By Anthony Zucconi

AZUCCONI@HOTMAIL.COM

Disclaimer: All Gargoyles characters property of Disney and Buena Vista Television.

She had spent the better part of that morning reviewing resumes. Her intention was to find a replacement for that worthless human who was currently her chief of security. In her position she had made many enemies and needed to ensure her own protection, as well as that of her business. She knew that her life would never be in any real danger, but how could she continue to explain how she survived these constant attacks. This last one had pushed her too far. At the convention she had been forced to attend yesterday to keep up the proper appearance, some crazed human who tried to shoot her. It was probable some former employee who's life she had ruined. At least that thought gave her some comfort, but the fact still remains that he had gotten to her and her security chief failed to do anything about it. The stupid expression on his face when she confronted him with it just made his termination from her employment more definite. Although, as must as she hated to admit it, it would be hard to find someone with his qualifications. How someone with his impressive background could be so incompetent was beyond her.

After reading what she thought was the ten-thousandth resume, she had had enough. She filed it in her "I'll call you" file, her name for the trashcan beside her desk. It was only eleven o'clock, but she was exhausted. She looked at her day's schedule to find it was free. She had the whole day to find a replacement, and it was looking like that wasn't going to be enough. She leaned back in her plush desk chair and "rested her eyes" for awhile.

From behind her she heard a voice say, "So Chere, you seem to have a slight problem with your security." She jumped from her chair with the agility of a jungle cat to face a very large human male. He stood about seven feet tall and had a build that would even rival Goliath. He was wearing a white three- piece suite and holding some sort of folder. He spoke with an accent not quite French, like Canadian but higher education has smoothed it down. She was waiting for him to attack, but he simply stood there looking at her.

She reached for the intercom button on her desk to call for security. At this her visitor said," I'm afraid that won't work, it's temporarily out of service."

His look of confidence made her nervous. It was the look of someone how knew they had the upper hand. For the first time in years she felt like she wasn't in control.

"What do you want hear," she said trying not to like she was worried, but failing to do so.

The intruder moved slowly away to the front of her desk and motioned for her to sit. Then he began to speak. "After yesterday's display I realized that you might be in need of my services. Here it my qualifications, and just consider my presence here my application."

She took the folder from him and looked inside. She found another resume but this one she wanted to read. She had to know who this man was before her and how he could bypass her entire security network to get so close to her. His resume was the most impressive thing she had ever seen. He had ten years of military service, but concealed nicely his specific duty, obviously special force trained. He had degrees in business management and engineering technology. He was heavily trained in martial arts and security tactics and just quit the job of security chief of CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Plus, with a name like Michael Archangel, she knew she had the perfect man for the job but this was all too convenient.

Now came the poker face. "Your resume seems fairly standard, but my question is why go through all this trouble just for this job. What's in it for you."

His eyes met hers and seemed to stare right through to her sole and said, "Simple Miss Destine, I'm looking for a job worthy of my skills, not where it is wasted like in my previous job. That is why I left, in case you were wondering. Besides, as I've looked into you security, I've found that working for you would be anything but boring."

She had to agree with that, but what would at take to keep him. She began, "So what exactly can you do for me."

His deep brown eyes seemed to light up at that. "Simple", he said, "first of all I fix all of the flaws with your current security, retrain your guards to be effective, and eliminate all computer security risks. After that I concentrate on your personal security. I fall into the role of personal assistant, which by the way things look around here you could use one, and that becomes my cover story. It makes the job a little easier when no one knows what to expect."

This was to good to be true since her next task was to replace her assistant who she had just recently fired for incompetence. Now for the hard part, negotiating on a price and this was something she would have at any cost. Still wearing the poker face she had perfected over year of power business deals, she began to write a figure down. "The salary this job offers is probable not what you were expecting, but there is also our standard benefits plan." She held out until their eyes met again and she melted. Ever since she was made human by day, she had been aware of her new body's certain physical needs. This fact positively disgusted her, but there was definitely a physical attraction. She would have paid what ever he wanted, even through herself in as a bonus and she had a feeling he knew it.

He looked at the offer and simply said, "This seems acceptable."

With that she lost it. As if he had turned down the deal, she added a raise after the fist six months and an annual ten percent cost of living increase. When she asked when could you start he answered, "I already have, and with that being finished I'll be in the outer office aquatinting myself with your schedule if you need anything else." With that he left the room, but not before replacing the phone cord and leaving her wondering how he managed to remove it without her knowing.

She tried to clear her mind. This happened so fast that she wasn't sure it was real. She wondered what kind of an assistant he would be, and how would he handle some the not so legal aspects of this business. Then she thought simply, at least I have someone to finish the stock report I've been putting off. Almost as if on command, Michael reentered the office holding the stock report.

