On The Edge Of Suspicion

(Part 4 of the Trinity saga © 2002)

By Princess Alexandria

Princess_alex24@hotmail.com

 

Reviews can be posted at:
http://pub17.ezboard.com/fgargoylesxfrm5

 

 

Day 9– Tuesday – August 5th

 

         Brooklyn smiled widely at her and started to step forward to greet her.  Goliath also came to see her, and Trini felt claustrophobic.  She felt surrounded.  Broadway was smiling at Angela and glancing at Trini with curiosity in his eyes once in a while.  Angela was tense, but she stood close to Trini, trying to fulfill the unspoken request for protection Trini had projected.  Elisa took a step back to watch the proceedings, and Trini realized something that she’d never even thought of before.  She’d always counted on her relationship with Elisa to protect her from the clan.  As Marie, she didn’t have that; instead she had the fact she was with Demona working against her.

         She couldn’t afford to anger any of them.  She couldn’t put Angela in the position of protecting her like that, and she couldn’t let anyone get close enough to figure out what she was hiding.  God dammit, she was going to look like a coward.  Demona wasn’t going to like that.

         Goliath smile gently at her, “No need to be afraid.”  He glanced over at the other gargoyles, and Trini could see the question in his eyes when he looked at Elisa and then Angela.  “I’m Goliath.”  He held out his hand to shake.

         Trini took a deep breath and didn’t step closer to shake his hand.  She knew this wasn’t going to go over very well.  “I’m Marie.”  She watched with concern as his body stiffened up and his hand fell back to his side. 

         Brooklyn’s voice was friendly and once again over eager.  “I’m Brooklyn.”  She gritted her teeth as he smiled and moved closer, completely not noticing that Goliath had taken a step back and was staring at her in disbelief, studying her, Trini felt like he was trying to memorize everything about her he saw.  When Trini made no attempt to shake his hand, his voice got softer, “You don’t need to be afraid.  We’re the local clan.”

         “I…”  Trini didn’t know what to say.  At least he wasn’t moving closer, her body language must be helping to keep them away.

         Goliath’s voice interrupted with a bit of a growl, “So… what is the trap?”

         “Father, No…”  Angela protested immediately, “She’s not like that.”

         Brooklyn looked between Goliath and Angela in puzzlement, “What are you guys talking about?”

         Trini took a deep breath to try and stay calm, as she stepped a little closer to Angela.  “I was just talking with Angela.  I… I’m not doing anything wrong.”  She hated how timid her voice sounded, but she couldn’t seem like a threat in any way.

         “Where’s Demona?” Goliath glared at her, and Trini could see Brooklyn and Broadway turning to stare at him.

         “She’s not here.” Elisa interrupted, finally speaking.  “Marie is alone.”  The detective’s voice was a little cold and professional.

         “Why would Demona be here?”  Brooklyn looked around trying to get someone to answer.

         “Because she’s my mate.”  Trini stood her ground and waited for his anger.  She had Angela between them.  Broadway looked shocked and his jaw dropped a bit.

         Brooklyn’s response was more interesting.  Trini kept her eyes on him so she didn’t miss any of it.  She needed to be able to dodge if he attacked.  His beak fell open and his eyes widened as he stared at her, obviously dumbfounded.  “But… but…” he stammered out before pulling himself together to actually talk.  “But you… you can’t be.”

         She spoke demurely, trying to keep them from getting aggressive, “I am…”  she told Brooklyn then turned her eyes to Goliath, “I just wanted to meet her daughter.”  She spoke more quietly, never taking her eyes off of Goliath’s stern expression, “I didn’t tell her what I was doing.”

         Goliath’s eyes seemed to burn into her, and she couldn’t read his expression at all.  When he took a step closer, Trini took a quick step back, planting herself more firmly behind Angela.  He stopped moving and tilted his head while he studied her.  “If you truly mean no harm, we won’t attack you.”

         Trini’s eyes darted around at the various gargoyles on the roof.  Brooklyn still looked stunned, but he didn’t look angry with her.  Broadway was glancing between Angela and her obviously curious, and cautious, but there was no air of menace to him, as if there ever was.  Trini never found him to be hot headed.  Goliath was looking at her with… was that pity?  She felt like growling at him.  She bit back her anger at being pitied.  She hated that!  She forced herself to remain calm.  “Good.”  She still felt her heart beating more quickly.

         Brooklyn found his voice, “How can you be with that…”

         “Brooklyn!” Angela snapped at him, surprising everyone there.  “Don’t talk bad about mother now, this is her mate!”  Trini could see Angela’s eyes flashing red.  Brooklyn slowly closed his mouth, while staring at Angela in shock.

         “Thank you.”  Trini said softly to the girl.  She almost reached out to touch Angela’s elbow as she spoke, but she stopped herself in time.  She knew that Angela rarely tried to stop the tirade against her mother.

         Goliath stared into her eyes, “You do know about her past, don’t you?”

         “I do.  I know she’s… done things.”  Trini didn’t look away.  She didn’t want anyone thinking that Demona had to lie or mislead to get a mate.  “but, she’s mine.”  She narrowed her eyes a little.

         He opened his mouth, obviously planning to elaborate on what all Demona had done.  He probably didn’t think Demona would have told her the truth.  In all honesty, Demona’s version of the truth and the clans were vastly different.  “Father, she knows.  She knows a lot.”  Angela quickly interjected before he could bring up Demona’s painful past.  Trini could see Angela’s eyes take on a pleading look.  The girl didn’t want Goliath or the others to say anything that would make Marie leave Demona.  That had to be why she kept interrupting the males when they tried to talk about her mother now.

         Goliath’s voice lost its gentleness, “So you approve of her murdering ways?”

         Trini glanced over at Elisa and then Angela before trying to answer.  She didn’t expect him to understand, because if he did, he wouldn’t have left Demona.  “No, I don’t.”  She tilted her head and looked up at him, glad that he was out of reach.  He had hurt Demona by rejecting her when he woke up.  He never tried to understand what Demona went through while he was safely sleeping.  He really knew nothing of the loneliness, the pain, and the torture that her mate had to endure alone during those thousand years.  He never tried to know.

         “Yet you stay with her?” Goliath and Trini were at a stand still, and Trini could feel all the other eyes on them.  She could see no evidence in his body language that made her think he’d attack her.  He probably thought he could talk her out of loving Demona, rendering her lover alone again.

         “I love her.”  She kept her voice even and her eyes flashed red only briefly with her irritation. 

         “How can you…”  Brooklyn muttered none too quietly while shaking his head.

         There was an awkward silence and Trini could hear the nervous shuffling that Broadway, Brooklyn, and Angela were doing.  “Your clan says you are a thief and a terrorist.” Trini felt like growling at Goliath’s words.

         Trini sighed.  “They aren’t my clan.  They never were, I was effectively banished because of my father.”  Trini fidgeted a little nervously, “Thankfully you don’t do that to Angela.  I was forced to pay for my fathers mistakes.”  She saw his eyes narrow in suspicion and doubt.  “I had to steal what was mine.  I grew up without a clan.  I paid enough for the crimes of a man I didn’t know. ”  Her voice took on a bit of a growl, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

         “What was that box… what was Demona trying to do?”

         Trini’s lips thinned in anger.  He thought he could just get her to spill information he could use against her lover, and it wasn’t going to work, even though that box had been a distraction and the whole scene an act.  “I’m here to visit, not to be interrogated.”  She stared him straight in the eye, “She’s my lover… and I protect what is mine.  Don’t try to use me against her.”

         Brooklyn spoke quickly, as if afraid someone would stop him if he didn’t get his say out fast.  “When you realize what an insane murderer she is you can come to us.”

         “She isn’t insane!”  Trini’s voice rose a bit, but she was proud of herself, she kept Marie’s slow speech intact without thinking about it.  “You’ve never been clanless… you have no idea what that’s like.”

         Angela moved to put a comforting hand on her shoulder and she almost flinched.  She made sure her illusionary wings were far away from Angela’s hands.  That part of her body could pass the touch test.  She took a deep breath and spoke more calmly, “If you are just going to put down my mate, I want you to leave.”

         “Why should we leave?” Brooklyn’s voice was starting to get argumentative.

         Trini waved her hand over to the building next to them, “You are in my neighborhood.”  She glanced over at the NightStone building and then back at Brooklyn meaningfully.  “And you are being rude.”

         “Rude?!”  He looked pretty shocked at that.  Goliath put his hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder, effectively silencing him.

         “While Brooklyn’s wording was a little…”  Goliath shrugged, “if you ever find that you need a safe place to be, you can come to us.”

         “You just want me to leave her!”  Trini almost lost her act for a moment as she hissed that out.

         “She’s dangerous Marie.”  Goliath spoke wearily.  “Cunning and dangerous.”

         Trini opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped herself in time.  She decided to go for the high road.  “Thanks, but I won’t be needing it.”  She couldn’t really say that her mate wasn’t those things.  She sighed, “I know she’s… irrational at times, but she’d never hurt me.”

         “I wouldn’t count on that if I were you.”  Brooklyn muttered angrily. 

         Trini stared at him for a moment.  “No.  She won’t.  Just stop it.”  Her eyes were cold as she glared at him.  He went quiet.

         There was more silence.  Painful awkward silence.  No one seemed to know what to say, but the clan wasn’t leaving.  They had to leave first, because Trini couldn’t have them see her climb down from the rooftop rather than glide.

         Brooklyn was staring at her, and it irritated her.  She could see the barely concealed lust, and the disbelief that had to be because of her mate.  “How did you end up with her?”

         Trini’s eyes narrowed, “That is between us.”  She glanced over at Angela, hoping that the girl knew when to keep her mouth shut.  It was one thing to trust Angela with stories that Demona wouldn’t want spread around, and another to announce those stories to the clan.

         “I’m Broadway.”  Angela’s large boyfriend finally spoke, and he sounded friendly.  Trini glanced over at him wondering why he was introducing himself now.  “I guess… your Angela’s step-mother?”

         Trini stared at him in shock and a blush covered her face, adding a slight purple tint to the deep indigo skin that everyone saw.  “I… I don’t know about that.”  She could see Goliath’s disapproval and shock at that thought from the corner of her eye.  She glanced over at Angela to see the female was slightly pale.  No, she couldn’t take that title.  It was unusual for the gargoyles to even think in those terms as far as she knew.

         “I hadn’t even thought of that.”  Angela muttered quietly, almost to herself.

         Trini’s eyes softened.  “Just because…”  she sighed.  She didn’t know how to say this.  “I don’t need to become family.  I just had to talk… that’s all.”

         “What did you need to talk with Angela about?!”  Goliath’s voice was sharp with suspicion.  Trini took a deep breath and forced herself to answer the question.

         “She’s Demona’s daughter.  I hear about her pretty often.”  Trini stared into his eyes, “I wanted to meet her, that’s all.”

         Elisa’s voice startled Trini a bit.  She’d almost forgotten the detective was there.  “Marie wants Angela to visit with Demona.  To let Demona teach her about the Breeder’s moon.”  Trini turned to glare at Elisa.  That was not helpful!

         “NO!”  Goliath spoke quickly and his eyes burned, “So that’s your game.”  Trini’s heart began to beat faster as he took a menacing step closer.  “Demona sent you, didn’t she?!”

         “It’s not a trick.  The females of your clan need to know things, things you can’t tell them.”  Trini had to force her voice to remain somewhat calm as she moved closer to a stiffly standing Angela.

         “What things?!”  He seemed to be getting larger as his eyes blazed at her.

         Trini’s eyes widened.  “I have no idea.  I was clanless… I never had a breeders moon… Demona is going to have to teach me.”

         Goliath’s eyes stopped blazing instantly, “You… are that young?”  Trini felt like he thought she was a child, and she hated that feeling.  “Oh, Marie…”  Goliath shook his head a little, “You really shouldn’t… there are other gargoyle’s out there… you can find someone else.”  He paused while studying her, “Are you a Les..bi..an or Bisexual?”  He was mispronouncing it, but it was clear what it was he was saying, and he just sounded curious, none of the rage he’d exhibited when he found out Demona had a female lover.  Trini noticed him glance over at Elisa for a moment, obviously asking a question with his eyes.  Elisa nodded, with a slight smile on her lips.

         “I’m gay.”  Trini spoke hesitantly while she was watching him, not quite believing what she was seeing.  He just nodded quietly and appeared in deep thought.

         “Our clan has a Les..bi..an that needs a mate of her own.”  He looked up and had to see Trini’s jaw hanging open.  His eyes burned white for a moment, “She is… hard to live with, and is trying to share a mate… It isn’t natural to share a mate like that.”

         “Goliath, don’t.”  Elisa said softly as she moved to put her hand on his arm.  Trini had to force her mouth to close, with an almost audible snap.  He was trying to set Marie up with Trini.

         He looked down at the detective, “If Trinity had a mate of her own, then I’d feel better… I don’t want her trying to…”

         “Trini wouldn’t try to split us up.  She was just angry when she said that.”  Elisa said gently, and Trini watched the exchange intently.  Goliath was afraid she’d steal Elisa back?  Elisa smiled coyly, “Besides, I do love you Big Guy.”  Watching Elisa flirting so openly with Goliath almost brought tears to her eyes.  It hurt.  She tore her eyes away from the kiss Elisa was giving him to see the other males were confused looking.  Brooklyn shook it off first.

         “Demona might be using you just so that she has someone during the moon.” Brooklyn spoke quickly, which was the only way he got his words out before Angela hissed at him.  The lavender female continued to glare at him after he said that.

         Trini’s eyes hardened.  “If that was the way she acted, she wouldn’t have spent a thousand years celibate while she waited for Goliath to wake up.”  She hissed out.  She turned her glare to Goliath, who was now loosely holding onto Elisa.  “She is my mate now.  I will not leave her, and you can’t take her from me.”  Trini’s eyes burned red, “You can’t have her again.  She is mine!”  Elisa looked at her with wide eyes, clearly shocked by the accusations, just as shocked as Trini was that she’d made them.

         “Father wouldn’t do that Marie…” Angela said softly and the hand on Trini’s arm made Trini realize just how tense she’d gotten.  “Mother loves you… she loves YOU.”

