trini to walk by, because she kept running into her.

“Trini! How have you been? I didn’t see you last night.” Margot took a sidewise glance at David, obviously curious. Trini suddenly realized how her late hours and her staying out all night last night would look to the nosy neighbor, she almost laughed. The three of them stepped into the elevator.

“Margot, this is David.” Trini leaned into the man and took his arm possessively, hinting at something scandalous. She was pretty sure that Margot knew who David was, he was pretty famous around New York. She didn’t know what made her suddenly decide to play with the woman’s mind like that, and with Fox’s husband! A sarcastic voice in side of her told her that this was definitely overcompensating. She wanted his wife, so she hung all over him. How stupid! David just raised an eyebrow at Trini, gave her a little wink, and played along, by taking the arm she had latched onto and hugging her closer to his body.

“Hello Ms. Yale, nice to see you again.” David smiled at Margot, and Trini realized that these two already knew each other. Shit…this joke was already backfiring.

Margot gave Trini a scandalized glare then turned to address David, “Hello Mr. Xanatos,” She looked pointedly at him, “How is your wife Fox?”

David just laughed, “She’s fine…In fact we were all just going out.” He wrapped another arm around Trini from behind, hugging her as he talked, “She’s been really busy with Alexander lately, so I’m sure this night out will be a lot of fun.” The innuendo wasn’t lost on Margot, her eyes became wide in shock, and then narrowed to glare at both of them.

The elevator doors opened and Margot marched out of it quickly, not looking back. David chuckled and let go of Trini so that they could leave, “So, do you want to tell me what that was about?” He smiled mischievously at her.

Trini blushed and stammered out, “I am so sorry…I had no idea that you actually knew her.” Trini took a breath, “She is just so damned irritating, I just wanted to upset her. I knew that she had to know who you were, and that you were married… I just wasn’t thinking.”

“Oh, Trini, relax will you.” David opened the front door to the building for her, “It was funny to see her face.”

Trini tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile, “Yeah, that was pretty funny.” When she saw someone other than Owen open the door to the limo out front she had to ask, “Where’s Owen?”

“Oh, he’s watching Alexander. We plan to be out late.” David followed her into the limo, sitting across from her and Fox. He grinned naughtily at Fox, for some reason that Trini didn’t understand. Suddenly Trini was aware how her flirting with David might be taken, and she was worried about hurting Fox again. When Trini looked over at Fox her breath caught in her throat. She was beautifully dressed, and smiling at her. Oh, this was going to be a very long night, she sighed quietly.

“Hello Fox.” Trini was upset with herself when she smiled shyly at the ex-actress. The awkwardness was back.

“Trini, nice suit.” Fox gave Trini an appraising gaze.

Her face blushed as she mumbled out “Thanks.”

Trini had been right. The PIT gathering had several people dressed in their business suits. She did sort of blend. They all wandered around, listening to people telling stories about gargoyles. It made her feel self conscious, guilty, and uncomfortable all at the same time. When the waiter walked by with wine, she quickly grabbed a glass.

Fox was being nice and friendly. She also hadn't touched Trini once since her and David picked them up. Trini didn't know how to feel about that. It wasn't obvious.

The three of them were listening to some twenty something man talk about seeing a gargoyle stop a mugging about two months ago in the park. Trini wasn't really listening. She was worrying about Elisa and whether she had done the right thing, telling her. She was beginning to really doubt herself. A couple of middle aged men walked up to David and asked to see him and Fox in private for a minute. They were apologetic, but it was obviously something important, so they went, leaving Trini alone in a party full of strangers.

Trini decided to wander around. She noticed a familiar figure setting out paintings, and smiled. She quickly went over to her, glad to have someone else she knew around.

Andrea carefully set a large covered canvas on the fireplace ledge. Trini waited until she was done before saying anything. "Andrea, I think it's a little crooked." When Andrea turned to look at her, she couldn't keep a straight face and she started to chuckle. .

Andrea smiled at her, "Crooked...gee I've never heard that one before." She then hugged Trini hello. Trini was noticing that Andrea really seemed to be a toucher. She would touch when she talked with people, hug hello, she just seemed to always be reaching out to make contact with others. Trini was surprised by the way her thoughts were going. She looked at the wine glass in her hand, damn, she must have had too much already. When Andrea finally released her she set the glass down on the corner table. They had this little corner of the large room to themselves for the moment.

"Sorry for the lame joke." Trini smiled and then looked around the room, searching for someone. "Where's Dominique?"

"She was running a little late at the office. She's on her way." Andrea casually leaned against the wall next to the fireplace. "I'm glad you came."

"Yeah, well...I'm glad your here too. Some stiff guys stole my companions, I feel so out of place." Trini mock pouted.

"I know what you mean. My group of friends are always late, I would be too, if it weren't for the fact that I needed to set up." Andrea studied Trini's outfit, "Well, this is the most formal I have ever seen you. It looks good, but really different."

"Thanks." Trini felt comfortable with Andrea there. She wasn't one of the power elites wandering around the room trying to look important. She was real, genuine, even in this setting.

Andrea looked over Trini's shoulder and smiled, that's how Trini knew that Dominique was on the way over. She gave a gentle smile to Andrea, "How long have you two been together." she said quietly, so that no one could over hear them.

Andrea quickly returned her gaze to Trini, surprise on her face. "Do you mean...as in together?" When Trini nodded, Andrea laughed, "Oh, no." still chuckling, "We're not a couple. I'm straight..." she smiled wickedly, and then teasingly checked out Trini's body.
"Um...sorry." Trini was starting to grin at Andrea's antics.

Andrea looked over Trini's shoulder again, "Hey, Domi..."

When Trini turned and faced Dominique, the redhead's eyes widened and she started to choke on her drink. Trini took the glass from the coughing woman so that she wouldn't drop it. "Are you okay?"

Dominique, breathless from choking, replied, "No...I'm fine...just surprised to see you here."

Andrea looked a little concerned, "I told you Trini was coming."

Dominique gave Trini an odd measuring glance, "I must have forgotten. Nice to see you Trini."

Since Dominique was fine, Trini handed her back her drink. "Nice to see you too." Trini smiled, taking in the woman's once again severe business look. She definitely looked good, but Trini preferred her hair down, like on that one Saturday. An older woman stopped on her way past the three women to speak with Dominique. Trini found herself staring at Dominique as she talked, there was just something about her, something on the edge of Trini's mind that she just couldn't capture.

"I don't think Dominique is seeing anyone right now." Andrea whispered in her ear teasingly.

"You are truly evil Andrea...truly evil." Trini grinned back at the artist, who looked like she was trying not to laugh. A small part of Trini felt bad that the idea of two women together was something that Andrea felt was funny, she had no idea. Still the thought of her and Dominique...that woman was bad attitude squared, she just couldn't see it...even if it were possible.

Andrea was chatting with an older woman that appeared interested in her latest painting. Trini stared at the painting of the blue female gargoyle, a sad look on her face. Trini didn’t want this image of the gargoyle to be in someone’s home that wouldn’t really appreciate it or her. She felt a tear fall down her cheek as she remembered the gargoyle grabbing her and trying to run from the Quarrymen. Trini couldn’t hear the conversation that Andrea was having, because they were on the other side of the room, but she was pretty sure they were negotiating on the price.

Trini felt someone's eyes on her, so she turned slightly and caught Dominique staring at her. Once she realized she had been caught she spoke, "What are you thinking about so hard?" Her voice was soft, introspective.

"I was thinking that old cow doesn’t deserve that painting." Trini was surprised at how bitter she sounded. There was no way she had enough money to even consider buying it, but she really wanted it. She angrily wiped the tear from her face and took another sip from her new wine glass. She could feel the familiar fuzziness that told her she had already had too much.

"Oh…” Dominique sounded surprised.

Trini noticed David and Fox coming down the crowded stairs. She couldn't miss the fire in Fox's eyes when she noticed who Trini was standing with.

Dominique looked over her shoulder and saw the couple heading their way. She then looked back at Trini, "You know Xanatos?"

Trini couldn't help but grin, "Which one?" When her joke didn't get any response she added, "I came here with them."

"Trini...There you are. I am so sorry about leaving you on your own." David started talking as soon as he was in range. He turned to Dominique, "Thank you for keeping Trini company Dominique." Trini knew he didn't really mean that, but she smiled pleasantly at the three.

Fox moved over to her side and took her hand in a surprisingly possessive move. "Dominique." She just nodded as she said this. She was making no attempt at pleasantries. Feeling uncomfortable with the tension in the air, Trini glanced over at Andrea, and saw a familiar face in the background behind her. "Shit!" Her eyes went wide and she felt suddenly sober.

