Disclaimer: I don't own Gargoyles, or any of the other characters from the show. The characters I have made however do belong to me and please don't use them without asking.
-From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were, I have not seen
As others saw, I could not bring
My passions from a common spring
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow, I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone
And All I love, I loved alone
---Edgar Allan Poe
Midsummer Dreams, And Consequences
David Xanatos stood beside the huge stone form of Goliath, watching the sun dip down behind the city skyline. He stepped back as tiny cracks appeared on Goliath's stone form, slowly spreading until, with a roar the Gargoyle woke.
"Good evening, Goliath," Xanatos said stepping forward.
"Good evening, Xanatos, to what do I owe this visit?" Goliath asked folding his wings around his shoulders like a cape.
"As you know I support several charities, one of these is a children's home. Every year I allow the child with the highest grades to spend a week in my home. I wanted to alert your clan that she would be here next week and that their appearances should be more...discreet."
"I understand...I'll inform the clan."
"And I'll try to keep her inside at night," Xanatos said with a smile.
******
Xanatos's limo pulled up to Happy Woods Children's Home on a sunny Monday around noon. He and Owen stepped onto the well -manicured lawn and were promptly greeted by Dr. Britton, the administrator.
"Mr. Xanatos, it's a pleasure to see you again," he said with a smile. "And you too, Mr. Burnett."
"It's always a pleasure John. This is one of the few places that I'm sure my money is being put to good use. So, where's the lucky young lady?"
"Inside, packed and waiting."
"So, what's she like?" Xanatos asked making no move as of yet toward the house that was home to the sixty or so children under Britton's care. "Anti-social? Any violent tendencies?"
"Not really...on either count, " Britton said with a half smile. "She likes to be alone some times and push her far enough and you've got a wildcat on your hands, but you'd be surprised how hard it is to push her that far. She's got a great personality, but she's a prankster."
"Prankster?"
"She's come up with some of the best practical jokes I've seen in years, last week she rigged the skeleton in the Ms.Crink's class with fishing line and spent the entire morning in the broom closet waiting for Ms. Crink to arrive. The poor women almost fainted when 'Bonsey' started dancing in the middle of her lecture."
Xanatos chuckled, he'd seen the formal old Ms. Crink. He'd doubted she'd gotten in much trouble though, for all her toughness Ms. Crink had a wonderful sense of humor. He didn't catch Owen's almost imperceptible smile.
"And as for a physical description, well you’ll see her in a moment," Britton finished.
"What happened to her parents?"
"She never met her father, and when she was eight her mother was killed in an accident, she had no immediate family so she was turned over to the state."
"Sounds rough...."
"It had to be, but she's remained remarkably strong. Come, I'm sure she's finished packing by now, I'll introduce you to our Fairy." Britton said leading them inside. The moment they entered they became aware of the sound of flute music. It was more then simple flute music though. It was almost...magical, it seemed to lift your spirits and make feel good about just being alive. Walking into a living room area they found the source of the music.
A young girl sitting cross-legged on the couch, her eyes were closed and she seemed totally involved with the flute in her hands. She had long hair that fell loose past her waist in a black wave, she was willowy and petite, smaller then her fourteen years would have suggested. Dressed simply she was wearing jeans, tennis shoes, and a dark blue T-shirt that looked three
sizes too big. Finishing the tune she lowered the flute and opened her ice blue eyes to grace them with a grin.
"What 'ya think, Doc?" She asked with a smile.
"If you get any better I'll hire you out to parties to bring in some extra income," Dr. Britton said with a smile. He turned to Xanatos and Owen. "Mr. Xanatos, Mr. Burnett, this is Fairy Titania Smith."
"Fay," the girl said standing up. She put her flute in it's case and slipped it into the brown leather satchel at her side. "My mom had an interesting sense of humor."
"She enjoyed Shakespeare’s works?" Owen asked curiously.
"Yup...Mom used to act, 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' was her favorite play. " Fay said with a sad smile. "Anyway, enough about me. It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Xanatos."
"The pleasure's all mine, Miss. Smith," Xanatos extended his hand and Fay shook it with a firm grip. "I've heard some interesting things about you."
