On the Path of Vengeance - By Princess Alexandria

Day 8- Tuesday - July 22nd 

          “You’re not going to invite me in?” Goliath’s deep voice sounded insulted. 

         Trini leaned against the doorway, “No, I’m not.  You just want to insult me or try to guilt me into doing something I don’t want to do.  This way I don’t have to kick you out, I can just slam the door.”  Trini managed to say all of that as if she were disinterested in his response.  She was actually worried that he’d get violent.  He wasn’t the wonderful male that Elisa seemed to believe him to be when he was around Trini.  She knew that her nightmares were also probably coloring her impression of him, but… he’d managed to be enough of an ass to warrant this behavior from her on his own.

         She didn’t move when Goliath’s eyes flashed his irritation.  In the hall, someone would hear her if she needed help.  She watched the enormous gargoyle take a deep breath to try and calm himself.  “I am the leader of my clan.  Problems with my people need to come through me.”  So he didn’t like her yelling at Brooklyn. 

         “If I thought you would do anything about it, I might have.  Since this was essentially Brooklyn saying anti-gay shit to my friends… I figured you’d look the other way.  I won’t tolerate anyone giving her shit because she is my friend, I won’t tolerate her being abused in any way.”  Trini’s eyes started to glow red.  “You may be the leader of that clan Goliath, but I am not a member of your clan.  You can’t order me around.  I won’t take it.”

         Goliath’s voice got louder and took on a bit of a growl that scared Trini, but she didn’t show it.  “What I will not tolerate is you threatening members of MY clan!”

         Trini started to talk louder as well, “Well, if your clan didn’t feel the need to abuse or attack mine I wouldn’t have to, now would I?!”  This was suddenly about much more than just Delilah. 

         Goliath stood glaring at her, but when he started to speak it was quieter, and more dangerous sounding.  “You will stay out of clan business!”

         Trini growled, “If your clan business hurts anyone I care about, I will do something about it and fuck your damned rules!”  She took a step out into the hall with her eyes blazing.  “I’m not letting some huge purple dinosaur order me around!  Get that through your thick skull Barney!”  Goliath seemed to grow even larger as his eyes glowed intensely.  Trini could see him clenching his hands into fists, but she didn’t back down.  She hissed more quietly, “And if you’re so concerned that someone fuck Brooklyn… do it yourself!  Go ahead and take one for the team Big Guy… bend over!”  Goliath’s eyes widened in outrage and Trini had to duck to avoid the fist aimed at her nose.

         “GOLIATH!”  Hudson’s voice rang through the hall.  When it looked like that was going to be the only attack from the huge gargoyle, Trini glanced around, and was surprised to see that they had attracted a lot of attention  Hudson, Lex and Angela were in the hall, looking stunned at the scene that Trini and Goliath were a part of.

         Trini’s eyes still burned.  “I was told that gargoyles protect, but apparently I’m the only one that does that… because I’ve been having to protect myself and the people I care about from your clan since day one!”  Trini spun on her heals and marched into her rooms, slamming the door behind her.

         She could hear the loud conversation outside of her door, so she walked further into her apartment so that she couldn’t.  Once her anger burned away, she felt weak and sick.  She couldn’t believe that she’d argued like that with him.  That it had almost come to blows, she would have been completely defenseless against a physical attack from him.  He was so damn huge!  She sat down heavily on the couch and put her hand over her mouth while staring at the blank TV.  That didn’t go well at all.  She probably just bought everyone more trouble.

         When there was a knocking on her front door, she didn’t fall for opening it this time.  “Just turn your ass around!”  She yelled at her door.

         “So does that mean I can come in after I do that?”  Angela’s voice called through the door with a little bit of humor.  Trini sighed heavily.  She didn’t want to talk to any of his clan, but she didn’t want to be rude to Demona’s daughter either.  She got up off the couch to open the door.

         She stood in her doorway glancing at the slightly nervous looking female.  “Are you sure your father wouldn’t mind you talking to me?”  Something in Angela’s body language reminded her of a child trying to get away with something.  “Am I going to end up with another lecture out of letting you in?”  She wasn’t quite up to another confrontation with Goliath.

         “Just let me in.” Angela said quietly while glancing down the hall.  Trini stood aside and Angela darted into her room quickly.  She stared at the gargoyle as she shut the door.  Angela glanced around her room as if expecting something truly bizarre to be in it. 

         “So, what brings you here?” Trini sighed as she led Angela into her living room.  She really didn’t want to be around any gargoyles right now.

         “Father isn’t usually like this.”  Angela looked a bit embarrassed.  “I… my mother…”

         “I heard about that.”  Trini said softly.  Everyone seemed eager to blame absolutely everything on Demona, even Goliath’s bad attitude.  “It still gives him no right to treat me like he does."  Trini sat down on the couch, trying not to be too close to Angela. 

         “No, it doesn’t.” Angela said softly, and then they sat in awkward silence for a bit too long.

         “Why are you here Angela?” Trini asked while trying not to sound rude.  She was feeling like an exhibit at the zoo around this female.  Angela stared at her whenever she thought she could get away with it. 

         “I wanted to let you know that I’ll make sure Brooklyn doesn’t talk like that to Delilah again.” Angela said as she scooted back in her chair.  She appeared to think she was staying.

         “Thanks…” Trini sighed, “I… just don’t take people calling her that very well.  She was crying when she called me… I wanted to kill him.”  Her shoulders relaxed as she settled in for a visit.

         Angela looked at her strangely, “Your mate.  Is she human?”

         Trini blinked at Angela stupidly for a moment.  Fox was half human, but an answer like that would give her away.  “Yes, she is.”

         “Does she know about you?  About being part gargoyle, and being in season?” Angela’s curiosity was slightly grating on Trini’s nerves.  It forced her to think about every answer to figure out if she could tell the truth.

         “Yes.  She knows all that.”  Trini said softly. 

         Angela was staring at her again.  “And she’s okay with all that?”

         Trini felt a small smile tugging at her lips.  “Yes.”  She sighed, “Angela… I don’t want to be rude, I'm glad that we are finally talking... but what is this really about?"  She didn't want to play twenty questions about her love life, it was too confusing as was.

         "My mother.  The way you talked in the meeting makes me think that you understand."  Angela sighed, "I just found out my mother may have a mate... a female mate.  Father told me to never have anything to do with her a long time ago... but I want to see her and find out if this is true."  Okay, this was worse than the twenty questions they were playing before.  She shouldn't really get involved, because she was in the minority of opinion here, but still.

         "What if it is true?  What would you do?"  Trini wanted to make sure Angela wouldn't say something hurtful to Demona, because right now, she didn't think the gargoyle could take it.

         Angela seemed to be deep in thought.  "I'm afraid that this female is using her in some way.  The leader of the Oregon clan seemed to think this female was powerful in magic.  I want to make sure that she's okay."  Angela looked up into Trini's eyes, "If she really is in love... I'd like to meet her mate."  Angela grimaced, "Her last mate was horrible to her, planning her death."  Trini was trying to not fidget nervously as Angela was talking.  "I still love my mother, I just want to make sure she's done better for herself this time."

         "You'd accept that your mother had a female mate if this female seemed nice enough?"  Trini was surprised that Angela acted so strange around her, but would seem okay with her mother being with a female.

         "At first... I was disgusted."  Angela made an apologetic face and scrunched her shoulders in.  "But, she's been alone.  Maybe having a gargoyle around, even if it is a female, would be good for her."  Angela sat up straighter and leaned a little closer to Trini, "Before I joined my father's clan, I was in another clan... a larger one with many gargoyles my own age.  I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be alone like my mother is."

         "It isn't pleasant."  Trini said quietly.  She'd been alone not that long ago, and it had been so hard.  She noticed Angela's confused expression.  "Before I came to New York I was alone.  I've actually been alone for years... and it isn't easy."  Trini's mother and Travis weren't really there for her.  Once her mother married that man, it had been like Trini was alone.  It was like that even in high school, when she was living in the same house.

         "I'm sorry, I forgot." Angela said softly.

         "It's okay."  Trini studied the lavender female, "So, what do you want to do?  Do you want to call her?"

         Angela looked a little nervous, "I haven't talked to her in a long time.  I don't know if she'll want to hear from me."

         "I think she'll want you to call."  Trini knew for a fact that Demona would love to hear from Angela.

         "I don't even have her phone number anymore." Angela sounded so upset with that.  Trini managed to avoid telling Angela that she had it on her cell phone's speed dial.

         "You could probably check with David, he probably has it."  Trini had to keep some distance in this.  "He can probably lend you a private office to call from too."  When she saw the doubt on Angela's face she added more quietly, "I'm sure David can keep it quiet if you want."  The gargoyle nodded absently.

         "Thank you."  Angela stood up.  "It was helpful talking to you."  Trini didn't see where she'd been of any real help, but she just thanked Angela and walked her to the door.  Maybe Angela would follow through.  For Demona’s sake, she hoped so.

         Trini was ready for bed and just waiting for Fox to come back.  She was sitting on the couch reading from the second novel she’d bought when she was in Portland with Domi.  The door opened and Trini looked up as Fox came in, already dressed for bed and wearing a long flowing bathrobe.  “I heard you had an argument with Goliath.”  Fox said while she moved Trini’s feet off the couch to make room for her to sit.  She then brought Trini’s bare feet back to rest on her lap.

         “Yeah.  I may have really screwed up there.”  Trini said softly, and then tried not to pull her foot away when Fox started to massage it too lightly.  Fox grinned at her, but increased the pressure, making it a very pleasant massage.  It was nice to have a lover.  She gave Fox a small smile in spite of the conversation they were having.

         “I heard about that.”  Fox was smirking while studying Trini’s feet, “You called him Barney the Dinosaur and invited him to have sex with Brooklyn.”  Fox stopped massaging as she started to chuckle.  “Damn, Trini… you really are pushing for Bitch of the week.”

         Trini didn’t really see the humor in this, “He’s going to take it out on Delilah, isn’t he?”  She asked quietly, feeling pretty ashamed of herself for losing her temper.

         Fox’s expression became more serious, “No.  He won’t.  I know he’s been a complete ass to you, but Delilah is his clan now, he accepted her.  He won’t take it out on her.”  Trini released a breath she’d been holding in relief.  Hopefully Fox was right.

         Trini woke up and noticed that Fox wasn’t in bed.  She could hear her lover talking to someone in the living room.  “I’m sorry I didn’t wake her earlier, but she was finally getting some rest.  She had a lot of nightmares last night.”

         “How bad are they?”  Domi’s voice startled Trini.  Domi was in her home?  She glanced over at the clock and noticed it was almost seven thirty.

