By Anthony Zucconi

AZUCCONI@HOTMAIL.COM

Disclaimer: All Gargoyles characters property of

Disney and Buena Vista Television.

Author's Note: this story is a sequel to Toughed by an Angel.

Previously on Gargoyles:

"I'm here to protect you, even from yourself."

She looked deep into his eyes and knew he meant what he said. She couldn't hold back any longer she through her arms around his neck and planted her lips to his. This time it wasn't to distract but to show her true feelings. Slowly she felt his arms fold around her. It was like a dream come true. Then she felt his wings round her. At that she pulled away. She couldn't believe it, but just as his namesake, Michael had two beautiful white-feathered wings.

"I hope you'll explain this," she asked.

"Later", he answered as he took her in his arms again. This time she would not pull away for anything.

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After their embrace, which seemed like a eternity yet not long enough, Michael said," Maybe we should talk about this over breakfast."

Dominique turned and noticed what he had been preparing. The table was full of the finest things anyone could possibly want for breakfast. French toast, Belgian waffles, fine fruits, ham, bacon, and an assortment of juices could all be found. He seemed to be quite skilled in the kitchen. One more thing to add to his list of abilities. She wondered if there was anything he couldn't do. He pulled out her chair for her and allowed her to sit. As she began to work on the feast before her she started the conversation. "If you knew what I was why did you come here. You're no gargoyle hunted, you had every opportunity to capture or kill me. Not to mention you wings. Who are you?"

"Well, chere, as for who I am, my name is Michael. I never lied to you, but my mother did not give me that name. She said our kind don't have names. However, I was a little different. To explain I have to go back a little further. When the French were settling the area of Louisiana, a clan of gargoyles came as well. They moved into the wetlands south of what is now New Orleans, at place that they discovered had powerful magic. In time they accepted it and learned to use the power very well.

After a few generations passed there seemed to be an over abundance of females in the clan. At that time we had befriended some of the natives of the area. They thought we were gods, and treated us so. On day, a frustrated young female who desired a mate chose one of the humans. When it turned out to be successful, other females followed, and a new breed was born. Gargoyles that didn't turn to stone and could easily pass for human.

As the halflings grew to adulthood, they found that if they blended in with the humans they could be very useful to the clan. In time they moved into major positions in human society. With their magic they had the ability to do many great things. As time went by the halflings took over as the leaders of the clan as well. Now I come into the picture. My mother was one of the last females to go outside the clan to mate.

She was the most powerful magic user of all the clan and that attracted the attention of my father. She thought him a fine human, but he had a secret. When I was hatched we found out that secret. My farther was not human but of the Third Race. He was Lord Oberon himself, in fact. He tried to take me to Avalon to learn my true potential, but as a result of their combined magic, I was born with all of magic abilities at full strength and the knowledge to use it. I would not leave my mother so I turned on him. At that he realized that I was more powerful then he could ever hope to be. With that he left but not without forbidding me from Avalon."

Dominique didn't know what to say. The thought that there were gargoyles out there that had prospered had astonished her. The fact that gargoyles took humans as mates didn't sit well with her, but she had to admit the fact that she, herself, had considered it when she thought Michael was human. Now that she knew the truth she had no further objections.

As she sat in awe, Michael continued. "In time my powers, being stronger then any other member of the clan, carried me all the way to the top. I became leader of the halflings, which meant leader of all our clans. Even with all that, there was something missing. I had no suitable equal. As I child of Oberon I am immortal. I had to watch as my rookery brothers and sisters grew old and died. I could not bring myself to giving that curse to another, so I never took a mate. I could not lose someone that close to me. Then I felt the birth of another halfling, one that was already cursed as I was. So I sought and found you."

This gave Dominique some questions. "What do you mean you felt my birth, I hatched over a thousand years ago."

"Yes, but you were reborn as a halfling just recently. Halflings have the ability to sense the presents of another, and are drawn to find them. It's how we survive. We find our own and bring them into our clan. So, when I felt your presents I came for you."

Now was time for the most important of her questions. "If you truly are my ally, why did you side with Goliath against me?"

"You were about to break the most important law of our clan. No gargoyle, for any reason, will fight another gargoyle. We can't or our fate would be lost, just like the humans. You will have to make peace with your clan before you take your place among us, but to do that you must make your peace with yourself."

"There can be no peace between me and Goliath. He will be the death of the entire clan."

"So instead you would be, is that it."

At this she began to yell, "It was him who left our clan to die at the hands of the humans."

