TBD
Chapter Three: New Help
by Zarek Dragon
Trevor and Lenny continued getting closer so Chase thought he might take a chance and let Trevor in on his secret. He took Trevor downstairs to the dojo. "So, you study martial arts?" Trevor asked. "I've always wanted to learn."
"I could teach you, but that's not what I brought you down here for."
"Oh? What did you bring me down for?"
"Have you seen on the news about The Blue Dragon?" Trevor nodded his head so Chase continued, "What do you think of him?"
"I think he's trying to help those he can. I wish there were more people like him."
"I'm glad you feel that way. I'm taking a chance showing you this, but I believe I can trust you." Chase pulled out his gi with the emblem associated with The Blue Dragon.
Trevor couldn't believe his eyes, "Are you saying that you are him? OH, WOW!!! I can't believe this. Your secret is safe with me. Does that mean Kash is the other guy out there with you?"
"I'm glad; if I didn't think it would be, I wouldn't have shown you. Once you marry Uncle Lenny, you'll be moving in here, unless the two of you want your own place, so I figured you'd find out eventually. And yes, Kash is the Black Dragon."
"I think Lenny wants to stay with you boys, and I wouldn't be upset living with you, so…"
"You want to make Uncle Lenny happy. He really loves you and just being with you does that. The two of you are welcome to live here for as long as you like, but know that I would understand if you wanted your own place with privacy."
"Thank you," Trevor responded, "since you don't mind, I believe we will live here… at least for now."
"I had a feeling, which is why I took this chance."
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"You mean as The Blue Dragon?"
"Yes, I don't know martial arts, but am willing to learn, but I mean here."
"Hmmm, do you know anything about computers?"
"I know how to run diagnostics on the computers of cars."
Chase looked as though he were thinking. Finally, he asked, "So, you know how to work on cars?"
"I do, the older models are easier to work on, but I can work on the current models with all the computers."
"Would you be interested in working on my cars? I'll pay you thirty dollars an hour and you can work whatever days you want. I don't want to take away from your work at the restaurant or your time with Uncle Lenny, but I would like a mechanic that I trust."
"Sure, but I've not heard mention of you using a car as The Blue Dragon."
Chase walked to a door and opened it. He and Trevor walked through and the lights automatically came on. Trevor noticed the room was about twenty feet wide and twenty long. At the other end was a garage door, but what really caught his eye was the McLaren sitting in the middle of the room. "You… you… you really want me to work on this car?"
"You shouldn't have to do much, mainly check its oil and fluids once in a while. Keep it gassed up; there is a gas pump on the premises, and its tank is filled once a month. Occasionally, you may need to do other things but…"
"I can do that, but you don't have to pay me. I just want to do it because I would enjoy it."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't have a problem with paying you."
"Chase, he said that he will do it for free, and I hope he wouldn't mind if I help him."
"Lenny, I would love for you to help me when I need it, or just keep me company when I don't. Any time I am with you, I am happy."
"I'm glad Chase shared his secret with you. I knew that he trusted you mainly because I did, but this shows that he really does trust you."
"I'm glad that I've earned this kind of trust from him. He and Kash mean almost as much to me as you."
"Just know, I do feel like you are a part of our family. Unless you're not ready, we should do a double ceremony, you two can get married with Kash and me."
"I would like that, but I didn't want to detract from your day."
"Nonsense, we are having a simple wedding with just a few close friends here, nothing special. If you want something more glamorous, we can do that."
"Unless Lenny wants something glamorous, that works for me."
"With what Chase and Kash are planning, I'd be happy with that. All that matters to me is that you will be my husband."
"In that case, we accept your offer to have a double ceremony.”
"I do see one problem with that. I was planning on Kash being my best man."
"I think he was planning on having you as his. I'm not sure who I will have."
A few days had passed and Chase was out with Kash on their bikes. He heard a noise, so he put on his hood and went to investigate. As they approached a door, Chase overheard a guy saying, "Alright kid, now remove your jeans and underwear. I want you completely naked."
