Midsummer Dreams, And Consequences

Part 2

By: Jessi B.

Fairy smiled at Alex as he rushed around looking for his Spider-Man pajamas. After all, what else could you play Spider-Man in? Then she felt it.

It was like the temperature suddenly dropped a dozen degrees. Then she felt that tingly sensation that always meant she was going to have what she called her "knowings". Those weird feelings came, and then she just…knew stuff, or had a waking dream. Right now all she knew was Alex was in danger…and so was she. She stood, looking around the room warily.

"Alex…." She said softly. "Come here…"

Alex didn’t ask questions, he shivered and walked to her. Whatever it was, he could feel it too. Fay silently took his hand and began backing towards the door.

Suddenly in the center of the room, a green glowing light erupted, then slowly took the shape of a man. Not just any man though, the first most notable difference was the fact that he had blue skin, after that one noticed his rather large pointy ears, he was dressed in clothes that hadn’t been in style for centuries. His icy eyes swept the nursery’s interior, locking on the small child at Fairy’s side.

"Give me the child, and I’ll let you leave here unharmed girl," he said in a cold, unemotional voice.

"Sorry, no can do, I have this thing about giving little kids to Smurfs with growth problems…" Fay said forcing a bright smile and gently squeezed Alex’s small hand. The man looked both baffled and shocked by Fay’s statement, before his features quickly melted back into their cold mask.

" Then you will perish," he said smiling cruelly and raising his hands. A blast of green energy was quite suddenly coming straight towards her. She reacted with out thinking, a big over-stuffed chair that sat to the side jerked suddenly upward and took the blast, exploding into pieces.

"Not bad…but not enough," the man said with a smirk. Fairy swallowed hard and prepared to play dodge ball with a psychotic Smurf.

*****

In the dining hall, Owen suddenly tensed.

"Something’s wrong…" Owen started, a worried look crossing his usually emotionless face. Then he began to spin. A moment later, in his true form, he looked back up.

"Something’s really really wrong…."Without another word or thought he disappeared and reappeared in the nursery. He dodged as pieces of furniture flew past him, and looked around for the source. He quickly found the Fey in room’s center and found immediately afterward the two children in front of him.

"Not bad…but not enough," he heard Adrian say calmly raising his hands again, before Puck could react, a blast of power was headed for them. He felt his mouth drop slightly as Fay raised a hand and Alex's dresser took the blast. He recovered quickly and flew between the kids before anything else could be shot at them.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size, Adrian," he taunted, his hands glowing.

"Of course, I'd be delighted to destroy you," Adrian said smirking. Fay began her retreat, Alex in tow, to the door. She watched the two beings exchanged fire as she quickly opened the door, pulling Alex out with her. She shut the door quickly with a sigh.

"What the hel…heck was that?" she said weakly, a bit dazed.

"A bad man," Alex said, taking her hand and beginning to lead her away. "We have to get Grammy…."

"Too late child," a voice to their side snapped. "The Queen and your parent's are ours, as you will be soon."

Turning, they found themselves facing a being similar to the one that had attacked them in the nursery, only with a lighter skin color. Alex pressed close to Fay, whimpering slightly as the sounds of fighting in the next room intensified. Closing his hand tighter in her own, Fay glared at the man. If only….She felt her power re-act to the anger, slowly building, until she felt she might explode. Instead, her hands began to glow with a green light. Driven by an inner instinct she raised them and was shocked to feel the power release, in the form of a ball of green fire. The man's eye's widened and he screamed as the ball caught him squarely in the chest. He fell unconscious to the floor. Fay pushed her shock back and grabbed Alex's hand, running in the opposite direction.

*****

The former dining room would not have been recognized by anyone as such, in fact, it now reminded one more of a dungeon. One wall now held a worse for wear Puck, chained by iron, and in the center, a cage held the now transformed Titania, Xanatos, and Fox.

"What do you mean you lost them?!" Adrian snarled at the man kneeling before him. The man, Roan, the captain of his forces trembled slightly. "They're children!"

