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 12 New York Mutations
Thursday was the longest day of my life. Work lasted forever. Training seemed to be twice as long. I put as much energy as I could into it, hoping that Garrett would see my enthusiasm and let me off early. That didn't happen. Two and half hours later, I was totally exhausted. But, I managed to get home, showered and into bed.
The next morning, I dressed and packed. I even washed and packed my Bat-suit. I wasn't planning on using it, but one never knew what was to come. I took a cab to the airport and was soon on my way to New York. As the plane neared the airport, my mind went back to the dream I had. "Was Justin going to be waiting for me with someone else on his arm?"
I exited the plane and was greeted by Justin and JC.
"Hi, Eric," Justin said, shaking my hand. He gave it an extra squeeze to show his feelings. It's "bad business" for a teen idol to show his sexuality in public if his sexuality would hurt his popularity. Unfortunately, we live in a society of teen girls who would find it reprehensible for a gorgeous famous guy to show that he is gay. It just goes to show humanities shallowness and bigotry.
"Hi, Justin." I released my grip and shook JC's hand. "Hi, JC."
"Eric."
I noticed that JC was rather quiet. Something was bothering him, but what I did not know. They took me to their waiting car. The trip to the hotel was not that bad. I told the guys a little of what had been going on in L.A. leaving out the "I'm Batman" parts. They shared with me that several celebrities would be present at this concert.
When we arrived at the hotel, Justin showed me to his room. "You'll be staying with me."
"Do the guys know about us?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And they are okay with it. They like you."
"Good," I replied. And for the first time, I leaned into Justin and kissed him. It was very nice. It was like being overwhelmed with warmth and love. We broke the kiss and unpacked my things, at least until Justin reached for the bag containing my Bat-suit. "Wait," I said rather abruptly.
"What?"
"Don't unpack that one."
"Why not?"
"I'll get that one." I went up and kissed him again. "Besides," I said seductively, "I don't want you to do everything for me."
"Oh, but I want to do everything for you. Or with you if I can."
I smiled. We left the room and met the guys.
"So what's on the agenda for today?" I asked.
"We have rehearsal," Joey said. "Celine is already at the civic center."
"Then let's roll," Chris replied.
We left the hotel and I noticed that Lance was rather shy and distant from everyone, especially me. Something was wrong, though I couldn't put my finger on it.
We arrived at the civic center without incident and I followed the guys around to the back. There we departed as they went to find the manager and I went into the auditorium to hear them sing. I went in as someone had started singing. It was Celine Dion singing "All Coming Back To Me". I sat and listened, enjoying one of my favorite songs. Once she finished, she introduced her next song "That's The Way It Is" with her guest back up singers. I couldn't believe my eyes! The guys were doing back up for Celine Dion!
I could hardly sit still as I was moving around dancing in my seat. Then I began to sing along. I don't have that great a singing voice. I don't think I could carry a tune in a bucket! Almost the whole time, I couldn't take my eyes off Justin, as he kept looking at me, especially when they sang the chorus. I also noticed Lance didn't seem to be putting much energy into his performance. I tried to study him to see if I could discover what was bothering him, but someone else walking down the aisle distracted me. I looked to see a dark-skinned woman with white hair looking up at the stage.
The song ended and Celine came down and approached the stranger. The guys came over to me and Justin said, "What did you think?"
"You guys are awesome!"
"Excuse me," Celine said to the guys. "Is this Eric?"
"Yep," Justin answered with a smile on his face.
"Hello, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," I replied shaking her hand.
"I have someone I would like all of you to meet. This is an old friend of mine, Ororo. We went to school together."
"Nice to meet you," the guys said to her.
"Well, that's about it for me. The stage is all yours. Ororo and I have some catching up to do."
"Yes," Ororo said with an African accent. "I heard you had a little baby boy. I would love to hear about him."
The two friends left. Justin looked up at me and said, "We've got a few more songs to practice. But, I promise you after the concert a night on the town."