The boy was sobbing, so Chase knew something wasn't right. Chase couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Robbie Gordan standing there shirtless and undoing his jeans. Chase noticed the guy had his back to him, so he slowly made his way behind him. He motioned for Robbie to remain quiet, but it was too late.
The man started to turn, as he did, Chase noticed that he was holding a Colt 1911. Using his manrikigusari
, Chase knocked the pistol out of his hand, then he wrapped it around the guy's arm and flipped him. The man stood up and came running at Chase; Chase just stepped aside and put his arm out. As the man ran, Chase's arm caught him in the neck. The man went down grabbing his neck. Chase punched him in the face.
Kash went over to Robbie, "Are you alright? What happened?"
Robbie started to cry, "I used to make fun of this boy in the orphanage. Your voice reminds me of him. Anyway, I was on a computer chatting with another sixteen-year-old, or so I thought, and he invited me to come here. He said that he would give me a blow job and let me try giving him one. There were other things that he said we could do… but I'm too embarrassed to say what they are, especially as homophobic as I was.
"When I got here, this man was here and told me to take my shirt off. Then, he had me turn around. He licked his lips as I did. He told me to take off my jeans and underwear next, and I think you guys arrived in time to hear the rest."
Chase interjected, "Sixteen? I thought you were fifteen."
Robbie gave a questioning look, "I turned sixteen on the thirteenth of June."
"Robbie, you should NEVER meet someone you met on line, especially at your age. You never know who they really are."
"H… h… how did you know my name?"
"You'd be surprised what The Blue Dragon and I know."
"I don't buy that; he thought he knew my age and you knew my name… and your voice… are you Kash?"
With the man knocked out, Chase removed his hood. "Yes, Robbie, he is Kash. You might have been the one with me had you not been homophobic."
"I suppose it's too late. I think it would have been cool helping you. Now, no one will want me, especially since I was almost raped or whatever."
"Robbie, now that I see you humbled, you seem like a great kid. If I weren't only two years older than you, I would adopt you in a heartbeat. As for being almost raped, or probably abducted, that wasn't your fault except coming here. As Kash said, you should NEVER meet someone you chatted with online. Even if they do a video chat, they might have used a kid to do it. Even adults shouldn't, or if they do, they should meet in a public place. You never really know who you are chatting with unless you actually know them."
"You really would adopt me? Even knowing that I was an asshole before?"
"Getting to know the real you, I like you Robbie, not like I like Kash. I mean, we plan to get married. If I can set it up, would you like to live with us?"
"What's the catch?"
"You have to keep my secret. No one can know who The Blue Dragon is. You would have your own room, and you are free to date whomever you wish, but no more meeting anyone you've only chatted with online."
"You wanting to use me for sex? Honestly, I wouldn't mind, but I ask that you be gentle. I've never done anything."
"No, neither of us will just use you for sex. Kash and I aren't even having sex until we get married."
"Seriously? I thought sure you two would be doing it by now. I guess I have a lot to learn."
"No one knows everything, we all have a lot to learn, so don't feel bad."
Kash had a serious look on his face as he stared at Robbie. "Chase, I do have one more condition for him if he's moving in with us."
"Let me guess, I owe you an apology? I really am sorry."
"That wasn't it, but I do believe you and accept. My condition is, I would like for you to be my best man when Chase and I do get married."
Robbie's eyes opened wide and a smile formed on his face, "Seriously? Yes, I can do that."
Chase handed Robbie one of his cards, "You have a phone?" Robbie nodded his head and pointed at his shirt lying on the floor with a phone atop of it. "Good, call 9-1-1 and tell them what happened. Tell them that The Blue Dragon rescued you, but keep my secret. I will talk to Uncle Lenny to see about getting you out of the Home and into ours."
Robbie hugged Chase and then Kash, then he picked up his phone as they left. Chase stood outside the room as Robbie made the call. "Hello, my name is Robbie Gordan, and I was a stupid kid who met someone I chatted with online. When I got here, he forced me strip… but then The Blue Dragon intervened. He knocked the guy out and told me to call 9-1-1. Can you send a police officer here? And please hurry, I'm scared."
