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!!!
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 23 Plans
I awoke the next morning with Lance's arms around me. I did not want this moment to end. I felt so safe in his arms. I turned a little to look at his sleeping face. He was so at rest, so at peace. I wanted to turn off the alarm before it sounded just to let him sleep. But he had to work. And I had to do some more work to get the teen center on its feet.
I quietly slipped out of his arms and went into the bathroom. I turned on the shower and climbed in. As I washed, Lance came into the bathroom.
"Good morning, Love," I said to him.
"Good morning."
I heard him relieve himself.
"Are you getting a shower this morning?" I asked.
"If it's with you, definitely."
I grinned and he opened the door and climbed in. I took the soap and began to rub it on his chest, building up lather.
"You looked so peaceful sleeping. I wanted to turn the alarm off."
"I felt you in my arms, Eric. That's why I was so peaceful. It wasn't too long after I realized you were not there that I woke up."
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Say the sweetest things."
"It is because you are so sweet," he answered.
I leaned in and kissed him. Once I had him lathered up, I used my hands and the water to rinse him off. Then he did the same to me. We got out and dried off. He went into the bedroom and dressed. I pulled a robe on and went downstairs to make some waffles. He came down and grabbed the newspaper at the door, then came into the kitchen reading the headlines.
"Looks like you made the news last night."
"What?"
Lance held up the paper so I could see the headline: Batman Shows Up at Lounge Assault.
"Where do they come up with these headlines?" I asked.
"Well, it's true. You were there."
"Yeah, I guess. What would you like on your waffles?"
"Maples syrup, please."
"Sure. I can thing of something else I would like to try syrup on."
Lance looked at me with a smile and bright eyes.
"Who was that kid who showed up last night?"
"I don't know. He called himself Robin, but I really don't know who he is."
"That's interesting. Maybe he's a fan?"
"Don't really know. From the way he seemed to hold his own, he may have been doing this before I showed up. I think he may have helped me out a few nights ago when I stopped a robbery in progress."
"You have help. I guess that's all that matters."
"Yeah."
I served up his waffles and Lance ate while checking out the other news. I went upstairs to get dressed. As I finished up, Lance came up and brushed his teeth.
"Are you and the other practicing more of that song for the benefit?"
"Yeah. There are some dance moves we need to learn."
"From the way things were yesterday, the organizers are going all out for this."
"Yeah. They are hoping for some serious money to help with some of their programs. They have met with much opposition. This concert is supposed to break the run of opposition."
"I hope it does well."
"Yeah."
Lance brushed his teeth then came out of the bathroom. He kissed me with his mint-fresh breath and went on his way. I pulled on my shoes just as the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Is this Eric McCoy?"
"Yes, it is. Who may I ask is calling?"
"My name is Jacob Mordent. You were inquiring about the teen center."
"Yes."
"Maggie at the bank gave me your number. I tried to get a hold of you yesterday but no one was home."
"Sorry."
"Not a problem. Remember, I'm here to help you, not you help me. Would it be possible for me to come over to your house to discuss this further?"
"Sure."
"What's your address?"
I gave him the address and hung up.
Around noon, Jacob showed up with a briefcase in hand and a smile on his face.
"Come in," I greeted. "Let's go to the kitchen. We have plenty of room in there."
Jacob followed me to the kitchen and sat his things on the table.
"Would you like something to drink? We have lemonade, soda, iced tea?"
"Lemonade would be fine, thanks."
I poured two glasses of lemonade and sat down.
"Okay, Mr. McCoy, let me ask you this. What are your plans for the teen center?"
"I would like to create a place for teens to come and get help with their problems, regardless of what they are."
"Okay. Are you planning on getting private funding or use government funding?"
"If the government funds the center, they can regulate what we believe and who we support."
"That wouldn't be such a bad thing."
"Yes it would when they do not support gays and lesbians as a whole. They still treat homosexuals as second class citizens."
"I take it the gay and lesbian issue is close to you. Do you have relatives who are gay?"
"I'm gay."
Jacob looked at me a little surprised.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Mordent?"
"No. It's just that you don't look or act gay."
"What is that supposed to mean?" I became defensive.
"Please, don't be upset. I mean, you just don't act feminine. You don't have to fear anything from me. I'm bisexual, myself."
I just looked at him, wondering how in the hell me being fit in to me helping teenagers. I tossed aside what he was saying and went on with the business at hand.
"Are there any funds that can go for the teen center?"
"There are some that are from businesses and civic organizations that the government has no control over. The key thing to do is to address the right people and convince them to back you. The trouble is that most won't back anyone unless they see some effort being put into it.
"Have you been down to see the teen center?"
"Yes."
"Then you know the shape that it's in. If you can get it fixed up, we may have a chance of convincing civic leaders to back up the running of the center. I think we can do it. Do you have a way to get it fixed up?"
"Not yet. But I will see what I can do."
"Good. If you need any assistance, call me." Jacob pulled out a card and handed it to me. Then he packed up his things. "Thanks for the lemonade. I feel really good about this."
"Me, too."
I showed Jacob to the door. Once he was out, I closed it and leaned up against the door.
"Whew. Lot's of work to be done." I looked up the stairs and remembered something I needed to do.
I went upstairs and knelt down at the foot of the bed. I prayed for God's wisdom and guidance and help in this situation. After about twenty minutes of talking to Him, I got up and decided on a nice walk.
I ended up at the nearby park. I sat on the bench and watched the kids play. I heard footsteps coming up beside the bench but didn't think to look up, figuring it was a parent.
"Hello, Eric."
I looked up. It was Robbie. "Hi, Robbie. Have a seat."
"Thanks. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay. I've been working on getting things together for the teen center. I may be able to get fund to help run the center. But I need to get it fixed up first."
