khlara@juno.com
 

First let me get some stuff outta the way.

 All characters in here mentioned are either Disney, Buena Vista, and all
those other big macho businesses in Burbank.  Anyone who you don't
recognize
is mine.  You want to use them OK just let me know.

A special thanks goes out to Rei Rai for helping to make some scenes understandable.  A very special thanks goes to Daylight.  With out her this thing would've never gotten finished, the comas never placed, and the ending would've basically sucked.  Also to P-Chan and Cookie.  Thanks for not letting me get cheesy.

Whatever you think, I would love to hear what you think about this story. Please e-mail me!

 Now........On with the story!

 
 

    Owen sat, reading the morning paper, at his desk.  Occasionally, he
cast a casual glance at the woman, waiting for Mr. Xanatos to call her in
for her interview.  Owen was impressed with her beauty.  Her eyes were a
deep blue, and her hair was a light shade of brown that looked as if
someone had taken a crayon to it and colored it in.  She looked about
5'6" to 5'7" tall and was wearing a smart purple suit with brown
stockings and purple pumps to match.  She was there applying for job of
evening nanny.  He had told Xanatos that it wouldn't be a problem to look
over Alex, but Xanatos had insisted on getting another sitter.  Owen
was all ready doing part of the morning.  Ceceil, the other nanny, came
in at eleven and left at four.  She was an old woman with her gray hair
always pulled into a bun; she always wore a pink skirt and a blue blouse.
 She was also half-blind.  No one else had applied for taking care of
Alex so Mr. Xanatos had hired the first person who he interviewed.
 "Owen, you may send Ms. Van Patten in now," came Xanatos' voice
from the little intercom.  The girl stood, and Owen opened the door to
Xanatos' office for her.  When Xanatos closed the door, Owen resumed his
position.
 

 After an hour, Xanatos and Ms. Van Patten came out of the room.
"Violet, I'm sure you'll be a wonderful addition to our staff," said
Xanatos, smiling.
 "Thank you.  I'm sure being here will be wonderful; I bet
Alexander will be charming to take care of," she said, smiling back.
 David nodded toward Violet, "Owen, have the staff prepare a room
for  Miss Van Patten --,"
 "Violet please," she demanded softly.
 " -- for Violet," he amended.  "I'm taking her to the nursery to
meet Alex."
 "Yes Sir."
 "Maybe we can get together over coffee and talk later, Owen, get
to know each other," said Violet, winking at him.
 Owen felt the oddest sensation that he knew her.  Violet was
escorted out of the room, and Owen shook the feeling off.
 

 513 a.d. (or at least that's what they think)

   "Ordeysia! Give that back! You'll wreck it!" cried Puck,
hovering over a rock.
 Ordeysia inspected the small flute.  "I won't wreck it..., but
have I found the Puck's weakness?" Ordeysia asked playfully.
 "No, and I'll never tell you my weakness -- no matter what!"
 "Well it was a nice flute," said Ordeysia, holding it at each
end, preparing to snap it.  There was a green flash, and the flute had
suddenly disappeared.  "Hey!" she cried.  Puck stuck out his tongue and
started to play.  The melody was familiar to Ordeysia... She had named
it: Orinoco Flow.
 "Oh Puck! That's my fav!" said she, floating over to him.
 He didn't respond, but kept playing.  After the song was
finished, he set the flute down, watching it carefully to make sure
Ordeysia wouldn't take it again.
 Ordeysia put her face against Puck's, their noses touching.  He
looked into her striking purple eyes.  "Say we'll always be together,"
she whispered.
 "A promise not even mortals can keep," he scoffed.
 "I, no matter what, will always be connected to you."
 For an answer, Puck kissed her.  Ordeysia was surprised at first,
but let herself be taken in.  She knew that this was the answer to all
her questions.

1996 a.d. (Closer to 1997 though but don't tell!)  : )

   "You stupid piece of sheet metal! Move it!" cried a voice from deep
within the hall.  When Owen went to investigate the source, he discovered
it was coming from an open door four rooms down the hall.  He peered
inside the room and saw Violet kicking at a white chair.  "Why I
oughtta....!!"
 "Having some problems with the chair, Miss Van Patten?" asked
Owen, now standing in the doorway.
 Violet looked up.  "It's Violet, and yes; could you help me move
it over there?" she pointed to another corner in the room.  "It won't
budge," she explained.  Owen came in and helped her lift the chair to
where she wanted it.  "Thanks," Violet said, giving him a quick kiss on
the cheek.  She thought she saw the slightest hint of a blush on him, but
there wasn't one.
 "If there's nothing more...," Owen muttered, ready to turn and
leave.
 "We were never formally introduced.  Violet Van Patten," she said holding out her hand.
 "Owen Burnett," said he, shaking the hand.
 "I think that's all for now," Violet smiled.  "Thanks again."
Owen turned and left the room.  Violet closed the door and relaxed on the
bed.  *How quaint for such a handsome man to live in the same building*
Violet thought bemusedly, and then fell asleep.
 