         “How do you know this?” Goliath was staring at his daughter intensely, and Trini realized what Angela had given away in her attempt to comfort Marie.  Shit.

         Angela’s back tensed up and Trini could see the female’s eyes darting around for a moment, before they settled on Goliath, “I’ve talked to mother on the phone lately.”

         “What?!”  Goliath almost shouted at Angela.  Trini was surprised the girl didn’t wince at the volume her father used.

         Angela stood tall as she stared at her father, “I wanted to make sure her new mate was treating her right.  She is my mother, and it seems Trini is the only one that understands that!”  Trini’s eyes widened a little as Angela said that.  She turned to watch Goliath, who looked like he was turning more purple than he normally was.  Angela continued, ignoring the anger that Goliath was projecting out.  Trini could see Broadway watching his girlfriend with concern.  “Marie is good for mother!  We are not going to screw this up for her!”  Trini was shocked.  Angela was finally standing up and in a big way.  “I want to see MY mother.  She wants to help me and I want to see her!”  Angela looked a lot more like her mother at that moment, her eyes blazing and her voice raised.  Trini was proud of her, standing up for herself like that, but it would have been easier to just sneak out to see Demona.  Now Angela would be watched, and ordered to not do it.  She could see that once Goliath calmed down enough for speech, he would tell Angela not to see Demona.

         “I can arrange for you to see her.”  Trini said more quickly than she really wanted to talk as Marie, but she didn’t have much time before Goliath forbid it.  Once he’d said it, it would be hard to change his mind, “She knows she doesn’t have many more chances with you, she won’t risk being able to see you for anything now.”

         “We are not talking about this here!”  Goliath growled out, while glaring at Trini a little.  Trini went quiet, hoping that Angela could sway her father, because she’d done what she came here for.  Angela was willing to give Demona another chance.

         Trini sighed as she watched the clan glide away.  After the argument about Demona was quickly put off, Goliath diplomatically told Marie that she should meet other people, and that if Demona ever hurt her she could stay with them.  He never mentioned Trinity specifically.

         Trini climbed down from the building, watching carefully to make sure that no one saw her doing that.  The wind was a little cold on her barely covered body.  She was wearing a copy of Demona’s outfit, and the breeze flipped her loincloth up on several occasions.  She had no idea why that happened to her, but she’d never seen it happen to her mate.  Maybe she was supposed to weight the hem down with something.  Once she was on the ground she put the cloak on, hoping to hide some of her new gargoyle appearance.  Her feet were a little scrapped up from trying to cling to the wall barefoot.  She’d managed to find some foot holes, which she strongly suspected Demona had put in the building at some point, so it made the climbing down a bit easier.  She’d lucked out with that. 

She had all night in this illusion, which was still a couple of hours.  Hours that she couldn’t go to the Eyrie.  She’d call Demona once she got back to the car and see if her mate could take her in tonight.  She couldn’t really drive, could she?  No one would think she was a real gargoyle if she was driving, would they?

         She held the cloak closed and walked quickly into the underground NightStone parking to get her lonely car.  She had parked on the lowest level out of habit.  She wished that she’d thought of the fact that she would then have to sneak back down while avoiding the security guards.  She ducked into the shadows of the stairwell as she heard the jingling of keys.  Once the sound got further away she dashed down the last flight of stairs and took a second to peek into the deserted parking lot to see no security guards before she darted to her car.  The top was up, she’d at least thought of that before she’d left it here.  It would help to hide her from human eyes some.  Still, she didn’t think she could drive far without being seen. 

         She slide quickly into the car seat and hurried to turn on the car and get out of there before the guard that she knew was close behind her came out and wanted to chat.  Her cape didn’t cover the fact that she was a deep blue from the front, but it helped to make her look human from behind. 

         Trini pulled out of the NightStone building carefully.  She didn’t want any police pulling her over now.  She drove past a van and didn’t notice the white haired man staring at her car as she turned the corner.  She had an idea.  She was going to visit Andrea.  The artist needed a model, and Trini needed a safe place to stay until it was almost dawn.    A painting of her gargoyle form would be nice too.  She might never get to see this form again.  She didn’t notice the white van following her car. 

         Trini had parked her car a few blocks away from Andrea’s apartment and took a backpack with her full of her real clothes.  She planned to leave Andrea’s shortly before dawn, change, and walk back to her car after the sun ended the spell.  She’d moved quickly when she got out of her car, even though she didn’t see anyone on the streets.  She climbed the buildings and jumped from one to the next, while keeping an eye looking out for witnesses on the ground or in the air. 

Now she was clinging to the outside of Andrea’s window.  It was dark inside.  The artist must be asleep, and Trini would have felt bad about waking her, but she knew Andrea would be thrilled to have a willing model.  She smirked at that thought as she knocked on the window, hoping the artist would come out of her bedroom to investigate.  The light she saw light up the hall made her heart beat a little more quickly.  Hopefully Andrea would handle this as well as Trini thought she would.  Andrea wanted to see a gargoyle.  Trini pulled her hair over her face more and then moved so that Andrea would be able to see her.  She watched with concern as Andrea’s sleepy eyes widened in shock as she stared at Trini. 

It took a moment of mutual staring before the artist moved quickly towards the window, opening it.  “You’re a gargoyle!”  Andrea sounded so excited.  It made Trini grin, her white teeth showing up very well against her deep blue skin.

Trini remembered to sound different than her normal voice, “You are Calhoun?”  Trini knew that Andrea signed her paintings with just her last name.

She watched Andrea’s wide eyes as the artist nodded.  “I was hoping you could do some drawings for me… but I can’t pay.”  Trini sounded a bit upset about that.  A regular gargoyle wouldn’t even drop by like this, but Andrea was a friend, and as her friend she had to help her with her gargoyle anatomy.

“Oh.”  Andrea took a step back in silent invitation, “Really?”  Trini could see that Andrea was beginning to think this was a dream, as she watched the artist try to subtly pinch herself.  The grimace on Andrea’s face made Trini smirk at her. 

“Yes, and you are awake.”  Trini’s face became more serious as Andrea just stared at her, obviously studying her.  “I don’t have more than three hours.  Will that be enough?  I only have tonight, I can’t ever come back.”  That made the artist jump to attention.

“We will do as much as we can.”  Andrea slowly tore her eyes off of Trini to pull out her supplies.  Trini just walked over to the couch and got into position.  “You came to see me?”  Andrea sounded like a child excited about Christmas.

 Normally Andrea would just draw intensely and not talk to a model after a little while, but not tonight.  Every once in a while she had asked questions about being a gargoyle.  Trini answered them minimally, hoping to keep Andrea from asking too much.  Andrea had on a couple occasions asked for Trini to move her hair, but Trini had told her it was staying.  She also had to tell Andrea twice that she didn’t want to be touched.  The artist wanted to touch the wings to feel how they worked, but there were no wings there.  Trini sighed as she stared at the clock.  She could only give Andrea another half hour before she fled. 

 Andrea handed Trini some drawings in a canister.  “I wish I had time to paint them for you, Marie.”

“Thank you.”  Trini smiled gently and stepped out to climb up the building.  She glanced back in to see Andrea working frantically on the drawings that she’d kept for herself.  Andrea now had more than enough reference material for her work.  She had posed in several positions so that the artist had a very good idea of what the wings and tail looked like, and how they moved.

Once she got to the top of Andrea’s building she had about ten minutes until sunrise.  She quickly changed into her real clothes, but the illusion still looked the same, her clothes were hidden.  She then started her journey towards the car.

         Trini slung her backpack over her shoulder, and as soon as the sun rose above the horizon she stepped out of the alley.  She walked past the white van parked in front of her car and pulled out her keys.  The van’s side door sliding open suddenly startled her into dropping them.  She turned to look into the blue eyes of an older man with white hair and a beard.  She almost let his name slip out, but she wasn’t supposed to know it.  MacBeth had obviously been waiting for her.

          

 

 

         Trini bent down to cautiously pick up her keys.  Running wouldn't really do that much good would it?  Did she need to run?

         "For someone that doesn't work at NightStone, you spent quite a while in their parking garage last night."  MacBeth's voice didn’t give away any emotion.  Trini couldn't tell how much trouble she was in.  She stuffed her keys back in her pocket and slung her backpack over her shoulder more firmly as she stood up to face him.

         "I don't like to advertise where I work."  She could see that he was ready for anything, being around Fox and Demona taught her when someone was battle ready.  She took a step back, to make sure she was out of grabbing reach.  He might be human, but he was as old as Demona, and was a warrior.  He might actually be able to take her out in a fight… and she just couldn't bring herself to fight with everything she had against him.  The thought that Demona might feel it made her really not want to fight.

         He looked at her with a disdainful expression.  "Oh, but you don't just work there, do you?"  Trini glanced around, and was very disappointed with the lack of people out at this hour.  A crowd would be very helpful right now.  "You know what she is… I saw you two together at night."  She stared up into his eyes, her own widening.  A moment too late she realized she should have pretended to be confused.  She watched his eyes narrow.  She took another step back.

         "I don't know what you're talking about."  She said it, knowing that he wouldn't believe it now.  It was too late. 

         His hand slide behind the door of the van, "Don't bother running."  Trini got the impression that he was now armed.

         "Just let me go."  Trini's voice got quieter, as if there was anyone around to hear them.  The diner door opened behind her, and she was relieved to see the couple opening up for breakfast.  It was still very early.  She spun around and headed for the door, for witnesses… for sanctuary.

         MacBeth was beside her faster than she really thought possible.  "Hungry?  Sure, let's have breakfast."  He spoke quietly, almost into her ear.  Trini's body tensed up.  He was much scarier when he wasn't unconscious.  She glanced down and could see his hand hidden inside his long black coat.  She had a pretty good idea of what he was holding.

         "You paying?"  Trini forced herself to sound more friendly, since the woman running the diner glanced up at them from her paperwork and smiled. 

         He placed his hand on her shoulder, which Trini flinched away from, but he didn't move it.  "I think you owe me."  His voice held the fake conversational quality too.  "It was you that borrowed my money in Seattle, wasn't it?"

         Trini sighed and walked further away from the front doors.  She would have sat facing the door, but he quickly slide into that side of the table and motioned with the hidden hand that she was sitting across from him.  She slide in, but sat on the edge, ready to move if any opportunity presented itself.  If all else failed… she had an immortality card to play too, and she wasn't letting anyone use her against Demona… never again.  "So you got your wallet back okay?"  She sounded more confident now that she realized she still had an edge he didn't know about.  There was no use denying anything now, he already knew.  The woman came by with menus, so they went quiet for a moment and glanced over it.

 

         Once the normalcy of ordering was over and the woman left, Trini smirked at him.  "I would have sent the clothes, but she ruined them."  If he was hot tempered, he might get sloppy.  It was the sort of thing that Demona did to Goliath… and Trini's mate knew more about this sort of fighting than Trini did. 

         His face took on an angry red, "Ye left me up there naked as the day I was born.  It would have to be you… she would have been unconscious."

         "I called for help.  Didn't the police rescue you."  Trini's smirk grew as she remembered the satisfaction of stripping him and leaving him stranded.  His eyes seemed dangerous as he stared at her, losing his angry red flush, which was the opposite of what Trini was after.

         "They found me fine.  Thank you so much."  Sarcasm dripped off of his words, but Trini could swear she saw a hint of a smile on his lips.  She thought maybe she should be worried about that.  She lost her smirk.

         Trini's voice was lower, "I…"  She went quiet, and sighed heavily.  "I couldn't have you following us." 

         He stared at her, making Trini feel very uncomfortable.  She fidgeted nervously in her seat.  "Do you have any idea of what she does?  Did she tell you she loved you?  That harlot doesn't know the meaning of love."  He was starting to talk faster, and it became obvious to Trini that those two had lots, and lots of baggage.  "She'll betray you once she has whatever it is she's after.  Are you rich?  No…" He appeared to be trying to stare into Trini's soul, "She has enough money now… it has to be something else."

         The loud sound of doors banging against the walls made Trini's body jerk.  She was already tense, and that didn't help.  She could see MacBeth glancing over Trini's shoulder, to what was happening behind her. 

         "Well, if it isn't Carlos…"  Trini heard the man's voice behind her was filled with threat.  She was reluctant to take her eyes off of MacBeth, but she turned to see a group of three men, perhaps only teenagers, standing in the entryway.  The man, Carlos, was the middle aged man that had unlocked the doors to the diner.  He was standing behind the cash register, and he looked pale.  "You owe us some money… don't you Carlos?"

         "Shit."  Trini muttered quietly as she noticed one of the thugs had a baseball bat.  She was dressed in the outfit she'd worn to work yesterday… not anything that was good for fighting.  One of the men noticed her and MacBeth and a wicked smile crossed his lips as he started over towards them.  Trini turned to look at MacBeth.  "Don’t shoot me."  She then spun in her seat as she heard the man approaching her.  Her foot connected with his groin very solidly, and he fell clutching the area that she'd kicked.  She'd seen one of the other thugs pulling a gun on Carlos… and his wife.  She moved quickly, not paying any attention to the white haired man that was on his feet and after her instantly. 

         Trini was careful to not hit hard enough to kill the gun wielding man, and then kicked his gun away when he dropped it.  She'd over compensated in her punch, and while it hurt him, he was still standing.  Trini heard MacBeth engage the other man… and she made a decision she wasn't too proud of.  Her man was unarmed, and MacBeth was a warrior.  He would be able to handle this.  The spun around and dashed for the front door.

         Trini almost dropped her keys in her rush to pull them out.  As she passed by his van she quickly changed one hand to a talon and slashed his front tire.  She almost hit a car as she pulled out of her parking space, her heart pounding.  She could see him rushing out of the diner, so she took the opening created by the driver that had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting her.  She paid no attention to that driver's loud swearing out his window.

 

         Trini took a deep breath, and pulled out her cell phone.  Once the familiar voice answered, she started to talk a little too fast.  "Domi… I ran into MacBeth.  He says he's seen us together at night."  She could almost visualize her mate standing up straighter, partially dressed for work.

         "Where is he?!"

         "I lost him."  Trini swallowed.  The tension in Domi's voice made her think that she was in more danger than she'd realized. 

