On the Edge of Suspicion - By Princess Alexandria

Day 1 – Monday – July 28^th

Trini sighed as the limo drove into the underground parking. It was show time. She smiled at Owen when he opened the door and got out of the back of the limo. Fox and then David followed her out. Trini had noticed the glowing eyes of a male gargoyle in the shadows, which was why she was attempting to look more awake, and much happier than she really was.

Once the elevator doors closed David turned to her, looking very concerned. “You’re not very good at that right now.” Trini didn’t understand what he meant, and it showed on her face. “Pretending to be okay when you aren’t.” David looked uncomfortable. “I…” He cut himself off. After a brief moment he spoke again. “I think we should take that vacation together for real sometime soon.”

Trini was staring at the elevator door wearily. Fox answered, “I think that’s a good idea.” Trini just nodded. When she noticed they were almost at their floor her act started again, but she tried harder. David just stared at her, obviously wanting to say something.

After Trini stepped out of the elevator she could hear David whisper to Fox, “I want to know what happened. She looked completely…” He sighed. “She’s far from okay, isn’t she?”

“Very far from okay. I’ll talk later, but I want to drop these bags off and take a shower.” Fox answered quickly.

Trini had to tell Fox a few times that it was okay for her to go spend some time talking with David. She could handle being alone for a while. She didn’t feel as fragile as Fox seemed to think she did. She was just so emotionally exhausted she wasn’t feeling much of anything. With the stereo playing music she sat on the couch, just staring out into the night sky. She tried to draw her thoughts away from the tapes she’d just watched, away from her guilt because she’d missed the opportunity to kill those men before her and Demona had ever been captured. When she saw the flash of white wings in the distance she was up and opening the window before she even noticed she was in motion. “Delilah!” Delilah glided closer, and Trini opened the window wider to give her room to come in.

“Trini, you’re back!” Delilah sounded so happy to see her that it made Trini feel a little better. The white haired gargoyle glided through the opened window and landed in the middle of Trini’s living room. Trini hugged her, and knew that she was holding Delilah a little too tightly for it to be a casual hug. She was seeking comfort, but she couldn’t afford to do that with someone that didn’t know what was going on. As soon as that thought occurred to her Delilah spoke, “Trini? What’s wrong?”

The concern in the gargoyle’s voice pushed Trini’s emotional control almost to the point of tears, but she managed to pull away and smile weakly. “Nothing, just missed you.” She could see from the expression on Delilah’s face that her act was failing her, but the gargoyle didn’t push it. “You want to watch some TV or something?” Trini had realized shortly after Fox left, that she really didn’t want to be alone.

After they’d selected a show Delilah spoke. “Are you and Fox okay?” Trini was startled for a moment, wondering if Delilah knew what was going on. After a moment of thought she realized that Delilah thought she and Fox had a fight or something.

“She’s a great mate. I love her.” Trini’s smile wasn’t fake this time. “I am so lucky to have her.”

Delilah’s wings caped as she studied Trini carefully, “Well, then what is it?”

With a sigh Trini tried to brush the question off. “Just a lot of stress, what with my season being off and all.”

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that.” Delilah blushed, and Trini was upset to find herself blushing as she remembered seeing and hearing her friend masturbating on her bed.

“What do you want to know?” Trini did her best to sound casual.

“Well, ever since you’ve gone into season, the clan’s been talking about the Breeder’s moon, and all of that.” Delilah turned to face Trini on the couch, with a very serious expression on her face. “Did you even know about that?”

“I knew. I just didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to rush you into finding a mate.” Trini looked down at her hands and started to play with her rings. “Demona told me about the Breeder’s moon when she captured me.” She decided to try and help Delilah. “I don’t know if everything is true… but she said that when you mate with a male gargoyle… he…” Trini’s blush was very intense, “his penis grows, making it so that the couple isn’t able to pull away. I don’t know how long that lasts.” She looked up at Delilah after she’d said that. She’d finally found a way to warn her friend. “If you and Lex ever have sex… you should be prepared for that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Delilah asked slowly. Trini had to think quickly, because the truth is she didn’t know this before, but she didn’t want Delilah to know she was seeing Demona on a regular basis.

“I didn’t want to scare you. I…” Trini ran her hand through her hair, “I haven’t told anyone about what all Demona and I talked about during that time.” She looked straight into her friend’s concerned eyes, “I don’t want to compromise you anymore than I have. I have you lying to the clan about me already.”

Delilah reached out and caressed Trini’s hair briefly, “I already told you that I can keep your secrets. As long as no one gets hurt, I can do that.” Delilah smiled like the thought of Trini really hurting someone was ridiculous. Trini had to force herself not to grimace. Delilah’s criteria for keeping a secret were nothing illegal and no one gets hurt. Trini had done both of those things this weekend.

They dropped it once Delilah saw that Trini didn’t want to talk. Trini had got them both some juice to drink while they watched the show. She was about to take a drink when the knock on her window startled her, causing Trini to spill a good amount of orange juice on her shirt. “Shit!” It was cold. She turned to look out the window at a very sheepish looking Lex. “I’m going to go change.” Trini got up and left while Delilah went to talk with Lex. She was able to overhear what was being said, because she didn’t close her bedroom door all the way. She wanted to know how much trouble Delilah was dealing with to be around her.

“So, you didn’t tell me you’d be visiting Trini tonight.” There was a hint of tension in Lex’s voice.

“I wasn’t planning to… but something’s bothering her. I’m sorry, but I can’t go out tonight.” Delilah spoke softly, as if afraid that Trini would overhear her. Trini suddenly realized that Delilah was canceling a date for her. “She needs me.”

“Oh… okay.” Lex sounded really disappointed. Trini moved to the closet and found something she could wear. She’d eavesdropped enough. She had the shirt on before she noticed it was dirty too. She sighed as she took that off and turned to walk back into the closet topless, since her bra had gotten wet as well.

“Trini, I…” Delilah’s voice at the closet door startled Trini, making her jump and turn to try and keep her back out of sight. Unfortunately this left her facing Delilah with her breasts exposed. The blush started to cover Trini’s skin as she saw Delilah staring at her. Trini quickly reached out and grabbed a shirt, holding it in front of her.

“What?” Trini squeaked out, fully conscious of the fact that Delilah’s shocked stare was lasting too long.

“Trini… what was on your back?” Delilah’s voice was a little deeper, making her sound more like Elisa than she normally did. When Delilah took a step closer, Trini backed up into the clothes.

“Nothing, there’s nothing there.” Trini’s heart was pounding too quickly for the situation she found herself in. “Go back to the living room, I’ll be there after I’m dressed.”

The look of determination on Delilah’s face made Trini swallow hard. “I want to see your back.”

The secret was out, she just needed to explain it. “At least let me put on a bra or something… I’m practically naked!” Trini pleaded as she held up the shirt to cover her breasts. The shirt was barely large enough to use like that, because in Trini’s bad luck she’d grabbed her only half shirt, the one Fox had bought for her when she met the clan.

“Okay…” Delilah looked at Trini very seriously, “I’ll be in the bedroom.” When the gargoyle turned and left Trini’s body sagged. She could refuse to show her, but that might just make it worse. With a heavy sigh Trini pulled out a bra from the drawers and put it on.

Delilah was sitting stiffly on the bed waiting for her when Trini opened the closet door. Trini carried a shirt with her to put on afterwards, and was wearing her black cargo pants and a white lacey bra. It was a little too sexy to show her friend, but it didn’t cover up what she needed to show Delilah, so she wouldn’t have to remove it. “I didn’t want you to think I was a freak.” Trini noticed her breathing was becoming labored as she neared tears. She’d caressed Delilah’s wings, maybe the gargoyle would think that was sick after she realized where Trini’s fascination with wings came from. Trini moved to sit on the bed facing Delilah, rather than letting her see the scars right away. She held the shirt to cover her bra. “My mother… made me get an operation when I was little. They removed my wings so I’d look human.” The shock, concern, disbelief… were all easy to see in her friends face. Trini felt tears falling down her face as she waited for Delilah to move, or say something.

Delilah put a hand over her mouth as tears started to fall down the gargoyle’s face. “Oh My God… Trini.” Delilah’s voice cracked with her tears. Suddenly Trini found herself being pulled into Delilah’s arms. “That’s horrible… that’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” Delilah was rocking back and forth with Trini in her arms. Trini just allowed Delilah to hold her until the gargoyle was ready to let go.

Delilah pulled back after a few minutes and brushed the hair out of Trini’s face. “Can I see?” Trini thought it was pretty morbid of these gargoyles. Demona had wanted to see when she heard about it to. Trini just turned so that her back was facing Delilah. “Oh…” She could hear the sight upset her friend, Delilah didn’t even try to hide it. Trini knew the scars weren’t ugly, but just the fact that they were there instead of wings was hideous.

She felt Delilah’s tentative touch and her eyes widened, “Uh.. don’t touch. That’s a sexual spot on me even though the wings are gone.”

“That’s how you knew about that. That’s why you were able to tell me about that erroneous zone.” Delilah was piecing things together.

Trini smiled weakly, “That’s erogenous not erroneous.” Trini took a deep breath. “Can I get dressed yet?”

“Just a second.” Delilah said absently, and Trini could feel her moving to get a better look. Trini was disgusted with the slight sexual tingle that caused. Neither of them noticed the gargoyle glide up to the window and latch onto the wall to look in. “Can I touch? Just a little?”

Trini’s eyes widened at that question, with a blush covering her face. “What?! No!”

“Okay.” Delilah’s voice was filled with… disappointment? Maybe it was time for another anti-pheromone spell. When the gargoyle wrapped her arms around Trini’s naked waist and pulled her closer into a hug. “I love you. This doesn’t change anything, I don’t think you’re a freak.” Angry red glowing eyes glared in at them before Angela pushed off of the building.

Trini was tense for the rest of the movie, very aware of the way the gargoyle was trying to sit close to her. Delilah was a beautiful female… but Trini didn’t want that type of relationship with her. When Fox came in Delilah left. Trini sagged in relief once she was gone, and Fox started to look concerned. “We need to call Blue. Delilah needs another spell.” Trini got up and started to head into the bedroom. “She saw my scars. I had to tell her.”

“How did that go?” Fox followed her in to get ready for sleep.

“She asked to touch my scars twice.” Trini sighed heavily. “These pheromones are a pain in the ass.”

Fox grinned at her, “Well, that’s not exactly where I feel it… but it’s in the ballpark.”

Trini woke up and pulled the redhead closer, “It’s okay.” She said automatically before her eyes widened and she completely woke up. It was Fox! Fox was having a really bad nightmare! It took her a moment to get over her shock before she tried what always worked with Domi. “We’re all safe. It’s okay. I love you.” Instead of lulling Fox back to sleep like it did with Domi, Fox woke up with wide frightened eyes and a gasp. Trini spoke a bit louder, since she didn’t need to worry about waking her. “Fox… baby are you okay?”

Fox’s eyes began to search Trini frantically, “Trini, are you okay?!” Fox pulled her closer and began to cry. Trini held her lover gently and let her cry. She could wait for an explanation. It took a while. Trini wasn’t used to seeing Fox cry like this.

“I… I never saw a rape before.” Fox’s voice sounded raw as she attempted to explain. “I didn’t know how… vicious. The thought that those monsters touched you…” Fox’s voice cracked. “That they touched her like that…” Fox’s voice became like steel. “The ones you killed in Canada died too quickly.” Trini pulled back to look into Fox’s face. Something didn’t sound right. “I took the tape of her rape home so she wouldn’t have to watch it. I just…” Fox paused, “She’s got to be the strongest woman alive. I wouldn’t be able to deal with it half as well.”

Trini almost asked what happened, but Domi didn’t want her to know. “She’s not going to be happy you took it out of her house.”

“She knows. I already destroyed it, so no one else will ever see that.” Fox took a deep breath. “Oh God… Trini, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t make you take care of me.”

Trini smiled weakly, “Why not? Seems more than fair. I know how hard it is to watch something like that. I know how hard it is to watch someone you care about suffer with nightmares. I think I’m more than qualified to comfort you.” They took a while to fall back to sleep. Later that night Fox managed to stop Trini’s nightmare before it got bad, the way that Trini did to Domi, by speaking softly and holding her close.

Trini woke up before Fox and stared up at the ceiling feeling pretty depressed. Now all three of them were having nightmares about Domi’s rape. This was not progress! The clock read a little after noon. She glanced over at Fox. Good thing her lover didn’t have a job, because Trini would have gotten her fired from it by now with the lousy hours she was making Fox live. Trini crawled out of bed quietly and went to take a shower.

Fox was awake by the time Trini got out. “Demona can come by after work to do that spell. She would have dropped work and come right at the moment that I told her Delilah was hitting on you again, but I told her it could wait.” Fox smiled a little, “It seems like she doesn’t want to risk you finding another gargoyle.”

“She’s a bit on the jealous side.” Trini started to brush her wet hair. “I told her she’s my gargoyle, but she still worries.”

Fox’s face became tender, “I know why. She told me that you were the best thing to happen to her in over a thousand years. I can believe it, you are amazing.”

Trini was warmed to hear that Demona and Fox thought so much of her. “When did you two have this little chat?”

“We talked to kill time in the back of that truck.” Fox looked down a little, “She’s very… different now that she isn’t trying to kill me. She even told me that she had no plans to do that, because I was necessary.” Fox laughed, that was an odd way to describe Fox. When Fox looked back up she was more serious. “She wants to keep you nearby, and sees me as the only person that can keep you out of Avalon.”

Trini smiled softly, “I’d consider you necessary, but not in the same way. I love you so much, I can’t imagine being without you.” She pulled Fox into a hug and just held her for a while.

Trini was writing when the door to her apartment opened. “So it’s true. You really are back to writing.” Domi’s voice surprised Trini. She had no idea it had gotten that late. She turned to see Domi wearing her trademark red dress suit. She really needed to take her shopping, it didn’t do anything for her. Trini quickly started to close it down, because she didn’t want anyone to see this story.