"I did not expect the girl's power, M'lord...but my guards are searching the castle as we speak. They'll not escape us again."

"For your sake, they’d better not," his Lord growled.

Worried looks that passed among the captured onlookers.

*****

At the moment, the discussed children were watching as the said guards passed below them. As the guards went out of their view Fay counted to fifty, then slowly allowed herself and Alex to float downward from the ceiling beam they'd been perched on. It was true, no one ever looked up.

"Ok, kid," Fay said crouching down in front of him. "What the heck's going on?"

"I…don't know how to explain…." Alex said hugging himself, his eyes filling with tears.

"Shhhhh…."Fay took him in her arms as he sniffled. "It's ok kid…"

"N..no it's not, the bad man has Mommy, Daddy, Unca Puck, and even Grammy, and I'm too little to help!" he cried softly into her chest while she gently rocked him. Suddenly his small head snapped up, his eyes alight.

"I've got an idea!" he said excitedly. "I'M too little to do big magic, but you're not!"

"Magic? C'mon kid, I can lift things, sure, I can apparently blast things now too, but that's it. I don't know what it is but…"

"It's magic, like mine. Only you got more I think, but you don't know how to use it, I know how to use mine, but I'm not big enough to do much," he said excitedly, taking a breath he continued. "You wanna know what's happening, and you gotta know some more about magic to help everybody."

"Ok…yeah I guess so. So what's the big idea?"

"Unca Puck taughted me to show him what's in my head, I can do that to you!"

"I don't know kid, what if something goes wrong? I wouldn't know what to do…"

"You got a better idea?" he asked drawing himself to his full height.

"No…I don't," Fay said with a sigh.

"Ok then…" Alex closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they glowed.

"Mind of mine,

To mind of thine,"

A green light burst from Alex's eyes, Fay only had a moment to be surprised before the light shot into her own eyes. Then….

It was like she WAS Alex. Alex, who somehow could remember his babyhood, who knew Gargoyles (Gargoyles were real?), who's Grandmother was Titania (THE Titania?), who's teacher was Puck, Puck who was…(Owen!?), who had been taught from birth to use his magic, who could already speak some basic Latin, and who knew so much more about magic then his simple years suggested...

Then it was over and she pulled away with a gasp.

"See, I knew it would work…" Alex said proudly. Fay smiled weakly.

"Yeah, kid, it worked. C'mon, we need to get you to the Gargoyles."

"So that the bad man won't sense my magic?"

"According to you, yeah. The Gargoyles' own magic should confuse the search."

"What about you?"

"Well…. I'M going to go confuse the bad man," Fay said with a grin.

*****

Adrian paced the length of dining room irritably. So far, no one had been able to locate the children.

"A couple of kids too much for ya Adrian?" Puck taunted from his wall.

"Silence, nephew!" Adrian snarled. Puck flinched slightly, David and Fox looked surprised. "You above all should appreciate what I'm doing! Oberion no longer even acknowledges you as his blood! I was always second best to Oberion, a full blood. Even when the throne of Avalon should have been mine! I was the eldest! But no, I was nothing but father's dirty affair."

"My heart bleeds," a sarcastic voice said from the doorway. "You should really have your own soap opera, 'The Blue, And the Restless'."

"You! Who are you?"

"Fairy Titania Smith at your service," she answered with a mock bow.

"What's your reason for being here? Where's the boy?"

"I was sorta pulled into this thing and I wanna make sure I get outta here with my skin intact, and as for the kid, how should I know? What am I his babysitter?" Had Adrian been paying more attention, or been a bit less angry, he might have noticed that a young girl that looked exactly like the one in front of him was creeping in the shadows toward the iron cage.

"You seemed rather concerned about him only a bit ago," Adrian said his eyes dark.

"That's before my survival instincts kicked in, last I saw him he was running in the opposite direction." The other Fay put a finger to her lips as the occupants of the cage noticed her. She silently crouched down, pulling a set of lock picking tools from her pocket.

