Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 15:29:05 -0800 (PST)
From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Tales of a Real Dark Knight, Chapter 1 The Beginning

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 it is true.  I do hope that you enjoy it!!!  By the way, my name is
James.

Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com>


Chapter 1 The Beginning

As the plane landed and slowly the passengers disembarked, I nervously
retrieved my baggage, which consisted of two suitcases, and two duffel
bags.  It was my first time away from my family, my first time FAR AWAY
from my family.  I was both exhilarated and terrified.  I had been so used
to being alone, repressing my feelings for fear of someone discovering the
fact that I'm gay.  I heard the jokes, heard the contempt in their voices,
even chimed in with them, all the time hating myself more and more for my
sexuality.  I tried all kinds of things to be rid of these desires:
repressed them, prayed for myself, gotten prayer from ministers, tried
dating girls.  Nothing worked.  I have always had a great faith in God,
which is why I hated myself so much.  Why can't I get a miracle, I would
ask myself.  What am I not doing right?  I know God exists.  I've seen so
many people get miracles for all kinds of things: cancer, leukemia, AIDS,
blindness, arthritis, deafness.  So many people would ask me to pray for
them, and they would get what they needed; yet here I was helpless and
hopeless.  It wasn't until last summer, when I turned 24 years old, that I
started to chat with other homosexuals on the Internet.  There I was able
to ask questions, seek answers, and I found them.  I had always thought
that, to accept my homosexuality, I would have to leave God out.  From what
I heard from so many churches, God does not approve of homosexuality.  But
several of the men I talked to also believed in God.  I was astounded.
Shortly thereafter, I came out to my parents, with the expected reactions,
and I started to attend P-FLAG meetings in a nearby city.  It was great.  I
really enjoyed it.  I got to meet people who didn't condemn me for being
open, though I still have a hard time with being open in public about my
sexuality.  I devoured many books on the subject.  And I always give this
testimony: God helped me come out.  He did!  He gave me the strength and
the will to tell my family.  It was all good even if their reactions were
not.  Then, as the school year came to a close, I decided it best to move
away to establish myself, and my own life.  You see I still had a hard time
being open about my feelings with my family.  I soon found myself on a
plane to Los Angeles, the city of Angels.  I always had a drawing to that
large city.  In some ways, its size reminded me of my hero's city.  I have
always been a Batman fan and loved Gotham City.  And here I was, in one of
the two major US cities that look like my favorite fictional city.  I
exited the airport and found a cab.  I requested to be taken to my new
address, a small studio apartment in a rough section of town.  The cab
driver took me there and, after I paid him, left me alone with my four
bags, new dwelling and a stomach full of butterflies.  I climbed the stairs
and entered.  Finding the landlords apartment on the first floor, I
introduced myself, retrieved my key and up I went.  It was a corner
apartment with a nice view of the city.  On the side of the building,
outside my bedroom window was a fire escape.  Perfect for my new escapades.
You see, I didn't come to this city just to get away from my family.  I
came to make one of my dreams come true, to become my hero, to become the
real-life Batman.  I know, you are probably laughing as I speak, and I
don't blame you.  It is rather ridiculous to think of a 24-year-old wanting
to dress up like a bat.  But, all through growing up, I never felt
adequate.  I always felt like someone worthless.  In order for me to feel
good about myself, I had to be heroic.  And in order for me to feel heroic,
I could not be me doing something good, I had to be someone else.  Who
better than Batman, the symbol of what one man can do.  My costume didn't
look much like the one in the comic books or the one in the movies.  My
costume was designed by me and put together slowly and painstakingly.  The
suit is all black.  The cape is long and full.  The gloves and boots look
the same.  The chest, however, does not sport a black bat inside a yellow
oval.  The chest is bare.  And the mask, the mask is completely changed.
It looks more like a ninja mask with long pointed ears.  The mouth is
covered and the eyes are revealed by one large hole.  I must say, having
the mouth covered is much more disguising than the traditional mask.  I can
grow my goatee if I want and no one would be able to tell through the mask.
Am I clever or what?  I unpacked my bags and settled in for a while, trying
to get used to the new place.  I knew that I would not sleep well for the
next few days, as I tend to take time getting used to new places.  After
getting bored with looking at the apartment, I decided to call my new place
of employment and let them know I had arrived.  "Hello.  Family
Psychological Center of L.A.  This is Michele."  "Hello, Michele.  This is
Eric McCoy.  Is Dr. Allison there?"  "Yes.  One moment."  I stood there
listening to the rather bouncy elevator music for several minutes until
Dr. Allison picked up the line.  "Hello, Eric."  "Yes, Doctor.  How are
you?"  "I'm good.  And you?"  "I'm just getting settled in.  I arrived here
four hours ago.  I wanted you to know I'm here.  Would it be a problem if I
stopped by the office in a little while so I can look around and get used
to the place before I start work on Monday?"  "Sure.  Not a problem."
"Thank you, Doctor."  We hung up and I grabbed my jacket.  With it being a
Thursday afternoon, I didn't know what to expect from the nights here.
I've heard that in Africa, the days are super hot, and the nights get
chilly.  Who knows what L.A. holds in store?  I called a cab and, a few
minutes later, I was on my way towards downtown L.A.  How exciting it was
for me!  I was finally going to see the city I had always dreamed of.  My
eyes kept moving once the cab was underway.  I wanted to take in
everything.  I wanted it to become so familiar to me.  I wanted it to
become home.  I noticed kids playing on the sidewalks and in front yards
and alleys.  I smiled.  I love children.  It is so interesting to watch
them develop and grow.  Unfortunately, I also noticed the troublemakers
rather easily, too.  Those were the ones wearing long overcoats in the
shade.  It was still a bit warm to be wearing something like that outside.
I could only imagine what kind of things they carried underneath: guns,
drugs, maybe both.  It unnerved me.  But, that's why you are here, Eric, I
told myself.  Not too much later, the cab dropped me off in front of a
rather large building with the words "Family Psychological Center of L.A."
on the front.  This was my new place of employment.  I was excited.  I
entered the building and went immediately up to the front desk.  "Hi.  I'm
Eric McCoy.  I'm a new employee here."  "Oh.  We talked on the phone.  I'm
Michele.  Nice to meet you."  She stuck out her hand and I took it, shaking
it, hoping that my grip was firm enough.  I've never had a strong grip so I
tend to make up for it by squeezing a little.
	"Nice to meet you.  Is Doctor Allison available?"
	"Sure.  He left word for you to go on up to the top floor.  He's up
there."
	"Thanks."
	I walked over to the bank of elevators and pressed the button.  The
doors opened and, in moments, I was on the top floor.
	The floor looked very warm and comforting.  An older gentleman in a
dark blue suit approached me.
	"Hello, Eric.  I presume."
	"Yes.  You must be Dr. Allison."  I recognized his voice.
	"Yes.  Pleasure to meet you."
	"Likewise, Doctor."
	"Come this way.  I must say we were all impressed with the large
amount of experience you've had with only being 24."
	"Thank you."
	"You're welcome.  We decided you would be best as Dr. Joshua
Jenson's assistant.  He works with children.  Your experience would best be
put to use there."
	I followed Dr. Allison into an office.  Behind the desk was a
rather good-looking guy: blonde hair, bright blue eyes, awesome complexion.
Oh, boy, I'm in trouble, I thought.  Working for a good-looking guy like
this, I will have a hard time being friends.  I would be too embarrassed if
he found out my feelings.
	"Joshua.  This is Eric.  He's your new assistant."
	"Yes, I remember his file.  Nice to meet you, Eric."
	Joshua stuck out his hand and I shook it hesitantly.  I was
nervous.  I felt the warmth of his hand and a shiver went through my body.
I kept smiling hoping I didn't look like a dork.
	"Nice to meet you, too."
	"Well, if you two will excuse me," Dr. Allison said, "I have some
last minutes things to wrap up.  I'll leave you two to get acquainted."
	Dr. Allison exited the room, pulling the door closed behind him,
leaving Joshua and me alone.
	"So, Eric, you used to work with toddlers?  Interesting.  Not many
young men work with such young children.  What drew you to that area?"
	"It's actually a long story.  Right out of high school I was a
home-schoolteacher.  The year after that, I applied for a job at the
school.  The name is on my application.  I ended up getting a job with
Toddlers.  It was kind of scary because I never worked with children so
young.  But I loved it.  It is so cool to see children so young mature."
	"Yeah.  That is one of the many interesting things of that age.  I
got into young children when I was in college.  I was taking my psychology
class, and we had to observe a school.  It was then that I fell in love
with children.  Seeing so many that needed help drove me to get my degree
in child psychology.
	"I understand that you are taking a child psychology course.  Who
with?"
	"It's a correspondence course.  I like it.  It's pretty good."
	"That's good.  Well, enough chitchat.  Let me show you your desk."
	Joshua stood and I followed him out the door I had entered.  We
walked back down the hallway I came and, for the first time, noticed the
desk across the bank of elevators.  There were several other desks, with
people sitting down at them.
	Joshua introduced me to them, my new co-workers, and showed me the
desk.
	"I'll leave you to Debbie to show you the computer system.  Go
ahead and look around in there.  Get used to it.  Come Monday morning, you
are going to be busy."
	Joshua left me with Debbie and returned to his office.
	"Hi.  I'm Debbie."
	She had black hair, shoulder length, brown eyes, and a pleasant
smile.
	"I'm Eric.  Nice to meet you."
	"Do you have much experience with computers?"
	"Oh, yeah.  I have used them to do a lot of typing."
	"That's a start.  Let me show you the programs we use."
	For the next hour and a half, Debbie showed me their system, the
programs they use, everything.  She reassured me that I would not be
expected to remember everything she showed me right away.  The knowledge
will come with using the programs.

