Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 19:12:19 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: Chronicles of a Real Dark Knight 22 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. Talamasca, Lestat, Louis, and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice. 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 and story you are commenting on. Thanks. jmsotc@yahoo.com Chapter 22 Dangerous Truths "It will take us a few days to gather all the information you need, Huntress." "That's okay. There are some things I need to take care of. Mr. Freeze has done a good job while I've been away. If you need him, contact him." Huntress and Mr. Freeze left the Commissioner's office and headed up to the roof. "Where are you going, Huntress? You just got back." "I have to tell Lance." "Do you have two-way radios?" Batgirl asked Robin and Nightwing. "Yeah," they answered. "Then let's split up. The guy could be going a different direction and getting away easily." "Okay," Robin said. The three split off and headed in different directions. Batgirl ran along the rooftops heading east a few blocks. She would check as she ran as to whether the young man was nearby. As she leapt across an alley, she saw him turn the corner onto the street perpendicular to the alley. "That's my man." Batgirl turned and went to the building's edge overlooking the street. She watched as the young man was walking down the street very cautiously. His nervousness was easily noticeable. "I can use that," Batgirl said as she jumped off the building, opening her cape and making a dramatic entrance. "Aah!!" the man said stumbling backwards. "I'm not going to hurt you," Batgirl said. "I saved you from the vampires, remember?" "W-w-what do you w-w-want?" "Information. Why were the vampires after you?" "I-I-I'm not s-s-s-sure." Batgirl looked on him narrowly. "You're lying." "Have you found anything?" Robin asked Nightwing over the radio. "Nope," Nightwing replied. "Nothing yet." "I wonder how Batgirl is doing." "Come in Nightwing. Come in Robin," Batgirl's voice chimed in. "I'm on my way back to where we split up. I have the gentleman with me. Meet me there." "Understood," Nightwing said. "Understood," Robin replied. He turned and headed back. As he neared the rooftop where they split up, Robin saw Nightwing waiting. He arrived in time to see Batgirl and the man coming along the rooftops. "What's up?" Nightwing asked. "It appears there is a vampire queen in town wanting to take it over. Isn't that what you saw?" "Yeah. They were putting this blood on the head of this woman who was like the others. One of the girls saw me and they came after me." "Now, you're going to tell us where to find them," Batgirl replied in a sinister voice. Robin smiled. "Just like Batman," he thought. "Do you remember anything?" Christian asked as we ate our cheesecake. "No. Nothing. It's all a blank," I answered. "Would you be willing to tell me about my past?" "The doctor said not to. He said just to let you heal and eventually you may remember. We are just to give it time. If you are not better in a few weeks, I can tell you." We were quiet for a moment. Then I said, "I'll bet we did this often." "What?" "Have picnics and spend time together." "Why is that?" "Because this is nice." Christian smiled at me. Christian and I cleaned up the picnic lunch and headed back toward the house. I was extremely tired. "Have you come up with a plan for tonight?" I asked. "I think so." "Are you going to share with me what this plan is?" "No. It's going to be a surprise." Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin arrived at a small apartment building where the young gentleman was attacked. Batgirl instructed him to go to his home, that he would be safe there. Then the three headed over to the apartment on their motorcycles. They parked a block away and approached the building stealthily. "That's the target," Batgirl said. "It will be light soon. We should get back and change into regular clothes. I'll check out this place in the daylight. The vampires won't be much of a threat. We'll go from there as to what to do." Christian and I came upon the house and suddenly I was feeling very weak. I stumbled. Christian dropped everything and grabbed me. "Are you okay?" "My energy seemed to drain completely out of me." "I guess I'll modify my plans." "Sorry," I said looking up into his eyes. I noticed something there that I never noticed before. There was a spark of something, a feeling. Slowly Christian lowered his face to mine. His lips hit my lips and we kissed. "Sorry," Christian said breaking it off and looking away from me. He helped me up the stairs and into the house. "Christian, you don't have to