A/N: I'm sorry the epilogue is short- but in truth it was supposed to be much shorter. I'm actually amazed it went on for so long, though I got another idea for the sequel while writing it, so it's good for that much, at least. Any guesses who Fiyero is? And who can guess where I found the name? (It comes from an American musical; I'll tell you that much.) The sequel will be called either "Fiyero" (unlikely, but possible) "Tales Among Friends" (slightly more likely), "The Miracle of Three" (hmmm… maybe), "Lost in Space" (just kidding- I swear!) or "Converging Paths" (interesting, definitely a possibility). Sorry I'm giving you so many titles; I want you to be able to find the story when it comes out. If all else fails, the next story I post under SS will be the sequel.

Epilogue

Part One: Back with Brainiac (aka Stealing Virgil's Diary) Pg. 183

Part Two: The Present and Richie's Secret Pg. 184

Part Three: From the Diary of Virgil Hawkins (7) Pg. 193

Epilogue

Part One: Back with Brainiac

also known as Stealing Virgil's Diary

Dear Diary,May 31st, 2013

Hi, Virgil and Richie. Did I scare you with the little "Back with Brainiac" bit? You know my twisted sense of humor… and if you don't, somebody needs to hit you over the head with a frying pan.

Anyway, I can't think of a better way to wrap this up than by putting my own two cents into your diary, Virgil, and thus into the book. I wasn't featured much in the above story, but the next part (my part) will have to wait for Richie's birthday, which is a whole- shit- month away. Looks like I'll be glued to this computer for a while.

It's not as if I'll be giving the next part as Richie's present because it's his birthday, but because stuff… happened on that day. Just like stuff happened ten years ago on June 1st. Like you and Richie kissing for the first time.

I know, I know: it took a lot of writing before and after that event to tell about it, but I somehow don't think giving you a plaque with the words "Your First Kiss: June 1st, 2003" would have been quite as meaningful (or even half as meaningful) as this little novella. Granted, I didn't know what I was in for when I started asking around about your first kiss. Maybe if I'd known, I wouldn't have done this.

No. What I would have done was start more than two weeks in advance. Do you know how hard it is to track down members of the Justice League and persuade them to talk? Now, I know Frieda and Daisy were more than willing to talk, but it was hard as hell to get Backpack to give me access to all of Richie's memories. And it was even harder to get Sharon to give me Virgil's old diary, even though she knew it was for a good cause. I guess she liked having the blackmail material.

Yeah, I should have started earlier. Like maybe six months earlier. But I only came across the date in Richie's planner a day before I embarked on this insane project, so you can't say that I stalled. Apparently, you do this every year, but it's always been real quiet. Certainly quieter than the anniversary. I wanted it to be a big deal this year, first because I didn't' know about it before, and it's an important part of your lives, and also because, well, it's been ten years. That's definitely cause for celebration.

Will you be mad at me, Virgil, for not writing about Richie's recovery, his time away from Dakota, and all the stuff that happened with the Metabreed? After all, Ebon's plans didn't come to fruition, did they? Well, if you're angry, just wait for the next installment when it comes. And I'll bet you can guess what important event happened on Richie's birthday, even though you don't celebrate that event in and of itself. I'm not even going to speculate on the reason for that.

So, here's love to you, Virgil and Richie. You are the most important people in my life, and I just want you to know that I never disregarded the history you had before I showed up, and I cherish it. Now, can you go read something else before I become exceedingly corny?

Always,

Fiyero

P.S. I've left a lot of blank pages so you can write down your thoughts after the celebration. I want you to save those so you'll have something to look back on in another ten years.

Part Two: The Present and Richie's Secret

(being a compilation of Richie's musings, Virgil's daydreaming and Fiyero's input)

Hi, this is Richie. These last pages are filled with what Fiyero wrote, what Virgil wrote, and what I wrote. Anyway, this was written on June 4th- thank God for Saturdays- but it's all about Wednesday, June 1st.

oOo

It wasn't the best night for a celebration, but it was the only night that made sense. Why did the ten-year anniversary have to fall on a Wednesday? Fiyero wondered as he wrapped the book. And why do Wednesdays have to be Richie's late days? I called his boss and begged that Richie be given the day off. I promise that Richie will work Saturday to make up for it. Instead of being sympathetic, she tells me, "I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Hawkins has obligations that cannot be put off." Obligations? I'll give you obligations! What about his obligation to Virgil? What about his obligation to himself? What about- Fiyero stopped, realizing that he was dangerously close to ripping the wrapping paper off the roll instead of cutting it like any sane human being. I'm not exactly a sane human being sometimes, and having shredded wrapping paper around their present from me would probably make Richie and Virgil laugh.