“I didn’t know it was so late. I’m sorry.” Trini quickly fell into her personal assistant role without realizing it.

“Relax.” Domi smiled at Trini and moved behind her seat. Trini was a little surprised at the shoulder rub she received. “I gave you the day off.” Trini moaned lightly at the much needed massage. “The spells all done, I just didn’t want to leave without saying hello.” Trini turned, effectively ended the massage, which was not what she wanted to do, but she needed to see how Domi was doing.

“Are you okay?” Trini said softly while standing up.

Domi’s lips thinned briefly, “Not yet… but I will be. Their deaths weren’t really as satisfying as I’d hoped.” Domi started to caress Trini’s hair. It was like the redhead couldn’t stand to not be touching her. A sadness crossed her face, “I saw the tape of your rape.”

“I know.” Trini said quietly. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Domi laughed, but it was bitter, “Sorry… Trini, you let them do that to protect me.” Trini could see tears in Domi’s eyes, “didn’t you. You let them rape you rather than running because they had me.”

Trini’s voice was shaky, “I didn’t want them to touch you.”

“You hardly knew me then.” Domi stared into Trini’s eyes intently.

Trini had to think about that. “I just couldn’t… Maybe I was already falling in love.”

“Oh Trini.” Domi reached out and hugged Trini tightly. Trini wrapped her arms around her as well. “I… I love you… but please don’t let anyone use me to hold you like that again.” Trini didn’t answer, because she couldn’t make a promise like that. “I need to go home and get some work done so I have nothing but free time tomorrow.” Domi pulled back and smiled at Trini. “Bring whatever you want over.” Domi paused. “Sunday we are going out to buy you a car. You can’t rely on cabs like you’ve been doing.”

Trini stared at Domi, “You don’t have to buy me one. I was planning on getting one soon.”

Domi’s expression was a little condescending, “You’d just buy something like that car you had before. You need a car that I don’t worry about breaking down at a bad time.” The expression softened before Trini had a chance to get mad. “I don’t want Fox to be the only one to buy you things. I have just as much money.”

Trini could see a hint of insecurity. This sharing of a mate is really throwing Domi. “I’m not with either of you for the money. These gifts make me feel like a whore. I’m trying to get Fox to stop.”

Domi’s eyes came back to Trini sharply, “You are not a whore!” Domi snapped at her. Trini’s eyes widened a little at the display. It dawned on her then that Domi was remembering the things those men had called Trini from the tape. Domi’s expression softened again, “Honey, I love you and just want to buy this for you. You could use it for work. It’s a gift, not a fee for services. Besides, it would look odd if Gregory brought you in to work every other day, people might talk.”

Trini could understand that. No one could miss that Domi and her had a relationship if she came from the CEO’s house all the time. They might lose respect for Trini, assuming she was just there to take care of Domi’s personal needs. “Okay.” Trini conceded quietly. Once it was decided, she was a little excited to see what she would end up with. It wouldn’t be hard to find a car better than her old one.

Domi’s smile was beautiful. “Good. You can start researching what type of car you might like, so that we are ready to go on Sunday.” Domi seemed to be angling for the door. “I need to get going.”

“See you tomorrow.” Trini walked Domi to the elevator, but they kept their talk relatively impersonal. Domi knew that David had cameras.

After dinner Fox and Alexander went for another magic lesson. Trini hadn’t seen the Weird sisters last night, so she hadn’t had the chance to ask about that yet. David stayed seated for a moment studying Trini. “Shall we do some more dance lessons?” His voice was a bit more serious than normal.

“Okay.” Trini finished up her juice and they left to go to the gym.

They had only danced one song before David decided he’d rather talk. “Trini… are you okay?” He sounded very concerned.

“Did Fox tell you what happened?” Trini found herself studying his feet while they danced. He stopped moving.

“She told me you all managed to kill them, and that Demona got a little brutal about it.” David was studying Trini carefully. “She also said that there were tapes. That these men raped women regularly.”

Trini rubbed her forehead, “They taped my rape. I didn’t see that one… and it won’t be sent to the police. We’re sending the others to Elisa anonymously. It’s pretty clear from the tapes that they are Quarrymen.” They still weren’t telling David about Domi’s rape, or the fact that Fox had to watch it last night. “Hopefully Elisa can make something stick on Castaway.”

David growled, “If she can’t I’ll have a scandal created for him. I think Fox is right, he needs to lose his influence before he goes down.” Trini could see how protective David was getting. “That bastard knew what his men were doing and did nothing!” David pulled Trini into loose and slightly awkward hug. “I… care about you. You are a part of my family… in a weird sort of way.” He let her go. “I’m working with Fox on taking the Quarrymen funding away. I think it’s going well, they should start to feel it soon, as their financial backers pull away.”

“Thanks.” Trini said softly. She had no idea what else to say. He smiled at her softly and resumed dancing.

They were so involved in the music and dancing that they didn’t hear someone come in. Trini noticed her as she spun around, the red coat caught her eye. She continued to dance as if she didn’t notice so she could study the expression on the detective’s face covertly. Elisa looked suspicious, and was glaring at David’s back, obviously wishing him harm. Trini could see that even though she’d told Elisa she wasn’t sleeping with David, the detective didn’t quite believe it. “We’ve got company.” David stopped dancing and turned to face Elisa. When Elisa realized that she’d been noticed she walked out to them.

“Xanatos, I came to talk with Trini.” Elisa said in her authoritative detective voice, basically ordering him to leave them alone. This was his home, Trini almost chuckled at Elisa’s nerve.

Once they were alone, Elisa turned angry eyes to Trini. “What is with you and Xanatos?!”

Trini stood more stiffly, angry at this accusation coming out again. “Nothing. He’s a friend. Elisa… why don’t you believe me? You know I’m gay!”

Elisa looked a little ashamed of herself, and properly so in Trini’s opinion. “You two just look so intimate. The hugs… and now the dancing.”

Trini sighed, “We share a lover. There is… a strange sort of intimacy that goes with that, but David and I… aren’t together.” Trini motioned to the dance floor, “Dancing is just something we can… it’s so weird… we have next to nothing in common, but it’s just easier on Fox if we develop some sort of relationship, a friendship.” This was so hard to vocalize, because Trini had never analyzed what it was they were doing. Is this what Fox and Domi were doing for her? Becoming more like friends to spare Trini the pain of their animosity? Trini then thought about her antagonistic relationship with Goliath, and how even though Elisa wasn’t her lover anymore it hurt her. But there was nothing there for her to work with… Goliath was hateful, self-important, and he scared her. Trini spoke more softly. “I’m learning to dance. I’ve gotten better, do you want to?”

Elisa looked a little flustered at the offer, but she recovered herself quickly, “I just came to talk to you about Goliath.”

“Why?” Trini didn’t like talking about him at all.

“He heard that you have a girlfriend. He wants to apologize… and I just thought that…” Elisa’s eyes became pleading, “Please, just give him a chance. He isn’t normally like this. He is a good guy, you just seem to bring out the worst in him, and it isn’t your fault. I don’t know what it is… it’s not like he even knows about us.”

Trini studied Elisa’s face. Being placed between her and Goliath had to be wearing her down. Trini spoke softly, “I don’t like him, but I’ll do it for you.”

“Well… good, thank you.” Elisa spoke tenderly. It was strange that Trini was in love with one woman from each race… something she hadn’t really noticed before. Elisa added a little awkwardly, “Well, I need to go. I’m stopping by to say hi to the clan before I go to work.”

Trini smiled at her, “Well, go then. I’ll see you later.” After Elisa left, Trini was alone in the gym. She decided to just go back to her apartment.

Fox was spending some quality time with David, which left Trini alone in her room. She sighed as she turned on her computer and checked her email. Delilah had emailed her, asking her why she didn’t come up to visit, and bring her the latest Entertainment Weekly magazine she’d seen on the coffee table. Great email requests for room service. Demona had done the spell on Angela and the others, so she didn’t need to worry about showering the pheromones away anymore.

The library, where all these gargoyles tend to congregate, had just a few tonight. Goliath was thankfully not one of them. Angela, Delilah, and Brooklyn. Well, it could be worse, Trini thought to herself as she playfully motioned for Angela, who had noticed her to not make any noise. She didn’t notice the glare Angela sent her way as she attempted to sneak up on Delilah, who was busy reading her email. “HI!” Trini said loudly, when she was right behind her friend, and Delilah spun around in surprise. “Gee… beg me to visit and then almost clobber me.” Trini grinned to show she was joking.

“Why did you do that?” Delilah seemed truly puzzled. Trini guessed that no one had played that particularly sadistic game with her before.

“I wanted to scare you.” Trini smirked, “I’d say I did.” Trini set the magazine down on the table. “Your magazine milady.” Trini gave mock bow.

Delilah shook her head, as if Trini were just a bit off balance, and smiled. Neither of them noticed Angela’s red glare as the lavender female watched them. “I was planning to work for a few hours before I went to bed. I’ll see you later.” Trini still felt a little awkward around Delilah because of the gargoyle’s behavior the night before. She knew the spell would have taken care of it, but… She also noticed that Delilah’s eyes traveled to her back once in a while.

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” Delilah sounded a little disappointed.

Trini had been working on her new novel for over an hour before someone knocked on her door. She closed the novel again and went to answer it. Angela was standing stiffly in the doorway. “Can I come in?” Her voice sounded just as stiff and upset as her body looked. Trini raised her eyebrows at Demona’s daughter and stood aside to give her room to enter.

“Want something to drink?” Trini offered as they walked past her wet bar.

“No.” Angela turned to look at Trini with slightly red tinged eyes. “I know what you’re doing… I thought I was wrong about you, but you are a slut!” Trini was stunned into speechlessness. Where the hell was this coming from?! “I saw you having sex with Fox. Right under Xanatos’ nose… you are living on the edge. And what about this mate you claim to love so much?!” Angela growled, “And I saw you half naked with Delilah last night!” The gargoyle’s eyes were burning bright now. “Lex is a good male… he doesn’t deserve this. Hell, even Xanatos doesn’t deserve this!”

The sound of the door opening drew both of their attention. Fox came in and the smile slowly left her lips as she noticed the confrontational pose of the gargoyle. Angela glared at Fox and marched out of the room. “I can’t believe you!” She yelled back as she slammed the door behind her on the way out.

“What was that?” Fox said while glancing back at the door.

“Trouble.” Trini said flatly. Would it be so much to ask for just a few days without this constant drama of her life? “Angela saw us and thinks we are having an affair. She also thinks something is going on between me and Delilah.” Trini’s lips quirked, “I wonder how she’d respond to finding out I’m practically her stepmother.” That slightly humorous thought lifted her spirits for a moment, but they went back down. “This is going to get out. I can… explain away Delilah, but I… they’ll be watching us. I don’t want to have to stay away from you.”

“No.” Fox’s eyes became like steel, “We’ll deal with this straight on. We are together, and I’m sick of hiding it!”

Day 2 – Tuesday – July 29^th

Trini emailed Delilah, that gargoyle was going to have to act as her spy. She told her what Angela thought, and she wanted to know if Angela was talking. She waited tensely to see if Delilah was still using her email. After five minutes she got a reply. Delilah noticed Angela was angry, and had asked when her father was due to return. Delilah was guessing that Angela was planning to talk. The white haired gargoyle didn’t say anything about the accusations that Angela made about her and Trini being together, but Trini was guessing that bothered her. Trini had felt bad about having to tell Delilah about that, but she didn’t want that accusation to come as a shock. When it became apparent that Angela was content to wait Delilah sent another email, telling Trini that they could relax until Goliath got home.

Fox had been reading over her shoulder as she did this. “I’ll have Owen call us when he looks like he’s on his way back. I’ll warn David that this is happening tonight as well.”

Trini sighed unhappily, “Is it too much to ask for some time without some sort of catastrophe?” Trini slumped down in her computer chair. Fox’s expression became a little concerned, but Trini didn’t see it. “The whole summers been… just so hard.”

“Do you want me to just talk to Angela, and try to talk her into keeping this to herself?” Fox said quietly. Trini knew that wasn’t what Fox wanted. Fox wanted to be acknowledged; she wanted it clear that those gargoyles should leave her female mate alone.

“No. This needs to be done.” Trini straightened up in her chair a little and turned to face Fox. She gave the redhead a weak smile. “At least we won’t have to hide it anymore. I can hold your hand when I want to.”

Fox reached out a hand and Trini took it. Trini stared at the hand for a moment. Fox’s wedding ring was on it. The ring was simple and elegant, not at all flashy even though both David and Fox had been well off financially when they got married. She then looked up into Fox’s eyes. “I want you to know that if I could marry you, I would.” Trini said, her voice a little deeper as she stared into Fox’s slightly startled eyes. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life.” Trini felt a twinge of pain at the thought that her life was bound to be longer than Fox’s.

Fox’s eyes became glassy and she pulled on Trini’s hand to encourage her to get up. Fox wrapped her arms around Trini tightly. “I… Oh God, Trini, I wish that marriage was possible, because I would… but I know we’ll stay together.” Fox pulled back to look into Trini’s now glassy eyes, “You are a part of me… we share a bond more powerful than marriage.” Trini leaned forward to kiss Fox gently, tenderly. With her hands wrapped around Fox, Trini didn’t see one of her triple rings glow gently for a moment, before fading. One of the rings had broken off from the other two, on her right hand.

The phone ringing made Trini jump a little. Fox answered it, Goliath was on the way back and should be at the castle in ten minutes. Fox then called David to inform him. Fox and Trini left the apartment and headed for the library. “Trini, no matter what they say, you know this is really love.” Fox said just outside the library doors.