Hearing sirens, Chase was satisfied and left with Kash. They stopped a mugging and a purse snatcher before heading home.
As they went upstairs, a police officer was talking with Lenny. Chase approached and asked, "What seems to be the problem, Officer?"
"No problem, but we have a boy who was almost abducted. He's from the Home and afraid that whoever was working with his would-be abductor might know he lives there; he doesn't feel safe. We offered to take him to a safe house for a few days, but he said that he would like to stay here. He believes he will be safe here."
"Yes, we have a good security system, so I believe that to be likely. Who is the boy?" Chase knew it had to be Robbie, but he played dumb.
"The Headmaster was surprised when the boy asked to come here. He said that you've met him already and he was rather rude to you. His name is…"
"Robbie Gordan? Yes, he was rather rude, but if it will keep him safe, we can set him up with a room. I just hope I don't regret letting him stay."
Robbie came in the door with another officer. He looked directly at Chase, "I'm sorry I was rude before; I was homophobic worried because I thought I might be gay and didn't want to be. Now that I know it's not a choice and either I am or I'm not, I accept that it is possible."
"Apology accepted, and as far as I am concerned, you can stay as long as you like. If you would like someone to talk with, don't hesitate to ask any of us. We will try our best to answer any questions, or point you in the direction of answers."
The officer thanked Chase and left. Robbie looked at Chase and offered, "I'm sorry to spring this on you like this, but the officer was talking to Mr. Douglas and he scared me. This was the first place I thought of that might be safe."
"It's perfectly understandable and it may make having you live here permanently a little easier. Thank you, Robbie."
"Can I hug you again for rescuing me? I was really scared." Chase answered by holding his arms out.
Perplexed, Lenny asked, "Would you like for me to show you to your room? We can chat along the way."
"Thank you, I would like that so I can apologize to you, as well."
"What did you mean by Chase rescued you?" Lenny asked as he picked up Robbie's suitcase.
Robbie followed behind him. "He and Kash showed up in their ninja gear and when Kash spoke to me, I thought I recognized his voice. Then Chase thought he knew my age and Kash slipped and called me by name. Chase asked me to keep his secret and asked if I wanted to live here. I really am sorry that I was an asshole before. Chase and Kash already accepted my apology, but I felt I still owed you one."
"That tells me that you are sincere and I do accept."
"Chase is only two years older than me, but was talking about adoption. Do you think they would let him, and if not, will you adopt me?"
"It's hard to say with such a close age difference, but you never know. If not, seeing you like this, I would be honored to have you as a son."
"No, I would be the honored one. I don't deserve someone as nice as you." Tears started rolling down Robbie's face.
"Yes, you do," Lenny insisted. Robbie wrapped his arms around Lenny and continued crying. Lenny smiled and patted Robbie on the back.
After dropping Robbie's luggage in his room, the two walked back downstairs with Lenny's arm around Robbie. Kash turned on the news.
"A teenage boy was almost abducted tonight. We are told that the abduction was interrupted by The Blue Dragon. After rescuing the boy, The Blue Dragon asked him to call 9-1-1 to report the crime. The man who tried taking the boy was left unconscious and secured. Police are withholding the boy's name for his protection. I am starting to believe The Blue Dragon really IS here to help."
"She's coming along, but you can still hear skepticism in her voice."
"Perhaps she needs to be rescued by The Blue Dragon. To me, he's a hero."
"Well, I don't know about being a hero, I'm just hoping I can inspire others to help others. And if removing criminals from the streets does that, I'm all for it."
"Can I help? I know computers."
"Not really using computers right now, Robbie, but I have been considering using them. Perhaps we can use them to keep track of where we seem to find the most crime. Think you could set something up for that? And if you can think of any other way you can use the computers to help, we can discuss it. I am open to suggestions."
Robbie smiled, "Will I be helping you if I can?"
"You already are by keeping my secret, but yeah, that information could be useful."