Sighing, Fiyero turned his mind back to the book before him. He had considered writing something on the flyleaf, but hadn't been able to think of anything appropriate. Well, this is my last chance before I close this thing up for good. He stared blankly at the flyleaf for almost a minute. Face it, hothead, you can't stop being pissed at that lady long enough to put words of love on a bit of cardboard. Looks like you'll never change. A wicked grin split his face, and Fiyero muttered, "So, if I can't change who I am, why don't I just write what I want to write?" He snagged a pen from Richie's desk and wrote:

I want you both to know that

you are the source of my greatest

pain, ecstasy, passion, fear and love.

Don't let it go to your heads.

–Fiyero

His grin widened. There. Deal with that He remembered a phrase Richie used when he was exceptionally angry. It was a phrase Richie had picked up from an Irish legend, and it never failed to slip out of his mouth when he was ticked off and ready to fight. Some people were amused by Richie's phrase, but those were the stupid ones. Most saw Richie's (or Gear's) fury and were bright enough to know they'd done something unforgivable and they'd better get lost if they didn't want to lose one or more of their balls. Richie's saying, spoken between clenched teeth and in a thick Irish accent Fiyero didn't even know the origin of, was simple, archaic and almost amusing: And may you have joy of it, ye blarney bastards.

Not that I've seen Richie mad at me, but he's lost it on others "close" to us. Fiyero still marveled that the famed Foley rage hadn't been visited upon him, but he wasn't one to complain about good fortune.

He at last finished wrapping the book and stood. Fiyero returned Richie's pen to its place. Richie was organized in all but his scientific ventures, and the extreme contrast between his worktable in the basement and the rest of the house wasn't lost on anybody who saw the two.

There. All set. Now, I just have to make sure Sharon's got the dinner set up… Take-out, of course, but take-out of the highest quality. Fiyero smiled. At first, he had thought that Virgil was just teasing his sister… until the red-head tasted the food for himself. We're lucky Richie can cook, and I can do a little bit, and Virgil can make excellent sandwiches. I don't know what we would have done if Virgil had been like his sister, or if Richie and I weren't at least semi-competent in the kitchen.

Downstairs, Fiyero set the present on the coffee table amid the few others, and went into the dining room. Sharon was washing up the dishes in the sink, something Fiyero had been meaning to do… but I put it off because I hate washing dishes. So does Virgil. Small wonder, really. I wonder if Richie even gets sick of it. Then Fiyero had to smile. Nah. Richie hates dusting and vacuuming, so it's worth it to him to always do dishes if Virgil and I do that other stuff.

Sharon glanced over her shoulder at him. "What time did you say Richie will be home?"

"Normally he wouldn't be home until eight, but Virgil's going to get him. Richie can finish whatever he has to in the morning- he doesn't have anything til noon."

"So he'll be home… when?" She had turned back to the sink.

"Six-thirty."

She glanced up at the clock and swore. I followed her gaze, thinking, She's overreacting. It's only five at the absolute lat- SHIT! The clock read six thirty-five.

oOo

It was only a thirty-minute ride from their small home to the research-and-development facility where Richie worked, but still the blonde had fallen asleep in the passenger seat. Virgil shook his head as he drove, turning down the radio so it wouldn't wake up his lover.

What were you doing today, Rich? He shook his head again. No, the real question is, what kept you up so late last night that you only got an hour's worth of sleep? Was it job-related or superhero-related? And whichever it was, couldn't it have waited until the weekend? But there was no rest for Static and Gear, and apparently Richie wasn't going to let a little thing like lack of sleep keep him from doing his other job as well.