"What is it?!" Dominique tensely demanded.

Trini took a quick, studying look around the room: man with broken hand, man glaring at Andrea…and she recognized a few more of the waiters and guests…Quarrymen. Ignoring the three people around her she took a quick count of those she could identify…ten. She kept her voice down, and maintained an expression of pleasant interest in the surroundings. “Don’t look around, but there are at least a dozen Quarrymen here.” She smiled at Dominique and continued to maintain a façade. “Do you have a cell phone? Mine broke last night.” She was impressed with how calmly Dominique took the news. She just nodded and pulled out her cell phone, handing it to Trini.

Fox and David were also keeping their cool and casually looked around the room, “Are you sure?” Fox asked Trini.

“Oh, yeah…I’m positive.” She smiled as if Fox had said something amusing and started to dial. She noticed one Quarryman waiter asking a nearby group about more drinks. Damn, she was going to have to play word games.

“Detective Maza speaking” Elisa’s clipped Detective tone came over the phone.

Trini smiled and winked at Dominique, just to keep up appearances, “Honey, I just noticed some of those guys I told you about last night at the party. You have so got to drop by and meet them.”

Elisa quickly figured out what was going on, “Quarrymen?”

“Yes. That’s them.” Trini laughed. “I only met about a dozen of them.” She managed to tell Elisa how many of the Quarrymen she could recognize. “I thought you and some of your friends could drop by…there’s free booze.” Trini was so glad the Elisa was so smart, she could tell that she was understanding what was going on. Trini glanced up and saw that Andrea was wrapping up her conversation with the large patron of the arts she was talking to. She also saw that if she recognized the man that had attacked her in the park it would set everything in motion…before help could arrive. “I have to go…I’ll let Fox give you directions.” She handed the phone over to Fox and quickly left the three to tell Elisa anything else she might know.

Trini waved at Andrea to get her attention. Remembering how poorly she dealt with the attack in the park, Trini decided not to tell the artist what was going on. "So did you sell the painting?" She feigned enthusiasm.

Andrea gave Trini a small shake of her head. "No, she was interested in some of my other work." Andrea studied Trini, "Besides, I saw you staring at it earlier." her tone more serious than it had been all night.

Trini gave the three with the phone a glance. Fox was hanging up, and Dominique looked disgusted. She also saw Andrea's assailant starting to come closer, on his way to see a fellow Quarrymen on the other side of the room. Trini wasn't too surprised to see that the Quarrymen had something to do with the attack on Andrea, they seemed to be into everything bad that was going on. Trini turned her gaze to the painting she and Andrea were talking about.

"I really like it." Trini replied, wishing she knew more about art. All she knew was what she liked, nothing to prolong the conversation with Andrea...unless... "I met her last night." She blurted out, sure that it would keep Andrea's attention. Dominique, Fox and David joined them.

Fox leaned in and whispered, "ten minutes." Trini just shook her head to indicate she understood.

"You met her!" Andrea was excited at the possibility of another gargoyle story. Trini quickly went over what to edit out in her mind. She noticed that in spite of the current situation, she had the other's attention as well.

"She's very pretty." was, her conscience inserted silently. Trini felt a pang of guilt that she had been trying to repress all day.

Fox glanced sideways at Dominique then turned and asked Trini, "How did you meet her?" Trini figured that Fox realized she needed to keep Andrea occupied and smiled gratefully at her.

Trini started to give the rose color glasses version of the night. "I ran into her in the park. I think she'd been watching me." She smiled at Andrea's rapt attention, perfect. She didn't notice David glancing at Dominique, or Fox glaring at the woman. She was too busy glancing around the room behind Andrea's back. Everything still looked calm.

David asked, "Did you talk with her?" Dominique looked a little uncomfortable. Trini figured that she probably wasn't used to just sitting around waiting for trouble to happen, which was exactly what the four of them were doing. Trini was impressed that the other three stayed, either they were brave or they realized that if they tried to leave it would probably start the attack. They were all rich and at least moderately famous. They were targets.

"Briefly...she was...not too interested in talking." Now that was an understatement, Trini thought to herself. Being a writer certainly helped when one needed to edit the truth.

Andrea was thrilled, "You actually talked with her? What did you talk about?"
Oh, sure...ask the hard questions why don't you? Trini tried to figure out what to say.
"Umm...she mentioned my persistence in looking for them...which is why I thought that she was watching me..." Trini stammered, "She mentioned protecting." others from me...which turns out would have been a good idea, Trini berated herself. She wished she hadn't brought this up. She wasn't ready to deal with it. "That's about it."

Dominique looked at Trini like she thought Trini was a little crazy. Both Fox and David seemed to realize that Trini had edited out the important parts, and Trini didn't understand how they could have seen through her so quickly.

Trini noticed Mark, who was posing as a waiter, give a strange look to the Quarryman whose hand she had broken. Something was about to happen. Trini felt sick that she was going to need to protect her friends. She checked her watch, and there were only three minutes until 7:15, the time Elisa told them she'd be there. Trini doubted that Elisa could estimate her time exactly, but she was obviously not around yet. Trini was going to have to do something.

Trini felt her mind blank and wanted to scream. She needed to do something quickly. She couldn't think. She just needed to buy some time...delay their attack. Trini's eyes surveyed the room. Nothing...there was nothing!

She noticed a few extra waiters enter the room. Her sharp eyes noticed the outline of a gun on one of these men, hidden in his pants, perhaps they all were armed. She just needed to delay...

She started to head over towards the waiters, yelling back at her friends, "I need another drink. Be right back." Trini didn't see Andrea try to go after her, and Dominique stop her with a hand on her shoulder. Trini walked over to the three new armed waiters, trying to look unthreatening and it seemed to work. They thought nothing of her approach.

"You can't just walk up there and punch them Trini." Trini was surprised to hear Fox whisper in her ear. She didn't realize that the woman had followed her.

Trini whispered back, using her hair to hide her words from the Quarrymen, "Fox...please..." She wanted Fox to take cover, but when she looked into the woman's eyes, she realized that if she even suggested it she would regret it. Fox suddenly seemed like a warrior; her eyes held a steely awareness of the environment. "Please be careful..." Fox just grinned at her. Trini noticed that David was casually walking up to the waiters from a different direction. She glanced around fearfully for a second, until she saw Dominique and Andrea heading toward the front door. At least she wouldn't have to worry about them in the upcoming confrontation. She really wished that Fox and David had tried to get to safety as well.

Passing a group of women coming out of the bathroom Trini walked up to the jumpiest looking waiter, he would be the most dangerous one "Hey, do you have any mixed drinks?" He seemed a little startled that she talked with him. She saw him looking towards the leader of this group in askance. She tensed, waiting for the response.

"No, we only have wine and champagne." He told her. Trini could see David casually talking with a young man only a few feet away from one of the waiters. Trini had a sudden image of basketball. She, David and Fox were all covering their men on the field, but unfortunately the other team had many more players. Elisa...where are you? Trini cried out silently in her mind, while smiling sweetly at the Quarryman waiter.

"Oh...damn...so I guess a beer is too much to hope for?" Trini glanced toward where she last saw Dominique and Andrea, and was upset to see that they had not made much more progress towards safety.

"No I'm afraid there isn't any beer either." The Quarryman replied. Trini could see that his buddies were getting a little restless. The group of people suddenly coming in the front door startled them. Trini turned sharply, afraid that this was the attack she had been waiting for. She let out a sigh when she recognized Matt Bluestone with several other people she didn't recognize, but were probably cops.

Trini saw the familiar red of Elisa's coat and she started to relax, but then saw some motion out of the corner of her eye. Fox had kicked the waiter she was watching, and the man she had been talking with was bringing out a gun and starting to point it at the entering cops. Trini reached out to grab the gun, and yanked his aim off. She felt a burning pain in her chest. It was with amazing force of will that she managed to punch the man, knocking him out, rather than screaming out in pain. Trini clenched her teeth, tears falling from her eyes. She could taste blood in her mouth.

Trini felt like the world was moving in slow motion. She watched as Fox landed a kick that finally knocked out the man she had been fighting with. She saw David restrain his man. She spun and saw Elisa's group of cops spreading out in the crowd. Trini turned and stumbled into the nearby bathroom, locking the door behind her.