He said, "I finished that report you have been putting aside for you. I hope it meets with your approval."

How did he know that, she thought.

As if he read her mind he answered, "I like to make a good first impression." Then he exited the room again leaving Dominique to contemplate what had just happened.

In the first month of Michael's employment, Dominique had not stopped being impressed. He had completely reconfigured her building security, trained her guards until they would make Marines nervous, and successfully became the perfect assistant. He had gotten so good at the daily operations of Nightstone Unlimited that he was even capable of getting her through the harder parts of keeping this company running. One instance that really saved her involved a group of Japanese businessmen that she had to negotiate a major deal with. Unfortunately since Dominique's language skills only covered English and French, and they didn't speak either, it looked like the deal would be ruined. That's went Michael stepped in, and with perfect Japanese language and manner he negotiated the deal and with a better outcome then she had ever hoped for. He had surprised her once again and this time saved her business in the process. She wanted to know everything about him, where he came from, what he did when the sun was down and he left her side, everything.

In the next few months of Michael's employment, she had come to learn quite a lot about her new assistant. He was originally few New Orleans, which explained the accent. He had taken over the job of her driver so that now he was never away from her during the day. Strangely, though, he never so much as hinted at wanting to know about her nightlife. He just accepted the fact that she always stayed home at night.

Every morning, like clockwork, he would be waiting for her with the car when she was ready to leave for work. When she walked out the door in the morning, he had her door open and a copy of the Wall Street Journal waiting for her. If he were to have breakfast ready when she woke up, she would say he was to perfect to be human. He also seemed to be able to anticipate her every need. So much so, that it seemed almost magical. Late one night while reviewing her home security she noticed one of the cameras outside her home was malfunctioning. She planned to tell Michael in the morning. The next morning, when he greeted her at the door he reported that he had arrived early to repair a camera he had noticed was broken. At this she was completely amazed. How did he know that?

One of the first spells she had learned was how to detect magic, but she saw none in him. He would have to be extremely powerful to hide it from someone with over one thousand years as a magic user. More and more she found herself attracted to him. She had even tried to find a spell to change him into a gargoyle at night, but so far had not found it.

After his first six months with her, she increased his pay, through in some large stock options, and added a bonus on top of that. As much as she hated to admit it, for the first time in her long existence she had found a human she could trust. He was always at her side, and this was a welcomed presence. She felt safe when he was near.

The only time she had ever considered it an inconvenience was during her daily workouts and training secessions. She had her own private gym connected to her office where she worked hard to keep her fighting skills at there peek. Michael had a habit of giving her pointers on her fighting style. He had the best of intentions, but she had been a warrior for one thousand years, how could he tell her anything about fighting.

Finally the day came when she had had enough. As she was working with the heavy bag, he told her, "Watch the way you drop your left hand leaving you open to a counter strike."

It was good advice but she didn't care. "If you think I'm so bad then maybe you would care to go a few rounds with me", she said.

"I could go for a good workout," he said, "and don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

"That's fine, but I won't," she answered.

As he moved to the center of the floor she asked, "Wouldn't you like to change into something more appropriate?"

He came back with, "Would I get the opportunity to slip into something more comfortable in a real fight?"

She would feel bad about ruining that fine white suite he wore later, but right now she wanted his blood. Without any notice she lounged forward going strait for his through. The next thing she knew, she was face first on the ground with her arm twisted behind her back. She never even saw what had happened. He moved away and they continued.

She had rushed in and put herself off balance, but she would not make the same mistake twice. She advanced slowly, stalking her prey until she was close enough to strike, and the attack began. Her combination of right, left, kick came with the speed of her true nature, but he dodged both punches, blocked the kick, and with a leg sweep had her down again. How could he be so fast? This was it; she would defeat him or die trying. She got face to face with him. He wasn't even breathing hard. Not so much as broken a sweat. She lashed out, grabbed him by him coat and attempted to through him to the ground.

It didn't work. As soon as she grabbed him, she was at his mercy. When she went high he went low, sweeping her off her feet. This time if she was going down he was coming with her. She held her grip pulling him down with her. She attempted to plant her foot in his stomach and send him flying, but he stopped her foot and fell on top of her pinning her to the floor. She struggled to roll him over but was unsuccessful at moving his large mass off of her. She was at him mercy.

It was time to pull out all the stops. She leaned and kissed him catching him by surprise. When he relaxed his hold she struck attempting a kidney to drive him off of her.

It didn't work. Without breaking the kiss he blocked her punch. At that he moved away saying, "I'm not so easily distracted, Chere."

She had had enough. She knew when she was beat. As he helped her to her feet she noticed that his suit, which should be torn to shreds by now, was still in perfect condition. Not even a lose thread.

