Commitment

"So, what's the agenda for today, Sis?"

Detective Elisa Maza took her eyes from the road for a minute to look at her younger sister, Beth. "Well, first I thought we'd..."

"Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Yes, Beth. I slept all last night so I could pick you up this morning and we could both see the guys tonight."

"Cool. So, what were you saying?"

Elisa sighed and rolled her eyes. Beth was going to be in New York for over a week due to spring break.. as if the detective needed more complications in her life right now. "I was saying..."

"Elisa, look out!" Beth grabbed the wheel and yanked it to the right, jerking Elisa's red Ford Fairlane back into the proper lane.

The car in the opposite lane streaked past, its horn blaring. Elisa pressed her horn in response. After a moment, she let up and raised a hand to push a few strands of hair back away from her face. "Thanks, Beth" she said, turning her head again.

"Eyes on the road, sis." Beth turned her sister's head toward the black and yellow highway. "I'd prefer to make it back to Arizona, and not as road pizza!"

The detective could not resist glaring at her sister one last time before turning her attention to the road. "Now, like I was going to say..."

"Detective Maza! Elisa, d'you read me? Over."

Elisa sighed and shook her head, reaching for the receiver of her police radio. "Yeah, Matt. What's up?"

Static filled the car for a minute before the radio finally cleared. "There's a disturbance at the Eyrie Building. The Quarrymen are up to their usual antics again. Just thought I'd let you know."

"I'm on my way." The detective slammed down the speaker and flipped the switch that set her lights flashing and her siren blaring. She cranked the steering wheel so that she made a sharp U-turn, almost fishtailing out of control. She struggled for a minute to keep the car in line, then relaxed as the car righted itself and sped in the direction of the Eyrie Building.

"Hang on, sis. It's gonna be a wild ride..."

"Ninane!!!!"

Nancy turned and caught the Quarryman's hand, catching the hammer just inches away from her skull. Her eyes gleamed with a savage light. Her thin hand gripped the Quarryman's with incredible strength.

"Pick on someone your own size" she sneered in the leader's face.

Before anyone could react, she wrenched his arm with both hands, executing a perfect judo flip and throw.

The Quarrymen's leader hit the stone floor with a satisfying thud. He groaned and struggled to get up.

"Not so fast!" A bolt of pure blue energy hit the Quarryman and he was sent flying against the stone wall of the castle. He crumpled to the ground with a moan.

The Quarrymen looked at each other in terror. "Let's get outta here!" one cried. The group began to run back to the hovercraft.

Ninane smiled a wicked smile. "You're not getting away that easily!" She concentrated.

Nancy yawned theatrically. Another power bolt flew out from her palm, lifting the bound Quarrymen and setting them down a few feet away from the hammers that had fallen from their hands. She sauntered over, picked up a hammer, then stepped a few feet away.

She smiled and aimed her hammer at the pile of discarded weapons.

The Quarrymen's hammers jumped up with a life all their won. as one, they flew into the air and exploded, bursting in a small fireworks display. The Quarrymen yelled out in terror.

"Babies" Nancy spat scornfully, tossing her hammer up in the air to explode like the others.

There was a heartbeat of silence before the clatter of footsteps rang out from the tower stairway.

"Quickly, this way!" Xanatos's voice carried across the balcony. Behind him, several of his "goons" and a small army of police officers ran to the spot where the businessman came to a halt. They all stared, their mouths hanging open at the sight of the bound Quarrymen and their prone leader.

"Here you are, ladies and gentlemen. You can charge these idiots with trespassing, attempted vandalism, and attempted murder." With this last, she pointed to the Quarrymen's leader.

"Attempted murder?"

"Yes, David.. at least, that's what I call nearly bashing someone over the head with one of these!" She reached down and picked up a Quarryman's hammer that had just appeared at her feet.

David Xanatos clenched his hands at his sides. "Take them away" he ordered.

"Mr. Xanatos, what proof do we have that she's telling the truth?" From the back of the crowd, a man in a tan trenchcoat pushed his way through. His red hair was tousled and it was obvious that he was none too pleased about the situation before him.