"Been telling off on me, Doc?" Fay asked turning to look at Dr. Britton. "Well, as long as they don't hear about the Jell-O incident...."
"Not a word, " Britton said with a laugh. He swept her into a bear hug. "Take care of yourself, Fay."
"Don't I always?" she said with a smile.
"That you do.... It's going to be awful boring around here without you."
"Don't worry, Doc, I'm sure my minions will keep you busy," Fay said with a grin.
"I'm sure they will, too. Well, I'm afraid I have to take my leave. Joey and Eddie are at it again, see you in a week, Fay," he said with a smile. Saying so he nodded at Xanatos and Owen and walked away.
"Fay, this is my personal assistant, Owen Burnett," Xanatos said motioning to Owen.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss. Smith, " Owen said stepping forward and extending his good hand. Fay smiled and reached for his hand.
"It's Fa...." As their hands touched they were both jolted apart by something akin to a lightning. With a yelp Fay jerked away, Owen was in a similar state, too dignified to cry out, his eyes widened as he too, pulled away. Fay was the first to break the uncomfortable silence.
"And that kids...is how lightning is made." She said with a half smile. Owen felt an almost involuntary twitching of his lips, but stopped the smile before it reached the surface. Xanatos's sudden chuckle reminded him that his employer was still there.
"Well, it seems you were paying attention in some of you science classes, and not just hiding in the closet."
Fay blushed.
"Apparently, sir, otherwise we'd be taking someone else home." Owen said seriously, though behind his mask Puck smirked to himself.
"Of course, Owen," Xanatos said with a laugh. Still smiling he held an arm out to Fay. "If you'll come this way?"
"I'd love to," Fay said smiling, she took his arm.
"Owen, will you please get Miss. Smith's things?" Xanatos asked, not bothering to turn. Owen had already picked up the suitcase and began to follow.
*****
"And this is your room," Xanatos said, stepping inside a large, well furnished room, with Fay and Owen at his heels.
"Wow...."Fay said walking in and turning in a circle." And yet another, Wow."
"I'm glad you approve," Xanatos said with a smile.
"Approve?" Fay asked turning to face him. "With this room? What's not to approve? This is bigger then the living room of the Home."
"Well then..." Xanatos said motioning Owen inside with her bag. "I'll leave you to change and put your things away, Owen will come to escort you to the dinning hall at five P.M. sharp. Come on, Owen."
Fay watched them leave, closing the door behind themselves. She smiled and slowly turned, taking in the whole room. Her eyes stopped on a blinking red light in one of the heating vents, before quickly moving on. Walking to a full length mirror on one side of the room she seemed to be paying close attention to her reflection. In reality, her gaze was intently focused on the small light, a second later she smiled in triumph as the light went dark.
"Well, that takes care of me being caught..." she said with a mischievous smile. Turning she tossed her suitcase on the giant bed and then opened the large closet. Unzipping her suitcase she stepped back and closed her eyes. A second later her clothes floated out of their own accord. Hangers floated from the closet and with deft grace intercepted the clothing. The
closet doors closed, and the large dresser beside them opened. Minutes later everything away save one outfit, which had laid it's self across a chair, she opened her eyes and grinned.
"Now, let's see if the bathroom is as well equipped as everything else in here.." Fay said with a smile.
*****
"Owen? Are you ok?" Xanatos asked his right hand as they walked away from Fay's room.
"I'm not sure, Sir," Owen answered truthfully. Every since the "lightning" incident, his stone arm had been feeling...well, strange. "But there may be something...wrong with my arm."
"We'll stop by the Med-Lab before we check in with Fox and Alexander then...,"he said looking worriedly at Owen. "Anything else wrong?"
"Maybe, sir. The 'jolt' Miss. Smith and I received at the Children's Home had nothing to do with static electricity."
"What?" Xanatos asked stopping to regard Owen.
"The energy discharge seemed to be of magical origin."
"How's that possible?" Xanatos's brow wrinkled and he continued toward the Med-Lab. Owen followed.