"Then perhaps we could…work something out? I'll let you leave here, in exchange for the boy."

"Hmmm…" The Fay seemed to consider. While the other Fay finished picking the cage's lock, pulling the door open slightly and moving to Puck's wall.

"I don't know…That kid's as slippery as an eel, can't ya get another one?"

"No! It must be…" he paused, a gleam starting in his eyes. "It must an innocent mixed blood…."

Fay floated upward and began picking Puck's locks. The other Fay's face remained calm as the Fey Lord advanced.

"You can't be over…twelve in human years," Adrian said smiling.

"Fourteen, not that it's any of your business," the girl shrugged. And the other Fay finished picking Puck's chains, and floated with him softly to the ground.

"Then maybe I won't need the boy after all…" Adrian lunged for her, only to feel an illusion dissolve in his hands. He looked confused, then spun and found himself face to face with two very angry Fey.

"It's over Adrian, "Titania said coldly. "Give up now and perhaps Oberon will be lenient with you."

"Never, I haven't quite ran out of options, yet." Adrian smiled. "You see, I don't HAVE to have your precious grandson, just an innocent mixed blood. The child at your side more then fits the bill."

"Like we're going to let you have her," Puck said angrily.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice, trickster," Roan's voice said suddenly from behind them. All Fay got was a single cry of alarm, before her world was thrown into darkness by a well-placed blast to the head.

"Payment for earlier…." The captain said with a smile. Jerking the limp girl against him he transported to his master's side.

"Now, if you'll excuse us. I'll see you again when I'm your King," Adrian said with a laugh and disappeared with Fairy.

The doors to the dining hall suddenly filled with Gargoyles.

"Xanatos?" Goliath’s voice rumbled.

"Here, Goliath, but I’m afraid you’re a bit late…" he said with slight smile.

"Daddy! Mommy!" Alex broke free of Lexington to run to his parents. "Where’s Fay?"

There was a brief silence as Fox and David hugged their son and exchanged glances.

"Where's Fay?" Alex repeated looking from one parent to the other.

"We don't know hun," Fox said softly hugging him close.

*****

Miles away and hours upon hours later, a groggy Fairy was slowly waking up, and beginning to wish she'd stayed unconscious. She was in the center of a stone structure, one she recognized almost immediately.

"Stone Hinge?" she asked weakly.

"Very good, child," Adrian's voice brought her completely awake, she tried to sit up, and found almost immediately she couldn't. Her arms and legs were chained down, she was resting on a stone in the center of the other large pillars, and was utterly helpless.

"Don't attempt to free yourself, the chains are iron," he said walking to her side, and looked amused as she none the less struggled against the restraints.

"It's no use, soon you'll die and I'll be king of the Fey."

"You'll forgive me for being less then enthusiastic, I don't like the whole part where I die," Fay shot back, straining against her bonds.

"So spirited…I wonder who's child you are? The Fey blood is strong, you must at least be a half breed, and your other must have been a Gifted for your powers to show without training," Adrian mused walking around the stone slab.

"What? You're saying my dad was a Fey? Like a pixie?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"No, I doubt he was a pixie, they're simply the most commonly known of our race. You assumed it was your father, why not your mother?"

"My mom's dead, my dad left before I was born," Fay looked away, feeling the ache in her heart start again.

"I see, well, it's really too bad I don't have the time to track him down. It would prove interesting to see who's blood was strong enough to sire one with such power," he said with the casual interest one shows livestock breeding, then reach inside his cloak to withdraw a dagger. The blade shone in the moonlight as he toyed with it.

"Well, I'm afraid our little chat is almost at an end. This blade has enough iron to kill a full born Fey, and that should be enough to finish you off. " He sounded almost absent minded, as though he did this all the time.

"Do I even get to know why the Hell I'm being killed?"