"Are you sure you will want to do that tonight after all this practice today? We could always do it tomorrow night."
"We'll see," he said while winking at me. The boys went up and practiced some more of the songs they were to sing at the concert tonight. At around 5:00 in the evening, they finished and we went back to the hotel.
I looked through the clothes I brought only to find something that didn't quite fit the evening's event. I wanted to look nice but not too casual and not too dressy.
"I guess we go shopping then," Justin said.
"No, it's too late for you to be going out. I'll go out and buy something and I'll see you at the concert tonight."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Justin handed me some money and kissed me good-bye. Kissing is getting so much easier when I'm kissing someone I care about.
"You don't have to give me any money, Justin. I have plenty."
"I want you to buy something you like, even if it's expensive."
"Well, thank you," I said, giving him another kiss. I would have it out with him another time about him giving me money. I work and want to be able to buy my own stuff, not him think he has to give me money every time I go out.
I left the hotel and walked down a New York avenue. It was very busy and very crowded. It was very overwhelming. I couldn't believe the amount of people on the streets. I am not one who likes crowds anyway. I found a store that I liked and decided to visit.
The store was full of clothes for all kinds of men. One particular salesman approached me with a smile. "Can I help you?"
"Yeah. I'm looking for something to wear tonight."
"A date with your girlfriend?"
"No. Boyfriend. We are going to the concert tonight."
"Really," the man said sounding rather let down. Over what, I don't know. "Well, all of our things are very expensive. I don't think you have enough money to buy something here."
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. He was insinuating something about me based upon my clothes I was already wearing. I dressed casual: jeans, t-shirt with a design on it. He had not reason to base such an opinion. I turned and left.
"Who was that guy to judge me? Who was that guy to base an opinion on me? To treat me less than a fellow human being?" I was so mad I could have turned around and punched the arrogance right off his face. And now with the little training I had received from Garrett, I'm pretty sure I could have made him cry 'uncle'.
I went down the street a little further and found another store. I went in and found the employees a bit friendlier. But one of the customers was being a jerk. I watched as a scene unfolded before my eyes. Evidently the employee waiting on the customer was not to the customer's standards.
"What? Why did you bring me this purple shirt?" the customer complained.
"I thought it would bring out your blue eyes. You did express something that would bring out your eyes."
"Why are you looking at me like that?" the rude customer replied to the shy male salesman. "Are you some kind of homo?"
Immediately my anger was kindled. I noticed another customer tensed at that statement, too. You can understand my shock at that because the other customer was Leonardo DiCaprio. "Is it possible he's gay, too?" I thought. Leonardo was definitely getting angry.
"I don't want this guy waiting on me," Mr. Attitude declared. "I want the manager."
Leonardo went into action and walked up to the humiliated salesman. "Could you help me with something, since you're not busy with this guy?"
The salesman looked up in his eyes rather relieved. "I guess so." His face lit up when he noticed who approached him. So did mine.
It's good to see gay movie stars sticking up for what's right instead of sticking up for what they want.
I found a shiny red button-up shirt and shiny blue pants. They had a pair of black shoes that I settled on and with that, I went back to the hotel to shower and change.
It was a bit late and the guys had already left. I got ready and went to the civic center where the hustle and bustle of arrivals was done and over with. I walked to the doors and they let me in. Fortunately, the guys put my name on the guest list so I wouldn't have a problem getting in. A man dressed in a tuxedo walked up to me. "Mr. McCoy. We have a spot reserved for you in the front. If you would please follow me."
I followed the man to a side door. He opened it up and I went into the auditorium and right to the front. I was just in time as Celine came out on stage.
"I'm thrilled that they are with me tonight to join me on this next song. Ladies and gentlemen, NSYNC."
"That's The Way It Is" played and I watched the guys.
When you want it the most, there's no easy way out.
When you're ready to go, and your hearts left in doubt.
Don't give up on your faith. Love comes to those who believe it.
