Out of the Clear Blue Skye

Author's Note/Disclaimer:

The clan must now pick up the pieces. No warnings except for a few naughty words.

Feedback is strongly encouraged.

Part Five: The Aftermath

Goliath awoke with a roar, flexing his wings. He smiled fondly at Elisa, then frowned. "The spell has not broken."

"I was afraid of that. But, on the other hand, I think I may have some clues."

Just then, they heard screaming, mingled rage and fear. Elisa and Goliath sprang into action, racing to the infirmary. The sound of tearing metal echoed through the halls.

Elisa reached the door scant inches ahead of Goliath. She caught herself at the door and held up one hand to forestall Goliath's charge. Inside was chaos.

Skye was no longer sedated and was in full gargoyle fury, her eyes glowed red, her tail lashed, and her wings were half spread. One hand brandished a guard rail ripped from her bed. Bedclothes and instruments were scattered randomly across the floor. A startled Owen Burnett was crouched defensively in a corner.

"I assure you Miss Skye, I mean you no harm. If you will allow me to leave I will do so immediately." The gargoyle's reply was another menacing swing of the bar and a choked growling sound.

Elisa approached cautiously. "Skye? It's me Elisa. It's O.K. you're safe." Behind her back she waved Goliath away, afraid his presence would make things worse. Skye half-turned, uncertain, and backed away so that she could see both humans.

"Skye it's all right. It's just me, Elisa. No one's going to hurt you." Elisa showed both hands, empty. She tried to look harmless.

Owen wisely, was silent.

"It's not all right. Nothing's all right! I'm not all right. Fucking Puck staring at me is not all right!" She took another swing in Owen's direction.

"Skye. Skye listen to me. We're trying to figure out what happened."

"I know what happened. I know what happened and I don't need some stupid fairy hanging over me! Get out! Get out!" Skye brandished her bar again at Owen and he left quickly. Elisa gently closed the door behind him and locked it. If she really needed help, that flimsy door wouldn't stop Goliath, but it might make Skye feel safer.

With Owen gone, and the door locked, some of the red faded from the gargoyle's eyes. Still wary, Elisa approached. "O.K. Skye, just relax. It's just you and me now. You're safe."

Skye looked at her blankly. "Safe?" She whispered. "No. I don't think I'll ever be safe again."

Elisa reached out to take the bar from the girl's slack grip and set it down carefully out of reach. Then she returned to gently push Skye into a sitting position on the bed. She could feel her trembling and took a chance. She put an arm around the gargoyle and drew her into a careful embrace. "O.K. Honey. We need to figure this out. Something awful has happened and we need to know why and how to stop it." Skye was silent, would not look at her.

"Skye. There are some things you didn't tell us aren't there?" The gargoyle stiffened and began to pull away. "Just relax; I'm not angry with you." Elisa stroked her hair and her back between her wings, trying to soothe her. When the girl was again quiet, she started again.

"Skye honey, I need to ask you some questions. We think this, this thing that happened, was because of a spell." She waited for some response, got none. She reached into her pocket to retrieve the photos and the clipping.

"Do you remember the clothes you were wearing that first night? The ones I was supposed to wash? I found some strange things in your pockets. Can you explain these to me?" Skye glanced at what the detective held in her hands, then turned her face away.

"This girl here in the picture, this is you isn't it?" Stony silence. "And this clipping here, that's you there too, with Dominique Destine, isn't it?"

"I'm a gargoyle." Her voice was bitter.

"You are now, yes. But what about these pictures. You weren't hatched a gargoyle were you?" No answer. "How did she do it Skye? Xanatos had you checked out when you arrived. You are a gargoyle down to the last bit of DNA."

"I don't want to talk about it." Her voice was nearly unintelligible.

"If we knew how she did it, we might be able to figure out what happened last night."

"She set me up."

"How? Skye we need to know so that we can break the spell."

"She set me up. *She* did this. She did this to me. She did this!" Skye leapt from the bed and began to pace the room, her eyes blazing again. She ripped the silver armband from her arm with such violence it left bleeding welts on her flesh. Skye looked at the silver as if it were filth then threw it at the mirror above the basin, shattering her image into tiny fragments.

The sound of breaking glass brought Goliath charging through the closed door. Splinters of wood fell among the debris already littering the floor. He looked around, found Elisa safe and walked over to the basin full of silver shards. He reached in to retrieve the battered armband.