Trini smiled softly at Fox. “Of course.” Trini lost her smile, “I’m sorry that this is such a…”

“This is not your fault.” Fox told her sternly. “If that little bitch wasn’t a peeping tom we wouldn’t have to deal with this tonight.” Trini hadn’t even really thought about that. Angela had been spying on her, how much of her time with Fox did she watch?

They walked in and Trini could see the surprise on Angela’s face which quickly turned to anger. Brooklyn obviously didn’t know yet. The sound of wings came from outside and Trini knew that the patrol group was back. “Showtime.” She whispered to Fox, since Fox’s hearing wasn’t as good as hers. Louder, she addressed Angela, “Did you want to do this in the meeting room, or were you just planning to cry it out like a little child tattling on someone else?” Trini said, her anger clear. Brooklyn looked up from the TV, startled at the fact that Trini was there.

Angela’s eyes started to glow, “I was just planning on telling Father, but if the slut wants to make it a big announcement, let’s do it!”

“Angela? Trini? What’s going on?” Brooklyn looked completely lost.

Trini grinned evilly at him, “Let’s just do this once.” Trini was taking the lead in this, because the clan would be more interested in her than Fox. This wouldn’t have been a big issue if she weren’t part gargoyle.

David and Owen came in, and that gave Angela a bit of a pause. Trini could see her confusion at the apparent support David was giving her and Fox’s relationship; she had shared that confusion at one point.

The returning clan and Brooklyn were very confused when Angela informed them that a meeting was being called, but they all gathered in the room anyhow. David, Owen, and Fox sat near Trini at one head of the table. Trini started talking before Angela had the chance, “Angela was spying in my window and discovered who my lover is. While I would rather this meeting be about her spying on me while I made love to my mate in the privacy of my own bedroom… this is about who I’ve chosen as my mate.” Trini stared into Angela’s shocked eyes. Did that gargoyle think no one would notice her guilt in this?

Goliath’s deep voice was filled with angry disbelief, “Angela! What did you think you were doing?!” Trini could see the other gargoyle males eyes widen in surprise.

“I was just gliding by her room when I noticed she wasn’t alone.” Angela was sounding like a scolded child, and a large part of Trini enjoyed watching the female nervously trying to explain herself. “It was Fox!” Trini gritted her teeth through the following shocked silence for a moment before speaking.

“Yes… it was.” She spoke with more confidence then she felt. She glanced over to David in silent apology for this scene, but he just nodded in support. “Tell me Angela, how long did you just sit there watching me and Fox make love?” Trini managed to sound casual, truly uncaring of the answer. In truth it upset her a great deal that Demona’s daughter saw her having sex, and she silently prayed that she hadn’t seen very much.

Angela sneered at her, “I just saw enough to know what you two were doing. That hot tub is right next to the windows.” Trini quickly tried to remember what all they did in that hot tub, it had been a few days. Angela had sat on this information a few days, but when she thought Trini was after Delilah too she acted.

“FOX?!” Brooklyn’s voice was loud and outraged. It took him a while to be able to say that. Trini could see his eyes blazing white. She glanced around the table, and it was clear that all the gargoyles were… indeed… scandalized. Only Delilah took this calmly, because it was all old news to her. Broadway and Lex wore identical shocked expressions, with their mouths hanging open. Hudson was rubbing his eye ridges and shaking his head, giving Trini the impression he would love to be anywhere but here right now. She could understand that feeling, she wasn’t thrilled with being here either. Brooklyn’s eyes were blazing as he glared at Fox and David, while Goliath’s eyes were blazing as he stared straight at Trini, with his body held stiffly. “I can’t believe… She’s married!” Brooklyn protested loudly.

David chose this moment to speak, and as soon as Trini noticed him open his mouth she became worried about what he’d say. “It is a shame that Trini had to announce this to you, but if I have no problem with their love… this clan has no right to be upset.” His voice was clear and very calm. It was true, those actually involved in this relationship in some way were all fine with it. This clan had no right to tell her who she could have as a lover.

“This is… a bigger perversion than I really thought you capable of Trinity.” Goliath hissed at her, ignoring David’s comment completely. He got up suddenly, making Trini’s heart hammer in fear, but she was determined to not show it. “I am going out.” He was almost out the door when he turned his blazing eyes to Trini, “Does Elisa know about this… mockery of love?!”

Trini’s eyes burned bright. “You know nothing of love!” Trini almost screamed at him. Her voice came down to a dangerous growl after that. “You haven’t even warned her that you can’t breed with her have you? Male gargoyles are sexually incompatible with human women, you have to know that… and yet you let her believe that someday…”

“That is none of your business!” Goliath yelled at her, and everyone of his clan flinched.

“And this in none of yours!” Trini yelled back. She never even noticed when she had stood up to face the huge male. Fox’s hand on her arm kept her from marching over to him.

“Honey… we don’t need to brawl with the local clan.” Fox said quietly. That was when Trini glanced around the table and noticed how tense everyone was. They really thought her and Goliath were going to start a physical fight. Owen even had a hand on his tranquilizer gun.

Trini spoke wearily, “Fine, run away Goliath. Run to Elisa and tell her how horrible I am.” She stared into his burning eyes as the red faded from her own. “She’s my friend Goliath… every time you say bad things about me to her, you hurt her. I don’t care what you think about me… I gave up caring a while ago, but you need to think about what you are doing to the woman YOU claim to love.” He turned violently and left the room. Trini moved to sit back down.

Brooklyn’s glare turned to David, “I can’t believe you’d let your mate screw around with a female!”

Trini started to glare back at Brooklyn, she hadn’t expected anyone to attack David over this! “Leave David alone!”

Brooklyn started to speak louder, “If he’d been able to satisfy his wife once in a while… I’d have a mate!”

Trini’s growling filled the room and her eyes blazed red. She didn’t notice any of the watching gargoyles. “If you were the last creature on the planet… I wouldn’t touch you! And for your information… I don’t think David’s performance in bed can be questioned… but if you are so curious, maybe Fox is willing to share!” She noticed an amused cough coming from David at that. Good, at least he wasn’t insulted.

“You Fucking Bitch!” Brooklyn tried to leap over the table to her, and Trini stepped back quickly with her heart hammering as Broadway and Delilah grabbed him to keep him away from her. “You’re a Fucking Whore! How much is she paying you?!” Trini flinched a little at that. Delilah’s eyes started to burn red, and Trini could see her friend taking a more painful grip on Brooklyn. He winced in pain as Delilah’s talons cut into him as they marched him out of the room.

“I think now would be a good time to leave.” Fox said as she stood up and took Trini’s hand to pull her towards the door.

“What about Delilah?!” Angela spoke loudly. “I saw you almost naked with her!” Trini could see Lex stiffen in alarm out of the corner of her eye.

Trini spoke wearily. “She was looking at my back… I have some scars from when I was little.” She stared into Angela’s eyes, “I already told you my mother abused me.” She watched as Angela paled a little and looked a bit guilty.

“She left scars?” Angela said softly, no hint to her earlier rage.

“yes.” Trini said quietly. “Next time you have accusations, let me talk before making it a big deal.” She was grateful to see Angela nod in agreement. “I like you Angela. I hope we can get past this… I have to watch my back enough with the males around here.” Trini glanced meaningfully in the direction Broadway had taken Brooklyn. She then turned and left. Hudson and Lex had just watched the conversation, like David and Fox had.

It took Trini a while to fall asleep, because Brooklyn lunging at her like that had really scared her, even though she’d managed to hide that. Her nightmares quickly took shape once she’d finally fallen asleep. This time it was Brooklyn calling her a whore while forcing her to perform oral sex by holding her firmly to him. He also held a gun on Fox.

“Trinity child! Blast him, just blast him!” The triple voices urged. Trini was having trouble breathing. She tried to push him away… she hated her family seeing her like this! Finally one of the sisters blasted him for her. She fell coughing to her hands and knees and taking in as much air as she could.

Fox was by her side instantly. “Trini… oh god… This is what you dream?” Trini looked up in shock. Was it really Fox?

“We saw you wanted Fox to come with you. We brought her along.” The triple voices answered. Trini turned her face back down to the ground in shame, because Fox had seen that dream as well. She sighed heavily as Fox helped her to her feet.

“Trini? Honey?” Fox was trying to get Trini to look up at her, but Trini kept her eyes firmly to the ground. Fox finally lifted Trini’s head up by putting her hand under Trini’s chin. Trini could see out of the corner of her eye that the Weird Sisters were just watching them. “Honey… I love you. We will learn how to fight these dreams.”

“That might actually be a good idea.” Selene spoke without her sisters. “We could use the dreams for target practice. You… can’t control those magic blasts. Neither one of you can call them up on purpose.”

Phoebe started to talk as soon as Selene finished. “Now that we have Fox we can also start to work on teaching you more about your bond.”

Luna looked right at Fox, and Trini could feel her lover tense up under the white haired woman’s gaze. “Queen Titania is basically stalling Lord Oberon for us now. He will want to see evidence that you two can use this bond, he will want to see evidence of magic ability, but he thinks he has the fact that Puck is a poor teacher for bonded Fey in his favor. He doesn’t realize that Trinity is of our blood.”

Selene stepped forward, looking at Fox intensely. “Fox…” Selene smiled. “Welcome to your true heritage. You will find magic easier to do once you have Trini backing you up.”

Fox looked between the three sisters. They were all being themselves, not doing the triple voice and moving as one. Trini suspected it was to put Fox at ease. As soon as that thought crossed her mind Luna looked at her and winked. “You mean Oberon wants Trini to fail?” Fox said a little loudly.

Selene sighed, “We think he does. He likes to have a lot of influence with bonded Fey, because… well, we are more powerful and very rare.”

“He wasn’t very pleased to find out that you are a bonded Fey. He’d already granted you immunity to the whole stuck on this prison of an island.” Phoebe addressed Fox. “He incorrectly assumed when he met you that your magic was very minor, that you’d inherited little of your mother’s power. You have considerable magic, you just don’t know how to access it.” Trini was very pleased with how the Weird Sisters were treating Fox. The redhead’s magic was a sensitive subject for her, and they were obviously able to understand that. “Would you like to train with Trini? You two really should, because most of the spells you do will need to be done together.”

“I don’t know…” Fox looked very suspicious.

“Fox… I think you should take them up on this offer.” Another voice startled Trini. She turned to see a light green Fey woman in a red and gold outfit that left her midriff bare. Her voice sounded very familiar. “There aren’t a lot of Fey capable of training you in this bond you share with Trini.” Trini was watching the green woman intently. She didn’t know that Fey came in different colors like gargoyles. The new Fey started to laugh and she glanced over to Trini with a smile. Damn, she must be able to read my mind too, Trini thought as a blush covered her cheeks.

“Trini… this is my mother.” Fox spoke a little tensely as she reintroduced her. Trini’s eyes widened in shock, this woman looked nothing like Anastasia!

“Magic can be used to disguise or to transform.” Selene whispered to Trini as Fox walked up to her own mother.

“Can I learn to do that?” Trini was thinking about how it would be nice to not have to tape her ears back anymore. With her new job she had to do it every weekday now.

“It’s a more advanced spell. We’d have to work up to it. It will take time.” Selene moved closer, to touch Trini. Trini turned to look at the dark haired sister. “Trinity… just because I specialize in vengeance doesn’t mean you will, or that you should even try. I will be proud of you regardless.” She paused, “Not all Fey have a specialization.” Selene smiled tenderly, and Trini could see how beautiful she was. “Thank you, but you don’t even see your own beauty. You are of my blood.”

“Why do you say it that way?” Trini had bad images of blood, from the torture session she’d broken up.

“See… that is exactly why you don’t belong in the vengeance business. Those monsters deserved everything Demona did to them and more.” Selene hissed quietly.

Fox and her mother walking up effectively ended that conversation. Trini noticed she was more comfortable around Fox’s mother in this form… and it made her worry about her own mental stability that she was more afraid of a human version of this powerful Fey. Maybe it was just the green skin.

Titania looked very somber, “I am so sorry to hear about what happened.” She told Trini softly. Trini just nodded to that, she never really knew what to say when people told her that. She looked at Fox’s mom… she didn’t look much older than Fox. Do these Fey age at all? Titania gave a slight smile. “No, we age up until a certain point and then we stop.” Fox looked at Trini and her mother with a little confusion. Trini forgot to tell Fox about the mind reading that happens in these dreams. Thankfully Fox’s mom took it upon herself to deal with it. “Fox… this is a dream visit. We are all in Trini’s mind so we can read her thoughts. You were pulled into her mind as well, but you would need more training to do that.”

“Not that much more, since you are bond mates.” Phoebe interrupted with a friendly smile.

Titania got a far away look on her face for a moment. “I need to get back.” She turned to look at Fox, “I wish I could stay longer.” Trini could see that there were a lot of unresolved issues between Fox and her mother, but Titania was really trying.

Once Titania was gone they started to work with the Weird Sisters on some basic location games, since that was what Trini could have really used when Fox was captured. It was like hide and go seek with magic. A forest appeared in the dream to make it possible, because the meadow wasn’t a good location. After a few rounds Trini could see that Fox was relying on her other skills, not her magic. She turned to Luna, who was accompanying her while she hid. “I need to go up, she’ll have a harder time then.” Trini looked up the trees. She could try and have Luna hang on to her back, but she didn’t want to risk falling and hurting the Fey.

Luna’s amused voice brought Trini’s attention back to her, “Trini, this is a dream realm… and I am a fey. A fall like that wouldn’t hurt me even in the real world… where do you think you get your immortality from?” She then started to float up in the air. Trini’s eyes widened to see that the Fey could fly. Trini then leapt up and started to climb the tree, with Luna floating along beside her. Once Trini had a good location she leaned against the tree trunk and waited.

“Hide and seek?” Trini thought it was odd that the Fey would use that in training, just like Demona had.

“We use it because Demona did. It’s something you are familiar with.” Luna explained. Trini was getting used to her… great aunt?… hovering there.