         "Come home."

 

         Trini was at the entry gates for the mansion in forty five minutes.  She'd managed to calm down a bit since she'd called.  He could have shot her in the back, but he hadn't.  Of course that could have also been because she would have been useless as a hostage dead.

         Once she stepped inside, Domi came out from the kitchen.  "Are you okay?"  The redhead asked gently as she walked up to Trini and started to caress Trini's hair.  MacBeth was so wrong, they all were… Demona was very capable of love.  Trini could see that love in her mate's eyes.

         "I'm fine.  He didn't hurt me."  Trini sighed, and started to retell the entire story, from the time that she walked in front of his van.  They would deal with this first.

 

         "What were you doing up that early?"  Domi said as she poured them both some orange juice.  It was still earlier than Trini normally woke up.

         Trini took the offered glass quietly.  Her evening with Angela didn't go the way she wanted.  She had hoped to get the girl to want to see her mother again… and that was accomplished, unfortunately she also alerted the clan to the fact that Angela was already talking to Demona.  It was very likely that Goliath would forbid her that contact now.  Trini set the glass down.  She'd fucked up… she'd fucked up pretty badly, and Domi was going to pay for it.  She'd been spending the evening since the clan left trying to not think about that.  "I… didn't go home last night.  I haven't been to bed yet."  She glanced up and noticed Domi staring at her intensely.  Trini took a deep breath and spoke a little quickly, to just get it out.  "The Weird Sisters helped me with a spell, and I really thought it would help… it was working, until Goliath and the clan came and fucked it all up!"

         Domi's forehead furrowed as she stared at her, "What are you talking about?!"

 

         It was an hour and a half after Trini had gotten home, this home, when she was finishing up the story of her night.  Her shoulders were tense, and she was so worried that Domi would blame her for Angela's current problem.  Domi was staring at her, and no matter how hard Trini tried, she just couldn't tell what her mate was thinking.  When Trini ran out of story, she sat quietly, staring at the kitchen counter.  Her shoulders tensed even more when Domi got up and began to pace.  She glanced up to watch Domi.

         "You…"  Domi started to speak, but went quiet again.  The pacing stopped and Domi turned to face Trini.  It was then that Trini could see that her mate wasn't angry.  "You did that for me?"

         Trini blinked stupidly for a second.  "You wanted to see her."  She offered the stupid explanation.  It was really all the reason she had for the entire fiasco.  Tears gathered in her eyes as she thought about how her efforts might have backfired.  "I'm so sorry… I tried so hard…"

         Domi walked up behind her and started to rub Trini's shoulders.  "You let those witches cast a spell on you.  I… don't like that.  They aren't trustworthy."  Domi sighed, "I know they're your family, but Trini… please be careful with them."  Trini didn't believe that the sisters would do anything to hurt her, they'd said they wouldn't, but she just nodded to appease Domi.  It wasn't like she allowed her family to cast spells on her all the time.  "I'm giving you the day off.  You need to get some sleep."  Domi's voice was a mix of the boss and Trini's concerned lover. 

         Trini turned to face Domi.  She reached up and caressed Domi's cheek lovingly.  She wanted to ask Domi to skip work and stay home with her, but Domi was the CEO.  Trini sighed heavily, and kept her craving for cuddling to herself. 

 

         Trini was undressing, she didn't feel like wearing clothes, which was pretty unusual for her, but the thought of putting on her nightshirt to sleep didn't appeal at all.  She wanted to feel the cool sheets against her skin.  She slid into the bed, still a little too awake, in spite of being up for almost twenty-four hours.  She was a little surprised when Domi came back into the bedroom.  She thought that her lover would be on the way to the office by now.  Trini rolled over lazily to watch Domi shuffling through a drawer.

         Domi's voice was crisp and aggressive, "I am going to get you a tracking device or something.  If that bastard tries to take you from me…"  Trini watched the tension in Domi's shoulders, and decided to move from the middle of the bed to the side with Domi sitting on it.  Domi started to pet Trini's hair.  Trini was getting used to both her lovers tendency to do that.  She knew her hair was soft like rabbit fur.  She nuzzled Domi's hand affectionately.  Domi's voice sounded worried, "You… you are so important to me.  Please, be careful."  Trini pulled back to look into the redhead's worried eyes.  Domi placed a hand on the other side of Trini's body and leaned down to kiss Trini's forehead gently.  It sent tingles of pleasure radiating out from the contact.  Trini's lips curled into a soft smile and she gave a soft moan.  The tip of Domi's tongue snaked out to gently lick the center of Trini's forehead.

         "Nice…"  Trini whispered.  It felt so good.  The kissed trailed down her nose, and then Domi was so softly kissing Trini's lips.  The redhead loved to tease Trini and make her squirm.  When the kisses moved to Trini's pointed eartips, Trini moaned and then smiled, "Is this teasing a power thing for you?"  She had no idea where the sudden insight came from.  She could feel Domi's lips curve up into a smile against her ear.

         Domi's whisper was seductive, "I like that pleading look you get in your eyes when you want me."  The warm breath caressed Trini's ear, "I like the soft whimpers that you can't seem to stop as you ache for my touch."  A soft sound came from Trini's throat unbidden, "yes, like that."

         Trini felt cool air start to cover her skin as Domi slowly pulled on the thin sheet covering her, exposing her bare breasts to Domi's hungry eyes.  Trini glanced at Domi's fully clothed form.  Her lover was already dressed for work, and didn't seem inclined to changing that.  The slow caresses over Trini's torso, and around her breasts made her feel like Domi was petting her, and that was very nice.  "You always make me feel so loved."  Trini said softly while staring up into Domi's face.  Domi turned her eyes from Trini's breasts to her face.

         "You are… you are very loved."  Domi leaned down to gently suckle on Trini's breasts.  Trini found herself doing those nearly silent whimpers that Domi had mentioned as her back arched a little.  When Domi stopped and stood up Trini felt a wave of disappointment.  "I wish I could stay… but I have a meeting out of the office this afternoon."  Domi reached out and ran her fingers through Trini's hair.  "Get some sleep."  Domi leaned down and kissed Trini's forehead again, and Trini reached up to pull Domi into a kiss, that grew hungrier.

         "I want you."  Trini whimpered.  She should be able to let Domi go, it shouldn't be this hard.  Trini's eyes burned read as she stared up pleadingly, before grabbing Domi and dragging the red head down onto the bed.  Not letting her go, Trini thought in a haze, completely ignoring the redheads job, she started to kiss Domi passionately while leaning over the redhead, making it very hard for Domi to even try to get up.  Trini's lips trailed down Domi's neck, and she could feel Domi's gentle moans of pleasure.  Trini started to unbutton Domi's shirt.

         "I should go…" Domi protested weakly.

         "No, Mine!"  Trini growled out, her mind in a haze as she straddled her lover and started to knead Domi's breasts through her clothes.  The fact that Domi was dressed irritated her, she wanted to feel her lovers soft skin against her own.

         "Yes!"  Domi moaned out.  "Take me…"  Trini quickly unbuttoned Domi's shirt to get to her smooth pale flesh.  Trini's eyes widened when she noticed Domi do something that Trini sometimes did with Fox.  Domi held her arms over her own head, with the wrists crossed as if they were tied together.  Did Domi fantasize that she was tied up, like Trini sometimes did?

         Trini hadn't gotten up the nerve to tell Fox about her fantasies yet, so they hadn't played like that.  She was sure that her Fey lover would adapt, and probably enjoy it… but Trini felt a red blush every time she tried to bring it up with Fox.  Sometimes she just wished that Fox would do it, without her having to ask.

         Her heart was pounding, and she was paying complete attention to Domi as she went to test this theory, desperately hoping that this wouldn't scare Domi.  She had a brief flashback of Domi tied to the bed in Canada, and didn't want to be thinking about that right now.  Trini snaked her hand up Domi's side in a very gentle caress, sliding her hand up one arm and then gently pressing down on the hands Domi had joined together over her own head, as if holding Domi down, but not hard enough to really do the job.

         "Yess… Trini…." Domi moaned out while arching her back, pressing her body more firmly against Trini's.  Trini pulled Domi's hands closer to the redhead's hair, so that she was able to lean down and kiss Domi possessively.  She pushed harder on the hands, and drank in the louder moan that Domi wasn't able to suppress.

 

         Trini took a deep breath as she started her drive to the Eyrie.  Domi had surprised her.  She had no idea that her gargoyle would enjoy being the weaker one.  A goofy grin covered Trini's face, "She isn't afraid of me at all."  She said quietly to herself.  Her radio was playing but she was so lost in her thoughts she didn't even notice it.  Trini felt like screaming in joy, laughing… running.  Domi wasn't at all afraid of her, was able to give herself completely, and Trini felt like she'd won the most precious thing in the world.  That nightmare in Canada wasn't hanging between them, and Trini felt like crying in relief.  Her emotions were all over the place.  She laughed out loud and started to drum on her steering wheel along with the music she'd finally noticed. 

 

         Trini pulled into the Eyrie parking lot shortly before lunch.  She was tired, and hoped to take a shower and get some sleep before the evening, which was bound to be eventful.  She probably should have talked with Elisa before she met with Goliath, but last night when she met them as Marie, he didn't seem like he planned to attack Trini.  Trini chuckled at Goliath's clumsy attempt to play match-maker, but then her eyes hardened.  He had no respect for her relationship with Fox.

 

         “Where were you last night?” Elisa’s voice startled Trini, and set her heart to pounding.  She hadn’t seen the detective or her car in the parking garage.  She looked into Elisa’s face and could see the suspicion in her friend’s eyes, “Or the night before?”

         Trini took a deep breath and tried to remain calm as she slung her back pack over her shoulder.  “I have a night job, part time.”  It was the lie that everyone had agreed on.  She hated having to lie to Elisa, but the truth would only get her into big trouble.  Trini started her walk towards the elevator, and Elisa joined her, even though Trini knew she had no business in the building during the day.

         “What do you do?”  Elisa spoke a little more quickly than normally, the way she talked when she suspected Trini was hiding something.  Trini barely stopped herself from sighing heavily. 

         “Security guard stuff… just a couple nights a week.”  She pushed the button to the elevator and waited very impatiently.  It was hard for her to look Elisa in the eye, so she stared at the floor readout, watching the elevator slowly coming to rescue her.

         Elisa’s voice got gentler, so Trini glanced over at her, “I tried to call you the other night.  I told him… about us.”

         “I heard.  Fox told me.”  Trini sighed, she knew better than to lower her guard, Elisa was a master at getting confessions out of people.  Still, her own voice softened with her concern.  “Are you okay?”

         “He… was pretty upset at first, but he’s calmed down now.”  The elevator doors opened and they both got in.  Elisa was apparently planning to visit.  Trini hadn’t slept at all last night, she was too tired to watch what she said to the detective.  She was using every ounce of strength she had to concentrate on not giving anything away.  Elisa continued to talk, so Trini relaxed a little and watched Elisa.  “I’m glad he knows now.  Hiding it was so hard.  I regret having lied to him at all.  I’m sorry I asked you to lie.”  Trini could swear she heard a silent message in that.  Elisa knew she was lying about something?  Trini’s heart beat faster and her skin paled just a little bit.  A slight growl entered Elisa’s voice, “Of course having Demona announce something like that was a pretty bad way to introduce the subject.  How the hell did she ever find out?!”

         Trini stayed quiet.  It didn’t sound like Elisa was actually asking her.  She still felt bad about telling Demona about them, but it was the right thing to do.  She just had no idea that Demona would react like that, that the gargoyle was that insecure in their relationship.  The sideways glance that Elisa gave her made Trini tense up.  She was being interrogated in a new way, she could see it in Elisa’s eyes.  The detective’s eyes always took on a hawkish quality, and seemed to burn into her when she was investigating something.  Trini sometimes felt like Elisa had a bit of a split personality, a friend at one moment, and the detective in the next.  Elisa had never used them both on her at once though.  “I wanted to talk to you about that night in my apartment.”

         Trini had only had a very short nap at Domi's after they made love and the drive home had tired her out.  "Can we talk later?  I'm so tired."  Trini was disgusted to hear a bit of a whine in her voice.  She was desperate to avoid this conversation, because she wasn't awake enough to watch her back.  Trini opened the door to her apartment, determined to go in alone.

         Trini was concerned when Elisa's eyes hardened as the detective used a hand to hold the door open so that Trini couldn't close it without hurting Elisa, "No, you and I need to talk now.  What is going on with you and Demona?!"

 

Trini took a deep breath and opened the door to let Elisa in.  She had to play this calm, she had to not seem to be hiding anything.  As Elisa passed her on the way in, Trini spoke, "Do you want anything to drink?" 

 

"No, I just want the damned truth."  Elisa sounded a bit angry.  Trini sighed.  She had to give Elisa something, but she couldn't admit to more than the detective already knew.  Dammit, Elisa was a professional, how the hell was Trini going to survive this interrogation!

 

Trini poured herself a juice, just because it gave her some time to think.  Elisa was standing impatiently in the living room.  Trini really wished she could tell Elisa everything, but she couldn't.  It would be far more than just her that paid if the truth came out.  Trini sat as casually as she could in a chair, facing Elisa on the couch, "What do you want to know."

 

"Well, where do I start?!"  Elisa's voice held acid.  "Demona never once tried to hit you.  Why?"

 

Trini's ears perked a bit as she heard the closing of a drawer in the bedroom.  Was Fox here?  Trini pushed out her magic lightly and was relieved to feel her bond mate.  She didn't have to do this alone. 

 

Trini took a deep breath.  Partial truths… much better to stick with partial truths.  "I think she knows I had something to do with Angela calling her."

 

Trini could see that her comment triggered another thought for the detective.  "And why did you do that?  Angela said that you understand… but how?  After what Demona did to you, I can't believe that you just help her talk to her daughter."

 

It actually took Trini a moment to try and remember what Demona was supposed to have done to her… Oh, the kidnapping.  She was not thinking fast enough for this game.  Trini sent out another pulse of magic, and she could sense that Fox was aware she needed help.  What was taking her lover so long to help her?  Trini's voice was a bit snippier than it should have, "You wouldn't understand!" 

