Chapter 21 Shake on it

I was perched on the corner of the Sears tower, thinking.

After we had gone back to the barn, we had arranged out beds in the loft to our satisfaction, and tried to get some rest. I don't know about Raven, but I didn't get much sleep. I kept thinking about the next day, what we would do, what I would do, and how we could avoid being noticed any more than we already had. But most of all, I thought of Dane. I had finally fallen asleep after hours of tossing and turning.

In the morning, we decided on a plan. I was going to go dragon and keep a lookout for trouble, while Raven went shopping for neccecities. We were going to meet up at around five, get some supper, and head home.

So, here I sat, with about fifteen minutes before I went to meet Dane. I sighed, and rested my head on the railing at the edge of the floor. There had been almost no activity today. One guy tried to rob a gas station, and another I caught in the act of pickpocketing by the fountain. Throughout the afternoon, the news media seemed to be following me. Wherever I went, at least one camera followed. So, after flying around 'looking for trouble' and having news vans try to follow me wherever I went, almost causing several accidents, I finally settled in to watch the city from the tallest building I could find.

I didn't turn my head more than a few inches, but I could see all the way around the tower. One of the advanteges of having eyes on the sides of your head instead of the front. You can see almost 360 degrees, without having to turn your head much. There are a few disadvantages, however. One is that you have a blind spot right in front of your nose, and under your chin. This makes it difficult to look at anyone standing in front of you without turning and looking at them with only one eye. It seemed to make the policemen rather nervous the other day.

Finally, I sat up, and decided to fly over to Dane's a few minutes early. Hopefully, the media wouldn't try to folow me again. I stood, took a step back, and jumped over the edge of the building, falling straight down like an arrow. About halfway down the tower, I opened my wings with a great whoosh, and turned my dive into a soar. My speed lessened as I neared the apartment where Dane was staying. I glided in towards the roof, swooping up at the last minute and lightly touching my hind feet to the roof before settling down on all four legs. I folded my wings and curled my tail around my legs, waiting for the stairwell door to open. It seemed only moments before it did.

Dane stepped out, blinking in the sunlight. His black hair had a windblown look to it, as if he drove a convirtable often. He had on a pair of jeans and a tight black t-shirt, outlining his muscular chest. I sighed inwardly.

He walked slowly toward me, and stopped, just out of reach of my neck. I cocked my head at him. "I don't bite."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

I laughed, which sounded more like a hiss coming from my mouth. "Only criminals and people who try to hurt me."

He grinned, and stepped around my side. I crouched, and he pulled himself up. using my wing mainstay as a handle. I had grown about another six inches in the last day, and it was starting to worry me.

I raised my wings, then turned my head and said, "Is there anywhere you would really like to go? Because I already have a few in mind."

He shook his head, and I took off, slowly this time, trying to make the ride more comfortable. He clung tightly to my neck as I swooped over the rooftops, and peered out between my wing and my shoulder, taking in the veiw of the city fom above.

I flew around several skyscrapers and floated over the fountain plaza. I flapped my way past the stadium, startling a flock of seagulls into flight. I flew by the big 'bean' sculpture, and toured the downtown area, keeping pace with an El train. From time to time, I peeked over my shoulder, grinning inwardly when I saw him trying to stare in several directions at once.

Finally, I flew up to my favorite perch- the Sears tower- and settled on the roof. Dane jumped down from my back, landing with his knees bent. He straightened and looked around. I sat down and once again curled my tail around my hindquarters. He sat on a protruding peice of vent. We sat quietly for awhile, just looking out over the city. Then, out of the blue, he asked, "Why did you bring me here?"

The question caught me by surprise. "I... uh, well... I'm not really sure, actually. I mean, I need to find someone who I can trust, someone who knows the city. Someone who can be my connection to the real world. From now on, I won't be able to contact anyone. But I need to know what's going on. I need someone on the inside." It all came out in a rush. Dane looked at me with one eyebrow raised, that funky little smile on his face. If dragons could blush, I was definitely blushing. I snorted out a cloud of smoke, and he jumped. Apparently he still wasn't used to me.

But all he said was, "Why can't you contact anyone?"

"Well, the only people who know about... me, are either living too far away to be of any help, or are living with me, which is even worse. I don't even have a TV or a radio. Just my ears, and I have to spent most of my time up here trying to avoid being spotted my the media, who seem to have suddenly grown an obsession for dragons."

This time, he grinned full out, and oh mama he had a killer smile! It was like looking at the sun. "Well, I suppose I won't get another chance like this, soooo... I accept. On one condition."

"What's That?"

"That you tell me your name. Your REAL name." he raised an eyebrow challengingly.

I cocked my head, considering, then nodded. "Fiona. My real name is Fiona."

He smiled, then held out his hand, and after a moment, I held out my claw and we shook. A tingle spread up my arm from where he touched me.

I sat back and we turned to look out at the city, shimmering in the dusk light.

I had never been happier.