And that's the way it is.
I watched Lance's face when Celine came to the part where she slows down.
Life is empty with no tomorrow.
Loneliness starts to call.
I noticed Lance's eyes were full of sadness, but he tried not to let it show. It was difficult to tell. The only reason I knew was because I had seen him earlier in the day having a hard time with this song.
Justin made eye contact with me several times throughout the song, as well. He would give me a wink here, a smile there, just to let me know he knew I was there and that he cared.
The song ended and Celine Dion bowed and referred to NSYNC for applause. Then she left the stage. The boys moved in to center stage and began "It's Gonna Be Me". Justin couldn't help but look at me every time he sang "It's gonna be me". Lance kept having a hard time with that part. He looked at me a couple times but seemed to deliberately look away as much as possible. I guess it's the natural caregiver in me because I was concerned about what was bothering him.
When the song ended, I looked around the auditorium to see if I could recognize any faces in the crowd. Sure enough, I did. James Marsters from Buff the Vampire Slayer was there. I always thought he was cute with his light blonde hair and rigid jaw line. And half way up the auditorium, I saw Ororo with a guy in a tux. The guy had long sideburns that went almost all the way down to a full beard but stopped short of his chin. They were whispering something then, he turned around quickly. Something was going on. Call it the crime fighter in me, or the paranoid person in me, but something was not right. Unfortunately I didn't have my suit to help in that capacity. But I was determined to do something if I could.
I watched the two work their way to the back of the crowd and then exit. I looked up at Justin as they sang "This I Promise You" and smiled. Then, I slipped through the side door I entered in by and began my search for Ororo and her friend.
As I entered the corridor, I saw the two talking in the hallway looking around as if looking for something. I decided to approach.
"Hello, Ororo."
"Oh. Hello, Eric."
"Enjoying the concert?"
"Yes."
"Who's your friend?"
"This is Logan. Logan, Eric McCoy."
"Nice to meet you."
Logan just nodded at me, then turned to Ororo. "He has to be around here somewhere. We should get going."
"You're right." Ororo turned to me. "I'm sorry, Eric, but we must be going. Enjoy the concert."
"I will. May I ask who you're looking for? If I see him I can tell you."
"No. It's all right. We'll find him. Thank you."
With that the two walked away from me. I took the hint and went back to the door to the concert. I opened the door and went in, but immediately turned around to watch. I saw them walk back to a door in the corridor. Logan tried it, but it was locked.
"I think it's a magnetic lock," Logan said. "I feel a pull when I grab the handle."
"Let me try," replied Ororo. I watched as she moved her hand close to the door handle. Electric sparks seemed to shoot between her hand and the door. Then she grabbed the handle and pulled the door open easily.
I watched them disappear behind the door and decided to follow quietly. When I reached the door, I opened it easily as well. The magnetic field seemed to have lost its magnetism. "How did that happen?" I wondered as I continued up the steps.
When I reached the top, I found three large knives had slashed the doorknob. I pushed the door open and found myself on the rooftop. Quietly I stepped out onto the roof, looking for the two friends. I heard speaking from around the corner and peeked my head around. There was the answer to the knives. Ororo's friend had three large knives...coming out of his hand? Man, my life keeps getting more interesting by the day!
Ororo was standing not too far from him. And they both were facing an older looking man in a tuxedo.
"You're not going anywhere, bub," Logan said.
The man just laughed and raised his hand toward Logan. Logan's arms raised above his head and suddenly he flew into the building housing the stairs down, the building I was hiding behind. I jumped away as Logan hit the building and caused it to collapse.
I looked up wondering what would happen next. I didn't have to wait too long, either. For some strange reason, a storm built up rather quickly and the wind began to blow. Lightning flashed. Thunder roared. Then, a lightning bolt came down toward the older man. He simply put his hand up and the lightning bolt that most surely would have hit him, seemed to disperse.
"What in the world is going on?"
