The third, and final part of the Chaos and Gadget Winter Solstice chapter. This time some perspective from a few of their clan mates. Enjoy. Feedback is always welcome.

December 21st, 1998:

As he surveyed the room, Iowa watched some of the various clan members dance while he took a short break. The majority of them were dancing with their mates. There were a handful of exceptions; all of them from a rookery two generations younger than his own. One pair were ones that had recently started courting. The others were Chaos, and Gadget. He had failed to notice them step on to the dance floor.

He was slightly surprised to see to them in such close proximity enjoying themselves, and not arguing. Of course, the last time they had done that in front of other had been months ago. Nor was their usual tension hanging in the air. Perhaps the two were coming to their senses? Or was is it a temporary truce? The clan leader hoped it was the former. It seemed unlikely to him that the two would become mates, but then again, stranger things had happened.

Iowa smiled, and hoped that if nothing else, the two would get along. If the stories he was hearing were true, and accurate, they were becoming a rather effective patrol team. And if they were developing an attraction to one another, and feelings for each other, so much the better. But all he could do was watch from the sidelines; better to let to them figure out such things on their own. A moment later, he mate joined him. “I assume you had nothing to do with this little development?”

“Poor old innocent me?” Missouri answered with a chuckle, and a sparkle in her eye. She watched them for a few seconds, and it appeared to her that they were in their own little world. Good, maybe some common sense broke out between them, she thought. “I implied that tonight he may, or may not catch the attention of Gadget, or one their brothers, or sisters that hadn't paired off yet. Or one of them might catch his instead. And if such a thing were to happen, maybe consider asking them for a single dance.”

“I feel like you are leaving out something my love.”

“You know me all too well. I do believe the winds are changing when it comes to them.” She smiled, and took his hands within her own. “I told him that he deserves happiness, and love. Whether or not it is with her, or somebody else, is up to him. But it was also time to trust his instincts, and hers. Or at least, consider doing so.”

The clan leader raised an eye ridge, and gave her a dubious look. “I see. You know we aren't supposed to meddle like that.”

“I prefer to think of it as giving him a nudge in the right direction. Chaos has been a little too fixated on the past, and has blinded himself to what is front of him,” Missouri replied softly as she pointed at the dancing pair of younger gargoyles. “I think our discussion opened his eyes to the possibility of giving Gadget a chance, along with himself. He's worked up some courage to take that initial step. It may take some time, but I think those two will work things out. With any luck, they'll become mates.”

Iowa studied the pair as they danced. He watched in amazement as Chaos's beak came to rest on top of Gadget's, while at the same time, her wing hands had sought out his. As their wing fingers became intertwined, he smiled at the sight. Maybe the two were finally warming up to each other. He held up a single finger. “No more nudging them my love. While I want to see them find love, it is better to let them figure this out on their own.”

“As you wish. I didn't tell him that he had to chase after her either.” She smiled warmly, and held out her hand. “Shall we dance some more? After all, they might notice if we're staring.”

“Of course, but let us keep our distance from Chaos, and Gadget. They deserve to enjoy the evening,” he said as her took her hand. Iowa decided to concentrate on his mate instead of other things.

- - -

Titmouse smiled upon seeing Chaos, and Gadget embrace one another closely. Finally, she thought. Sure the two were still fussing, and fighting, but this was a step in the right direction. She caught her mate's curious look, and tilted her head in their direction. “I think our dear brother, and sister are starting to figure things out.”

Woodpecker took a peek off to his right, and his jaw nearly dropped open. The dark gray, red haired gargoyle was a bit startled at the sight. And by his mate's comment. “Wait, did you say brother?”

“Indeed I did. To call, or think of him as anything else, isn't cool,” she replied softly as they twirled in time to the music. “Maybe he's more akin to, what was humans call them? Oh, yeah, an adopted brother. All of that aside, he is part of our clan. And part of our rookery. Besides, haven't you noticed Falcon calling him bro at times?”