"Why not? We have at least a little while longer. You see child, long ago, before even my time, there was a half-breed such as ourselves. He was banished from Avalon because he attempted to overthrow the then king, my grandfather. Swearing revenge, he came to this place and used dark magic to call up enough power to defeat those that opposed him. However, my grandfather refused to allow him to take Avalon and using the last of his strength sacrificed himself to drain all of the evil ones power, later these stones were erected as a warning."

"So, what does that have to do with me?"

"To break such a powerful seal, the Dark forces require an innocent sacrifice, but the sacrifice must contain power too, thus the sacrifice must be an innocent mixed blood." He glanced up at the sky as he answered, smiling slightly.

"It is time," his cold voice made her shiver, and despite her failed earlier efforts, she again began to struggle. Adrian began to chant in an ancient language, a language even older then Latin and even more powerful.

As his chanting reached a point known only to him, he raised the knife above her chest, just over her heart. For a moment that lasted an eternity he paused, then plunged the blade deep into her heart.

She felt it then, a building of power. Her entire being seemed to be pulsing with it, and she realized her purpose in this ritual, she was the one who channeled the energy, the thing the energy had to pass through. Adrian drew the knife from her chest, and she felt the power start to seep out with her blood.

"No…" Adrian jerked to look at her face as she uttered the single word in a weak voice.

Pulling on her last bit of waning strength Fairy concentrated on stopping the power from escaping. It built within her till she thought she'd have to release it or die, but still she held. She used what little she knew of her own power and directed it to heal the wound in her chest, she felt a searing pain as it complied and the wound closed. Again directing the new found strength she shattered the chains holding her and set up. She looked into Adrian's horrified face a moment, before with a single thought he was slammed into a pillar and thrown into unconsciousness.

And still the power built….

She felt herself begin to panic, she had no idea what to do with so much power, it felt like it was eating her up whole. She fell to her knees, struggling not to be lost in the building power, and afraid to let her fragile hold go.

She almost screamed when a hand touched her shoulder. Looking up, she thought for a moment that Adrian had roused himself somehow. Then she noticed this being's hair was white, instead of black, still the similarities were amazing.

"W..who are you?" she asked weakly of the being in front of her.

"I am Oberon, King of Avalon," he answered. His voice was soft, but his tone still seemed to command attention.

"Sure…why not? I've already met Titania and Puck…" she flinched as once again the power within managed to double and her control almost slipped.

"You're too young to control such power, I offer you my help," he said holding his hand out to her.

Fairy hesitated only a moment before taking the offered hand. Oberon helped her to her feet, then quietly tilted her face up.

"Open your mind, child, let me help you guide this power."

"I..I'll try…" Fay said weakly, closing her eyes she tried to open herself. Whatever she did must have worked because she felt some of the power's burden lift. She felt a mind much more ancient then her own help her guide the power back to it's resting place, then felt her lips begin to chant in the same language Adrian had used, and the power was locked down again. A sudden weakness overtook her, and before she was plunged completely into darkness she was vaguely aware of Oberon's arms catching her.

*****

The scene at the castle Xanatos called home could only be described as chaos. For the entire night/day Fairy had been unconscious they had been searching for any clue to tell them where Adrian would have taken her. Lexington had exhausted all his computer resources. Owen, Fox, Elisa (who had appeared shortly after the gargoyles), Goliath, Angela, and Brooklyn were all in the library going over anything that had to do with Feys. Broadway and Hudson had been watching all the videos in their extensive collection on the subject. Xanatos had been using his contacts. Titania had gone in search of Oberon, only to find the king had vanished too. Both Titania and Puck with Alex tried tracking spells; again nothing came of it, meaning Adrian had put up blocking spells.

The thing they all had come to agree on was that when the Fey wanted to keep a secret, they sure kept it a secret.

As the sun had rose the humans and Feys had continued the search to no avail, nightfall found them out of ideas and each had a growing sense of dread.

They were all gathered in the library, half-heartedly going over texts they'd already reviewed, when a green glow began to form in the room's center, Owen almost immediately turned to Puck, and everyone else went on the offensive too. They were all equally shocked to see Oberon appear. In his usual manner he quickly scanned the room adjusting something wrapped in his cloak.