"I'm not sure, sir, Miss. Smith may have some latent magical abilities."
"I see...Should we be worried?" Xanatos asked as the door to the Med-Lab slid open.
"I don't think so, sir, if it is indeed a latent ability then I doubt anything will come of it."
"Whatever you think best, Owen, you're the expert on these matters," Xanatos stepped to the side of a lab table as Owen took off his overcoat and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt. Xanatos let out an audible gasp. The stone arm which had extended to his elbow was now just covering his wrist and hand.
"That's latent ability?" Xanatos asked raising an eyebrow.
*****
At five on the dot, Owen was knocking at Fay's bedroom door, despite the unusual events that had followed the visit to the Med-Lab. Looking down he marveled silently at his once stone hand, now completely flesh again. Inside he smirked slightly, Xanatos was right, if this was latent ability....
The opening of the door in front of him interrupted his thoughts. Fay stood dressed in a clean pair of black jeans, a sky blue turtle neck, and tennis shoes. Her hair had been pulled into a loose braid, it still hung over her ears slightly and was still damp from her recent shower. At
his intense gaze she blushed.
"I wasn't sure what to wear...." she began still blushing, then she shrugged and gave him a slight smile. "My wardrobe doesn't have much variety."
"You look lovely, Ms. Smith," he said surprising himself, he wasn't one to give complements, but she was uncomfortable enough as it was, and the slight smile that lighted her features was worth lowering his mask. Holding his arm out to her, he waited as she cautiously took it, considering the last time they touched he couldn't blame the caution. He noted the curious glance she gave his hand, then saw her shrug it off as a mistake or imagination that he'd once had a stone arm. He only hoped it'd be this easy with everyone else, a lucky thing he was mostly a background figure he supposed.
"Owen!"
Owen glanced up in surprise as the small, three-year-old whirlwind overtook him. Releasing Fay's arm, he picked up his small charge. Still little the boy's baby-blonde was giving way to dark black hair, his green eyes were always lit up for some reason , and while still young he was already learning to read...among other things. At the moment he was dressed in Spider-Man pajamas, a show he'd grown rather fond of.
"Ms. Smith, this is Alexander Xanatos," Owen said turning to Fay. "Alexander, this is Fairy Smith... our house guest."
"Hi, nice to meet you, Alex," she said smiling. Alex regarded her for a second with serious eyes.
"You're ok," He said with a smile and a nod.
"Glad you approve," she said with a grin. Alex smiled back and then turned to Owen.
"You were supposed to do my bath tonight...." Alex said with a pout.
"I'm sorry, Alexander, it had slipped my mind. I'll do it tomorrow night."
"Ok, " Alex said after a second of thought. Then he turned to Fay. "Will you be here tomorrow?"
"Yeah...as far as I know," she said with a confused half smile.
"Good! You can play with me then."
"Alexander..."Owen began, slightly appalled.
"It's ok, Mr. Burnett, I'd love to," Fay said with a smile.
"I knew she wouldn't mind," Alex told Owen defiantly. He hugged Owen and smiled. "Night, Owen. Night, Fay."
Owen put him down and watched until he disappeared around a corner.
"Cute kid," Fay said with a smile.
"Yes," Owen said continuing on without further comment.
*****
Dinner, as it turned out, was a relaxed affair. Pizza. Fay couldn't help but smile at the remberance. The Xanatos' were wonderful, they treated her like she actually knew what she was talking about and like they cared about her opinion. She liked them, and Owen, too. Owen...now he was a mystery in himself. She pulled the over sized tee shirt she wore to bed
over her head as she considered Owen. He seemed like an emotionless butler, but there was something else there.... Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
With a sigh she dismissed her wandering thoughts and settled on her bed with a large leather bound book in her lap. A Midsummer's Night Dream was scrawled across the cover in silver letters. She opened it and smiled slightly. It was the only link she had to her parents.
