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.
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.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books.
I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered.
This story has taken on a life of its own. From its inception a year ago, I had only thought it would last ten chapters maximum. As you can see, it has grown tremendously. Mostly due to readers emailing me and telling me they've enjoyed it or have received help due to certain issues addressed. I've enjoyed writing this story but it would not have been written without men and women reading it and telling me they've enjoyed it. I do hope that you continue to enjoy each new chapter as our hero lives and grows.
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.
authorjames2002@yahoo.com
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Chapter 43 Enjoyment
The shuttle landed on the beach and all of us disembarked.
"Won't you be hunted?" Huntress asked.
"I doubt it," Kai-El answered. "Their masters have been dispatched. There is no need to pursue me if they have no direction."
"Where will you go?" I asked.
"I will head back to Coruscant. After reporting my findings, the Council will decide what to do next if any action is deemed necessary at all."
"How long will it take you to get there?" Lance asked.
"Several weeks," Kai-El replied. "There is a worm hole on the edge of this galaxy that will take me to a galaxy that has another worm hole that will take me to my galaxy. Then I will return home. That will be my longest journey, although I will be able to make several stops on the way."
The Jedi turned to me.
"You are a noble warrior, Eric. I find it hard to believe that you were the one to turn Anakin Skywalker to the Dark Side. You have learned how to overcome the Dark Side. That is a power unto itself."
"I had help along the way."
I reached over and grasped Lance's hand with mine.
"It was an honor working alongside you."
Kai-El stuck out her hand. I took it and shook it.
"It was an honor."
Huntress took Kai-El's hand next. Then she grabbed her Lightsaber. "Did you want this back?"
"No," Kai-El replied. "Keep it as a memento to remember me by."
"Thanks."
"It was nice to meet you," Justin replied sticking his hand out.
"Nice to meet you, as well."
Kai-El took Justin's hand and then Lance's. She walked to the ramp and started up. Then she turned and looked back. "It was an educational experience. Peace be with you."
The Jedi climbed aboard the shuttle and the ramp closed up behind her. The four of us stepped back and the shuttle took off into the sky. We watched until it went out of sight.
Justin and Jessica met Lance and I for dinner at a nearby restaurant. We were dressed for a fun evening out and all looked the part.
"It's good to see you are back, Eric," Jessica said. "Back completely."
"It feels good to be back to my former self. So much has happened over the past year. Lots of ups and lots of downs. I lost myself."
"I always had you in sight," Lance replied. "I could sense the change in you. I first thought it was a part of yourself that you wanted to keep hidden. I don't know if I would have been happy with it or not. I mean, I want the whole you and I want to know the whole you."
"And I want you to know the whole me," I replied. "I can't think of anything that I've kept from you."
"Good," Lance replied as he leaned over and kissed me.
"Well, if it isn't the two homos from the other day," a familiar voice said. However, it didn't have the previous affect on me.
Everyone turned and saw the guys standing looking at us. Evidently what I had done wasn't enough to change his thinking, or, at least, keep his mouth shut.
"Yep," I replied. "He and I are gay. And we are proud to be gay."
"That's right," Lance replied giving me another kiss.
The rude man shook his head and walked away. I noticed one of the guys linger looking at us. Something in his eyes told me he understood what Lance and I felt but was too ashamed and too fearful to say anything to his friends. My heart went out to him.
"What are your plans when you get back?" Jessica asked.
"The birthday party for JC," Justin replied. "He wants it in San Francisco. He headed out not too long after you guys left."
"What's up with him?" Lance said. "I hope things are okay. That isn't like him to just up and go, especially when his birthday is coming up."
"Maybe something is going on," I speculated. "And he wants us in San Francisco to tell us."
"Maybe about a new girlfriend?" Lance speculated.
"Or his future," Justin replied. "Especially since we are splitting up. Maybe he has a contract for a solo album, too."
"Anything is possible," I replied with a smile. "Whatever it is, we should be happy for him and support him."
Everyone agreed with that statement.
Lance and I returned home and I argued with him that it was my turn to carry him over the threshold. He laughed at me and was surprised when I hoisted him up and carried him inside.
"You're getting heavy," I muttered after putting him down.
"Ha, ha, very funny," he replied.
"Let's get this stuff upstairs."
Lance and I carried our bags upstairs and unpacked tossing our dirty clothes into the hamper. When I took my suit to the other room where I kept it in the closet, I found a note hanging on the door. Pulling it off, I opened the envelope and pulled out the slip of paper. The note read:
Eric,
Your wedding presents from Lance and I are at the center. I hope you
enjoy them.
Love,
Jessica
"What's this?" I muttered.
Turning around I found Lance standing in the doorway smiling at me.
"What's this about?" I asked.
"My wedding gift to you, along with Garrett and Jessica's. We better get going."
I pulled up to the teen center and to my utter amazement it was completed.
"How..."
