Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 08:14:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Tales of a Real Dark Knight Chapter 42

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!!!

Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter you are commenting on.
Thanks.

jmsotc@yahoo.com

Chapter 42 What Does The Future Hold?

	I went home and went to bed.  After telling Matt, my best friend,
that I was gay and seeing his response compounded with my friend Hunter
committing suicide, I didn't want to face the world.  It was too much to
deal with.  My brain could only hold so much at one time.  I know the last
time I decided to continue my exploits after a traumatic event I nearly
killed someone.  I had become dangerous, unstable.  I will not do that
again to myself or anyone else.
	I ran a hot bath and settled into the warm water.  The moisture
helped sooth my muscles and my mind.  I lay there and considered all that
had happened in the past few months.  I had taken on the image of an icon.
I befriended a vampire slayer.  I had slain a very strong vampire.  I had
discovered and came to terms with the fact I'm a mutant.  I had a boyfriend
who was a very popular singer, and lost him.  I had begun counseling a
popular actor.  I befriended several popular singers.  I was raped and
nearly let it destroy who I was.  Wow, what an amazing first few months!
And I only moved across the country.  I can image what it would have been
had I moved to another country.
	After about a half hour of soaking and soul searching, I let the
water out and dried off.  I climbed into bed and lay down to sleep.  As I
drifted off to sleep, my mind wandered to the future and what it might hold
for me.  The prospects were terrifying.
	The sun came up the next morning and woke me.  The world seemed
like such a cold place at that moment, even though the sun shined down upon
it.
	I dressed and went to work rather down and out of it.  When I got
to the office, Dr. Allison came in.
	"Hello, Eric."
	"Hello, Dr. Allison.  How are you?"
	"I'm well.  I came to see how you were doing."
	"I'm okay."
	"I don't think you are."
	"What do you mean?"
	"I mean I've talked with Kate.  She told me what happened at the
college last night.  She is quite concerned about you, as am I."
	"I'm okay, Doctor.  Really."
	"Eric, listen to me.  I want my staff to be able to counsel those
who are going through difficult times.  That is our purpose.  If my staff
will not deal with a tragedy in the appropriate ways, how can I trust them
to tell our patients the right way to cope?
	"I'm not firing you, Eric.  There is so much you can do.  But if
you are not dealing with things properly, I cannot allow you to continue
counseling until you do.  Please, take the day off.  Talk with your
friends.  I'm sure they need you as much as you need them."
	"Okay."
	"If you need anything, let me know."
	"I appreciate that, Dr. Allison."
	He smiled at me and left.
	I looked out at the city through the large window and again my mind
wandered to the future.  It seemed bleak at the moment.  And why not?
Hunter's future ended...all because of a psychologist who refused to face
the truth.  I can't say his heart wasn't good.  I'm sure he had good
intentions.  But his mind was not in the best frame of mind.  He was
misguided by wrong information.  Maybe I could talk to him.
	Who am I kidding?  The first time I see him I know I'm going to
have a hard time controlling my powers.  I'm better off going to my
friends.
	I grabbed my jacket and left the office building wondering where I
would find Alan and Hailey and George.  My God!  Brian!  What is he going
to do when he finds out what happened?  All I could picture was Brian
suiting up and going after Dr. Israel one more time.  With his friend dying
because of Dr. Israel, I'm not sure he will be so gentle on his freezing
process.
	I ran home and grabbed my suit.  I put it on, but covered it with
my normal clothes.  The mask and gloves I placed in my bag and then I ran
off to the college.  Here I go, putting my feelings on hold for the sake of
humanity.  We all know what happens, though, when I put my feelings first.
	I arrived at the college to find the gang sitting at one of the
benches under a tree.  I walked over to them.
	"Hi," I said.
	"Eric," Hailey replied getting up and rushing over to embrace me.
"It's good to see you."
	"It's good to see you, too."  I released Hailey and looked at
George and Alan.  "How are you two holding up?"
	"Okay, I guess," George said.
	"I'm okay," replied Alan.  "How are you doing?"
	"I'm dealing."
	"It must have been so rough to see Hunter..." Hailey began.  She
started to cry and covered her face.  George put his hand on her shoulder.
	"It was very rough."
	"What happened?" Alan asked.  "Why did he do it?  Everyone is
saying it was suicide, but I don't believe them."
	I nodded.  "It's true, Alan.  Hunter did take his own life."
	"Why?" George said angrily.  "Why did he take his own life?  He had
so much going for him!"
	"Yes, he did.  But it was the treatments Dr. Israel gave him.  They
hurt him physically.  Added with the emotional torment of being gay and
told he was evil drove him over the edge."
	"But didn't the treatments help?" Hailey asked.
	"No.  There is no cure for homosexuality because homosexuality is
not a disease or sickness.  It's biological."
	"I can't believe we trusted Dr. Israel.  I can't believe we
supported him."
	"We were stupid," Alan said.
	"No.  You were what you thought was best for your friend.  You took