         Fox’s voice got a little quieter, “I’ve never seen anything like it.  She rarely sleeps an hour without waking up to one.”  Trini felt uncomfortable that she was being discussed like this, but she didn’t get out of the bed.  They seemed to be getting along for right now, and she didn’t want to screw that up.  If Fox got to know Domi, it would be easier to explain why she wanted the gargoyle to be her mate as well.

         “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”  Domi said quietly.  “I… heard what those bastards made her do to them.” The gargoyle’s voice was tight. 

         “That isn’t what her nightmares seem to be about.” Fox’s voice was sounding a bit more compassionate.  “It’s your rape that haunts her.  I’ve heard her call out to you every night.”  Trini’s eyes widened, she didn’t think she’d been talking in her sleep like Domi had.  “She’s also starting to have nightmares about the clan.”

         There was a moment of silence, and Trini debated about getting up.  “The clan?  She’s afraid of the clan?”  Domi sounded surprised.

         “It’s mostly Goliath.  His wanting her to breed… isn’t really helping her to heal.”  Fox sighed.  Trini crawled out of bed and went to the closet to find something to wear.  She’d taken to showering at night, to try and help keep the pheromones down when Fox was with her.  She wanted her lover to be able to get some sleep.  She moved quietly, so that the two redheads in the other room would continue to talk.

         “I would be willing to have her sleep at my home some nights.”  Domi said almost completely out of the blue.  “I could watch out for her nightmares more easily, I don’t need as much sleep as a human does.”  Trini winced, expecting Fox to snap at Domi.  “You look tired, and I doubt you’ve seen Xanatos very much since the spell.  It would also give her a break from the clan.”  There was a tense silence, “I would never hurt her… she has my heart.”  Domi said very softly.  Trini quietly put her shirt, her eyes were wide as she listened to them talk.  Domi was really putting herself out there, risking a lot.  She never did that around other people.

         “You want to take her away from me, but you can’t.  Our Fey bond is unbreakable.”  Fox hissed quietly, obviously trying not to wake Trini up right now.

         "I Know That!"  Domi hissed back, and after a moment of silence she continued, "I... know I can't take her from you.  Even if I succeeded in that those damned Fey on Avalon would find a way to take her from me.  You already have a mate Fox... do you really need to keep her all to yourself?!  She wants to be with me too.  She's so worried about hurting you... but she aches for my touch.  She needs a gargoyle when she goes into breeding... a human would not be able to do the things that need to be done, even if they knew what they were.  And I will not tell you... I doubt the clan will be any more forthcoming if they realized you planned to mate with her on that night."  Trini had her pants on, but she just sat down on the bed with a shocked look on her face.  Domi was actually talking to Fox about this.  She told the gargoyle that Fox wouldn't listen to her.  She was trying to back Fox into a corner to make her concede.

         Trini waited tensely for Fox's response to that.  "You plan to have sex with my lover?!"

         Domi's voice was amazingly calm to that.  "I don't think she'll be with me if you don't approve... and she'll suffer for it Fox... believe me she'll suffer.  I've been without a mate for countless numbers of Breeder's moon.  I don't want her to ever go through that.  You can't help her, not when it comes to this."

         During the tense silence after that Trini started to tie her shoes quickly.  She was so afraid that Fox would just say no... if she did it would be very hard to get her to change her mind.  The bedroom door opening startled her.  She looked up to see Fox staring at her.  "You're awake."  Fox said softly while closing the bedroom door behind her.  "Good, we can get that spell taken care of."  Trini stood up with a heavy sigh.  She'd feel better once the spells had been cast, but...

         "Fox, I love you."  Trini said solemnly as she stepped closer to take her lover into her arms. 

         Fox said quietly.  "You heard everything?"  

         "Yes."  Trini pulled back to see Fox studying her eyes carefully.  She avoided looking away.

         "Do you want to split your time between here and Demona's?"  Fox made it sound like they were just talking about living spaces.  This was much more.  Trini looked into Fox's eyes, for any sign of how her lover was feeling.  Fox gave her no clues.

         "Only if I won't lose you in the process."  Trini felt her eyes tearing up.  "I... don't ever want to lose you."

         "Could you walk away from her?"  Fox asked, and Trini flinched at the very idea.  "No, I don't suppose you can."  Fox sighed.  "I love you.  I'm going to give you the same deal David gave me.  I know Demona can give you things that I can't.  I just don't want you to ever forget that I am your mate."  Fox hugged Trini tightly, and even though Trini knew she had just gained something, she felt sad.  This was hurting Fox.  "I still don't trust her Trini... but it's too late.  She already has your love."

         "I love you Fox."  Trini took a shuddering breath, "I'm so sorry I'm hurting you again."

         Fox pulled away and gave her a weak smile while wiping tears from her own eyes, "You... are well worth all of this.  David probably is missing me, but he hasn't complained.  Maybe this will work out better for all of us."  Trini gave Fox a weak smile back.  "Lets get that spell done, I'm sure that Demona has a lot of work to do today."  Trini nodded.

         When they walked out to the courtyard, where the gargoyles were, Trini could see Demona staring at her daughter.  "Did she call you yet?"  Trini asked softly.

         Demona turned to look at Trini with a look of surprise on her face, "What are you talking about?" 

         "She came to talk to me last night.  She's thinking about calling you to find out about this new mate of yours.  She's afraid that you aren't being treated well."  Trini's eyes noticed Fox was listening as well.  "I told her she could get your number from David.  I can't really admit to having it."

         Demona turned back to Angela, "She's planning to call me"  She sounded so happy as she whispered that, "because she's worried about me?"

         "Yeah... she is."  Trini said softly, then moved back to allow Demona some time to look at her daughter. 

         "David doesn't have Demona's home number."  Fox whispered to Trini.

         "I guess I'll have to give it to him then.  I just couldn't give it to Angela."  Trini whispered back.  Fox nodded.

         The spell was pretty straightforward looking.  Trini couldn't understand anything that Domi said as she read out of the book and poured the mixtures on the gargoyles.  There was no impressive display to show that it had even worked.  Once it was completed on Delilah, Trini felt herself sag in relief.  She didn't want to end up hurting her friend by turning her down, and it had been getting pretty bad.  Fox put her hand on Trini's shoulder and squeezed gently.  Neither of them were talking while Domi worked on casting.  Trini looked up and could see David and Owen watching this carefully from the doorway.

         "Well, that should last until I have more supplies."  Domi said as she closed her book and approached Trini.  "It should be a few more days."  That meant that Domi and Angela were going to be doing without for days.  Well, Angela really didn't seem to be doing too badly, but Demona was having a tough time around Trini.

         "Thank you."  Trini smiled softly at her gargoyle in human form.

         Owen and David coming out towards them drew all three women's attention.  "I trust that this spell will work?"  David asked Domi as he walked over to Fox. 

         "For a while.  It... will basically make it so that they don't sense Trini's pheromones."  Domi said a little stiffly, "I have a meeting to prepare for.  I should be going."  Dammit, David's presence was driving her away.

         "I'll walk you out."  Trini said as she started to walk towards Domi.  They needed to talk, she hadn't told her about Fox's decision to share.  She could see that Owen was planning to follow them, "I can handle this Owen."  Trini said softly, but her eyes held a bit of a threat as she stared at him.  She needed time alone with Domi.  He nodded and went to stand by David.

         “Dominique, I believe our friends here were planning to come visit you tonight.”  David warned Domi, and Trini’s eyes widened.  She hadn’t heard about that.

         The elevator ride started quietly.  “Trini, you don’t need to worry about me.  I have this all figured out.”  Domi said gently,  “I… just want to make sure you aren’t there.  I can take care of this.”  Trini took a deep breath, she knew that if she were there, it would be next to impossible for her to not try and defend her gargoyle. 

         “Okay, but… call me.  I want to know you’re okay.”  Trini said softly.  Domi nodded that she could do that, while giving Trini a small smile.  They stood in silence a little longer.  "Fox is going to let me stay with you sometimes."  Trini said quietly.  "She's decided to share."

         Domi's eyes started to sparkle and a small grin formed on her lips.  "Good.  I've missed you horribly."  Domi made no motion to hug her, but Trini could tell by the way Domi glanced at the elevator's ceiling, she knew that there was a camera there.

         "I've missed you too."  Trini smiled shyly.  They were going to be able to become lovers, and it made Trini nervous and shy.

         "So, have you tested the effects on humans?"  Domi's face became more seriously, "I would like you to start working if you are able to.  I think I can set it up so that you don't have too much contact with the employees until this is over.  I'll just have you focus on research."

         "Shopping went fine.  I guess I could start soon, if you want me to."  Trini said, slipping into a more professional tone. 

         "Good, how about you start on Thursday." Domi was looking at Trini, just looking at her and it made Trini feel a little self-conscious.

         "Okay, I'll be there at one."  The elevator doors opened as Trini said that.  "I'll make sure Angela’s able to get your number."  She said quietly as Domi stepped out of the elevator. 

         "Thank you."  Domi's eyes held her affection, even if her expression was still in her stern businesswoman persona.  Trini nodded to her and stepped back into the elevator to go back to her apartment.

         Trini worked on writing for a few hours, since she was up, and Fox had decided to spend some time with Alexander.  After lunch with Fox and her family,  Fox followed Trini back to her rooms.  “I want you to know that I’m sharing because I love you, not because I don’t want you.”  Fox said softly.  This had obviously been bothering her for a few hours.

         “I never once thought that.  I know you love me.”  Trini stepped closer and pulled Fox into her arms.  She was surprised when what was supposed to be a tender embrace resulted in Fox pulling her tightly to her body and starting to nibble on Trini’s ear, “I need you so badly… Please, Trini… I need to fuck you.”  Trini’s entire body responded to the desperation in Fox’s voice. 

         “Yes… Oh, Fox.”  Trini moaned as Fox pulled away just enough for them to be able to move into the bedroom.  She could tell that Fox was trying to control herself and not be too wild.  “Just let go baby… it’s okay.”  Trini whispered into her lover’s ear, hoping she was telling the truth.  She missed the way that they used to make love, and was tired of the cautious way that Fox had been trying to be so gentle.   Fox immediately moaned out her need and pinned Trini to the bed.  “YES!”  Trini cried out as Fox ripped open Trini’s shirt and started to kiss Trini’s neck roughly.

         When Fox moved to lie on her back, Trini shifted onto her side and smiled down at her lover.  “I love you.”  She whispered as she leaned down to kiss Fox tenderly.  “That was…”  Trini gave Fox a goofy grin.  It was great.  She laughed.  When she looked back down into Fox’s eyes, there was such happiness.