Luna’s voice became more serious, “Your relation to Phoebe and I is… complicated.” There was a pause. “We all are… very different from the other Fey. Some other Fey have bonds, like you and Fox. Our bond is… similar, but not the same.” Trini turned to look Luna in the face. She doubted the white haired fey talked this plainly very often, and she didn’t want to miss the chance to get to know her. She was the hardest one to get to know. Luna smiled mischievously, “And that is all I will tell you. That way I can stay the mysterious one.” Trini growled playfully at her. When she felt the tug on her magic she sat further back and waited. Fox was nearby, which showed that she was using her magic for once, since Trini had traveled by tree to get here, therefore leaving no tracks for her lover to follow.

They woke up when Trini’s alarm clock went off. Fox reached over with a grin and touched Trini, “Tag… your it.” Fox’s voice was still a little sleepy sounding.

“Good, then it was really you.” Trini turned to lay on her side. She studied Fox intensely while licking her lips. “I set the alarm a little early so I could write.” She stared hungrily at Fox.

“Maybe you could write another time.” Fox’s voice was becoming a little breathless as she leaned closer and started to kiss Trini.

Trini had to rush to get ready for work. She and Fox had stayed in bed a little too long. Trini grinned at that memory as she grabbed her briefcase and started to head out the door. “Trini, wait…” Fox’s voice stopped her. She turned to see Fox holding up a large manila folder. “Give this to Demona and don’t look at it.” Fox smiled at her. “I trust you can do that for me?”

Trini was extremely curious about what Fox would be giving to Domi, but she just nodded and set her briefcase down to open it up. The folder went in and she closed it up again. “I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow after work.” This still felt a little odd, having two homes. This would take some getting used to for all of them.

Fox smiled fondly, “Have fun.” Trini had the feeling that Fox really meant it. Fox was actually okay with this now, not just pretending.

When Trini walked into the office Domi’s door was closed and she was in a meeting. Eventually Trini was going to be invited to those, but with the pheromones, Domi felt more comfortable keeping Trini away from most people. There were a handful of humans that Trini suspected were affected by her being in season, and she’d hate for someone to lose their job for hitting on her and being caught by Domi. Trini had no doubt Domi would toss just about any of her employees out for that. That was why Trini didn’t argue with her about being partially confined to her office for now.

Trini had time to start up her computer and pull out the files she needed before Lori came into her office with some mail. “You’re already getting mail.” Lori set it down on Trini’s desk without smiling.

“Tell me as soon as Ms. Destine is available.” Trini said absently while picking up the small stack of mail. Lori nodded and left. Trini watched her. She had the feeling that Lori didn’t like the fact that Trini was younger, just got hired, and was now her boss. It was kind of ridiculous, considering that Lori hadn’t been with the company a month yet. Well, as long as the receptionist didn’t screw up and didn’t make her animosity too obvious Trini would keep her. She wasn’t ready to start looking for a new receptionist yet. Oh, she planned to fire or relocate Lori eventually, just not yet.

Less than an hour later Lori popped her head in, “Ms. Destine has a few minutes now.” Trini grabbed that file Fox wanted her to give to Domi and moved quickly to deliver it and be rid of the temptation to look. It was odd to have her two lovers keeping a secret from her, but… as long as they were getting along and had something in common, Trini wasn’t going to mess with it.

As soon as she closed the door behind her Domi’s stern expression changed to a smile. “Fox gave me a file to give to you.” Trini smiled and delivered it with a flourish.

Domi’s eyebrows rose and she opened it up. As soon as it was opened Domi looked up at Trini, “You didn’t look at this, did you?”

“No, she told me not to.” Trini became a little concerned, “Why?”

“Well then I guess you can have this note.” Domi smirked and pulled one sheet of paper out of the file to hand to Trini. Trini read Fox’s neat handwriting and started to blush

Trini,

If you are reading this… or any of this file, I will cut you off for a week!

Love Fox.

“I’m assuming she means no sex?” Domi’s smirk grew.

“This doesn’t count!” Trini tried not to grin. “You tricked me!”

“Oh, Poor Trini is going to be so frustrated.” Domi taunted her teasingly.

Trini leaned down on the desk and stared at Domi intently, with a seductive look on her face. Her voice was deeper, “You will call Fox and let her know I was a good little girl or you will be the one cut off for a week.” Trini smiled evilly. Of course, it would be hard to cut Domi off, since they’d never had sex… but she was just teasing.

Domi’s grin widened, “Oh, is that how it’s going to be?” The executive’s voice was a little deeper as well. “But that would leave you all on your own for a week, with no one to pleasure you.” Trini loved the extremely sexy way Domi said pleasure.

The knock on the door startled them both. Trini straightened up and lost the seductive air about her. Domi became sterner and moved more stiffly. “We’ll continue this later.” Domi said in a business-like voice. She smiled for a moment, “I’ll call Fox later.”

Trini smiled back, “Thanks. I’ll get back to work.” Trini opened the door and left before Lori entered.

It was five thirty before Domi came into Trini’s office. “I’m sorry I just wanted to finish everything up so I didn’t have to bring anything home.” Domi said as she sat down in one of Trini’s chairs. Trini shut off her computer and locked up her files.

“That’s fine. I can always just work until you are ready to go.” Trini pulled her purse out of her desk and stood up.

They had Gregory take them home. She started to play with her rings, and was shocked to notice that the one on her right hand was broken. It was a Fey ring, she shouldn’t have been able to break it. She tried to pull the single band off, but it wouldn’t come off. She looked harder at it and the gold band had started to change colors… it was becoming… red? Trini just blinked at it trying to understand what that was about. She noticed Domi set her report down, so she stopped playing with the rings, because they made Domi uncomfortable. She still didn’t trust that the Weird Sisters weren’t up to something. She’d just have to ask them about it next time she saw them.

After dinner they sat in the living room for a while, with the TV on, but it wasn’t being watched. “I believe we were interrupted.” Domi said seductively as she started to caress Trini’s tail.

Domi stopped the caress and got up to turn the TV off and the stereo on. The seductive smile she gave Trini as she started a slow seductive CD made Trini’s heart beat faster. The redhead was currently wearing jeans and a button up shirt, that she made a show of unbuttoning the top few buttons, to show off her cleavage. Domi straddled her legs on the couch and looked down at her, with a seductive and slightly vulnerable expression. “I love you.” She said breathlessly and leaned down to start kissing Trini. The touch of Domi’s lips was gentle, teasing. When Domi started to kiss more passionately Trini pushed up, trying to increase the contact while moaning. Kissing Domi was so sensual, so seductive. Her light teasing was driving Trini mad with want. Domi pulled away and started to kiss Trini’s neck before whispering in her ear. “I can’t… not just yet, but you just feel so good.”

“I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give.” Trini said breathless. She was disappointed when Domi pulled away, but the gargoyle turned human stared down at her with so much love.

Domi said softly. “I love you so much.” Trini could see Domi’s eyes getting glassy, as she reached down and caressed Trini’s hair, “I… I haven’t had a lover in a few years, and I’ve never had a female lover.” Domi started to blush. Trini pulled her down to kiss her again.

Domi pulled back from the exquisite torture of these kisses. They were both looking flush. “It’s almost sunset, I need to change.” Domi panted out.

“Okay.” Trini released her hold on Domi’s hips so she could get up. She knew that the pain of the transformation was going to ruin all the passion they’d built. Trini could feel her sex throbbing in need, but she wasn’t going to push Domi for more… even though right at that moment she felt like even the lightest touch would… Maybe… Trini looked up the stairs that Domi had disappeared up. She felt for the sun… she had a few minutes. She started to unbutton her pants, but she lost her nerve. She didn’t want Domi to catch her with her hands in her pants. She buttoned herself back up and gritted her teeth against the need that Domi had created in her.

Trini was in the kitchen getting some water when Demona came in, wearing that incredibly sexy outfit she wore every night. Trini could tell by the way Demona walked that she wasn’t plagued by arousal like Trini was. The pain took care of that. “I’d like to take you out gliding again.”

Trini almost hissed. She wasn’t up to that right now. The phone ringing spared her from having to reply. She could tell by the expression on Demona’s face that it was Angela. She let her voice get deeper, it was her Marie persona, “I’ll go take a bath. You two can talk.” Trini smiled at Demona softly. This would give her some time to take care of her needs, and gave her an out for gliding tonight. That bath Demona had was also very tempting looking, it was large and had water jets… she was looking forward to the pampering. She usually just showered and rushed in doing that.

“Angela, just a minute.” Demona covered the receiver, but Angela would still hear them. “Are you okay?” Trini could see some guilt on Demona’s face for the interruption.

“You take all the time you need. I… need a bath.” Trini smiled seductively, “If you want to join me when you are done…”

Demona smirked, “Sure… but you might be pickled when I’m done here.”

“You know I’d wait for you forever.” Trini said fondly and then left the room.

“Angela… No, you can call me anytime. Marie understands.” Trini could hear them talking as she walked through the living room.

Trini ran the bath. She also added some of the nice bath oils that Demona had lying around. It smelled very nice. The water was very warm, almost to the point of being too hot, but not quite. Once it was filled, and that did take a while because it was a large tub, Trini eased herself into it. It felt so nice on her tense muscles. The stereo Demona had in the large bathroom was softly playing. She licked her lips and slid her hand down to take care of the ache between her legs. Her breathing became more labored, as she whimpered out “Blue…” She was enjoying her own touch, while wishing it were someone else’s.

Later, after Trini was sated, she heard Demona coming into her bedroom before she got to the bathroom door. The water was beginning to get cold, and Trini had been entertaining the idea of getting out even though she’d told Demona she’d wait. Angela had kept her talking for a while. It was almost midnight, Trini looked over at the digital clock in the bathroom. It was midnight.

Day 3 – Wednesday – July 30^th

Trini pulled the drain to let the water out just before the bathroom door opened. Demona looked lost in thought, and definitely not in a sexy mood. Trini kept her sigh internal as she stepped out of the quickly draining tub and wrapped a towel around her body. “Water got cold.” She said minimally as she started to towel off her legs. She was feeling a little self conscious, even thought Demona had seen her naked numerous times during their West Coast trip.

“I’m sorry. Angela needed to talk.” Demona sat down and Trini wrapped her towel around herself to sit down as well. The gargoyle looked like she needed to talk. Demona sighed and looked up at Trini. “She was raised by humans. I… never really thought about how that would affect her when Breeding season came around.” Trini finished tying on the huge towel and waited quietly. “She doesn’t know anything about her body, about breeding.” Demona rubbed her knee spurs while looking a bit depressed. “She said that you mentioned something about gargoyle males last night.” Demona looked up at Trini. “I heard about that meeting. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Trini bit her lower lip. “I didn’t want you to know I was having trouble with Angela.”

“Trouble?” Demona looked at Trini more sharply. It was then that Trini realized that Angela had edited the story.

“She was spying in my bedroom a few nights ago and saw me and Fox…” Trini sighed, “She decided to tell Goliath, so I decided to tell them all.”

“She was watching the two of you?!” Demona sounded outraged. Trini watched her gargoyle become tense.

“She says she didn’t see much.” Trini tried to sound more unconcerned than she was. She felt embarrassed that her privacy was violated; her time with Fox was private, just for the two of them. It was also just creepy that Angela was the one that saw… any of the others would have been better, but no it was Demona’s daughter. “I took care of it.” Trini made sure Goliath would feel the need to punish Angela. The girl didn’t need both parents to do that.

After a moment of silence Demona stood up. “I’ll brush out your hair.” She then grabbed Trini’s brush off the bathroom counter and came to sit behind Trini on the edge of the tub. Demona was so gentle as she carefully dealt with the tangles. “Normally it would be an elder female of the clan that taught the young females about their bodies. She would also tell all the young gargoyles, the females and the males, what to expect on the breeder’s moon.” Trini could hear Demona sigh heavily, and the brushing stopped. “The closest person to an elder female in that clan is you, and that will only be by a few months because your cycle is off.” Demona gently put her hands on Trini’s shoulders. “I can’t… the clan won’t let me fulfill that role. I want you to take it.” Trini turned to look at Demona. Was the gargoyle crazy? Trini didn’t know enough about this stuff! “Trini…” Demona forestalled Trini’s protest. “I can tell you what you need to know. I just don’t want Angela to go through this without guidance, and the males… Hudson and Goliath, quite frankly only know the male side of it. The females learned both sides, but the males of that clan concentrated on other things and didn’t concern themselves with the breeder’s moon rituals and preparations until the night before. They don’t know about how the pheromones work. They don’t know about the other things that you will end up experiencing as you near your time.”

“How am I supposed to explain how I know about this stuff? And Angela?! She doesn’t really like me; I can’t see her coming to me.” Trini heard a bit of a whine in her voice, and made an effort to get rid of it. “Goliath will never let me teach them sex ed. He thinks I’m a pervert. And Lex and Broadway are afraid that I’ll seduce the females.”

“I… already told Angela that you would be a good person to ask.” Demona said quickly. “You’re already doing this for Delilah… Please…” Trini was horrified to hear tears in Demona’s voice. She turned around to see the gargoyle’s eyes brimming with them. “I can’t be there for my daughter. Please, do this for me.”

Trini pulled Demona into a strong hug. “I will. I’ll do my best. I’ll find a way.”

“I miss her so much.” Demona rested her head on Trini’s shoulder. “She grew up without me… and now she needs me, and… Goliath won’t let me near her.” Trini could feel Demona’s tears falling onto her bare shoulders. “I asked her to meet me. I asked to see her, but she won’t. She’s afraid of what her father would say.” She spoke more quietly, “She’s willing to meet my mate… but not me.”

Trini held Demona for a little while. Maybe it’s Marie that needs to talk to her, she thought to herself as a plan started to form.