  Owen walked the rest of the way down the hall to the nursery to check on
Alex.  He felt his heart skip two beats.  What was wrong with him?  Was
he out of his mind?  Falling in love with Violet Van Patten was
completely out of the question.  It just wouldn't do!  Oh, sure, she was
a little attractive...  *A little? Hello?! She's gorgeous!*  yelled Puck.
 Yes, she was.  Her brown hair, even though often tied back in a bun, was
simply perfect.  Owen would swear that if it was caught in the right
light of the sun, it would turn gold.  Her eyes were a perfect light
blue, like the sky.  She was a vision: simply illustrious.
 He opened the door to the nursery to see Alex holding onto the
rails of the crib.  The child's hair was wet near the temples and his
eyes were red as if he had been crying.  "Alexander!  What's wrong?" Owen
asked.
 "Bad dweam."
 "Oh?"
 "Some wady came and twied to take me!  She was gween!" Alex
whimpered.
 Owen picked Alex up and sat in the rocking chair.  "It's all
right.  No green ladies are here to take you," said Owen, rocking the
child in the chair, trying to fathom out what was going on.  Somehow,
Alex had remembered when Oberon and Titania had tried to take him.  Alex
had been far too young to remember such an event, but things were not
all impossible with dreams.
 "You pwomise no gween wadies?"
 "Yes."
 "What 'bout da gurl who's eyeses change colwor?" Alex asked,
looking intently into Owen's eyes.
 "Was she in the dream too?" asked Owen, wondering what Alex was
talking about.
 "No!" Alex giggled. "She's Wilet!"
 "Violet's eyes turn different colors?" asked Owen.  The child had
a nice imagination.
 "Yes!  Her eyeses were bwue ven she pwayed wiff me, ven she
tucked me in an' vey turneded gween," answered Alex while giving a small
yawn.
 "I'm sure it was nothing.  Now go to sleep." Alex closed his eyes
and Owen put him back into the crib.  Soon it would be time to get one of
those toddler beds.  Alex was growing like a weed.  Owen turned out the
light and walked to his room.  *Violet's eyes turning from blue to green?
 Had to be the imagination.*
 
 
 

     The next morning, Owen walked into the nursery to find Violet there
taking care of Alex.
 "He woke up early, and I didn't think anyone would mind," Violet
explained.  She was sitting in a chair and holding a book.  Alex was on
the floor playing with a toy truck and making "vrrooming" sounds.
 "Not at all.  Has he eaten?"
 "I asked him if he was hungry, but he told me no, so I let it go."
 "Wilet tawt me a Watin word!" said Alex looking up, his face
alight.
 "What word?"
 "Intervawia!" said Alex proudly.
 "Intervallia?" asked Owen, not sure if Violet should be around
Alex.
 "Yeah.  She said issa part offa big phwase, but won't teach me it
'til I'm a wot oldwer -- wike ten," said Alex, starting to focus on his
truck again.
 "Ten?" Owen questioned Violet.
 "More like forty," she laughed.  "By then everything should be
all right.  He begged me to teach him something.  I was sure a harmless
Latin word would be Okay."  She focused her attention back to Alex.
"Anyway, without the other words and a certain 'gift' the word is pretty
useless," she added quietly.
 Owen showed no sign of worry on his face but inside he was
mightily distraught.  If she taught Alex the rest of the phrase and gave
him that "gift", if she indeed had the ability to, he was sure life would
certainly go tipsy.
 "Alex are you hungry?" asked Owen, changing the subject.
 "A wittle.  I wants some toast wiff jelly."
 "I think I could get it, if you would watch the little button,"
said Violet, getting up from her seat.
 "Pweese, Owen!" begged Alex.
 "All right," Owen took Violet's place in the chair as she went to
get breakfast.  Alex stood and ran to Owen.
 "Teach me somefin'! Teach me magic!" Alex pleaded excitedly.
 "Not now Alex."
 "Pweese!" Alex pleaded again.
 "Later this afternoon. Violet is coming back."
Alex nodded.
 "I hope strawberry is okay," said Violet, entering the room with
a plate of jelly-smeared toast balanced in her hand.  Alex got up and
Violet handed it to him.  "Thanks," she said, looking up at Owen, giving
him a warm smile in place of the kiss she would've given if Alex wasn't
here.

