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!!!
This section of chapters is a continuation of my first story "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". 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.
jmsotc@yahoo.com
Chapter 11 Passing the Torch
I slowly went out to meet the Huntress. She went to the roof and I followed.
"Talk," I said to her.
"What happened, Eric? Why did you kill Israel?"
"I didn't kill him."
"Eric I know you. I know how angry and violent and strong and cold-hearted you can be when it comes to persecution and hatred of homosexuals."
"I didn't kill him."
"Whatever you say. But hear this...I don't trust you any more. And I don't want to see Batman in L.A. any more. I haven't told the cops I know who you really are. I don't know why I didn't, though. I should have."
I just looked at her. Our friendship was ending. I could feel it.
"Like I said. I better not see Batman in L.A. again, or I'll kill you myself. Got it?"
"Got it."
And she left.
I returned to my apartment. My life in L.A. was over. I picked up the phone and gave Lance a call.
"Hello?"
"Lance, can I meet you tonight?"
"Sure. Where?"
I gave him directions to the wooded area. He assured me that he would meet me there in a half hour.
I arrived and walked up to the cliff and just looked out. The city was beautiful. This would probably be one of the last times I would see it like this.
I turned to the rustling noise that came out of the trees. Lance stepped into the moonlight, which illuminated his gorgeous perfect face, his portable CD player headphones hanging around his neck.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I grabbed him and cried.
"What's the matter, Eric?"
"I'm coming with you to Orlando...after I tie up loose ends here."
"Okay. I don't see how that could be such a sad thing."
I looked up into his eyes and saw his smile. I grabbed him and kissed him, knowing that just his embrace would be enough to keep me safe.
Not too much later, we were sitting in each other's arms under a tree.
"Let's listen to some music," he said and turned on his CD.
Savage Garden began to play.
I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I will be strong I will be faithful
'cause I'm counting on
A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish to send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest powers
In lonely hours
The tears devour you
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me
Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standing right here before you
All that you need will surely come
I'll be your dream
I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope I'll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me
We sat there for the longest time gazing at the stars. Then, Lance drove me home. As I walked up the stairs my mind went back to when I first arrived at this apartment. I had so many hopes and dreams and expectations...yet I didn't have any and was frightened by the unknown. Definitely some of my life went for the better. But some of it didn't. Especially with what happened earlier between the Huntress and myself.
I fell to my bed and began crying. My life was ending as I knew it. I was accused of a murder, which I did not commit. My one friend in this city that I could tell anything to believed I committed that murder and did not trust me. I had no one.
Correction: I had Lance. It seemed he was the only one I had. I couldn't involve my clients any more, including David and Michael. I had to tell them. I would go to work tomorrow and tell them I was leaving the practice. I would arrange to take my finals the day after tomorrow instead of next week. At least I would complete the semester.
The next morning I went into work.
"Good morning, Eric," Debbie greeted as usual. I was going to miss her greatly.
"Good morning," I replied.
"Are you okay?"
"Not really."
"What's wrong? Anything I can help with?"
"No." I decided to change subjects. "Who's coming in today?"
"Michael and David are."
Debbie rattled off the list of who was coming in. I thanked her and went to my office. As soon as I sat down, I called up to Dr. Allison.
"Yes, Eric?"
"Can I talk to you around lunchtime today?"
"Sure."
I hung up and David and Michael came in.
"Hi, guys."
"Hi."
I walked over to the chair and sat down.
"How are things going?"
"Pretty well considering the situation..." David said. "We were wondering if you were doing anything for Thanksgiving."
"You made an appointment to ask me that?" I said with a smile.
"Yeah. I know, kind of silly. But we were wondering if you would like to join us for Thanksgiving. We are going to have some friends over for Thanksgiving."
"What about your families?"
"Can't get away to be with them for Thanksgiving," Michael replied.
"So...would you like to come?" David asked.
I looked into his eyes. My heart melted.
"Yeah, I guess. Yes. I would love to come."
"Great," they said together with a look of relief. "Bring someone if you like."
"I have something I need to tell you guys, though."
"What's that?" David asked.
"After Thanksgiving, I'm leaving L.A."