Trini went to bed at two. Demona pulled out the file Fox had sent to her via Trini and was looking at it in the corner of the bedroom, with a small desk lamp sitting on her dresser. The gargoyle didn’t want to leave Trini alone while she slept, because she was worried that Trini would have nightmares, so Trini found it a little difficult to fall asleep with the small light. She finally turned to sleep on her other side.

The meadow appeared without Trini having to go to the barn. She was glad to see the Sisters. She needed their help.

“Trinity child… you are getting more and more devious.” Luna smiled at her conspiratorially. “I think we can help you out.” Phoebe and Selene nodded at that. Marie was about to be born… or… hatched. They spent some time talking about how one designed an illusion. That was what they were going to use, because it took less energy, and would be something that they could cast through Trini’s body. Trini was going to have to give them control for the spell, which made her nervous… but the memory of Demona’s tearful face telling her she missed her daughter made her agree quickly. Phoebe was excited for the chance to show Trini a more advanced spell. She was definitely the teacher of the bunch.

After that was settled Trini remembered her other question. “One of my rings broke.” She held out her right hand for Phoebe to see it. She didn’t expect the fair haired fey to take her hand and hold it while she looked. It made her a little self-conscious. Especially when the woman started to stroke her finger while she looked. Was she hitting on her?

“Phoebe is a little over affectionate at times. Don’t let it bother you.” Selene told her from her place sitting on the grass.

Phoebe spoke as if she hadn’t heard Trini’s thoughts about her. “It’s the gold one. It’s going red.”

“That only narrows it down, there are two.” Selene said sarcastically. What was she talking about? “Of course… I’m betting black goes red too.”

“I would have thought gold would go black.” Phoebe stared at Trini’s hand like she didn’t quite understand what she was seeing. Trini didn’t understand anything they were saying.

“You’ll understand when the time is right.” Luna told her quietly as she walked up to look for herself. Phoebe went to sit beside Selene, since there was only room for one sister to stare at Trini’s hand. Luna spoke more quietly, with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes and a smirk on her lips. “Phoebe is a firm believer in that incest is the best. You were right.”

“HEY!” Phoebe yelled at her white haired sister, obviously outraged at that claim. “I never heard you complain before!” Trini turned to look at the blonde with her mouth hanging open slightly in shock. The slow grin that grew on the blonde’s face made her think they were just teasing her. Hopefully she was just teasing. The wicked smile that crossed Selene’s face made Trini’s heart beat a little faster as she watched her grandmother slowly caress Phoebe’s arm. How Weird was her family?

Luna tugged on the ring, which brought Trini’s attention back to her. “It’s not ripe yet.” Okay, that was really a strange thing to say about a ring. Luna looked up into Trini’s eyes. “When it can come off, let us know if you still don’t understand.”

“Why won’t you guys just tell me?” Trini asked quietly as she took her hand back.

“It will mean more if you figure it out yourself.” Luna smiled softly. “Don’t worry about it. It will all become clear in time.”

“Trini?” Selene sounded serious. Trini moved to sit beside her on the grass. “Why don’t you ever ask about your father?” Trini could see some concern in the dark haired sister’s eyes as she studied Trini. Trini had to think about that one. Why hadn’t she? Part of her was afraid that he was dead, and the other part was afraid that he wasn’t. It was sick to think like that about him, but if she met him and he thought she was a freak, it would hurt too much. Her love life was so different. What if he wanted a straight daughter, who could give him grandchildren? She was never going to be that, and didn’t want to be, but she didn’t want to see disappointment or disgust in his eyes when he found out who she was and who she loved. From what she’d seen of gargoyles, they weren’t the most open minded bunch in general. Delilah and Demona were the exceptions, but neither of them had a normal gargoyle life. There was also the fact that he’d left her with her mother, who had… not really been prepared to raise her. The wings… if he’d kept her and raised her, she would still have them.

“He turned to stone and you didn’t. He couldn’t raise you.” Selene said quietly. “He is alive. He lives on Avalon now. We brought him there after he was banished.” Trini found herself staring at the grass without really seeing it. She wasn’t sure she wanted to see him. “He doesn’t know about how time is there. He thinks you are still a little girl.” Trini could see Selene’s eyes getting glassy. “He is going to be so upset he missed your growing up. We didn’t tell him about the time difference, because… Luna saw danger in your life if he was in it, but he desperately wanted to be. Just like I wanted to raise him, but I couldn’t. We told him he should stay a few years on Avalon… it gave you time to grow up.”

Trini had no idea what to say to that. “Well, it looks like Fox finally went to sleep. That woman is insatiable.” Phoebe interrupted them. “Good thing she has two lovers.”

Trini smiled as Fox materialized in the meadow. She looked so surprised. “Hey honey.” Trini stood up and walked over to Fox. Her lover was wearing the outfit she’d seen her wearing on that show she starred in. Trini always showed up in this dream realm wearing what she had on during the rape. She’d never even thought about that before. That one day… just a few hours… had screwed her up pretty badly.

“Trini? I didn’t think we would be here tonight.” Fox hugged her tightly, but the armor she wore was pretty uncomfortable digging into Trini.

“You two can plan on being here most nights.” Selene sounded a bit like a strict coach at that moment. “Tonight we are going to work on magical blasts. You’ve both managed to do it once, under duress. We need for you to be able to call it up on will, and it’s not an easy skill, it may take a while.” Trini noted that while Phoebe was in charge of teaching them the way they could track each other last time, it was Selene that was teaching them the offensive magic. These three really did have serious specializations in their powers. She was willing to bet that Luna would be in charge of some other lesson.

Trini woke up when Domi’s alarm went off. The human form of the gargoyle turned to stare at her. “You didn’t have any nightmares.”

“I had magic lessons all night.” Trini yawned, still tired. It was a little too early for her. She’d only managed a very weak blast twice. Nothing that could do any damage. Fox had done better, which Trini was grateful for. Fox had managed to do three blasts, and the last one was more powerful.

“All night?” Trini turned at the concerned sound of Domi’s voice.

“It’s been like that for a few nights. I don’t get too tired during the day.” Trini pulled Domi into a hug. Domi’s thigh fell between Trini’s legs to rest against her intimately, while the redhead kissed her deeply. When the kisses trailed down her neck, Trini started to rhythmically thrust against Domi’s thigh, without fully realizing she was doing that. “Oh God… Domi!” Trini moaned out when Domi started to kiss her ear tip. She wrapped her arms around the redhead’s back and held her tightly. “Oh God… Please.” Trini whispered. She wanted this foreplay to escalate. She wanted to make love with Domi. She was kissed again, but the kisses kept getting more and more tame. Domi was winding down, and Trini had to let her. She wasn’t going to press this too fast; she’d wait for her, even though this teasing her gargoyle did was so hard to take. Trini’s heart was pounding with her need. Her entire body was pounding with her need. “I love you.” Trini said softly as Domi pulled away.

“I love you too.” Trini was glad to hear Domi’s voice was breathless. This affected her too. Domi looked into Trini’s eyes with what looked like a little uncertainty. “I really do want our first time to be in my true form.”

Trini reached up to caress a red lock of hair. “I don’t mind either way. You are beautiful in both forms. We’ll do this however, and whenever you want.”

Domi stared down at her, “My old lover’s would have been insisting on more by now.”

“I want more, but I…” Trini paused, her mind in turmoil. “I’m never going to push you. They didn’t have a… Dammit, Domi… I raped you. I don’t want to push you before you’re ready. I don’t want you to be afraid of me again.” Tears fell down the sides of Trini’s face as she remembered the fear and betrayal on the face in front of her while she… did that to her.

“Oh, Trini.” Domi looked at her with concern and then leaned down to kiss away a few tears before pulling away to stare down at her. “I am not afraid of you. I know you wouldn’t hurt me. What you did to me… I know now what all you sacrificed to try and keep me safe.” Domi looked down at the bed for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter. “I don’t know that Goliath would have suffered for me like you did even when we were together, and I know Thailog wouldn’t have. You did that for me… not to me. I saw the tape… I saw the tears I wasn’t able to see at the time. I think it hurt you more to do that to me than it hurt me to have it done.” Trini watched quietly as Domi got out of the bed. “Thailog… he was rough, a very rough lover. Sometimes, with him… it felt like rape. You… you were very gentle even when it was a rape. You were trying to protect my dignity the entire time. When I first watched the tape I didn’t see it, but that’s what you were doing, weren’t you?”

Trini noticed that Domi had seen the tape more than once. “Yes. I tried to keep you off camera as much as possible. I made sure…” Trini’s eyes became unseeing, “I made sure to not make it too good, so you wouldn’t be shamed like that.”

Domi smiled slightly, “I figured you must be a better lover than that.” Trini found herself blushing hotly. Domi gave her a small peck on the cheek. “I fully intend to find out soon, but not right now. I need to get ready for work.” Trini watched Domi with a little bit of amazement. Her slight change in topic was all it took to remove Trini’s budding depression. “Oh, Trini…” Domi pulled out the clothes she was planning on wearing. “I have a meeting elsewhere, so I won’t be in the office today. Do you have enough work to do?”

Trini had to think for a minute. “I think I might finish up your research today, and then I thought I might work with someone in HR on revising the Orientation. It was pretty crappy.”

Domi smirked and raised an eyebrow at her, “Well, if you plan to draft someone, you need to talk to Bill, he’s the manager there.” That amounted to permission in Trini’s mind. “I want to actually see the proposal before you change anything.”

“Okay.” Trini replied. As Domi started to get dressed, she realized that she was now fully awake. It was only seven. She should be able to sleep three more hours. It took her an hour to fall back to sleep.

Trini went straight to the HR department when she got to work so she could arrange a meeting with Bill. His secretary signed her up for a half hour block later in the day. She worked hard to try and finish the research she was working on before then, and managed to do it with a few minutes to spare. She was beginning to feel useful, even though Domi had her hidden away in the office. Today was the first day she was going to be visiting another office, and she took those few minutes to get into her character. She needed to seem in charge, because even though she was… she didn’t have Domi to back that up today. These people didn’t know her yet. This would be a first impression, and Ms. Destine would want that to be properly impressive.

“Ms. Stephens.” Bill came over to greet her as soon as she entered the HR department for the meeting. Trini had to suppress a smirk as she realized her job title alone had him properly impressed. The meeting went well. He fully understood Ms. Destine’s desire to make some changes. He assigned Dan to work with her. She took several binders with her to look over in the next few days and she’d contact the man that did her own orientation to let him know what more she needed. Bill didn’t realize that she was planning on making Dan do more than just supply her with information. He was her expert, and she wanted his opinions. The others in the office made him do the majority of the orientations, because he was the lowest on the totem pole. Working with the CEO’s personal assistant could change that for him, if he was as good as Trini suspected he was.

Trini was busy putting the NightStone files she’d brought home in her briefcase so no one in the Eyrie would see she worked for the competition. The cabbie waited patiently for her to finish up and get out. Trini never noticed the redhead in the red dress suit leaving the building quickly and noticing the cab before quickly moving in the other direction while straightening her blouse and pulling out the collar. Trini paid the cabbie and walked into the building without noticing the familiar limo driver holding the door open for the NightStone CEO a block away.

Fox was late for dinner and her hair was damp from her shower. Trini smiled at her lover as she sat next to Alexander. They never showed much affection in front of the boy. It would be too confusing for him, and Trini just felt odd about it. “So, Puck has excused me from lessons, since I work all night on them.” Fox said as she took a sip from her glass of wine.

“You’re not going to school with me anymore?” Alexander’s attention was firmly riveted to his mother.

Fox’s voice softened. “I have some new teachers… at least for a little while.” Fox smiled at her son when he just nodded his understanding.

After dinner Trini got up to leave and go back to her rooms. “Don’t get too comfortable. You are training with me in an hour.” Fox sounded very in charge when she announced that. Trini almost grimaced. She’d planned to finish up with the files she brought home to work on and to get some writing done tonight.

“I’ll meet you there?” Trini was glad her voice didn’t show her irritation.

Fox had pinned Trini down to the mat. Trini wasn’t using her gargoyle strength in this, because they were after learning the techniques that she could use on stronger opponents. Not to mention Trini just liked having Fox pin her. “You aren’t trying hard enough.” Fox complained. Trini smirked and watched as Fox’s eyes widened a little. Fox’s grin was completely wicked, as Trini could see her realizing what she was doing. “So it’s that way with you?” Fox said seductively and held Trini’s wrists down on the mat with more force.

“Fox…” Trini moaned out wantonly as her back arched up off the mat.

Fox’s voice was firm, “You like this?” Trini could feel Fox’s grip on her wrists become stronger. If she were human, she wouldn’t be able to break loose.

Trini’s hungry eyes sought out Fox’s. “Yes.” She whispered breathlessly. She was about ready to beg for more when she heard the doors to the gym swinging. She glanced over and saw that they were still moving, Owen was standing there staring at them. Trini blushed hotly, losing her arousal quickly in her embarrassment.

He arched an eyebrow. “Elisa is here. She wants to talk to the both of you. I get the impression this is about Goliath’s reaction to the news the other night.”

Fox and Trini rode up in the elevator. “This is so damned awkward for her. I wish he’d just leave her out of this.” Trini said quietly to no one in particular. Owen didn’t acknowledge her grumbling.

“I’ve never seen those two argue so much. Trini…” Fox looked troubled. “she was defending us last night. I saw it on the cameras. She told him it was a fey thing, and that we belonged together. She tried to explain about our bond, but she doesn’t really know very much. He… didn’t take her support of our relationship very well.”

Trini slumped a little. Elisa loved him, she had no idea why, the male was so irritating, but she did. Trini hated to think she was causing her trouble. Maybe I should just tell her it’s a lost cause, Trini thought as she stared at the digital readout letting them know they were almost there, she shouldn’t side with me anymore.

Elisa was sitting at the kitchen table waiting for them. They still had a little while until sunset. Fox moved to get them all something to drink. Trini sat down a little heavily. “I heard that you announced your relationship with Fox to the clan.” Elisa said a little flatly. She was obviously not happy.

