-by Arlee

Air rushed past her, tearing at her clothes, whipping her long hair past her face. Screaming, she saw the city below her, the bright red and white ribbons of passing cars. She was going to die...

A part of her reached out, grasping for anything, desperate to catch hold of something and live...

Strong arms wrapped around her, a masculine scent filled her nostrils, alien, yet at the same time achingly familiar...The part that had reached out before closed greedily on her savior, and there was a sense of connection...and above even that, completion.

She looked up at his face, the shock of his soul touching hers as eyes met eyes, taking her breath away. Somehow, she knew him.

They landed, and she stumbled out of his arms, looking at him. Shocked, but grateful. After all, he had saved her life.

He was tall, and definitely not human. Dusty lavender skin stretched over bulging muscles, wrapping around wings, claws and tail. His face, strange, and unforgiving, somehow gave her the impression that with him, she was safe.

Again, their eyes met, and that was when she knew.

She was in  love with him.

"So," he rumbled, the wind teasing his chestnut hair, tugging his wings. "Things have come...full circle."

She loved his voice. It rumbled like living thunder deep in his chest, escaping as words. Those words were laced with hope and anxiety. His eyes, those wonderful eyes that served as windows to his soul, searched hers.

"Somehow, they always do..." She looked up at him, loving his face, his body, but most of all him. It was now or never. "So, you know how I feel about you...right?"

A gentle talon tucked wayward locks of hair behind her ear. It had always amazed her that, from a hand and being that could literally tear through iron, he could be so wonderfully gentle, so tender.

"How we both feel...hmm...yes."

She turned to him, knowing the sun would turn him to stone in seconds, but needing to feel his lips on hers, at least this once.

She jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck, inhaling the fragrance that was his alone, before sealing their lips together.

His mouth was hard, and strong, but covered with skin so soft, the phrase silk over steel popped to mind. She wanted nothing more than to stay here, with him like this, for all eternity.

She slipped off of him, seeing the utter awe and astonishment in his expression before it melted into joy. Absolute, complete joy.

She watched as he was touched by the sun’s rays, already a stone statue, caught with a silly half-grin on his harsh face. "Welcome home, Goliath... welcome home."

He was there. Elisa smiled to herself, listening as the familiar sound of taloned feet on stone reached her ears. The window *clicked* shut, and she felt the warmth of him behind her. There was a pause, then a hesitant hand, huge, but incredibly light, enveloped her shoulder.

"Elisa?"

She touched the back of his hand, looking up into his almost troubled expression. "Grab a seat, Goliath." she said, indicating the couch. "We need to talk."

The gargoyle came around the sofa, settling himself gingerly onto it, hearing it groan under his weight. She gazed at him, realizing that she didn’t care if it broke under them...nothing could be wrong with him here beside her.

He was waiting patiently, an intent look on his large face. So, she picked up his hand, placing the palm against her cheek, and sighing as he took over and ran his fingers through her hair. "There is one thing that I have to tell you, before we say anything else."

"I’m listening, Elisa." He traced a talon along her jawline. "You can tell me anything."

"Good." her voice, usually strong, had dropped to a lower pitch than what she normally used, and she swallowed heavily.

"I am, and have been since you caught me that first time you caught me, wholly, and totally in love with you. I always will be, Goliath." Her voice caught, bringing tears to her eyes, which he wiped away.

Then she was in his arms, with his wings wrapped around her. He was kissing her again, and the world stopped.

"You, Elisa Maza, mean more to me than...than anything." That voice of his, so powerful and alive, echoed in his chest. She could feel the sound of his heart beating strongly beneath her ear. He spoke again.

"I once thought I was in love..." he shook his head, looking down at the woman in his embrace. "That was nothing. I realize now, we were ment to be, Elisa. I’ve waited a thousand years for you...I have you, and I love you."

They kissed again, and the love that had braved enemies, and hardships, wars and death itself, shone brightly. Their souls, which had recognized each other long ago, spoke for them, in movement, and words. They were complete.

"I love you..."