The boys aren't mine, just taking them out for a joyride.

Before he could react Virgil's Dad swung one big fist at him. Stars exploded in front of his eyes. Another hit knocked him into the wall and he crumpled to the floor when he was given a vicious hit to the stomach. Once he was done he could only stare helplessly up at his Dad as he brought his leg back to deliver a kick.

"Virgil. Virgil! Why didn't you tell me?" Virgil shook his head to get rid of the vision of his Dad beating him. He really was surrounded by too much violence if he thought his Dad would ever do that to him. His Dad loved him and accepted him. Still, he couldn't help flinching when his Dad grabbed his shoulders. "You know I would accept you Virgil. Why didn't you tell me?" Looking up into his Dad's concerned eyes Virgil knew he couldn't tell his Dad the truth about Static. Sure his Dad would accept he was a bang baby but not that he had to be Static. Virgil knew his Dad wasn't fond of Static. In fact, he thought Static was more a danger than a help.

Virgil managed to look puzzled. "What are you talking about Dad? I bought that down at the costume shop yesterday, for that Halloween party next week." His Dad dropped his hands and slumped in defeat.

"Fine Virgil. Keep your secrets. Just know that I'm here to talk to. You can trust me." Virgil just looked at him and said nothing. What was there to say? 'Hi Dad I'm a bang baby and have been playing superhero in my spare time behind your back and that's were all the bruises came from.' Yeah his Dad would like that.

Turning on his heal his Dad walked up the stairs to his room and quietly closed the door. Virgil slumped against the wall. God he hated lying. But the consequences of telling the truth were worse. Stuffing his mask back into his bag Virgil slowly made his way upstairs. At least Ritchie knew, so that was one person he didn't have to lie too. 'Well, at least not about being Static.' If he was honest with himself there were other things he was keeping from Ritchie. Things he kept from everyone, even himself until just recently. Virgil Hawkins had a crush on his best friend. "As if my life isn't complicated enough," he grumbled out loud. Throwing himself on the bed Virgil wondered how he could have lied to himself for so long. Ritchie was perfect. Smart, funny, brave, 'not to mention cute.' He understood the whole Static thing. Perfect.

Rolling over onto his side Virgil vowed to put thoughts of Ritchie out of his head. There was no way he was ever going to say anything anyway, so why dwell on it. Despite his efforts Virgil couldn't help but think about how cute Ritchie was. His beautiful eyes peeking out from behind his messy blond hair, those perfect lips. Virgil could just see himself gathering that lean body into his arms, kissing those perfect lips, slipping his tongue into that hot moist cavern. With a groan Virgil flipped onto his other side. No more thoughts about Ritchie, no more thoughts about Ritchie, no more thoughts abou… Virgil was pulled out of his thoughts by the voice of the very person he was trying not to think about. "Static, Static come in!" Virgil grabbed his shock box before his Dad came in demanding to know why Ritchie's voice was coming out of his room this late at night.

"Static here, what's up?"

"We got problems." There was a crash and all of a sudden a new voice started speaking.

"Yes Static. You do indeed have problems. Come down to the docks tonight if you want to see your little friend ever again." Virgil's heart leaped into his throat. The bad guys had Ritchie.