Trini looked into Elisa’s face. “I’m sorry you were pulled into this.” She took the glass Fox handed to her gratefully.

“Why now? Why couldn’t you wait until after your… breeding season… is over.” Elisa sounded so weary. “I had him to the point that he would stop pressuring you to mate with a male. I had him understanding that you were already taken. He won’t recognize Fox’s claim. She’s married.” Elisa rubbed her eyes. Trini was alarmed at her suspicions that Elisa was almost to the point of tears. “He claimed that she and David were perverting you, that a gargoyle would never agree to such an arrangement.” Elisa talked as if Fox wasn’t even in the room. Trini glanced at her lover, and Fox didn’t seem upset about that. She was just watching and listening intently. “I tried to explain about the bond you have with Fox, about how you two apparently need each other.” Trini saw the tears now. She moved to sit right beside Elisa and pulled her into a hug. Elisa could talk normally while crying, a skill Trini didn’t have. Trini ran her hand over Elisa’s hair, petting the detective. She could feel Fox’s eyes on her, but Elisa needed this.

“You need to stop defending me. It’s hurting you… and it’s hurting your relationship with him.” Trini could hear that her own voice was on the verge of tears. “I know you care. You don’t need to prove it.”

Elisa pulled out of the hug and glanced over at Fox guiltily before focusing on Trini again. “It’s not that. He’s just wrong… so wrong. Even if you and I had never become lovers, I would have to stand up for you now. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s obsessed with who you’re sleeping with, and he’s becoming completely irrational about it.”

Fox finally cut in, her voice cutting through the air sharply, “Do you think he is attracted to her? Could the pheromones be affecting him?” Trini’s eyes widened in horror, because they had assumed he wasn’t affected that first night. What if he was? He did tell her to expect aggressive behavior from the males, and he was definitely being aggressive!

“I… I don’t know.” Elisa sounded surprised at that thought. “How do these pheromones work?”

Trini just finished reading over the files she brought home. They’d talked with Elisa until sunset, and then Trini went back to her room. She thought avoiding Goliath until Elisa had a chance to try and figure out if the pheromones had affected his behavior was a good idea. They had told Elisa that they were using magic to suppress the pheromones affects, but it wasn’t a fool-proof spell. They didn’t lie, but they led the detective to believe the spell was being cast by Puck on Trini to do this. Unfortunately some new evidence the detective received anonymously came in to the station, and Elisa had to go in to see these tapes. Trini almost winced once she realized that Elisa’s night was about to get much worse. Domi had mailed the detective thirteen tapes, with a note letting her know that it was obtained from Castaway’s home.

Trini put the files away and turned on her computer to work. She was wearing a short robe, because after she checked her email and sent a few out she was going to take a shower. She wanted to take care of them before Fox got back. Also her pheromones had been so strong that she’d noticed David having trouble around her when he came to pick up his wife. Fox was with David out on a business meeting/date. Trini didn’t really understand it all, but it had something to do with some organization David belonged to. She felt the breeze in her apartment seconds before she heard the deep voice. “We need to talk.” Trini’s heart started to pound as she spun her computer chair around to see Goliath standing behind her with his eyes glowing white.

Day 4 – Thursday – July 31^th

Trini’s heart was pounding as she saw the huge gargoyle blocking her escape. She was painfully aware of how little she was wearing, she was naked underneath her black silk robe, which only came down to mid thigh. Her eyes were wide in fright and her breathing was just a little too rapid. Her nightmares came into her thoughts unbidden.

She could see Goliath taking in her appearance slowly. A slight blush covered his face. “I can wait for you to get dressed, but we talk now.” He then backed up and moved into her living room. Trini got out of her seat cautiously and darted into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. How dare he scare her like that! She rushed into her closet to get dressed, hating that he ordered her around, but unwilling to not obey that command. She put on the thickest pants she could find, hoping it was enough to keep the pheromones under control. She took a shuddering breath as she worried about that. Now that she suspected, strongly suspected, he was affected she was more scared than ever to be around the large male.

Once she was dressed she just stood in the middle of her bedroom, trying to build up her nerve. She didn’t want him to see her fear. She needed to get it under control. He just startled her so badly suddenly showing up like that.

When Trini marched out of her bedroom she moved quickly to open the living room windows before sitting down on the chair opposite him. She’d air out the room and leave a way for her to yell for help in one motion that way. He was sitting stiffly while glaring at her. Trini really wished she had that tranquilizer gun now. After this, she was going to have to talk to Fox about having some weapons in the apartment. “So, what was so important you had to break into my apartment?” Trini asked harshly. She wasn’t letting this overgrown male intimidate her!

She managed to stare him in the eyes with a glare of her own. It seemed to piss him off. “Elisa seems to think that this bond of yours excuses your unnatural behavior.” He said flatly. Trini felt like growling. What part of this did he think was unnatural, that Fox was female, or that she was married? Trini didn’t respond, just stared at him. She was going to force him to explain himself.

After another moment of silence she couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “I am not a member of your clan. This isn’t any of your business, and I would never have told any of you if your daughter hadn’t felt the need to become a peeping tom!” She knew her pheromones probably drove the girl to it, but she was too busy lashing out to worry about that. She took a deep breath as she noticed his eyes start to burn again. This time when she spoke it was with a weary voice. “I’m not seeing anyone in your clan. I just don’t see why you can’t leave it be. This is my life.”

“She’s already got a mate and a child!” Goliath protested loudly. “A gargoyle would never…”

Trini interrupted angrily. “Well, I have! And I have no intention of leaving her!” Trini took another moment to try and calm down. “We are bonded Fey. That is so incredibly rare that…” She paused in her explanation. “This really isn’t any of your business.”

He stared at her so intensely it made her nervous. She glanced down and was startled to notice the evidence that her pheromones did indeed affect him. She pulled her eyes away from his lap and stared back into his eyes as her heart started to hammer again. “I want you to leave now.” She said quietly. She noticed her hands were shaking so she clasped them together to try and hide it.

“No.” Goliath sat forward in his chair, his voice holding a hint of a growl. “Tell me about this bond.”

Trini stood up and started to walk towards the front door. Goliath was up and blocking her way much more quickly than she thought a creature of his mass would be able to. “You aren’t kicking me out, and you aren’t running away. We are dealing with this tonight!”

“You have no right to hold me hostage here! Get out!” Trini yelled as she backed away from him. He reached out quickly and latched on to her arm making it impossible for her to pull away. She tried anyhow, but… she wasn’t strong enough to get him to let her go. She panicked and slashed out with her talons, cutting deeply into his forearm. Instead of letting her go, his grip tightened convulsively and she heard a sickening crack.

“AHH!” Trini screamed as she felt the pain radiate up her arm. He let go of her, his eyes wide in shock. She fell to her knees with tears streaming down her face.

Trini didn’t notice the steady stream of blood dripping off the gargoyle’s arm onto her carpet. “I… I broke your arm.” Goliath sounded stunned. He reached down towards Trini.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” Trini screamed, her voice full of pain and fear. “Just Get Out!” Trini had felt pain worse than this before, so she had no idea why this was affecting her so badly. She just wanted to lay there and cry. She needed to get someone to set it for her before she started to heal. When Goliath made no motion to leave she gritted her teeth and addressed him again, “Get Owen.” That finally got rid of him. Trini moved carefully to lean against the wall, cradling her arm.

“Trini?!” Delilah’s voice entered the room from the open window. “I heard you scream.” The female gargoyle was by her side instantly. Trini looked up into the worried face of her friend with tears in her eyes. She could see Delilah’s face pale as she looked at the deep purple bruised skin of Trini’s arm, and the bump that showed that the bone wasn’t whole anymore.

Trini swallowed hard. “Do you know how to set a bone?” She asked quietly.

“No.” Delilah said quietly. The gargoyle started to make a motion to sit down, but they both noticed the blood on the carpet. “What?”

Trini’s mouth turned into a tearful smile. “I guess I gave as good as I got.” She said as she noticed the small puddle of blood and the heavy drops of it heading out her open front door. She scooted back and pain lanced up her arm. She hope he was feeling his wounds. Damned asshole!

“What can I do to help you?” Delilah looked completely lost. Trini patted the carpet next to her so that the gargoyle would sit.

“He went to get Owen. Just stay with me.” Trini said quietly. Delilah sat very close to her and gently caressed Trini’s leg, it seemed like she was trying to soothe Trini.

“What happened?” Delilah asked softly while resting a hand on Trini’s knee.

“Goliath and I had a… disagreement.” Trini said flatly. She could see Delilah’s body tensing up, and realized that her friend might do something foolish. Goliath could hurt her. “I don’t think he meant to do this. I… hurt him first.” Trini was dismayed to realize that she had been the first one to attack. She had panicked, she should have been able to talk herself out of the situation… but she’d been too scared to think, so she just reacted. She could hear footsteps in the hall. Goliath must have found Owen. “Stay with me.” Trini said more quietly. She didn’t want Goliath ordering her friend away. She didn’t feel safe.

Owen marched in quickly followed by a Goliath that was wrapping his own bleeding arm. “I have a broken arm. We need to set it fast.” Trini informed the blonde man. She then turned to Goliath. “Please… will you leave now?!”

He looked down at her, obviously upset with how things turned out. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” He wasn’t even trying to blame her for this.

“I hit you first.” Trini said quietly while Owen inspected her forearm. “I don’t like to be trapped. Bad memories.” Trini noticed him flinch at that.

“I’m going to need help to get this set.” Owen’s crisp voice drew Trini’s attention.

Goliath interrupted. “Shouldn’t she see the doctor?”

Trini sighed heavily. She didn’t want to explain about her healing powers and her immortality. “Goliath, I have this under control. Perhaps your time would be better served getting someone to attend to your wounds. She appears to have cut you rather deeply.” Owen’s voice held a hint of irritation. “Delilah, you can help me.”

Trini could see him still standing there, obviously debating about the wisdom of leaving Trini to Owen’s medical help. “I’ll be fine. Just… leave.” Trini was surprised that he seemed to care, after all the fuss he made about her and Fox, she was feeling like he wouldn’t.

Trini endured the resetting of her bones with silence, even though it hurt like hell. She forced herself to show no sign of how much Delilah’s actions hurt, because she didn’t want to upset her friend. Owen looked at her with silent respect after she’d managed to do little more than wince as the bone slide into place. Delilah had to do it because she was stronger. “Trini.” Owen said softly. “I’m going to go get something to stabilize your arm until it heals.”

She looked at him. “Okay.” She was pale and a little sweating from the effort to not scream while Delilah worked. Her friend was now busy caressing her hair as if she were some sort of house pet. Trini didn’t stop her, she knew Delilah didn’t know what to do, but she wanted to do something.

“After that I’ll take care of the trail he left.” Owen left them immediately in search of something for her. Trini looked at the blood on the pale gray carpet. She hoped it wouldn’t stain.

“Trini? Do you want to move to the couch, or your bed?” Delilah asked softly. She was such a gentle gargoyle. Trini started to try and get up slowly. Strong arms picked her up carefully and Delilah slowly stood up with Trini cradled in her arms. Trini thought about complaining, and saying that her legs worked just fine, but she kept that in. She could feel the beginning of her bones knitting back together. It was worse then when Domi broke her nose. Her whole arm throbbed. She’d felt pain like this a few times, so she just sighed and didn’t bother to complain. Falling off a building hurt more, and burning alive hurt way more. It helped to keep this pain in perspective.

“Ummm. Couch?” Trini answered Delilah.

Trini found herself leaning her head into Delilah’s soft caresses while they waited for Owen. “Trini?” Delilah spoke hesitantly. Trini opened her eyes. “Why did you cut him?”

She’d hoped that Delilah would let that go. Trini sighed heavily. “He grabbed my arm, and I panicked.” Trini rubbed her forehead with her good arm wearily.

Trini could see Delilah staring at her in astonishment. “You cut him like that because he grabbed you?” It was easy to hear that Delilah thought she over-reacted very badly.

The light knock on the window drew both of their attention. Angela looked in at them with a bit of concern. “Father wants to know if you are okay.”

“I’ll heal up.” Trini could see that wasn’t enough information for the lavender female. “I heal faster than a human. Much faster. I should be fine in a few days.” Actually she’d be fine by morning, but she didn’t want them to know that. She was staying with Demona tomorrow night. She could pretend it took a couple days. If she healed faster than a gargoyle there would be questions.  “Why’d he send you?” She and Angela weren’t getting along last time she checked, and now Angela was dropping by to see how she was?

Angela looked into her eyes a little too intensely. “He said you have problems with males. He… he said he thought…” The hesitant way Angela was talking was making Trini concerned. What did he think? She didn’t have problems with males. He was being ridiculous! Trini felt her concern growing as she worried about how much fear she showed. Angela sighed as she looked at Trini, who was hopeful that her face didn’t show her unease at this conversation. “Trini, you cut him pretty badly. He… he said he just grabbed your arm and you completely freaked out.” Trini knew what Angela was getting at… and it was far too close to the truth for her comfort. When she didn’t respond Angela spoke a little more loudly. “Well, I will go report in. I… hope it doesn’t hurt to much.”

Trini could see Delilah staring at her tensely. “Trini?” Trini looked away and stared at the stereo. Delilah reached out and gently caressed Trini’s good arm. That gargoyle was doing a lot of petting today. “Trini, are you okay?”

“My arm is already healing. It should be fine by morning, I just didn’t want to advertise my faster than normal healing.” Trini looked back into Delilah’s concerned face.

“No… I mean you. Why did you overreact like that?” Delilah’s gentle insistence made Trini’s mind go blank. How much was she willing to trust her friend with?

Owen came in carrying a sling for her arm. Trini turned to face him so he could put it on. He was very careful as he wrapped it around her arm and secured the arm to her body. “How long does it take you to heal?” He asked while taking out a needle.

“What are you going to do with that?” Trini asked nervously. She pretty much could guess what he planned.