"Husband?" Titania questioned hesitantly.

"Wife," Oberon greeted with a nod. "Where is the child's room?"

Titania's eyes widened as she realized what the bundle was. Everyone else seemed to come to the same conclusion, as Oberon was suddenly the object of attention. With a sigh, Puck was suddenly Owen again and, with a nod to Oberon, led him to Fay's room, leaving the others to simply look shocked.

Pulling the blankets down on the large bed, Owen watched as Oberon's cloak unwrapped itself from the young girl's body. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of blood on her shirt, along with a gaping hole. With a wave of his hand, the king of Avalon clothed Fay in a white night gown and laid her down, with surprising gentleness he tucked the blankets around her and turned to Owen.

"An interesting child, very spirited," he commented.

"Indeed," Owen said carefully, while his mind worked to figure out what the heck Oberon was getting at.

"She reminds me of another I once knew…He was spirited, but I fear I didn't appreciate him for that until now." His voice was soft, and it was the closest he would ever come to apologizing for the curse he'd put on Puck. In fact Puck's mind was still in shock he'd gotten that. With out another word Oberon turned and walked back to the library for the explanation he knew he'd have to give to at least his wife, leaving Owen to look with no slight wonder at the child he was left with.

*****

Fairy finished folding the last shirt and placed it neatly in her suitcase. With a sigh and a slight smile she looked around the room that had, for a brief while, seemed like home. She had slept for almost a day after being returned by Oberon. Puck told her it was because she had used so much magic to put back the ancient power. He'd kept her confined to bed another day, in which Alex had carted in (with Owen's help) a TV and VCR and shown her his entire Spider Man video collection. The rest of the week had been a blur of happiness, toy stores, movies, meeting Gargoyles, sitting in on Alex's magic lessons, and for a while she'd felt…loved and needed.

She glanced up as Owen walked in, he watched her silently as she fastened her suitcase, and his eyes showed no emotion but for a moment she thought he looked…sad. Silly, why would he?

"Mr. Xanatos' offer still stands," Owen began.

"I know Mr. Burnett, but I still won't accept," she did a quick scan, seeing nothing she'd left she put the suitcase on the floor.

"He feels he owes me something, I can't let him adopt me just because he thinks he has to." She smiled at him with false cheerfulness. "Don't think you're getting rid of me that easy though, I promised Alex I'd come visit."

"Of course, Alex…will miss you," Owen said softly, not adding that he himself was already missing her, she looked so much like…but no it wasn't because she looked and acted like his Sam, she was a trickster, and reminded him of himself too. He would miss her.

"Well, I'm supposed to meet Joe, the driver, downstairs, tell Mr. And Mrs. Xanatos bye for me, I've said bye to Alex already, and the gargoyles too, so you're the last on my list Mr. Burnett. Good bye, and believe it or not I'll miss you." With that said, before Owen could respond or offer assistance, Fay tossed her leather satchel over her shoulder and lifted the suitcase. She was out the door before he could blink, and he suddenly felt the room, and indeed the castle, was suddenly far too empty.

*****

Fay looked at the elevator doors as she descended, fighting back a rising wave of sadness. She was right, wasn't she? Xanatos couldn't really want her. What could she offer? She was a street punk with a couple of cool parlor tricks. Assuring herself she'd done the right thing she stepped out and pasted a smile on for the driver.

*****

Owen, in his usual fashion, did a brief scan of the room. He was about to walk out when he noticed the corner of what appeared to be a book. Thinking Alex had left one of the books he and Fay had been reading he bent to pick it up.

*****

Fay sat in the limo watching buildings and cars go by, she felt like she was forgetting something.

*****

Owen blinked as he read the title on the cover. He was sure the only copy of this book in the castle was in his personal collection. It wasn't quite like the truth, but still, he'd rather liked Will. With a half smile he opened the cover. And froze. It wasn't possible. But there it was, plain as day in his own hand writing.

