Hee-hee! Touched a Bat nerve with that last chapter! Don't worry Dark Knight fans. Except for some serious anger at the bad guys, that is the only visible emotion he will show.

Warning - Here there be fluffy dream slash!

After school, Virgil and Richie reported for detention with Mrs. Noring. "Boring Noring" is what the kids called her, and she certainly earned her rep. Mrs. Noring was strict, too. No talking in detention - no Game Boys or CD's either. You either sat quietly or you did homework for the entire hour. She also never let Richie and Virgil sit near each other because they had a tendency to get the giggles.

Richie took a seat on the far side of the room, while Virgil sat near the door. He rested his cheek on his hand and appeared to be staring out the window. In reality, he was absorbed in his favorite covert past time, "Richie-watching." Virgil smiled as Richie fluffed his book bag, lay down his head, and fell asleep.

Richie's face was turned away from Virgil and his arm curled protectively around the bag. His arm shifted and the sleeve of his long-sleeve shirt slid upwards to reveal a dark ring of smudges that could only be bruises.

'I don't remember Gear getting hurt last night,' thought Virgil, frowning slightly. 'He did get smacked off his skates and I ended up in the dumpster again, but Snake Pit and his crew never got close enough to touch either of us. Did I miss something?'

As Virgil reexamined last night's fight trying to figure out when Gear could have been injured, he felt a jolt from the Shock Vox he'd tucked in his pocket. Virgil leapt from his chair with a gasp of surprise.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Hawkins?" asked Mrs. Noring who peered at him over the rims of her glasses.

"I, uh, may I be excused? I need to use the bathroom."

Mrs. Noring quirked an eyebrow at him before handing him the hall pass. "Don't dawdle."

"No ma'am." Virgil hoped to catch Richie's eye and get him to come along, but the blond was still snoozing. He shrugged and left the classroom. Virgil entered the nearest boys' bathroom and checked each stall before opening the Vox.

"Hello?" Virgil was a little tense. Who could be calling him on the Vox?

"It's me. Can you talk?" Virgil released the breath he had been holding.

"Batman! Yeah, it's cool. How'd you get this number?"

"I have everyone's number."

Right.

"So, what's up, B? You guys need our help up topside again?" Richie seemed a little down lately. Maybe a trip to the Watchtower would cheer him up.

"Virgil, I need you and Richie to meet me at the gas station right away. It's important."

Virgil thought about Batman's words. He hadn't asked for Static and Gear, so it wasn't work-related. What could he need them for?

"We're a little busy at school right now, but we can be there in about a half hour."

There was a pause. "Detention, again?" Although there was no change in tone, Virgil was certain that the superhero was making fun of him.

"Yes sir," replied Virgil. He felt the heat from the blush that rose in his cheeks. Why did this guy always make him feel like a little kid?

"We'll be waiting." With that, the Vox fell silent.

"We? I wonder who he brought with him. I gotta let Richie know."

The afternoon sun glowed through the windowpanes onto Richie's face as he slept. The comfortable feeling followed him into his dreams where he was lying on the beach. The sun was warm on his face, the sand warmer beneath him. A gentle breeze played with his bangs and tickled the sparse hairs along his body.

He became aware of someone beside him. He opened his eyes and turned his head. It was Virgil. It was always exciting to watch Virgil fighting the bad guys as Static Shock. He was so fast and strong and heroic. To Richie, it was just as exciting watching Virgil at rest. Then he would have the privilege of touching him.

Virgil's long, elegant body was relaxed, the tension from the day's adventures soothed by the calm sounds of the ocean. The lines of strain decorating his young face were disappearing as Richie's hand smoothed them away with a tender touch. Richie felt Virgil smile as his fingers ghosted over soft lips.

Richie continued his investigation. He stroked the side of Virgil's neck and chuckled softly as Virgil began to purr. Richie allowed his fingers to drift over the other boy's chest. He made a slow circle around a taut brown nipple then followed the fingers with his tongue. Virgil tilted his head further and arched his back. He groaned with disappointment as Richie pulled back to continue his fingertip exploration.

It was Richie's turn to smile as he moved his hand over V's abs. Their crime fighting activities were definitely helping rid both boys of their baby fat. Richie rubbed Virgil's stomach and spread his fingers. Virgil's skin was a smooth mahogany where Richie's was pure peaches and cream. He loved the contrast and found any excuse to touch Virgil's bare flesh with his own.

Virgil's eyes opened, and he gazed at Richie. Those large dark eyes were so beautiful and never more so than when Richie was the recipient of V's attention. If he looked into Virgil's eyes long enough, Richie thought he could actually see bolts of energy streaking electric-white across the velvet brown.

Richie's own eyes flicked to Virgil's mouth. Moistening his lips he leaned forward and kissed the boy lying beside him. So many things in his life, in both their lives, were rough and harsh. Not this kiss. This was gentle and soft, slow and tender, filled with promise.

Virgil's arms surrounded Richie, and the blond allowed himself to be eased onto his back as the taller boy's body settled above him. The soft kisses continued, this time accompanied by questing tongues.

A cloud passed in front of the sun, casting the lovers into shadow. Shivers made their way through Richie's body as Virgil got to his feet.

"V? What's going on?" Virgil didn't answer. Instead, he began backing away. The increasing darkness swallowed Virgil and left Richie alone in inky blackness.

"V? Where are you? Don't leave me!" Richie stumbled along blindly when he heard a noise behind him. He froze. The sound came closer, and closer still.

"Please, no more. No more. Please," Richie repeated softly. The sound stopped close behind him. He didn't need to turn to see what was there. He already knew.

The darkness took form around him. He found himself sealed within a titanium coffin. He was strapped into an android body with electrodes attached to his skull. The nightmare had returned.