         “I haven’t heard you laugh like that in days.” Fox said softly, with a smile on her lips.  Trini’s face became more serious.  She hadn’t realized that she’d been so different that just laughing would make Fox tear up like the redhead was starting to do.  Fox sat up and pulled her into a tight hug.  “I’ve missed you so much.”  She held Fox as her lover started to cry.  Fox had obviously been holding a lot in.  Trini petted Fox’s hair while the tears flowed.  After about five minutes Fox pulled back, “I’m sorry.”  Fox whispered to Trini.

         Trini tilted her head and looked into Fox’s eyes, “You don’t need to be the strong one all the time.”  Trini brushed some hair out of Fox’s face, “I love you.”  She wanted to apologize for her nightmares, which had obviously worn her lover down, and for falling in love with Domi, but… she’d already apologized for those things so many times.

         After dinner Fox and Trini went down to the gym.  Fox wanted to see what Domi had taught Trini about fighting.  It had been over a week since Trini had even tried to do any of these moves, so she was a bit clumsy about it.  Fox walked around her correcting her poses much like Domi had done.  There was a seriousness in Fox’s eyes as she watched Trini, letting Trini know that she was being evaluated as a fighter.

         “You do seem to have serious potential.”  Fox said as she moved up to stand in front of Trini.  “You’ll need to practice… you haven’t even tried since you got back home.”  Fox scolded her.  “That’ll change now.  You will be working out with me… when you aren’t at Demona’s.”  That was the first either of them had spoken of that since the decision had been made.  Fox started to grin, “I’m sure that Demona will want to continue your training as well.  This should be fun.”  Trini could hear some competitiveness in Fox’s voice.  She just knew that these two women were going to work her into the ground.  Trini sighed and got into a battle stance to start sparring.

         Well, the easiest way to make sure that the spell had worked was to see how Delilah was acting around her.  She didn’t know the males well enough to tell if anything changed.  Trini was standing in the doorway watching the rain falling while she waited for the sun to set.  She still felt a bit sore from the workout she and Fox had.  Even though Fox was essentially human when it came to fighting, Trini had to work to not completely embarrass herself.  Trini felt a little tense, she hadn’t tried to shower her pheromones off before she came, because this was a test.  She was going to try and stay away from Angela, because she would still be affected, but if that spell didn’t work Delilah would definitely have trouble. 

         As she watched the clan waking up, she remembered that she had to pretend she didn’t know about their plans for tonight.  “Delilah.”  Trini smiled at her friend once the white haired gargoyle noticed her.  Delilah seemed to light up with happiness, but Trini knew that she’d always done that… so it might not mean anything.

         “Trini, is everything okay?”  Delilah walked closer to her. 

         “Everything’s fine.”  Trini took a risk and hugged her friend.  No desperate clinging took place, that’s good.  She pulled back, “I was wondering what your schedule was like for tonight.”

         Delilah looked a bit disappointed, “We’re going out.  Lex found out where Demona lives.”  Trini then noticed that Lex was hanging out in the shadows watching them.

         “How did you… nevermind, I probably wouldn’t get it anyhow.”  Trini was addressing Lex, and that seemed to put him at ease.

         “Everyone leaves a paper trail, even Demona.  Hers is harder to find, but I managed.” Lex looked a little like he was bragging.

Trini looked between the two gargoyles, “Both of you be careful.”  She said softly.  She’d hate if Delilah got hurt on this phony mission.  She turned to Delilah, and was happy to see no sign of lust, even though Trini was standing so close.  “We’ll do a movie night another time.”

Trini was walking through the library on her way back to her place when she was intercepted by Brooklyn.  “I… just wanted to apologize for my behavior.  I shouldn’t have lashed out at Delilah, you’re right.”  He was giving her a remorseful look.

“She’s the one you hurt, I hope you apologized to her.”  Trini’s eyes narrowed, “I better not find out you’ve treated her like that again.”

“No, I won’t.”  Brooklyn took a deep breath, “You and I really got off on the wrong foot.  I was wondering if you’d be willing to come with us when we go out to the movies later this week.”  Trini stared at him.  He thought he could hide the fact that he’d just asked her out on a date by having the rest of the clan with them.  What should she do now? 

“I’ve got a lot of work to do this week.”  Trini tried to brush it off gently.  If these attempts to date her continue or get too bad, she could get rude about it, but she just didn’t feel up to a confrontation just yet.  She was more worried about the clan going after Demona.

Trini felt the eyes on her before she noticed Goliath staring at her intensely from the corner of the room.  His eyes were glowing, he probably wanted to hit her for that crack she’d made last night.  She slipped out quickly so he wouldn’t be tempted.

Trini was able to see the clan gliding away from the castle, and she felt so nervous.  She just stared at them until she could no longer see them in the night sky.  This was all because Erik claimed that box was stolen, people she cared about might get hurt because he couldn’t admit that Trini had only taken what was hers, and because she didn’t dare tell the clan the truth.   

“Trini?”  Fox’s voice startled her.  She hadn’t noticed the door open.  

         “This… mess.”  Trini waved out her window towards where the gargoyles had gone, “is because of me.  Someone might get hurt, her home… could be damaged… and it’s all because I can’t tell the clan the truth about me, about what’s happened, about anything.”  Trini turned her eyes to Fox, “She has to go against Angela… for this lie, for me.”  Trini’s voice got quieter, “The waiting… is already driving me crazy.  I know that the clan can’t be there yet, and I’m already a mess.”

         Fox stepped up behind Trini and wrapped her arms around Trini’s waist, “She’ll be okay.  I think she has this planned out pretty well.”  Fox turned Trini to look at her.  “The clan wasn’t heading in the right direction for her home.”  Fox smirked, “I don’t know where she has them going, but she lives in that direction.”  Fox pointed ninety degrees to the west of where Trini had seen the clan going.  “You and I are the only ones in this building that actually know where she lives right now.”

         Trini smiled, “Good.  I’d hate for the clan to be able to drop by her home and harass her whenever they felt like it.”  She was suddenly feeling a little better.  Demona managed to pick her own setting for the confrontation. 

         Trini tried to write, but her mind kept going back to her worries about Demona.  She ended up just reading some magazines while sitting on the couch waiting for news about what was going on.  Fox was on her computer going over the files about the Quarrymen again.  Just having Fox in the room was a comfort.

Day 9 - Wednesday - July 23nd 

          Trini had finished with all the magazines that she and Fox had.  She was now just staring out the window while listening to music.  She could hear Fox typing away.  “You need any help with that?”  Trini would really like something to think about other than her worries.

         “I’m doing fine now, it’s just in the planning stage.”  Fox told her, gently, “When we get to the point of doing this, I might need help.”  Trini had the feeling that Fox was just saying that to make her feel more useful.  It was Fox and Domi that were taking on the Quarrymen, and she was just there to watch.  She just didn’t have the skills.  Trini was getting really tired of sitting on the sidelines and letting the people she cared about leap into danger for her.  The clan had left hours ago, and there was no sign of them and no call from Demona.  The battle must still be raging… a stupid useless pretend battle that could get the gargoyles she cared about hurt.

         It was three before Trini got a phone call.  She leapt over the coffee table and almost knocked the phone off the table as she rushed to answer.  “Hello”

         “I just called to inform you that our sensors detect the clan is almost home.”  Owen’s crisp voice told her, and Trini’s heart started to pound a bit faster.  The clan was getting home before Demona could call her.  The clan’s trip to the site they thought was Demona’s home wasn’t a short one.

         “Thank you.”  Trini whispered to Owen and hung up before he could try and say anything else.  She didn’t turn around to face the redhead staring at her from in front of the computer.  “The clan’s almost back.”  Trini said quietly.  Tears started to fall, “Blue hasn’t called.  She’s hurt, I just know it.”  Trini wrapped her arms around herself as her shoulders slumped.  Fox’s gentle touch on her back was all it took to make Trini spin around and bury her face in Fox’s shoulder.  “Every time she tries to protect me she…”  Trini’s teary voice continued more quietly, “This is my fault.”

         Fox started to caress Trini’s back.  “Baby, she’s a warrior.  She probably just needs to take care of a few loose ends before she can take the time to call.  Go clean up your tears and we can go see if we can get any information from the clan.”  Fox pulled away and looked into Trini’s eyes, “If you don’t think you can do it, I can go up alone and tell you what I find out.”

         Trini didn’t want to have to wait any longer than absolutely necessary.  She took a deep breath to try and calm down.  “No, I’ll go with you.  I need to make sure Delilah got home okay too.”

         They were standing outside in the castle courtyard when the clan started landing.  Trini took a note of what she saw.  Brooklyn was looking a bit battered, with a cut above his eye and some deep talon marks on his chest.  He landed a little unsteadily, favoring a foot.  Lex, Broadway, Goliath and Hudson all landed, looking none the worse for wear.  Goliath was holding the stupid box.  Delilah landed, looking fine and Trini released a breath in relief.  Her eyes widened when she saw Angela touch down.  Oh shit… Angela had a black eye and her lip was cut.  Trini walked up to Angela slowly, with her hand over her mouth.  The other gargoyles were either with Goliath examining the box or with Brooklyn trying to help him, since he was having a tough time hobbling inside.  Fox stood watching Trini as Trini moved to stand in front of Angela.  “What happened?”  Trini said softly, as she stared at Angela with wide eyes, hoping that Demona hadn’t been forced to hit her daughter.

         “Mother tossed Brooklyn off of her and he fell on me.  It’s… nothing really.  One stone sleep and no one will ever know.” Angela said quietly, while glancing at her father’s back.  The lavender female sat down on a bench, and Trini sat down beside her, completely forgetting that she needed to avoid Angela until she’d done so.  Fox came out of the shadows to sit with them.  At least it was outside, that should help with the pheromones.  “It was completely an accident, I could tell by the look on her face once she realized…”  Angela glanced up into the castle and Trini followed her gaze to see Broadway watching Trini carefully, he was playing the jealous mate very well.  Trini could tell the second that he noticed Fox, because he relaxed.  He apparently didn’t want Angela spending any time alone with Trini.  Angela sighed heavily, “Well, thanks for asking.  I need to go take a look at the damage.”  Angela got up a little stiffly; her face wasn’t the only thing that got hurt.  Angela and Broadway left.

         Trini took a deep breath.  If Demona had been seriously hurt, she was pretty sure that Angela would have mentioned it.  “Would you mind if I went back.  I’m expecting a phone call.”  Trini gave a small smile to Fox, and her lover smiled back.