 

Elisa's eyes looked like they'd be burning if she were a gargoyle.  "Then explain it to me!"  Elisa hissed.  Trini stared into Elisa's eyes.  Her tiredness was clearly affecting Trini as her eyes started to glow.  She didn't say anything, because she was afraid of what she might say.

 

Elisa's voice got louder, and Trini was positive that Fox would be able to hear it through the bedroom door.  "Or you could tell me why your big threat when Demona came to kill me was that she'd HAVE to hurt you!  What made you think that she would care!"  Elisa's eyes were staring at Trini intensely.  Trini had the feeling that Elisa was trying to read her expression, find some clue.  Elisa's voice calmed a little, "Why didn't she hit you?!"  Trini replied with silence.  She just didn't know what to say.  She hadn't realized that they'd screwed up that badly.  That was a horribly obvious thing.  She should have told Demona to hit her at least once.  She'd hit Demona.  She'd slammed her into a wall.  Anyone else would have at least bled for that.  "Even Fox seemed to think she wouldn't hit you.  What is going on?!"

 

Trini tried to remember what happened, "Fox didn't know that, just that if Demona hit me… I'd heal."  She hated making Fox sound that calculating, but she really didn't know what else to do.  Trini's voice got a little deeper, as if pointing out a simple truth, "You have to admit, Demona hates you.  Your talking at all just made the situation worse."

 

Elisa stared at Trini so hard that Trini had to pull her eyes away and stare at the coffee table.  She listened hard for any hint of what Fox was doing, but couldn't hear anything.  "So, she doesn't hate you?"  Elisa's detective voice was authoritative, in control, and a bit cold.  Trini felt like kicking herself.  Elisa was twisting her words around, and coming so close to the truth.

 

"Not like you.  You heard her, she blames you for a lot."  Trini had been shocked at Demona's accusations.  Her mate was acting like Elisa was her own personal tormentor. 

 

Elisa was quietly watching her, Trini could feel it, so she finally looked up.  Elisa's eyes were unblinking as they stared at her, "You know her?  You've talked to her since the kidnapping?"  Trini's jaw tightened a bit.  Dammit, this was not going well at all.

 

The bedroom door opened suddenly and both Trini and Elisa turned toward it.  Trini's eyes widened a bit at Fox's outfit.  It was pure sex.  Fox was wearing a jade green silk bathrobe that was opened low enough to show the pale skin of her cleavage.  The robe came to just below the redhead's rear, and Trini suspected that robe was all that Fox was wearing.  Fox's hair was wild, some of it falling into her face, and her eyes stared at Trini… stared into Trini… with open sexual hunger.

 

Trini didn’t even realize she'd whimpered as she stared back at Fox, or that her breathing had gone a little ragged.  Elisa glanced over at Trini when she made that sexual sound, but Trini's eyes were riveted on Fox.  What was Fox planning, and why did it already make Trini nervous? 

 

"Elisa…"  Fox said very minimally and licked her lips seductively.  Trini glanced over at Elisa to see how she was taking that obvious flirtation.  Elisa's skin had taken on a bit of a blush, but her eyes still held the calculating detective.

 

"Fox.  I didn't realize that you were here."  Elisa's eyes narrowed at Fox and then turned back to Trini for a moment before moving her investigation over to Fox.  "Maybe you can tell me why you came to my apartment the other night.  You never visit me."  Elisa's head tilted a bit, and Trini could see the suspicion in her eyes.

 

Trini was working very hard to keep her panic off of her face as she watched Fox being questioned.  The redhead didn't lose any of her seductive air, and seemed completely unconcerned.  "I was dropping by to ask you a question."  Fox smiled, and it had Trini's heart beating faster.  Fox moved over to Trini and started to gently caress her hair, and lightly run her fingers along the pointed tip of Trini's ears, seemingly unconcerned with the silence in the room.  Trini felt the light touch of Fox's magic, and she started to nuzzle the hand touching her.  The touch on her ear tips were sending waves of pleasure through her body, and she would have protested doing this in front of Elisa,  but Fox had to know what she was doing.

 

Elisa sounded very irritated when she finally spoke, interrupting the silence and Trini's nearly silent moans of pleasure.  "What did you want to ask?"  Trini opened her eyes, which had closed as she leaned into Fox's caresses.  Elisa didn't look happy at all.  Her skin was slightly red, and her eyes were cold.  This was so cruel, to shove Elisa's face in Trini and Fox's relationship like this.  Trini would never hurt her ex like this if she had any choice, but these questions had to stop.

 

Fox's caresses stopped, but she was resting a hand on Trini's shoulder.  Trini could feel the strength of Fox's grip for a moment, and knew it was a warning.  "I was thinking about doing a three way with Trini… but she doesn’t want to play with David."  Trini found her cheeks instantly blazing red.  This was… god, only Fox would come up with a cover like that!  Trini stared down at her hands, unable to look at Elisa's shocked, reddening face after that comment.  Fox just plowed ahead, as if she couldn't see how uncomfortable it was making the others.  "I know Trini still cares about you, so I thought…"  There was a definite sexual purr to Fox's words now, "That you would definitely be a good choice."

 

The caresses started again, and then Trini felt Fox nibbling on her ear… right in front of Elisa!  The whispered words were so quiet that if Trini didn’t have the hearing that she did, she would have missed it.  "Respond… it's okay to enjoy it."  Trini's stiff body started to relax, and she moaned out the pleasure that she'd been trying to conceal.

 

Elisa was staring at Trini and Fox with wide eyes, but neither woman was paying her any attention right then.  Trini's head was thrown back, her eyes shut, her mouth opened and a soft sexual panting could easily be heard in the room.  Fox's mouth was latched onto Trini's ear, and her hands were openly caressing Trini's breasts through her clothes.

 

Trini was shocked at how strongly she was responding to Fox in front of an audience.  She wanted to throw her lover down on the couch and make love to her while Elisa watched!  Her body was shaking as she tried to rein in these impulse… and Fox's swirling magic wasn't helping.  Fox wanted her to give in… it was obvious, because caresses that seemed mostly for show at first were becoming much more.  When Fox pinched Trini's nipple through the shirt Trini moaned out, "Fox… please…"  Completely forgetting about Elisa, about the interrogation… about anything but the feel of her lover.  The opening and then closing of her front door didn't register in her mind as Elisa left, cheeks blazing.

 

"You smell like sex…"  Fox's whisper was louder.  "You came here right from her bed, didn't you?"

 

Trini opened her mouth, and then paused… to catch her breath, "Yes… I could go shower."  Trini felt a wave of disappointment; she knew that a shower would ruin this aching need.

 

"No."  Fox spoke very quickly, and put her hands on Trini's shoulders, so she couldn't get up.  Trini looked up into Fox's eyes, as the redhead leaned over her.  The hunger in them was predatory.  Fox leaned in to kiss Trini, to devour her, and only pulled back to breath.  "I want to taste her on your skin."  Fox's moan as she said that, as well as the words had Trini arching back in the chair.

 

"Oh God…"  Trini gasped out in shock as Fox took Trini's hand and started to suckle on the fingers that Trini had buried inside of Domi just over an hour ago.  She'd left without showering, because Domi was showering, and really needed to work at least half the day.  Trini would have wanted more from her gargoyle if she'd joined her.  Trini stared with wide eyes at the enjoyment on Fox's face as she tasted Domi's essence, sucked at it hungrily.

 

"Bedroom… I need you."  Trini strangled out as she struggled to get up.  Fox moved back so that she could. 

 

Trini moved to undress quickly, almost getting tangled up in her shirt in her haste.  Her earlier exhaustion was gone as she watched Fox slowly removing that bathrobe.  Fox wasn't wearing anything underneath, and that looked very good on her.  Trini swallowed a bit nervously at the look in Fox's eyes.  Fox seemed to be possessing her with just the way she looked at her, claiming her… and oh, God…. Trini wanted Fox to be rough with her.

 

Fox moved to Trini, and walked around her until she was right behind Trini.  Trini could feel the heat of Fox's body almost touching her back.  The whisper in her ear was dark, dangerous.  "You came home freshly fucked and didn't even shower… flaunting her scent in front of me."  There was a growl to Fox's words that set Trini's sex throbbing.  "What should I do about that?!"

 

Trini's body was slightly shaking, and her voice did as well.  She spoke quietly, "Punish me… I need you to punish me."  Trini's head fell back as she moaned, "Use me… be rough… Please, I need you to be rough with me."  Her heart was pounding.  She was finally admitting to her fantasies, and she prayed that they didn't shock or disgust Fox.

 

Fox spoke softly, "Baby, you really want to play that way?"  Fox moved to stare into Trini's eyes, but it wasn't sexual, it was searching.  Fox's green eyes held concern and love… and a gentleness that Trini really didn't want right now.  Trini found her eyes falling to the ground in shame, as her face started to blush hotly.

 

Fox gently reached out and forced Trini to look into her eyes, "No, I thought you might need that… I just want to be sure."  Fox spoke gently while caressing Trini's cheek.  "I found that book, you had it hidden in the night table."  Trini's blush intensified and she looked over towards the table in question.  She hadn't really had time to read it yet… but she'd hidden it.  She was too embarrassed, and hadn't wanted anyone to find it.

 

Fox's voice became firmer, a bit louder as the gentleness left it.  "If you want anything to stop, say gun."  Trini looked up in confusion for a moment, before Fox seemed to change right before her eyes.  The redhead stood taller, and the gentleness of her eyes hardened.  Her lips thinned in something that resembled anger, but Trini didn't quiet understand until Fox spoke again, with her voice deep, in control… so sexy.  "Get on the bed."  It was an order, and Trini found herself staring dumbly for a moment before seeing the disapproval in her lover's eyes.  She moved to obey then.

 

Fox was a force of nature, she was a goddess, she was someone to be obeyed without question.  Trini could see that in the way the redhead walked to the bed that Trini had crawled onto.  She could see it in the purposeful stride; the hardened eyes… and she loved it.  "On your back."  Fox spoke with a voice that promised severe punishment for any lack of obedience.  "Put your arms up and grab the headboard."  Trini did this quickly as well, and watched as Fox walked to the side of the bed.  "You've already been given a release today.  You'll be taking care of me first."

 

 

Trini was trying to calm down her pounding heart, and her ragged breathing.  Fox untied the blindfold quickly, and set in on the nightstand.  "Okay, maybe that was too far."  Fox spoke with the gentleness that she'd avoided using for the past hour.

 

"I'm sorry."  Trini swallowed hard.  Everything had felt good until Fox tried blindfolding her.  She'd tried to push her fear away.  She knew Fox would never hurt her, but not being able to see Fox scared her.  She'd had flashbacks of those dreams… which she hadn't suffered from since the Sisters started her training. 

 

"Why didn't you use the safe word?"  Fox untied Trini's wrists and pulled Trini into a hug, holding her and slightly rocking.  Trini hugged Fox tightly and took a few shuddering breaths.  She'd forgotten the word… completely forgot it, and had been panicking trying to remember.  She could have just spoken, said anything… but she'd panicked.  It hadn't taken Fox long to realize the tension in Trini's body had nothing to do with pleasure… Trini was so grateful that her lover was so easily able to read her.  It was seconds after the fear took over that Fox was ripping off the blindfold.

 

Fox's gentle caresses through Trini's hair helped to calm her.  "I forgot it."  Trini whispered.

 

 

Trini took that shower while Fox went to get them some lunch.  She let the warm water beat down on her as she tried to relax her tense muscles.  A slight smile crossed her lips.  Fox was so wonderful, giving her anything that she thought she wanted… she really loved her. 

 

As Trini got into her pajamas, because she was still in desperate need of sleep, she noticed her rings again.  She had been playing with them, like she often did, and one was able to come off.  Trini held her hand up to her face and stared at it as she pulled the top ring over her knuckle, and then slowly, cautiously off her finger all together.  It was time.

 

She glanced at the closed bathroom door as she heard the front door open again.  She tried to put the ring back on her finger, but it wouldn't go on.  She tried to put it on any finger and stared as the ring just appeared to slide away from the fingers each time she brought it close.  The ring was red… but whose was it?  She held it up and stared at it, and almost dropped it when she looked through the hole in it into the mirror.  Her eyes widened as she looked at Fox,  standing firmly in front of the castle, with the wind whipping her hair on a stormy night.  Trini took a deep breath and wrapped her hand around the ring.  "Well, that answered that question."  She spoke quietly to herself.

 

Trini opened the door and slowly came out of the bathroom.  Her heart was pounding in a new fear.  This isn’t the way she'd have wanted to do this, but it should be done now.  She glanced down in disgust at her clothing.  This was not the outfit she would have chosen either.  Her blue oversized T-shirt came to mid thigh, and she'd forgone pajama bottoms.  Her tail was lashing about nervously, and she made a conscious effort to stop that.

 

Trini stood at the end of the hallway and stared at Fox, who was setting out their meal on the coffee table.  The sun shone on Fox's red hair, making it light up like fire.  Trini tilted her head and watched as Fox set out the silverware for them.  She loved Fox completely, totally, and without any reservations.  Trini walked into the living room quietly, with her love shining in her eyes.  It took a moment for Fox to look up, and Trini could see that Fox knew something was going on.  The soft smile on the redheads face faded as she stood up completely and looked at Trini with questioning eyes.

 

"Fox…"  Trini took a deep breath and released it slowly.  She was scared, and she wasn't really sure why.  She stared into Fox's blue eyes… and some of the fear melted.  "Will you marry me?"  Trini held out the fey ring, to let Fox know that she was completely serious.  She watched Fox's eyes widen as she looked down at the ring.

 

"Oh, Trini…"  Fox whispered, and looked back into Trini's vulnerable eyes.  Fox caressed Trini's cheek, before pulling her closer to kiss her tenderly.  "Yes."

 

Fox held out the hand, and Trini nervously tried to place the ring.  It slid past the fingertip, which let Trini know that she was indeed doing the right thing.  A green glow started to cover Fox's hand, which made Trini flinch and the ring seemed to disappear and them reappear below the ring that David had given Fox.  Fox pulled her hand out of Trini's and stared at the red band that was on her finger.  "This is the ring the sisters gave you."  She said while they both watched it's green glow start to fade.