She had already checked to see that she had the bathroom to herself. No one was hiding in one of the three stalls. She used her shaky hands to undo the buttons on her shirt. She accidentally popped some of them off in her haste. Her complexion was becoming increasingly pale, and the redness of her lips had more to do with her own blood than lipstick. Trini stared dumbfounded at the bleeding quarter sized hole in her chest. It burned. She couldn't see if the bullet hole had a matching exit wound, so she silently prayed that it did. She wouldn't be able to dig a bullet out. She started coughing, then hacking. The blood that filled her mouth concerned her and she slowly slid to the ground and sat with her back to the wall. Breathing was becoming difficult and raspy.

Trini woke up to pounding on the bathroom door. "Unlock the door and come out." a male voice ordered. Great, police...Trini looked down and noticed a small pool of blood underneath her.

She tried to answer...but her mouth was so dry that she had to swallow several times first. Her raspy, voice was finally loud enough for the cop to hear, "Tell Detective Maza that Trinity is in the bathroom."

"Just come out! This is the police." The man sounded angry.

Trini realized that they might think that she was armed or dangerous. That was the only thing keeping the cop from just beating down the door. Trini wiped the blood away from her mouth. "I demand to talk with Detective Maza!" She tried to sound dangerous...the desperate tone that accidentally crept in seemed to help. There was silence for a few minutes. She took the time to crawl towards the door. She sat right next to it while she waited.

"Trini..." Fox's voice came through the door. Tears came to Trini's eyes. She really wished she could let Fox in, she sounded so worried. "Honey...what's wrong? Just open the door." She didn't know what to say. She didn't want to tell Fox that she didn't want to see her, but she knew she looked like hell. She was saved from answering when she heard a short conversation just outside the door.

"Fox. I've got this. Matt may have some more questions for you." Elisa sounded sympathetic. Trini didn't hear Fox's response, she was carefully standing up so that she could reach the lock. The movement threatened to reopened the chest wound, so she moved slowly.

"Trini? Come on out." Elisa was using her Detective voice.

Trini leaned closer to the door and quietly replied, "Elisa...I can't. I'm not in great shape."

Elisa was quiet for a second, then she whispered back, "Can you let me in?"

"Just you." Trini unlatched the lock and leaned back a little so that the door could open. Elisa opened it just enough to slide in and then locked it behind her.

Elisa kept her voice down, "What happened?" she said as she turned to look at Trini. Trini realized how badly she looked when Elisa suddenly went pale while looking at her. "Oh God...you were shot?!"

Trini looked down at the small puddle of blood where she had passed out, and the thin trail to the door. "I don't know how to hide this. How am I gonna get out of here?" Trini carefully leaned on the sink, because her chest was hurting her. The burning pain was getting less intense, but she had never been shot before. She was relieved to see that bullet wounds healed just as well as nose dives off buildings, but this was going to take time.

Elisa stepped closer, "Trini...you're still bleeding." she reached out to pull back the hanging shirt and see the damage. The hole was only nickel size now, but it was slowly trickling blood. "I don't have anything to put on this." Elisa slowly walked around to Trini's back and pulled the jacket up, pulled her shirt out of her pants and looked at her back. "Trini..." her voice sent a feeling of alarm through Trini.

"Shit! It's still in me...isn't it?" Trini's voice rose, before she remembered she needed to keep quiet. She whispered to Elisa, her voice strained, "What the hell do I do now?" She paused for a second as an idea came to her, "Do you think you could dig it out tonight?"

Elisa sounded a little faint, Trini turned to look at her. The detective was still too pale, "Shit...no I couldn't..." Elisa looked searchingly into Trini's eyes, "I do know someone who could help."

A knock on the door startled the two women. Fox's voice came back through the door, "Detective Maza..." She sounded angry, "I believe we have all been detained enough. Trini is coming with us."

Trini looked at her watch, she didn't think that the police had been here very long. It was almost 8pm.

Elisa didn't respond to Fox, she just turned to Trini and started to talk quickly and quietly. "Look...Fox has some connections. She could get you a doctor that won't talk." Trini looked at Elisa doubtfully. If she asked Fox for help, more people would find out about her. Elisa saw her doubt and gently said, "I hate to say this...but I think you can trust Fox and Xanatos with this."

"Trini! What's wrong?" Fox once again sounded worried.

Trini looked around at the blood on the floor, at her sickly pale complexion in the mirror, and then back at the Detective. "You think I can trust her?" She whispered. She knew that with this happening in such a public place, she really didn't have a choice, but she wanted Elisa's assurance. Elisa nodded. "Okay." Trini turned away from the door, not wanting to upset Fox with her appearance.

Elisa went to the door. She talked low, so that only the person on the other side of the door would hear, "Fox, I'm unlocking the door for you. Make sure no one else tries to come in too."

"No problem." Fox sounded concerned and puzzled. Trini heard the door open and close again quickly. She just stared at the tiled bathroom wall, unsure of what to do. Her chest still ached, and the movement of breathing caused fiery pain to radiate from the wound. "Trini? I am so sorry..." Fox was starting to slowly walk up to her.

"Nothing is your fault Fox." Trini didn't want the beautiful woman to blame herself for the attack, and when she found out, the bullet. She felt arms encircle her in a hug from behind, and she flinched when pressure was placed on her wound. Fox immediately let her go.

Elisa finally spoke, "Fox, you need to remember to keep your voice down." She warned. Trini knew that this was preparation for when Fox finally got a good look at her. Trini tensed as Fox walked into her field of vision. She was able to see the horror on the redhead face as she took in the opened shirt, and the hole. Elisa moved a little closer to them, "Trini needs some specialized medical help. Maybe that doctor that the guys had." Trini puzzled over who 'the guys' were.

Fox hissed out at the Detective, "You are just sitting in here when Trini needs a hospital!" Trini felt tears fill her eyes. Fox was wrong, but she was defending her.

Elisa moved closer to Trini, "No Fox...it's not like that."

Trini felt Elisa's hand pulling back the hair that hid her ears, "NO!" Trini yelled out as she tried to pull away quickly. She twisted her body away, then cried out in pain as the wound reopened. She would have fallen to her knees if Fox hadn't moved forward to support her.

Fox lit into Elisa viciously, "God Damned Bitch! What the hell do you think your doing?" She was definitely not keeping her voice down. She turned to gaze worriedly at Trini, "Honey, we need to get you out of here." Trini realized that right now Fox wanted to get her to a hospital. For the second night in a row she needed to talk someone out of that. She looked over to the Detective, who hadn't said anything. Who had told her she needed to trust Fox. Elisa was calmly waiting, leaning against the stall divider with her arms crossed. Trini looked back into Fox's worried and glassy eyes.

With a heavy sigh Trini raised up her arms and slowly pulled her hair back, like Elisa had tried to do. She stared at the floor and watched her tears splash down onto the tile. She heard Fox's sudden intake of breath, and the arm holding her up trembled a little.

"As you can see, Trini needs some specialized care." Elisa started to talk in a matter of fact tone, "She can't really go to a hospital, and the bullet...is still inside her." Trini glanced up at Elisa sharply. Her vision began to blur, but slowly returned to normal.

"You're right." Fox's voice was much calmer than it had any right to be. "David and I can take her home and have the doctor meet us there."

Trini started to feel faint. She whispered out, "I need to sit down."

In another five minutes the three of them were ready to leave the room. Fox and Elisa had managed to clean up the blood in the bathroom, and bandage up the chest wound using Trini's ruined shirt. Trini's jacket was now buttoned up to hide the fact that she had no shirt. All of this preparation had gone on with very little talking. Trini was feeling weak and very tired, and the whole scene seemed surreal.

"I need to finish out this investigation, but I'll head over there as soon as possible." Elisa told Trini, while brushing a strand of hair out of Trini's eyes. Trini just nodded, too tired to object. Fox took Trini's arm firmly, she was going to help Trini to walk out of the crowded room so that it wasn't too obvious she was hurt. Elisa opened the door so that they could leave, and escorted them to the limo. Trini wasn't paying a lot of attention to what was going on around her, she was focusing intently on walking. David was waiting anxiously by the limo. Trini was impressed that when Fox had told him to get the limo ready through the door, he didn't ask any questions and quickly went to comply. It was like they were used to dealing with strange situations.

"Where's Andrea and Dominique?" Trini suddenly started to look around as Fox and David were trying to get her into the limo. "Are they okay?" Trini didn't notice how young and child-like her voice was getting.

"Dominique?!" Elisa's voice rose.

Fox addressed Elisa firmly, "Later" then turned to Trini, and she sounded like a mother comforting a sick child, "Honey, they're fine. They left earlier."

"Oh...good." Trini felt so tired she barely noticed when she was laid out on the limo seat and the door closed.

Trini could hear David's voice fade into her awareness, "So...Owen was right, she is Fey?"