    Fox walked into the room and saw Alex eating his toast happily.
There was jelly everywhere.  "Let's go wash you off," she said, picking
him up.  "I'm taking you to the zoo today!"
 Alex gave an excited squeal then asked, "Isn't Daddy comin'?"
 "He has a lot of work to do today, but maybe tomorrow we can all
go to the park."
 "Owen and Wilet too?"
 "Yes, they can come, too, if they like."
 "I'd love to go, but I still have to unpack all those boxes,"
Violet explained, opening the door for Fox.
 "Next time then."  Mother and child left.
 Violet looked at Owen.  "Well... I guess I better get started on
the boxes," she offered, starting to leave.
 "Alex said your eyes change color."
 "Oh, you know little kids like Alex. They imagine all sorts of
stuff," she gave her best "oh, what fiddle-faddle!" laugh.  "Even I still
imagine stuff!  Take the other day, for instance.  I thought I saw Alex's
trucks flying, but when I rubbed my eyes they weren't."
 "Of course."
  She turned to leave again, but paused halfway through the door.
 "Owen, do you still imagine stuff?"
 "No."
 "Not even islands where it's paradise?"
 "I used to.  A very long time ago.  Then I grew up."
 "Do you like Shakespeare?" she whispered in a desperate tone,
turning to face him quickly.
 "His works are interesting."
 *He has to remember!  I can't be wrong!*  "I love A Mid-Summer
Night's Dream. Have you read it?"
 "I'm familiar with it."
 "My favorite character is Puck. What about you?" she prodded.
She had been so sure when she came to the Xanatos' building...
 "I have to get some papers to finish for Mr. Xanatos.  Please
excuse me."
 Violet held out her hands.  "Let me see your hand." Owen was
beginning to protest when Violet just grabbed his stone hand.  She
started to massage the wrist, and slowly Owen began to feel her hands massaging the stone. He looked but it was still stone.  "I
must go unpack.  Thank you for an interesting conversation," she said
coldly.  Owen just stared at the empty space as he wondered what that was about.
 

    Later that night, Owen worked up the courage to visit Violet.  It was
nearly midnight, but he knocked on her bedroom door, anyway.  There were
a few moments' pause, then she opened it a crack.
 "Oh, Mr. Burnett!" she exclaimed quietly, and swung the door open
all the way.  "Do come in!"
 She was wearing a blue chiffony nightgown and robe, just thick
enough to tease the eyes, but at the moment she seemed to have forgotten
her state of undress.
 "I'm sorry did I wake you?" Owen asked, clearing his throat
nervously.
 "No.  I was reading.  Come on in."  She stepped aside to let Owen
in.  Sitting on the bed, she gave a slight motion that he could sit next
to her, but he chose to sit in a wooden chair next to the door.  There
were a few minutes of awkward silence.  Owen cleared his throat a few
times and shifted in the chair uncomfortably, trying to look everywhere
but at Violet.  Violet, for her part, tried to find a comfortable
position to sit in on the bed while trying to figure out a way to cover
herself up without looking like an idiot.  Both tasks were hopeless.
 "I'm sorry about how I acted today," she blurted suddenly, giving
up.  "It's just that I need a grown-up discussion sometimes.  Alex is a
splendid conversationalist for someone his age, but is lacking in some
regards..." she trailed off.
 "I am sorry as well," Owen said, breathing a little easier, but
he was still having difficulty finding a comfortable position.  "I
should've answered your question.  I like Puck as well."
 "What did you used to do before working for Mr. Xanatos?" Violet
asked, wrapping her fingers around her crossed knees.
 "I worked for Mr. Reynard:  Mrs. Xanatos' father," Owen answered
matter-of-factly, focusing on Violet's nose and trying not to look at
anything else.
 "Oh! I think I've met one of his workers!  A Mr. Vogel...
Preston, if I remember correctly."
 "Ah, yes.  He and I have met."  There was another awkward pause.
 Owen noticed the intricate design on the duvet cover of Violet's bed and
focused on that.
 Violet gazed at Owen's silky blond hair.  She repositioned
herself closer to the edge of the bed.
 Owen's safe design spot was now covered by Violet's lower body.
 *Shapely legs,* Puck thought, *trim waist, firm --*  Owen looked up to
Violet's eyes quickly, "What did you do before you came here?"
 "Oh, I was here and there," she answered, relaxing.  She leaned
back on her arms and began to list her previous jobs.  "I worked for the
FBI for a while, then I was transferred to the CIA.  That tired me after
a while, so I retired and decided to do a little traveling.  I went to
Europe for a few years.  Paris, to be exact.  I studied at the Sorbonne,
then I came back to the States.  I heard Mr. Xanatos was looking for a
nanny, and I thought 'Well, I like kids... why not?'"
 "You've been busy," Owen blinked, now genuinely impressed with
the girl.
 Violet nodded and let out a yawn.
 Owen began feeling uncomfortable again.  "I must be going.  It's
late...."
 "I understand.  Do you dream of paradise?" she asked quickly.
 "I'm afraid I don't understand the question," he said, raising
himself slowly out of the chair.
 "Do believe in an Avalon?"
 He considered a moment.  "I used to, once.  A long time ago.
Then I just decided there is no paradise."
 "How sad for you," Violet fairly whispered, standing, too.
"Don't give up so easily.  Paradise is still out there."  She walked over
to Owen and brushed her lips against his.  "Good night, Mr. Burnett," she
breathed, resting her forehead on his chin for a moment, then she
returned to her bed and slipped under the covers to sleep.  Owen simply
walked out.
 