"And what gives you the right to question me?" Nancy asked furiously.

The man flashed his badge. "Detective Matt Bluestone, 23rd precinct, NYPD."

The businesswoman tried not to roll her eyes. "It all happened as I said. These men trespassed with the intent to destroy these statues, and they nearly killed me for standing in their way!"

Xanatos's assistant, Owen Burnett, tried to come forward, forgetting that his feet were still stuck in place. He nearly fell, but caught himself and stood up straight, his hands behind his back.

"I was here, Detective Bluestone. What Ms. Ambrose said is the truth."

Detective Bluestone looked at Owen. "Are you certain of that?"

"Indeed, Detective" Owen replied, adjusting his glasses so that he could glare at Matt over the gold rims.

Bluestone ignored him. The detective walked over and studied the bound Quarrymen. His eyes narrowed. "What is that thing?" He pointed at the rope.

"Oh," Nancy replied, "It's just trick rope, detective.. quite harmless."

"Why do I not trust you?"

"Matt, what do you think you're doing?" Elisa Maza stepped through the crowd with Beth at her heels.

"Elisa! I don't trust this lady."

Elisa took a close look at Nancy, then started in surprise. "Matt, are you crazy? This is Nancy Ambrose. You know.. big front page article..."

Matt looked at Nancy, then at Elisa. "Elisa, you're kidding me, right?"

"She is not kidding, Detective Bluestone. I would suggest you do your job and arrest these people before I get angry" Xanatos bit off.

"Okay, okay.. just doing my job." Bluestone led the police forward and soon all the Quarrymen were handcuffed. Matt touched the glowing strand and it instantly fell to the ground, looking like an ordinary piece of rope. Soon most of the crowd had dispersed.

Beth Maza watched the retreating back of Matt Bluestone. She took her sister by the arm. "He's kinda cute! How'd you land *him* as a partner?"

"Just lucky, I guess" Elisa replied sarcastically. "You haven't heard him talk about UFOs yet!"

Beth laughed. "I'd like to hear him talk about anything!"

"Just wait 'til I'm outta ear shot, sis. Then you can talk to him all you want."

"Detective Maza, I wanted to thank you for your assistance."

"I may not trust you, Xanatos, but from what I heard, your friend here knows more than she's letting on."

Nancy came forward. "I don't believe we've met Ms..."

"Maza. Detective Elisa Maza. That obnoxious guy who was hounding you is my partner." The two women shook hands firmly. "So, you're the famous Nancy Ambrose."

"The paparazzi got wind that I was coming, right?"

Elisa nodded.

"Great.. just wonderful! Oh, well, I suppose they would have found out sooner or later" Nancy sighed.

"Yeah, newspapers have a horrible sense of timing. Hanging out with the other billionaires?" She jerked a thumb at Xanatos.

Nancy chuckled. "Actually, I met David in college..."

"Professor Ambrose!" Beth cried out. She had finally torn her eyes away from where Matt Bluestone had disappeared to look at Nancy. Her jaw had dropped and her cry was one of utter surprise.

Nancy looked at Elisa's younger sister for the first time. Her mind froze in panic. Her reply came out slightly formal.. almost Owen-like in tone. "Beth Maza.. European History in the Middle Ages. I remember."

"Beth, what are you saying?" Elisa asked.

"Elisa, she was my freshman History Prof.! How did you end up here, Professor?"

Nancy winced. She remembered Beth quite well. In class she was quiet and studious, but if there was a party over the weekend, the essay due on Monday would be turned in on Friday.. if the professor was lucky!

"Elisa, what do you mean 'hanging out with the other billionaires'? Professor Ambrose isn't rich!"

"On the contrary, Beth, I happen to be one of the richest women in the world."

There was a slight pause. "Then why would you teach at the U. of Flagstaff?"

"Yes. Why?" Elisa repeated, her voice reflecting her suspicion.

Nancy sighed. "I'll tell you the truth. I was tired of being an elusive businesswoman with no one to talk to besides other boring business people. I wanted a change, so I sent out my resume as a professor of history. Since my doctorate was from Oxford, I received several invitations. However, I did not want anyone to discover my true identity. So I chose the University of Arizona in the hope that no one would recognize me. It lasted two years before the Dean found me out. he started bragging and then.. well, my cover was blown, so I returned to London."

