Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2001 20:17:09 -0800 (PST) From: Author James Subject: Tales of a Real Dark Knight Chapter 13 Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind. Scary!! People actually get a glimpse into my mind!!! Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount Studios. I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered. In this story, which has been floating around in my head most of my life, you will find many universes merging, as the above copyrights reveal. I hope you all enjoy this. I appreciate any feedback that you may want to give. This story doesn't deal so much with sex, sex, sex, but more of my feelings that I struggled with and am starting to come to terms with. Part of his background is mine. I do hope that you enjoy it!!! jmsotc@yahoo.com Chapter 13 Weekend Recovery Justin and I arrived at the hotel and went up to their floor. Once there, he led me directly to his room. There he assisted me to the bed, my head still aching, but not so badly. The attack last night by the bald guy called Professor Xavier was not meant for me, but, nonetheless, it did. He said it was because I was a mutant. But that's absurd. I've never experienced any mutant powers manifest. He must be crazy. I undressed to my boxers while Justin pulled the blinds. He looked over at me and smiled. "Get some sleep." "I don't need sleep," I replied while stifling a yawn. His smile turned into a grin. "Sure you don't. Get some sleep." "I'm sorry. I know you wanted us to enjoy the weekend together." "As long as we are together, I'm enjoying it." Justin walked over and kissed me gently, then helped me into bed. "I'll be right down the hall if you need me." I watched the man I loved so much leave me to rest. When I awoke, the sun was slowly setting. I stood and got partially dressed. All I put on was pajama bottoms and a hotel robe. I exited the room and went to the "living room" where Justin and JC were sitting watching a movie. "Hey," JC said when he saw me. Justin turned and looked at me, smiling. He got up and walked up to me, placing his hand on my back. It was sweet of him, but it made me feel like an invalid. "How are you feeling?" "Better, thanks." Looking around the room, I noticed only JC and Justin were present. "Where is everyone?" "They went out," JC answered. "They wanted us all to go, but Justin didn't want to leave you. I just stayed and kept him company." "That was nice of you," I said. "But, if you guys wanted to go out, go. I'll be fine." "I don't want to leave you," Justin said. "I'm not very good company sleeping. Why don't you call one of their cell numbers and find out where they are. Go and enjoy yourself some. I'll be fine." "Are you sure?" "Do I have to kick your butt out the door?" "Fine." "I'll call them," JC said. "It's 7:30. We will be back at 10:30." "Justin," I said, "would you stop worrying about me? I'll be fine." "I like worrying about you." "What did I do without you?" About twenty minutes later, Justin and JC were leaving the hotel, but not without a long, lingering goodbye kiss from Justin. After they disappeared behind the elevator doors, I went into the living room to rest and watch a little bit of TV. Of course, being in another city the whole program guide and channel line-up is different. I decided to get some fresh air and went out onto the balcony. The moon was full and the sky clear. I took some deep breaths and enjoyed the freshness, well, as fresh as air can be in the middle of a major metropolitan area. When I realized I wasn't going to get any rest and was going to be bored, I decided to do something stupid. I went into the bedroom and changed into my Bat-suit, then returned to the balcony. "Eric, if Justin ever finds out, he would kill you," I said to myself. I climbed over the railing and realized I was closer to the roof than the ground. Carefully I ascended to the roof and found the nearest building. Running as fast as I could, I jumped off and landed on the other building...barely. "I've got to get me some rope or something." Then I descended the fire escape to the ground. I such a huge city I thought at least one person would notice. But no one did. From there, I decided to do a little bit of patrolling. For the first twenty minutes, all was quiet. That is until I heard some struggling going on in a back alley. Being the brave soul I was (so long as I had the mask on), I investigated. At the end of the alley, I saw three men pounding a twelve-year-old boy. "Why in the hell would grown men beat up someone so young?" I wondered. Then I got my answer. "Take that, you little faggot." It was another act of hatred. My blood began to boil. I stepped closer only to realize something more horrendous. "You did three tricks tonight! You should have a lot more money than twelve hundred dollars! Where's the rest?" The bastards were using this young boy as a prostitute. They were pimping him out for money. It was going to end...tonight. I looked around for something to use...anything. I grabbed the round trash can lid and, as one was moving closer to the boy, flung it as hard as I could. It hit the one moving in on the