"The spell is broken. This...bit of silver held the spell?" He turned toward Elisa, studying the piece of jewelry. His expression tightened. "I recognize this; I gave this to my mate a thousand years ago. She mocks me." He crushed the silver band in his fist.

"Where did you get this?" He advanced towards Skye, his anger barely in check. The female backed away.

"She gave it to me."

"Who? Who gave it to you?"

"Goliath." Elisa tried to divert him.

"D..Demona." Skye was backed into a corner, eyes wide and frightened...

"Goliath! Stop it! She's been through enough!" Elisa stepped between them. She didn't move until Goliath backed away.

"I don't get it. Why would she do this? This is low, even for Demona. What did she have to gain?" Elisa wondered aloud.

"I know." Angela's voice came from behind her father. A sheepish Brooklyn followed. "Me. I think she meant for Skye to replace me. She called me away when the spell was triggered and tried to keep me away, but I wouldn't stay. She gave me a story about how she had changed, how the shelter was proof that she was willing to give up her revenge."

"Demona has gone too far! We have to destroy her, now!" Brooklyn's old hatred of Demona flared anew.

"The spell is over, gather the clan. We will deal with this tonight!" Goliath began to give orders.

"No." Skye whispered. No one took notice. She tried again, louder. "No."

"What?" Elisa turned to listen.

"No! No! No! No more. No more revenge, no more hurting people! No." Skye planted herself in front of the doorway, her stance a challenge. Brooklyn moved toward her, she flinched but stood firm.

"No."

"We have to stop her from hurting other people. Look what she's done to us, to you." Brooklyn approached slowly.

"No. You want revenge. Look what it's done already."

"Skye..." Goliath rumbled his tone stern.

"Look at me! Look! This is what revenge does. It eats people up and leaves nothing but pain behind. If you go now, she'll be waiting for you. Ready for you. I've lost everything, my humanity, my identity, my family, my... my life. I have nothing left but this clan. I can't lose anything... anyone else."

Goliath gave the youngest member of his clan a long measuring look. "We will have to deal with Demona some time. But, not tonight, not now, and not out of vengeance."

"Thank you, Goliath."

Just then a disapproving Dr. Casson arrived. She cleared the room with a single harsh look, save for Skye and Elisa. "Well, let's take a look at you. I'd say from the condition of this room, you must be feeling better, at least physically..."

The doctor gave Skye a thorough exam while Elisa stayed nearby for moral support. When the doctor was finished, she gave Skye another sedative and put her to bed.

"May I speak with you Miss..."

"Maza, Elisa Maza."

"Miss Maza, We haven't had time to speak before. I'm Dr. Agnes Casson. I understand you are acting as a sort of guardian?"

"I guess so. We haven't been able to locate her parents. If it makes you feel better I'm a detective with the NYPD." The doctor nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm not sure how different these gargoyles might be, but if she were human I'd recommend she not be left alone for the next few weeks, maybe longer."

"Suicide?"

"It's a possibility. I won't prescribe any anti-depressants since I have no idea how they will work with her system. Physically she's fine. I wish I could recommend a therapist, but under the circumstances..."

"I understand. Thanks for your help."

"Oh don't worry about that. I would have done this for half of what Mrs. Xanatos is paying me. I'll be back to check on her the next few nights." With a final glance at her patient, the doctor left. Elisa headed to the gargoyle's suite. On her way she bumped into Owen.

"Owen. What was that all about?"

"Puck was attempting to discover the nature of the spell. He did not take into account Skye's probable reaction."

"I thought Puck's appearances were limited."

"The situation was hazardous for all concerned. Until the spell was neutralized Alexander was in danger. Now if you will excuse me, I have important business to attend to."

"Sure. Sorry to bother you." She spoke to his retreating back. She shook her head.

As she approached the suite, she could hear the sounds of an animated conversation, but they all fell silent at her arrival, except for Hudson. "I tell ye lads, it's too early to say anything to Skye. It may all come to naught anyway."

"What will come to naught?" Elisa joined the group of dejected gargoyles.

"What Hudson means is that the spell has triggered a breeding season." Angela offered.

"Aye, Angela and Skye be fertile now and we males also."

"Oh." Elisa sat down with a thump. She hadn't yet thought of that possibility...

"Normally, all the females of the clan would plan it out and make the decision together." Angela added. "I guess I'm happy about it, but I would rather have been given a choice."

Elisa nodded. "Hudson is right; she's not stable enough for that. In fact, the doctor doesn't think she should be left alone during the next few weeks. She's likely to be very depressed and possibly self-destructive."