"The Watcher's Council felt they didn't thank you enough for what you did. So they hired extra crews to come in and finish the center."
"But it was in such a short amount of time."
"The Council has monetary funds well beyond anything we could imagine. There is something else, too."
We climbed out of the car and explored the building. The first floor held a gymnasium, medical exam rooms, staff lounge, offices and several rooms for one-on-one and group therapy. The second floor had more offices and therapy rooms as well as dorm rooms for adolescents with nowhere to go. I was enthralled by what lay before me. All my hopes and dreams were becoming reality.
"There's more," Lance replied.
At the end of the corridor on the right where my office was going to be was a small bedroom and bathroom.
"For us," Lance said, "in case we need to stay here all night."
"Us?" I asked.
"I'm going back to school to get my major in business management so I can help you with your dream."
"Oh, Lance," I said with tears coming to my eyes. I grabbed my life partner and hugged him close. "You are wonderful."
"This isn't everything," he replied.
"What? What do you mean? You can't possibly..."
Lance pulled the dresser away to reveal a trap door. "Open it," he said.
I reached down and pulled the door open. A ladder descended down into darkness. I made my descent with Lance right above me.
A small light shined down at the bottom of the ladder. When I got down I waited for Lance to join me. Once he arrived, I looked over to my right and saw rather large equipment standing around seven feet high. I walked over it and it turned on automatically.
"Greetings," it said in a female voice.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Oracle, a computer intelligence designed by the best computer programmers in the world."
"What are you doing here?"
"I was programmed to aid Batman in his plight against evil. According to your voice pattern, you are Batman."
"I am," I replied with a grin. "I wish there were some lights on in here."
Lights high up in the cavern ceiling came on at the words 'lights on' and the cave was flooded with brightness. I turned and saw in the middle of the room a car designed like a bat. It resembled the Crossfire, a prototype by Chrysler if I wasn't mistaken.
"That's from me," Lance replied. "The car, I mean."
Over in the corner sat my motorcycle also redesigned to resemble the car in looks like a bat. In the corner rested a wardrobe.
"That's for your suit," Lance added. "Jessica and I were talking about it for weeks and hoped we could get it all done while we were on our honeymoon. The car was easy, as was the computer set up. The center, however, was a difficult thing as well as the cave. But, it all worked out okay, I think."
"It sure did."
I took Lance in my arms again and held him tight.
"What would I ever do without you?" I replied. After a moment, I answered, "I would be lost and alone without you."
"I love you," Lance whispered in my ear.
"And I love you, too, with all my heart."
Tears had streaked my face by now, tears of joy. Lance and I held each other tightly and I didn't want to let him go.
We returned home and I poured us some champagne. We sat on the couch and cuddles, soft music playing in the background, lights dim and us wrapped up in each other's arms. I lay my head on his chest and listened to the beating of his heart.
"When do you plan on going back to school?" I asked him.
"After my trip into space," he replied.
"You mean the one we had a few days ago wasn't enough?"
"I didn't want to go that way. I wanted to go in our own mode of transportation, to have the thrill of the lift off like we see in the shuttle launches on television."
"I understand," I said. "I hope it happens for you."
"I would like it to. My agents are working on it even as we speak. We are going to finish up in a few days the paper work needed to officially disband NSYNC and then I can go on to what I want to do. When do you start school?"
"At the end of the month. I should be going to schedule classes in a few days. I figure after we go to San Francisco for JC's birthday party and come back, I will have time. Financial aid is available and all my credits from my other classes have been transferred."
"You really don't need financial aid, Eric. I would be more than happy to pay for you tuition."
"I know. This is something I want to do on my own, that's all."
"Fair enough."
"Besides, if the state doesn't want to recognize our marriage as being legal, then they can foot the bill for my education instead of requiring you to pay for it. Serves them right for being narrow-minded assholes."
Lance and I laughed at that.
"You are amazing," he said to me kissing me on the forehead. "You always think of the positive."
"I try. I guess I'm naturally playing devil's advocate and trying to understand others' points of view. I can be considered a flaw at times, I guess, especially if others want someone to be the bad guy. But I can't justify anyone being labeled bad without understanding them. In some cases, it is different."
"Such as..."
"Such as Turic wanting to make Justin his boy toy last year. That was recognizably wrong. So long as someone else is involved and being hurt or intimidated by one's actions, it is wrong."
Lance nodded in agreement.
We finished drinking our champagne and I took our glasses to the kitchen. After locking the sliding door, I headed into the living room. Lance turned off the stereo and locked the front door and we headed up the stairs to bed.
To Be Continued...
What did you think of the gift Lance and Jessica had waiting for Eric when they got back? I have pictures of the car and motorcycle. A reader was kind enough to help me design the Batmobile and his designs went into the motorcycle to make it a Batcycle. If you want to see them, email me!
Questions and comments are always welcome. More good stuff to come, including in the next chapter, a crossover with "Tales of the New Phoenix"