I'm glad I'm only my Pops' vice president. That means I get paid to do what I used to do in high school: hang around the Center and help kids. You could say it's turned into the family business, what with Sharon dropping by once a week, taking time from her counseling work across town to talk to troubled inner-city kids. And Fiyero does his share of helping out at the Center, too. Virgil sighed. Someday, people will forget that he was dangerous once, and Fiyero will be able to get a job. But for now, people don't trust. Maybe if Richie's boss moves him, or if he decides to take that contracting offer from the government, we could all go somewhere and get a fresh start. Bang Babies were rarely national news, after all. Or maybe it's just time to call in a favor from Batman or one of the other members of the League.

Virgil turned the corner onto their street, and Richie opened his eyes, yawning. "Home already?" he asked, blinking and pushing up his glasses to rub at his eyes.

"Yup. You slept through the call from Backpack, though, so I-"

Richie sat up so fast he nearly banged his head on the car's low ceiling. "What?"

Virgil smiled weakly. "Sorry, Rich; I was just trying to wake you up. Tonight's a special night, you know."

Richie punched Virgil's arm, then immediately rubbed where he had punched. "Yeah, I remember. I'm not the one with date-memory issues, remember?"

"Yeah, I know. You're just the one with insomnia issues." Virgil pulled into the driveway. "Ready for a fun night?"

Richie yawned. "I'll do my best to keep my eyes open." He got out of the car.

Virgil followed suit. "You're so romantic, Rich."

Richie offered his lover a Cheshire-cat grin. "I aim to please."

As one, they entered the house. Richie stopped just beyond the door and gazed at the swept floors, the polished tabletop and the small stack of presents on the table. "Oh, Virg, you didn't have to-"

Virgil put his arms around Richie's waist and drew him close. In the other man's ear, he whispered lovingly, "I didn't."

Richie twisted around and saw that, even though Virgil was laughing, he looked mystified. "What are you talking about?"'

"I didn't do this. I mean, I got you something, but I didn't do any of this."

"You know you're late, right?" Fiyero asked from the kitchen doorway. "And you're letting the moths in."

Backpack came scuffling down the stairs. "You're also underestimating us. Especially Fiyero."

Virgil closed the door. "What is all this?" he asked, looking between the robot and the man in the doorway.

Richie's question was directed only to his creation. BP, what have you done?

I'm making you happy, Richie; trust me. Backpack scuttled over to Fiyero. "When are the others getting here?"

"Seven. We have just enough time for Virgil and Richie to get cleaned up and changed."

oOo

Adam set Khari and Anansi in the collapsible playpen Richie had stored in the closet years ago. The boys immediately fell to attacking the mound of toys, blankets and pillows Richie had stowed in the corner of the small enclosure.

Straightening, Adam saw me looking at him from across the room. "What?" he asked, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

"Nothing. I was just looking at all the stuff Richie bought for somebody else's kids." I shrugged. "It's just another piece in the puzzle I'm trying to figure out."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "What puzzle?"

I glanced around, making sure we were alone in the front room while everyone else got settled in the dinning room, or helped in the kitchen. I took two steps closer to Adam and lowered my voice. "I don't get some of Richie's reactions, even now. Virgil I can read like a book, but Richie does… weird things. Like the time he tried to build a mechanical puppy. It whizzed on the carpet and shorted itself out, but that didn't stop Richie. He's been buying so many toys and things for your boys I almost think he's got a mind to kidnap them."

Adam shook his head. "You can't tell me he hasn't said anything to you yet."

"Said anything about what? Adam, if I knew what was going on do you think I'd still be trying to figure things out the hard way?"

"Well, if he didn't tell you, it isn't my place to say. Did you try discussing things with Virgil?"

I made a face. "No, and I'm not going to. Virgil's a wonderful guy, but he's sometimes a little slow on the uptake. I don't want him to go blurting my half-formed questions to Richie." I narrowed his eyes, hoping I looked slightly intimidating, or at the very least shrewd. "But since he told you, maybe you can enlighten me."

"Nope. Can't."

So much for my threatening look. "Why not?"

"Because if Richie wanted you to know, he would have told you."

"Well maybe he has told us, and we don't get it or something."