apologize," I said as he helped me to my bed. "Yes, I do. I shouldn't have..." "You were acting on your feelings. There is nothing wrong with acting on your feelings so long as it doesn't offend anyone." Christian looked up at me for the first time since the kiss moments ago. "Then you weren't..." "No." I shook my head. "I wasn't offended. It helped me feel something I never felt before. Or, at least don't remember feeling before. Thank you." "You're welcome," he said. "I've got some things to do. You get some rest." Then he was out the door. Slowly I undressed and lay down. I drifted off to sleep. The sun rose in Orlando. Lance awoke to his alarm going off. Today was his birthday. He wished that Eric could be there with him. He was worried. Eric had not contacted him in over two months. Neither had Jessica. Justin had assured him that it was probably some important business they were doing and instructed him not to worry. But still. Knowing how horrible Eric had taken it leaving, he couldn't imagine Eric not contacting him. Lance got up and showered. He went downstairs as the doorbell rang. "Surprise!" his group members greeted as he opened the door. "Happy Birthday!" "Thanks, guys! This is a pleasant surprise!" "We figured Eric wasn't here to make your birthday bright so we would come by and hang out with you until it's time for the concert," JC said. "And I appreciate it." I awoke to the sound of movement in the room. I opened my eyes to find Christian sitting a tray down on the dresser. "Hey, sleepyhead," he greeted. "Hey," I replied sheepishly. "How are you feeling?" "Tired. A little more rested but still tired." "At least you are feeling a bit more rested. I guess the picnic in the woods wasn't such a good idea." "It was nice," I said. "I rented a video for us to watch." "What is it?" "It's called 'While You Were Sleeping'. It's a good movie. You might like it." Christian popped in the videotape and I invited him to sit on the bed with me. He sat next to me and we watched the movie. I couldn't help but notice how my feelings were reacting to him, to another guy. It seemed strange. It seemed the feelings the actors were portraying were in me. Towards Christian. Could it be I was falling in love with him? Was I developing feelings for him? I wondered if he could sense what I was feeling. I wondered if he felt the same thing, too. The guys hung out, chatted about Justin's boyfriend Dylan and their friends Melvin, Joy and Reuben who make up the band Ocean Whispers, and exchanged gifts. Lance thanked them for their kindness but his heart longed to hear from Eric. It was his first birthday with Eric and he ended up having to spend it without Eric. He wondered where Eric was, what was going on. Lance hadn't heard from him in over two months. What serious danger was lurking over seas? In the early afternoon they headed to the amphitheatre where they were going to perform that evening. Rehearsal went smoothly and then time came for the fans to enter. The guys went to the dressing rooms and changed into their performing outfits. Jessica entered the concert hall as NSYNC was performing. She listened to them singing songs from "No Strings Attached" but only half paid attention. Her mind was on the deed she would have to do when the concert ended. NSYNC moved into position for their last number. They decided to sing "That's When I'll Stop Loving You". Lance had asked that since Eric had sent that song to him. He felt so loved when he received that message from Eric. Jessica heard their last song and her heart broke. When this world doesn't turn any more When the stars all decide to stop shining Till then I'm gonna be by your side I'm gonna be loving you forever Every day of my life The guys brought the song to a close. When winter comes in summer When there's no more forever When lies become the truth Well you know then baby That's when I'll stop loving you The group bowed and exited the stage. They headed into the corridor on their way to their dressing rooms. "That was awesome!" JC said. "We were awesome tonight!" "Yeah!" Justin replied. "I just wish Eric could have been here for it. He sent me 'That's When I'll Stop Loving You' in his last message to me." "I'm sure he wanted to be here to hear it." The sound of footsteps falling brought their attention away from the concert. All five looked up. "Jessica," Lance said. "Glad you could make it. Where's Eric?" Jessica looked upon Lance, her former lover, and she could no longer contain herself. Tears welled up and fell down her cheek. Her mouth arching as she tried not to cry. "Lance. I'm so sorry." Lance shook his head. "No," he whispered. Jessica nodded affirmatively. Lance's headshake became even more