boy and knocked him down. The other two turned, but couldn't see me very well. "Who's back there?" "Come out where we can see you!" I jumped out of the shadows with my cape open, hoping the simple fact a grown man dressed like a bat would shake them up or, at least, catch them off guard. It did. Their eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my God!" "What the hell is that?!" Before they could gather their wits about them I went into action. I grabbed the nearest one and threw him into the building wall. Surprisingly it was hard enough to knock the wind from him and then some. I turned to the next guy who pulled a gun. With one hand I grabbed his wrist. With the other hand I punched as hard as I could, knocking several teeth out. He dropped the gun and punched him in the stomach. He fell into a pile of garbage spreading some boxes and debris around. I turned to the boy who looked shocked and scared out of his mind. "It's all right," I said in the deepest voice possible. "I'm not here to hurt you. What they are doing is wrong. Go and find someone you can trust and get some help to get away from these guys." I realized my words were falling on deaf ears. He was too frightened. Then, I saw the shadow. The guy I hit with the trashcan lid was standing with the dropped gun in his hand. He was aiming it at the boy. Lifting my hand toward him I yelled, "STOP!" What happened next scared me as much as scared everyone else who was conscious. One of the scattered boxes flew at the man and hit him, knocking the gun out of his hand. As much as I marveled at this amazing feat, I couldn't let him gain control. I ran over to him and punched him as hard as I could, knocking him down for the count. I looked back at the boy and he took off running. I hoped what I said did sink in. As I looked around at what I did, the wind picked up. Then, out of nowhere, Celine's friend, Ororo, came floating down. I stared at her in amazement. Not only was she floating, but also her eyes were all white, like she rolled them into the back of her head. "Don't be afraid," she said. "Yeah, right," I replied. "Easy for you to say. I'm not the one floating down from the sky." "You don't have to fear me. I am a mutant, like you." "I'm no mutant." "Sure you are. Cerebro detected you using your mutant ability. I was in the area and the Professor sent me to find you." By now she had landed on the ground and her eyes had turned normal. She was slowly approaching me. "The question I must ask you is, are you good or bad?" "Who wants to know?" "The name is Storm." Damn, how in the world did all these storytellers know? Okay, I admit I became Batman of my own volition, but first a vampire slayer and now mutants? These writers either know the heroes or they can predict the future. "Whom do you work for?" "Myself." "Would you be willing to come with me?" "No." "Why not?" "Call me crazy but I don't hook up with women, especially ones that fly. Thanks, but no thanks." "We want to get to know you." "Who is 'we'?" "My mutant friends." "No. I told you I'm not a mutant." "That's what they all say. Keeping telling yourself that until it goes away." I turned and left, not wanting to hear what else she had to say. I returned to the hotel exhausted and with a headache coming back. I packed my suit back up and got back into my pajamas. As I went and got a glass of ice water, the elevator opened carrying the guys. It was only 9:30, an hour earlier than Justin said they would be out. "Hi," I said to the guys. "What are you doing out of bed?" Justin said. "Getting some water." "Get back in there. I'll bring you some." "Really, Justin, I'm fine." "No arguing. I'm going to take care of you." As Justin urged me back to the bedroom, I heard one of the guys mutter, "he's never acted like this before. It's like he's a whole different person ever since..." There the door closing to the bedroom Justin and I were sharing cut off the voice. "Now you get into bed. I will get you some water." I went to the balcony and looked out at the night sky. "There's no way I'm a mutant," I told myself. "I can't be." Justin came back in and undressed without me knowing it. "Hey," he said while putting his bare arms around me. I closed my eyes and relaxed in his embrace. "Hey," I answered. "This is so comfortable." "It would be even more comfortable on the bed. Come on." Justin released me and walked over to the bed. Of course I followed. Who wouldn't? Then he climbed in and said, "Come sit here between my legs. Rest your head on my chest." I obliged removing my robe. Lying up against him, he covered us up. Then, he began to rub my head slowly. I felt so safe, so secure, so loved in Justin's arms. Nothing seemed to matter. Nothing. If the world came to an end, it wouldn't have bothered me. I was with the man I loved. Nothing else mattered... I awoke Sunday morning still lying with my head on Justin's chest. I looked up and saw that he was awake looking at me. "Good morning." "Good morning, Justin. What time is it?" "9:30." "How long have you been watching me?" "Since about 8:30." "You mean you've been watching me for an hour? Didn't you have to go to the bathroom? Or want