Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. It has no intentions of resembling any real persons dead or alive. This is entirely from my imagination, with a little help from already established sources. This story is based loosely on the comic book character "The Punisher" from Marvel Comics. Other characters may appear from Marvel comics as well as DC Comics.
Punisher and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics.
Blade and all related characters copyright Marvel Comics.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel copyright Joss Whedon, United Paramount Network and Warner Bros. Respectively.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
I have written another story on nifty entitled "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". It is in the Celebrity/Boy Bands section. Batman may appear in this story once or twice, as the Punisher may appear in "Tales of a Real Dark Knight". Any comments may be sent to authorjames2002@yahoo.com
Thank you and enjoy.
Chapter 1 Friends Return
Ty, Tandy, Whistler, Davey and Harris stood at the airport waiting for their friends' arrival. Every since the Vampire War, they had realized how much they missed and needed every member of their team. Their friend Elektra had other things to do so she moved on. Since their battle with Ambika, Elektra learned to respect Tandy, and Tandy Elektra. Life had a way of creating situations where people could learn about their own flaws. Tandy had learned her own flaws, jealousy being one of them. Knowing more Slayers existed and has had more experience than she first gave her feelings of inadequacy. She believed others could do a better job than she could do. But after the battle with Ambika, she learned that she was unique and that, no matter the number of Slayers in the world, she could contribute greatly to the battle against dark spiritual forces.
The plane landed and the voice came over the loudspeakers announcing the arrival of the plane from Orlando and that the passengers would be disembarking from Gate 12. The Marvel Knights went to the gate and anxiously awaited the arrival of their friends. Soon passengers came out and greeted their loved ones. Michael and Johnny came out and Davey, Whistler and Tandy rushed up to greet them. Tandy and Davey embraced Michael, who seemed standoffish but let them have their moment of reunion. Whistler took Johnny's hand and wanted to question him about his experience being under the control of a powerful, ancient spirit. Harris and Ty hung back until Blade came through. When he came through, Harris ran up and embraced Blade. Blade welcomed the hug, even though he wouldn't admit it to anyone. After all the heartache he had been through in Tokyo, he needed to have some encouragement and support, even if the young man didn't realize what he was doing for Blade.
Harris released Blade and said, "I'm glad you are back."
"Me, too," Blade replied.
Harris smiled at the Daywalker and went over to Davey and the rest.
Ty approached Blade and took his hand.
"How did things go?"
"Rough for a while," Ty answered. "I didn't think we would be able to do it, but we pulled it off. We had some help from another Slayer."
"Really? How did Tandy do with that?"
"Jealousy big time. But she and I both had an opportunity to grow. And here we are, better than we were when you left."
"That's good to hear," Blade said.
Whistler welcomed Blade and Tandy approached him as the others moved ahead through the terminal.
"So?" Tandy said.
"So, what?" Blade replied.
"Did you talk to Punisher about your feelings?"
"Sort of."
"And?"
"It didn't end well."
Tandy stopped and placed her hand over her mouth as Blade walked ahead. She wanted Blade to tell Punisher how he felt and for things to work out okay. She liked Punisher and Johnny together, but she also thought Blade and Punisher would make a cute couple. She wanted her friend to be happy. That was the biggest thing for her. Evidently, though, Punisher and Blade were never meant to be.
"Coming, Tandy?" Ty called back.
The Slayer hurried and caught up with everyone else.
Outside the terminal in the passenger pick-up place, a valet brought Punisher's Suburban around after unloading.
"Thank God," Ty said. "I wasn't sure how long my car could actually hold out with everyone piled in it."
Harris and Davey climbed in the back next to Whistler. Whistler looked in the very back and saw the arsenal. He turned back to Punisher, Johnny and Blade, who piled into the front.
"How did you get all this past customs?" Whistler asked.
"Xavier," Blade replied.
Whistler nodded. "I'll have to keep him in mind next time I get a hankering for real Cuban cigars."
Punisher nodded and the vehicle took off.
"Why are Ty and Tandy alone in the other car?" Johnny asked. "I figured the two boys would like to be with the other two young ones."
"Those two recently had something happen to them," Harris said.
"What?" Punisher asked.
"Ty had his eight incher up Elektra's kootch," Davey replied.
Johnny, Blade and Punisher looked at one another. Johnny and Blade turned to look at Davey, shock on their faces.
"What?"
"How do you know this?" Johnny asked.
"I walked in on them fucking in the showers."
"Who is Elektra?" Blade asked.
"A Vampire Slayer," Whistler answered. "She left, though, just before you got back. She had her own things to deal with. Her being here was temporary.
"As far as our resident twink's poor choice of wording, everyone had matured some while you were gone."
"I hope for the good," Blade answered.
"Yeah. I'd really hate to keep going around hearing about women's genitalia," Punisher said. "No offense to you who are attracted to the female persuasion, but that stuff just churns my stomach."
"Oh, please," Blade said. "You can easily shoot dozens of people without flinching. Yet say the word 'cunt' and you're all queasy. What's up with that?"
"I guess it's just the queer in me."
"Queer is right," Whistler said, "and I don't mean the fag part, either."
