Ordeysia awoke to the sunlight warming her neck. Her eyes focused on a cart beside the bed. On top of it there was a tray with a crisp piece of paper propped up against it. "Ordeysia, Had to go to a lab conference with Mr. Xanatos. Alex is with Ceceil. Hope breakfast is all right. Love, Puck" Ordeysia smiled at the note written in her love's perfect handwriting. She took off the lid to the silver tray and looked at food arranged perfectly on the plate. 'He's too good to me,' she thought, and began eating. "Good night, Alex," Ceceil said as she began putting on her coat. "Ceceil, where do you go everyday at four?" Violet asked, coming in. "My youngest daughter, Sara, has cancer. I go to the hospital to visit with her. The cancer took over her body couple months ago, before I started work here. Poor thing is terrified, but I go visit her and tell her she's all right." "How sweet. How old is she?" "She'll be twenty-nine in August." "Do the doctors know if she'll live to see her birthday?" "My husband and I are hopin', but it don't look so good for her." "Tell her I say get well." "Thank ya Violet," she nodded graciously as she exited finally. Violet grinned. Two months later..... Violet paced back and forth next to her private bath. *Why must these things always take so long?!* she asked herself. There was a knock on the door, so she opened it. "You wanted to see me?" it was Owen. "Yeah, come on in," she answered a little distractedly. A timer went off on the bathroom sink. "Just a minute -- " Violet rushed into the bathroom. A moment later, "Oh no! No. This is not possible. No. This can't happen!" "Violet?" Violet came out with something that looked like a white pen. Owen went over and looked at it. A dark blue plus sign sat in the middle. He looked at Violet, who stared into his eyes like a deer caught in someone's headlights. "Does that look like a plus sign to you?" she asked nervously. The two just stared at the test. "Okay... what do we do first?" Violet paced faster on the floor. Owen sat on the bed wringing his hands. "I know! Um....how about we get married first and then... um... um... Owen...!" Violet fretted, biting the inside of her lip. "We tell Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos first," Owen said, sounding sure that was the correct course of action. "But what do we tell them?" "That we're getting married," he said, now absolutely sure. "okay. Simple wedding. The gargoyles, Elisa, Matt, and the Xanatos'. Of course the priest and then all will be well right? All's well that end's well!" Violet's speech got faster and faster. "Let's go tell them." "Meus amare etenim tu animus nunquam mori," Owen said, slipping the ring onto Violet's finger. "Meus amare etenim tu animus nunquam mori," Violet repeated, slipping the ring onto Owen's finger. "You may kiss the bride." The marriage was sealed. A six-months' pregnant Violet walked towards a lake in Central Park. "Such a lovely day," she mused, rubbing her stomach. The baby kicked in reply. All of a sudden, Violet felt a hand wrap around her neck and an iron dagger pressed into the other side. She tried to scream but the hand covered her mouth. "OK lady, hand over the money!" "I don't have any!" Violet whimpered into the hand. A second man appeared in front of her with a gun. "Come on lady! Everything ya got. Cell phone, credit cards, pager..." "I don't have any of that stuff! Here," she put her hand in her pocket and extracted all the change there. A few quarters, some dimes, four nickels, five pennies, a paper clip, a folded love note from Owen and some lint lay in her outstretched palm. "All I have is a dollar fifty," she whispered, shakily holding her hand out to the man with the dagger. "Shoot her." "But An--" "Shoot her! Now!" Violet's eyes ran back and forth and the last thing she heard was a woman screaming for the police. "Hey Elisa! Central hospital wants you to come over and identify a Jane Doe just come into the place in a coma. They say she's from Xanatos' company and they want to know if you can tell 'em who she is." *Why me?* thought Elisa. "okay. I'm on my way," she called over her shoulder, picking up her keys and rushing out the door. "I'm here to identify the Xanatos body," Elisa informed the nurse behind the counter. "Right this way." "Can you tell me anything about her?" "She had a Xanatos business card in her pocket and a penny," the nurse turned a corner and entered a room. "She's in critical condition. We don't think she or the baby is going to make it." *Baby? Please don't let it be --* Elisa followed the nurse's eyes to the body of a young woman lying amid those starched white sheets. Wires and machines beeped and monitored her. She was as pale as the sheets, and her silken brown hair lay mussed across the pillows. "Her name is Violet Burnett," Elisa said softly. "Can I borrow your phone?" "Burnett." "Hi, Owen. I'm