Michael stood up and placed him hands on her arms pinning them to the chair. This time he raised him voice, "You were the one responsible to get the clan out of the castle. I know every memory you have. I've seen your life through your own eyes. It was your failure that caused their deaths and you can't admit it, but you can't lie to me. No matter what you say, I know the truth, and I will make you accept it so you can get on with your life."

His words hit her like a freight train. The thought that she had locked away in her mind was coming from his mouth. She wanted to break free, she wanted to kill him for saying it, and she wanted to believe it was a lie, but all she did was cry. The truth had finally come out. The blame was hers and hers alone. She could not pass it on to anyone. In a weak, far away voice she said, "What do I do now?"

"Now you start to recover. You have paid for you crimes throughout the centuries, but now you must seek forgiveness from your clan."

"They would never forgive me. Not after all that has happened."

"It won't be easy, but you have to do it."

"How?"

"You will go to Goliath, admit what you did, and accept his judgement. Don't worry, I'll be by your side the whole way."

She slowly got to her feet, and took Michael by the hand. "So you came to take me as your mate, correct?"

"Yes."

"Come with me than," she said as she led him to her bedroom.

After centuries of violence, she finally knew gentleness. For the first time in her life she was truly at peace. Instead of hate, only love was in her heart. As she lay there with her head pillowed against his broad chest, wrapped in his arms and wings, she wished this day would never turn into night. Night meant that she would have to face Goliath and the clan. She wondered if she could do it, but as long as Michael was at her side, she could do anything. As she listened to his heart beating she wondered if this would be the last time she would hear it, or how long she would have to wait to hear it again. Last time she faced Goliath's judgement, he had imprisoned her. The thought of being kept from Michael was not something she could accept, even to regain the clan she had lost so many years ago.

"Why should she have to," she though, "Do I need this so badly?" She didn't need to be told the answer. After so many years it was time to go home.

Michael began to stir benegth her and she knew the sun was nearing the horizon. He greeted her with a smile that she was already returning. Something about looking at him made her feel as if all was right with the world. She could see the love in his eyes. It was a complete and unconditional love. The kind of love she sought for all her life, and although Goliath had come close, she had never found until now.

"The sun is setting," she began. "I must prepare myself for my change."

"Stay close to me, I can help you through it."

She placed her head against his chest again and braced herself for the pain to come. She shut her eyes tightly hoping his arms could protect her from the torture she had to face. She waited. Finally she opened her eyes. The sun should have set by now but she didn't change. She looked down at Michael, placed her hand on his chest, and then she realized. Before her she didn't see the soft five-fingered hand of a human, but the four talons of a gargoyle.

"How," was all she could say?

"I told you my powers were strong. Besides, you didn't think I could stand by and watch you suffer did you"

"You stopped the pain," she managed to say through her amazement.

"No, that would require Puck to do. I simply stopped you from feeling it. There's a difference. Now lets get something to eat, its going to be a long night."

As he rose from the bed, she took a good look at him. Under him fine white suit he hid quite a lot. His feet were human shaped not gargoyle that was for sure. His knees, however, had spurs of a gargoyle. His legs meet with a finely crafted behind from which sprouted the most delicious looking tail that would turn the head of any female. Her eyes lingered there longer than necessary, and then she continued the inventory. His back was a solid wall of perfectly chiseled muscle. His elbows were also spurred as a gargoyle, and when he walked, she noticed it was on his toes like a gargoyle. She wanted him to come back to bed but knew she wouldn't get her wish.

"I'll fix dinner while you freshen up," he said as he regained his clothes.

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LATER THAT NIGHT

"Are you ready for this", Michael said.

"If I say no can we go back inside and forget this", Demona answered.

"No," Michael said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and jumped with her off the balcony.

They spread their wings and headed for the Aerie building. Michael having donned a suite that aloud for his wings and tail flew beside her in perfect unison.

"Do you think we should call first, I don't think they'll like us dropping in like this," Demona asked trying to delay this as much as possible. "And just what am I going to say, Hi Goliath sorry about the past. My mistake."

"Something along those lines, yes."

"You're not helping."

"We're here. Land in the courtyard, someone should join us soon."

She aloud him to lead the way. For some reason they had no problem getting down.

"Where are all of Xanatoses laser canons. This is to easy." Demona question was not aimed at anyone.

Michael placed his hand on her shoulder. "There coming," he said.

The clan entered the courtyard as if on command, and moved swiftly to surround the two new arrivals.

