Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 20:43:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Judgments of a Real Dark Knight 36

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.

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.

The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice.
Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.

Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe
created by George Lucas.  Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and
Lucas Books/Ballantine Books.

I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in
case, I have myself covered.

I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from
those who do not.  I would enjoy hearing from you.  Any emails you send,
please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on.  Thanks.

authorjames2002@yahoo.com

I also have several online messenger services.  If you want to chat with me
in real time, email me and tell me the services you use and I will tell you
my screen name.

Other stories in this universe written by other authors:
"Tales of a Superhero Band"
"Tales of the New Phoenix"
"Tales of a Young Mutant"

Chapter 36 Gone

	Marvel Boy and I followed the chaos the Joker caused as he, Harley
and Quinn made their way through the city streets. 
	"Fast as fast can be, you'll never catch me!" I heard the Joker
yell from half a block a way. 
	"I got him," Marvel Boy said as he sped ahead of me.
	I heard an 'oomph' come from the Joker and assumed Marvel Boy
caught him.  I neared the next intersection and saw the Marvel Boy indeed
had the Joker under control.  However, I did not see Harley or Quinn any
where.  I approached the two and knelt down.
	"Good work, Marvel Boy."
	"Thanks," he replied.
	"What brought you to the hotel?" I asked the Joker.
	"I couldn't resist crashing a party!"  And he let out a maniacal
laugh.
	"You're going to jail," I replied.
	"Not likely," he stated.
	People on the streets looked at us as if we were putting on some
kind of show.  Traffic had stopped and the only sound I could hear was the
sound of a helicopter flying overhead.  Suddenly a shot rang out and the
Joker started laughing.  Marvel Boy and I looked around for the victim of
the gunfire but couldn't find anyone lying on the ground.
	"No, you twits!" the Joker said.  "Look up!"
	Looking up we found the victim of the gunshot.  The helicopter was
spinning around leaking fuel out of one side.  Another shot rang out and
fuel sprayed out of the other side.
	"The people!" I exclaimed.  "We have to get the people out of here
and stop that helicopter!"
	"What about him?" Marvel Boy asked.
	"Chain him somewhere," I said handing him a pair of handcuffs.
	"Where are you going?"
	"I'm going to try and get control of that helicopter."
	I ran to the middle of the street and pulled out a grapple.  'It
wouldn't help,' I said to myself.  'My weight would only pull it down.
Think, McCoy, think.'  Realizing the only other quick way up was to use my
powers.  They hadn't been working right lately and I could overshoot the
helicopter and fly right into the propellers.  Then it would be 'goodbye'
to me.  But there were people at risk.  I had to do something.
	Marvel Boy handcuffed the clown to a nearby mailbox and herded the
people out of the intersection.  Some still believed it to be a show,
although most were sure it was actually happening.  Then he approached me.
	"What are you going to do?"
	"How strong are you?" I asked.
	"Pretty strong, why?"
	"Strong enough to hold up a helicopter?"
	"What?"
	I smiled at him and used my powers to lift us to the nearest
rooftop.  I pulled out my grapple in case I overshot the building.  As we
lifted up, I felt my powers increase and I couldn't stop it.  I shot the
grapple into the roof as we passed it and told Marvel Boy to slide down,
which he did.  Then my powers cut off and I fell to the roof.
	"Graceful," he replied.  "Are you okay?"
	"Good enough to finish this."
	"What are you proposing we do?"
	"My powers seem to be acting whacky.  What I need you to do is hold
this grapple once I shoot it to the helicopter.  It's going down so we need
to act quickly.  Hold it up while I get the people out."
	"You sure about this?  I mean, I've never held up a helicopter
before."
	"All I need you to do is hold it steady and keep it from falling."
	Marvel Boy nodded and I took aim as the helicopter passed us.  I
shot the line and it wrapped around the landing bar.  Handing the cable to
Marvel Boy, he gripped it tight and prepared himself for the weight.  When
it hit, he slid several feet forward then came to a halt.
	"Do you have it?" I asked.
	He nodded.  "For now.  Better get this going."
	I ran to the edge and jumped off.  Landing on the body of the air
vehicle with a thump, I moved to the door and opened it.  I grabbed the
first person and pulled him out.  Then I grabbed the next person.  The
helicopter was a news chopper, so there were three people I needed to save,
the pilot, the cameraperson and the news anchor.  The cameraperson was the
first one out.  I grabbed the news anchor and pulled her out next.  Then I
reached for the pilot and was able to bring her up.
	"What are we going to do?" the cameraman asked.
	I turned to the building I jumped from and saw a window a little
lower than us.  I pulled out a bat with a cable attached to it and threw it
around the nearby drain pipe.
	"Slide down this," I replied handing them metal bats that would
save their hands from being torn up.  "Climb to the window."
	The helicopter jerked with no one at the helm.  I climbed back in
to steady it while the people slid to the window.  Once they were safe, I
tried climbing out.  Suddenly the cable Marvel Boy was holding snapped and
I jerked as the helicopter plummeted to the ground.  I jumped from the
crashing vehicle and shot a line to a nearby building swinging away as the
helicopter landed with a crash and a ball of flame.  No one was injured
below as Marvel Boy had cleared the area.
	Pulling myself up onto the ledge, I entered the building and made
my way to the stairs where I met Marvel Boy.
	"Thank God you're alive!" he exclaimed.  "The cable snapped.  I
