A Light In the Dark
Chapter 1

"I swear to all that is holy, you're wrong!"

Shawn tutted in annoyance. "Not wrong."

"Seriously, you're wrong."

"No I'm," Shawn paused for a moment, then turned to look his friend in the eyes. "Since when did you swear to all things that are holy..? That really isn't like you."

"People change, Shawn."

"Yeah, well... That also changes the fact you think I'm wrong, doesn't it?"

"...Not entirely. You have terrible guessing skills, Shawn. I'm telling you for a fact, Ra's al Ghul is gonna be behind the whole thing."

"Come on! Scarecrow has to have some involvement in it, too!"

"Well, he does, but Ra's al Ghul has a personal vendetta against Bruce and he's trying to hit him where it hurts."

"So you're..."

"Hi daddy!"

Shawn turned to look at his now six-year-old son, Cameron. "Hiya buddy."

"Watcha watching?"

"Batman Begins."

"Is that the new Batman movie?"

"Yeah." Shawn replied.

"Can I watch it with you?"

"Dude! Guys night!"

"Ummm... I dunno, Cameron... We're kinda far in..."

"Please?" Cameron asked.

Shawn sighed and was about to respond when Rebecca walked into the room. "Cameron, bed time. Now!"

"But mommy... I was just about to watch a movie with daddy..."

"Oh?" Rebecca looked over at Shawn.

"I was contemplating restarting the movie... But I didn't know how late it was," Shawn turned to look at Cameron. "I'm sorry, buddy. But you have to go to bed. We'll watch the movie together tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay... Goodnight."

"Night, buddy."

Cameron kissed his mother goodnight, then walked to his room. Rebecca turned to look at Shawn again.

"I thought I heard voices in here... Who were you talking to?"

"Just now? Cameron."

"You were talking before Cameron came into the room, Shawn."

Shawn rubbed his head. "Yeah, I know."

"Okay, then... Who were you talking to?"

"I think she should know who you were talking to by now, Shawny."

Shawn glanced to his left, then quickly looked back at his wife. "I thought I told you I had company today."

"Randy left four hours ago."

"Huh. Well, I'd swear he was still here."

Rebecca didn't look convinced. "He's not here, Shawn," She paused and walked towards the door, then turned to look at him again. "Neither one of them are." She continued, then walked away.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Beats me." Shawn replied.

"Is it me, or has she gotten a little weird in the last few months?"

"A lot has happened, you know." Shawn stated, once again turning to look at his friend.

"I know. I was there."

"Good to know your memory hasn't gotten worse."

"My memory isn't bad, okay? I merely forgot what day of the week it was!"

"Yeah, yeah. Excuses."

"Not excuses. Truth."

"My ass."

"Language, Shawn! Jeez. You shouldn't say such things with another married man in the room."

"You're one to talk!"

"Oh, yeah? How so?"

"You've been cursing since the day I met you!" Shawn shouted.

"That was a very long time ago, Shawn... And I never once shouted 'my ass' at you."

"I'm sure there was some form of it mentioned."

"Yeah, maybe a nice 'kiss my ass,' which is something completely different."

"Not true."

"Stuff it, Shawn," The two were silent for a few moments before anyone spoke again. "Your mind is a cluttered mess. Again."

"It usually is."

"Yeah, but you're usually a little more open with me... Any problems?"

Shawn sighed. "Yeah... A year ago today..."

"Time flies, huh?"

"Yeah... But, come on... Paul... Of all people..."

"I know, man. But... Look at it this way. It's been a year and you're still here."

"Yeah, that's mainly because of you... I can't talk to anyone else like this."

"You probably should start talking to people, Shawn... Maybe Randy..?"

Shawn narrowed his eyes angrily. "Are you trying to say you aren't interested in helping me anymore?"

"That's far from it, Shawn. I want to help you as much as I can. It's just... I think Randy can help you, too."

"Not really."

"You haven't even given him a chance. Give him a goddamn chance, Shawn."

"Don't you dare get an attitude with me, Shane," Shawn shouted, then paused. He watched his friend carefully for the next few moments, then sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"You gonna tell me I had a right to snap at you like that?" Shawn asked.

Shane shrugged. "You tell me."

"It was wrong."

"Hey, I'm your friend... You're bound to get mad at me once in awhile."

"Shawn," The man in question turned to look at Rebecca when she entered the room looking slightly agitated, but mostly confused. "Can you please lower your voice?"

"Sorry."

"Who are you talking to?"

"Nobody."

"I'd swear you just said the name 'Shane.'"

"Maybe I did." Shawn stated.

Rebecca walked up to her husband, knelt down in front of him and took both of his hands in hers. "Do you remember when I said 'he's not here?'"

"Yeah. You just said that."

"Okay, good. He's not here, Shawn."

"But," Shawn paused and looked to his left, where Shane was sitting and looking at him. "He's..."

"Shane was killed last year. Don't you remember?" Rebecca asked.

"Busted." Shane mumbled.

Shawn once again turned to his left, where he saw nothing but an empty couch. "I..."

"It's okay, Shawn... It's okay..."

"No," Shawn whispered, turning to look at Rebecca. "It isn't."

A/N: Hello everyone, and welcome to 'A Light In the Dark,' the sequel to 'Dark Reflections!'

A lot of things from 'Dark Reflections' are going to be brought up and answered in this fic, so just put your seat belts on and hold on, because it's going to be an intense ride.

Also, I felt like I just had to post this on the six year anniversary of the day I posted DR.

Thank you for reading the first chapter! Feel free to review (those are nice) and/or contact me if you have any questions!