 "But Owen!  I swear her eyeses changes colwor!" cried Alex,
looking up from his Lego.
 "Alex, Violet's eyes do not change color.  It is highly
impossible,"  Owen insisted firmly.
 "Oh?" asked Violet, entering the room with Alex's lunch; it was
Ceceil's day off.
 "Wilet!  Show Owen your twick!" begged Alex.
 "I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."
 "Change your eyeses!"
 "Alex!  I can do no such thing.  Now eat your lunch."
 Alex dejectedly sat at the small table and began eating his
sandwich.
 "He's been ranting about your eyes for weeks," Owen confided.
 "So I've heard.  I don't know where he got such a preposterous
idea.  I've known, myself, for over 6 -- I mean, well... I know myself,
and I know my eyes don't change color," Violet said, setting down the tea
tray.
 "Alex, who gave you that idea?" asked Owen.
 "The lady wiff silvwer hair," said Alex picking up his glass of
milk.
 "Silver hair?" Violet asked curiously, then turned and asked
Owen, "One lump or two?"
 "One, please," he answered, then turned to Alex and asked,
"Silver hair?  When did this happen?"
 "The first night Wilet was here.  Fwee wadies came in.  One was
bwonde, the other had bwack hair, and the other one had silvwer.  An' she
ses vat Wilet issa Fae in disguiseded an' dat I should tell Mommy and
Daddy."
 "Have you?" Owen asked.
 "No. Dey wouldn't beweeve de wadies."
 Owen looked at Violet.  "Alex eat your lunch.  I'm going to talk
with Violet." Owen escorted Violet into the hall just outside the door.
 "Do you know who he is talking about?" Owen asked tightly.
 Violet bit the inside of her lip.  She had been so sure he was
him!  She had thought she had found Puck... How could she have been
wrong?  Fear played in her eyes.  Finally she nodded her head yes.
 "Who are you?" he asked.
 "My name is Ordeysia; I am a Fae... And I'm looking for someone.
 I know this seems highly unlikely but I'm... I'm looking for Puck."
Violet let her shoulders droop and she looked at the floor ashamedly.  "I
don't mean to cause any trouble," she added.
 "Ordeysia?"
 "Yes?"  Violet looked up.
 "It's me!" whispered Owen. Violet started to smile then took
Owen's hand.  He changed to Puck.
 "Why are you looking for me?"
 "I've come to restore part of your powers.  Titania said I could do
it if you'd like."  Violet smiled from ear to ear.
 "I'd like."
 "Ventus ex flamma audire meus clamor nunquam sinere meus amare
mori," she said quietly, her human disguise fading away.  A blue bolt
came from her hands and encircled Puck.  Slowly, it faded, too.  "You are
restored.  You can do basic parlour tricks but nothing big, like changing gargoyles to humans and the like."
 "Thank you," he whispered.  He placed his mouth over hers and
wrapped his arms around her waist.  She wrapped her arms around him and
kissed him back.
 The door opened behind them.  "Uncle Puck, are you kissing
Wilet?" Alex asked, hugging a brown teddy bear.
 Puck turned to face Alex and the child saw, not Violet, but a
brown haired girl wearing a purple tunic with a orange toga over it and
brown knee-high boots.  Her eyes were the funniest color -- purple.
 "Wilet?" Alex asked, a little flustered.
 "Ordeysia, actually," she laughed good-naturedly, undoing the bun
in her hair so it fell to it's full length about her waist.
 "Are you fwum Gwamma's howse, twoo?" Alex asked, smiling.
 Ordeysia looked at Puck, who nodded.
 "Guess so, Button!"
 "Wet's go twell Mommy!" the toddler giggled.
 "Is that wise?" Ordeysia asked nervously.
 "We might as well," Puck said, and they made their way to Fox's
office.
 

 "Come in!" called Fox from her desk as she looked over some
bills.  The trio shuffled into the office.  "Yes?" she asked, looking up,
then gave a short gasp when she saw who was in front of her.  Puck wasn't
a big surprise but who was the girl?
 "Um.. Hi, Mrs. Xanatos," Ordeysia laughed nervously.  "I'm
Violet, the girl you hired to take care of Alex.  Well, uh... it turns
out I'm actually Ordeysia... your Mom's conversationalist."
 "Uh huh.  Have you told David yet?" Fox asked.
 "Well, we were thinking of it..." Ordeysia said.  Fox pressed an
intercom button.  "David, could you come here a moment?  I want you to
see something."
 

  "So, what does a conversationalist do?" David Xanatos asked,
leaning on Fox's desk, looking at the two Fae seated there acting as if
they had just broken a window.
 "I keep my... um... well, in my case, Lord and Queen, company.  I
tell them stories; I sing; I play the piano.  You know, when they don't
want comedy like Puck, they call me and I give them a different source of
entertainment," Ordeysia explained.
 "Didn't Oberon collect all of his 'children', though?" Fox asked.
 "Oh, yes.  Of course he did, but when he couldn't find me, he
gave up.  Titania didn't.  She found me and told me to go home. I told
her no, that I wanted to stay here.  The world is full of history, and I
wanted to learn all about it.  So she let me stay as long as I go back
home once in a while.  I'm not due back for another century, so I thought
I'd look for Puck. It was quite simple.  Peaseblossom told me, and since
you were looking for a new nanny, I thought who better than me?" Ordeysia
explained, ending with a bright smile.  "I won't be any trouble, and
I'll take good care of Alex," she added.
 "Pweese!" begged Alex.
 Fox looked at David for a moment.  "Of course," she said.
 "Hooway!" cried Alex, hugging Ordeysia.  Puck looked at Ordeysia
with a good-natured evil in his eyes.
 "Alex!  Wanna go to the park?" Ordeysia asked, changing to Violet
and standing up.
 "Yes!" Alex cheered, and he ran out of the room.
 "Thank-you, Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos.  You'll be pleased," Violet
assured, turning to look at them.  She touched Puck's wrist who changed
back  into Owen.  Violet went after Alex.
 "Well, Owen! you never told us you had a girlfriend!" David
grinned.
 "With all respect, sir, she is not my girlfriend, but thank-you
for letting her stay, all the same," Owen asserted, starting to leave.
David smiled.  He knew that if Owen wasn't the Ice King, he would be
smiling too.
 