I looked over at Robbie and noticed he was looking at a woman on the other side of the playground. The woman was sitting on a bench staring at one child in particular, Jack, from down the street.
"Is everything okay?"
"That's her."
"That's who?"
"That's the woman I was with. That's the woman I got pregnant."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"What would she be doing here?" Then it donned on me. She was looking at Jack. Could it be that Jack was their child? If so, why was she looking at him, staring at him, unless she was planning to...
I stood up and ran over to Sheila and Beth, who were busy watching the other children as well as their own son.
"Sheila, Beth, you need to go." I said.
"What?"
"That woman over there. I think that is Jack's mother."
Sheila looked over at the bench I referred to. It was empty.
"What are you talking about?"
"She's gone," I whispered. "Just keep an eye on Jack. I think his mom is around and attempting to take him."
I left not wanting to explain more. I went back and found Robbie missing. Where did he go? Perhaps he went after Jack's biological mom.
Down the road the green car drove. It drove into town, into an old greenhouse. The engine turned off and the driver got out. As she walked, she pulled off her wig, letting her red hair fall to her shoulders, and overcoat.
"Now I know where my son is," she said.
She walked over to a corner and disrobed, revealing her green bathing suit underneath. She grabbed her green boots and pulled them on.
"I guess daddy wanted to see you, too, Jack. Too bad he doesn't know your mommy is poison. Oh, wait. He already does."
With that, Poison Ivy laughed insanely.
Lance arrived home and I greeted him with a kiss. I told him what happened and that I would have to go out as Batman. Reluctantly, he agreed with me. He showered as I suited up. With a quick kiss before pulling on my mask, I said goodbye and went out. I had to find Poison Ivy. She wanted her son, and a mother searching for her son is a very unstable variable. Mothers have a natural desire to protect. I only wish I could reason with her.
Not too far in town, I began a search for Poison Ivy. I decided to check some bars first, in case she was "recruiting" workers, like she was at the Iceberg Lounge. I found a sleazy bar and swung down. I took a deep breath and entered. The talking in the bar stopped as all eyes moved to me.
"I need information," I said jumping right to the point. "I'm looking for a woman."
Several men started laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"If you take off that mask, you might have a better chance of getting a woman. Maybe flash some greenbacks. Some women will flock to that."
I knew what they were talking about but didn't pursue it. It was wasting time.
"She has red hair and green eyes. She wears a green skin-tight bathing suit and tights, with high green boots."
Everyone started laughing now, everyone but three men sitting in a corner. Perhaps they were working for her. I made eye contact with them and moved toward them. They cleared out and rushed out the back. I followed.
As I came out the door, I met a box over the head. I fell to my knees. One guy came up with a kick. I grabbed his ankle and calf and pushed him away. One of the other two guys hit me in the back of the head with something, knocking me to the ground all the way.
"He's not so tough."
I waited for more to happen. But it never did. I heard some scuffling and turned my head to see a dark-haired young masked-man wearing black with a blue image on his back kicking one of the guys in the face. I stood up. He turned.
"Howdy," he said.
He turned back and punched another guy.
The third guy came up behind me. I swung my fist back and backhanded him in the face. I then elbowed him in the stomach and pushed him into the trashcans. I turned back to see the young man kick the guy he punched. The man fell to the ground. The masked-man turned to me.
"Hello, Batman."
"And you are?"
"Nightwing."
'What in the world was happening?' I thought. 'First a Robin. Now a Nightwing. All I need is for a Batgirl to show up and we've rounded out the comic book.'
"What are you doing here?"
"The same as you, probably."
"And that would be...?"
"Tracking down Poison Ivy."
"How do you know about Poison Ivy?"
"Let's just say, I have my own motives for stopping her."
"All right."
I turned and pulled out a grapple gun. I fired. The rope latched on the guy who I had tossed into the trashcans. He was attempting to get away unnoticed. But I had noticed. I jerked hard and the man fell.
"Let's ask him," I replied.
I walked over to him and grabbed him by the collar.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, freak!"
"Not what I want to hear."
I spun around and tossed him into the trashcans again. It knocked the wind out of him. Then I walked over and grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up completely off the ground.
"This concerns the wellness of a child and his family. I won't ask again."
"Okay! Okay! She's down on Wales Ave! In the greenhouse!"
"See. That wasn't so bad, was it?"
I gently sat him down on his feet. I fixed his collar and dusted him off. He looked at me and smiled. I punched him hard and he flew back into the trashcans unconscious.
"Whoa! Was that necessary?" Nightwing asked.
"It was for me. Anybody who harbors someone plotting against children is no one to be gentle with."
I pulled out my grapple gun and shot it into the air. It reeled me up to the roof and I pulled myself up. I looked down and Nightwing was following.
"You don't have to follow me," I said.
"I'm in this with you. I told you."
I heard a noise and turned to see Robin standing up from the roof. He must've just jumped from the previous building.
"Hello, Batman. Who's this?" Robin asked.
"Nightwing," Nightwing said taking Robin's gloved hand.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Poison Ivy," I replied.
"Me, too. So far, though, I haven't had any luck."
"We have," Nightwing chimed in. "Want to join us?"
"Sure. Where we headed?"
"The greenhouse on Wales."
"Great! Let's go!"
I watched as the two younger men, one teenager, one just barely out of his teens, shoot lines and swing across the road.
"What have I gotten myself into?" I mumbled. Then I shot my own line and swung out into the night behind these young men.
To Be Continued...
Nightwing joins the dynamic duo. Don't worry, I won't be using that to address Batman and Robin. So what do you think of the numbers joining Batman? Do you like the idea of a Robin and Nightwing? I'd love to hear from you!
I've drawn a picture of Nightwing as well. If you want to see it, email me!