 

Trini tensed up.  She thought Fox knew.  "Yes." 

 

Fox looked from the ring to Trini and smiled gently, "No, it's okay… "  Fox pulled Trini into a hug, and held her.  Trini wrapped her arms around Fox, and found tears in her eyes again.  She had a wife.  Fox whispered into Trini's hair, "Did you want a ceremony?  We can do that."

 

That surprised Trini.  She pulled back and stared into Fox's face.  A ceremony?  She'd never even thought that was possible.  Fox smiled at her and tucked a lock of hair behind Trini's ear, "Yes, a small ceremony… it'll be nice."  Fox's voice was filled with love.

 

"Yes…"  Trini nibbled on her bottom lip, "I'd like that."

 

"We can discuss the details later."  Fox smiled so broadly it made Trini do the same.  They ate lunch rather quietly, while occasionally caressing a leg or arm.  Trini felt a really strong need to touch… to just hold her lover.  The thought that she was going to actually have a wedding was strange, and sat heavily with her.  She'd assumed that was something that she'd never have since she was gay.  When she was growing up she'd never even let herself think those thoughts that other teenage girls seemed to have, about what type of wedding she wanted when it was time.  She felt completely unprepared for this now.  

 

 

         Trini rolled over in bed lazily, as the cool sheets seemed to caress her skin.  It was so nice to just be able to lay around and not think about anything.  She had a lot to worry about, but she was refusing to let any of it interrupt this wonderful feeling.  She was finally going to get to sleep, and she felt like she'd been starving for it now that the time had come.

         She had crawled into the bed naked.  Clothing just irritated her today, and she felt in a rebellious moment, like staying naked all night.  Of course that wasn't practical, seeing how she was going to have to argue with Goliath about something, but it was nice to dream.  She stretched lazily and glanced at the clock.  It was almost 3 in the afternoon.  She'd been awake for a very long time.  She wished that her mind would calm down and let her really sleep, but it wasn't happening.  Fox wouldn't expect her to have a wedding planned when she woke up, so it wasn't really helping her to stare at the ceiling trying to think about it.

         She wasn't aware of the moment that she finally fell asleep, because it crept up on her gradually.  The meadow surrounded her, and it felt like a nice Spring day.  Trini glanced around.  It took her a long time, but she recognized this place now.  It was a meadow that she used to play in as a child. 

         The sisters normally were in the meadow waiting for her, but she didn't see them now.  Trini noticed that she was not dressed for battle, or in the clothes from that one horrible day in Canada.  She wondered if the casual brown pants and black t-shirt said anything about her psyche.  She smiled softly at what she took as evidence of some healing on her part.

         The sisters came out of the woods, and Trini couldn't hide the smirk as they were straightening their robes and trying to comb out their hair as they walked towards her.  She was here at an unusual time of day, and she'd obviously interrupted something.  Phoebe smirked at her, and Trini blushed.  Yep, her timing wasn't all that great.

         "So you gave her the ring."  Luna spoke a little solemnly as she moved to stand in front of Trini.  Trini shook her head a little, she should have known better than to think she could tell them anything here.  They knew whatever she was thinking about.

         "Yes, it came off today."  Trini found herself playing with the two rings left on her right hand nervously.  Neither of them were coming off.  Phoebe moved forward to take Trini's hand and pick it up to look at it.  Trini just let her.  Trini's eyes widened a bit when she noticed Phoebe's hand for the first time.  The fair haired fey had touched her and held her hand for studying the rings several times, but Trini had never seen it before.  Phoebe had two rings on her hand, one black and one silver.

         Luna moved to hold up her own hand, and Trini could see two rings there as well, but this time black and gold.  "We were joined a long time ago."  Trini stared at the rings on Luna's hand as well, while Phoebe was busy touching Trini's rings.  Why didn't she ever see them before?

         Selene stepped forward and Phoebe let go of Trini and moved so that the dark haired female could stare into Trini's eyes.  "I didn't know how you'd respond.  You're… family, and I didn't want to lose you."  She then held up her own hand, showing that she too had the rings.  "We were so excited when we felt you had come to tell us the good news that we forgot the spell to keep them hidden."

         "Not to mention we were kinda busy at the time."  Phoebe added in a slightly sarcastic tone.  Trini looked over at her quickly, feeling bad about interrupting.  Phoebe smiled, "I'm okay.  It's Luna you should apologize to… she was left hanging."  Trini's cheeks went a deep red instantly.  That was really more than she wanted to know.

         Luna smiled softly at Trini when Trini finally made herself look over at her.  "It's okay child.  Don't let Phoebe embarrass you, it'll only make her try harder next time."

 

         Trini sighed as she sat on the grass next to Selene.  Trini picked nervously at the grass, ripping pieces apart.  "I… wish you three could come see me for real."  She spoke softly.  Phoebe and Luna had left the two of them alone. 

         She was a little surprised when arms wrapped around her and pulled her back into Selene's body while the dark haired fey hugged her.  Selene could move instantaneously in this dream realm.  "I would like to see you get married too child."  She whispered and then kissed Trini's temple.  She continued to hold Trini while resting her head on Trini's shoulder, to join Trini in staring out at the field. 

 

 

         Trini woke up after a few hours sleep.  She didn't want her sleep schedule to get too screwed up, because she still had to work tomorrow.  After getting dressed she went to find something to eat.  She knew she'd missed dinner; it was almost time for the sun to set.  She had maybe forty-five minutes until she had to deal with the clan and Goliath.  She wasn't looking forward to that. 

         Trini was waiting for the microwave to tell her that her leftovers were ready to eat.  She was leaning on the counter, feeling a little uncomfortable.  Her side hurt a bit, and she couldn't remember straining it in any way.  She stood unmoving, staring at the wall that no longer had deep gouges in it from her talons, with a tired and blank expression on her face.

         "I heard you proposed."  David said quietly, and Trini had to blink and shake herself out of the catatonia that she'd fallen into.  She glanced over at him, and got suddenly concerned.  He wasn't smiling, and seemed to be studying her. 

         "Yes, I did."  Trini said softly while turning to face him and the doorway he was standing in.

         "Why do you want to get married to Fox?  What do you think it will change?"  David spoke quietly, and reminded Trini of a psychologist with his tone. 

         Trini took a deep breath and tried to think about how to answer that so that he'd understand.  She ignored the microwave as it announced that her dinner was ready.  "I don't expect it will change much.  Those that don't respect my relationship with Fox won't suddenly come around because of this.  I'm doing this for us."  Her voice got softer,  "I can't really see my life without her in it David.  I just want it to be clear that I'm in this for the long haul.  I don’t think this should change the arrangement that we all have."  Trini took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, if you thought I should have asked or told you about this first.  I just… didn't think of it."

         Trini felt tense as David stepped closer to her, but he just pulled her into a hug.  "I was just worried that you were trying to squeeze me out.  I should have known better."  His voice regain it's normal teasing tone, "Good luck surviving the wedding plans.  She really likes the whole ceremony part.  I had to go to so many shops, and make so many decisions I started to wish we could elope and do a Las Vegas wedding."

         Trini pulled back and gave him a fake grimace, "Great, thanks for the warning.  You couldn't say anything before I went and agreed to that part?"

 

         Trini could have just waited in her room for Goliath to appear.  She was sure that he would, but she decided that she just didn't want to do this here.  This was her home, and she hated being reminded that she wasn't able to kick him out of it.  If he put his foot down and refused to leave, she couldn't do anything, and she hated feeling helpless in her own home.  She hated feeling helpless at all.

         She felt like she was walking into a battle as she closed her door and started down the hallway.  Fox would have come with her, but Trini didn't want anything he said about her and Fox's relationship to hurt her lover.  She told Fox she could handle this herself.  Fox reluctantly agreed.  Trini also didn't want to be humiliated in front of Fox, and she didn't know how Goliath was going to treat her, or what he might say.  If she thought that she could get away with never seeing him or having this conversation, she would have gone for the easy way out, but he was persistent. 

         Delilah was sitting next to Lex watching some show.  The other gargoyles weren't in the room but Trini could hear them outside.  They would come in eventually.  "That's a new look for you."  Lex said as they both noticed her come into the room.

         The half shirt and low riding shorts left a large portion of her midriff bare.  It was her compromise, she really didn't want to get dressed today, so she went for this outfit.  She had wanted to lounge around in bed, or visit with her family more, but she was walking into an argument instead.  She moved to sit on the couch's arm and smiled weakly at them.  "I asked Fox to marry me.  We're gonna do it."  Her smile became a bit more real as Delilah's eyes widened in shock.  Lex's eyes were as big as saucers as well.

         "Oh my God.  Trini, that's…"  Delilah smiled widely at her, "That's terrific."

         "Umm.. Congratulations."  Lex sounded pretty confused, but he was being supportive.  Trini grinned at him.

         "What are we congratulating the lass on?"  Hudson asked as he came in with Bronx.  Trini's eyes must have conveyed her message, because Lex seemed nervous. 

         "Um, she got a car."  Lex lied less than smoothly.  Trini could see that Hudson didn't believe him, but he dropped it.  Trini just wasn't feeling up to being put down because she was marrying a married woman.  She didn’t want another lecture from Goliath telling her that Fox wasn't hers.  She just wanted to be happy about this, and having people discount her love and her commitment hurt.

 

         She sat and quietly pretended to watch whatever it was that was on the T.V.  Hudson sat down quietly and Delilah reached over to squeeze her hand before returning her attention to the sitcom. 

         "Trini."  Goliath seemed surprised to see her.  She could understand that.  She'd been avoiding spending any time with the clan for weeks, and now she was quietly watching T.V. with them.  Trini looked up at him quietly, her body tense.  This was the first time he'd seen her since he found out about her and Elisa.  His eyes weren't glowing, that was a good sign, wasn't it?  She watched him rein in his surprise, "We need to talk."  His voice was flat and emotionless.

         Trini stood up and turned to walk around the back of the couch to follow him out of the room.  She stopped and squeezed Delilah's shoulder to comfort the gargoyle.  She was staring at Trini, obviously full of questions. 

         "Trini, what is he…"  Delilah asked quietly. 

Trini turned to look at Delilah so that only the female could see her lips.  She mouthed, "He knows about me and Elisa."  She then turned to catch up with him.  She didn't see the look of concern in Delilah's eyes.

They walked down the hall in silence.  Trini felt like he was taking her to the principal's office or something.  It was so obvious that he was upset now.  His shoulders were tense, and his hands were clenched tightly, but he was waiting to talk.  He probably didn't want any witnesses to hear that his girlfriend had been with Trini. 

He held the door open for her, and Trini nervously and quickly crossed the threshold to gain more distance between them.  If he got violent she could always blast him again, but it would be hard to explain to Elisa, and Trini wasn't so sure she'd manage another clean shot like last time.  He closed the door behind him, and the click of the lock sliding into place made Trini's heart start to beat faster.

"You've been pretty busy."  He almost growled at her as he moved to sit partially on the desk.  He motioned for her to sit in one of the chairs, but that would put him clearly in charge, and Trini didn't want to give him that kind of power in this talk.  She sat on the arm of a couch on the back wall.  It was easier for her to move more quickly too.  She felt wired for battle, and was paying attention to every move he made, hoping it wouldn't really come down to that.  She felt a small measure of satisfaction at his look of disgust when she didn’t do as he said. 

"I heard she told you."  Trini said flatly while staring at him.  His lips seemed to thin, and his eyes flashed white for a moment, before returning to normal.  Trini wasn't going to apologize for loving Elisa, or the fact that they'd had a relationship.  She hadn't known about his existence, so she didn't do anything wrong.  She repeated this in her mind, to gear up for the argument that she felt was coming.

"She did."  He stared at her, and Trini felt like a bug under a microscope.  Her own eyes flickered red for a moment in irritation.  "but that isn't any of your business."  He stared at Trini coldly, "OUR relationship isn't any of your business."

"OH, but you can just walk around saying that Fox and I are a joke… you sit there and tell me that I have no right to say anything… when all you ever do is put me and my lover down.  You are such a fucking hypocrite!"  Trini's voice was rising steadily as her body tensed up.  Her tail lashed, as unsettled as her mood.

"Fox already has a Lover"  His eyes were glowing steadily, as his voice rose a little. 

Trini slid off the edge of the couch and stood facing him, almost battle ready.  Her heart was pounding.  "I told her to give you a chance.  I told her that it would be okay.  That if you loved her you wouldn't care that she can't carry an egg, and you can't even touch her!"  Trini's was almost growling, completely ignoring the gargoyle's posture getting more rigid, and his eyes burning more brightly.

"ENOUGH!"  Goliath bellowed at her loudly.  "I don't want to hear you talking about this again!  This is between her and I!"

Trini watched him take a deep breath, before he started to talk a little more calmly.  "Xanatos may be willing to allow his mate to…"  His lips thinned and he didn't finish that sentence.  "Elisa won't be dating you again.  Don't take her out on any more of your dates… like you did the other night."

"What?!"  Trini hadn't dated Elisa lately.

"That dinner you two had while Renard was here.  I… don't want her…"  He waved his hand in the air, obviously searching for words.  "going out with you like that."

"No, she's my friend."  Trini was shaking her head in disbelief.  She'd won this argument with Demona… it wasn't supposed to be taken away from her like this after she'd fought so hard for the right to spend time with Elisa.  Her disbelief quickly turned to anger, "If you don't want her seeing me, it's her that you should talk to."  Trini's voice was a growl.  She knew that if he tried to tell Elisa who she couldn't hang out with, the detective wouldn't take it any better than Trini did when Demona tried to do that to her.

They glared silently at each other.

Goliath took a deep breath, and Trini could see him trying to calm himself down.  "I don't want you talking to Angela about Demona anymore."  He appeared to be backing off on the Elisa issue.  He had to know his argument wouldn't fly with Elisa either.  He couldn't enforce that rule.  "You WILL stay out of clan business, and I don't want to hear about you interfering like that again."

"No, cause that would disturb your little dictatorship."  Trini's eyes blazed again, "You like to tell everyone what to do, who to talk to, who to fuck… must be nice to be a god!"

Goliath marched over to the door and opened it, obviously thinking that the little talk was over. 