         “You go ahead.  I need to talk to Goliath.”  Fox said very quietly.  Trini knew that Fox would have an easier time if she weren’t there.  Her presence on the castle courtyard had gotten a few raised eyebrows.  She wanted to ask what she was going to talk to Goliath about, but the look in Fox’s eyes gave her the impression that now wouldn’t be the time to ask. 

         Trini managed to find Delilah, sitting near Lex’s computer.  He was looking up something, and had an unhappy look on his face.  “You okay honey?”  Trini asked softly as she put a hand on Delilah’s shoulder.  The white haired gargoyle turned and looked up at Trini with fondness.

         “Not a scratch.”  Delilah’s smile faded a little, “It was a trap.  That wasn’t her home, it was an old abandoned building.  That box… we still don’t know what it is, but she was going to use it against Goliath.  Brooklyn stopped her, but…”  Delilah’s voice became a little awed, “I’ve never seen her fight.  She… mopped the floor with him.”  Trini had to be careful to not show the pride she felt at that moment. 

         Lex spoke up, but he didn’t take his eyes of the computer screen.  “It wasn’t her home.”  He sounded disgusted with himself as he mumbled angrily.  “I can’t believe I fell for this.”  Trini just told Delilah good night and went to her rooms.  She was feeling a lot better.

         Trini waited impatiently for the phone call, for a half hour before she tried to call Demona’s house.  “Trini?”  Demona’s voice sounded very weary.  “How’s Angela?”

         “She’s fine, just a few bruises.” Trini said softly as she moved to sit on the couch.  She realized what the problem was.  “She knows it was an accident.”  She could hear Demona release her breath.

         “Thank God.  I thought that…”  Demona trailed off.  She continued in a stronger voice, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you right away.”

         Trini had been so worried, but that isn’t what she said, “It’s okay.  There was a lot going on.  You are okay, right?”  Her anxiety managed to creep into her voice.

         “I’m fine.” Demona sounded a little better.  “It went off pretty smoothly, they shouldn’t be suspicious, because I didn’t give the box up too easily.”

         “Good.”  Trini heard Fox closing the door as she came home.  She smiled at her lover briefly.  “The spell seems to work, I tested Delilah before she left.”

         Fox spoke softly, “You could go stay with her tomorrow night if you want.”  Trini stared into Fox’s eyes, she could easily see how tired her lover was.  “It’s okay.”  Fox smiled weakly.      

         “Blue…” Trini started hesitantly while watching Fox go into the bathroom.  “I could stay with you tomorrow night.”

         “That would be nice.” Demona said softly, her voice full of affection.  “I could have Gregory come back to the mansion to take you to work on Thursday.”  She paused, “Will you be in time for dinner?”

         Trini smiled, “I can be.”

         Trini was getting ready to take her shower before going to bed when Fox came back into the bathroom.  Fox leaned against the doorframe.  “I talked with Goliath, and told him that… you were already spoken for, I didn’t specify by who, so he should stop with the pressure.”  Trini’s eyes widened, and she moved to sit on the closed seat of the toilet.  “I hope I didn’t overstep my boundaries.”

         Trini smiled at her lover.  Fox was getting a bit protective.  “No, it’s okay.  I sort of already told Angela that I had a mate.  I thought that might help too.”

         Fox smiled softly, “Well, good.  I’ll let you take your shower.  I’m going to bed.”

         Trini woke up at eleven, and slipped out of bed to shower yet again.  She had already agreed to have a lunch with Elisa this week before her pheromones started.  Elisa was coming by to pick her up at twelve, and Trini was determined to have her pheromones under as much control as possible by then.  She showered, taking her time to get out as much of her pheromones as possible while she did that.  Doing that always felt good, that was the one thing she would miss about being in season, her tails sensitivity.  She was out of the shower and ready to go by a quarter to noon. 

She went into the bedroom and found Fox still sleeping.  Her lover was so exhausted, if Domi hadn’t made her offer Trini would have had to do something.  She couldn’t let Fox run herself into the ground like this for her.  At least Fox was going to be able to actually sleep tonight.  That was going to be awkward to explain to David that she was going to start spending some nights away.  There were no lies to cover this… she had no idea what she could tell the clan if her absence during the night came up.

Trini wrote a note to Fox reminding her where she’d gone.  She left that on the bathroom mirror and quietly left.  She didn’t want Elisa’s knocking to wake Fox up.  She passed by David in the hall on the way to the elevator.  “I left Fox sleeping, she really needed it.”  He started to grin, but Trini just shook her head, Fox’s fatigue wasn’t from something that pleasant.  “My… nightmares are wearing her out.  I don’t think she’s hardly been sleeping at all.”  Trini’s concern for the redhead carried quite well. 

“How are you doing?”  David said gently, obviously wanting to reach out and hug her.  She stepped closer to let him.  Her fear had calmed down considerably and she could admit to herself that even with the pheromones David was no threat.  His arms wrapped around her, and it was awkward because he was larger than the people she was used to hugging. 

“I’m doing a bit better, it’s just taking a lot of time.”  Trini sighed while resting her head on his chest.  “The nightmares are just as bad as ever, but at least during the day…”  Trini was thinking about the fact that making love to Fox had stopped being scary.

David started to speak hesitantly, “I never really heard what happened, how a human could do that to you.”  Trini tensed up in David’s arms.  “I’m sorry I asked.”  Trini took a deep breath.  Of course David would wonder about that, Trini was stronger and faster.

         She just whispered her answer, “There were six of them, and they all had guns.”  She pulled away from the embrace.  “Even I couldn’t handle that.”  She gave him a weak fake smile.  “I’m not supergirl… I’m not even as strong as a gargoyle.”

         “Oh, Trini.”  David’s expression was so pained.  His eyes hardened a second later, “Where was Demona during all of this?!”  He was someone else eager to blame things on the blue gargoyle.

         Trini took a deep breath as she thought about a way to word the truth.  “She was captured too.  She really couldn’t help me.”  She could see he looked a little puzzled, “It was the Quarrymen.”  David’s eyes widened.

         “That’s why Fox wants us to work on destroying their funding.”  He said to himself… and then looked at Trini, “We'll find a way to destroy them.  I promise."

         The elevator opened and Trini could see the surprised and suspicious look on Elisa's face when she saw David hugging her.  She pulled out of David's comforting embrace and smiled at him, "Well, I'll see you later.  Elisa and I are doing lunch."  David's eyebrows raised a little at that, so Trini added more quietly, "And yes, Fox knows."

         Elisa just nodded hello to David as the elevator doors were closing.  As soon as they were alone, Elisa turned to Trini, "Are you and Xanatos?"  with a hint of accusation in her voice.

         "No, he's just a friend."  Trini said tiredly.  She was beginning to think that Elisa had been imagining all sorts of perverted and weird things about her relationship with Fox.  It would account for Elisa's strong disapproval.

         The trip to Elisa's apartment was mostly quiet.  Elisa obviously didn't want to talk about whatever it was in the car.  Once they were in the apartment, Trini took her jacket off.  It wasn't a very nice day outside, it was windy and looked like it could rain at any moment. 

         "Trini..."  Elisa motioned to the couch.  "I'm worried about you."  Well, now Elisa was wasting no time.  Trini sat down in the same place she'd been when she told Elisa about Fox, with a sigh.  "I've heard that you've been having unbelievably horrible nightmares.  Goliath said that he's heard you waking up screaming a few times."  Trini slumped down, because she was shocked.  This wasn't the conversation she'd been expecting.  Elisa sat next to her and looked at her with so much concern in her eyes, "He said that when you woke up from one you screamed when you saw him.  Honey... what's going on?"  Trini was horrified to find her mind drawing a complete blank.  She needed a lie and she needed it now.  She found herself having to try and stall for time to think.

         "Nothing's wrong."  Trini smiled weakly at Elisa.  "Thanks for checking, though."  Elisa's expression hardened.

         "No... even just looking at you I can see something is wrong.  You look too tired, too tense.  What is it?"  When Trini made no attempt to answer Elisa's eyes softened, "What about the nightmares, what are they about?"

         Trini sighed heavily.  Elisa was a detective, and she didn't look like she was going to let this go.  "I... dream that the clan is raping me."  Trini's voice cracked.  "because I refuse to breed, Goliath..."  Trini stopped talking for a moment, deciding she didn’t need to give details.  “I told them I was gay… and they still are pressuring me.  I don’t have time to make them understand… I’ll be going into my breeding soon.”  Trini’s voice started to hold the horror she felt about this situation, “I’m not strong enough to fight off a gargoyle.  I don’t feel safe.”

         Elisa reached out and took Trini’s hand.  “They wouldn’t do that to you.  It’s just a dream.”  Trini was getting a little angry at Elisa’s blindness when it came to Goliath’s clan.

         “He wants eggs… I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.  He hates me already… shit, he’s even tried to hit me.”  The punch he’d thrown was obviously a real one, he’d put his strength behind it.  Elisa’s eyes widened, and Trini could see the detective was pissed.  “I said something he didn’t like.”  She admitted, so that it wasn’t just her trying to get Goliath into trouble with Elisa.  “I think Hudson yelled at him.”

         “What did you say?” Elisa’s eyes were staring at Trini intensely.

         “I told him that if he was so concerned about Brooklyn having sex he should do it himself.” Trini sighed. 

         “He tried to hit you for that?!” Elisa sounded outraged, “He could have really hurt you!”  Elisa started to mutter, “I take you to them to make you safe… and this happens.  I don’t believe it!”  Elisa was up and pacing in front of the couch instantly.  “I am so sorry.”

         “This isn’t your fault.  I just don’t belong with this clan.” Trini said softly.  She hated to tell Elisa this, because it was obviously shattering her impression of her boyfriend.

         Elisa stopped pacing and stared at Trini, “You aren’t going to leave?”  Elisa’s eyes were wide and Trini could see that Elisa didn’t want her to.

         “No… well, I might disappear for a few days when it looks like it’s time, but I’d come back after it was safe.”  Domi could take her in then, because she wasn’t trusting any spell that much.

         Elisa looked like she wanted to growl, “You shouldn’t have to run away from YOUR home to be safe!”

         “I can’t risk it.  I know you think that they’re all great… but I just can’t risk it.”  After she’d said that Trini realized that it wasn’t her that Elisa was mad at.  She was just so used to Elisa jumping to defend Goliath that she’d just responded before noticing it.

         Elisa seemed to calm down “Your right, you have to do what makes you feel safe.  I don’t believe that you need to worry, but… I can understand your need to be sure.”  Elisa sat back down, “Do you have somewhere to go?”  She asked Trini gently.