something to eat?" "Well, of course I have to go to the bathroom." He flexed his stiff lower member to show me he did. "But lying here watching you sleep peacefully is more important." I sat up. "Go to the bathroom." He stood up and, I could easily see he had to go to the bathroom just by looking at his boxers. "Do you want to come with me?" "That's tempting, but I really don't want my first experience seeing you naked to be you in front of the toilet with urine pouring out. I'm patient. I'll wait." "Okay," he said with some disappointment. "I'm not as patient as you, but I can wait." As Justin went into the bathroom, I stood and went to the balcony. I looked out at the city and knew it was to be my last time looking at her for a while, maybe forever. One thing I've learned, you never know when it will be the last time you see, say or do anything for anyone. It can be very painful to lose something or someone that you never had the chance or courage to approach. Justin came out of the bathroom smiling at me. "Do you feel better?" I asked. "Sure do," he answered with a grin. "How is your head?" "It's still there." Justin's face finally got a look of concern. "You mean your headache?" "No. I mean my head. It's still here on my shoulders." "Smart ass." "That's not the only thing on me that's smart." Justin just shook his head and laughed. I went in to shower and when I came out, Justin was gone. I dressed and joined him in the living room with the other guys for brunch. "How long are we staying?" I asked. "We will be checking out at 1:00. Our flight leaves at 4:00." Joey answered. "That means we get three hours to sight see," Justin said. Then, looking at me he asked, "Is there anything you've wanted to see?" I sat for a minute and thought, but nothing struck my fancy. "I don't know. I'll leave it up to you guys." After we ate, we packed up and called a rental company. We got a van to sight see and Joey drove. "I've got shot gun," Chris called. Lance and JC sat in the middle seats while Justin and I sat clear in the back. We drove all over New York, seeing the sights, sampling the food, absorbing the rich culture that only New York has to offer. Then, we returned to the rental car place and they took us to the airport. The flight home was unremarkable and we got to enjoy one of my favorite movies "The Object of My Affection". Isn't Paul Rudd the cutest thing you've ever seen? We got back in L.A. and Justin rode with me in their car back to my place. When I got in, I invited Justin in. I was a little embarrassed because my apartment was nothing like what they had. "It's not that bad," Justin said. "It's cozy. I remember living in something like this, too. They're great!" I noticed the answering machine light blinking. I pressed the play button. Two messages were from my mom and one was from my oldest sister. And one from...Jessica? "Hello, Eric. This is Jessica. We need to talk. Something's going on." I noticed the concern in her voice. I was worried but didn't want Justin to be. "Who is Jessica?" he asked a bit unnerved. "A friend I met walking home from the club a month ago." "Are you seeing her?" "No. I have you. I couldn't want anyone else." "Good. So long as it stays that way." Justin leaned in and we kissed. "I'll leave you to unpack. I'll call you tomorrow after work." "Sounds great...Oh, no, I won't be home. I've got training to do." "Training?" "In L.A., you can't be too prepared to be mugged." We both laughed and I saw him to the door. After he left, I called Jessica. She had given me her number the second night of my training, as I gave her mine then as well. "Jessica. This is Eric. What's up?" "Are you coming to train tomorrow night?" "I'm planning to. Is it going to be a problem?" "Not the training. But Garrett wants to let you in on a new evil brewing." "I can't be concerned with the forces of darkness all the time. I'm busy hunting down evil human beings let alone worrying about the latest demon to hit the streets." "Eric, please. I know I'm going to need you on this." "Okay. I'll be there when work is over." I hung up, unpacked my bags and went to bed. To Be Continued... What do you think of Eric being a mutant? I will assure you he will not be aversely affected in his humanness as Batman. In fact, his mutant ability will be quite unique in that it won't be something he can control at will like Storm's and Jean Grey's. But it also won't be like Wolverine's, where his is automatically activated when he is injured, or Rogue's where her mutant ability works as soon as she touches someone skin to skin. There was a hint at his in this chapter, at least as far as him using it. Read it again and see if you can figure it out. I won't tell you, though, if you're right. That would be giving away information. Also, I'm planning on bringing in some other celebrities for a bit story line. They will be younger than Eric. One, I will tell you, is David Gallagher, and he will play a major part in Eric dealing with certain issues. Lot's of good stuff coming up, so keep reading. Also, your comments are welcome. I've gotten several so far and have enjoyed them immensely. Thanks, guys, for your replies!!!