the information you had and tried to support him.  Had you known that there
is nothing wrong with homosexuality, you would have supported Hunter
differently.  I'm sure he understands where you are coming from, that you
were trying to help him the only way you knew how."
	"But he's gone!" Hailey replied.  "And there is nothing we can do
now!"
	Hailey cried and cried with George and Alan comforting her.
	"Does anyone know what happened to Dr. Israel?"
	"No.  He's disappeared.  Kate was asking if anyone knew where he
treated his patients but no one knows."
	Most of the afternoon we hung out, cried and supported each other.
Life was changing again for us.  This time, I didn't have to go through it
alone.
	When night fell, I went out as Batman.  I had to help the
authorities catch Dr. Israel.  It was the least I could do for Hunter.  And
the first place I looked was the building where I rescued two of his
patients.  Unfortunately it was empty.  The equipment was still in place,
but that was it.  No one else was there.
	"Hey."
	I turned.
	"Huntress."  I went over to her and hugged her.
	"How are you holding up?"
	"I'm holding.  That's about it."
	"What are you up to?"
	"This is one of Dr. Israel's treatment centers.  I'm looking for
Dr. Israel."
	The Huntress looked at me and I knew what she was thinking.
	"No, I'm not out for revenge.  The police have been looking for him
but cannot find him.  I'm going to help."
	"I've seen your brand of help before."  She had a smile on her
face, but I knew she was serious.
	"When I catch him, I'm going to turn him over to the police."
	"I hope so."
	"It looks like no one has been here in a while."
	"What do you plan on doing next?"
	"He may have more than one treatment center.  The trouble is, who
would know?  His clients are not very forthcoming with being under his
care."
	"Can you blame them?"  The Huntress said.  "But do you know who any
of his patients are besides the one who ended his life?"
	I thought for a minute.  Who did I know?
	"Nick!"
	I jumped down off the building with the Huntress in close pursuit.
	"Who?"
	"Nick Carter!  I stumbled upon him and Hunter meeting!  Remember
when he was kidnapped?"
	"Yeah?"
	"It's because he is one of Dr. Israel's patients."
	Twenty minutes later, the Huntress and I arrived at Nick's
California home.
	"Should we knock at the door?" she said with sarcasm.
	"I have a better idea.  Stay here."
	I shot a line and swung across to Nick's building.  I climbed to
one of the balconies and tried to open the door.  It wouldn't budge.  I
jumped to the next one and tried.  It didn't budge.
	I decided to go to the roof and, once there, picked the lock with
the nice lock picking kit Huntress gave me in one of my suit pouches and
descended into the building.  From there I was able to move throughout the
inside.  However, I had no idea of knowing which room was Nick's.  If my
gaydar actually worked, I would just have to follow clues to the one room
that picked up as belonging to a gay person.  But, I was born with a
defective one, so I had to rely on other skills.
	I went from door to door and listened.  I heard a TV show on in one
room.  In another was music.  Then, at the end of the hall, I saw Nick's
boyfriend come out and walk towards the stairs.  I hid as best I could
until he passed and went downstairs.
	I opened the door to Nick's room and entered.  The lights were out.
	"Derrick, is that you?"
	"No," I said in the roughest voice I could.
	"Who's there?"
	I saw movement through a double doorway and Nick came out wearing a
robe.  "My God."
	"No.  I'm Batman," I said trying to show I had a little bit of a
sense of humor.
	"I know.  W-w-what are you doing here?"
	"I need your help.  I need to know Dr. Israel's other treatment
center locations."
	"Sure.  I can give you the ones I know."  Nick walked over to a
table and turned a lamp on.  He sat down and began writing on a piece of
paper.
	Knowing he just came from the bed, he either had underwear on or
nothing on.  I couldn't help but wonder.  He certainly was gorgeous.  And
he had kind of cute feet, too.
	"Why are you looking for Dr. Israel?  Is it because of what he did
to me?"
	"That and a whole lot more."
	Nick turned and looked up at me.  "What happened?"
	"One of his patients killed himself yesterday.  In his suicide note
he clearly implicated Dr. Israel's treatment as causing much of his duress.
The police want to find him but have yet to have any luck."
	"Do you know who it was who did it?"
	I nodded.
	"Who?"
	"Hunter."
	His face went white and tears welled up.  "No.  God, no."
	Nick stood up and walked over to the balcony doors.  He unlatched
them and opened them up, looking up at the night sky.  "How did it...how
did it happen?"
	"He hanged himself."
	Nick covered his eyes with his hands.  "Why? Why did he do it?"
	I walked up to Nick and put a gloved hand on his shoulder.
	"I'm sorry."
	Nick turned and grabbed me, pulling me close.
	"I'm glad you're looking for him.  He can be so...scary."
	Nick seemed to squeeze me tighter, as if squeezing me would make
his pain go away.  He pulled his head back and looked into my eyes.  I
noticed his eyes move to my mask-covered mouth.  Was he contemplating
taking my mask off?  Without warning, I got my answer.  He pulled me into a
kiss even though a piece of cloth separated our lips.  He pressed hard with
his touch.
	As much as I enjoyed this closeness with someone that I knew cared
about me, I couldn't take advantage of him.  I pushed him away gently.
	"Find Dr. Israel.  Make him pay for what he's done."  He slipped