pronounced. "God, no." Jessica ran up to him and caught him as he collapsed. Lance gave over to his grief and cried. "God, no! Why?!" "I'm so sorry, Lance." Lance's four friends stood there with their hands on each other's shoulders and backs, offering support. Back at Lance's house, Chris was pouring some tea in a cup for Lance. Lance and Jessica sat on the couch, her arm around him to comfort him. He just sat there with tears streaming down his face in muted grief. "I've never seen Lance like this," Chris said to Joey. "He's so broken up about it." "He loved Eric with all his heart. And Eric loved him with all his heart. How can you survive something like this?" Chris took in the cup of tea to Lance. He sat the tea on the coffee table and sat down in the chair. Justin sat on the floor and JC leaned against the wall. "I can't believe this happened," Lance suddenly said. "It feels like a horrible nightmare. I think I'm going to throw up." Lance jumped up and ran up to the bathroom. The sound of him bringing up his dinner could be heard. Everyone sat in silence knowing how it must be tearing up their friend. After a few moments, they heard the toilet flush and the water run. The door opened and Lance came downstairs. "Sorry." "No need to apologize," Justin said. "How...how did it happen?" Lance asked Jessica. "Are you sure you want to know?" JC asked. "Yeah. I need to know." "Eric was chasing after a mutant who threatened the lives of the royal family. He followed him through the city and caught up to him on a rooftop with a gas sphere. He pinned down the mutant and had him. "The demon two other Slayers and myself were fighting somehow threw something at the sphere and cut a hole in it, releasing the gas. The demon then killed one of the Slayers. Eric turned and the mutant was able to use his mutant power causing an explosion." Lance broke down into tears. "He died saving others," Justin said. "If this just happened," Lance said regaining composure, "why didn't he contact me for two months?" "Lance," Jessica began. "It happened two months ago." "What?!" Lance said with intense anger. "Then why in the hell didn't you tell me before?!" "I understand your anger. The Council would not let us contact anyone. I'm sorry. I talked to several of the Council's members. My words fell on deaf ears. I'm so sorry." The room became silent. After several moments, JC asked if Lance was okay. "Leave," Lance answered. "Lance..." "I want to be alone right now." "It's not good for you to be alone." "I said leave!" Lance looked at his friends. Then he stood up and ran upstairs. "Whew," Justin said. "Poor guy." "We should go," JC replied. "I will keep a watch on him from outside," Jessica replied. "Maybe you should call him tomorrow." The guys nodded and then left. Jessica walked over to the bottom of the steps. "Lance," she called up. "We're leaving. If you need anything, call one of us. You have my cell phone number." No response came. Jessica turned and left the house. Lance walked over to the radio and clicked it on, trying to find something to do. His mind was working overtime. "How Do I Live" by LeeAnn Rhimes was playing. How do I get through a night without you? If I had to live without you, what kind of life would that be? Oh, I I need you in my arms, need you to hold You're my world, my heart, my soul If you ever leave, Baby, you would take away everything Good in my life And tell me now How do I live without you? I want to know How do I breathe without you? If you ever go How do I ever, ever survive? How do I, how do I, how do I live? Without you There'd be no sun in my sky There would be no love in my life There'd be no world left for me And I Baby, I don't know what I would do I'd be lost if I lost you If you'd ever leave Baby you would take away everything real in my life And tell me now How do I live without you? I want to know How do I breathe without you? If you ever go How do I ever, ever survive? How do I, how do I, how do I live? Please tell me, baby How do I go on If you ever leave Baby you would take away everything Need you with me Baby don't you know that you're everything Good in my life And tell me now How do I live without you? I want to know How do I breathe without you? If you ever go How do I ever, ever survive? How do I, how do I, how do I live? As the song came to a close, Lance lay down on the bed. He thought of all the times he and Eric made love and it tore him up. "How do I go on without you, Eric? Tell me." Lance cried himself to sleep. To Be Continued... Wow! Lance didn't take it very well when he found out Eric died. How else could he have reacted? To read more on how Lance deals with Eric's loss, read "Tales of a Superhero Band". More to come here.