	As she was closing up the system and shutting down the computers, I
decided to ask her a question.
	"Debbie, where do people hang out at here in L.A.?"
	"Lot's of places.  It all depends on your scene.  You know, where
you like to hang out at."
	"Oh.  Well, I don't do bars and nightclubs.  I don't drink and I
can't breathe around cigarette smoke.  Coffee shops are nice, though."
	"There's this really nice one down on Brant Ave.  You may like it.
There is always something going on.  Just go up to the customer service
desk and ask for a calendar."
	"Thanks.  I believe I will."

	A few hours later, I was walking around downtown L.A., something
that can be very dangerous.  But with so many people out and about, it
would be highly unlikely that anyone would mug me.  Some female prostitutes
approached me, but I respectfully declined the opportunity to catch a
disease.  Some male prostitutes approached me, and I declined as well.  Too
bad because some looked really cute.
	It's sad to say, or some may think it sad to say, that I have not
actually been with anyone sexually.  I believe there are more important
things to life and a relationship than sex.  I mean, sex is important, but
a relationship should be based on more than just sex.  And sex shouldn't be
something you do for fun.  Again, you are probably laughing at me.  That's
okay.  I have my beliefs and I stand firm on them.
	As I walked, I made mental notes of buildings, streets, and local
establishments that may come in handy to know during my extra curricular
exploits.
	When I got too tired to walk, I called a cab and went home.