  Owen neatly put his shoes and socks away as he listened to Violet
complain about the day.
 "I never knew Alex could be such a handful!  I swear that boy
causes more trouble than... well... you!  He must've changed at least
eight humans into Gargoyles and then... well, I won't go into specifics
but I'll bet you've taught him every joke in the book," Violet laughed,
her eyes following Owen.
 "I try my best," he replied starting to unbutton his shirt.
 "Let me help," said Violet, stepping to Owen's side and
unbuttoning the second button.
 Owen took his hands away as she moved down to the third and then
fourth button.  His heart skipped a few beats.  He took off his glasses
and Violet placed them on the dresser.  When she was done with his shirt,
she hung it on hanger in the closet.
 "You look stiff," she said, smiling, "let me loosen you up."  She
touched his wrist and he changed into Puck just as she transformed into
Ordeysia.
 Puck smiled and picked her up.  He carried her to the bed and
laid her down; planting little kisses on her neck.
 "I've been missing you."
 "You have?"
 "Of course.  I'd thought I'd never see you again."
 "I guess your right," she replied, trying to pull her tunic off.
 Puck took it off for her.  Ordeysia smiled and other articles of
clothing started to come off both persons.
 Puck kissed the valley between her breasts and she ran
her hands up his back.  Kissing her gently up her neck to the edge of her
jaw, Puck, his right hand behind Ordeysia's back, brought his left hand
up along her hip, across her abdomen, and just grazed her breast.
Touching her jaw, he pulled her face forward to meet his.  He kissed her
gently at first, then harder and with more passion.  She ran her hand
through his hair and took some initiative, thrusting her tongue between
his lips and into his mouth.
 She sat up slightly, pressing her breasts onto his bare chest and
wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.  She broke the kiss a
moment and pushed him away, gasping for breath.  Her pulse was racing and
her heart was thundering in her ears.  She looked at him only a moment,
then pressed her lips to his again.  She felt lightheaded and giddy.
Running her hands up and down along his back, she contemplated her next
move.  With a slight giggle, she ran her hand down again and goosed him.
 He jumped and pulled his face away from her, raising a
questioning eyebrow.  She laughed out loud, tossing her head back in
gaiety.  When their eyes met again, she smiled lovingly.  He wiggled his
eyebrows and made low, guttural noises in his throat.  Grinning from ear
to ear, he lay her gently down again.  She led his hand up to her breast,
and he kissed her hard.  She put more pressure on his hips and he
smoothly slid into her.  She gasped at this old experience, arching her
back; he pressed into her more, and she felt a fire within her spread.
 He slowly lifted himself to an acute angle and pressed on the tips of her ears.  She gasped as he went even farther.  She turned a little, the touch on her ears driving her wild.  She tried to look into his eyes but only saw a light green.  It didn't matter.  She touched the tips of his and he sat up some more.  Very slowly she started to rock and a rhythm began between the two.  He kissed her lower lip and gently bit her neck as they rocked faster.  Ordeysia watched as the green got darker.  She felt both pressure and electrical currents between them.  They were hitting a climax.  She was ready to cry out when his lips crashed into hers.  She drank the air from him, their tongues all most meeting at the back of each others throat.  As the currents began to die down, she flipped him and sat up as best she could. He looked at her illuminating purple eyes.  He placed his hands on her waist and slowly brought her down, kissing and nipping at her stomach and breasts. She kissed him, then sat up again and had him place his hands on her waist.  His lower palm felt her hipbone as it went out and then contracted.
 He ran his hands up her spine as far as he could and she sat up straight, stimulating the both of them.  When she lay back on top of him, he bit her neck and the tips of her ears. Her abdomen and hips went forward as her chest and head went back.  An extremely loud pleasurable gasp escaped her mouth.  He gently pressed on her lower abdomen with one hand and pressed the tip of her left ear with the other.  He knew that both spots would drive her over and it did. She practically moaned out,
"Oh Puck! Again!"
He smiled and chuckled at this. Once again he pressed on her lower abdomen and touched both ears.  She grabbed the tips of his ears, twisted her lower body a bit and ever so gently slid in and out repeatedly.  They both opened their mouths in a silent moan of ecstasy. Finally, she put all her weight onto his hips and gave in to him
completely, sated from the power within.

They laid on their sides, both sweating, which was amazing because fae didn't sweat.  They looked into each others eyes, too tired to say anything.  Finally Puck began to gently bite her neck again.  She placed her hands on his back.
"Not for four days again love.  We have other things."
"I know.  But tonight, tonight is ours."  She brushed her hands through his hair.
"One more go?" half pleaded Puck.
"okay."
 