"NOW!" Logan yelled out.
I watched as Ororo placed something in here ears. Looking over at Logan, he already had something in his ears. At the last moment, I saw a bald man standing on a building on the other side of the street. He placed his hands up by his temples. Suddenly I was hunched over with a huge headache. I wasn't the only one. The old man was doubled over, too. Not too much later, the old man passed out. And I followed suit.
When I awoke, I was in the hospital, with Justin by my side. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said, trying to move. But the pain shooting through my head caused me to lay still. My face screwed up in pain.
"What's wrong? What hurts?" The concern Justin had was evident in his voice. "Do you want me to call a doctor?"
"I'll be okay. Just get me some Advil."
Justin put his hand on mine and his other hand began to rub my forehead. "You scared us last night. We couldn't find you after the concert. When security found the door to the roof had been turned off, they ran up there and found the hutch smashed and you lying on the ground. What happened?"
"I can't remember," I said honestly. I didn't know what happened to cause me to have this huge headache. All I remember was the bald man with his hands by his temples.
Just then, the doctor came in. "Excuse me, I would like to speak with Eric alone."
"You can speak with him while I'm here," Justin replied.
"I'm sorry. The information I have to give him is personal. And you are not family."
I've heard this statement before in movies where a gay person and their partner were in a hospital and the doctors would not share information with the partner. As much as I argue the point, I was in no condition to argue.
"It'll be okay, Justin." I smiled at him to reassure him. It must have done some good.
"I'll be outside if you need me." Justin walked out the door.
The doctor turned and looked at me. Then he approached. "What can you tell me about last night?"
"What do you mean?"
"What happened to you on the roof?"
I proceeded to tell him what had happened. When I finished, he looked at me rather concerned and amused. "What's so amusing, doc?"
"Please, call me professor."
"Professor?" Then something dawned on me. He was bald! Could it be he was the bald guy on top of the other roof?
"Indeed I am."
He read my mind!!!!
"Yes, I did." I tried to get up but he put his hand on my chest and forced me to hold still. "Don't worry. I won't hurt you."
"Then what do you want with me?"
"First let me explain. My name is Professor Charles Xavier. I have a unique gift. I can read and control the thoughts of others."
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Nothing."
"Then what are you doing here with me?"
"Simple. Last night, I used a telepathic pulse that is only supposed to affect mutants. Now, either I did it wrong or..."
I began to shake my head 'no'. "No. I'm not a ...a...a whatever you said."
"Really? Well, I think you are. Here." Professor Xavier gave me a card. "If you ever change your mind for any reason, like causing damage to stuff accidentally and in a strange way, call me. I would be glad to help." With that, the Professor left.
Justin came rushing in. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, he just wanted to talk about what happened. He wanted to figure out what caused the headache and, I guess one of the causes has been embarrassing for some to admit. I assured him it wasn't what caused my headache."
Justin sat with me for another hour before another doctor came in. "Well, Mr. McCoy, it seems that you are doing better. We can't keep you here any longer. But if your headaches come back and are intense, come back immediately. I'm sure you will have headaches, but that is natural. Just take some over the counter medication."
"Do you know what caused it, doctor?" I asked hoping the doctor had a rational explanation.
"Probably too much stress and not enough relaxation. Go ahead and get dressed. The nurse will be in shortly to discharge you." The doctor left.
Justin looked at me with a grin. "I can do something about that relaxation."
I smiled and grinned back at him. Then, after I was dressed, the nurse came in and discharged me and Justin and I are on our way back to the hotel.
To be continued...
So what do you think? Mutants? Here's where the X-MEN disclosure comes in. I hope you like it. What do you think about our hero possibly being a mutant? I would love to hear from you. Plus, there's still more to come in the Justin Timberlake romance. And you will be meeting several celebrities in the coming chapters that will have a very significant impact on Eric and the way he thinks. You've already read a bit about that with Leonardo DiCaprio. Like I said, still LOTS more to come!!!