Her father had given the book to her mother as a good-bye present before he left. Mom had told her time and time again that her father had a good reason to leave(though she'd never said what), and hadn't known he had a daughter on the way. Fairy could do little but believe her, and her mother had never lied to her before so she saw little reason to doubt her word now. She smiled fondly at the book again, remembering her mother reading the story to her, changing her voice for the great king Oberon, and his queen Titania, her namesake. Fairy brushed away the tear that had snuck down her cheek, looking at the pictures her mother fixed to the inside pages
of the book instead.
The first picture was of her mother proudly holding Fairy to the camera at two weeks, the second of her and Mom on her first Halloween dressed as a fairy princess, the third when she was two, of her covered in mud proudly displaying a mud pie, then one when she was three and dressed up for a formal picture, and so on, as though her mother was trying to somehow include her father. She picked up the envelope tucked inside and held it almost reverently. It was a simple white envelope with her mother's flowing writing across the front and it was un-opened, mostly because of what the writing said. "To Fairy's Father", Fairy read again, then sighed. She had found the letter the day after her mother's funeral while she was being taken to the children's home.
Her mother had always...known things. Like the time she had pulled a small boy away from a curve, and only minutes later a car crashed into the spot he'd been standing. So maybe one day the letter would reach her father, it would be like her mom to do something like that. Fairy often wondered if she'd known about her own death....
With a sigh she shook away such morbid musings and traced the inscription inside the book's cover. It was the only real link she had to her "father", the only thing, besides herself, that proved the whole thing wasn't her mother's imagination on overdrive. She re-read the beautiful old fashion handwriting as she had many times:
To Samantha, the best friend/trickster/actress, anyone could have,
From Your favorite piece of hockey equipment
*****
"So, what's she like?" Elisa asked about the latest guest in the castle. It was just after sunrise and she had stopped to talk to Xanatos, Fox, and Owen.
"She's...." Xanatos began, only to be interrupted by a squeak from the hallway, followed by hysterical laughter. They glanced up to see a very tired looking Fay, still in an over sized tee shirt that fell past her knees, with her hair tosseled. She had Alex slung over her shoulder, Alex was dressed and laughing.
"Would this elf happen to be yours? He just launched an invasion on my room, and I was forced to take prisoners." She said swinging Alex to face them. The general reaction was a mixed. Owen raised an eyebrow, Fox and David looked torn between scolding their son and laughing, Elisa, well her reaction was the most interesting.
"Magician?" She asked looking at Fay in surprise.
"Hiya, Dective Maza," she said with a grin. "Haven't seen you in a while..."
"Yeah, the station has been a bit quiet...." Elisa said with a half smile.
"Hmmm....Really?" A slow smile played across her lips for a moment. "I'll have to drop in on you later...." With that she swung Alex up and then put him carefully down beside his parents. "There ya go, kid...Let me get dressed and I'll consider playing with you. 'kay?"
"Ok," Alex said smiling happily.
"After breakfast," Fox put in quickly, realizing her son on an empty stomach could take it's toll on a person. "And next time Alex, wait till Fay wakes up. Not everyone keeps our odd hours...."
"It's ok, Mrs. Xanatos, I needed a new alarm clock anyway," she said tosseling Alex's hair. "Meet ya in a few in the kitchen?" She directed the last part to Fox.
"We'll be there, come on short stuff," she answered taking Alex's hand and heading to the kitchen. Fay smiled and silently reviewed her "grand tour", mentally locating the kitchen, before turning and offering the remaining adults a half smile.
"See ya later Detective," she said turning toward her room and walking away. As soon as she was out of ear shot, Xanatos turned to Elisa.
"How do you know Fairy?" he asked, worried suddenly despite Britton's assurances. "And why did you call her 'Magician' ?"
"Fairy's...well one of the runaways I've picked up before. She's been put into a few... abusive foster homes. Rather then stick around, she ran away and lived on the street, until we got her, and either took her back to the Children's Home, or the foster parents." She sighed and looked disturbed about her last statement, then continued. " 'Magician' is her nickname, partially because she's a street magician, but mostly because she's a mini-Houdini."
"What do you mean?" Xanatos asked, he looked a bit relieved in the knowledge that she wasn't a drug peddler, murder, etc., but was also interested in the child's plight. All too many such children slipped through the cracks, forgotten or ignored, and he didn't want to picture that happening to the vital, little trickster.