"You are an even worse harpy than those witches that spawned you!"  He said rather loudly as he moved into the hallway.

"And you are a complete Bastard!  Fucking Asshole!"  Trini yelled after him.  She slammed the office door behind her and marched off in the other direction.  "Can't believe… such a fucking hypocrite…"  She was muttering angrily to herself as she marched down the hall.

 

         Delilah came out of the Library and passed by Goliath with a glare directed at him as she followed Trini.  Trini was so lost in her anger that she didn’t even notice her friend until Delilah stepped up next to her right outside Trini's apartment.

         "Are you okay?"  Delilah spoke quietly, but her concerned eyes said it all.  Trini opened her apartment door and waved her friend in.  She sighed heavily as she closed the door and entered her home.  She was tense and wanted to scream out in frustration. 

         "I'm fine."  Trini lied while pulling a drink out of the fridge.  Part of her really wished she kept alcohol in the apartment, but that would be a bad idea.  She could just see herself over drinking and then marching out to punch him.  That would be an even bigger mess.  Elisa would put him straight.  She wasn't going to lose her friend because of him.

 

         Trini was sitting on the floor drinking her juice.  Delilah moved to sit behind her on the couch and put one leg on either side of Trini's body.  Trini was a little surprised when the female started a very gentle shoulder rub.  Trini tensed up even more for a moment, before deciding it was just better to surrender.  Her head fell forward to give Delilah easy access to her aching muscles.

         After a minute or two of this, Delilah stopped and sat back on the couch.  She spoke quietly, "Did you really get a car?"

         That made Trini smile.  "Do you want to see it?"

 

         Trini was dressed in pants, but she just left the half shirt on.  She was only going to the garage.  The elevator stopped and she got out alone.  Delilah glided down to meet her here, and Trini smiled when she saw her friends white hair in the shadows.  "It's over here."  Trini smiled softly and motioned for Delilah to follow her. 

         Delilah's child like delight when she saw Trini's car was nice to see.  Trini opened up the truck, and both doors.  She put down the top as well, so that Delilah could look as much as she wanted.

         When Delilah slowly and carefully sat in the passenger seat she spoke quietly, "I've never sat in a car before."

         Trini tilted her head and stared at Delilah.  She was a pretty gargoyle with dark skin… of a human skin tone, like Trini.  Her face looked relatively human, except for her ears, fangs, and forehead.  Could it work?  She did it with Demona, and she was blue.  "Do you want to go on a ride?"  Trini said quietly, almost hesitantly.  She wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but… if Delilah had never been in a car, Trini wanted to give her that.

         Delilah's eyes went wide.  "How?"  At this Trini grinned.  This might be fun.

 

         Trini let Delilah into her apartment with a mischievous smile.  "I'll be back in a minute."  She then continued down the hall to David's room.  It was for a good cause, and he probably wouldn't mind.  She knocked but there was no answer.  She tried the door and it opened, so she let herself in.  She just needed a large shirt, and hers weren't large enough to cover up Delilah's wings.  David was such a broad shouldered man, so his clothes should work.  Trini walked up to the closet and opened it, looking for something that wasn't going to look too out of place on the female in her room. 

         Fox's giggle from the bathroom made Trini's eyes widen.  Oh Shit, she thought that they weren't in.  The bathroom door opened and Trini quickly looked away to stare into the closet while a blush covered her cheeks, neck… god, it felt like it covered her whole body.  David was naked, and kissing an equally naked Fox passionately while they stumbled towards the bed.  They hadn't noticed her yet.

         Trini took a deep breath, grabbed the nearest shirt and spoke before they got even more involved in what they were doing.  She wasn't going to be able to sneak out of here.  Her voice was a bit tight in her embarrassment, "I'm borrowing a shirt, is that okay David?"

         She could actually feel their eyes turn to her, but she didn’t turn around to look.  "Trini?"  David sounded shocked.

         "The door wasn't locked."  Trini's blush intensified, as she knew that their attention was on her.  "I'm sorry, I didn't think you were here.  Can I take the shirt?" 

         David's voice took on a teasing flirtatious tone, "Well, which one are you taking?  Why don't you bring it over here and let me see."

         A slightly evil smirk crossed Trini's lips, "I'd tell you to keep it in your pants, but I think those are over here near me."  She still wasn't taking her eyes off of the closet.  She stared into it as if everything inside was fascinating. 

         "Honey, why are you borrowing David's clothes?"  Fox sounded puzzled and a little amused at this whole situation.  Trini found herself starting to glance over at her, but her eyes fell onto David.  She blushed again and turned to look away.

         "Delilah needs a shirt to wear."  Trini was playing with the sleeve of his shirt nervously.

         "Are you two doing some role playing?"  David teased her.

         "I'm dressing her up to see how human I can make her look."  Trini went with the half truth.  She didn't want more teasing about taking the female… for a ride, or parking, or any other sexual comment David could think about.  Trini grabbed the shirt, and moved to walk away.

         "Trini?"  Fox moved into her line of sight.  Trini could see concern in her lover's eyes.  Fox moved closer, and Trini could hear David moving away, towards the bed.  "Are you okay with this?"

         Trini nibbled on her lower lip, "I'm fine with you and David.  I just… didn't expect to walk in on it.  I'm so sorry."  Trini whispered. 

         Fox's smile was completely wicked, "How fine are you?"  Trini's eyes widened. 

         "I left Delilah in my room."  Trini took a step back towards the door.  Fox had that look in her eyes.  The one that always made Trini want her.  "I told her I'd only be a minute."

         Fox stepped closer and leaned in to whisper in her ear.  "Would you be willing to put on a little show?"  Fox nuzzled Trini's neck, "It's okay if you aren't comfortable, but… he wants to see it so badly.  Just a kiss."

         Fox's voice was so seductive, and the redhead found the sensitive place behind Trini's ear.  Trini moaned softly and her breathing became a bit more ragged.  When Fox's lips met her own she eager melted against Fox's naked body.

         Trini nibbled on Fox's ear, "You two have fun."  She smiled at her lover's antics.  Fox was always so… wild.  Trini nodded towards David, while trying unsuccessfully to control the flush of her cheeks.  She opened the bedroom door to slip out.  Her eyes widened and she shut the door quickly to hide Fox's nakedness from the old gargoyle's eyes.  She could see from his wide eyed shocked stare that he'd seen Fox and probably David anyhow.

         Trini opened her mouth to say something, to tell him that she hadn't been… but she just shut it again.  There wasn't anyway that anyone would believe that after seeing her step out of a room with two naked people in it, one of which everyone knew was her lover.  She just turned down the hall and slipped into her apartment.    

 

         Trini had Delilah take off her jacket, but she could leave on the rest of her outfit.  The large light blue shirt did fit, and while the front was a bit baggy, it covered the wings well.  Trini watched Delilah studying her reflection in the mirror from the corner of her eye as she went through her closet for some pants that the gargoyle could wear.

         Trini stood back and studied her friend.  The black pants fit fine, and even though Delilah's tail was thicker than Trini's, it appeared to be concealed.  Since Delilah couldn't wear shoes, Trini did something that looked a little odd.  She took some colorful cloth and stapled it to the pant legs, so that there was a skirt of red cloth covering the gargoyle's feet.  The shirt was long, and hung down quite a bit, but Delilah would have to be very careful to not let her wings drop beyond the bottom of the shirt.  Trini remembered vaguely about how uncomfortable holding the wings still made her back when she had wings.  This was only going to be for a little while.  That shouldn't be too bad.  Delilah was also wearing a black baseball cap of Trini's.  It looked nice against the white hair, and covered Delilah's ears and the creative way they'd placed her bangs covered her forehead. 

         "Keep your eyes from glowing and your talons and fangs out of sight and we should be okay."  Trini smiled at Delilah's fascinated eyes staring into the mirror.  The gargoyle could pass, if no one looked too hard.  She did look a little butch in David's shirt and the baseball cap, but her feminine facial features helped to soften that.  "Do you still want to go for that ride?"

         Delilah's smile was very wide, "Yes… I do."

 

         Trini and Delilah took the elevator down to the garage.  Trini held open the door for her friend to get in the car, doing it with much ceremony and a smile.  They pulled out of the garage carefully and Delilah was just staring into the other vehicles in the road, apparently in awe.  Trini reached out and took Delilah's hand to squeeze it gently.  Delilah was getting to do what the others couldn't.  She was getting to move around freely like a human tonight.  Trini was thinking quickly, trying to come up with things that they could do that Delilah might enjoy. 

 

 

 

Day 10 part 1– Wednesday – August 6th

 

         Trini was able to hear Delilah's hunger, so she glanced over at her.  The gargoyle was staring out the window at the people walking along the sidewalk in fascination.  She had to have seen humans before, what was so interesting now?  "We could go thru a drive thru."  Trini wished that she could take Delilah to a restaurant, but the disguise wasn't that good.  When she learned how to cast illusions herself she'd take Delilah to a nice place.  The sweet gargoyle deserved the best.

         "What?"  Trini could see Delilah's shocked expression out of the corner of her eye.  She smirked as she pulled up to a fast food place that was still opened. 

         Delilah had glanced around nervously, but the cashier at the drive thru window didn't give her a second glance.  Trini just handed the bag over to her friend and drove off.  Maybe a night picnic would be nice.

 

         "Trini?"  Delilah's voice was so insecure it made Trini stop what she was doing.  She set the food back down on the car seat and looked into her friend's eyes.  "We're going out?"

         "I thought you might like to sit in the park to eat."  Trini could see Delilah was nervous.  Maybe this was too soon, but the gargoyle did look human enough to do this.  Trini sighed, "If you don't want to that's fine.  We could eat in the car or head back home.  I don't want to make you do anything you aren't comfortable with."

         Trini watched Delilah's face as the gargoyle obviously thought this over.  Delilah glanced out the windshield at the park benches that Trini had in mind and then back at Trini.  "People are still walking around."

         "You look human.  They'll never know."  Trini spoke softly.  It was so clear that Delilah wanted to sit out there among the humans, but she was afraid.  "We could go further into the park, away from people.  Would that be better?"  Maybe they needed to ease into this.  Trini really hated how narrow-minded humans were now, when it was so clear that Delilah wanted to belong.  She had no idea when she suggested this trip that it would bring up such painful feelings for her friend.  She was about ready to start up the car and leave, but Delilah spoke softly, stopping her.

         "We could find a less… busy place."  Delilah started to feel around the door, and then turned to Trini with a puzzled look on her face, "How do I open the door?"

         Trini handed Delilah to bags of food and walked around to let her out of the car.  She then showed Delilah how the door handle worked before helping Delilah out and locking the car up before they left. 

 

         They found a bench on a rarely used path.  People walked by occasionally and Trini watched Delilah tense up a little less each time that happened.  "This is nice."  Delilah spoke softly as she watched a couple walk by holding hands.  Trini found her eyes traveling to the couple, with the feeling that they looked vaguely familiar. 

         Trini turned back to Delilah with a smile on her lips.  "I'm glad you like this."  It really took so little to make Delilah happy, and that just made Trini want to do these little things for her all the time.  The tension of her day melted away while she watched the child-like glee in Delilah's eyes as she watched people walk past them without even seeming to notice them.

         By the time they finished eating there were very few people in the park.  Delilah had eaten very slowly, and Trini just let her take as long as she wanted, even though the park was getting pretty boring, and sitting so long made her realize how tired she was.

         When they got up to walk back towards the car Trini thought she heard something in the bushes, and a slight growl escaped her lips and she turned to walk further off of the path quickly, hoping desperately that she was wrong.  The sound of flesh on flesh became unmistakable and Trini didn't even notice Delilah following her with a concerned look on her face, until she stopped walking and the gargoyle bumped into her softly. 

         Now Trini remembered where she'd seen that couple.  A few months ago they'd been the couple making out so very seriously on the park bench.  They'd graduated to more risky things now.  Trini's eyes went wide as she watched them moving and writhing together in pleasure on the grass.

         Trini was blushing hotly as she tried to turn around and leave quietly.  Delilah's body right behind her prevented that and the gargoyle was watching the couple with wide interested eyes.  They were close enough to see everything that was going on, and Trini was really worried that the couple would see or hear her and Delilah.

         Delilah whispered very softly, "I've never seen human's mating."  Trini watched Delilah's face and could see that her friend's eyes were glued to the couple.  The moan of pleasure from the woman made Trini wince in embarrassment.

         "We really shouldn't just stand here and watch."  Trini spoke very quietly, her entire body tense.

         "Just a little longer."  Delilah said distractedly.  The grunts of the man and the sound of flesh on flesh made it clear that just a little longer was all the couple needed too.

         Trini opened her mouth to protest, but Delilah was paying no attention to Trini. 

         "yes…."  The voice startled Trini into turning around.  Seeing this here, so close to were she'd found Kelly made Trini's flesh crawl.  It was too dangerous for that couple to do this in the park.  Trini turned back and started to firmly try and push Delilah and make her move down the path, but the gargoyle didn't even budge.  Trini could have pushed harder, but the sound if she knocked Delilah over would draw attention to them.  Trini was becoming more and more irritated with Delilah's blocking the exit, and her rapt fascination with the act of sex.  With a soft growl at her friend Trini leapt up as high as she could and grabbed the branch of the tree above her using it to swing over Delilah and landed on the path behind the clone.  If Delilah wanted to play peeping Tom she could do that alone!

         Trini's eyes burned red as she sat down on the bench nearby.  She couldn't leave Delilah completely alone, so she was forced to listen to the couple's passion getting louder as first he came, and then she did.  It just made her cringe inside with embarrassment, because she just knew that Delilah would have questions now, and Trini wasn't in the mood to play sex ed teacher right then.

         "Trini?"  Delilah spoke softly and Trini looked up to see her friend's eyes were glowing just a little.  "Are you mad at me?"

         Trini's glare faded at the concerned look on Delilah's face.  God, she had ever right to be angry, but she just couldn't stay mad with Delilah.  The red of Trini's eyes faded as she scooted over to give Delilah a place to sit.  Delilah seemed so grateful for that move that Trini sighed.  "We shouldn't watch people like that."