"Hey," Davey said. "Us homos can get away with saying the word 'fag' but heterosexuals cannot. It's like using the 'N' word. Only black people can say that."
Whistler rolled his eyes. "Political correctness."
"No, common respect," Harris said.
"Whatever. I won't use any of those offending words again."
"We'd appreciate it."
"Damn, you guys fight demons and vampires, for God's sakes. Yet you get offended by a few measily words."
"Just drop it," Blade said.
The team arrived at the lair and piled out. Blade and Punisher carried their stuff in.
"Pick whatever rooms you want," Whistler said. "There are plenty of them."
Johnny smiled, kissed Punisher, and grabbed his lover's things taking them upstairs with Punisher following.
Blade saw the affection and was thankful his shades were still on. He had other things to think about now. Ty and Tandy came in smiling and Blade looked at them with a most serious look.
"You two better behave yourselves until I get a chance to talk to you."
"Yes, sir," Ty said sarcastically.
"Okey, dokey," Tandy replied.
Blade turned and headed up the stairs just shaking his head.
"Davey, did you see this?" Harris said pulling out a piece of paper as he walked over to the swing outside.
Davey sat on the swing and Harris sat next to him, the swing moving slowly forward and backward.
"What is it?"
"I was looking up something on the Internet. A manager is looking for some gay guys to fill out a gay boy band. They are coming to Columbus. I thought you and I could try out since we both sing well."
"That would be cool," Davey answered.
"It says here if that the guys they choose will be flown to Florida where they will compete until only five guys are left. The remaining five will sign a record deal and cut an album. Isn't that awesome?"
"Yeah! Where have they gone so far?"
"It didn't say but I think they have already picked a few people."
"What's the max they will take?"
"Twenty, I think."
"Can you imagine five gay guys singing in a boy band? There are so many that think members of NSYNC and Backstreet Boys are gay. Wouldn't it be cool to have a group of gay guys out?"
"Yeah, no guessing if they are or not."
"It would be cool if someone in BSB or NSYNC was gay. I'm thinking Nick from Backstreet Boys myself."
"Yeah, he's cute and kind of looks gay. I'm betting Justin is. He acts way too masculine to actually be straight. It's like a cover."
"For the record," Johnny said as he opened the door and poked his head out. "Justin is involved with a woman. Lance is the gay one in NSYNC."
"How do you know?" Harris asked.
"Because I met Lance and Justin on our little trip."
"No shit!" Davey exclaimed. "What about Nick Carter?"
"Don't know. He wasn't in Tokyo."
"Man, that is so cool!" Davey said. "Do you know if Lance is with anyone?"
"Yeah, he's married to somebody."
"Damn. He's cute!"
"Hello!" Harris said. "Sitting right beside you!"
"Hey, you know I love you. I can still appreciate the cuteness of other guys. Besides, you can't tell me you don't think Johnny and Michael are hot."
"Well," Harris said.
"I can't hear any more of this," Johnny said laughing turning away.
Harris and Davey giggled.
"So what happened?" Blade asked Tandy and Ty down in the lair.
"What do you mean?" Tandy asked.
"Davey told us what happened with you and a Vampire Slayer, Ty. You had sex with her?"
"Yeah."
"Did you use protection?"
"Look, Whistler gave me the speech already about duty coming first."
"Why were you so upset about it?" Blade directed his question to Tandy.
"I wasn't sure at first, myself. At first I thought it was because I didn't feel appreciated. Elektra seemed to have gotten all the attention when she showed up. I thought it was because I felt left out. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized. I think there is something between Ty and I. We talked about it and we are going to give it a chance."
Blade nodded. "Don't have sex. You're still a minor."
"Don't worry," Tandy said. "We don't plan on going that far just yet. We have to start thinking of each other as more than just coworkers."
"While you're at it, keeping thinking of each other as adult and minor."
"We will," Ty said chuckling.
"Can we go now?"
Blade nodded.
Ty and Tandy started for the door. Tandy stopped and muttered something to Ty, who headed upstairs. Tandy walked back to Blade.
"Did you talk to Michael?"
Blade turned from her. "I don't want to talk about it. He's with Johnny. That's all that matters."
Tandy put her hand on Blade's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Blade said nothing in response. Tandy withdrew her hand and went upstairs leaving Blade alone.
Whistler passed Tandy on the stairs and joined Blade.
"The war was interesting. I never believed I would see that many vampires in one place."
"Really?"
"They were everywhere! The city was damn near overrun with them! You would have been impressed with your team. I wasn't sure they would be able to cut it, them being so young and all. I figured without you, the team would have fallen apart. I'm glad they proved me wrong."
"I never lost faith in them."
Whistler nodded. "From what Johnny said, it was pretty intense in Tokyo."
Blade nodded.
"What happened?"
"Tomorrow is the audition for the gay boy band auditions," Harris said. "What would you like to sing?"
"Hmm," Davey thought. "Do you want to do one together? Or each do a single?"
"I was thinking we could do a duet."
"Are you sure? I don't want to hold you back."
"You could never hold me back," Harris said getting closer to Davey. Then, he whispered, "you complete me."
The two young men kissed. Then pulled away and smiled at each other.
To Be Continued...