"What is that suit made of, it's not so much as wrinkled," she asked?

"It's just your average cotton blend," he returned.

"Blended with what, titanium," she asked?

"No, just your average interlaced kevlar, it's the latest thing in fashion. Permanent press and bullet proof."

She wondered what he thought of that kiss, but if it affected him in any way, he was not showing it. All she wanted to do is kiss him again, and then more. But it was time to get back to business.

She got cleaned up and finished up the day's business. Her mind was preparing for what she had to do tonight. Her Research and Development team had finished some work for her and she had to retrieve it from them. It would be easy enough for Dominique to have it sent to the office, but if Demona stole it she could make a claim for the insurance and make a profit.

Her day's business was conducted as usual and Michael dropped her at her home. She had just over an hour until sunset. Just enough time to change into her nightly attire before her change would take place. As the sun passed below the horizon her home was filled with the sounds of her agony. As she recovered, she wondered how Michael would react if he saw her transformation. Would it ruin the new friendship she had just found, or would he accept her for who she really was. The thought of losing him scared her like no fear she could ever imagine. She decided to win him as Dominique, and after she had a tight grip, force him to accept the truth. These thoughts continued to run through her mind as she ate dinner and waited until the appropriate time.

It was after midnight when she arrived on the roof of the warehouse that housed one of her many secret development centers. No one would be around and she could slip in and out without ever being seen. She easily circumvented the alarm and went inside. Everything was going according to plan. She entered the lab, retrieved a small case, and left the same way she came.

As she exited onto the roof, however she was grabbed from behind by something very powerful. She knew instantly that it was Goliath. She began to struggle to free herself, but as she did, another grabbed her by her legs. It was Brooklyn. There was no way she could break free of both of them.

"Let go of me," she howled.

"Stealing some new weapon to use against us Demona," Brooklyn said. His grip a lot tighter then was truly necessary, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"What did you come here for Demona," Goliath asked?

"None of your business," she answered.

"It doesn't matter, you will not go free to use it," Goliath added.

"Do you intend to imprison me again Goliath," Demona wondered.

"If that is what it takes, then so be it", Goliath answered.

That's when she heard his voice saying, "I'm afraid I can't allow that." Next thing she knew, Goliath's grip released and he fell away from her. She quickly freed herself from the still in awe Brooklyn and rolled to her feet. That's when she saw Michael standing there in his usual white suit.

He moved over to her saying, "If you wanted to go out, you could have called me."

Now she was the one in awe, but there was no time for that. Goliath and Brooklyn had recovered and were advancing on her. She drew out a small particle beam pistol and aimed for Goliath. She squeezed the trigger but somehow the pistol was gone. Michael had removed it from her hand so fast she had not even felt it. He grabbed her by the arm like an angry parent scolding a child. Michael was yelling at her. "Did you fought for one thousand years to free them from their stone prison just to kill them? Look at them, they're all that is left of your clan. They're the ones you're trying to protect from the humans. How could you kill them."

She looked up into his eyes and saw them glowing with anger. It was too much for her to handle, so this mighty warrior fainted like some weak human. Michael caught her before she could fall, removed his coat and wrapped it around her, and lifted her into his arms.

Goliath and Brooklyn didn't know what to make of this. Was the rather large human one of her allies and how could talk to her like that and live to tell about it? What he said did make sense and it seemed that he was not willing to continue the fight. He walked over to the two gargoyles and said, "Her long life has given her a strong hatred for humanity while you slept through it. Nothing says you have to have the same opinion, but turning against her just made things worse. Now it's my job to bring her back, so you might want to give her the time she needs to find her way back. Also, as for the case she had, it's no weapon and she wasn't stealing it. You never even thought to read the name on the building."

As Brooklyn looked he saw the sign that read "A division of Nightstone Unlimited". The human was right, she wasn't stealing anything. She owned it.

Michael asked Brooklyn, "Could you hand me that case, please?"

Brooklyn handed him the case and asked, "But who are you?"

"That is a story for another night, but for now think of me as her guarding angle," Michael answered. With that said the back of his shirt ripped open to reveal two large white-feathered wings as he leaped off the building and flew away.

Brooklyn turned to Goliath in amazement and asked, "What just happened here?"

"I don't know, but I have a feeling things are about to change where it concerns Demona."

Dominique awoke in her bed. "Could this have all been a dream," she thought. The case on the table beside her bed told her otherwise. She heard sounds coming from downstairs, so she jumped out of bed to see who was there not caring that she was still in her loincloth and halter. As she reached the kitchen she found Michael preparing breakfast.

"So much for surprising you with breakfast in bed," he said giving her a warm smile.

"How long have you known," she said as she approached him.

"Since before I came to work for you."

"Why did you turn on me last night?"

"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.