"I always wondered why you left!"

"Now you know, Beth Maza."

At this point, Xanatos stepped in again. He looked at Nancy, and she saw the question in his eyes. She looked at Elisa, concentrating. The detective knew about gargoyles. Even better.. her heart jumped as she caught a fleeting glance of one of Elisa'a memories. This woman was Goliath's beloved!

The businesswoman nodded. "Yes, you may tell Detective Maza" she told him.

Xanatos returned the nod. "Detective, may I have a word with you?"

Elisa shrugged. "Sure." Then the two walked toward the tower.

"Wow, Prof.! I never knew that..."

"Miss Maza, I would appreciate it if Ms. Ambrose could converse with me for a minute."

Nancy turned and saw Owen still glued in place. She stifled a girlish giggle. "Excuse me, Beth" she said to the youngest Maza. She walked over to Owen. "Yes, Mr. Burnett?"

She came quite close and put a hand on his shoulder. Instantly, his feet became unstuck. He shifted his weight slightly and, rigidly stopping a smile, he bent and whispered something in Nancy's ear.

Nancy drew back and playfully slapped his shoulder. "Wicked, wicked man!" she cried and walked back over to Beth. She looked over her shoulder at him and winked teasingly. "Owen Burnett, I never would have thought it!" she shot back at him.

But Beth had seen everything, how Nancy's hand had freed Owen's feet from the ground. Her eyes took on an excited gleam.

"Professor Ambrose! You're a fairy!"

"What?" Nancy raised an eyebrow.

"Or a sprite or something! I saw what you did! Owen was stuck and you freed him! You're fay!"

*Owen's* eyebrow raised at Beth's familiarity. Nancy sighed. She couldn't deny it, but neither could she admit it. If she interpreted the gleam in Beth's eyes... She gave a sigh worthy of Oberon himself. She had no choice.

"Yes, Beth. I am."

Beth started jumping up and down, clapping her hands together. "I knew it! I knew it! I've been studying the fairy tales of different nations for a paper! Yay!!" and she continued to bounce.

Nancy caught Owen's expression out of the corner of her eye. His face was completely neutral, but his eyes showed concern. She concentrated and sent him a telepathic message. "It's okay, Puck. I can handle this." She knew he'd heard when doubt replaced the anxiety in his eyes. Aloud she said "Why are you so excited, Beth?"

Beth stopped jumping. "Because now you have to grant me a wish!"

Panic gripped the youngest of Oberon's children. Last time she was forced to grant a boon... Owen started towards her.

"No, Mr. Burnett" Nancy said sharply, forbidding his coming closer to her with a gesture. "I made the mistake and now I must pay the price. What is it you wish of me, Beth Maza?"

The youngest Maza stopped and thought. There were so many things she wanted. Then she looked once more where Matt Bluestone had left the scene. A slow smile spread over her face.

"I wish.. I wish for Matt Bluestone and I to be together without any interference, AND in a situation where I can tell him how much I like him and he'll *have* to hear me out."

Inwardly, Nancy breathed a sigh of relief. "Done. When would you like him?"

"This afternoon, say at 4:00. Elisa'll be starting her shift, and so I'll have her apartment all to myself."

"Fine. I shall do as you request."

Beth grinned. "I can't wait!"

Just then, Elisa and Xanatos reappeared. The detective came up to Nancy. "So you knew the big guy when he was a baby, huh?"

Nancy laughed. "Yes, I did. You can even ask him tonight if you like."

"Was he cute?"

"Cutest little gargoyle I ever saw. He actually fit in my arms!"

"That's hard to imagine" Elisa replied, resting her hand on the back of the stone Goliath.

"It is, isn't it?" Nancy chuckled, then looked up to see the sun almost midway in its daily path. "Oh, I'm not used to sleepless night anymore. I really must go to the apartment I rented and take a nice, long nap." She turned to Xanatos. "I'm sorry to rush off like this. May I please come back tomorrow and meet Fox and Alexander then?"