 Ordeysia's head and hand rested on Puck's chest as he ran his
fingers through her hair.
 "Ordeysia?"
 "Hmmm?" she mumbled, still half asleep.
 "Marry me."
 She opened her eyes.  "Why?" she asked, not really needing a
reason, having known her answer before he'd asked the question.  In her
heart she had always been his.
 "So we'll always be together."
 "You mean immortally?"
 "Yes," answered Puck.  When immortals said they were together,
that was it.  Mortals had to make a celebration out of it.
 "All right," she replied after a moment.  In her heart she
secretly rejoiced at his final admittance to their now-official immortal
bond.  She fell asleep again, content, and Puck did the same.

 Ordeysia awoke to the sunlight warming her neck.  Her eyes
focused on a cart beside the bed.  On top of it there was a tray with a
crisp piece of paper propped up against it.

     "Ordeysia,

            Had to go to a lab conference with Mr. Xanatos.  Alex is with
Ceceil.  Hope breakfast is all right.
 

                                 Love,
                                     Puck"
 

 Ordeysia smiled at the note written in her love's perfect handwriting.
She took off the lid to the silver tray and looked at food arranged
perfectly on the plate.  'He's too good to me,' she thought, and began
eating.
 
 

  "Good night, Alex," Ceceil said as she began putting on her coat.
 "Ceceil, where do you go everyday at four?" Violet asked, coming
in.
 "My youngest daughter, Sara, has cancer.  I go to the hospital to
visit with her.  The cancer took over her body couple months ago, before
I started work here.  Poor thing is terrified, but I go visit her and
tell her she's all right."
 "How sweet. How old is she?"
 "She'll be twenty-nine in August."
 "Do the doctors know if she'll live to see her birthday?"
 "My husband and I are hopin', but it don't look so good for her."
 "Tell her I say get well."
 "Thank ya Violet," she nodded graciously as she exited finally.
Violet grinned.
 

   Two months later.....

 Violet paced back and forth next to her private bath.  *Why must
these things always take so long?!* she asked herself.  There was a knock
on the door, so she opened it.
 "You wanted to see me?" it was Owen.
 "Yeah, come on in," she answered a little distractedly.  A timer
went off on the bathroom sink.
 "Just a minute -- "  Violet rushed into the bathroom.  A moment
later, "Oh no! No. This is not possible. No. This can't happen!"
 "Violet?"
 Violet came out with something that looked like a white pen.
Owen went over and looked at it.  A dark blue plus sign sat in the
middle.  He looked at Violet, who stared into his eyes like a deer caught
in someone's headlights.  "Does that look like a plus sign to you?" she
asked nervously.  The two just stared at the test.

  "Okay...  what do we do first?" Violet paced faster on the
floor.  Owen sat on the bed wringing his hands.  "I know! Um....how about
we get married first and then... um... um... Owen...!" Violet fretted,
biting the inside of her lip.
 "We tell Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos first," Owen said, sounding sure
that was the correct course of action.
 "But what do we tell them?"
 "That we're getting married," he said, now absolutely sure.
 "okay. Simple wedding.  The gargoyles, Elisa, Matt, and the
Xanatos'. Of course the priest and then all will be well right? All's
well that end's well!" Violet's speech got faster and faster.  "Let's go
tell them."
 

 "Meus amare etenim tu animus nunquam mori," Owen said, slipping
the ring onto Violet's finger.
 "Meus amare etenim tu animus nunquam mori," Violet repeated,
slipping the ring onto Owen's finger.
 "You may kiss the bride."
 The marriage was sealed.
 

  A six-months' pregnant Violet walked towards a lake in Central
Park.  "Such a lovely day," she mused, rubbing her stomach.  The baby
kicked in reply.  All of a sudden, Violet felt a hand wrap around her
neck and an iron dagger pressed into the other side.  She tried to scream
but the hand covered her mouth.
 "OK lady, hand over the money!"
 "I don't have any!" Violet whimpered into the hand.  A second man
appeared in front of her with a gun.
 "Come on lady!  Everything ya got.  Cell phone, credit cards,
pager..."
 "I don't have any of that stuff!  Here," she put her hand in her
pocket and extracted all the change there.  A few quarters, some dimes,
four nickels, five pennies, a paper clip, a folded love note from Owen
and some lint lay in her outstretched palm.  "All I have is a dollar
fifty," she whispered, shakily holding her hand out to the man with the
dagger.
 "Shoot her."
 "But An--"
 "Shoot her! Now!"
 Violet's eyes ran back and forth and the last thing she heard was
a woman screaming for the police.
 
 

 "Hey Elisa!  Central hospital wants you to come over and identify
a Jane Doe just come into the place in a coma.  They say she's from
Xanatos' company and they want to know if you can tell 'em who she is."
 *Why me?* thought Elisa. "okay. I'm on my way," she called over
her shoulder, picking up her keys and rushing out the door.