Goliath spoke first, "What do you want here Demona."

"I just want to talk," she managed to choke out.

"We heard you talk before, Demona, and it was usually while dodging bullets," Brooklyn through in.

"I am unarmed. Please hear me out," Demona pleaded.

Brooklyn approached closer then would be prudent but his anger had clouded his judgement. "What do you want us to here, some new spell to enslave us or just simply kill us?"

"Have I hurt you so badly you think me a monster?"

"Do you really have to ask that question?"

Demona had no more words. She had to end the hate that she knew she put in him before it eats away at him and leaves him just like her. Before Brooklyn knew what was happening Demona drew her dagger, the only weapon she had and forced him to take it. "Then slay the monster." She said as she forced him to stab her. He fell with her as she went down. "The monster dies tonight," she said with her last breath.

Michael was at her side as everyone moved in closer. Brooklyn, still in shock kept his hand on the blade.

"You didn't have to go that far," Michael said to Demona then turned to Brooklyn. "How long are you going to wait before you pull the knife out."

Brooklyn awoke from his daze and removed the knife. "I thought she couldn't die."

Michael looked back to Demona but spoke to Brooklyn, "Oh she can die, she just won't stay that way."

Demona began to stir. She opened her eyes and looked around. Then, in a weak voice she said, "I'm prepared to face judgement for my crimes."

Michael helped her to her feet and she turned to face Goliath. She continued, "I have done the clan many great wrongs. Nothing I can do will make it right. I can't bring back the gargoyles that died because of me, but I will answer for it."

Now it was Goliath's turn to be shocked. Here was Demona before him accepting responsibility for her actions instead of blaming it on the humans. He had to ask, "You don't blame the humans for this."

Without thinking she spoke, "I can't hide my guilt by trying to fool myself. It's time I faced the truth."

Brooklyn spoke, "Ok, who are you and what have you done with Demona."

She gave him what could pass for a smile under the circumstances and said, "She's dead and only I remain."

"I don't trust her," Brooklyn said even though he couldn't believe she would say that even in some scheme.

"I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm not asking for anything. I just want to answer for my crimes."

Now Elisa stepped forward, "You can't believe this Goliath. Remember last time you had her, she stole your DNA and made clones of you guys."

Demona addressed her this time. "I have wronged everyone here and I'm prepared to answer to each of you if necessary, even you Elisa. I lost Goliath's love to you and I couldn't stand it. I was jealous. Every time I tried to get you to betray him I failed. You made it so hard to see all humans as bad that I couldn't take it. So if you wish draw your weapon and take your revenge. Don't let it eat at you the way it did me."

Elisa was added to the list of those to be shocked. Demona called her by name not "cursed human" as she usually did.

Goliath spoke, "How can we believe this change of heart?"

"I'll vouch for her," Michael, who had gone almost unnoticed, spoke up.

"We have no more reason to trust you then we do her," Goliath said.

"I'll vouch for him," Owen said entering the courtyard.

"Hello little brother," Michael said to Owen.

"Little brother," the clan said in unison.

"It's a long story, but right now you need to make a decision on how to handle her," Michael said.

"What would you have us do?" Goliath asked Michael.

"Call a truce. Welcome her presents. She has her own home and a business to run during the day, so she isn't looking for a new roost. Give her a chance to earn your trust. Let her have a chance to know her daughter. End the loneliness that has plagued her life for so long. What harm could one more chance do? If she fails then you lose nothing."

"This is a decision the whole clan must make. Angela?"

"I say give her the chance."

"Brooklyn?"

"She doesn't sound like the Demona we've been fighting for so long. I agree with Angela, give her the chance. She just better not blow it."

"Lexington?"

"Brooklyn's got a point, I say give her the chance."

"Broadway?"

"Give her the chance."

"Hudson?"

"Give the lass a chance."

"Elisa?"

"I don't think I should be part of this."

Before Goliath could say it Demona said, "You're part of the clan too."

"Well if you can accept a human as part of the clan, I'll give you a chance."

Demona looked at Goliath. "That only leaves you."

"It will take time for us to come to trust you again Demona. That in itself may be too much for you to bear but you have the chance to prove yourself. I hope you succeed."

Demona placed her hand on Michael's which she found on her shoulder. "I will succeed."

Goliath motioned to Michael, "I think some introductions are in order."

Demona said, "Allow me to introduce Mr. Michael Archangel."

Michael stepped forward, "Pleased to meet you, but before we get into my story might I suggest we go inside your going to need to sit down."