"It looks like that to me." Fox responded. Trini could feel a hand caressing her hair...tickling her ear. She gave a contented sigh and snuggled closer to the lap her head was resting on.

"I've never seen anything like this." Trini heard the fuzzy voice of a man.

"Of course I don't have to tell you that this is strictly confidential." She heard David's voice. It was full of unspoken threats.

"Oh...no...of course not." the man quickly replied.

"We have to find the blue gargoyle...she's hurt." Trini's childlike voice was pleading with Elisa. "They hurt her...I need to find her." Trini started to cry, "my fault...all my fault." Elisa had a confused and concerned look on her face as she gently rubbed Trini's hand.

"Doctor, what's wrong with her." Trini heard Fox asking from the doorway.

Trini turned to Fox, "We need to find the pretty gargoyle...please! They shot her and I can't find her!"

A male voice said, "It's the pain medicine. It's reacting strangely to her body chemistry. I don't think that its dangerous, but we're monitoring her."

Trini was crying softly to herself, "Blue...Blue...so sorry. I'm so sorry." until she fell back unconscious.

DAY 17

Trini opened her eyes and saw the white walls. She was lying in a hospital bed. Tears started to flood her eyes, "No...oh god...no."

She was startled by a man's voice coming from the doorway, "Well, it looks like our patient is awake." She turned to see a doctor walking towards her. She cringed away. "Well, it wasn't easy, but we managed to remove it." The doctor's words sent Trini into a panic.

Trini felt pure fear and helplessness. They had done it to her again. Trini wanted to cry, but she also felt so angry. Angry for the little girl who couldn't defend herself twenty years ago, and angry at herself for trusting Elisa and Fox when she was too weak to defend herself now. "BASTARD!" she roared at the doctor. She leapt out of bed with a catlike grace and stalked towards the startled man who had started backing away towards the door.

Elisa and Fox ran in the door. "I TRUSTED YOU!" Trini screamed at the two women. They both stopped suddenly, staring at Trini. She sank to the ground and started to sob, "I trusted you." The doctor used this time to run out the door. Trini didn't even look his way.

"Trini?" Elisa's voice was tentative as she slowly approached the sobbing woman. Fox stood still and watched silently, with a look of surprise on her face.

"Why? Why did you do this to me?" Trini looked up from the ground to Elisa. Her eyes watering. The emotional pain radiated from her eyes. "First mommy and now you?" Her voice cracked.

Elisa's eyes widened in shock and understanding, "Oh...Oh no Trini."

Fox quietly spoke to Elisa, "She's still drugged isn't she?" Elisa just nodded yes and knelt on the ground next to Trini.

Elisa slowly reached out to touch Trini. Trini watched her warily, but didn't stop her. Elisa wrapped one arm around Trini's back and her other arm reached lower. Trini leaned into the hug, and sobbed into Elisa's jacket. She felt Elisa's hand reach down into the back of her pants and grab...Trini's eyes flew open, "See, honey...it's still here." Elisa whispered into Trini's ear as she stroked Trini's tail where it attached to her back. "It's still here." she repeated more quietly and leaned in to kiss the pointed tip of Trini's ear.

Trini finally reached out and hugged Elisa to her. The detective held her as her sobs started to quiet down, while absently stroking the tail. Elisa's caress was causing her tail to twitch, and made her extremely aware of a growing throbbing of her sex.

Fox moved closer and squatted down next to the two hugging women. She noticed where Elisa's hand was and raised her eyebrow, "Elisa, is this really the time to take advantage of her?" She sounded irritated. Elisa immediately whipped her hand away from the hidden tail.

"It's not what you think." Elisa stammered out, while beginning to blush.

Trini leaned into Elisa's ear, "Please don't stop." She moaned out. She was completely oblivious to the fact that she and Elisa weren't alone. "Touch me...oh god, please touch me." she pleaded. She started whimpering with her arousal. She nuzzled Elisa's neck and started kissing and gently biting her neck.

"Sure looks like it to me." Fox growled out between gritted teeth.

Elisa became even redder as she tried to back away from Trini gently. "Trini..." Elisa's voice was breathless as she held her arms out, holding Trini away from her, "you need to rest."

"Need you." Trini reached her arms out toward Elisa.

"Fox, help me dammit!" Elisa snapped at the glaring redhead.

Fox reached out and took one of Trini's arms, "Honey, we need to get you back into the bed. You're still healing."

"Fox?" Trini seemed to be coming to. "Where am I?" She stopped reaching for Elisa.

"The Eyrie building. We have some medical facilities here." Fox gently explained, while helping Trini to stand. She wrapped an arm around Trini's hospital gown covered waist and lead Trini back to the bed while Elisa slowly got up from the ground, looking distracted.

"I don't like hospitals. Fox I don't want to be here." Trini looked at the stark walls and medical equipment along the walls. She turned to look at the redhead, "Please..." tears started to gather in her eyes.

Fox stopped walking with Trini to the bed. At this moment the doctor popped his head back into the room to see if the situation had been dealt with. Fox could feel the trembling of Trini's body upon seeing him. She looked over toward Elisa, who had been watching this exchange. "She could stay in the room I stay in sometimes, couldn't she?" Elisa offered.

The doctor spoke up, "I don't think that would be a good idea. She needs monitoring. And the medicine needs to be administered on a regular basis."

Elisa's eyes narrowed as she glared at the doctor, "She won't be getting any more medicine! I've seen her much more injured than this, and she was never so out of it. We are getting her out of here!"

Before the doctor could respond to argue Fox's incredulous voice asked, "She's been hurt like this before?"

Elisa defiantly grabbed a wheelchair from along the wall and rolled over toward Trini and Fox. "Yes, last night." She answered.

The mention of last night sparked Trini's awareness again. "They shot Blue. They shot Blue and she dropped me." Trini's voice had once again become childlike as she tried to explain last night, completely forgetting that she hadn't told Elisa about the gargoyle.

Elisa's eyes widened and she turned to Fox. "Demona?! She's been talking about Demona all this time?!"

"I take it you didn't know that she had met her last night?" Fox's voice held a little bit of superiority to it, "I found out about it at the PIT gathering." Fox gently sat Trini into the wheelchair, and then turned to grab a blanket off the bed to wrap around her. Elisa just stared at Trini. When Fox saw how quiet and still Trini was she continued as she wrapped the blanket around her, "She's also been having luncheons with Dominique Destine. I tried to explain to her that she should stay away from that woman, but I found her chatting with Ms. Destine at the PIT meeting."

"I...I...knew she was friends with Andrea, but I didn't know..." Elisa looked pale and worried as she followed Fox, who was pushing the wheelchair down the hall, past a flabbergasted doctor.

Fox looked sympathetically at Elisa, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you like that. How...hurt was she? Why didn't you bring her here?"

Elisa answered, "I wanted to, but Trini didn't want anyone to know about her. She...she was dropped..." tears started falling down the detectives face, "Demona dropped her from a twenty story building."

Fox stopped moving and turned to stare at Elisa. "Twenty stories?! And she came out with us tonight?!" She turned to stare at Trini, who was actually looking like she was almost asleep again. "How?"

"She doesn't know, but something like that had happened before. She didn't tell me what though." Elisa and Fox entered the elevator. It was still so early, no employees would run into them. They both sat in silence for a moment, before a thought suddenly occurred to Elisa, "Oh my God...Demona dropped Trini, and Dominique saw her today!" a touch of panic entered Elisa's eyes.

Fox's eyes widened, "Oh Shit!"

Trini woke up in a strange bedroom. She sat up slowly, trying to remember how she got there. She remembered getting shot...and Fox...Fox and David took her home. After that, it was all fuzzy. She saw Elisa had fallen asleep on an uncomfortable looking chair in the corner. The sun was shining into the room through thin curtains. She tried to look at her watch, and noticed that it was missing. By the amount of light coming in the window, Trini guessed it must be early in the morning. Trini got up and moved her arms around, trying to feel if there was any lingering damage. She felt fine, no lingering pain from the fall, or the bullet.

Trini moved closer to Elisa's sleeping form. She was wearing another oversized t-shirt and had a throw blanket wrapped around her. Elisa's head was lying at a strange angle, she would definitely be sore when she woke up. Trini realized that if she woke the Detective, she would fuss over her, because she had been hurt. Trini felt like pampering her friend, and she wouldn't be allowed to do that if the Nurse Elisa persona made another appearance. She carefully picked Elisa up and gently carried her to the bed, placing her in the spot Trini had just vacated. Elisa never woke up. She pulled the blankets up and tucked Elisa in.