Adam laughed. 'Richie knows how thick you are; if he wants you to know, he'll spell it out for you."

"How do you know, anyway?"

"Sharon sensed it, confronted Richie about a month ago, and the rest is history."

I sighed. "Sometimes I wish I was a woman, you know that? Then I'd be able to figure these things out, too."

"If you were a woman, Richie wouldn't-"

"Yes he would," I interrupted, "because Virgil loves me. That's how this whole thing got started." Shit. I shouldn't have said that. Now I'm blushing. Richie's and my relationship is just between us, and it's nobody's business how the three of us made peace. "I've put my foot in it again." I turned towards the dining room, hoping Adam will drop the subject. I add, without turning, "Get in here. The food's going to get cold."

I stride into the next room, thinking to talk to Virgil's dad about something or other- or maybe try to corner Sharon and make her tell what she knows. But what I see when I turn towards the window takes my breath away. The sky is on fire behind Richie, who stands before it in profile, his hands held up in a gesture of supplication. His eyes are closed, and I admire the golden lashes that brush his cheeks. His blue-grey form-fitting sweater has pulled up slightly, and I can see a hand-span of pale skin beneath.

Maybe he felt me staring because he turns his head and smiles at me, letting his hands drift back to his sides. "Hi."

It never ceases to amaze me that Richie can sound shy after all these years. "Hi yourself." I approach him and he turns fully towards me, his lips curving up ever so slightly. "Did I disturb you?"

"No. I just finished."

"What were you thinking this time?"

"How happy I am to have you and V here."

I reached up and cupped his cheek.

Richie leaned into my palm, closing his eyes once more. "I was also thinking I don't want anything to ruin this. Our happiness."

"What would ruin it, Rich?" Virgil's in the doorway to the kitchen, holding a casserole dish.

Richie shakes his head. "Can we talk after everybody's left? This isn't a public matter." He turns his head and kisses my palm. "I'll be all right; it's not serious. Please don't let destroy this amazing night." He smiles at both of us, then slips past Virgil into the kitchen.

Virgil sets the casserole dish on the table and looks at me. "What was that all about?"

"I don't know." And I didn't, but I thought it had something to do with the playpen full of toys. I walked up behind Virgil and held him. "I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready."

"Rich knows I hate to wait. Why does he have to say such confusing things?" But Virgil is smiling, and I grin.

"Because he knows they drive you nuts."

oOo

The dinner was magnificent, from the fresh salad trimmed with walnuts (V's favorite) to the creamed and sugared tea at the end. Everyone talked and laughed and carried on, but I'd caused a little stir, and Virgil and Fiyero were keeping a close eye on me. I didn't mean to scare them- I never mean to scare people- but they've both either heard of or seen me at my lowest, and any time I miss so much as a step in the I'm-happy-Richie-Hawkins dance, they know. Can I help it if I'm preoccupied? Seeing Khari and Anansi does it to me every time. And it doesn't help that Sharon's already cornered me once tonight to ask me if I've talked about my dreams with Virg and Fiyero.

But the true joy of the evening came from the book Fiyero made. Bound in black leather patterned over with lightning bolts and roses. Where did he get the money for this? I wondered as Virgil unwrapped the gorgeous book and then just held it in his hands, staring. It isn't as if we're loaded here. And who would make him something like this? And, on the heels of that, How much pride-swallowing did it take tough-guy Fiyero to walk up to a store-owner and ask for this to be made? That was probably the most important question, and sudden the others ceased to matter.

"Fiyero, it's-"

He held up his hand, grinning at me. "Wait until you read the spine."

Virgil turned the book and read, his lips moving silently. He blinked a few times and held the book out to me. In hand-tooled letters of filigree gold was this:

"The First Kiss" Fiyero Hawkins

I gaped at the words for a moment, then opened the book itself, reading the inscription. The paper beneath my fingers felt old, but I knew how that trick worked. It was the words, and, across from the dedication, the picture of Virgil and I, sixteen again with pie smeared all over our faces that made the tears blur everything out.

I felt someone take the book from me, then I was wrapped in strong arms and Fiyero whispered in my ear, "You're welcome, Richie."

Virgil demanded, his voice hoarse, "Where did you get that picture?"