         "Why?  They were out where we could see them, so they must not mind."  Delilah really looked like she didn't understand.  Trini was about to answer but the couple in question snuck out of the bushes and walked past them.  Trini stayed quiet until they were out of hearing range.  The smug look that the man gave them made her wonder if Delilah was right.  Maybe this couple did want to be seen.

         Trini sighed, "It's just not polite."  She didn't really have a better answer.  It was just one of those things that you weren't supposed to do, but Delilah obviously wanted a better explanation than that.  This incident forced Trini to remember how very little experience her friend had.  She had no idea that it wasn't okay.

 

         Trini showed Delilah how to unlock the car door and open it.  It gave her a strange feeling teaching something that she thought that everyone just knew, but she made sure not to show that.  They had both been a bit quiet on the way back to the car, but Delilah decided to start talking right after Trini started the car.  "Is that what you and Fox do?"

         Trini sighed and turned the car back off so that she could turn to face Delilah.  "It's a little different between women."  Trini's blush was partly covered by the darkness and she was grateful.  "And it'll be a little different between gargoyles." 

         Delilah went quiet for a while and Trini just waited expectantly.  She was surprised when Delilah didn't ask more questions, but just nodded instead.  "We should get home."

         "Okay."  Trini spent a few more seconds watching Delilah without moving to start the car again.  Her voice softened with her concern, "Are you okay honey?"

         Delilah turned to look at Trini, tearing her eyes away from the dashboard.  "Do you think I'm attractive?"

         Trini's eyes widened at the seriousness of the question.  "You are very attractive.  You are also a really nice person."  She paused for a moment, "Why?"

         "Lex isn't doing anything more than kissing me."  Delilah's voice was a bit tight, and Trini was starting to worry that she was upset.  "Maybe he can't handle how much I look like Elisa, and just can't tell me that he doesn’t want to be more… physical."

         Trini suddenly felt very much out of her element.  "So you want more?"  She could hear her own voice sounded weak so made an effort to sound more conversational. 

         "I want touching."

         Trini felt like her heart stopped for a moment.  Delilah had to mate this year, and if that weren't the case, Trini would complain that it was too soon for this.  She knew she was holding a double standard when it came to Delilah, but she just couldn't shake that feeling that Delilah was moving too fast.  Trini gritted her teeth and said something else entirely.  "Maybe you need to tell him that is what you want."  Trini sighed, "I… kind of told him he had to wait for you to want… more, or I'd…"  Trini felt a bit guilty and worried about how Delilah would take the fact that Trini had threatened Lex.

         "You'd what?"

         "I told him I'd make him regret it.  I threatened to hurt him if he hurt you or pushed you too fast.  That's probably why he's going so slow."  Trini spoke quickly to get it out.

         The silence after that had Trini on edge.  She just stared at Delilah for a moment before trying to explain herself.  "I… did apologize to him after I did that.  I don't know what came over me.  I know I said it was up to you what you did, and I'm sorry."

         "I thought he didn't want me."  Delilah spoke softly and the hurt in her voice made Trini's heart ache.

         Trini spoke tenderly, "I'm sure he does baby.  I'm sorry." 

She watched as Delilah stared down at the dashboard again.  "I really like him," Delilah spoke softly.  "but I'm a little scared too."

"I'm a little scared the first time I'm with anyone new too."  Trini leaned closer so she could reach out to touch Delilah's hand.  "Go slow and stop if it gets to be too uncomfortable.  You always have the right to change your mind."

Delilah looked over at Trini and smiled softly.  "Thank you."  Trini didn't even notice her friend leaning in until it was too late.  Her eyes widened in shock as she found Delilah kissing her.  Trini pulled back a bit quickly.  She couldn't let this continue anymore.

"Honey… friends don't kiss like that.  Only lovers do."  Trini felt a warm blush covering her cheeks, and watched as a matching one covered Delilah's.

         "I'm sorry."  Delilah's voice was soft of full of embarrassment. 

         Trini's eyes softened and she reached out to caress some of the snowy white hair falling out of the hat.  Her eyes held nothing but affection.  "I love you.  It's okay, you didn't know.  I should have told you sooner."

         Delilah's eyes were downcast, "We should get home."  Trini felt bad for saying anything now.  It obviously hurt Delilah's feelings.

         Trini pulled around the white van and into the road without even noticing it, since her thoughts were still spinning around that kiss.  Delilah had put passion into it.  Trini had to say something, didn't she?  Still the guilt of hurting Delilah's feelings ate at her as she turned towards home. 

         The white van was following behind them while Trini turned at the light.  She noticed the next light was about to change red and sped up to beat it when she noticed some Quarrymen wandering the street.  She didn’t want the night ruined by Delilah hearing any of their crap while they waited for the light to change.  The van was forced to stop when it didn't make the light and when Trini made the turn onto the street the Eyrie building was on; it was no longer in sight.

         Trini and Delilah both took the elevator up, and Trini smiled softly at Delilah while she let her push the button for the top floor.  Trini was looking forward to some sleep, she felt a bit light headed from her lack of it.  When Trini stepped out of the elevator she noticed Fox standing in the hall waiting for her and saw Fox's eyes widen as Delilah followed Trini out of the elevator.  "Delilah?"  Fox took a step closer studying the gargoyle.  "Wow…"

         "Delilah?"  Trini heard Lex's voice call from the Library, and he sounded a bit worried.  He came out and stopped suddenly while staring at the female.

         "Hi."  Delilah smiled and waved shyly to him.  She still looked very human in David and Trini's clothes.  Trini could see a light blush on Delilah's face.

         Trini cleared her throat.  "Um, you can return those clothes later if you want."  Trini felt a bit awkward when it became apparent to her that Delilah and Lex needed to talk.  She took a few steps away.

         "Trini."  Delilah's voice made her turn around again, to see Delilah smiling shyly at her.  "Thank you.  I had a lot of fun."

         "If you ever want to do it again, just let me know."  Trini smiled at her, but tensed up when she heard more footsteps in the hall.

         "Do what… exactly?"  Goliath's suspicious voice made Trini grit her teeth before she turned to see him staring wide-eyed at Delilah from the Library doorway.  Elisa was beside him an instant later, and Trini found herself looking from Delilah to Elisa.  The resemblance was much more obvious now, but Trini was so used to Delilah that she hadn't noticed it all night.  Right now, Delilah looked like Elisa with white hair.

         "Yeah, what were you two up to?"  Lex smiled gently at Delilah and Trini could see that relaxed her friend visibly.  It was good that he made her feel safe.

         "Trini took me for a ride in her car."  Delilah's joy at that fact made Trini's lips turn up in a bit of a smile, in spite of the fact that she had a feeling that Goliath was going to have a problem with that.  "We got drive thru food and ate in the park.  It was great!"

         Trini's eyes quickly moved over to the large lavender male, just waiting for him to ruin Delilah's happiness.  If he hurt Delilah's feelings, she'd rip into him hard.  She noticed Elisa touch his arm, and when he spoke it surprised Trini.  "Well, that sounds like you had fun.  We were going to have a clan meeting in a few minutes.  You can change and meet us in the conference room.

         "Okay."  Delilah started towards Trini's room, walking past Fox and Trini noticed her lover smiling softly at Delilah in encouragement.  When Trini started to follow Goliath spoke again.

         "You…"  The soft friendly voice he used with Delilah was gone, "are welcome at this meeting too, as long as you can respect that I'm the leader of this clan."  Trini turned back to him in surprise.  She didn't think that she was welcome anywhere near the clan anymore. 

He stared at Lex until the smaller male left, and then took a step closer to Trini.  His voice softened as he glanced once over at Fox and then down at Trini.  His proximity made Trini nervous.  "You aren't like a regular gargoyle.  Maybe I have to stop holding you to the same standards.  Let's try to start over."

Trini glanced around nervously, "This is a trick isn’t it."  Fox looked just as puzzled as Trini did.  "I'm not leaving my mate.  I don't care what you do."

Goliath sighed heavily.  "I'm not going to interfere with whatever you and the Xanatos' have going on… and you won't interfere with me and Elisa."

Trini felt the hint of a smile on her lips.  This was all she was asking for.  "You'll leave us alone?  No more insults, no more trying to fix me up with other people, no more tricks?"

Delilah's voice called down the hall.  "I don't know how to deal with these buttons."

"I'd better go help her before she ruins that shirt.  It's one of his favorites."  Fox said softly.

Trini almost expected his normal behavior to leak out once some more of the audience was gone.  She glanced around and noticed Elisa still watching.  That was it.  It was a trick; he was just pretending to look good in front of Elisa.

"Tricks?"  Goliath's eyes narrowed, "You really don't think much of me do you?"

Trini almost told him exactly what she thought of him, but Elisa was there.  No matter how much he irritated her; she couldn't embarrass him in front of Elisa.  So she decided to ignore his question.  "What is the meeting about?"

"Well, we need to establish our patrol nights."

Trini looked down at her hands for a moment.  "I can't patrol like you guys do.  Thanks anyhow."  She felt a bit disappointed.  She turned to leave.

"Don't you miss patrolling?  Gargoyles need to protect."

Trini turned to see he was looking puzzled.  She could understand that.  She felt that need to protect like other gargoyles did.  "I have to… protect in other ways."

"Because you can't glide?  I'll let Delilah take you."  Trini looked past the gargoyle to see Elisa's expression.  The detective obviously wanted her to accept.

"Okay, I'm kind of tired now… but I can take the first patrol on Thursday."  Trini sighed.  At least it would be with Delilah.  She hadn't gone out gliding with anyone but Demona in a while.

"Why not tomorrow."  Elisa interrupted. 

"I have to work."  Trini turned to leave, feeling a bit confused over what had just happened. 

 

When she stepped into her apartment Delilah was putting her regular red jacket on.  Fox had the shirt in her hands and was heading for the door.  "I'll be back after I put this away."  Trini just nodded as she passed by her.

"I'm going to be patrolling with you Thursday night."  Trini said wearily, and noticed Delilah's surprised and delighted expression.  At least she knew Delilah didn't mind having to carry her.

"That's great!"  Delilah expression became a little more serious.  "I'm sorry about the kissing."  Delilah stared down at the ground, and spoke very softly.

Trini reached out to caress Delilah's hair gently, "It's okay."  She was a little surprised when Delilah pulled her into a hug, and held on.  Trini just hugged her back, not really sure what was going on.

As Delilah moved to leave the gargoyle smiled back at her, "You always smell so nice."  Trini noticed the lightly glowing red eyes that watched her with a bit of hunger and her own eyes widened.  Delilah just kept moving out the door to go to that meeting.

 

Demona picked up on the third ring.  "Blue, the spell on Delilah should still be good right?"  Trini asked, even though she'd seen evidence that it wasn't.

Demona's voice was tense, "Yes, why?"

"I don't think it's working."  Trini started to think about all the kisses, and hugs she'd gotten from Delilah since she went into season, as well as some of the longing looks.  "I don't know if it ever worked."

 

Trini pulled herself out of bed early, still feeling like she'd barely slept, and pulled her robe on.  Fox was still soundly sleeping, and Trini let her.  There wasn't anything her lover could do, and at least one of them wouldn't be dead tired this way.  She opened her door before Domi knocked again, and glanced over at the clock with a grimace.  Too damned early, but Domi had insisted on looking into this immediately.  Trini nodded to Owen, who had escorted Domi here.  Did he ever sleep? 

Once Trini closed the door to her apartment she spoke.  "So what are we doing?"  She was barely able to keep her eyes open.

"I just need to figure out why the spell isn't working.  I double checked the potions, and there was no mistake made."  Domi sounded so wide-awake.  Trini envied that, as she followed her gargoyle lover out to the clan.

Domi poured a circle of something around Delilah.  The redhead looked at Trini while Trini fought to keep the wind from tugging her bathrobe open.  "Are you naked?"

Trini gave Domi a guilty grin, "Completely… want to see the proof?"  She gave Domi a flirtatious smirk and pretended to pull on the tie holding her modesty in check.  Domi's wide eyes turning see Owen watching almost made Trini laugh.  She was feeling much more awake now.

"You don't normally sleep naked, or do you just do that with Fox?"

"I just didn't feel like wearing clothes."  Trini spoke softly, hoping that Domi wasn't feeling jealous again.  Domi just gave a mysterious smile and nodded before starting her spell.  Owen stood quietly in the castle watching.  He was giving them much more privacy than normal, and Trini wondered if it was because she was barely dressed.  The robe only came to mid thigh.

 

"Well, it has to be her human DNA.  She's not 100% gargoyle, and that is probably interrupting the spell."  Domi answered while standing up.  Trini felt like a lead weight had settled on her shoulders.  She hated doing this to Delilah.  It felt like she was playing with Delilah's emotions, even though she didn’t mean to.

She pulled the robe more tightly around her body, "So there isn't anything we can do is there?"  She sighed and sat down on the ledge of the building.  She was a bit cold now, and regretted not putting something more substantial on before going outside.

"Well, you won't be in season much longer."  Domi tried to sound calm, but Trini watched her lover's hands clench.

"Are we done out here?  I'm kind of cold." 

Owen moved to walk with them as they went to Trini's room, and Trini rolled her eyes at Domi.  It made the redhead grin.  Trini really wished that they didn’t feel the need to act like Domi was going to go on a murder spree if left unsupervised.  "You try and get more sleep.  I'll see you in a few hours."  Trini was a little disappointed with not getting a kiss goodbye, but Domi didn't like to do that around other people, or maybe it was the cameras in the halls.

She crawled back into bed and as soon as her head hit the pillow Fox spoke, "So?"

"Nothing we can do.  She's part human."  Trini said wearily as she rolled onto her side.  She really hated that her friend was being affected like this.  Fox moved closer to cuddle with her, ignoring how cold Trini's body was from being outside.  Fox's warmth felt good.

"You won't be in season forever.  It'll go away."  Fox spoke softly trying to comfort Trini. 

 

 

Trini was looking over a report to summarize it for Domi.  She could understand Domi not wanting to read it all.  This manager needed to be taught how to do a report so that it was easy to read, and perhaps the wonderful world of graphs would also be a good thing to cover with him.  Trini wrote out a note to herself to do that before the next department reports were due, because she didn't want to have to read this mess again.