Trini then went to the other side of the bed to crawl in. She stood still for a moment, debating about removing her pants, they weren't very comfortable to sleep in. Finally she decided to do it. Elisa had seen the tail before, it wouldn't be a shock. She would just keep the hospital gown. When she got into the bed she laid on her back to stare at the ceiling. She was pleasantly surprised when the sleeping woman next to her rolled closer to her. She fell back asleep with an arm holding Elisa's body close, with Elisa's head on her shoulder. She didn't notice when the door slowly opened thirty minutes later and Fox glanced in, when she saw the detective in bed with Trini her eyes became cold, but she left without saying anything.

Trini felt someone moving beside her, so she opened her eyes. Elisa was staring down at her, "How did I get here?"

Trini smiled at her, "I carried you. You didn't look too comfortable on the chair."

Elisa's face became irritated, "You were just shot and you decided to carry me? You could have been hurt!"

Trini reached up a hand and tenderly cupped Elisa's cheek, "You weigh next to nothing, and I am a bit stronger than a regular human." Trini tilted her head a little, she felt a nearly overwhelming urged to pull Elisa towards her and kiss her so soft lips. She unconsciously licked her lips, as her eyes were drawn to Elisa's. When her eyes were drawn back to the detectives eyes, she saw an answering hunger there that surprised her. Elisa slowly lowered her head towards Trini's. Trini felt her heart beating in anticipation, as she slowly closed her eyes. Elisa's lips met her own softly, tentatively. Trini moaned softly as the sweet contact continued far longer than any of the pecks of affection they had shared before. Elisa increased the pressure, opening her lips and gently biting at Trini's bottom lip. Trini opened her mouth and started hungrily kissing Elisa back, nipping at her lips.

Trini reached up and gently took ahold of Elisa's shoulders. She slowly and gently guided Elisa onto her back, kissing her the entire time. She threw the covers off the bed violently, so that they wouldn't get in the way, and she straddled Elisa's hips. She leaned down, moaning at the feel of Elisa's body underneath her own, and started lightly kissing and biting Elisa's neck. Elisa moaned and arched into Trini body. She wrapped her arms around Trini and Trini was surprised at the woman's strength as she pulled Trini tightly up against her body.

Trini heard a soft growling and was shocked to realize it was coming from her, she stopped it immediately. She forced herself to slow down, to calm down. Elisa was her friend, she wasn't going to risk that. She had to be sure. Her voice was breathless as she looked down into Elisa's flushed face, "Elisa...are you sure..." some of her own insecurity crept into her voice, "you want me?" She was terrified that given the chance to think, Elisa would change her mind. She had slept with a woman before, but never with anyone that meant as much as this woman.

Elisa's lust filled gaze calmed as she looked into Trini's eyes. She reached up a hand and gently tucked some of the black hair behind Trini's ear. She smiled softly and answered, "Yes...I'm sure." She then gently guided Trini down for another sweet kiss. Trini felt Elisa's hands deftly untying the hospital gown that she wore. It slowly started to fall from her body, and Trini became nervous. Elisa guided Trini to her back and pulled away the gown, tossing it on the floor. "So beautiful." she murmured, which helped calm Trini's insecurities. Elisa started kissing Trini softly and used her right hand to caress Trini's ear. When Elisa increased the pressure of the caress, Trini moaned. "You like that don't you?" Elisa softly asked, even though she could easily see that Trini did, "Would you like me to kiss you there...nibble on you." Elisa's voice was becoming breathless, and Trini realized that Elisa considered her non-human attributes sexy.

That sent a wave of desire through her body, she arched her back, her voice needy, "Yes...oh god...please...Elisa." while tilting her head to give the woman better access. Elisa straddled her body and leaned down to kiss and nibble on the ear, sending bolts of desire through Trini's body that centered on her sex. She could feel the moisture collecting in the underwear that she was still wearing, and the feel of Elisa's t-shirt on her skin irritated her, she wanted to feel Elisa's skin. She reached down and grabbed the edge of the t-shirt and started to pull it up. "Please...Elisa, I want to feel you."

Elisa sat back, and pulled the shirt off, tossing it onto the floor. This left her wearing only a red pair of panties. Trini recognized a second of insecurity on Elisa's face, but looking at the woman, there really wasn't any reason for it. She was beautiful, with an athletic trim body and small firm breasts, "Oh...Elisa." Trini's voice was filled with awe. Trini sat up so that she was facing the carmel skinned goddess on her lap. "You are so beautiful." she whispered and then leaned in to recapture Elisa's lips. She brought her knees up to help support her lover.

Elisa pulled her lips away, "Trini, I don't want to hurt you." concern in her voice.

Trini just chuckled, "I thought you realized that I'm not really that fragile." She then nuzzled Elisa's neck. Breathlessly she asked, "Can I touch you?" moving her hands closer to Elisa's breasts.

Elisa arched her back, placing her weight on Trini's legs, while Trini caressed the outside of Elisa's breasts slowly. Leaning in she took one hardened nipple into her mouth and flicked at it with her tongue. Elisa moaned and pulled Trini's head closer to her chest. Trini used one arm to help support Elisa's back and reached out with the other hand to gently caress the other breast. Trini could feel the heat and moisture of Elisa's sex against her stomach. Trini arched back and let out a loud moan, "Elisa!" She spun around to place Elisa's back on the bed and reached a hand out to grab onto her red underwear. Giving Elisa a slightly pleading look she asked, "Can I?"

Elisa nodded, but then hesitantly added, "Trini?" Trini stopped what she was doing. She could hear the uncertainty and a tinge of fear in Elisa's voice. "I've never..." Elisa looked down, clearly embarrassed.

Trini reached out and caressed Elisa's cheek, "What is it?" she asked tenderly. She had a pretty good idea of what the detective was going to say.

"I've never been with a woman before." Elisa looked up at Trini with vulnerable expressive eyes.

"Do you want to change your mind?" Trini tried to keep any disappointment out of her voice. If Elisa wasn't ready, she wasn't going to push her. "It's okay to change your mind. I'll understand."

"No!" Elisa's quick response and the following deep kiss answered Trini's question. "I just...don't know what to do."

Trini smiled at her, "Let me make love to you and promise me that you will tell me if there is anything that you're uncomfortable with." She gave Elisa a small kiss. When Elisa nodded she started to slowly pull Elisa's panties down her shapely legs. Trini was now very nervous. She was supposed to be the experienced one, and she had only done this once before.

Trini gently kissed Elisa's legs, peppering kisses up her thighs. She crawled up Elisa's body until she was able to give her a deep searing kiss. She dropped one of her legs between Elisa's, and could feel the dampness touch her skin. "Oh God!" She threw back her head and moaned.

Elisa started to fumble with Trini's underwear. She wanted it off, but Trini didn't want to move away from Elisa to remove them. "Please..." Elisa begged, fanning the flame of Trini's desire.

Trini reached down and ripped the underwear off her body. "Stronger...remember" She smiled mischievously at Elisa as she threw the torn cloth onto the floor and pressed her overheated flesh down onto Elisa's thigh. "Oh Yesss...." She hissed as Elisa started to rock against her.

"Trini..." Elisa moaned as Trini's thigh brushed against her sex, "So good..."

Trini started to grind into Elisa faster. "Oh god...Elisa!" She was almost screaming, she was so close. Just a few more..."ELISA!!" Trini convulsed as her powerful orgasm overcame her. Her arms shook, and she heard a loud tearing noise. She'd ripped the mattress on both sides of Elisa's head where she had been bracing herself. Seeing Elisa's lust filled gaze, she immediately ignored it and kissed Elisa passionately. "Can I taste you?" Her voice was deep, rough. She licked her lips and stared ferally at Elisa waiting for an answer. She had promised not to do anything that would make her uncomfortable.

"Yes!" Elisa arched her back, "Please...oh god...I need!" That was more than enough encouragement, Trini quickly crawled down Elisa's body. She settled herself between Elisa's legs and gently pushed her knees out, exposing Elisa's heat to her eyes. Elisa was beautiful and glistening, she was already red and swollen with excitement. Trini lightly blew warm air over the stiff clitoris, making Elisa whimper. Trini leaned in closer and lightly licked along Elisa's lips, tasting her. Oh she wanted this woman to scream her name!

Trini started to lightly flick her tongue over Elisa's clitoris, enjoying the convulsive move that Elisa made every time she made contact. Elisa's hands reached down to caress Trini's hair. "Please...Trini..." She pleaded while arching her pelvis closer to her lover. Trini stopped teasing and started to lightly suckle on Elisa's clit. Elisa's back began to arch higher, and she started keening. Finally her body convulsed, and Trini could taste the additional wetness, as Elisa screamed out like a banshee, "TRINI!!!!!" She then fell limp to the bed. Trini couldn't stop the enormous grin that covered her face.