"How can we? I'm sure she's not going to want any of us guys around for a long time." Broadway sat slumped across from where Angela and Brooklyn sat with arms around each other.

"I don't know. Angela and I can take turns; probably Maggie will be willing to help. If necessary I can recruit Mom. She's had enough sedative to keep her quiet tonight, so I can set up some gargoyle sitters tomorrow."

The clan nodded in agreement. "I still don't understand what happened. I... I can't believe I did those things." Lexington sat in a ball of misery on the floor.

"I think I have some answers. Skye's not ready to talk yet, but this is what I've found so far..." Elisa filled the clan in on what she had discovered and showed them the clipping and photos.

"So she lied to us. We were all so happy to have another female around we never questioned her." Lexington sounded bitter.

"Yeah, some new gargoyle comes out of nowhere and we just run panting after her without checking her out. What a bunch of idiots!" Brooklyn pounded a fist on the arm of the couch.

"I'm a detective and I didn't check her out. So don't feel so bad, if anyone was stupid it was me. I'm the one who introduced her to the clan. Just remember, whatever it was Demona led her to expect, it wasn't what happened. She's really is just a kid. I wish I could make Demona pay for this."

"Sometimes evil makes its own punishments. If her plan was to drive Angela out of the clan and into her arms, she has failed." Goliath observed.

"I'll never believe anything she says again. Ever. As far as I'm concerned I don't have a mother!" Angela set her jaw stubbornly.

They spent a few moments more talking then Elisa left for work. The gargoyles scattered to their individual occupations. Broadway stood unofficial guard outside the infirmary. Several times during the night he thought he heard quiet sobbing. He would remember the sound for the rest of his life.

*********************************************************************************

Skye found herself the center of far too much attention over the next few weeks. No matter where she went or what she did, one of the women associated with the clan would be sitting beside her or just outside her door. Elisa drove her crazy. She kept flip-flopping between sympathetic listener and interrogator, trying to find out where Skye had come from. Skye would have none of it. The last thing she wanted was for her mother to see how badly she screwed up her life. Every time Skye would look out a window or mention going outside to the roof, Elisa would hover at her elbow. Skye was certain the detective expected her to hurl herself from the top of the building. She'd thought about it, even tried it once, but she just didn't have the nerve to follow through.

Surprisingly, it was Fox that she got along with best. Sometimes Fox would bring the baby and they could play with Alex. Other times, she would bring some work with her and leave Skye to her own thoughts. When Skye did want to talk, she'd put everything away without hesitation and listen without interrupting or judging.

"Do they really think I'm going to throw myself off the building?"

"Well, they're worried about you."

"I'm not going to kill myself. That is unless I have to listen to another night of 'Derek this and Derek that.'"

"Skye, when you can't even stand to be in the same room with your clan brothers, it worries us."

"I'm sorry. I just get so scared when I'm alone with one of them."

"It's understandable. Maybe you would be happier somewhere else? We could contact your family."

"No. This is my home now. Unless you're kicking me out?"

Fox chuckled, "Now where would I get another gargoyle to baby-sit Alex? You're the only one besides Owen who can handle him now that he's walking. No you're welcome here for as long as you want to stay."

"Thanks."

"I'll talk to Elisa and get the doctor out here again. See if I can get them to back off a little."

"That would be great."

Skye made extra efforts to get along with the rest of the clan, but it wasn't easy. She just didn't feel safe with any of the males, even Goliath. Broadway followed her around like a lost puppy, cooking her elaborate meals that she just couldn't stomach. Lexington and Hudson avoided her, which was just fine as far as she was concerned. But, Broadway just wouldn't go away. It was his face she remembered clearest from the attack and it was nerve wracking to keep bumping into him. After a few days, he caught on, and started bringing female chaperones with him. While it was sweet, it was also annoying. Skye began to spend more and more time alone. She moved out of her room in the suite and took over one of the unused tower rooms.

Elisa worried, about the clan and about Skye. She felt the key to helping Skye would be to find the girl's family. Skye simply refused to cooperate and the shelter had no information that was any use. The addresses in Skye's notebook were dead ends. That left one source of information left. Demona. Elisa decided to pay a visit to Nightstone Unlimited.

Elisa's badge got her admittance to Dominique's inner sanctum, though the welcome was anything but warm.

"Detective Maza, to what do I owe this intrusion?"

"I thought you might like to see these." Elisa placed two video cassettes on the desk.