 "I'm here to identify the Xanatos body," Elisa informed the nurse
behind the counter.
 "Right this way."
 "Can you tell me anything about her?"
 "She had a Xanatos business card in her pocket and a penny," the
nurse turned a corner and entered a room.
 "She's in critical condition.  We don't think she or the baby is
going to make it."
 *Baby? Please don't let it be --* Elisa followed the nurse's eyes
to the body of a young woman lying amid those starched white sheets.
Wires and machines beeped and monitored her.  She was as pale as the
sheets, and her silken brown hair lay mussed across the pillows.
 "Her name is Violet Burnett," Elisa said softly.  "Can I borrow
your phone?"
 

 "Burnett."
 "Hi, Owen.  I'm at Central hospital in the ICU.  Violet's
been shot --"
 "I'm on my way," interrupted Owen, slamming the phone down and
running out of his office to the elevator.  He rushed past Mr. Xanatos in
the process.
 "Owen?"
 "Violet's been shot."  Owen offered no further explanation.
 

 In what seemed like two hours, but in reality was five minutes,
Owen was at the hospital.  He saw Elisa.  "Where is she?"
 Elisa showed Owen to Violet's room.  A pale, brown haired woman
lay on the bed, unconscious.  Pain showed in Owen's eyes and Elisa was a
bit shocked.
 "Violet?" his voice cracked slightly.
 No answer.
 "How's the baby?"  Owen turned to Elisa quickly.
 "They don't think she'll survive, either.  There's a chance, but
very little hope.  The bullet just barely missed both the baby's head and
Violet's heart."
 "How much iron was in the bullet?"
 "Guessing from the size?  Probably about half of it was full of
the stuff."
 Owen looked back at Violet and brushed her bangs away from her
face, kissing her forehead gently.  "Take me to the baby."

 In an incubator, a tiny child with small tiny platinum curls
slept.  A small tear fell down Owen's cheek.  It fell unchecked, but not
unnoticed by Elisa, who was standing by his side.  He touched the glass
just as a nurse came in.
 "She's gorgeous," the nurse crooned, touching his arm a moment,
"I hope she survives.  The doctors say if she does she'll be a little
deformed, but with her beauty it won't matter.  Some of the other nurses
call her Zoë.  That's Greek, you know, it means 'life'."
 "Like her mother," Owen whispered.  "Beautiful."
 Another nurse entered.  "Amy!  Let these people get some rest.
Poor Zoë needs it.  Are you her father?" she asked.
 "Yes."
 "You have a lovely daughter on your hands.  Should be proud!
I don't care what the doctors say.  She'll survive.  I know it.  Have my
whole church prayin' that she'll survive," the second nurse said, puffing
with pride.
 Elisa took Owen's hand and led him out of the room.
 "Echo," he whispered.
 "What?"
 "Violet and I were going to call her by her Fae name.  That is if
she were a girl.  Her Fae name would be Echo."
 "It's a lovely name."
 

 
  When Elisa made sure that Owen would be all right at the hospital
she decided she'd go wait for Goliath to wake up.  As the elevator to the
top floor opened, she bumped into Xanatos.
 "Is everything Okay?" he asked.
 "Ordeysia was shot.  The baby is in ICU," Elisa began, recounting
the story.
 "How's Owen taking it?"
 "I don't know.  As always there's no expression.  I think I saw a
tear, though."
 "He must be a wreck."
 Elisa nodded and she walked outside.  The sun was just setting.
She watched, the same as she had so many other times, as the gargoyle's
broke from their stone sleep.
 "I've got some bad news," She told them.
 "What is it?" Goliath asked.
 "Violet.  She's been shot."
 "Is everything Okay?" Lexington piped up.
 "Is the baby Okay?" Brooklyn chimed in.
 "How did it happen?" asked Broadway.
 Elisa explained the situation again. "And the doctors don't know
if either will survive."
 "How sad.  I wonder how Owen is taking it?" Angela mused.
 "Not very well, I think," Elisa said, shaking her head.  "He
looked about ready to cry when I left.  I saw a tear."
 They had heard all the news they wanted and everyone went their
separate ways for the evening.  Goliath stayed with Elisa and she went to
his arms for a hug, which he gave willingly.  She stayed there with him.
 "I hope she'll be a all right. This wasn't fair. Why did they
shoot her?" she asked not looking up, but snuggling closer.
 For a response, Goliath smoothed out her hair and rumbled, "It
will be all right."
 
 

  A nurse with blue eyes and brown hair tied back in a loose pony
tail walked into Violet's room.  She looked like she was in her
mid-twenties.  She glanced at the chart.  "Poor child," she muttered,
shaking her head as she left the room.

  The same nurse entered the ICU and walked up to a bassinet.
She glanced at the chart and read the little banner which said 'Baby
Burnett.'  Again she turned to leave the room, shaking her head as she
closed the door behind her.
 