“It’s just a pain killer.” Owen looked into her eyes, making her feel like she was being a baby about getting a shot. “It will make you a little tired, but… it should help.”

Trini took a mental inventory of her throbbing arm and nodded. She’d take it.

“So, how long do you think it will take you to heal?” Owen repeated his original question while administering the shot.

“I’m guessing this should be fine by the time I…” Trini was going to say by the time she went to work, but she hadn’t admitted to having a job yet. “wake up.”

“Do you need anything else?” Owen seemed genuine in his offer. When Trini shook her head he sat up a little straighter. “I’ll get to work on getting Goliath’s blood out of the carpet.” Trini could swear he winked at her with that. Did they have the sample Demona would need because Trini sliced the large male? Her eyes must have conveyed her question, because he nodded imperceptibly. He then left to get what he needed to do that.

Trini had been aware of a certain biological need for a little while. This was embarrassing. With her arm tied up like this, she couldn’t… Trini sighed loudly. “Delilah, I… I need to go to the bathroom.” Her skin blushed hotly. When the gargoyle just looked at her without understanding Trini had to elaborate. “Can you help me take off my pants so I can go?” It was only one am, and she couldn’t wait around an hour for Fox to get home and help her. She doubted she could wait around ten minutes. Wouldn’t that be just a wonderful end to a crappy evening?

Delilah looked a little startled by the request, but she stood up. “I… sure.”

“In the bathroom, so I don’t give Owen a free show.” Trini stood up slowly, embarrassed that she’d need help for this.

Trini noticed Delilah’s hands were a little shaky as the gargoyle unfastened Trini’s pants and lowered the zipper. She took the time that Delilah was using to stare at the pants and slowly and carefully deal with the unfamiliar process of undressing a friend to study the white haired female’s face. Was she still… but, the spell should have dealt with that. “Do you want to take them off completely?” Delilah asked as she looked up into Trini’s eyes. Trini had no idea what prompted her to nod yes. She watched the blush cover the gargoyle’s face as Delilah helped her by lowering her pants so Trini could step out of them. Trini had taken the time to put on underwear when Goliath came in demanding she get dressed. She was grateful for that now.

“Thank you for helping me with this.” Trini said quietly, feeling unbelievably awkward. She was not going to have Delilah help with the underwear, she’d just manage somehow. Trini could hear Owen return. “Can you get my robe? I left it on the bed. I’ll… finish up in here… and then ask you to come back in. Delilah nodded and left, only opening the door enough to get out and leaving Trini to figure out the next step in this bathroom adventure for herself.

Trini finished up in the bathroom and then had Delilah come back in. Delilah helped her get into the robe without being asked. “We can go into the bedroom while he deals with the floor.” Delilah suggested shyly.

Trini stopped in the hall and looked at Owen. This was so far from his job… he was doing this for her, as a friend. “Thank you.” She gave him a weak smile.

“It’s no problem Trini.” Owen’s voice held more friendly emotion than she’d ever heard. He also almost never called her Trini. Trini felt bad that she never really made an effort to get to know him now. She would have to do something about that.

Delilah followed her into the bedroom. It dawned on Trini that they could have just as easily went back to their seats on the couch, but Delilah wanted Trini to get into bed as if she were sick. Trini just wearily complied. She was starting to feel a little out of her body. The shot was starting to work, she didn’t feel any pain at all. She rested her back against the wall, and patted the bed in an invitation for Delilah to crawl up on it.

After a short awkward silence Trini spoke, “So, how are you and Lex?”

Delilah rolled her eyes. “Lex and I are fine, he’s a little upset with what Angela said about me seeing you next to naked… but otherwise he’s fine.”

“I hope I’m not causing you trouble.” Trini would hate for Delilah to lose Lex because of her. Lex was a pretty nice guy, someone she felt she might be able to trust with her best friend.

“No, not at all.” Delilah smiled. She then noticed that Trini’s bedroom window blinds were open. “I’m going to close them, so we don’t have anymore rumors… okay?”

“Sure.” Trini said, but she watched Delilah walk over to do that. Why would they have more rumors? Trini was planning to stay dressed this time.

They chatted about small things, like the patrols Delilah had been on recently until Owen left. As soon as the door closed behind him Delilah turned to face Trini with a serious expression on her face. “Trini, are you okay… I mean really okay?”

“I’m not okay.” Trini said quietly. Trini wanted to be able to talk to Delilah about some of her problems. Delilah was her friend. She was impressed with the way Delilah managed to quietly wait for her to continue. That gargoyle sometimes seemed so young… and other times she seemed so in charge and capable. “I’ve been having nightmares… and when he grabbed me I panicked.” Trini pushed her hair out of her face. “I am so afraid that they’ll try to force me to breed… that they’ll” Trini’s voice got so quiet, “rape me. I dream about it all the time. I’m not as strong as a gargoyle… I wouldn’t be able to stop them.”

“Oh God Trini.” Delilah sounded distressed. “I would never let anyone… anyone do that to you.” Trini looked up from her hands to see Delilah’s face. “I don’t believe they’d do that… but I would…” The growl that came from Delilah was full of threat. Trini smiled sadly and reached up to caress the snowy hair.

“I love your hair.” Trini said quietly as she played with it. “I love you.” She said more seriously. She had no doubts that Delilah would take on the entire clan to keep her safe.

“Trini… I…” Delilah looked flustered as a warm blush covered the gargoyle’s cheeks. “I want to kiss you.” That startled Trini less than it should have. She took a deep breath and looked at the embarrassment crawling across Delilah’s features. She was sure that there were good reasons to not do that, but at that moment… with her nice buzzing feeling, she couldn’t really imagine any.

“I…” Trini stopped. She spoke more tenderly. “It can’t be more than kissing.” She caressed the white locks until Delilah realized that she’d given permission. It was really so little to give… and Delilah deserved this small measure of affection… “Our little secret. If the clan ever found out, it would not be pleasant.” She’d tell Fox, but this was really just teaching… a loving sort of teaching.

“I’ve never kissed.” Delilah said shyly as she moved to face Trini. Trini already knew that.

“Relax.” Trini smiled softly. “It isn’t hard. I’ll teach you.”

The first kiss was awkward. Trini was afraid that she’d like it too much. Delilah’s first attempt was more of a peck than a kiss. “Relax… honey, this isn’t a test.” Trini said gently as she leaned in to kiss Delilah again. This time Delilah’s lips weren’t so tense. Trini nibbled playfully on Delilah’s lower lip. She felt some attraction, some arousal… but not as strong as what Fox or Demona… or Elisa did to her with their kisses. This gave her the feeling of a girls’ slumber party, not that she’d ever been to more than one. They’d practiced kissing, but Trini had refused to play at that time. She had loosened up quite a bit from her prudish childhood.

After a few minutes of kissing Trini decided it was time to end this. She pulled away slowly, determined to not make Delilah ashamed of any of this. Her voice was slightly breathless. “You pick this up fast.” She smiled softly and caressed Delilah’s hair.

“Trini… thank you.” Delilah blushed lightly and reached up to shove some of her own white hair behind one of her ears. Trini could see Delilah glance at the clock. “I… should go.”

“Are we okay?” Trini was suddenly worried that this had pushed Delilah away.

The gargoyle smiled timidly, “Yes. I just… told Lex we’d go out tonight after he got back from patrol.”

After Delilah left Trini sat on the bed, staring at the wall for a minute. That felt harmless. She had no intention of adding yet another lover to her already over full plate. Delilah still felt like… a friend, a really good friend, but nothing more. She knew she wasn’t teaching Delilah any more than what she had. Those Sex Education lessons Demona wanted her to teach most likely didn’t include lab time. She heard the front door open. Now she had to explain why she was injured to Fox. Hopefully her lover wouldn’t feel the need to confront Goliath… like she would if it were Fox that got hurt. Trini made a motion to get out of the bed, but her legs were too wobbly. It was like she was drunk.

Trini sat on the bed and listened as the phone was put back on the receiver. She was startled to find Owen in her bedroom doorway, she had completely expected it to be Fox. "Mrs. Xanatos tried to call you to let you know they were running late, but the phone was off the hook." Trini vaguely remembered hitting the table as she tried to pull free of Goliath. "I... decided to not mention tonight's excitement while she was out."

Trini sighed heavily. She was tired, but she didn't want to risk trying to sleep without Fox to wake her. "Thanks. No need to worry her." She looked him in the eyes and spoke with a lot of seriousness. "Thank you for tonight." He had really come through for her. Owen took a step into her bedroom hesitantly. Trini could almost see him thinking she wouldn't want a man in there. "Can you visit for a while?"

"You really should be getting some sleep." He said as he came closer to look in her eyes with a medical detachment. "You are feeling no pain, I assume?"

"No, no pain." Trini sighed heavily again. She was tired, too tired to stay awake much longer. "I don't... have anyone to stop the nightmares. Do you think the Sisters will be there?" They'd said that they would have magic lessons most nights. What if tonight was a night off and she was stuck in that barn with her nightmares?

"I really don't know them very well." Owen said stiffly, making no attempt to hide his dislike of her family. Trini looked down at the rug in her bedroom quietly.

"They aren't very normal, are they?" Trini asked quietly. "Do they really have sex with each other?"

She looked up to see Owen hiding a smirk. "I've heard that rumor." He seemed to relax as he sat down on the foot of her bed. "Those three are a mystery. No one knows where they came from. As far as I know they can't be apart from each other, so they are always found together." Trini smiled softly at his misunderstanding of the nature of the bond.

"No. The bond doesn't work like that. They could be in different places if they wanted to. The bond is internal. They are always together on the inside." Trini said slowly, knowing that she wasn't explaining it well. Owen looked interested, so she continued her lesson on Bonded Fey. "If I weren't so out of it, and I had more practice, I could close my eyes and see out of Fox's. Our bond connects us like that. I'm still learning how to use it, and what all it entails." Trini's voice became slightly excited, in spite of her exhaustion. "We should become telepathic at some point. The sisters are. That's how they do that trick where they all talk at once." Trini yawned unexpectedly. She was getting really tired.

"While this is very interesting. You need your sleep." Owen made a motion to get up.

She didn't want to count on the Sisters being there when she fell asleep and be wrong. She looked at Owen with large puppy dog eyes, silently pleading for him to figure it out so she wouldn't have to ask. She really couldn't imagine a safer man, he showed absolutely no interest in her whatsoever. When he didn’t seem to understand she didn’t want to be alone, she just sighed heavily. “Good night.” She didn’t know him well enough to ask. She wished that Delilah didn’t have a date tonight, or that she’d known about Fox and David’s plan to go out early enough to go be with Demona tonight.

Trini was forced to try and sleep on her back, with her bandaged arm in front of her. She could hear Owen closing her windows and locking her front door for her on his way out. She felt stiff and awkward trying to sleep alone. She’d been sleeping alone almost all of her life, but in the past month she’d gotten used to never doing that anymore. It was amazing how quickly she adapted to not being alone.

Trini fell asleep quickly, due to the pain medicine. When she started to dream she was relieved to see the sisters waiting for her.

Trini didn’t hear Fox coming in later that night. Fox came into the bedroom dressed in a evening dress that looked incredibly beautiful on her and stared at Trini fondly. Once Fox’s eyes rested on the sling, her eyes hardened. “Trini?” That got no response. “Trini?”

“Uhhnn.” Trini groaned out as she opened her eyes. The bright light from the hallway made it hard to see her lover, but she knew it was Fox. “Love you.” She whispered very tiredly. She was barely awake.

“Trini, what happened?” Fox moved further into the darkened bedroom.

“So tired.” Trini just wanted to go back to sleep. Explaining would take so long. If she didn’t get to sleep, she felt like she’d cry from her exhaustion. Her face scrunched up like Alexander’s did when he didn’t want to wake up from his nap. Fox moved to sit beside Trini on the bed and leaned on the arm she’d placed on the other side of the sleepy woman.

“Trini… baby… what happened to your arm?” Fox said gently and quietly.

“Goliath broke it.” Trini stretched her neck a little, still not really awake. She didn’t notice the angry set of Fox’s jaw. Fox looked up at the blinds. She got up and opened the blinds, so that the morning rays would hit the bed Trini was sleeping on as soon as the sun came up. Trini mumbled. “Fox… sleep with me.” She held out her good arm for Fox to take for a moment, but it fell to the bed weakly.

“Why are you so out of it?” Fox said as she started to unzip the dress.

It took a while for the question to register in Trini’s sleep addled mind. “Owen gave me a shot for pain.” Fox’s eyes got cold as steel at the mention of pain.

Fox put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “I’ll be back. I have to do something.” The cold tone of Fox’s voice woke Trini up instantly. She sat up as she heard the front door close.

“Shit!” Trini had a strong suspicion that Fox was going after Goliath.

Trini had managed to walk very unsteadily toward the library. She could hear the yelling long before she got to the door.

“I’m out there at a meeting to try and protect all of you while you are attacking my lover?!” Fox’s voice carried easily into the hall. Trini had to rest her good arm along the wall to steady herself as she slowly made her way towards the scene she was sure would be far too out of hand before she could get there. She should have said no to the shot, it was slowing her down too much!

“I just went there to talk.” Goliath’s deep voice made Trini walk a little faster, to the point that she almost fell down. “I had no intention of hurting her. It was an accident.”

“How do you accidentally break an arm while talking?!” Fox sounded outraged. Trini had to slowly let go of the wall so that she could walk around a table in the hallway. Her steps were extremely wobbly and she felt like she’d topple over at any moment.

“I grabbed her, and she slashed my arm.” Something in the tone of Goliath’s voice warned her that she wasn’t going to like the next sentence. “She looked more terrified than the humans we come across on patrol. Why is she so scared of me Fox?” Trini made it around the table and was leaning on the wall again. The doorway seemed so far away at this pace.