"What?" David became immediately concerned. "Why? You are doing so much good here with your work! Just look at Michael and I! Not to mention the countless others you've helped in your short time here!"
"I appreciate what you are saying, David. It is just time for a change for me."
"Is there someone involved?" Michael asked.
"Sort of. I'm going to meet Lance in Orlando."
"Is that the only reason?" David added.
My heart jumped. Was I giving off a vibe that it was more?
"Are they firing you?"
"No...not at all. In fact, I have to tell Dr. Allison this afternoon."
"What about your clients?" Michael said.
"The Center was able to transfer them to other therapists. It's not something they can't handle."
We talked for a bit longer and they left. The rest of the day went by okay. Then, Dr. Allison showed up.
"Eric, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes."
"Good...because I wanted to talk with you about something as well."
"Okay."
"You first."
"Well, doctor, I appreciate everything the Center has done for me. I've been very fortunate to work here. I admit I was surprised to be handed a counseling position after Joshua abruptly left. And I appreciate the confidence you and the rest of the trustees put in me to approve of Joshua's recommendation, as well as putting me through schooling to get my degree."
"And you've had a rough time with everything, too. It's not like you have normal clientele. You've had the pleasure of talking with some of Hollywood's celebrity as well as running into very strange people in school."
I knew to whom he was referring to.
"What are you trying to tell me, Eric?"
"What I'm trying to say, doctor, is that I think it's time for me to leave. To move."
"Well..." Doctor Allison said and then he got quiet.
I just sat there quietly waiting for Dr. Allison to talk. It seemed like an eternity before he spoke up.
"Do you remember a while ago when I noticed how passionate you were about teens?"
"Yes."
"I'm glad I was able to hear you talk of that. It confirmed my suspicions."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"I had seen the way you deal with the children who come in here. You show much concern for them. I was going to ask you if you would consider going to Florida for a Save the Children convention."
"The what?"
"Save the Children convention. We normally have a representative at the convention...I think you would be perfect."
"What part of Florida?" I asked excitedly.
"This year it's in Orlando. It's normally in Miami, but after the Elian Gonzalez situation, it was moved.
"So would you be interested?"
I thought about it. Work was going to send me to Orlando. Should I take advantage of them moving me down there and then quit while I'm down there? It wouldn't be fair to them to do that. And they've been so good to me.
"Dr. Allison, that is something I would love to do."
"But...?"
"But the reason I wanted to talk to you is that I have decided to leave L.A."
"Really?" Dr. Allison's eyebrows lifted.
"I feel I've done all I can do for this city." No need to tell him that I've been accused of the murder of my former college professor.
"I understand your feelings. I would like to offer you a proposal. Let the Center send you to Florida. Do the convention and such. After it's over, if you still feel that way, we can transfer you to a center down there. What do you say?"
"All I can say is that is very generous of you and the Center."
"You are worth it, Eric. Honestly, you are."
"Thank you, Dr. Allison."
I finished work and went to the college library hoping to run into my college mates. The only one I found there was Brian. With his mother in jail, he had no family to attend the holidays with. He was there alone.
"Hi, Brian."
"Hi, Eric. How are you?"
"I'm okay, I guess. How about you?"
"I'm okay. Just missing my mom a bit. She wasn't the greatest mom, but she is still my mom."
"Truer words were never spoken."
I looked over Brian's shoulder to see what he was doing. A book on Child Psychology was open. I guess he was doing some extra research.
"Brian, I came for two reasons. First, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you have anywhere to go for dinner?"
"No."
"Would you like to come with me to a friends' house?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Then, I guess, yes, I would love to come."
"Good," I said relieved.
"What was your other reason for coming?"
"Oh, that." I moved over next to him and sat down. "I hate to be the one to tell you this but...I'm leaving L.A. next week."
"What?!"
"Sssh, keep your voice down."
"Why are you leaving? You are doing so much here with me and your job and school. Let's not forget the night job you have."
"I know, Brian. The problem is that the Huntress was able to rebuild the footage of Dr. Israel's murder."
"So? What does that have to do with you leaving?"
"The video clearly shows Batman doing the crime."
Brian got real quiet as he looked away, obviously thinking about the ramifications if it were true that I killed someone.
"Did you do it?" he asked.
"No."
