A/n: I only post one disclaimer. That would be on my first chapter. I hope all the readers enjoy this chapter. Thank you. (bow)
Sparks danced over glove covered finger tips, and black eyes watched the purple embers sway as if to comfort him. Why had it been this way? He didn't see a point in Richie being mad at him. They'd both seen it coming. Hadn't Batman said that he would be part of the League when he was older? Richie could have come, he could have been part of the League! It's not as if anyone was smarter then Richie. The guy was smarter then Brainiack!
"SPARKY!" Virgil jumped and looked up into dark green eyes, "Bats wants ya." Hotstreak, he'd gone from good to bad in two years. He was one of the reckless heroes. He'd take down his appoint no matter the cost and he never failed his missions. Hotstreak ruffled his hair, "Stop thinking about it. He's not gonna join, V." Virgil glared at the boy.
"This isn't up for discussion! Hell, your still moping over Teresa!" Hotstreak flinched back slightly and looked at his feet.
The red head sighed, "She isn't a hero, or a metahuman. She gave all that up to be normal. Not that it bothers me. I liked the feathers, and I like her now, but I want her to be happy." he paused to find his point, "She can't be up here. It was my choice to leave, and it was her choice to let me. Richie could have come with you, but he didn't. Support him in that, let him see what it's like to be without you." Hotstreak walked towards the training rooms, probably for a session with Superman.
Virgil ruffled his hair and walked off to find Batman. Who knew what the Dark Knight was going to yell at him about now.
Tap… tap… tap… tap.
Richie stared at his test bordly. They were forcing him to take an IQ test to make sure he was really smart enough to be part of the government tech program. It was called Siren, and the tech was meant to be new and unique. Right up Richie's ally. The other nine geniuses were still taking the test. Richie's was complete. He hadn't needed the small work book they'd given him, and it was now filled with small blue prints for a new shock box, a lighter weight static board and a new uniform for Virgil that kept him warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat.
A finger tapped his shoulder, "Mr. Foley, is there a problem?" Richie shook his head and handed his test to the proctor. The man went into shock. He flipped through the test with a ruffle of surprise. Richie finished a small sketch of Virgil's new mask and tucked the book into his portfolio. The proctor tapped his shoulder again, "You may leave, Mr. Foley. Your results will be mailed to you along with any other information you may need." Richie nodded and grabbed his bag, quickly leaving the room. He had just finished checking his messages when he ran into someone.
"Oh God! I'm sorry! I didn't mean-" he looked up into fake green eyes, "Oh. It's one of you."
The man put a hand on Richie's shoulder, "Static hasn't been himself since your fight. He's lacking the luster that attracted the League to him." Richie snarled.
"So what? If he's not attractive anymore, send him back and get it over with. I'm not his wife or his mom. Why do I care?" the Green Lantern crossed his arms.
"Richie. Static is suffering. He's losing weight, he won't sleep and the worst is that his body is barely healing at all from one battle to the next." Richie didn't flinch or move, "At this rate, he's going to die." this got the reaction Green Lantern was waiting for. Richie's head shot up in shock. His brown eyes glazed with fear and the worry burning on his tongue.
Then he steeled over. His eyes became cold and the worry died, "So what? He left me. Not the other way around. I never wanted to be apart of the Justice League. If he'd really wanted me, he would have stayed." Richie slid his phone into his pocket and began to walk away when he noticed red hair and a familiar smirk. Richie back away from Hotstreak, his eyes wide with fear.
Hotstreak sighed and pulled something out of his pocket, "Ya know, if Ebon had ever found out that you were Gear he would have killed you? Just to spite Hawkins. We all knew you two were knocking boots. Not that hard to figure out. Ebon just didn't know your identities like I did." the manila folder slid out of one of Hotstreak's huge pockets smoothly. He held it out to Richie, "I don't know what it'll take for you to at least go see him, but this is all I've got."
Richie pretended to be uninterested as he opened the folder and began to look through the pictures. They weren't of Virgil, they were of a little girl. Her hair was black with long streaks of red and blonde. Her eyes were dark, dark green and her smile was infectious. Richie smiled until he got to the last picture. The little girl was being held by a man with red hair and blonde streaks while a woman with black hair and closed eyes kissed his cheek. They were both smiling happily. Richie glared at Hotstreak, "And I'm getting to see these why?"
"That's my baby girl. She's four years old, a temper like a cat dipped in water, and she's got the prettiest voice on earth. We named her Muse. She suites it well. And if you can't tell because the feathers are missing, that's Teresa." Richie stared at the picture in surprise. Hotstreak took the pictures and folder back, "Teresa was pissed too, but she let it go after she realized that I was going to spend every free second with them. Sparky would have done the same for you. I've been there for every birthday, her first step, her first word and long enough to know I'm getting a son in seven more months. Sadly I'm also there for her cravings."
Richie shifted nervously, "What does this have to do with me?" Green Lantern put a hand on Richie's shoulder.
"Richie, Virgil didn't just up and leave you, you had to have known." Richie snorted, "If he hid it from you, then maybe he wasn't planning on taking the offer." Hotstreak began to walk away and Green Lantern followed. Richie turned away and noticed one picture had been left behind. It was upside down and Hotstreak's hand writing was upside down. He turned the picture so the writing was the right way.
I know you probably don't care, but he still loves you. I don't think I've ever seen anyone sulk like this. Just call him at the very least. 000-000-0000
Richie turned the picture over and his breathing stopped. It looked like Virgil, but he was skinnier and the beautiful coffee of his skin was almost white. He looked sick and in pain. Richie noticed he was staring at an old photo that was sitting next to the empty mug by his arms. This wasn't his Virgil. Not the one with muscles of steel and a clean smooth complexion.
Richie pulled his phone from his pocket and slowly dialed the number on the back.
a/n: lots of drama. I hope you all liked it.