 

 Owen woke with a start and looked at the clock, 10:59.  He turned and saw the spot next to him, empty.  No Violet to silently kiss on the cheek.  No Violet stomach to see.  No Ordeysia to love.  Nothing, just blanket.  He put his hands behind his head and thought about the time when he went to her room, and she blocked his view with shapely legs, a trim waist, and firm... He turned and prayed he could fall asleep, but after figuring it was hopeless, he got out of bed.  He dressed in a white polo and brown khaki shorts.  He slipped into a pair of loafers and walked out of his room. He made his way to the roof.  He knew the gargoyles would be up, and secretly hoped he could find refuge with them.  A very slight drizzle began when he had reached the roof.  Hudson, Bronx and Broadway were inside.  Goliath and Lexington were on patrol with Elisa and he didn't know where Angela was.  He went to the edge and looked over the castle parapet.  The view of the city was wonderful.  From here he could see anything and everything.  The Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River.  It was all beautiful.
"Owen?"
He turned and saw Angela.
"Good evening," said Owen, straightening up.
"Umm...How are you?" asked Angela.  Owen thought for a moment.
"Life is a basic hell right now," he answered.  Right now Owen didn't want to be himself.  Angela smiled.
"What will happen if they both..."  Angela stopped, afraid to curse it.  Owen looked down.
"Then...," he sighed, "I will have to move on," he said.  He felt his throat grow tight.  He had only loved Ordeysia.  Ordeysia had practically been his last hope for love, and Zoë was his only child.  A few tears dropped from his cheek.
"I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No. It's all right," answered Owen, brushing the tears from his cheek.  Goliath and Lexington landed on the roof as Owen was walking towards the door.
"Owen, are you all right?" asked Goliath.  Owen turned.
"As best as one can be at this time."  Owen turned and left.

 
 While Owen was with the gargoyles, Violet slowly opened her eyes.  Light streamed in, nearly blinding her.  Her eyes turned green.  She wondered where she was.  Suddenly, memories burst into her mind.  The bullet! Intense pain followed that trailing thought.
"My baby!" she cried.  Nurses came running into the room.
"Where is she?!" Violet asked.
"She's okay.  Don't worry! She'll live," soothed the nurse.  Violet leaned back against the starch white sheets.  She was exhausted.
"I want Owen," she whispered as she slowly drifted off.

    As the phone rang, it startled Fox.
"Owen, can you get that?" she shouted.  No sound came from the other room.
"Owen?"  Fox sighed and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"May I please speak to a...Mr. Owen Burnett," said the voice.
"I don't know where he is, but let me check." Fox got up from the desk and went into the other room.
"Owen?" No answer.  Fox walked back to the phone and picked it up.
"I'm sorry, but he's not here."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.  His wife just woke up."
"She did!"
"Yes."
"Fine.  I'll have him get to the hospital as soon as I find him."  Fox put the phone back in place and walked to the elevator, certain that Owen had gone up to seek comfort in the dark sky.

    Fox met Owen when the elevator doors opened.  He was crying.  She had never seen him cry before.
"Good news, Owen. She woke!"  Owen's face lit up.
"When may I see her?"
"As soon as possible."
 Owen raced into the elevator and pressed the button excitedly.  On the way to the car, he almost tripped.

 
 Owen walked down the hall to his love.  He carefully opened the door and peaked inside the room.  Violet turned and slowly opened her eyes.
"Owen?," she asked timidly.
"Yes, it's me."  Owen walked over to Violet and sat down.
"How are you?" asked Owen.
"I'm all right.  How's Zoë?"
"She'll be fine.  A bit 'fae disabled'"  Violet sighed.  Owen gently kissed her on the lips, then left the room.
 
 

    Weeks later, Violet was well enough to go home but baby Zoë was not.
"When will she be able to come home?" asked Violet keeping her voice calm.
"Perhaps in a few months Mrs. Burnett.  She was born at six months, not even full term.  She also seems to have problems adjusting to any time of milk.  Violet felt her inside practically melt.
"May I go look at her?"  asked Violet finally realizing the baby wasn't leaving the hospital.
"Of course."
 

   Violet looked at Zoë who seemed to sleep peacefully.  The diaper of course was a little too big for her but what Violet couldn't get over was how small she was.  Owen looked at Violet.
"Oh gods Owen why did this have to happen?  Where did I go wrong?"  asked Violet beginning to break down.  Owen took Violet in his arms and smoothed her hair.
"It's all right.  She will be fine.  Let's go home and we'll visit her everyday."  Violet stepped back and brushed the tears from her face.

   The building waited months for little Zoë Burnett to come home with her parents, yet everyday was the same disappointment.  Not yet.  Finally the fourth month of Zoë's stay at the hospital was done and little Zoë could come home.
"She is so beautiful!" said Fox coming over to Violet and the big pink bundle.  Inside was a small white face and little yellow blonde curls.  The baby opened her eyes to reveal deep blue eyes.  The same as her parents.
"Me see!" cried Alex.  Everyone smiled as Violet gently kneeled for Alex to see Zoë.
"Iz a gurl?" asked Alex.  Violet smiled and nodded her head.
"Whatz her name?"
"Zoë Alexandra Burnett." Said Violet smiling proudly.
"Hey! She haz my name!" cried Alex, running to his father, at the sound of Alexandra.
"Well Owen, how does it feel to be a father?" asked David with a smile.  Everyone looked at Owen, waiting his answer.
"It is an adventure in itself sir."