“Actually, I hadn't noticed that. And I hadn't really considered that either,” he admitted. He grinned, and ran his fingers through her hair. “But you are right, he is one of our brothers. I have to admit, I'm surprised to see them on the floor with the rest of us.”

“As am I,” the shorter cinnamon brown, and black haired gargoyle replied with a large smile. “They have been tossing some subtle hints at each other for a couple of months now. Perhaps they are acting on them, and giving themselves a chance.”

“Or it could be a fluke,” Woodpecker pointed out.

“I highly doubt that,” Titmouse responded with a high degree of confidence. “Give 'em some time to sort their feelings out, and I can guarantee you those will become mates.”

He snorted, and shook his head. It was hard to see them falling for each other, but it was also hard to deny what he saw as well. “Given Gadget's hot headed demeanor at times, and Chaos's almost cautious nature, how can you be sure that will happen?”

“Well, humans do have this funny saying of opposites attract. Weird as it might sound, I think it does apply in this case. Granted it might take a couple of years,” she allowed with a sheepish grin. “Truth be told, he is starting to reign her in, whether or not they care to admit it. And she's definitely getting him to step up to the plate when it comes to thinking up plans on the fly. Sure it has only happened a few times, but I doubt it is intentional in either case.”

He thought it over, and wondered if she was right. His mate did have a habit of picking up on things others had missed. Could she be right? It was possible, but he couldn't quite wrap his head around the idea. “We shall see in time. As to him doing planning, maybe we should float the notion to Iowa of having Chaos start taking some leadership training.”

“Now that sounds like an idea, my love. I think bringing it up after the celebration is over would be the better choice.”

- - -

As the finished up dancing the Tango, Eagle was surprised to see Gadget link arms with Chaos. It was not something she had ever expected to see in a thousand years given their attitudes towards each other. Flabbergasted, she asked, “Was there something in the punch?”

“Not that I'm aware of. Why?” Falcon asked. As far as he knew, spiking the punch was something a human might do to liven up a party. A fellow clan member wouldn't even dream of doing such a thing.

The web-winged golden brown gargoyle pointed towards the pair she looking at. Incredulously, she asked “They were dancing earlier, and now they've linked arms together. Am I seeing things, or what? If not, what's going on? They bicker, and fight, and now this?”

The ruddy red gargoyle watched as Gadget dragged Chaos out of the room. She seemed to be giddy, while he seemed confused, but happy. “You aren't imagining things dear. Can't say for sure, but I think they are giving each other a chance.”

“A chance at what?” Eagle asked still not fully believing, or comprehending what she was seeing. And then it clicked. “Wait, did she ask him to dance, and he accepted?”

“Better than even odds they asked each other. Chaos was interested about asking Gadget. I guess he worked up the nerve to do so since he was thinking he was going to screw it up,” Falcon answered with a broad smile, and his arms spread wide apart. “I didn't think our brother had it in him.”

“And I didn't think she had it in herself,” Eagle observed quietly. Hopefully this was a good thing, but she wasn't totally sold on it. Not yet anyways. “Though I need to know where they are off to.”

Falcon placed a hand on her shoulder, and shook his head. “My love, leave them be. Let them enjoy some time alone. They don't need us poking around. I doubt they are going to rush into a relationship, much less doing anything too rash.”

“Now that's reassuring!” She countered with a shake of her head. Perhaps Gadget had listened to Titmouse, and herself. Eagle hadn't expected for it to happen this soon though. “I just hope the two idiots don't screw this chance up.”

“I'm sure they'll be fine,” he answered with a lopsided grin as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her smile always made his night. Falcon felt her fingers run through his hair a moment later, and savored every second of it. “Now, shall we dance once more my love?”

“Of course,” she answered with a twinkle in her eye. “Maybe a few more dances are in order before sneak off for a more intimate time.”

“I love the way you think.” Falcon was looking forward to that. And quietly hoped Chaos, and Gadget's relationship would take a turn in that direction in due time. His mind quickly wandered back to his own mate as he took her hand within his own as the music started once more.

- End -