"Magici...Fay, was brought in once after running away from her most recent 'home', she'd been beaten pretty badly, you could tell. However, we were told to take her back, only when we walked back in to the cell to break the news to her, she was gone. The cell door had been picked and was standing open, she was nowhere in sight, and guard hadn't seen her walk by. It was like...well magic."
Owen and Xanatos exchanged startled glances.
*****
Fairy had taken a quick shower and dressed, all the while thinking about the conversation between Elisa and the others. As if they didn't suspect something already, she thought sighing.
Brushing her long, black hair quickly, she pulled it into a loose braid. The hair on the sides hung just over her ears. A style she had adopted years ago to keep from being teased about her ears. She pushed her hair back a moment to look at said item. Instead of being rounded like most ears were, hers tapered to a point at the top. She'd taken years of teasing because of those points, but they allowed her to hear much better then most people, and hear things she wasn't supposed to. She'd listened to Elisa describe her escape from jail from the hallway she'd "left" by, and frankly, was worried. She'd seen people try to "help" her before, once, right after her mother's death, she was even put in a mental hospital. She still couldn't get near hospitals or needles without flinching.
With sigh she forced herself to dismiss further dismal thoughts in favor of a few happy ones. Alex, now he was a great kid. He reminded her of...well, herself at that age. Poor kid....
*****
After a few hours of play with Alex, Fay had convinced him to sit down for a story. Unfortunately for her he'd read (and re-read) most of what was in his bookshelf, and didn't want to read it again. After a bit of serious debate she'd finally came up with an idea.
"Tell ya what, Alex, how about I read a story to you my mom used to read to me?" she asked him with a slight smile. At Alex's agreement they traveled to her room for the book and and, sitting on her bed, she introduced him to Shakespeare.
*****
Owen was walking up the hall by Fay's room sometime later, in search of Alexander and Fairy. The nursery had been deserted and on a hunch he'd thought maybe they were here.
Fay's voice came from her room.
'If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear
And this weak and idle theme
No more yielding but a dream
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.'"
Owen felt a chill run up his back. That voice...Where had he heard it before? An incredibly expressive voice, yet it was different somehow, too.
*****
Fay finished the last passage only to find Alex asleep, his head pillowed in her lap.
"That's what you get for waking people up at dawn...," she said with a smile. Closing the book she put it on her night stand and moved carefully out from under Alex. Picking him up gently, she watched as the blankets seemed to move themselves down and laid him down. Tucking the blankets around him she smiled slightly.
She almost jumped out of her skin when a soft knock sounded on the slightly ajar door. Moving quickly she opened door to find Owen on the other side. Putting a finger to her lips she motioned to the sleeping boy. Owen nodded and motioned for her to follow him into the hall. When they were out in the hall, the door safely closed, he turned to her.
"Mrs. Xanatos sent me to look for Alexander and yourself for lunch, seeing as Alexander is resting, I would assume she still wishes for you to join her. She expressed an interest in listening to you play the flute, as Mr. Xanatos told her about hearing you play." And she's not the only one, he added silently. Fay nodded.
"I'll get my flute..."
"I will take Alexander to his room, then walk you to the dining hall." Owen stated, nodding. Walking back inside he carefully picked up the sleeping boy, then walked out towards Alex's room. Fay picked up her brown satchel smiling slightly as she drew out the black flute case. A small, glittery fairy adorned each corner.
Mr. Ranson, the elderly music teacher at the Home had given it to her one Christmas, fairies and all. She had been his prize pupil, he always said that her music could touch the very soul. He had once, smiling, told her that if he were to die, he would want her to play a happy melody over his coffin, to cheer his family from sorrow. And so she had. She felt an unwanted tear trail down her cheek. Mr. Ranson had taught her to love music, to pour her soul into it, and she'd often thought it was the only thing that kept her sane at times. She jumped at a touch on her shoulder, and turned to find Owen regarding her with a slightly worried expression.
"Are you all right, Miss. Smith?" he asked softly
"Yeah...just pulled under by a couple ghosts of the past...," she said forcing a slight smile in place. "Well, let's go."