I could feel Fiyero smile as he buried his nose in my hair. "That's my little secret. Do you like it?"

I pulled away from Fiyero. "Where's the rest of the picture? You didn't throw it out, did you?"

Fiyero shook his head. "That's all there was, Richie. When I found it, it looked as if somebody had already ripped it. Who else was in the picture?"

"V's dad." I sat up fully and took the book back from Virg. "You'll have a lot of explaining to do later."

"I know." Fiyero laughed and rolled his eyes. "But for now you'll just smile and accept the gift, right?"

I snorted. "Right. Lucky for you."

An hour later, everyone was gone, leaving the three of us to ourselves. Even Backpack had taken himself off somewhere. I was sitting on the couch between V and Fiyero, the book in my lap. Both of them were looking at me, scrutinizing me, actually, trying to figure out how much cheese was still on my cracker and how much had slipped off. I bore their regard for as long as I could, then asked, "Do you want me to keep dropping hints, or do you want it straight?"

Fiyero made a noise that sounded like a cross between a curse and a cry of triumph, then said, "I want to know now. I've had enough of guessing."

"Does this have something to do with the puppy?" V asked, and I stared at him.

"What puppy?"

"The one that… you know… shorted out?"

When did V get so perceptive? Then again, even if he's been clueless about many things (like when he walked in on Sharon and Adam kissing when he was fifteen) he's always been able to read me pretty well. "Yes."

"I knew it!" Fiyero cried. "What is it, Richie? What's going on in the pressure-cooker brain of yours?"

Here it was; the question. "I… want children."

Their twin looks of flustered shock were so patented and expected that I burst out laughing. "You two should make a commercial entitled 'what men don't know'. It should have you two staring at your wives as they try to explain they were using some new-fangled pregnancy test and found tout they're expecting."

V recovered first, but I think that was more due to his superhero training than because he'd made the mental connections first. "Uh, Rich, I hate to tell you this, but we're all guys. None of us can get pregnant?"

Fiyero was quicker. "You want to adopt?"

Quicker, but no less wide of the mark. "No. I want to make a baby."

Virg shook his head, his locks flopping back and forth like a jester's hat. "Like the puppy? Rich, we can't raise a robo-kid!"

"I know that!" Olay, it's time to cross a line. Depending on how Virg and Fiyero react to this, I'll either be encouraged or scorned. I'm not as worried about Fiyero's reaction, but Virg was raised Christian. He probably doesn't agree with… "I want to create a baby using our genes. I can do it. I can even give it an environment that will simulate the womb and food just like it would get from its mother." They were just staring t me, so I went on, hoping against hope that they were just stunned, "I've been studying this for over a year; I've read all the best articles and tested my theories through Backpack. There's only a point-two percent chance that the baby won't survive." Neither of them had moved.

I jumped to my feet, turning to face them. "It's better than adopting, because it will be like us. And since the Big Bang changed our DNA, we can choose whether our son or daughter has powers. And it's not even as if it will be your sperm I mess with to make an egg. I'm going to take half a sperm from you, Fiyero, and the other half from you, V, and I'll mess around with my own to make the egg."

Now they look as if I just told them the moon is made of Twinkies. What more did they want me to say? I asked them that, then collapsed into an armchair across from them.

They looked at each other, back at me, then at each other again. V's eyes were big as saucers and Fiyero looked liked he was having trouble coming to term s with reality. "What's so shocking about my wanting a baby?" I finally shout at them. Now they're scaring me. If one or both of them is going to reprimand me and tell me to leave, why don't they get it over with?

"Is that… what the baby toys were all about?" Fiyero asked.

Yes, you moron. Only when his eyes get as big as V's do I realize that I said that out loud. "I'm sorry," I rush on, "I didn't mean that. I just… well, I've wanted to tell you, but-"

"And you told Sharon and Adam but not us?" Fiyero continued.

I could see the flames burning behind his eyes and knew that if I didn't say something quick, and make it the right thing, I might end up roasted. "They only know that I want to have children. They probably think what you did- that I want to adopt. And adoption's okay with me if you don't want to try the other way."