"The Huntress must believe you then, doesn't she?"
"No, she doesn't. Neither does the Commissioner of the police. She's ready to have me shot if Batman is sighted."
"Are you going to try and figure out who did it?"
"Only in the short time I have left in L.A. It seems the friend I had for the longest amount of time, the Huntress, doesn't trust me. If she doesn't trust me, who will?"
"I do."
I looked into Brian's eyes and clearly saw that he meant what he said.
"Thank you, Brian. I really appreciate it."
I stood up.
"Meet me at my apartment tomorrow morning. We will go from there over to Thanksgiving dinner."
I turned and walked away.
I was very frustrated about what was happening to my life. Life is so uncertain and it makes for a scary existence. I wish I knew what to do. Maybe I should follow Brian's advice and look for the person who did it. I had nothing really to go on except someone impersonating Batman. That's what I would look for then.
I suited up and began patrol. Not too much later, I found myself near Nick Carter's apartment and in the middle of a mugging.
I dropped down from the roof and landed on one of the thugs. He turned to see me and jumped back.
"Jesus Christ! What are you?"
"Good," I thought, "there are still some who do not know me."
I hauled off and punched him putting my mutant ability behind my punch and knocking him unconscious. I turned to his victim.
"Are you okay?"
The young lady nodded.
"Call the police. I will tie him up and leave him right here."
After I tied him up, I walked down the block and turned. Not too much later, I found myself by Nick Carter's apartment building. A police car was coming so I ran into the alley and the shadows to hide. I never thought I would see the day where Batman would have to run from the police. It seemed so unnatural for him to be running against the Law.
I heard some moaning and groaning above me. It sounded like it was coming from Nick's actual apartment. Was he in trouble? I opened my cape a little, jumped and let my mutant power lift me up to his balcony. The noise was louder so I was on the right floor. I peeked in to see what was going on. There on the bed was Nick Carter on the bottom of...Batman? Was this the imposter masquerading as me? Was he taking advantage of Nick's apparent crush on me? If so, it was ending...tonight.
I tried the door and it was unlocked. I opened it and went in as I heard the two men reach the climax of their activities.
"What's going on here?" I demanded.
Both guys looked at me and I could have shrunk back into the shadows. The man in the Batman suit was Nick's boyfriend Derrick. All he had on was the cape and cowl, with the face cut out. The rest of him was naked. Nick was completely naked.
"I apologize," I said.
Nick and Derrick both looked totally embarrassed as well.
"Let me up," Nick whispered.
I heard the sound of Derrick pulling out of Nick...yet another embarrassing moment...and Nick got up. Derrick pulled the cape around himself so I could not see his nakedness. Nick, however, seemed more concerned about what I was thinking as he strolled over to me buck naked and skin shining from both the sexual exertion and the fluid that expelled from his lower parts onto his chest.
"I'm so ashamed you saw that, Batman. Really. I didn't want you to see..."
"It is I who should be ashamed. I thought I was seeing something more dangerous than this."
"What do you mean?" Nick asked.
Clearly he was content talking to me completely nude. I had to keep my eyes focused on his eyes and not his lower parts.
"Do you remember when Dr. Israel was murdered in that building fire?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Video footage was recovered and restored and it appeared that someone dressed like me did it. I happened to hear what was going on up here and when I saw your boyfriend wearing a Bat suit, I became concerned that the murderer was trying to impersonate me to you."
"Thank you for being concerned," Nick said.
Nick still had a crush on me obviously. Not only because of what he was doing with his boyfriend, but the way he was talking about my interruption of their fantasy.
"I'm not offended by what you two were doing," I said. "I'm flattered. Your fantasies are just that, your fantasies. I'm sorry for my disruption."
I turned and jumped off the balcony as quickly as I could. I didn't want to stand in there any longer than possible. The sight of Nick naked and the fact his partner was dressed like me started to stimulate me in ways I knew I couldn't explore, especially now that I had Lance in my life.
To Be Continued...
What do you think? As I was writing the scene with Nick and his boyfriend and Batman coming in, I could really have done something erotic with it. But I couldn't do that, now could I? I'm not here to write erotic stories...just fictional stories to portray life. Tell me what you think! I'd love to hear from you.