“Why did you grab her? You have no right to touch her!” Fox’s anger wasn’t going away. Trini was becoming worried about what her lover might do.

“Fox, I am sorry. I had no idea she’d react like that.” Goliath did sound like he regretted that. The doorway was just a few steps away.

“You came by to tell her to leave me didn’t you?!” Fox figured that out on her first try. “Just stay out of it!”

“You have a mate and a child. What are you doing picking up another?!” Now it was Goliath’s voice rising. Trini stumbled and fell to her knees. She just managed to not fall onto her weakened arm. She couldn’t really feel it anymore, so she didn’t know if the bone had healed yet. “I can’t believe Xanatos is letting you commit adultery! What sort of example are you setting for your son?!”

Trini thought she heard Fox growl, before the redhead’s voice carried out to her while she struggled to get back on her feet. “She is my bond-mate! David understands that I couldn’t ever turn her away… and it is none of your DAMN business. And don’t you ever… EVER… try to use Alexander in an argument like that again!”

There was tense silence as Trini made it too the doorway. She didn’t like what she saw. Fox was standing very close to Goliath, glaring daggers at him, and the gargoyle seemed to tower over her. Angela and Broadway were just staring at the confrontation from their safe place on the couch. “Fox…” Trini’s voice was too quiet for her lover to hear, and Fox was facing the other way. She spoke louder. “Fox, just come to bed.” Fox turned to face her and Trini could see the redhead’s expression go from anger to concern very quickly. Trini was leaning heavily on the doorway. Fox came to her quickly.

“Trini, baby, you shouldn’t be out of bed. Those painkillers Owen gave you are really strong.” Fox said tenderly. Trini was very aware of the three pair of eyes on them.

“I didn’t want you to do something you’d regret.” Trini was a little breathless from the effort to get down the hall. Those drugs Owen gave her weren’t going too well with her unique biology. “Just let this one go.” Trini could see from the firm set of Fox’s jaw that her lover wasn’t ready to let this go.

Fox’s voice came out in an angry hiss. “He hurt you! You are supposed to be safe here, and he hurt you.”

Trini reached out and started to caress Fox’s hair while just looking into her lover’s face. Fox still had a lot of make-up on from her date with David. “I’ll be fine in no time. He won’t pull that again.” Trini looked over Fox’s shoulder to stare at Goliath. Demona would get him that spell, and Trini wouldn’t have to worry so much about him. “He got hurt too.” Trini could see that his arm was wrapped up.

“Good.” Fox said with a hint of a snarl.

Trini’s eyes were pleading, “Please, let’s just go to bed.”

She could see Fox starting to relent, but it was then that Goliath chose to speak. “I still believe this is wrong.”

Trini glared at him with red eyes. “Believe whatever you want, just don’t bother us about it.” She could see he was surprised at how easily she dismissed his opinion. He was probably used to everyone caring what he thought. Fox moved to put Trini’s good arm around her own shoulders to help Trini walk when Trini almost stumbled.

“I could carry her.” Goliath said quietly, and Trini’s entire body tensed up. She didn’t notice the studying gaze both Angela and Goliath were giving her back when she let that response become visible, or Angela and her father sharing a concerned look.

“You will never touch her again.” Fox growled out loudly as she helped Trini out of the room. Goliath just stared after them quietly.

Trini could hear Broadway speak quietly to Angela, “I know that look. What’s going on?”

“Hopefully nothing. Father doesn’t want me to talk about it.” Angela’s voice was softer than Trini normally heard it. Shit, what was she going to do if they really figured it out?

Fox had left her alone for magic training after dropping by briefly, so Trini knew Fox barely slept. She could see Fox sitting up in bed, staring at her. “That could have gone a lot worse than a broken arm, couldn’t it?” Fox’s voice was as tense as her body. They’d avoided talking about it while training, but Trini knew that the sisters knew what happened. They didn’t say anything about it, but she could tell Selene was angry and Phoebe was being even more touchy and comforting than normal. Only Luna seemed to be behaving normally.

Trini moved to awkwardly sit up. Her arm was probably better, but she needed to get the sling off. She sighed heavily. “I don’t know. He was… aroused, and I could see it.” She remembered the way his loincloth was starting to tent. She’d seen David do that as well since her pheromones started, but she wasn’t afraid of David getting rough with her or attacking her.

“We completely missed the signs with him.” Fox sounded completely disgusted. They sat in silence, because Trini had no response for that. “I called Demona, told her what happened. She’s coming by during lunch to pick up the new samples and see if you are up to working today.

“I’m not missing work. I have a meeting.” Trini had Dan coming up to her office to discuss how they were going to deal with planning out the restructuring of the orientations.

Fox sighed. “We should have the doctor look and see that you healed okay. You need some x-ray’s.”

Fox didn’t want Trini taking off the sling until the doctor saw her, so Trini didn’t get her shower… the one she’d really needed last night. The doctor determined that there was nothing wrong with her arm, and looked a little confused about being asked to check. Trini was running late by the time she was finally able to shower. She hurried as much as she could, but she still didn’t manage to be ready when Domi arrived. Fox answered the door for her. Owen was with Domi, because they didn’t trust her enough to let her wander around the building.

Domi waited for Trini to get ready, so she could give her a ride to work. The redhead raised the darkened window between them and Gregory so that they could have some privacy. “Are you okay?” She asked gently.

Trini took a deep breath. “I think Goliath suspects I’ve been… abused.” Domi stared at her until Trini felt the need to continue. “Apparently I didn’t hide my fear very well. He sent Angela to check on me because he thinks I have a problem with males.”

“He doesn’t think you were abused. He thinks you were raped.” Domi’s lips thinned, as the redhead took a deep breath through her nose. “He’ll take his suspicions to his pet human.”

“She’s not a pet.” Trini sighed in exasperation. “Elisa is my friend and she stands up for me with him.”

“And what would your… friend… do if she found out how we dealt with those bastards that did that to you?” Domi’s voice was filled with contempt. Trini just turned to stare out the window at the cloudy sky. She had no idea what Elisa would do. Was she a cop first, or a friend?

The work day went by very quickly. Trini worked with Dan for almost two hours determining what the next step of research would be. Trini spent the last half an hour of her shift opening her mail. All the things that normally would be sent to the employees’ home were sent to Trini’s office for her. She couldn’t afford for the word to get out that she got regular mail from NightStone. She opened one to find her contract. Her eyes widened as she stared at it.

Trini stepped out into the reception area. “Is Ms. Destine with anyone right now?” She asked Lori, who was beginning to shut everything down to go home early, they still had a half hour left of the workday.

“No, her last appointment for the day just left.” Lori said absently while pulling out her purse. Trini knocked and then went in to Domi’s office with her contract in hand. She made sure to close the door behind her.

The redhead was bent over her desk working very hard on something. Trini hated to interrupt her, but they needed to talk about this. “Domi, I got my contract today.” Trini said softly. She watched as Domi sat up and set her pen down. Trini noticed the slight smirk on those red lips. “It isn’t a mistake, is it? You really plan to pay me that.” Her salary was five times higher than what she’d made working full time in Seattle, and this was a half time job.

Domi’s voice was a little lower than normal. “Trini, people make more money in this industry than in education, and the cost of living in New York is higher.”

Trini moved to sit down across from Domi. Even if both of those things were true, this was still more than she really deserved for this job. She was being overpaid to the extreme. She doubted that Owen was making this much. “I… I… this is too much Domi.”

“Your job will get harder after your breeding season is over. I know it looks like I just have you doing secretarial work, but that is just temporary. I just don’t want all my employees lusting after my mate, so I keep you in here.” Domi spoke gently, “You are worth far more than that to me as an employee. It isn’t a handout, I know you hate those.” Domi sighed. “I wanted to pay you more, but this was all I thought I could get you to accept.” Domi paused for a moment. “I want to finish this one report before we go.”

“Okay.” Trini said quietly. “I’ll go back to my office until you’re ready.”

“Start figuring out what car you want. I don’t want to waste all of our Sunday shopping.” Domi said in her business-like tone as she reached out to open up her report again. “This might take me an hour, and then we can just enjoy the rest of the night.”

They didn’t end up actually leaving NightStone until six pm. Trini hadn’t gotten very far in her car hunt. She just knew she didn’t want to make Domi spend too much. With the pay she was making she could have easily bought her own car. When the limo took a turn that Trini didn’t expect she turned to see a mischievous grin on Domi’s face. “I felt like Chinese food, so I made an order to go.”

Dinner was nice. Trini didn’t try to embarrass herself by trying to use the chopsticks, but Domi was able to use them elegantly. After dinner Domi started a fire in the fireplace and put on some music before going to her bedroom to change her clothes, because it was almost sunset. Trini set some pillows down on the floor so that they could sit on them and enjoy the fire. This was sort of romantic, and it became more so when Demona came out from the kitchen carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. Trini swore that Demona was doing that sexy pose on purpose while she turned off the overhead lights. The darkened room was only illuminated by the large fire. “This is nice.” Trini said softly as Demona handed her a glass of wine and sat down beside her.

“Trini… I love you.” Demona looked deep into Trini’s eyes. “I realize you were raised by a human, so you don’t fully understand… what a commitment letting me fly you is.” Demona reached out tenderly to move a piece of Trini’s hair behind her ear, while slowly caressing the sensitive tip. Trini watched as the gargoyle lightly bit her own lip, almost nervously, before continuing. “This would be the gargoyle’s version of marriage. I would become your mate… this is more than just a lover.” Trini’s eyes widened a little at that. She hadn’t realized that.

Trini watched as Demona looked down. “Most gargoyles only have one mate in their lifetime. We take these commitments far more seriously than humans do.” Demona looked up at Trini, with vulnerability in her eyes. “I know you have Fox, and that’s okay, but do you want to be tied to me like that?” Demona asked softly, while caressing Trini’s tail lightly, almost absently, through her pants. “If I give you all of my love… I don’t want you to abandon me. I want to know that you’re certain this is what you want. My past relationships didn’t end well, and I don’t want to go through the pain of losing you.”

Trini took a deep breath as she tried to order her thoughts. She had wanted more time before she got that serious, time to see if they would be able to work through their differences. She was still at NightStone partially because she needed to spy on Domi. She trusted the gargoyle with her own life with no reservations, but she didn’t know if she could trust Demona to not kill her friends. Her body wasn’t giving them the time to iron out these issues, and she didn’t want to not have Demona. She could easily imagine being with the gargoyle a few hundred years from now, she could see a future with her and she liked it. She loved her, more than the amount of time they’d been together warranted, she’d seen her at her most vulnerable, at her blood thirstiest, at her most loving. She made her decision, and it was not hard at all. She reached down to take the hand lightly touching her leg and pulled it to her lips to kiss it gently. “I love you. I want you to be a part of my life for as long as I live, be that ten years or a thousand.” She looked into the gargoyle’s glassy eyes and reached out to caress the red locks. “I want you to be my mate.” Trini said softly as she leaned forward to capture the gargoyle’s lips with her own.

Demona snuggled up to Trini as they watched the fire. Trini wrapped her arm around the gargoyle to hold her close, and her heart felt so full of love it almost hurt. The emotion was just too overpowering. She wasn’t blind, she knew that a relationship with the human hating gargoyle wasn’t always going to be easy.

They shared gentle caresses while they finished the bottle of wine. Demona stood up and held out a hand to help Trini up. “I… I’m ready now.” The gargoyle said softly. “I want to make love with you tonight.”

Trini’s heart speed up with her nervousness. “Are you sure? If you aren’t ready, I can wait.” Trini said tenderly while caressing Demona’s cheek.

“I can’t wait anymore.” The gargoyle smiled at Trini. Her voice got huskier, “I want you and I know you want me.”

“I do.” Trini said softly and leaned in to kiss Demona’s lips tenderly, gently. “I want you so much.” She whispered into Demona’s ear softly before kissing the pointed tip. She pulled back to look into the gargoyle’s hooded eyes, “If you change your mind, or don’t want something… let me know.”

“I will.” Demona reached out caressed Trini’s hair, and gently running the back of her talons along the pointed tips of Trini’s ears. “You do the same.” She said quietly as she leaned in and kissed Trini lightly. Trini found herself arching into the caress and seeking a firmer kiss. Demona kept the kiss and the caress light in spite of Trini’s efforts. That gargoyle was always such a tease. Trini felt a smile tugging at her lips as she pulled back. “I have a blanket we can set here, in front of the fire.” Demona said softly. “I want to stay in here, but if you don’t think the floor is…”

“It’s perfect. Very romantic.” Trini interrupted gently. She could see Demona was a little nervous, so was she.

While Demona went to get the blanket, Trini removed her pants and socks. She’d already kicked her shoes off when she got home. Her jacket had been removed at that time as well. She was now clad in a cotton button up dark blue shirt and her underwear. She unbuttoned the shirt until it showed her cleavage and the top of her black lacey bra. She knew that the dark colors set off her pale skin well. She took a moment to rip the tape off her ears, while biting back a hiss because of the brief pain. She fluffed her hair, trying to primp a little.

Demona came back into the room, and Trini watched as the gargoyle’s eyes traveled up her body. The hunger in Demona’s eyes made Trini’s breath catch in her throat for a moment. She stepped forward to help her lay out the large, soft blanket. Part of her noticed that Demona, like Elisa, had a tendency to be romantic, to like romantic settings. It was something that Fox didn’t really have, not that she loved Fox any less for it.

Trini stood in the middle of the blanket a little awkwardly. Demona stepped up to her with a slight smile on her lips. “I’m going to show you how to make love to a gargoyle. I’m going to show you the pleasure your body it truly capable of.” Demona said seductively, surprising Trini, who thought she was going to be teaching Demona about making love to a female. She’d just assumed, since Demona said she hadn’t done that before that she’d be as shy as Elisa had been. The kiss Demona gave her let Trini know that Demona was the teacher tonight. The light caress through her shirt that ran down between her scars left her knees weak.