Yes, yes, I know, like always, it took forever for me to update, and I really hope it was worth the wait, but before the story, here are the review responses…

Goddess of Twilight: Hehe..Yeah, I have horrible spelling. --' Oh well, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Anyway, I'm sorry, I haven't read your story, but, well, it's summer break now, so I'll have more time on my hands. Well, I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Trecebo: There aren't going to be any more fight scenes in the story anymore, so nobody will have to suffer through them. And yes, Gear does need a punching bag. There's plenty more guilt issues coming up, so stay tuned!

RealityBreakGirl: I'm glad that you enjoyed the hospital food thing. I've personally never eaten it, but I'm definitely not in any hurry to try it. And you're right, where do they get all the green Jello? Hmm…You just gave me a fanfic idea! Anyway, I hope you keep on enjoying the story!

Shadow dragon04: Yes, poor Richie, but that's nothing compared to what I' going to make them go through in future chapters. Evil grin.

Kate Maxwell: Hey, I'm glad that you liked the last chapter, and I hope that you like this one too!

WolfDaughter: Yes, both Richie and Virgil are going to have to sort through their feelings about what happened, and this next chapter is going to do just that…Well…sort of...Glad you like the story!

Chapter 17- Nightmare's Guilt

The morning's sun was definitely NOT what Virgil to wake up to. In fact, he didn't want to wake up at all. Groaning, he lay an arm across his eyes in an attempt to block the sun out, and although it did help, he knew there was no way he'd be able to fall back asleep like that. Wondering why the blinds were even open in the first place, as they were usually closed in the morning, Virgil looked over at the window. He was surprised to see a silhouette of Richie staring out the window and at the already busy streets of Dakota.

"What time is it?" Virgil asked groggily.

Without shifting his gaze, Richie shrugged slightly. "Probably around ten thirty." He stated flatly.

Confused by his friend's behavior, Virgil hoisted himself onto one elbow and faced his friend. "Hey man, you okay?"

Again, Richie didn't move, but replied in that same monotones voice. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Virgil was taken aback by the question. Tell you what? "What are you talking about man? What haven't I told you?"

"The nightmares. Why didn't you tell me that you were having nightmares?"

He didn't know what to say. Of course he hadn't told him about the nightmares. Only his father knew, and he had intended on keeping it that way.

"I…I knew you felt guilty about what happened. I….."

"You didn't want to tell me that you blamed me for it." Richie hung his head slightly, still not turning to face his friend.

Virgil was silent, but he didn't know why. Of course I didn't blame Richie…right? No…No…of course not. How could I? He saved my life…. Something at the back of his mind nagged him. He made me go in there though…Nothing would have happened if we hadn't gone in that stupid bank…NO! That was wrong…I….We…

"We're hero's Richie. Getting hurt's part of the job description."

His response was delayed and the fact that Virgil hadn't opposed his statement was all Richie needed to confirm his doubts. Sighing, Richie started to leave. "Yeah. Sure."

Before Virgil could think of what to say, his best friend was out the door. Gently lowering himself back onto his bed, the teen groaned. What now? He wondered as he lay there staring at the ceiling.

Richie walked slowly down the street, not paying attention to where he was going. He was moving on automatic, placing one foot in front of the either without the conscious realization that he was doing so.

Within the hour he found himself in his Gear uniform and sitting on one of the giant hands of Dakota's clock. He sat there all day, only moving when the hands changed positions and was no longer able to sit there. Then he'd just find a new spot on the clocks hands and remain there until he once again had to move.

Most of the time he was numb, impervious to everything, including his own thoughts and emotions. The times when he wasn't, he wished he was, because then Richard Foley started to think. Not of new gadgets and world saving devices, but of the friend he had left in the hospital. Of the friend who had talked to him during recess of kindergarten when nobody else would. Of the friend who had helped him find his glasses when Steven Berts had thrown them across their middle schools court yard. Of the friend who had helped him ward off more bullies then he could remember. Of the best friend he had almost gotten killed. Virgil Hawkins probably hated him.

"Have you seen Richie?" Daisy asked as she entered the computer lab where Amy Jones was were working on an essay.

"Nope, sorry Daisy. I don't think he came to school today." Thanking the girl, Daisy left to search the halls for Frieda, who hopefully had heard something about their missing friend.

The two ran into each other in the middle of the courtyard, Frieda having also been searching for her friend.

"So you haven't heard from him either?" Frieda asked, disappointed at the answer she received when she had asked for news on Richie.

"No. Virgil said that he just left the hospital without saying anything to him after…."Daisy paused, not sure how to fraise what Virgil had told her, but lucky she was saved from having to explain it.

"Yeah, I know, he told me too. God I hope he's alright."

"Virgil or Richie?"

Frieda thought for a second. "Both."

"Do you blame him?" Virgil was about to protest the question, but Sharon cut him off. "Honestly Virgil. Even if only a small part of you blame's him, Richie will know, and so will you."

Thinking about it, Virgil sighed. "Yeah. I guess a part of me does hold him responsible."

"Why?" Virgil had requested Sharon's help after he couldn't find his missing friend. Not only did he need her help as a psychologist, but as an older sister.

"I…Because I…."Virgil bowed his head. He couldn't do this. He couldn't explain to his sister how he was feeling. How he had felt when he had stood hovering above the bank knowing that there were people in there with guns, and people who had been hurt by those guns. He couldn't explain to her that slight amount of anger he had felt when his best friend had nudged him along to go into that bank, where the scent of gun smoke and fresh blood still lingered in the air. He couldn't explain the fear of looking into the barrel of that gun and having flashbacks of seeing his mother on the night she died when he had gone back in time.

He didn't realize that he was crying until he found himself in Sharon's gentle embrace, her voice soothing him. "It's ok Virg, let it out. You don't have to tell me, just let it out. It's alright."

I am SOO sorry that this chapter is so short, but it was only meant to introduce the problems that Richie and Virgil are going to have to work through. Well, I hope you enjoyed it, and please review! Thanks.