         “Yes… I have it all figured out.”  Trini replied quietly, when she saw Elisa wanted details she added, “Goliath will probably try to find me, so I don’t want to tell you where, so you don’t need to lie to him.”

         Elisa asked quietly, “You really think that he’d try and hunt you down if you left to avoid them?  Oh, Trini…”  Elisa sighed.

         “Just better safe than sorry.  Fox will know where I am, if there is an emergency… but she’s the only one I’m telling.”  Trini could see from the clenching of Elisa’s jaw that she didn’t like this at all.  Trini sighed, “Can we have lunch?”  She wanted to end this conversation, and she hadn’t eaten yet today. 

         Elisa nodded distractedly.  “I ordered pizza.  It should be here soon.”

         They managed to talk about less explosive topics during lunch.  Trini gave Elisa a very edited version of the trip to Seattle.  She also mentioned that Fox was going to be teaching her to defend herself.

         “Well, I hear Fox is really pretty good, but I’ve never had to go up against her.”  Elisa said politely, but then she tilted her head a little, “You haven’t been patrolling with the clan.”

         Trini sighed, “I don’t think that they’d want me around now.  I… don’t want the males to carry me, and I’m sure that Goliath would flip if I suggested Angela do that now.”  Trini looked down, “and with Brooklyn accusing Delilah of making me gay, I don’t want to…”  She didn’t want to add more fuel to that rumor.  “Not to mention Broadway becomes so tense if I’m even near Angela, and Lex… is trying to hide it, but he does the same thing when I’m with Delilah.”

         “I really thought the clan would have handled that better.”  Elisa said softly, while reaching out for Trini’s hand again.

         Trini gave Elisa a weak smile, “Good thing we never told them about us.”  She was looking for the bright side, but Elisa flinched.  Trini’s hand held onto Elisa’s more strongly, “What’s wrong?”

         Elisa’s voice was quieter than she normally spoke, “I never told anyone about us.  I kept you hidden away, like I was ashamed of you.  I wasn’t… but it didn’t really dawn on me how that would have made you feel.”  Elisa looked up into Trini’s face.      

         “It was new to you.”  Trini tried to excuse Elisa’s behavior.  “I’m sure that if we’d stayed together…”

         Elisa released Trini’s hand and cupped Trini’s cheek, “It still hurt you, didn’t it?”  Trini’s eyes started to tear up, because it had hurt.  “And you never did get to know Goliath because you had to keep this secret.  You never really got to know any of the clan because of it, did you?”

         Trini’s throat was a little tight, “I have far more secrets than just us.”

         “But it was this secret that kept you from talking with them, wasn’t it?”  Elisa pushed.  Trini didn’t want to admit that it was true, but the look in Elisa’s eyes showed her that she didn’t need to admit it.  The detective could see it was.

         “I was afraid that they’d be able to see it in my eyes.”  Trini admitted softly, “Fox is able to see it when you’re around or when we talk about you.”

         “See what?”  Elisa sat back a little in the couch.  Trini sighed, she didn’t think that she’d need to spell this out.

         “Love.  I can’t pretend that it’s only friendship very well.”  Trini got up suddenly to put the plate away.  She needed a little distance.  Too bad Elisa followed her into the kitchen with her own plate.

         Elisa said quietly.  “Goliath… has been asking me if I knew you were gay.  He didn’t like my answer.”

         “Which was?”  Trini set her plate in Elisa’s dishwasher.

         “That I knew, but that I didn’t think it was any of their business unless you decided to tell them.”  Elisa leaned against the kitchen counter.  “He gave me a look… it made me think he might be suspicious.”

         “They’re all suspicious.  Any woman that knew is suddenly suspect, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything.” Trini said gently while leaning on the counter as well. 

         “I’m not going to back away from you just because it makes him uncomfortable.”  Elisa said a little forcefully, making Trini think that perhaps Goliath had made that request.  “I can’t believe he’s being such an ass about this.  So Demona’s gay now, do we all have to pay for that?!”

         “So, it’s not just a rumor to him anymore?  He believes it?”  Trini remembered the serious denial he was going into during that phone call she spied on.

         “No, it’s verified.  Demona was taunting him about it during the battle last night.  He told me about that when I came to visit after I got off work.  His male pride is pretty bruised.”  Elisa told Trini, and Trini was shocked.  Demona did that?  And she did it in front of Angela?  Elisa smirked, “Apparently this female knows how to ride her all night in a way that he never could.”  Trini started to laugh… that was battle training, not sex… her face was going red as she tried to stop herself from laughing so hard.  Elisa started to chuckle at Trini’s response, “I didn’t think it was that funny.”  It took Trini a few minutes to stop laughing, because every time she thought she had it under control, she’d start up again.

         Elisa dropped her off back at home at three.  It had been a very nice visit, and Elisa wanted to do it again sometime next week.  Trini didn’t hesitate to agree, there had been no horribly tense moments where Trini thought her pheromones were controlling her ex. 

         Trini was standing in the elevator when it stopped on a different floor to pick someone up.  David got on.  “So, why don’t I ever see anyone else on my way up?”  Trini asked him.

         David smiled, “This is a private elevator, and the only one that goes to our home.  Employees aren’t allowed on.”  He glanced at Trini, “So how was lunch?”

         Trini smirked at him, “Well, after the wild passionate sex we feed each other grapes and then had more sex.”  She chuckled at his shocked expression.  “She’s just a friend now.  I don’t think you need to take it upon yourself to feel jealous for Fox.”  Trini’s expression became more serious, “I’m not planning on leaving Fox, ever.  I love her so much.”

         David gave her a small smile.  “She is pretty amazing, isn’t she?”  He said softly.  “Sorry for sticking my nose into your business.”

         Trini moved closer to him, “You’re just watching out for Fox.  I understand.”  She turned when the elevator opened and they got out on their floor.

         David walked Trini to her room, “She told me about Demona.”  He didn’t sound as accusing as Trini would have expected.  “about how you and Demona are also an item.  Fox told me to not give you a hard time about this… so I’ll just say this once, I think you are making a mistake.”  Trini sighed, she had hoped that she wouldn’t ever have to talk with anyone else about this.  “That having been said, if you ever need help… if Demona turns on you, come to me.”

         Trini turned once they’d reached her door to see only concern on David’s face.  “I don’t think she will…”  She could see David about to protest, “but I will come to you if it happens.”  He nodded, and made no more arguments.  Trini knew he had to want to ask questions and say more.  Fox must have really impressed upon him the need to leave Trini alone about this.

         Trini had a night bag packed and ready to go shortly after she got back from lunch with Elisa.  She set the bag in the closet for later.  She wanted to be gone before sunset, because she didn’t want any curious gargoyles trying to follow her cab.  She didn’t want to be the one that lead the clan to Demona.

         Trini hugged Fox tightly.  “Get some sleep.”  She told her lover quietly.  She was just about ready to leave.  She just needed to call the cab.

         “Don’t worry about me.”  Fox smiled weakly. 

         “I don’t plan to put out tonight.”  Trini said gently, to try and calm Fox’s nerves. 

         Fox smirked at her evilly, “Get real, I’m not blind, she’s gorgeous as a gargoyle.  I’d jump her if I didn’t think she’d kill me if I tried.”  Trini’s eyes widened as she started to grin.  Fox was an odd one.  When she turned to leave, she didn’t see the pained look on Fox’s face or the tears in her eyes.

Trini sighed as she got into yet another cab. She was going to go car shopping as soon as she started working, it would be cheaper than taking this cab ride to Domi’s two or three times a week. She really had no idea how much she could intrude on her gargoyle, Domi was used to living alone.

They were driving past the apartment that she’d stayed at in June, and Trini smirked when she saw Margo and Brendan walking a little dog. She could just imagine Margo’s response if she found out that Trini lived with David and Fox now. She was almost tempted to have the cab stop so she could tell Margo and watch the blond implode.

A few blocks from there she saw a familiar face walking along the sidewalk, and she instantly paled and felt sick. It was one of those men… walking along the sidewalk, free and happy looking while talking to a few thug like friends. Trini moved to stare at the back of the cabby’s seat and only looked at the bastard out of the corner of her eye. Her entire body tensed, she wanted to leap out of the cab and grab him, to beat him until he wasn’t recognizable. She also wanted to urge the cabby to drive faster and get as far away as she could. Her heart was pounding as she swallowed and watched the man turn into a store. She could still remember how he’d made such disgusting comments as he forced her to… Trini had to shake herself out of these thoughts. He was going to get what he deserved, just a little longer. She had to wait, they needed to get them all at once, if she went after this one Mark would become more cautious, and harder to catch. Once again she wished that all the bastards had still been in the barn when she started to fight back, it would have made everything so much simpler.

“Are you okay Miss?” The cabby called back. Trini realized that she must look like she’d seen a ghost.

“I’ll be fine.” She told the man quietly. She sighed heavily and tried to think of other things, but the rape was starting to replay itself in her mind. “Just drive, I don’t want to talk.” She said quietly.

Trini managed to calm herself down before the cab pulled up to Destine Manor. Just driving up to the mansion’s gate made her feel better, because she knew that Domi was home.

As soon as the door opened Trini stepped in and closed it behind her so that she could take Domi into her arms. After seeing him… she needed the comfort Domi could give her. She could feel Domi wrap her arms around her and start to caress her lower back. “Trini?” Domi said softly while pulling Trini closer.

“Saw someone I wish I hadn’t.” Trini explained her behavior quietly, as she pulled back out of the embrace slowly.

“What?” Domi sounded confused until she looked into Trini’s face, “Oh.” They both stood in silence for a moment, “They all are under surveillance. I was going to talk to Fox about moving in on Friday or Saturday… I have everything ready.” Domi took Trini’s face into her hands and spoke gently, “I’ll make them pay… they won’t get away with it.” Trini could see that Domi was now considering this to be about getting vengeance for Trini, in spite of the fact that Trini knew that Domi had been treated far worse than she had.

Trini looked into Domi’s fiercely protective expression. “I love you.” Trini whispered.

Dinner was spent talking about work. Domi was expecting Trini to be intimidating and planned to give her the power to fire people to help with that. There were a few people that Domi was planning to get rid of for various reasons, but had kept on so that Trini could do it and gain a bit of a reputation. Trini couldn’t help but think of the job she’d had before, and how she’d tried to not cause waves and just blend in. This position demanded the exact opposite of her. Domi seemed to want her to walk in as if she owned the place and just take over. The redhead wanted to have less to do with the day to day running of the New York office, and actually less contact with the humans that worked there. This personal assistant job’s responsibilities had already started to grow, and she hadn’t even started yet.