dove to grab the broken end but I wasn't quick enough."
	"It's okay.  The people are safe."
	"What about the Joker?"
	"Good question.  Let's check on him."
	We ran through the building to the outside and to where Marvel Boy
chained him.  The handcuffs were snapped and he was gone.
	"How did he get away?"
	"One of his women must have shot the chain.  They're good.  Real
good."
	"How can they be so well-trained?"
	"They were visiting military personnel from Russia.  They've been
trained to fight and kill."
	"I'm heading back," Marvel Boy said.  "I have something I need to
fix."
	I nodded and let him go.  Making sure all was safe, I headed back
to the hotel as well and changed back into my tux.  When I got there, Lance
and Justin were waiting for me.
	"Are you okay?" Lance asked.
	Before I could answer, Ben approached me and asked where I went.
	"To call the police, I answered."
	I looked around for the young man Davey had an argument with and he
was gone.
	"Hey, Love, there is something I need to help out with here.  Would
it be okay if I came home later?"
	"Sure, just don't be too late."
	I kissed him and went over to the table where he and Davey sat.
"Excuse me," I said to the people sitting there.  "Can you tell me where
the young man went that was sitting here?"
	"Which one?  The new member of the boy band?"
	"No, the other guy."
	"He went up to our room," and older woman answered.
	"What's his name?" I asked.
	"Why do you want to know?"  The woman was becoming suspicious.
	"I'm a friend of Davey's and I was going to talk with both of them
after the dinner.  Are you his mother?"
	"I am.  His name is Harris."
	After she gave me the room number I headed up to talk with him.
When I got there, the door was ajar.  I knocked but he didn't answer.  As I
pushed it all the way open, I heard the sound of clothes being tossed.
	"Can I come in?" I asked.
	"I don't care," he replied.
	I stepped in to find him packing his suitcase.
	"Remember me?  I'm the guy from the bridge."
	"Yeah.  I remember you.  What do you want?"
	"I'm a friend of Davey's and I wanted to talk with you about what
happened."
	"What are you going to tell me?  That what Davey did was okay?"
	"It might help if I know what he did."
	"You know Ryan and Caleb, two of the other guys who made it into
the band?"
	"I know who you're talking about."
	"I walked in on Davey having sex with both of them at the same
time."
	"Ouch," I said as I sat down.  "That must have hurt."
	"It felt like...like someone was...ripping my heart out."  Harris
burst into tears.  "I feel like...like I'm dying inside."
	My heart sank and I felt so helpless.  I reached out to comfort him
but he jerked away.
	"I can't believe...he did that.  We never had sex.  I wanted to,
but I wasn't sure.  I have a lot on my mind with that.  I don't know for
sure when I'll be ready.  He must not have been able to wait."
	"I don't know," I replied.  "He never mentioned anything like that.
I'm not that close to him.  He and I met once."
	"I...I don't know if I can go on...I don't know if I can...trust
anyone."
	"I know it must be hard.  Something similar happened to me a long
time ago.  I tried dating and wanted to get serious with this one guy, but
he didn't want it to be serious.  I wish he had told me, but he didn't.  I
showed up at his apartment and he was having sex with another guy.  It hurt
me and I wasn't a very pleasant person to be around.  I let the anger
control me.  But that wasn't the answer.  I had to grieve and allow myself
time to be hurt and to heal from that hurt.  I eventually moved on and now
I'm happily married to a wonderful man."
	"Yeah, I saw."
	"I think you should talk to Davey and find out what he was
thinking.  He might not have been thinking anything except the thrill of
something new and erotic.  He probably feels horrible about what happened.
You should give him time to explain."
	"I don't know," Harris replied.  "I just don't know.  It seems like
all my life I've hoped for one of them to go out with me."
	"Them?"
	"Pretty boys.  The stereotypical gay guy that's gorgeous, has tons
of friends, is the most popular...I would dream of finding that guy and
having the perfect relationship with him.  He would love me and I would
love him and we would be happy forever.
	"That isn't going to happen now.  All my hopes and dreams have been
dashed to pieces tonight.  Tonight, the dreaming ends, and reality comes
screaming."
	"Looks aren't everything," I answered.  "Sure, it's nice to have
that gorgeous face to look at every day and every night, to see that face
smile back at you and know it's sincere.  But all you have are the fantasy
moments, the satisfaction of seeing the reaction of others when you have
someone gorgeous on your arm.
	"But it isn't real.  The relationship isn't real.  If all a
relationship is founded on is the appearance of both partners, then it
won't last.  Had my relationship with Lance been based solely on
appearance, he wouldn't be with me now."
	"You had the pleasure of falling in love when you weren't scarred.
You had the advantage of good looks before hand.  That gives you an open
invitation to be with anyone you want.  It made Lance consider you.  That's
something I would never have gotten."
	"What about Davey?" I asked him point blankly.  "Didn't you have a
chance with him?"
	"After what happened tonight, I don't think so.  Because of what
he's done, I don't believe I ever had him.  And no one can convince me of
that, not even him."
	"Why don't you let him explain what happened?  I'm not saying what
he did was right or that you will feel better if you do let him talk to
you, but don't you think you owe him that?
	My cell phone rang and I picked it up.  "Hello..."
	"Eric, this is Lance."
	"What is it?"
	"JC is here.  Something has happened."
	"What?"
	"Blake's dead."
	"I'll be there in a little bit," I said and then hung up the phone.
"That was my husband.  I need to get going.  There's an emergency that's
come up."  I stood and walked over to the desk.  Grabbing the notepad, I
wrote down my name, address and phone number.  "Call me if you want to talk
some more.  Please, let me help you if I can."
	Harris nodded and I left.