Owen nodded slightly, walking with her to the dining hall. There she found Fox waiting for her with a stack of sandwiches. After being informed of Alex's nap, she motioned for Fay to sit down. After a few sandwiches, and some pleasant conversation, she finally got around to asking Fay to play.
"Sure," Fay said, pulling out the interment’s case, she removed the flute and brought it to her lips. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help the memories that re-surfaced of Mr. Ranson. With a sigh she poured those bittersweet memories into the music.
Owen tensed ever so slightly as the music began. It made him think of his centuries of life. Mortals were great friends, but they had a terrible habit of dying. He remembered the friends left in hopes he wouldn't have watch then die. And, now, especially one. His Sam....
Fairy stopped playing and lowered the flute. Fox's cheeks were wet with tears, and Owen's eyes brimmed with them. The three were startled to hear soft clapping coming from the dining room entrance. Xanatos and Anastasia Renard entered, Xanatos still clapping, while Anastasia wore a sad, slightly startled expression.
"I told you she was wonderful, didn't I Fox?" Xanatos said walking over to his wife. Anastasia went to stand beside Owen, a questioning look on her face. After the incident with Alexander had settled a bit she had become a frequent visitor, always checking on her grandson and daughter.
"She's more then wonderful she's..." Fox trailed off, at a loss for words. Fay blushed and looked relieved as Alex burst in.
"Grammy!" he cried, delighted. He jumped into her arms for a hug. Then looked to Fay.
"Now play something happy..." he demanded. Fay smiled and closed her eyes, bringing her flute to her lips. She conjured up an image of her mother, black hair down, chocolate eyes alight with laughter, and mouth open in the laugh. And she played.
Alex laughed and clapped his hands, Fox smiled and hugged her husband closer, Anastasia face slowly broke into a smile as she felt the melody catch her, and even Owen's face seemed to lighten as Fay spun her tune. As she lowered the flute she smiled slightly, feeling somehow closer her mother. Alex smiled at her too.
"This is my Grammy," he said proudly, hugging Anastasia.
"Nice to meet you," Fay said re-casing her flute and smiling up at her.
"The pleasure's mine. You play wonderfully."
"I'm ok," Fay said with a shrug. "I'm much better at impressions though."
"Yeah, and she tells good stories," Alex added. "Even one about you Grammy...."
"Oh really?" The older women said with a smile, and caught Owen's slightly worried look.
"Yeah," he said eager to tell her the new story. "It's called a Midsummer's Night Dream and this guy named Shakespeare wrote it...."
"Oh, so that's it," she said smoothly. She turned to Fay. "My middle name is Titania so Alex thinks I'm the real thing," She lied smiling, shooting Alex a warning glance.
"Really? My middle name's Titania too, mom loved the play," Fay said with a bittersweet smile.
"It is an...interesting work," Anastasia said softly. "Anyway though, I need to talk to your parent's Little One, why don't you and Fay go play?"
"Ok!" Alex said happily, wiggling from his Grandmother's embrace. He grabbed Fay's hand pulling her after him, and asking about playing Spider Man.
When they were gone Anastasia turned to the others a worried look on her face.
"I wish I could say I only came for a visit…." She began.
"But you’d be lying," her daughter finished for her with a slight smile. "What’s wrong?"
"Tomorrow night is a full moon, and the one night when the stars will be lined up perfectly to call up a great evil power…Only a few people know of the location where the ritual of power must take place. One is Oberon, the other is Adrian, Oberon’s younger brother."
Owen tensed slightly.
"What does this have to do with us?" Xanatos asked, looking worriedly from Owen to his mother-in-law.
"Adrian and Oberon have been on bad terms for quite some time, and I fear Adrian will try to call the power up to de-throne him. However, this does not worry me as much as what it will require to call up this power…"
"W..what does it require, Mother?" Fox asked, feeling a bit sick to her stomach.
"Like most dark rituals, it requires a virgin sacrifice…Unfortunately, this ritual requires that the sacrifice be of mixed human and Fey blood…"
*****