After dinner they both went into Domi’s living room to watch TV. Trini was just starting to get into the movie when she felt Domi’s caress start, running lightly up and down a coil of her tail. She remained very still, not wanting to do anything that would stop this. She could feel her blood pounding, “Does this feel good?” Domi said softly, seductively. Trini knew Domi knew the answer to that.

“Yes.” Trini whispered as she leaned back on the couch, and spread her legs to give Domi better access to her tail… to everything. Her breathing was coming a little rapidly. The caresses moved up, until Domi was caressing the part of her tail that was wrapped around her upper inner thigh. This was moving too fast… but it was too good for Trini to stop. Domi had completely given up pretending to watch the show, and Trini could feel Domi’s eyes watching her. She could hear that Domi’s breath was becoming a little labored as well.

“You would give yourself to me…” Domi said very quietly, “it is such a precious gift.” But the caresses stopped, and Trini whimpered at the denied pleasure. She opened her eyes to see Domi studying her, “too precious for me to take in this form. The first time we are together, I want to be in my true form.” Trini wanted to protest, and tell Domi that she was ready now, that she didn’t want to wait. The gentle kiss to her lips stopped her before she spoke. “Trini… my love.” It sounded like Domi was trying that endearment on to see if it sounded right to her ears. Trini sat up a little straighter when she saw the hesitation in Domi’s eyes, “I… am still affected by your pheromones. I also don’t want our first time to be… out of control.”

Trini leaned closer and kissed Domi gently. Her new lover wanted to wait, that was fine. Trini had been waiting for Domi for weeks, she could continue waiting if that was what she wanted. “It’s okay.” She’d told Fox that she wouldn’t be having sex tonight anyhow. “Just because we can now… doesn’t mean we have to rush into it.” Trini was glad she’d said that when she saw the relieved look on Domi’s face. She was finally beginning to understand what those caresses were about. Domi was giving her as much as she could… it was all the redhead felt comfortable with right now. Trini felt like cursing her breeding cycle for rushing Domi… the gargoyle needed more time than Trini’s body was going to allow her.

They had about a half hour until sunset when Domi turned to grin at Trini, “I think we should go gliding. You need the practice staying on.” Domi’s grin became wicked, and Trini started to chuckle.

“I heard you said something to Goliath about that.” Trini grinned, “You are wicked… insinuating something like that.”

Domi’s smile grew, “The look on his face was priceless. I was waiting on top of the abandoned building. I had a few protection spells in place to keep them from getting too close. The first thing he said when he landed was, I’ve heard some rumors about you… I couldn’t resist. He looked so horrified that I said that in front of the clan. I’m guessing he was keeping his knowledge about my new lover a secret… but everyone knows now.” Domi started chuckling. Trini’s heart beat a little faster at the ease in which Domi was calling her a lover. It felt so nice to be acknowledged, even though the clan didn’t know who Demona was talking about. Domi’s voice became quieter and Trini could hear the fondness in it. “Angela seems to be taking this very well. I know part of that is because of you… thank you.” Domi caressed Trini’s hair and smiled at her.

“I love you.” Trini smiled at Domi. She then sighed heavily. “I should shower before you change… I don’t want to make it too tough on you during our practice.” She got up, “I’m seriously getting tired of showering at least twice a day.” She complained quietly.

Domi reached out to grab Trini’s arm as she tried to walk past. “You don’t need to.” Domi blushed a little, “I… like how it makes me feel.” Trini felt herself starting to smile at that admission.

“Okay.” Trini said softly and moved to sit back down.

Demona’s change came, and Trini winced in sympathy as she heard the scream yet again. They started to get ready to go out as soon as the sun was completely down. The phone ringing startled both of them just as they were getting ready to leap out the second story bedroom balcony. Trini slid off Demona’s back so that the gargoyle could answer her bedroom phone. While Demona did that Trini moved to sit on the bed.

“Hello.” Demona sounded more regal than normal answering the phone when she knew it wasn’t Trini. Trini watched the surprised and delighted look come over her gargoyle and she had a pretty good idea who had called. She got up to leave the room and give Demona some privacy. “Angela, just a second.” Demona put her hand over the receiver and addressed Trini, “Honey… I…”

Trini deepened her voice a little to disguise it, because she knew that Angela was hearing all this, “Take as long as you need. I’ll just go listen to the stereo downstairs.” She was surprised at how sexy her voice was at just a little deeper. “Come get me when you’re ready to go gliding.” She kissed Demona on the cheek as she passed by her. “It’s your daughter… don’t hurry on my account.”

Trini went downstairs and turned on the stereo, moving to sit on the couch to listen. She really wished she could listen in on the conversation going on upstairs, but this was a family thing. She found herself standing and dancing in about ten minutes. After about twenty minutes she was singing along with the music quietly. After a half an hour she was singing as if she were doing one of the gigs she used to get with the band. She did a spin and was startled into squeaking loudly, because Demona was standing with the cordless phone, just standing there watching her with a big grin on her face. “Angela wants to say hello.” Trini gave Demona a sheepish look for being caught like that and turned down the stereo before she went to take the phone from the blue female. Demona mouthed to Trini, “Your name is Marie.” Trini’s eyes widened at the fact that Demona knew her middle name.

Trini cleared her throat and deepened her voice again. “Hello Angela.”

“Hello Marie.” Angela said hesitantly. “Mother has told me that you are mates.”

Trini walked out of the living room and away from the music, and the nosy gargoyle. “Yes, we are.” Trini said slowly. She was going to have to talk slower than normal to keep the voice going.

“I… just want you to know that you’d better not ever hurt her.” Angela’s voice took on a bit of a threat. Trini smiled because she was proud of Angela.

“I love her Angela. I’ll do my best.” Trini stood in the kitchen, staring out the window into the darkness. “Your mother is… an amazing female. I’ve never met anyone so strong.” Now she was in a position to tell Angela about some of Demona’s more positive qualities.

Angela was quiet a moment, probably in shock to hear anything nice about Demona, “I heard that you come from the Oregon clan.”

“No… my father did. When he was banished, for something totally not his fault…” Trini had to force herself to slow down again, “they apparently decided that any of his offspring would suffer the same fate. I’m having to create my own clan.” She was lying to the young female about enough; she could be honest about some of this as ‘Marie’.

“They banished you because your father had been banished?” Angela sounded pretty surprised, and a little suspicious.

“Yes… they did.” Trini said a little wearily.

“They said you stole this box we took from Mother last night.” Angela spoke a little quickly.

Trini sighed, “I didn’t steal it. It was my father’s. Erik lied to you because his pride is hurt. They all cowered like hatchlings from a small show of power.” Trini remembered to talk like a gargoyle.

That was met with a little more silence, and Trini hoped that Angela wouldn’t ask what the box was for, because she didn’t know what Demona had told them about it. “You’re a sorceress, if I find that you’re using your magic on mother…” the threatening voice was back.

“Your mother is far more skilled in magic than I am.” Trini’s voice got a little softer, “I would never use my magic against her. I’m not like Thailog Angela… I really do love her.”

“Well… good.” Angela seemed at a loss for words.

“She misses you very much. Your phone called made her light up with happiness.” Trini spoke softly.

More awkward silence from the lavender female, “I’d like to meet you.” Angela spoke almost shyly.

Trini grimaced. On the phone she could pretend to be someone else, could pretend to be a full gargoyle. “I think you might want to start by spending time with her.” Trini looked around to see Demona watching her talking on the phone. She gave Demona a look that hopefully conveyed that she was in trouble. Demona held her hand out to take the phone, and Trini handed it over gratefully.

“So… Angela, what do you think of my mate.” Demona smiled at Trini and sat down at the kitchen peninsula. “Yes… I love her very much.” Trini went to get herself a glass of juice. “She’s very beautiful.” Trini found herself blushing as Demona stared at her while talking to her daughter. Demona’s voice got softer, “Yes… she does. I’m very happy.” Demona’s voice was full of affection and some disappointment, “I’m so glad you called. I understand. I love you.” After a moment Demona hung up and slowly set the phone down on the counter. “She called.” Demona gave Trini a small smile that also seemed to contain pain. “You were right.” Trini set her glass down and moved to wrap her arms around Demona. The gargoyle held her tightly for a moment, before pulling back. “Still up for a glide?”

Trini smiled at her, “Sure… no problem.”

They were gliding far above the suburban neighborhood by ten pm. Demona was careful to not glide over her own home, probably so that the neighbors didn’t notice her. Demona started off slow again, so Trini could get used to holding on with her legs again. Trini was getting to the point where she could anticipate Demona’s turns and dips by subtle clues in the gargoyle’s body. Once she’d gotten that down, she could tell that Demona was working harder with sharp turns, sudden drops and climbs. Trini laughed when Demona tried to dislodge her by diving while spinning. Once the gargoyle straightened out, Trini smiled mischievously and slid one hand down from Demona’s shoulder slowly to rub the blue female gently between her wing joints. She could feel the tension in Demona’s body as her wings started to shudder. The flight became a little rougher. “Trini.” Demona’s voice called back to her. “Honey…” Trini could hear some desperation in Demona’s voice. Trini lightly ran her fingers right along the wing joints, and her breathing became a little faster as Demona moaned. “Oh… Trini.”

Demona moved to glide lower to the ground. Trini smiled as she stopped her caress and returned her hand to Demona’s shoulder. Falling from a lower altitude was actually more dangerous for her, because it didn’t give Demona much time to catch her. Neither of the women noticed that MacBeth was sitting in the bushes taking several pictures of their flight.

Day 10 – Thursday – July 24^th

As soon as Demona touched down on her balcony Trini gently slid off of her. Her legs were a bit weak, and she moved to sit on the bench on the balcony. Demona was still within arm reach, so she pulled her gargoyle to her, noticing the smirk on Demona’s lips, and inspected her for bruises. “My skin is a bit tougher than you seem to realize.” Demona said softly as Trini caressed her hips. “You don’t hurt me when you ride.”

Trini smiled up at the gargoyle and then leaned forward to kiss her hip gently. “I can see that, I just like doing this.” She said as she pulled back and looked into the gargoyle’s eyes before leaning in to kiss her other hip, more slowly while caressing the one she’d already kissed. She forced herself to pull back and not try and take it further. Demona didn’t seem to understand how sitting like that affected Trini, how it forced sensitive parts of Trini’s body to rub up against the gargoyle repeatedly.

Trini stood up shakily and pulled Demona into a hug. “I think maybe you need to work out those muscles more regularly, you’re really feeling it now, aren’t you?” Demona asked as she pulled away to open the balcony door. Trini was surprised when Demona scooped her up into her arms and carried her inside. It still felt odd that Demona could do that, carry her around like a child. Trini wasn’t used to that when they were on the ground.