	Harris took the piece of paper and tossed it in his bag.  "I owe
him nothing."  Harris wrote a quick note on a piece of paper and placed it
on the desk near the phone.  Then, he zipped up the bag and went out the
door.

	Ten minutes later, Davey ran up to his hotel room in his normal
clothes and flung the door open.  "Harris!  I'm so sorry!  We need to talk!
I want to ex..."  But all he found was an empty room.  "Harris?  Harris,
are you here?"
	Davey noticed the paper on the desk and slowly his hand reached out
for it as if it were a snake ready to strike at any time.  He picked it up
and, as he read, he cried:

	Dear Davey,

		I owe you nothing.

			Harris

	"Oh, God, Harris?" he whispered.  He ran to the balcony and looked
out hoping to spot the boy whose heart he broke.  But Harris was nowhere to
be seen.  Harris was gone.

	I pulled into the garage and climbed out of the SUV.  After
entering the kitchen through the garage doorway, I headed to the living
room where I found Lance holding JC comforting him.  Tears streamed down
JC's cheeks and his body shuddered uncontrollably.  I went in and kneeled
in front of him embracing him as well.
	"What's happened?" I said to JC.
	He tried to explain the events the best he knew.  Blake had been
battling the vampire behind the vampire war long after the battle ended
here in Orlando.  There were some horrible catastrophes in California, all
caused by the vampire Dasro.  After the destruction, Blake had gone after
Dasro while the others evacuated.  JC explained that he sensed something
and, as Blake always did, entered his mind to share an intimate moment.
Then, the moment ended.  JC came out of the mental environment.  And Blake
was gone.

	A few hours later, Lance came out of the spare room and joined me
in our bedroom.  "He finally went to sleep," Lance said as he closed the
door.
	"Thank God for you," I stated taking him into my arms.  "Without
you being here, I don't know what all I could have done.  Not nearly
enough, I'm sure.  You two are so close.  What did you say?"
	Lance smiled.  "He wanted to know how I got through losing you,
honestly.  He asked me how I was able to live after I thought you were
gone."
	Lance pulled away and undressed.  I sat down on the bed and scooted
up toward my pillow.  "And?" I asked.
	"It was rough.  I felt as if half of me had been cut out and was
lost somewhere.  I was nauseous all the time feeling as if my life had
ended and I didn't know where to find it, or if I could."
	Lance tossed his clothes into the hamper and climbed onto the bed
sitting facing me.  I took his hands in mine as he took a breath in order
to continue.  "I, uh, I didn't know if I could make it through.  But the
guys, they helped me.  They gave me support and comfort.  It wasn't
something that happened instantly, and I don't think anyone truly gets over
someone.  Only time can lessen the pain, make it more tolerable.  But it
never goes away.  Even after I found Paul, I missed you and never stopped
loving you."
	"What about now?  I'm here in front of you in the flesh.  Does that
help the pain at all?"
	"In some ways, it does.  I'm happy to know I can reach out and
touch you.  I'm at peace when I wake up and see you sleeping next to me
with your eyes closed and resting.  But having experienced losing you, I
know it could happen again.  I know I could feel that pain again.  It
terrifies me, honestly.  I know loss and I don't want to wake up one
morning and find you gone."

To Be Continued...

What are your thoughts on the reactions of Harris to what happened?  Can
you blame him?  Have any of you gone through the same thing?  It can be so
painful to find your partner with someone else, even if it isn't actual
sex.  Seeing your partner in another's arms or doing something that could
compromise or tempt them can be just as hurtful.

How do you like the tie-in with "Tales of the New Phoenix"?  You will have
to keep up with that story as well as the others.  Only 14 more chapters to
go!

I would also like to know if I should keep this story going.  I've been
writing for almost 3 years.  I have more ideas and I would enjoy continuing
the life and adventures of Eric, but what I'm wondering is how many of you
would like to read it?  I'm planning on taking a break from this storyline
so that I can write a short story that will take place after this one and
between "Marvel Knights: Idol" and "Marvel Knights: Legacy".  It will
include characters from both, which should be interesting.  But how this
storyline will end could be a "Happily ever after" for Eric and Lance.
Like I said, though, I want to know what readers want.