"You ready to go yet?"  Domi sounded a bit upbeat as she leaned into the office.  Trini gratefully put the report away and grabbed her stuff to leave.

Trini pulled out of the garage with Domi sitting in her car.  Greg had been sent on a few errands and wasn't able to get back in time to take Domi himself.  While they drove Trini filled Domi in on her talk with Goliath, and her going on patrol the next night.  Domi's grimace at the fact that another gargoyle was going to be carrying Trini didn't go unnoticed.

"I love you.  I'm not going to do anything with her."  Trini sighed.  Domi claimed to trust her, but Trini wasn't so sure she did.

"I know that."  Domi covered quickly.  Trini let it go.

 

They were almost to the mansion when Domi suddenly reached out to take Trini's right hand.  Luckily Trini had two hands on the steering wheel at the time.  "Your rings.  You're missing one.  How did you get it off?"

Trini turned into the driveway and gently took her hand back so that she could reach the controls to disable the alarms.  At least they made it home before this conversation.  Trini had been waiting all day to tell Domi in some privacy. 

 

         Trini sat down at the kitchen island and just looked into Domi's expectant face.  "The ring came off because it was time."  Trini found herself answering cryptically, almost like the Weird Sisters would.  She could see from Domi's eyes that she didn't like that kind of answer anymore than Trini did.  "It's Fox's ring now.  I… gave it to her as an engagement ring."

         "What?"  Domi stared at Trini, obviously shocked.

         Trini took a deep breath before speaking, "Fox and I are… going to have a wedding.  We're sort of engaged."

         "You're marrying her."  Domi spoke weakly, and Trini could see Domi seeming to deflate. 

         Trini reached across the counter and took Domi's hand with her own, while looking into her mates face with concern.  "I love you."

         "But you're marrying her."  Domi sounded a little bitter as she glared down at Trini's hand, and the remaining two rings on it.  "It's bad enough that you have this bond with her.  The mating flight was supposed to make me equal, to give me an equal claim, and now you are marrying her."

         "You are equal."  Trini spoke firmly, surprised at Domi's insecurity.  "You always have been."  She could see from Domi's tight lips and the clenching of her hands that the gargoyle didn't believe that.  Trini's voice softened.  "You and I have things that I don't have with Fox."  Tears started to gather in Trini's eyes, "and I know that… in the end, it will be just you and me.  Fox isn't… she isn't like us."  Trini tried to force her mind away from that dark fact and concentrate on the lover in front of her.  She had no idea how to explain the uniqueness of the two relationships, and how she valued them both.

         "And then what happens to us?  Trini,"  Domi was shaking her head slowly, "when Fox is… gone, will you still be allowed to live here, or will the Fey come and try and take you away?"

         Trini's hands' clenched.  "I won't let them.  I won't let anyone do that.  I promised you forever, and I mean it."  Trini's voice cracked, "I couldn't lose you both at once… I just couldn't."

         Domi released Trini's hand and walked around the island to pull Trini into a hug, while petting Trini's hair comfortingly.  "No, we'll find a way.  I won't let anyone take you away either."  She just held Trini like that for a while, standing next to Trini.

         Trini spoke softly, trying to find the right thing to say.  "Fox understands about our relationship.  She isn't trying to be… in charge or anything."  She'd much rather deal with this conversation than the one about what they needed to do after Fox died. 

         Domi picked up Trini's right hand.  Her voice was flat.  "There are still two left."  Domi sighed as she used her fingers to play with the rings on Trini's hand.  "I'm assuming the red one is mine?"

         Trini felt her face go a bit pale.  She'd been trying to ignore the third ring, because she just didn't want to deal with it, but Domi was facing this right on.  "Yeah, the red one is for you."  Trini glanced at her left hand and the red ring that used to be gold.  These rings were just like the ones the sisters had, matching the lover's hair.  Trini had noticed Fox's ring was now black this morning before she came to work.

         "Trini."  Domi's voice drew Trini's eyes back to her face, and the serious expression on it.  "You have three rings."

         "I don’t want another lover.  That third ring isn't even working.  It's not changing or doing anything.  Maybe it's supposed to be for me."  Trini could hear her own doubt about that in her voice, and knew Domi would hear it.  The sisters all just had two rings.  Trini had three for a reason, and she knew that.  She also knew a bit about why.  She had a Fey lover, and a gargoyle one.  She would be willing to bet her car that the last ring was for a human, but it wasn't working.  She could see Domi's disbelief, so Trini's voice got softer.  "I can't handle any more… I don't want to make you share anymore than you are.  I just can't do that to you."  Trini's hand moved up to caress Domi's hair.  "I wish… that things weren't so complicated.  I love you and Fox so much, but sometimes… just sometimes, I wish that I could be everything you need me to be.  That I wasn't making you share wasn't leaving you alone half of the time.  Sometimes I fantasize about splitting myself in two so that I'm not shortchanging either of you.  I can't… bring anyone else in to our relationship.  It's barely working as it is." 

         "It is working."  Domi smiled weakly.  "You better not ask the sisters to do any splitting, because I wouldn't be happy with just half of you."  Domi leaned forward and gave Trini a gentle kiss before whispering, "You are everything I need.  You don't need to feel guilty about this."

 

         Trini stepped into the dining room and just watched Domi setting out the meal.  "Look, I've domesticated you."  She grinned at the shocked and slightly insulted look on Domi's face.  "Pretty soon I'll have you sewing and baking."

         "Oh, you are just asking for it aren't you?"  Domi started to smirk.  The smirk grew as she studied what Trini had changed into.  Trini was wearing her own halter and loincloth tonight.  She didn't have any shorts here, so it was the closest thing she had.  "Why aren't you just going naked?  You know you want to."

         Trini's face went red, "I can't just walk around naked!"

         "You are most definitely going into season soon."  Domi walked around the table and stared into Trini's questioning eyes.  "You take off your clothes whenever you have a chance.  I didn't tell you about that particular symptom, because I didn’t want you to fight it.  Clothing irritates your skin, doesn't it?  You feel everything, hot, cold, touch more intensely now don't you?"

         Trini licked her lips and tried to suppress a moan at the sexual purr to Domi's voice.  "Yes."  Trini found her eyes traveling to Domi's lips, wanting her lover to kiss her.

         "Tonight after dinner maybe we should talk about some of the other symptoms you should look out for."  Domi smiled softly, "I'm going to have to make sure not to take any important meetings for the next couple of weeks, so that I can take off whatever day it ends up being."  Domi moved forward and gave Trini a gentle, lingering kiss.  Trini could see so much love in Domi's eyes when she pulled away.  "It's been so long, and now I finally have a mate to fly with.  You are going to enjoy making love in the air, it's so… freeing."

         Trini's voice held gentle seduction, "Well then why don't we just do that tonight?"

         "Oh, no… I want our first time to be on your moon.  I want that night to be as special as I can make it."

 

         As they sat and ate dinner Trini could see Domi getting a bit nervous about something.  When the redhead finally spoke it was hesitantly.  "The mating flight is usually the last step in the mating ceremony.  I… was going to have us skip some of the others, but I… I want to make it as official as I can."  Domi looked up from her half eaten dinner into Trini's confused eyes, and Trini was surprised at the vulnerability in Domi's eyes.  "I want it recognized by gargoyle customs that you are my mate.  You're willing to marry Fox… I want you to be willing to do that for me."

         "I am…"  Trini stared in a bit of shock, "I thought that was what we were doing.  I thought we were engaged."  Trini set her fork down and just stared at Domi.  It was obvious to her that her mate had more to say.

         "Trini… I don't know how I'm going to do this.  I don't have a clan to present you to… but I want to."

         "What are you talking about?"  Trini spoke gently.  She could see that something was hurting Domi.

         "When a couple decides that they will be mates, they are supposed to announce it to the clan.  I…"  Trini watched with concern as a tear fell from Domi's eye, "I don't have a clan to do that for you."

         Trini got up quietly and moved around the table to sit next to Domi.  She reached out quietly to take her lover's hand while her mind was trying to come up with some solution to this problem.  She'd suggest the Wyvern clan, if it weren't going to ruin her… wait a minute… "Domi, do you think you could announce with Marie?"  Domi looked up into Trini's eyes sharply, so Trini continued.  "Angela's pretty supportive of your relationship with Marie.  She might be able to get us a clan.  Maybe not the whole clan, but some of them."  Trini waited a moment, while Domi seemed to be considering it, "But I couldn't go in my normal form."

         "I can't have those witches using magic on you again!"  Domi spoke a bit harshly.

         Trini tilted her head, and studied Domi, "They are my family.  They love me, and I really don't think that they would hurt me."

         "No, Trini…"  Domi's forehead wrinkled a bit as her eyes took on a sympathy, "I just can't trust them not to hurt you.  I can't risk you like that."  They sat in silence for a moment, and Trini tried to come up with another solution but wasn't doing too well.  "I… I'd need to know what Marie looked like to create an illusion.  I could order the supplies, but without that I couldn't do it.  They've seen you in that form, and I haven't."

         A slight smile started to tug at Trini's lips.  "Andrea has several drawings.  The ones that she gave me were a little rough, but she's probably been working ever since I visited her."

         Trini watched the slow and slightly wicked smile grow on Domi's face.  Trini's idea to help Andrea out was suddenly very useful.  "Trini… I need to make a phone call."  Domi left her dinner half eaten and went out towards the stairs.  She was probably going to call from her office.  Trini glanced at the clock and realized that there was still a while until the sunset.  She started to pack their dinner plates into the kitchen.  She'd just clean up while Domi checked on that.

         After Trini took care of the dishes and the leftovers, Trini looked through the kitchen, and decided that the supplies were getting low.  She started her first ever grocery list for their home, and it was a strange feeling.  The simple task made it even more concrete that this was her home.  Trini was surprised at the feelings that gave her.  She started to wonder if Domi did grocery shopping or just ordered her food over the internet.  She really didn't know very much about how Domi dealt with the day to day things, because the gargoyle seemed to do all of that while Trini was at the Eyrie. 

 

         It took a while for Domi to come back down, but then again, no one could talk to Andrea for just a little while.  That artist was a talker.  "Well, Andrea does have some new art that she's very excited about.  She wants me to visit tomorrow and see it."  Domi's smirk and the victorious way she walked made Trini smile.  Domi then leered at Trini's barely covered body, "I want to go gliding with you tonight, but you might need more clothes.  It's a bit cold up there for you."

         Trini felt for the sun and realized that it was almost sunset.  "Okay, I'll go get dressed."

         As she walked past Domi, Domi moaned softly, "I wish you didn't have to.  You look so sexy dressed like that."

 

         They sat in the bedroom.  Domi was now dressed in her loincloth and halter, waiting for the change to come over her, and Trini had on her black pants and a long sleeve black t-shirt.  It made her look a bit like a burglar.  "If we do that, can Fox come?"  Trini was back to talking about this joining, or whatever the gargoyles called it.  "She's never seen Marie either."  When she saw Domi tense a bit she added more gently, "It would be our night.  I know having Marie chat with Fox would look odd, but… I think she'd like to be there."  Trini paused.  "I… I don't know how we could do it, but I'd want you at the wedding Fox and I are having.  If you don't want to, or think it isn't possible, I'd understand… but I want you to know that I do want you there."

         Trini stared down at her hands.  "I'm having the same problem with my wedding to Fox.  I have no clan to bring.  The Weird sisters are stuck on Avalon.  My… human family is out of the question.  I have Delilah and Lex.  He's being kind of nice about it.  But…"

         Domi interrupted gently, "I'll be there.  We can come up with some reason later, but I'll be there."

         The change over came Domi, and Trini could tell her lover was trying not to show how painful it was.  This was enough to ruin sunset and sunrise's for Trini.  Just knowing they hurt Domi made them a thing to be dreaded.  After Demona took a moment to recover she started talking like they'd never been interrupted.  "Our announcing… won't take long, but I'm sure that Fox can find a way to come.  It all hinges on whether Angela can do this for us now."  Demona moved to open the balcony doors so they could leave.  "I have to get in touch with Angela.  We have to do this soon." 

 

         Trini was surprised when Demona picked her up in her arms before leaping off the balcony, rather than having Trini get into position.  She thought maybe they were going to work on the shift from arms to back some more, but they were pretty good at that now.  After they were in the air for a few minutes and no mention of training was brought up Trini noticed that they were actually heading in a straight line towards the city.  "Where are we going?"

         "I have something I want to show you."  Demona spoke softly and smiled tenderly.  Trini didn't press for details, because it was obviously a surprise.

They glided over the Hudson River, and then seemed to slow down.  Trini watched with wide eyes as they landed in a beautiful garden.  "I used to live here, before the spell that made me not turn to stone during the day."  Demona said softly as she lowered Trini to her feet.

"It's beautiful."  Trini reached out to take Demona's hand and smiled at her.  They quietly walked along the stone paths in the garden.  It really was the prettiest garden Trini had ever seen.  The archways around it gave it a real feel of history.

"I thought that you and Fox could maybe have the ceremony here."  Demona stopped walking and turned to look at Trini. 

"But this is your place."  Trini spoke softly while staring into Demona's eyes.

"You shouldn't do it at the Eyrie, it should be special.  The human's are not tolerant of such relationships, so a church isn't a possibility.  This place is perfect for a small ceremony, and I know it well enough that I can sneak in and out if I have to."  Trini looked around at the garden paradise, and she was very tempted.  Demona continued to talk, "Delilah would have a hard time getting to many places, but this place is easily accessible by air."

"What about us?"  Trini turned to look at Demona again.  "Isn't there some sort of ceremony to our joining?"

Demona smiled and pulled Trini into a hug, while kissing her cheek, "I want to do that in Central Park.  If it weren't for that park I wouldn't have met you."  Trini leaned into the caress of her cheek, "Besides, gargoyle ceremonies are very brief.  You won't have time to look around."

They had barely started on the journey back home when Trini heard a woman's voice call for help.  She looked at Demona, who just grimaced and started off in that direction.  "You'll just argue all the way home if we ignore it won't you?"  Demona said with a bit of anger.  Trini looked away to hide her smirk.  She didn't even need to say anything to get her gargoyle to do what she wanted anymore.