“I could have made it.” Trini said quietly while smiling up at the blue female. “You didn’t wear me out that badly.” She said while arching an eyebrow up.

Demona smirked at her as she lowered Trini gently to the bed. “Oh, really?”

“No, I could have gone a few more hours.” Trini was making her voice deeper, and playfully seductive.

Demona pulled back, looking a bit tense, “Don’t tempt me.” The hint of desperation in Demona’s voice stopped Trini’s flirting. Her pheromones… how could she have forgotten about that?

Trini sighed, “Okay… I’m taking a shower. There’s teasing and there’s torture… this is too close to the latter.” She rolled over the bed on got off on the other side. Demona didn’t try to talk her out of it this time. The shower was almost as large as the one they had at the cabin. Trini turned the water on and just let the warm water caress her skin for a moment. Her muscles were sore and she was a little sweaty, riding Demona like that was a workout all by itself.

Trini just pulled on an over sized t-shirt to sleep in and walked out to find Demona lying in the bed waiting for her. The gargoyle’s voice was soft and tender, “If you want a full nights sleep you need to get to bed soon. You’ll need to leave the house at eleven tomorrow, because I want you to go to Human Resources and go through the orientation just like all the other employees do. Let me know what you think of it, and if you think we need to change it.”

Trini quickly did the math and realized that she’d need to wake up at ten to be ready on time. “Okay.”

“Come here.” Demona opened the sheets to allow Trini to crawl in front of her. Trini was surprised that Demona was willing to go to bed so early for her, it was only two. “You look so tired.” Demona said so softly. She then hit a button on the headboard and the room was placed in darkness. The blue female pulled Trini’s body back into herself tightly, and Trini felt as if she weighed nothing because of the ease Demona had in doing so. Demona held her like that for a while, and Trini slowly found a tail wrapping around her own.

“Feels nice.” Trini whispered as Demona’s tail seemed to caress her own tail everywhere at once until Demona had their tails completely intertwined, and the movement stopped. A wing shoved some of the sheets aside to rest right on Trini’s body.

Trini slept for hours, until she felt Demona get out of bed. She turned sleepily to see her gargoyle leaving, so she felt for the sun and realized it was almost dawn. After a muffled scream Domi came back into the room, and smiled softly at Trini, “You seem to be sleeping just fine.”

Trini looked down at the bed and then back up at Domi, “Lets not ever tell Fox about that.” She didn’t want to hurt Fox with that odd fact. When Domi sat down on the bed and just stared at her, waiting for an explanation Trini sighed, “I don’t know why.”

Domi spoke more quietly, “You still need more sleep. I could use a few more hours too.” Domi got back into bed.

Domi tried to shake Trini up from a nightmare about an hour later, and Trini reached over and pulled the gargoyle in human form into a tight hug before she was even awake, “So sorry… want you safe.” She mumbled almost incoherently, but Domi could understand her.

Trini barely registered the hand petting her hair, “We’re safe now… we’re safe.” Domi whispered and moved to caress Trini’s lower back. It was just a few short moments before Trini fell all the way to sleep again. Domi stared down at her with concern, “Fox was right… those nightmares are horrible.” Domi leaned down and kissed Trini’s forehead, “Why didn’t you have any during the night?” Domi sounded very puzzled as she asked the sleeping woman beside her. Domi had to wake Trini up one more time before it was time for the executive to get out of bed. Trini never needed to return the favor.

Trini felt Domi getting out of bed at seven. She opened her eyes to see Domi standing beside the bed looking down at her. “I’ll leave instructions on how to disarm the security system. Gregory knows how to turn it back on from the gate panel… but I didn’t tell him how to shut it off. You can do that from the house when he buzzes.” Domi smiled softly, “I need to get ready for work… try to get more sleep. I know five hours won’t work for you.”

Trini managed to sleep for a while before Domi was shaking her up because of another nightmare. Trini looked up to find that the redhead was halfway done with putting her hair up, and looked very concerned. “I don’t know how I feel about leaving you alone while you’re trying to sleep. I don’t want you trapped in a nightmare.”

Trini rubbed the sleep from her eyes, “I’ll get up when you go.”

Domi reluctantly left to go to work, and Trini lumbered into the bathroom for a shower. She had two hours until Gregory got back, so she took her time with the shower, and with getting ready. By ten thirty Trini was dressed in a dark gray pantsuit, her hair was perfectly tamed, and her ears effectively hidden. She went down to the kitchen to find something to eat.

As soon as the buzzer went off she double-checked that it was Gregory in the camera and then slowly and carefully disarmed the security before telling him he could come in. A human wouldn’t survive a laser blast. She grabbed the briefcase that Domi wanted her to carry, but it didn’t really have anything in it yet, and walked out to the car. “You are looking like quite the executive Ms. Stephens.” Gregory smiled at her, and Trini managed to not roll her eyes.

“Thank you Gregory. Let’s get going, I don’t want to be late for my first day at work.” Trini smiled at him as he closed the door after she was in. She listened to music on the drive, grateful that Gregory didn’t try to make small talk.

They pulled up in front of the NightStone building and Trini took a deep breath before stepping out of the door Gregory opened for her. Walking into this office without Domi, and having to act like she had in those other offices was more unnerving. She’d have to work with these people, she wasn’t just dropping in to fire a few people… she’d have to stick around after the chips fell. “You’ll do fine.” Gregory whispered to her.

She gave him a small smile, “Thanks.” She glanced up and saw that the damage from the explosion looked to be completely repaired. It should be, Domi said she’d moved back up there.

The person at the front desk directed Trini to Human Resources, and Trini was now seated waiting for the person who was going to show her around. She was waiting an uncomfortably long period of time.

“Ms. Stephens?” A man with short blond hair approached her with smiling, “I’ll be showing you around. My names Dan.” Trini stood up and shook the hand he’d held out.

“Nice to meet you Dan.” She was already not sure of how friendly she was allowed to be. She made a split second decision that she could be both intimidating and not rude. She didn’t want to become as cold and unemotional as Owen was to others.

They went back to the ground floor, because Dan figured they could work their way up. In the elevator he turned to her, “What were you hired for? I don’t remember seeing you come in to interview with Bill.”

Trini almost smiled when she imagined the response to what her job really was. She decided to not explain herself too much. It might be a good idea to know more about how the employees really acted. “Office stuff, you know.” She smiled slightly flirtatiously to take his attention off of the question she didn’t answer. “Do you have a place to eat here, because I don’t see any restaurants around?” The young blond man blushed a little.

“First floor has a cafeteria, but it isn’t very good.” He said quietly, as if the people that worked in the cafeteria were spying them on. “How much of a tour are you needing?”

Trini smirked, “I need to see everything… every office.”

Dan’s eyebrows rose, “That’s a lot. I usually show the first floor and the area that someone will work in.”

Trini turned to look at him, “I’ll be moving around all the offices with memos and such.” She just assumed that, but… she really wanted to see how people were working. No one knew that she was… well, powerful… she could do a real surprise visit. It would also help to make it look like the list of people she needed to fire within the next two weeks were people she’d found and decided to get rid of herself. She didn’t agree with Domi’s idea that Trini’s firing people would get her respect, but she’d do it.

“Oh, well… okay.” Dan seemed surprised.

The tour started at noon, and was still going on at one. Trini was being introduced to far more people than she could ever remember. Dan didn’t know most of these people either. Dan figured that they had another hour worth of tour left, and Trini could hear the poor man was hungry. “Dan… when was your lunch break supposed to be?”

He grimaced, “I was supposed to eat at noon.”

Trini turned to stare at him, “So why are you doing this tour instead?”

Dan gave Trini a weak smile and dropped his voice a bit so they wouldn’t be overheard in the hall, “Jeremy was busy.” Trini thought for a moment, and remembered hearing someone call the man talking about baseball on the phone Jeremy. Busy… right.

“I could use some lunch, shall we brave the crappy cafeteria?” Trini grinned. She could try and get a better feel for the office.

After a brief and slightly awkward lunch Dan continued to show Trini the other offices, except for Domi’s. “Well, we can go back and finalize your paperwork.” Dan started to walk back to the elevator to go back to Human Resources. “Then I can take you down to the mail room.”

“Why?” Trini followed him into the elevator.

“I… thought you were going to be working there.” Dan tilted his head a little, “What office are you working for?”

“Oh…” Trini managed to sound casual, “I’m Ms. Destine’s new Personal Assistant. My office is next to hers.” She almost laughed at the widening of Dan’s eyes and the dropping of his jaw.

“Oh…” He looked pretty sympathetic. This was probably another position that people expected to be vacated fast, like Domi’s secretary.

Trini smirked and whispered to Dan, “If they have a pool on how long I’ll last… it’s a safe bet that I’ll be here a long time.”

“Oh… I’m sure you’ll like it here.” She could tell he was just saying that. He probably was giving her two weeks before she was fired or quit, just like the secretaries.

The slightly suspicious look she got when she handed them her id made her realize she should get that redone. Her appearance had changed too much. After the paper work was done Dan escorted her to the top floor. They walked into the reception area, which was much nicer than the temporary space had been, and he introduced Trini to the secretary, another new one. “Lori, this is Trinity. She’ll be working up here.” Dan then promptly left. Trini watched the secretary and could see that she thought she’d just received a file clerk or someone to do her dirty work.

“I need to see Ms. Destine.” She could see the thirty something woman’s disapproval, “She told me to check in with her after the tour.” She’d leave it to Domi to let Lori know that Trini was the boss.

“Well, have a seat.” Lori smiled at her and then went to see Domi. Trini glanced at her watch, and was glad that she’d come in early today. It was already three. Not a lot of actual work was going to get done today.

Trini walked into Domi’s office after her. She was going to keep it professional unless Domi indicated she didn’t need to be. She was glad that she did, because Domi immediately started to explain her research project, which was complicated. Trini had to borrow a notepad, because she hadn’t brought anything with her. After she knew what she was expected to do for a few days, at least, Domi stood up. “I’ll show you your office and Lori can get you any supplies you need.” Domi smiled at her finally, “You can start with the research and once we see how things are going with being around… them…” humans, is what Domi meant, “you can start visiting offices and taking care of other things.”

“Sounds good.” Trini was following Domi to the door.

“Oh, and Trini… you don’t need to be so formal with me when we’re alone.” Domi smirked at her. “I appreciate that you obviously understand that we can’t be… open about our relationship here… but you don’t need to take it that far.”

Trini smiled shyly, “Sorry Domi.”