"Trini! Elisa!" Fox yelled through the door, startling the lovers into not moving. "Lunch will be ready soon, so you better finish up and get out here!" She sounded pissed, and Trini's sensitive ears could tell a little hurt. Oh shit.

"Oh this is going to be awkward." Elisa's whispered, her blush was starting to cover her whole body.

You have no idea, Trini thought, as she remembered the heated gazes that she had shared with Fox, and the feel of Fox rubbing against her while putting on her makeup. You have absolutely no idea.

Trini felt a little uncomfortable wearing her pants without underwear.  Maybe she had acted too hasty in her need to show off.  She put on the baseball hat that Elisa had brought, along with a change of clothes for her.  "Do I want to know how you got into the apartment?"  She grinned at Elisa.

Elisa gave her an exaggeratedly innocent look. "Me...I just used my key." She then dangled a familiar key chain in front of Trini's eyes.

Trini reached for the keys, "You are a pick-pocket! I knew it, Miss Law and Order is a common street criminal." Trini slipped her keys back into her pocket, and then advanced on Elisa, with a playful look on her face.  Elisa started to run towards the bathroom, but she stopped in amazement as Trini leapt over the bed and across the room with one jump.  Trini leaned across the bathroom doorway and crossed her arms, smirking at the detective. "Going somewhere?" She enjoyed the stunned look on Elisa's face.  She really enjoyed not having to hide the fact that she could do things like that.  Thankfully the ceilings in these rooms were so high, perfect for showing off.

"My God Trini...What all can you do?" Elisa stared at her in awe.

Trini's smirk grew to a wicked grin, "Why, my dear...let me show you."  Her words dripped with sexual innuendo.  Trini reached out and picked Elisa up, throwing her over her shoulder and crossed the room towards the bed.  Elisa was laughing the entire way.

"Let me down." She mock beat on Trini's back.  Trini was betting that Alexander could hit her harder.

"Oh...look at the big tough cop now."  Trini managed to somehow gently throw Elisa down on the bed.  She smiled evilly at Elisa, "Now I have you..."  She leaned down and gave Elisa a gentle peck.  When Elisa wrapped her arms around Trini's neck that little peck became a passionate kiss.  Trini pulled back and stared at Elisa, her voice held barely controlled desire, "I want to rip the clothes off your body and ravish you..." her voice cracked, "but we don't have time.  Can I take you home with me tonight?"  Trini was nervous as she waited to hear if Elisa considered this a one night stand, or if she was going to be allowed to be something more.

"I have to work tonight.  How about we have dinner at my place tomorrow?" Elisa reached up and caressed Trini's cheek.  Trini released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.  When Elisa started to roll over and get back out of bed again, she noticed the rips in the mattress.  "Did you do this?" She ran her hand over the four long slashes in the mattress.

Trini felt embarrassed and guilty about ruining the bed.  "I...yes." She quickly added, "but I don't know how."  She held out her hands to show Elisa.  "See, still human."

Elisa looked at the slashed bed, and then back at Trini, grinning evilly, "Maybe it only happens in the throes of passion.  We should research that...in depth."  Then she pulled Trini into a soul searing kiss.

Fox was the only person in the kitchen when Elisa and Trini came in.  The dirty dishes sitting on the table was clear evidence that they had missed lunch.  When Fox saw them Trini could see a flash of...something, before it was covered up.  Hurt, pity...she really didn't know, but it worried her.  Elisa didn't see it because she was making a bee line for the fridge.  Once armed with a Coke, she told Trini, "I need to call Matt about a case.  I'll be back in a couple."  Trini watched Elisa wander back out of the kitchen.  She was a little irked, she knew that Elisa was just running from the awkward conversation with Fox.

"Well, I saved you some lunch." Fox's voice was soft as she addressed Trini. 

"Thanks." Trini took the plate offered and walked over to the small kitchen table.  She was surprised that there was such a normal kitchen in Fox's home.

"I want to tell you that you can trust me.  I won't tell anyone, and David made sure that the Doctor is aware that he would be ruined if he talked."  Fox blurted out. 

Trini felt her heart beating faster, as she realized that they were now going to have the talk.  Trini took a deep breath and spoke quietly, "I've been hiding for my whole life.  I...it's an adjustment...having people know."  She started to nervously shred the paper napkin.  Not touching any of the lunch, she was too tense to eat.

Fox reached out and placed he hand over Trini's nervously shredding hands.  Trini's hands stilled and she looked up into Fox's eyes.  She was distracted by how beautiful the blue eyes were, and then she felt a wave of guilt.  She was admiring Fox not even an hour after having had sex with Elisa.  "Have you ever heard of the Fey?"  Fox's question pulled Trini out of her self-recrimination.  What was she talking about?

"No." Trini said quickly, before she started to remember something.  "Wait...Elisa said something about thinking I was Fey, but she didn't tell me what that was."  Trini looked puzzled, "But...I'm gargoyle...at least partly...I think."

Fox looked surprised, "Gargoyle?  What makes you think that?" Trini hadn't expected Fox to look surprised.   It seemed fairly obvious.

Maybe Fox didn't know about the tail.  She was still wearing her pants when she came to after surgery.  "I...well you saw the ears." Trini blushed.  Fox walked around the kitchen table and sat beside Trini.  She then reached out and pulled the baseball cap off Trini's head.

"Yes...I did."  Fox's voice was soft and as gentle as her touch as she reached out and started to fluff Trini's hair.  It had gone flat under the hat.  Trini froze, not used to being so casually touched.  Her mind flashed on that night when Fox helped her with her make-up, when she touched her, rubbed up against her.  The wave of desire that hit her made her feel extremely guilty.  "I've seen full blooded Fey.  Your ears are smaller, but they look like Fey to me."

Trini cleared her throat, "Um...well...I thought they looked kind of like a gargoyles."  She was very conscious of the fact that Fox's hands were very closed to caressing her ears.  Her ears were very sensitive, she knew that she should say something, should back away, but she couldn't move.  Her body tensed as Fox's hands slowly started to caress her pointed ear tips, rubbing them between her forefingers and thumbs.  It was at this point that Trini's mind followed her body's betrayal.  She silently pleaded for Fox to touch her, to kiss her.  She was both disappointed and relieved when Fox stopped and pulled her hands away.

"Trini..." Fox hugged herself with her arms, looking disturbed.  "When I saw you...when I thought you were...that you might..." Fox whispered the last word, with a pain-filled voice, "die."  Tears started to fall down Fox's face.  

Trini stood up and went to pull Fox into a comforting hug.  "I'm sorry Fox" she murmured softly into Fox's hair as she rocked the woman gently.  "I didn't want to scare you."

"You did scare me.  Trini...I could've lost you.  I invited you there, left you to fend for yourself, and couldn't get you out of there safely...Why didn't you die.  The doctor said that you should have, that the damage was..." Fox's voice cut out, which tore at Trini's heart.  She didn't have any explanations.  That was why she was in New York to begin with.

"I was hoping to talk to a gargoyle about it.  To see if this is normal, but the gargoyle I found..." Trini's eyes started to water.  Her voice became tight with tears, "...she died."

A clear flat voice came from the kitchen doorway.  "She's not dead."  Trini released Fox, feeling guilty and caught, even though she didn't do anything wrong.

"Elisa, what do you mean?" Trini's confusion increased because she didn't remember telling Elisa about that.  There was no way that the gargoyle could have survived the bullet and the drop.  She would probably be hard pressed to do that, although she didn't know.  She never wanted to find out the limits of her healing.

"The gargoyle that dropped you was a blue female with red hair, right?"  The detective persona was slipping into the conversation.

Trini sat back down at the kitchen table numbly.  "Yes."

Fox interjected, "That's Demona alright."  Trini couldn't tell whether Fox was talking to herself or Elisa, since she wouldn't look at the detective.

Elisa gave Trini a searching stare, "Why didn't you tell me you met Demona?"  Trini didn't understand the urgency in Elisa's voice.

"I...there are only a handful of gargoyles in the world...and it was my fault she died.  I came here looking for a gargoyle, and I got her killed!"  Trini stared down at her clenched hands sitting on the kitchen table.  "It was my fault." She said quietly.

 "What?  Your fault?  What are you talking about?" Elisa moved into the kitchen and sat across from Trini at the table.  Fox moved to sit next to Trini.