"What is this? Dominique looked suspicious.

"Some candid shots of your handiwork. Even I never thought you could stoop so low." Elisa's voice dripped with disgust.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Officially, I am here investigating the disappearance of one of the shelter's clients. A girl who goes by the name of 'Skye.' I believe you knew her. She disappeared from the shelter a few weeks after starting the intern program here at Nightstone."

"I believe she left because she feared the publicity would alert her parents to her whereabouts. The child ran away from a bad situation. I've never understood how humans could be so careless with their children."

"I have witnesses who saw this girl in your company after her supposed disappearance..."

"What is it that you really want detective? If you truly had evidence against me, you would arrest me. It's not like you to stoop to blackmail."

"I'd like to see you rot in prison for the rest of your unnatural life. But, since that's not an option at the moment, I'll have to settle for some information.

"And what information would that be?"

"I want everything you have on Skye. I know she was human before she met you."

"Whatever information I have was given in confidence."

"Don't pretend loyalty after the way you betrayed her!" Elisa leaned forward to glare into Dominique's eyes.

"I have not betrayed her. I gave her everything I promised." Dominique was cool as ice.

"I'm sure she didn't ask to be gang-raped by her clan you cold-hearted bitch!"

"Impossible! You can't be serious."

"Oh, it's possible all right. If it was within my power, I'd lock you up right now and throw away the key. As it is, I'll take that information. Now."

"Get out of my office! You have three seconds before I call security. Make use of them."

"I'll go, but this isn't over." The detective left, without the tapes. Dominique sat staring at the video cassettes. It couldn't be true. Her spell could not have done that; the clan could not have done that. Gargoyles didn't do that. It had to be a trick.

Dominique told her secretary to hold all of her calls, closed the blinds and put in one of the tapes. She watched both of them twice, then did something she hadn't done in centuries. She wept.


Three days later, a courier delivered a package to Elisa's desk at the precinct. Inside was a complete dossier on Skye including photos. It did not include an address for Skye's family, but it did include a contact address Skye had once used to send a letter. Elisa finally some place to start. Also included in the package was a short note:


"Whatever your opinion of me, what happened to Skye was not my intent. I do not understand what happened, though I am certain it was caused by my spell. Apologies are meaningless and reparations impossible. I can only acknowledge my remorse. -D."


Elisa kept the note to herself, uncertain as to what it truly meant. She began the tedious process of tracking down Skye's mother. She was hampered by the necessity of conducting her search long distance, but, she welcomed the distraction.

The clan's life began to settle into a more normal pattern but something was missing. Angela and Brooklyn were caught between the joy of their new relationship and guilt over its origins. Lexington spent more time than ever with his computers and electronics, as if he was hiding from the world outside. Hudson spent so much time watching television that both he and Bronx were showing added weight. She and Goliath enjoyed the new phase of their relationship, but felt it best to be discreet. Patrols were flown and duties met, but the clan as a whole were subdued and distracted. Skye continued to isolate herself from the clan.

Broadway continued his efforts to win Skye over, but was having little success. He began to fly extra patrols to work off his frustration. One night, shortly before dawn he found an injured dog. The dog had been hit by a car and left to die. He landed to examine the poor creature. Despite its pain the dog thumped its tail weakly at the sound of his voice.

"Nice doggie. What happened to you?" He knew the dawn would soon catch him so he scooped the dog up carefully in one arm and climbed a nearby fire escape. He launched himself into the air cradling the dog in his arms. Even during the short flight back to the castle, the dog grew noticeably weaker. Circling to land, he saw Skye heading for her tower room.

"Hang on. Skye used to be human; she'll know what to do." He gave the dog a gentle pat on the head then swooped down. Skye started violently at his sudden appearance, but she listened to his hurried explanation. He set the dog down carefully.

Skye examined the dog. Its grey fur was matted with dirt and blood. She thought some ribs and one back leg were probably broken and there was blood on the dog's muzzle. The dog whined and tried to wag its tail as she stroked its head.

"I think it's too late Broadway. I don't know what to do for it. There's not time enough to get it to a vet before dawn. Even then it might be too late. Poor thing."

"Too bad dogs don't sleep like we do."

"Maybe they can. Things like clothes and weapons turn to stone. Maybe a dog can too."

"I don't know. I've never heard of it before."

"It's probably going to die anyway. I'm going to try." Skye sat down next to the dog and pulled the creature into her lap. She wrapped her arms and tail around the dog and tented her wings about them both. Only one furry leg and a bedraggled tail could be seen spilling out of her lap. Then the sun rose and all were stone.