Owen felt the lump in his throat firmly lodge itself, he hadn't even made it past the signature. Looking down he felt the pain in his heart double. Fairy was Sam's daughter? But her age…Fairy was his and Sam's daughter?! As his mind turned that thought over he saw something sticking out of the book, it appeared to be the edge of a piece of paper. Carefully tugging it out he found it was a plain white envelope with Sam's writing on it. Addressed to…well, him apparently.

He carefully opened it.

*****

In the limo Fay had become rather frantic, she'd just emptied the contents of her satchel and went through them, twice. Her book wasn't there. HER BOOK WASN"T THERE!

"Stop! I left something at the castle."

"Well, we'll get it returned to you kid, there's no way I can turn around in this traffic…" Joe began, looking at the halted traffic in front of him.

"Then don't, meet me back at the castle." Before he could protest she was out the door, satchel over one shoulder, dodging through cars with a practiced ease.

"Damn," he muttered. "I liked this job too…"

*****

Owen opened the letter, done in Samantha's unique scrawl, and found himself smiling despite himself.

Dear Puck,

Owen closed his eyes as a tear managed to escape his eyes.

*****

Fairy ran into the front doors of the Aerie building. She didn't even acknowledge the guard as she went past, hitting the elevator's button. The guard shrugged, figuring she'd left a hairbrush or something and watched her get on the elevator.

*****

Owen looked up as a rather distraught Fairy burst in. For a second they simply regarded each other.

"What are you doing with that?" Fay snapped closing the distance between them quickly. He said nothing but quietly held the letter out to her.

"I can't…I can't read that…." she said softly, looking at him as though he'd done something incredibly wrong.

"Yes, you can," he quietly pushed the letter into her hands, almost trembling she took it. Her eyes quickly skimmed it, then widened, going through again to take in every detail.

"That means…you're my…" she trailed off looking at him.

"If it helps, it's a shock to me as well," he said softly, watching the play of emotions on her face.

"Why?" Her voice was soft and quiet, cracking only slightly.

"Why what?" he answered equally softly, though he could almost sense the answer.

"Why did…why did you leave?" her voice cracked, but her face was turned downward so he couldn't see it.

"Mom never let me complain, or talk badly about you, she always said you were the best…If you were so great how come you left?" She looked up and Owen flinched at the unshed tears he found there. "She used to cry, at night when she didn't think I heard, and I'd go in and hug her and try to make her stop. Then…the night before IT happened…she woke up screaming. I ran in and she held me till I couldn't breathe, then told me not to worry, everything was ok. I knew it wasn't though, ya know? Then…that day, she seemed all jumpy, I asked her if we could…if we could go for ice cream. Ice cream always made her feel better…. and…and the car was on the wrong side. I laid there and watched her bleed, she held my hand while the police tried to get us out, and I started healing. She didn't though, and after a while she wouldn't answer me any more…."

"Where were you then, huh?" she half sobbed, finally.

"I…" he stopped, feeling for all his years as though he were struck dumb. He felt the tears come unbidden down his cheeks. "I was running, trying…trying to do what I though best."

"Well…it wasn't…" she sniffed wiping her eyes almost viciously.

"I know…" he said softly, looking away. "I'm sorry…I know there's nothing I can do to make it hurt less…but I am sorry. "

He turned back to her gently lifting her chin to look into eyes that so reminded him of his own, into a face that had the delicate bones of a Fey, framed by hair that was as black as night, like her mothers, and a personality shown from her eyes that took much from them both.

"I left because I thought she'd be happier with someone normal. Someone who could give her the family and home she never had and wanted so badly. I always told myself that whatever happened it was better then life with a trickster…and all this time she's been…" Unable to complete the sentence he regarded her silently. "You look so much like her…"

"No, I don't…" Fay said pulling away. "Mom was prettier."

"She was beautiful, inside and out…"Owen agreed. "But you do look a great deal like her, from the moment I saw you…I wandered. But what where the chances? Do you have any idea how many Smith's there are?"