Trini swallowed hard and tried to fight back the tears as she remembered seeing the blue gargoyle's blood spraying into the night sky.  "We were on the roof top...talking.  The Quarrymen started to shoot at us.  I..." Fox reached out and took Trini's hand underneath the table in a comforting gesture. Trini took a deep breath and continued, "I had a few rocks, and they had two shooters on a helicopter.  I managed to take out one.   But I missed the second one."  Tears started to fall, and Trini's voice became quieter, "she must have trusted me to make that shot.  She grabbed me and was trying to get us out of there when he shot her."

Trini was so busy staring at the table, she didn't see both Elisa and Fox finally share a glance, one that spoke silently of doubt.  "Demona...she's not...she was probably just wanting to kill you herself.  She hates humans." Elisa's comment made Trini glance up sharply.

"I know she's not fond of humans Elisa...but...am I human?" Trini's glance easily said that she didn't really think that she was.  "She was all I had Elisa.  The only person who I might have been able to ask..."

Elisa's voice became stony, "There are other gargoyles."

"Well, I sure as hell haven't found them.  I'm running out of time." Trini hated to remember that she was only visiting here.  She finally had someone who cared, glancing down at the hand that Fox was holding she changed her mind.  She had people who cared about her.  She didn't want to go home.  She forcefully pushed these thoughts out of her mind.  She needed to deal with one crisis at a time.  "You said she was alive.  Do you know where she is?"  Trini's hopefulness was easy to hear.  Elisa worked for the gargoyle task force maybe she had information.

Fox squeezed Trini's hand, "You don't want to mess with her.  Elisa is right, there are other gargoyles."  When Fox saw that Trini was going to protest she continued, "I could help you get in touch with the local clan if it is so important to you."

"Yes.  The clan should be back in a couple of days." Elisa interjected obviously upset that Fox had said it first.

"What?  You both know the Manhattan clan?" Trini's eyes went huge as she first stared at Elisa, then Fox. 

"Yes.  They’re out of town, visiting another clan right now.  David arranged for them to be flown back in a few days." Fox explained.

"They left the night after you saved Bronx." Elisa explained, looking a little apologetic.  Bronx...that must be the dog like one.

"They all left?" Trini couldn't believe how horrid her luck had been.  All this time looking and there were no gargoyles in town...except.  "Wait.  What about Blue...I mean...Demona?  She's still here."

Elisa's voice was bitter, "She's not a part of the clan.  I'm not kidding Trini, she's dangerous. You need to stay away from her!"  Elisa's voice started to rise.

"She's not going to hurt me!" Trini's irritation was clear.  She didn't understand why, but she just wasn't worried.  The gargoyle had tried to save her.

"You still didn't tell me why you're so convinced you're a gargoyle." Fox interrupted the argument.  Trini knew that she was trying to change the subject.

"There are things that you don't know about me." Trini felt Fox pull her hand away from Trini's.  She saw the look of hurt cross Fox's face, and she felt like a jerk for dismissing the question the way she had.

Fox turned to glare at Elisa, "And she does?" her voice sounding bitter and angry, "Oh, but of course she would.  She's fucking you!"  Trini just gaped at Fox, shocked at how angry she was.

"That is none of your god-damned business!" Elisa said coldly.

Fox's eyes were filled with rage as she stood to yell at the detective seated less than four feet away, "It is when you take advantage of her in my home!  For gods sake Elisa, she was delirious and you were making moves on her!"  her voice became filled with disgust, as she threw the next words like a weapon, "I didn't think you could be such scum!  And what happens when the gargoyles get back?!"

"Shut up!  This is none of your business." Elisa started yelling back.  Trini just stared at the scene unfolding before her.  It was totally unreal.  What did the gargoyles return have to do with her and Elisa's relationship?  "I didn't take advantage of her!  She was upset; she thought we had amputated her tail.  I just showed her it was still there."

Trini was horrified at what she was hearing, "ELISA!" She was shocked that Elisa would tell Fox about her tail.  Elisa had no right!

"Tail?" Fox quickly turned back to Trini.  "You have a tail?"  Trini's face went red with anger and embarrassment.  She just nodded yes.  "Is that why you think you're a gargoyle?"

Elisa just continued to glare at Fox while Trini answered, "It's one of the reasons."  She didn't want to go into the fact that she had been born with wings, but didn't have them now.  She glared at Elisa, silently telling her not to say anything.  They would need to talk later.

Elisa's cell phone rang, and the detective answered it harshly, "What?!"  She also walked out of the room to talk.  Trini stared after her for a second, before turning back to Fox.  She was uncomfortably aware of Fox staring at her pants, trying to see the outline of her tail.

Elisa came back looking a little less angry.  "They picked up someone for questioning on one of my cases.  I need to go in early."  Elisa purposely ignored Fox and walked up to Trini.  "Don't forget, dinner at my place tomorrow." She said softly and pulled Trini into a long kiss.  Trini felt it was inappropriate to enjoy the kiss as much as she did, when she knew that Fox was watching.  Her breathing was a little strained when Elisa finally let her go.  She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Fox seemed to have been watching the kiss intensely. She blushed.

Once Elisa had left, Fox asked, "Can I see it?"

Trini was stunned.  "You want to see my tail?"  Trini felt like she had just been asked to show Fox her breasts.  It was too personal.  Elisa was the only person to ever see it.  Trini puzzled over why she felt that way.  Demona's tail had been easily visible, but she hadn't felt that it made the gargoyle naked.

"I still think that you might be Fey."  Fox's voice became more subdued.  "My mother is Fey.  I'm half Fey."

Trini was shocked.  Fox wasn't human...but she looked so much more human than Trini.  "Your ears are normal." She replied dumbly.  What do you say to a person that tells you they are only half-human; Trini had no clue.  "Do Fey have tails?"

"No, they don't, but they do have pointed ears.  At least the full blooded ones do."

"Well then why would you think that I am one?  My mother was completely human."

"I can feel it when I touch you.  I've been practicing, trying to learn how to use my magic, and when I touch you I can feel your magic." Fox paused, "Alexander felt it too, that is why he asked if you were a fairy princess.  When you came to dinner that first night I asked a full-blooded Fey to check.  We all are getting the same feeling.  You have Fey magic Trini."  Fox had absolutely no doubt.  "It's not weak magic either." She added.  Trini looked stunned.  Fey, she had never even heard of such a thing.  She never did any magic.

"Can you make it so I can feel it.  The magic." Trini believe Fox, even though it sounded crazy.  If there were gargoyles, was it so hard to believe that there was something else as well. 

Fox studied Trini quietly, thinking about what she asked.  "I can try.  I've only known I was Fey for a couple of years.  I just learned how to do this."  She reached out to gently brush Trini's hair behind her ears.  "Relax." She said, softly, seductively, when Trini tensed up.  She took the tips of Trini's ears between her fingers again and started to rub them.

"Fox?" Trini managed to squeak out.  When she looked up into Fox's eyes she was surprised to see them almost glowing.  It was magic.  She could feel something intangible in the air.  She just knew that it was coming from the woman in front of her.

“Do you feel it?” Fox’s voice was low, purring.  Trini could feel the power around her growing; this was Fox.  Fox’s essence, her magic, her desire.  It was overwhelming Trini’s senses. 

Fox leaned in closer, her lips only inches from Trini's, "I could get you off like this, couldn't I?"  She growled out, sending Trini's sex into painful throbbing.  Fox knew exactly what she was doing to her.  Fox wanted to make her come...she wanted her!  Fox's blue eyes seemed to glow brighter.  "And when you come, it will be ten times more powerful then when that bitch touched you!"  Trini wanted to object to Fox calling Elisa a bitch, wanted to stop this...it was so intense...Oh God.  It felt so good!  Trini was panting, squirming, almost begging.  Fox's touch was everything.  Her magic touched every part of Trini's body, caressing her.

"Do you know why?!" The dangerous tone of Fox's voice made Trini want to scream out her desire.  "Because Fey ears are far more sensitive than gargoyle ones...and because the touch of another Fey is.." Fox's voice trembled with desire, "the touch of another Fey is... unbelievable."  Trini's back was arching.  Oh God...Oh God...When Elisa touched her ears it felt nothing like this.  Trini started growling as she felt her orgasm coming closer.  She desperately gripped the seat of the chair she was sitting on.  Fox was relentless, her voice harsh and breathless, "I hated hearing you scream out her name..."  her touch became more insistent, harder, almost painful, "You're going to come aren't you?!"  When Trini didn't answer she shouted, "ANSWER ME"

"Fox!  Oh God...Fox!"  Trini knew what Fox wanted to hear.  She could feel the walls of her vagina clenching and her orgasm overcame her.  "FOX!" Trini's screams shook the windows in the kitchen.  As soon as her body started to tremble in aftershocks Fox released her ears and stumbled away from her.