Puck's afternoon lessons with Alex were interrupted by a faint whisper of magic. Curious he and the toddler tracked the magic to its source. He found Skye's statue cradling some kind of animal. The animal too was stone. Broadway stood nearby, an expression of concern frozen on his face. The magic emanated from Skye's statue. Judging it harmless, he returned to his lessons, making a note for his alter ego to investigate later.

At dusk, Owen, Xanatos, and Elisa waited at a discreet distance for Skye to awaken. As the last rays of the sun faded, Broadway burst from his stone skin with a roar. Skye's figure exploded into a flurry of grey fur, blue gargoyle, and stone dust. A canine yip and a squeal of surprise punctuated the transformation.

"Down girl! Good girl. No, I don't need my face washed. Blechh!" A grey furred mongrel who might bear some relation to a collie whipped the air with its feathery tail as it licked stone dust from Skye's face and neck.

"I don't believe that worked! Maybe we could keep her." Broadway asked Skye as she struggled to defend herself from the joyful attentions of the dog. Far from being annoyed, she was giggling like a child.

"Do you think we could? I mean someone would have to take care of her during the day and take her to the vet and stuff." Skye solved her dilemma by picking the dog up in a bear hug and standing, using her tail and wings for balance. It was a comical sight. As soon as she put the dog down it jumped up and returned the "hug."

Curious, the rest of the clan came winging in. It had been a long time since anyone had heard Skye laugh. The dog, apparently perceiving them as a threat, turned and growled at them, fur bristling. Goliath tried to look stern, and succeeded for the most part, though Elisa was certain she saw the corners of his mouth twitch.

"What is this?"

Skye soothed the dog. "Hush girl. It's O.K. That's Goliath. He's leader, you really shouldn't growl at him." Whether or not the dog understood her words, it did quiet down.

"Can we keep her?" Goliath glanced at Broadway, raising an eyebrow at his presence.

"Please Goliath? We'll take good care of her. She won't be any trouble." Skye wheedled, some of her old charm coming back. The dog's tail waved lazily as she watched with interest.

"Dogs do not sleep by day..."

"I'm sure we can find someone to keep an eye on her during the day." Skye continued.

Xanatos and his companions had drawn closer. "I'm sure something can be arranged." Xanatos spoke up. "Alex would probably enjoy having a dog around. Fox and I were just talking about getting a pet the other day."

"Sir?" Owen had a good idea just who would be looking after the mongrel. Just then Bronx bounded up to sniff noses with the dog. Xanatos used the distraction to speak quietly with Owen.

"I want that dog checked out thoroughly. This development could have its uses." They watched the dog and doggoyle begin to play with one another.

"Perhaps Skye should join Alexander in his lessons. He's old enough to benefit from some competition."

"Magic?"

"Puck thinks so. It would explain a few things."

"We'll talk more later."

"Of course."

"I'd say Bronx approves." Elisa chuckled at the animals' antics.

"Very well, if Bronx approves, so do I." Goliath smiled.

"Have you named her yet?"

"No, but I have a good one I think. How about 'Cloud?'" She looked to Broadway for approval.

"Sounds good to me."

"O.K. then. Cloud! Come here girl!" The dog trotted over as if she'd been called "Cloud" all her life.

Broadway's introduction of the dog to the clan turned out to be a stroke of genius. With the dog at her side, Skye was much more confident, willing to spend time with other members of the clan. While she still shied from any physical contact with the males, she was almost friendly with Broadway.

While technically Cloud belonged jointly to both Skye and Broadway, she was obviously devoted to the female gargoyle. Second in the dog's affections was little Alex. Except for those times the dog spent playing with the little boy, she could be found at her mistress' side. Xanatos was disappointed when the veterinarians could find nothing unusual about the dog, except perhaps her robust health. The dog didn't even have fleas.

Puck began to invite Skye to participate in his lessons with Alexander. At first she was hesitant, but it wasn't long before she forgave him for frightening her. Soon she began to pick up small skills. Her abilities turned out to be minor, though she did have an odd tendency to boost the power of spells cast by others. This caused a few humorous accidents, such as when Puck intended to conjure a piece of candy and instead produced a peppermint the size of a bowling ball. Once she learned how to control it, lessons went more smoothly, though they were slightly less entertaining. Her tower room became littered with Latin texts and other odd books and scraps of paper.

To be continued...