the paper into my hand.
	"I'll find him."
	I ran to the edge of the balcony and leapt off.  I used my cape,
and, strangely, my mutant powers and controlled my landing.  I must have
been getting some kind of control over my power.  I ran across the street
and met the Huntress on the ground level.
	"How did it go?"
	"Nick gave me information."
	I opened the paper and read the address.  The Huntress looked over
my shoulder.
	"I know where that is.  Let's go."
	The Huntress and I went up to the roof and went from building to
building.  In no time we arrived at the address and saw to my horror that
someone else arrived first.  The windows were all frozen up, as were the
doors.
	"Freeze is here," I stated.
	"What do we do?"
	"I've got an idea.  Stand back."
	The Huntress stood back and I moved to the edge of the building.  I
relaxed my body and emptied my mind of everything but Hunter.  My anger
over what happened welled up inside me and what I wanted to happen
happened.  I felt heat build around my hands.  I looked down and saw two
fireballs forming.  I lifted my hands and allowed my anger to flow.  The
fireballs grew larger and larger.  I turned my hands palms out and thrust
my arms forward as if pushing against the wind.  The fireballs flew across
the street and smashed into two windows.  The intense heat busted the ice
and melted most of the ice around the windows.
	The Huntress walked up to me.  "Pretty impressive.  Do you cook,
too?"
	I looked over at her and saw her smiling.  "Shall we?"
	We shot lines across the street and swung.  As we swung, tiny
motors, pulling us up to the windows, drew in the lines.
	"Be careful.  I know who Freeze is.  Try to let me deal with him,
okay?"
	She nodded and we entered the building.
	With all the windows encased in ice, the building was much cooler
than normal.  We walked around the room we had entered and listened, taking
our time so our eyes could adjust to the surroundings.  As we walked, we
heard some clanging and banging.  I went into action and hurried toward the
source of the noise.
	It took me to an inner room.  I slowly opened the door to find
Freeze throwing equipment around.
	"Stay here," I whispered to the Huntress.  She nodded and I went
in.
	"Hold it," I said in a stern voice.
	Freeze turned to me.  "What do you want here?"
	"I'm here for Dr. Israel."
	"Good.  So am I.  Take a number.  I was here first."
	"What do you plan on doing to him?"
	"What he's done to others, torture."
	"You are not a judge," I said.
	"For all you know I could be."
	"I won't let you hurt him."
	"Now you've become a protector of criminals.  Since you ally
yourself with the likes of Israel, you will share his fate."
	Freeze pointed a hand at me and a freeze beam shot out.  I rolled
to the side and crouched behind a desk as the beam hit the door freezing it
shut.  Just before it sealed, I saw Bullwhip engage the Huntress.  As much
as I would have enjoyed seeing him get his butt kicked by her, I had more
pressing issues to deal with.
	I stood up and Freeze shot another beam at me.  I jumped over the
desk toward Freeze.  I timed it just right as the beam went over my head.
I landed on the floor in mid roll and rolled up to stand on my feet.
	"Freeze.  I know you are hurting over this man.  I know how you
feel.  I feel it, too.  But killing him won't remove the pain.  Your pain
has to be dealt with and worked through."
	"How in the hell do you know what I'm going through?!"  Freeze said
with intense rage.  "He is the cause of one of my closest friends ending
his life!  He destroyed my friend!  How can you know what I'm feeling?!"
	"Because I lost someone, too, by the hands of Israel.  I know the
anger that wells up inside.  I feel the hatred.  But seeing him punished by
Law for what he did will bring greater results.  His reasoning and
philosophy will be on trial.  Perhaps this could help those like your
friend, those who are gay, get some justice in their lives."
	"What do you know about gay people?"
	"I'm gay."
	I could tell my statement shocked Freeze.  He remained silent for
quite some time.  Then he turned toward the door he froze.  He walked over
and, with a single punch, shattered the ice.  He stepped out into the hall
and I followed.
	The Huntress kicked Bullwhip in the head.  He stumbled into the
wall.  She readied herself for an attack.  He moved into a fighting stance
and swung an arm at her, a whip flying out of his tubing.  I popped out a
bat and threw at the whip, cutting the end off.
	"You!" he exclaimed looking at me.
	"Where is Israel?" I asked.
	"No chance on me giving him away.  You'll have to kill me first."
	Without warning, Freeze shot a beam at Bullwhip's legs and froze
him in place.
	"You were saying?" Freeze said.  "I can freeze more of you body, if
you wish.  But I suggest you don't.  I'm not in the coolest of moods, right
now."
	Bullwhip lashed out a whip and grabbed me around my throat and
pulled me toward him.  Slowly he tightened the grip of the whip.
	"Looks like the tables are turned, doesn't it?" Bullwhip said.  He
lashed out another whip and broke the ice.  Keeping the rope tight around
my neck he dragged me into a room, the one Huntress and I entered when we
broke through the windows.  He took me to an open window.  "Let's see how
strong you really are."  He unlatched the whip that was tied around my neck
from his arm and fastened it to a wall fixture.  He pushed me out the
window and all of the sudden my access to air was denied.  I couldn't
breathe.  I was being hanged.

To Be Continued...