at Central hospital in the ICU. Violet's been shot --" "I'm on my way," interrupted Owen, slamming the phone down and running out of his office to the elevator. He rushed past Mr. Xanatos in the process. "Owen?" "Violet's been shot." Owen offered no further explanation. In what seemed like two hours, but in reality was five minutes, Owen was at the hospital. He saw Elisa. "Where is she?" Elisa showed Owen to Violet's room. A pale, brown haired woman lay on the bed, unconscious. Pain showed in Owen's eyes and Elisa was a bit shocked. "Violet?" his voice cracked slightly. No answer. "How's the baby?" Owen turned to Elisa quickly. "They don't think she'll survive, either. There's a chance, but very little hope. The bullet just barely missed both the baby's head and Violet's heart." "How much iron was in the bullet?" "Guessing from the size? Probably about half of it was full of the stuff." Owen looked back at Violet and brushed her bangs away from her face, kissing her forehead gently. "Take me to the baby." In an incubator, a tiny child with small tiny platinum curls slept. A small tear fell down Owen's cheek. It fell unchecked, but not unnoticed by Elisa, who was standing by his side. He touched the glass just as a nurse came in. "She's gorgeous," the nurse crooned, touching his arm a moment, "I hope she survives. The doctors say if she does she'll be a little deformed, but with her beauty it won't matter. Some of the other nurses call her Zoë. That's Greek, you know, it means 'life'." "Like her mother," Owen whispered. "Beautiful." Another nurse entered. "Amy! Let these people get some rest. Poor Zoë needs it. Are you her father?" she asked. "Yes." "You have a lovely daughter on your hands. Should be proud! I don't care what the doctors say. She'll survive. I know it. Have my whole church prayin' that she'll survive," the second nurse said, puffing with pride. Elisa took Owen's hand and led him out of the room. "Echo," he whispered. "What?" "Violet and I were going to call her by her Fae name. That is if she were a girl. Her Fae name would be Echo." "It's a lovely name." When Elisa made sure that Owen would be all right at the hospital she decided she'd go wait for Goliath to wake up. As the elevator to the top floor opened, she bumped into Xanatos. "Is everything Okay?" he asked. "Ordeysia was shot. The baby is in ICU," Elisa began, recounting the story. "How's Owen taking it?" "I don't know. As always there's no expression. I think I saw a tear, though." "He must be a wreck." Elisa nodded and she walked outside. The sun was just setting. She watched, the same as she had so many other times, as the gargoyle's broke from their stone sleep. "I've got some bad news," She told them. "What is it?" Goliath asked. "Violet. She's been shot." "Is everything Okay?" Lexington piped up. "Is the baby Okay?" Brooklyn chimed in. "How did it happen?" asked Broadway. Elisa explained the situation again. "And the doctors don't know if either will survive." "How sad. I wonder how Owen is taking it?" Angela mused. "Not very well, I think," Elisa said, shaking her head. "He looked about ready to cry when I left. I saw a tear." They had heard all the news they wanted and everyone went their separate ways for the evening. Goliath stayed with Elisa and she went to his arms for a hug, which he gave willingly. She stayed there with him. "I hope she'll be a all right. This wasn't fair. Why did they shoot her?" she asked not looking up, but snuggling closer. For a response, Goliath smoothed out her hair and rumbled, "It will be all right." A nurse with blue eyes and brown hair tied back in a loose pony tail walked into Violet's room. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties. She glanced at the chart. "Poor child," she muttered, shaking her head as she left the room. The same nurse entered the ICU and walked up to a bassinet. She glanced at the chart and read the little banner which said 'Baby Burnett.' Again she turned to leave the room, shaking her head as she closed the door behind her. Owen woke with a start and looked at the clock, 10:59. He turned and saw the spot next to him, empty. No Violet to silently kiss on the cheek. No Violet stomach to see. No Ordeysia to love. Nothing, just blanket. He put his hands behind his head and thought about the time when he went to her room, and she blocked his view with shapely legs, a trim waist, and firm... He turned and prayed he could fall asleep, but after figuring it was hopeless, he got out of bed. He dressed in a white polo and brown khaki shorts. He slipped into a pair of loafers and walked out of his room. He made his way to the roof. He knew the gargoyles would be up, and secretly hoped he could find refuge with them. A very slight drizzle began when he had reached the roof. Hudson, Bronx and Broadway were inside. Goliath and Lexington were on patrol with Elisa and he didn't know where Angela was. He went to the edge and looked over the castle parapet. The view of the city was wonderful. From here he could see anything and everything. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River. It was all beautiful. "Owen?" He turned and saw Angela. "Good evening," said Owen, straightening up. "Umm...How are you?" asked Angela. Owen thought for a moment. "Life is a basic hell right now," he answered. Right now Owen didn't want to be himself. Angela smiled. "What will happen if they both..." Angela stopped, afraid to curse it. Owen looked down. "Then...," he sighed, "I will have to move on," he said. He felt his throat grow tight. He had only loved Ordeysia. Ordeysia had practically been his last hope for love, and Zoë was his only child. A few tears dropped from his cheek. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." "No. It's all right," answered Owen, brushing the tears from his cheek. Goliath and Lexington landed on the roof as Owen was walking towards the door. "Owen, are you all right?" asked Goliath. Owen turned. "As best as one can be at this time." Owen turned and left. While Owen was with the gargoyles, Violet slowly opened her eyes. Light streamed in, nearly blinding her. Her eyes turned green. She wondered where she was. Suddenly, memories burst into her mind. The bullet! Intense pain followed that trailing thought. "My baby!" she cried. Nurses came running into the room. "Where is she?!" Violet asked. "She's okay. Don't worry! She'll live," soothed the nurse. Violet leaned back against the starch white sheets. She was exhausted. "I want Owen," she whispered as she slowly drifted off. As the phone rang, it startled Fox. "Owen, can you get that?" she shouted. No sound came from the other room. "Owen?" Fox sighed and picked up the phone. "Hello?" "May I please speak to a...Mr. Owen Burnett," said the voice. "I don't know where he is, but let me check." Fox got up from the desk and went into the other room. "Owen?" No answer. Fox walked back to the phone and picked it up. "I'm sorry, but he's not here." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. His wife just woke up." "She did!" "Yes." "Fine. I'll have him get to the hospital as soon as I find him." Fox put the phone back in place and walked to the elevator, certain that Owen had gone up to seek comfort in the dark sky. Fox met Owen when the elevator doors opened. He was crying. She had never seen him cry before. "Good news, Owen. She woke!" Owen's face lit up. "When may I see her?" "As soon as possible." Owen raced into the elevator and pressed the button excitedly. On the way to the car, he almost tripped. Owen walked down the hall to his love. He carefully opened the door and peaked inside the room. Violet turned and slowly opened her eyes. "Owen?," she asked timidly. "Yes, it's me." Owen walked over to Violet and sat down. "How are you?" asked Owen. "I'm all right. How's Zoë?" "She'll be fine. A bit 'fae disabled'" Violet sighed. Owen gently kissed her on the lips, then left the room. Weeks later, Violet was well enough to go home but baby Zoë was not. "When will she be able to come home?" asked Violet keeping her voice calm. "Perhaps in a few months Mrs. Burnett. She was born at six months, not even full term. She also seems to have problems adjusting to any time of milk. Violet felt her inside practically melt. "May I go look at her?" asked Violet finally realizing the baby wasn't leaving the hospital. "Of course." Violet looked at Zoë who seemed to sleep peacefully. The diaper of course was a little too big for her but what Violet couldn't get over was how small she was. Owen looked at Violet. "Oh gods Owen why did this have to happen? Where did I go wrong?" asked Violet beginning to break down. Owen took Violet in his arms and smoothed her hair. "It's all right. She will be fine. Let's go home and we'll visit her everyday." Violet stepped back and brushed the tears from her face. The building waited months for little Zoë Burnett to come home with her parents, yet everyday was the same disappointment. Not yet. Finally the fourth month of Zoë's stay at the hospital was done and little Zoë could come home. "She is so beautiful!" said Fox coming over to Violet and the big pink bundle. Inside was a small white face and little yellow blonde curls. The baby opened her eyes to reveal deep blue eyes. The same as her parents. "Me see!" cried Alex. Everyone smiled as Violet gently kneeled for Alex to see Zoë. "Iz a gurl?" asked Alex. Violet smiled and nodded her head. "Whatz her name?" "Zoë Alexandra Burnett." Said Violet smiling proudly. "Hey! She haz my name!" cried Alex, running to his father, at the sound of Alexandra. "Well Owen, how does it feel to be a father?" asked David with a smile. Everyone looked at Owen, waiting his answer. "It is an adventure in itself sir."