Fox's eyes were wide in shock, "Oh God...Trini...I...I'm so sorry.  I...I didn't mean to..."

Trini's eyes began to glow a bright red as she stared at Fox predatorily.  She didn't notice that Fox was upset with herself.  She couldn't understand what she was saying.  Her hands clenched at the chair and Trini almost fell to the ground as it broke.  She stood and dropped the pieces of wood in her hands.  She didn't notice the sharp pointed talons that were once her fingers, or the amazed stare Fox was giving her.  Fox took a step backwards and Trini rushed to her, shoving her into the wall behind the woman, pinning her hands with her talons to the wall.  Trini's growling was loud and desperate.  She wanted to fuck this female hard...to bite...to claim.  "MINE!" she growled out when she saw David enter the kitchen.  He instantly looked alarmed.

Trini felt Fox squirm in her arms, and turned her glowing gaze to her.  "MINE!" She told the woman pinned to the wall, and then leaned down to give her a punishing kiss.  When she started to kiss and nibble on Fox's neck, Fox started to speak to her. 

The low soothing voice started to make sense.  "Gentle...gentle."  Trini started to ease up on the force of her nibbles, started to gently kiss the underside of Fox's jaw.  "Trini...let me go." still the same calming soothing voice.  Trini kissed Fox on the lips, sucked gently on her lower lip.  Trini was whimpering, she could feel the magic swirling around her again.  It felt so good.  She started to gently pull her talons out of the wall, releasing Fox's arms.  She reached down and easily tore open Fox's silk shirt.  She didn't notice the two sets of footsteps rapidly coming closer.

"...some sort of forcefield...Owen, hurry...she looked crazed!" David's voice echoed through the hall.  Trini picked Fox up by wrapping her hands around her waist and carried her over to the kitchen table.

Fox used her free hands to caress Trini's hair.  "Calm down baby.  You need to calm down."  When Trini sat Fox down on the table, Fox continued to gently pet her hair.  The soothing touch was working.  Trini's frantic breathing was calming.  Trini crawled up onto the sturdy table, forcing Fox to stop petting, and lie down.  She straddled the woman and started to kiss Fox thoroughly.  She reached down and ripped the bra apart.  She then leaned down to take one erect nipple into her mouth.  Fox's hands reached out to pull Trini closer.  Oh God...the magic...she could feel the magic!

The sound of the men running into the room startled Trini into pulling away from Fox.  She turned with wide eyes and saw David and Owen standing in the doorway.  She felt like her heart suddenly stopped.  She was finally able to think, and she realized what she had been about to do.  She turned to look at Fox.  The woman's neck was bruised in several places.  The wrists on the hands that were holding the torn shirt closed had several deep, bleeding scratches.  The red glow in her eyes faded as she realized that she had hurt her.  Tears started to cloud Trini's vision.  She leapt over the table and ran out the other doorway, horrified by what she had almost done. 

Trini ran right past the elevator doors and headed for the stairs.  She blindly leapt down the stairs one flight at a time, moving so quickly that no one would be able to catch her.  She had to get away.  Trini ran out of the lobby and kept running, dodging people on the sidewalks, until she could no longer see the Eyrie building.  Panting and sweating, she leaned up against the side of a building and started to cry.  The masses of people on the street a few feet away from her ignored her, as she slid to the dirty ground and sobbed.

Five hours later Trini slowly walked up to her apartment building. She had spent hours wandering aimlessly through the park.  Her eyes were bloodshot.  Her clothes dirty.  She walked as if every step hurt, and hung her head to avoid seeing anyone.  That's how the emotionally exhausted woman didn't see the strange man waiting outside her apartment building notice her and pull out a cell phone.

"Well, you are sure getting back late today." Margot said accusingly as she entered the elevator with Trini.  Trini choose to ignore the woman, but when she heard Margot take another breath to speak she looked up.  Margot gasped at the pain she saw in Trini's face.  Her voice became much softer, as if she were talking to a wounded child, "Trini, are you alright?"

Trini felt her hold on her emotions start to fall again.  The last thing she needed was sympathy, it would only make her cry.  Her voice wavered as she answered, "I'll be fine...please, I just can't talk about it."  She prayed that Margot would let it go, they still had twelve more floors to go before she could escape.  Margot took the hint and turned to study the elevator doors in silence.  When they got out of the elevator Trini noticed the look of concern on Margot's face as Trini passed her.

Trini had gotten home and went right for the shower, pealing the dirty clothes off her as she walked into the bathroom.  She washed mechanically, never hearing the front door opening.  The water was starting to get cold, because she had been standing unmoving in the stream of water for a long time.  She reached out and shut the water off. She wrung out her hair and put on a terrycloth robe before opening the bathroom door.  David was sitting in the chair looking at her.

"We need to talk." He indicated that she should sit down on the couch.  Trini felt herself start to breathe heavily in fear.  She pulled the robe tighter to her body and slowly walked around the couch to sit, never taking her eyes off of David.  He was rubbing his goatee.  He looked tired and sad.  She didn't see any of the anger that should be there.  She sat with her legs pressed together and her elbows resting on her thighs, looking very much like she expected to be hurt.  Tears trickled down her face, but she didn't notice, or make any move to wipe them away.  She deserved whatever David was here to do and she knew it.  There was no defense of what she did.

"Your talons are gone." He waved one hand to point out the two she had clasped together on her knees.  Trini just nodded, she didn't feel up to speaking.  "Well, this is going to make conversation difficult." He murmured quietly to himself, but Trini still had her outstanding hearing.

Her voice cracked when she asked, "Why would you want to talk to me?" she took a shuddering breath, then spoke quieter, "I would have raped her.  I hurt her."  She pulled her legs up onto the couch and hugged her arms around them, looking extremely fragile.

"I was there.  She wasn't fighting you, wasn't telling you to stop.  She wanted you Trini."  David stood up and moved closer to her.  He stood next to her and when he reached out a hand Trini flinched.  He pulled his hand back and squatted on the ground next to her curling up form.  "Trini," his voice was soft, caring, not at all what it should be, "Fox is worried sick about you.  I am worried about you."  He reached out a hand and tucked some of Trini's hair behind her ear. 

No man had ever been so gentle with her.  This was Fox's man.  Did he not understand.  "I want her." She said it so that he could understand.  So that he could hate her.

He just gave her a slight smile, "I know."  Trini stared at him openly.  He knew, and he was still here.  Why?  "I've known for a while." He sat on the edge of the couch in front of her.  Facing her  "It's okay."  Trini lost the control she had been trying to maintain.  She started to cry.  David's eyes widened a little and he stood up and scooped her up into his arms.  When he sat back down on the couch, she was laying across his lap, sobbing into his shoulder.  He rubbed his hand soothingly along her back, "Seems to be my day for comforting crying women."  He held Trini like that until her sobs ended.

"Fox is worried that you won't want to see her again.  She doesn't know I'm here." David told the woman in his arms.

"Why are you doing this?" Trini just didn't understand.  It seemed crazy.

"I love her..." David looked directly into Trini's eyes, "but there are just some things that I can't give her.  I think that you could...and I know that you love her too."

Trini tore her eyes away from him, suddenly feeling uncomfortable, "How can I love her...I haven't known her very long."  She got up carefully so as not to hurt him and walked over to the balcony window to watch the sunset.

David stayed seated, "Sometimes love doesn't take very long to strike."

Trini's voice sounded strained, "Why is it striking me so much lately?  What am I going to do?"  Trini could hear David get up.

"Detective Maza?"  David asked, but Trini could tell from his voice he already knew the answer and didn't like it.  Trini nodded.  "There are things that aren't my place to say, but Detective Maza might not be the best choice for you."

Trini's voice was small, "But I love her...too."

David wrapped his arms around her like he had in the elevator to annoy Margot the day before, "Will you come back home with me.  Fox really wants to see you."

Trini stared out at the last rays of sun, "I'm with Elisa now." She whispered more quietly, but David could hear her, "I don't think that she would understand."

"What about Fox?" David asked, while releasing the hug.

"I...I'm so tired.  Can you tell her that I'll come by tomorrow."  When she saw the disappointed look he had in their reflection on the balcony door she told him the truth, "I don't think that I can control myself around her today.  I don't want to hurt her anymore."  She waited until she knew that David understood, "I can't be with her.  Not behind anyone's back.  I don't want to hurt Elisa either."

"Damn.  I was hoping that if you and Fox got together I would at least get to see you naked."  His attempt at lightening the mood helped.  Trini smiled weakly.