"Except it isn't," Virg said, looking at me. He stood and crossed to me, kneeling before the chair and taking my hands. "I know you, Rich; you want this, don't you? You want to bring a life into the world."

"Yes." My voice hasn't sounded that quiet or afraid in a long time, maybe not since Virg found me crying the night we first kissed.

"Is there any danger to you if you're messing around with your sperm?"

"No; I'd do all the work in a test tube."

He stood and drew me to my feet. "Richie, we love you." He glanced at Fiyero, and the other man moved to stand with us, putting his arm around my shoulders. "If you say it can work, we're behind you."

Fiyero kissed my cheek. "Just make sure the kid has red hair, and I'm behind you all the way."

Part Three: From the Diary of Virgil Hawkins/Static Shock

Dear Diary,June 1st, 2013

I thought I lost this thing a long time ago. Goes to show I'm just as disorganized as Richie in my way, even though I hide it better. I guess Richie's right: most of the things I lose have metal in them, so all I have to do is wave my hand and usually what I want appears, along with lost paper clips, pens, pencils and occasionally one of Richie's inventions that has crawled off on its own to hide. Don't laugh; they do that sometimes, though none is half so smart as Backpack.

Richie's completely worn out. He was asleep almost before we finished making love. Poor Rich; he had a hard day today, and a harder time last night. He was probably trying to distract himself with work as he tried to figure out how he was going to tell Fiyero and me his secret. Coming home to a huge celebration probably wasn't the best thing for him. But he was game to it, and so, for a few hours, we forgot about the world of responsibilities and just chilled in our living room with everybody who wanted to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our first kiss. "Everybody" turned out to be me, Richie, Pops, Sharon, Adam, their sons Khari and Anansi, Backpack, and Fiyero.

Of coruse Fiyero. He's the one who put this all together. He isn't in here right now. "This is your night," he told us when the guests had left. "I'll help Backpack clean up and you two go upstairs and shag each other senseless."

So we did and now Richie's asleep, curled on his side. I'll spoon myself around him in a moment, but first I want to finish this.

Richie wants to make a baby. I can't deny that I've sort of wanted children. But I gave it up when I fell in love with first Richie and then Fiyero. I said something once to Richie/Gear when we were up to our necks in trouble with the Meta-Breed: "If anyone can talk the fish out of the ocean or reverse a coming earthquake, you can." I should have known that Richie wouldn't let a little thing like the three of us being men stop him.

Okay, that's it for me. I'm done in. Good night, everybody. Static's turning in for the night. He's curling up beside his Gear, and the two of them will have joy of sleep- Richie's little sayings have a way of rubbing off on me the more time we spend together. And that includes his words of love: I love you, V. I love you. Whatever happens next, I love you. I've picked up that last part (no matter what happens…) and I've discovered that I mean it more each time I say it.

And if that's not a happy ending, I don't know what is.

oOo

A/N: Thank you to everybody who has reviewed, including those who just started reading this and have just finished chapter two. 

Also, please forgive me for using Anansi, but I couldn't help myself. First, he's such a cool character, both in the show and in African stories. Second, Sharon seemed taken by him in that "Out of Africa" episode that I thought she might name her child after him.

chaosdreamer: Ebon gives me the creeps… and I've always thought he paid entirely too much attention to Richie. And I'm really interested in Hotstreak, so I'm glad you like him. I owe interest in him to the fanfics I've read at FF since I didn't see much in him until then.

darkbunnie192: I was kicked off because I didn't read the rules very carefully. That'll teach me.

Dimitri Aidan: I've been so grateful for your insightful comments. They make met think (which is both dangerous and good).

Khari Anna: I swear you're reading my mind about the threesome thing. Do your muses go visiting other people? I should warn you that I have a Labrador who will lick them to death if she catches them. Thank you for the compliments, and for the suggestion. Others told me I should make a sequel, which I've never done before, but I think I've left so many unanswered questions in the story above that I have no choice. BTW, sorry if it looks like I took your name. I stole it from a student of mine. I don't think he'll mind. It was such a cool name.

leev: You've given me really good advice; I'm in your debt. And I'm glad you were nervous near the end of the chapter- I was that way at the beginning and in the middle, mostly because I wasn't sure how Backpack was going to act.