"Feel free to stop in anytime, Nancy. Just give your name to the security guard and he will let you in. Shall I escort you out?"

"No need, David. I'm a big girl." and she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the welcome."

"Ninane..." a disapproving voice echoed in her mind.

"Oh be quiet, Puck" she shot back telepathically. She turned to the Maza sisters. "I hope to see you two again sometime. Good afternoon, Beth.. Detective Maza." With a final nod, Nancy made her way to the tower steps.

As soon as Nancy was out of earshot, Elisa turned to her younger sister. "Okay, Beth. You look exactly like the cat that caught the canary. What happened?"

"Me, Elisa? Why, nothing! Besides, you said you had plans for today?"

Elisa sighed. There was no use trying to accuse Beth of anything. As the two sister walked around the balcony, Elisa said "Today I was thinking we could..."

Nancy Ambrose left the Eyrie Building, her head held high. Her eyelids began to close, but she forced them open. She had to appear alert in case any reporters caught her on her way home.

As she stepped outside, she saw the last of the Quarrymen being herded into the waiting squad cars. She tossed her head proudly. *Never* would she allow anyone to hurt her clan again. She made to step up near the lip of a curb to signal a taxi when she was stopped by someone moving in front of her.

"I don't care who you are. I still don't trust you" Matt Bluestone pronounced, folding his arms in front of him.

Nancy sighed and tried not to roll her eyes. "Detective Bluestone, I don't care if you trust me or not. I happen to be on your side, not that you care. I know about the gargoyles..."

"You what?!"

"I said I know about the gargoyles. I was part of the clan once, years ago. I would kill to protect them, detective. Never doubt that." Nancy's eyes flashed dangerously as she pushed past him. "Taxi!" A yellow cab pulled up to the curb. Nancy made to open the door.

"Hey, you just can't leave like that!"

"Watch me."

Bluestone held the door closed with one hand. "I don't know who you really are. I saw that little trick with the hammer. It just appeared out of thin air. I should run you in for tampering with evidence."

"The charge would never hold, detective. You have no proof."

"I'd find some. Count on it."

"Or create some" the businesswoman replied with a wicked smile. "I have no quarrel with you, detective. Don't start one."

"Is that a threat?"

"Possibly. Don't try me" and she yanked the cab door open, swiftly sat down, and closed the door, locking it with a quick, angry motion. "Park Avenue" she barked at the driver.

Detective Bluestone glared after the taxi as it sped away. "Matt? What's wrong?"

"I don't trust her, Elisa."

"She seems okay to me."

"I still don't trust her."

Beth looked at Matt, an excited gleam in her eye. "Tonight," thought the youngest Maza, "it's just you and me."

Nancy came crashing into her rented apartment, stumbling a bit on the thick carpeting that covered the floor. She could have rented a mansion, but she wanted to keep as low a profile as possible. She threw herself on the couch and stared at the off-white wall before her. The apartment was decorated in tasteful luxury. The furniture was all of the highest quality and in the corner stood an entertainment center with enough electronic gadgetry to satisfy even the worst techno-nut. A super-Pentium with color printer sat on the desk in the opposite corner alongside a fax machine and telephone. The walls were decorated with small paintings.. most of them valuable.. and in the one unoccupied corner resided a potted tree, it's glossy green leaves adding color to the space. It wasn't home, but it was tolerable.

The businesswoman threw herself wearily onto the overstuffed couch and rested her head in one hand. She stared at the wall, her mind racing. First Beth and her wish, then that detective. "What was his name?" she wondered to herself. "Ah.. Bluestone, I think" she answered herself. His accusations coming right on the heels of fighting with the Quarrymen... "I think I need a vacation from my vacation" she muttered. She glanced at the clock. It was almost 1:00pm. "I have some time to catch a tiny nap before granting Beth's wish. I think I will make use of it." With that, she curled up on her side, her head resting on the arm of the couch, and dropped off to sleep.

All was still for a good ten minutes, but then the fay began to toss and turn. She murmured something in her sleep as she heard words from the past echo in her subconscious.

"Ye be so lucky to be marryin' the Archmage..."