"A pretty good idea, yeah…" she smiled softly, then looked up questionly. "Now what?"

"I…I would like it very much if you would stay…"

"Why? You woulda let me walk out a few minutes ago, how does my being your daughter change anything? I'm still a street punk, my job skills include street magic and pick pocketing. What use would you have for me?" She asked, an edge borne of the street slipping into her voice.

"You're also an accomplished flutist, a talented reader, a magic user in need of training, and…a trickster. As for use…I…I would like to get to know you. In the time I've been with I've learned to enjoy your company. I'm not exactly father material…but I'd be willing to try…"

"Guess it makes us even…it's been a while since…since anyone wanted me…Well, besides Doc. That's what I'm worried about…ya see I'm not exactly…well, honor student material…"

"Nor am I, until this particular life time that is, nor was your mother, I'd want you no other way."

"That's another thing…Do you…Do you really want me? It's not too late to say no, pretend you didn't read the letter. If you're doing this because you think you have to…I'll walk outta here and pretend this never have happened…"

"I want you here, I don't know what you think about me, Fairy, but I loved your mother with all my heart. I was stupid enough to walk away from that, I won't make the same mistake again. I want to know the daughter our love created." He stepped forward, touching her cheek softly. "Don't walk away Fairy, please, don't make the mistake I did."

"I…I'll stay…" she said softly, suddenly surprising both herself and Owen she hugged him close. Starting to pull away, slightly embarrassed by herself she was surprised to feel him hold her back and hear a strangled sob break from his throat. Suddenly it didn't matter they'd only met a week ago, what mattered was holding to each other while they cried for a women they had both loved, and lost. Pulling away slightly to look at him she smiled softly, weakly up at him.

"S..so I guess there's only one question left to ask…"

"Oh?" Owen said, smiling as he saw a glint of mischief in her blue eyes.

"Do I call you call Dad? Or Father? Or Pops?"

"Let's go with your first choice and work from there, " he said forcing down a slight smirk. He retrieved a handkerchief and handed it to the young girl, his daughter, he was amazed at how good the simple phrase made him feel.

"Ok then, Dad, who the heck is explaining this Xanatos?" she said wiping away stray tears, sniffling gently, but still smiling.

"A good question, indeed…"

*****

So, it came to pass, just an hour after sunrise, that the entire Gargoyle clan, the Xanatos' family, and Elisa were all gathered in the great hall, looking expectantly at Owen and an increasingly nervous Fairy. Owen cleared his throat and proceeded to tell the assembly in a calm voice and in no uncertain terms the happenings of a few hours before. There was a short shocked silence.

"Does that mean Fay gets to stay Unca Owen?" Alex finally piped up excitedly.

"Yeah, kid, that is if no one has any objections?" Fay said hesitantly.

"Objections? Of course not!" David began. Others quickly joined him.

"We'd love to have ya, lass."

"Yeah! We need another young person!"

"It'll be great to have you, Fay!"

"She can stay in my room!" Alex chimed in suddenly, met by laughter.

Owen watched a half smile appearing on his face, as Fay slowly smiled looking relieved.

"Can Fay be my sister?" Alex asked as he hugged Fairy.

"I'm afraid it's more like cousins, Alexander," Owen said from behind them.

"I guess that makes me an uncle then?" David asked grinning. "Uncle David, has a nice ring…"

The chat and arrangements continued well into the night, ending only after Fay began to yawn, followed closely by Alex. Making sure Alex was safely in his bed, Owen stopped hesitantly at Fay's door. Opening it he walked in to find Fay asleep in her clothes, a smile still on her face. Silently, he removed her shoes and tucked her under the blankets. He leaned forward to gently brush a kiss across her forehead, and then looked to ceiling.

"Sam? If…if somehow you can hear me, I'll take care of her, My Love, I promise…." Brushing away a tear he smiled softly at his daughter, and felt, for the first time in a while, like he truly was home.

Comments...

Back to the Story Page....

Back to the Puck Shrine....

Back to The Lair....