“Just don’t let it happen again.” Domi smirked, but then wiped the smile away as she opened her door. Trini followed suit and followed Ms. Destine out into the lobby to address Lori. “Lori, Ms. Stephens will be working in the office next to mine, and will give you a list of the supplies she needs.” That was brief.

Trini managed to keep herself from gasping when Domi opened the door to her office, but her eyes widened. It was huge and had a gorgeous view of the city. She could even see the Eyrie building in the distance. Trini took five slow steps into the room and barely noticed Domi closing the door behind them. Her desk was huge, she had several bookcases, most empty now, a large conference table, a few file cabinets, and that view. “You like?” Domi’s voice was full of amusement.

Trini turned to look at Domi with a grin, “I’ve never even had an office before. This is amazing.” She said quietly.

“You can spend the rest of the day ordering supplies and you’ll need to call the computer support office to get them to set up your network access.” Domi started to move towards the door, “I wish I could spend more time.”

Trini smiled tenderly, “I can handle this… go pretend to work… like all you executives do.”

Trini took care of her computer first. The tech walked her through an orientation to the system too, which was very helpful. She had so many passwords to get into everything, and the tech gave her the impression that she had more access than most people. Once that was done she borrowed the supply books and started to order basic things that she figured she’d need. She had a pretty big list, so she asked Lori to see if any of the items were in a supply cabinet or something before they wasted money on it. Post-its and such had to be lying around somewhere.

Trini didn’t even notice the time going by, and was busy setting up her email account when Domi knocked on her open door. Trini just waved her in. “So… you’re setting up your email.” Domi spoke a little more hesitantly, “Normally we have people use their names… but we don’t want anyone noticing you work here. You need to come up with a nickname.” By anyone, she must mean Lex and the clan… Elisa would have a problem with it.

“What do you think of this?” Trini smirked as she typed in: Terminator@NightStone.org. It was what her uncle’s employees had called her and it seemed to fit with the fact that Domi wanted her to take care of a lot of the firing of people.

“Funny… but not very professional.” Domi moved to sit on the edge of her desk. “Go with initials or something.” So Trini set it up with a far less interesting name.

“I was thinking you should see if Fox can come over tonight. We have to get ready.” Domi said quietly.

“Okay.” Trini started to shut her computer down.

“Trini… we need to work out some sort of schedule. I know you won’t be living with me all the time, and I need to know when I can expect you.” Domi said more quietly.

Trini grimaced, “I’d need to talk with Fox about that too. I also don’t have a lie ready to tell the clan about why I’m not there. I… have no idea what could possibly work.”

“We’ll work it out tonight as well.” Domi rested her hand over Trini’s, looking a little concerned, “Am I a secondary mate to you?”

Trini looked at Domi, confused with what she was talking about. “I love you and Fox in different ways, but I don’t love you any less than I do her.” Domi smiled and squeezed Trini’s hand. Apparently she understood the question enough.

“This is… strange, what we have…” Domi patted her hand. “I’ll leave you to make your phone call. You can come into my office when you’re done and we can head home.”

Fox’s voice sounded a bit subdued. Trini had hoped that a good nights sleep would have helped. “Hello.”

“Hey honey.” Trini spoke tenderly. Domi had closed Trini’s door for her on the way out, and the secretary was already gone. “Domi was thinking we should meet at her place tonight. Will that work?”

“Sure. What time?” Fox was suddenly all business, and a touch of awkwardness. That awkwardness concerned Trini… Fox wasn’t taking this as well as she claimed to be.

“How about you come over for dinner at seven?” Trini was just making this up now, Domi hadn’t specified.

“Okay.” Fox seemed to relax a little, “How was the first day of work?”

Trini grinned, “I think there’s probably a pool going on about how long I’ll last in this job. I tried to give my tour guide a tip on the bet… but he didn’t believe me.”

Fox chuckled, “I’ve heard rumors about that place… there probably is a pool going on. I have a feeling you’ll shock everyone.”

“I love you.” Trini said softly, feeling the need to reassure Fox. “I need to get going so that I have dinner ready when you get there.”

“I love you too.” Fox said softly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Gregory dropped them off at Domi’s a little after six. Trini had told Domi about the plan for dinner and could tell the redhead wasn’t thrilled. She was probably never going to get those two to really get along. Trini got dinner started and then went to change into something more comfortable. She’d brought a few outfits with her last night, because she wanted to leave a few for emergencies. All the time that Trini was doing this Domi was busy in her home office, and just wanted Trini to let her know when dinner was ready.

Trini disarmed the alarm so that Fox could drive up, and let her in the house. “Hey honey.” Trini said softly while closing the door behind Fox. It felt odd to be letting Fox in as if Trini lived there.

“Hey.” Fox gave Trini a seductive smile and pulled her into a kiss. Fox was going for passion, but Trini could tell she wasn’t feeling it. Fox had lied to her, because she wasn’t okay with this, it was painfully obvious now.

Trini spoke more quietly, “If you weren’t okay with this… why did you say yes?”

Fox looked startled for a moment, then she started to look sad, “You need her, I can see that.” She said just as quietly.

Trini just looked at Fox. She could tell that the redhead hadn’t slept very much last night, even though she hadn’t been there to keep her awake. She had no idea how to respond to her comment. “I love you, I don’t want to lose you…” Trini felt herself tearing up, “am I losing you?” Her voice cracked.

“Oh… no, honey… you aren’t.” Fox said gently as she took Trini into her arms. “I’m not making you chose… it’s just going to take me some time to get used to it.” Fox kissed Trini gently, “I will get used to it. I just need time.” Fox smiled weakly, “What’s for dinner?”

Trini took a deep breath, “Okay.” She spoke more calmly, “Meatloaf… and potatoes.”

Trini had taken Fox to the kitchen to put her to work mashing potatoes so that Trini could go drag Domi away from her office. She slowly opened the office door to let Domi know it was almost dinnertime, and she found Domi pulling a few files together. “Fox is here.” Trini spoke quietly, hoping to not startle her gargoyle. “I have her cooking, and I don’t know if she knows how, so we should get down there to save dinner.” She smiled when that got a small grin out of the busy executive.

“Well, we better, or we might end up ordering pizza.” Domi stood up and walked over to Trini.

Dinner was tense. Trini could see the two women glancing at each other every once in a while, but they never said what they were thinking about. It looked like jealousy and insecurity to Trini’s eyes. They both had that in common, and Trini had a sinking feeling as she realized that it was her responsibility to deal with this. After dinner Trini made a move. “I’ll get the dishes, you two can just relax.” She smirked at them, in spite of the glare Domi sent her way and the studying stare of Fox’s. She pretended to not notice either and marched out the door with their dishes.

Trini washed the dishes slowly while she was eavesdropping on the two in the dining room having some wine. Her hearing was more than adequate for the task, and her hands moved on automatic.

There was an awkward silence for a while before Fox finally decided to speak. “She’s not overly subtle is she?”

“I believe we are suppose to… get to know each other.” Domi didn’t sound very happy with that.

“I know… I pretty much got that.” Fox almost snapped at Domi. Trini tensed up, worried that she’d made a mistake.

Domi’s resigned voice surprised Trini, “She can hear us… and I don’t think she’d like to listen to us argue.”

There was a period of tense silence, and then Trini could hear Fox sigh, “So… Angela called, did that go well?”

Trini could hear the fondness that always crept into Domi’s voice when she talked about her daughter, “Yes. We talked for a while. She’s sounding so much more grown up.” Good move Fox, Trini thought with pride. Few subjects would get real responses as well as Angela.

“I know… they grow up so fast. I feel like I just had Alexander, and he’ll be old enough to go to school next year.” Trini felt a bit uncomfortable now. Both of her women had kids… was Trini a stepmother? What was her relationship with Angela and Alexander? As she was lost in those thoughts the conversation between the two redheads continued. When she pulled herself back from her thoughts the topic had changed.

“I was trying to think of what type of weapon Trini might take to, so we can have some variety in the training exercises.” Fox was speaking more animatedly. Trini just shook her head, from child rearing to battle training? Only those two would make that leap.

“Anything she can throw… would probably be easy for her. I’ve seen her toss rocks, and her control and power is pretty impressive.” Domi was sounding friendlier as well. Trini noticed that she’d done all the dishes, so she moved the clean dishes back into the dishwater to start over. They were talking, she’d wash these dished ten times if things stayed friendly in there.

“I tried sparring with her the other day, you’ve given her some of the basics… but she needs work, and lots of practice.” Trini could hear the challenge in Fox’s voice, but she doubted that anyone else that didn’t know her would have.

“She was still able to take down the Oregon Clans second.” Domi sounded pretty haughty.

“Wait… I didn’t hear about that. I heard she held the clan off with magic, but… your telling me she fought a gargoyle and won?” Trini could imagine a grin on Fox’s lips as she said this.

“Yes.” Domi’s pride was easy to hear even from this far away. “She ripped her tail out of her pants and knocked that bitch to the ground. No one knew she had a tail.”

“I wish I could have seen that.” Fox sounded proud of Trini too. It was… strange, having Fox and Domi talking about her like this.

“That item you were talking about, when will it be ready?” Domi was speaking really vaguely, and it peaked Trini’s interest. Those two were sharing a secret?

“Well, the modifications you suggested are taking longer than we thought. They estimate a week, but I don’t know if they really think that or they felt they needed to give us a deadline.” Fox was speaking more quietly.

“I’d be willing to help in any way necessary.” Domi sounded really hyped about whatever it was. She was talking faster, and just a little louder. “If you need any of NightStone’s technology for this… I might be willing to contribute, so long as it isn’t stolen.”

Fox sounded a little amused, “Xanatos Enterprises has done something like this before… I think we’ll be okay.” She paused for a moment, and Trini was dying to know what they were talking about. “but if we do have trouble, I’ll call you.”

“See that you do. The sooner that’s done the better.” Domi spoke sternly.

“You think we tortured our eavesdropper enough yet?” Fox’s amused laughter made Trini realize that she’d stopped moving as she listened. She turned to glance at the dining room doorway, and went red when she saw that both women had moved to the doorway at some point and were watching her. Probably had been watching her as they talked about whatever it was.

“How many times did you wash those dishes?” Domi gave Trini a small smile.

Trini looked down to see that she’d done them all, “Two or three… I’m not really sure.” Both of the redheads started to laugh at that, and Trini started to smile.

After nightfall they moved to Domi’s office to go over the plan. They decided to move in on the men Saturday night. Both women explained the plan carefully in a way that Trini could understand it. Trini was glad that they were finally moving on this, but she was scared. She hid that as best she could. It was nice to finally be included in what was happening. She knew she could take a human in a fight, but she needed to kidnap one and not get caught doing it.