"Cool, I can't believe that I am helping The Blue Dragon."
Chase grabbed a laptop and opened the browser. With a few clicks, he went to Newegg.com and asked Robbie to order what he needed to build three sophisticated systems that would be linked together. After Robbie picked out the parts he needed, he asked Chase, "Will we be doing the networking? If so, I have a few more things I need."
"You know how to network them?"
"It's child's play. My dad taught me when I was younger, that is, before he killed my mom and committed suicide. He just grinned at me when he took that last shot."
"Man, I'm sorry to hear what you went through. I was lucky in the fact Dad and Pop adopted me at birth, and they showed me love until they were murdered."
"Is that why you're being The Blue Dragon?" Chase nodded his head to Robbie's question. "If you catch the guy who did it, what do you plan to do?"
"To be honest, I don't know if I will ever catch any of the guys who did it. They were pretty well covered, but one guy, thinking they had killed everyone on the beach did remove his hood."
"So then, what do you hope to accomplish?"
"I told you, I hope to inspire others to help others. I hope to keep people safe from criminals like the one who tried abducting you. I'm not trying to be some hero, I just want to improve everyone's life and lower the crime rate."
"So, you're The Blue Dragon, what's Kash's name?"
"I'm, Black Dragon."
"Can I have a name, too? I mean, we can communicate by radio or something and I don't want to use my real name over it."
Chase looked at Lenny. Lenny added, "The boy has a point. If you are going to set up a base and use him to help you with computers, you will need to communicate. He should have a name to use over the comm."
"OK, but I want comm devices like you see them use on the shows Arrow or Scorpion. Uncle Lenny, you will get one, too, if you like."
"Yes, I would. My name will be Alfred."
"Since I am not out there, I don't want to be a 'dragon,' but wouldn't mind a younger dragon name."
"Like Wyvern or Drake?"
"Drake, I like Drake."
"Very good, then Drake, do you have what you need for the best systems you can build selected?"
"Not the best system, I didn't go all out, but these systems will do the job. If you want the best systems, I can make the changes, but I didn't know exactly how much you wanted to spend."
"I want the best systems you can build. And get you whatever laptop you want. Use this card to pay for it." Chase handed Robbie his card.
"They have the comm systems that you were talking about, too. Should I order them?"
"Order ten. We should only need four, but that way we will have some spares just in case."
"Robbie, have you ever had your IQ tested? I never knew you were this smart."
"Kash, I was tested last week and Mr. Douglas told me I have a 187 IQ. Hard to believe it's that high when I did something so stupid, isn't it?"
"Robbie, yes, you made a stupid mistake that many other kids have made. Nearly 800,000 kids go missing every year. Just because you made a stupid mistake doesn't mean you are stupid. I think you were just looking to try something new and were enticed. You seem really smart to me, so I can believe your IQ is that high."
"Thank you, Kash. I really needed to hear that. I have been so down on myself for being an idiot."
Kash shook his head, "You were not an idiot, please quit calling yourself one. Don't let that one incident define you."
Robbie had an evil glint in his eye… "What are you going to do if I do… tickle this idiot?"
Chase had Robbie expedite the delivery to get the parts faster. Robbie finished the order and handed the card back to Chase. He sat Chase's laptop down on the coffee table and stood up. He looked directly at Kash and grinned. "I am an idiot."
Kash stood and moved toward Robbie, but Robbie took off. Kash gave chase, catching Robbie at the top of the stairs. He pinned him and started tickling. Robbie didn't even try to fight him, he enjoyed being tickled. Kash kept saying, "You are not an idiot and you hurt me when you call yourself one."
After Kash quit tickling him, Robbie laid there, catching his breath. He looked at Kash and said, "I did do something else stupid. I pushed you away when we were in the home. Now, I wish that I could have been your boyfriend, but I will gladly accept you as a dad if they let Chase adopt me." A tear rolled down his cheek.
"I don't know if I would have dated you back then, but I am happy with Chase, and I will accept you as either my son or my brother. More importantly, I am glad we are now friends."
"I am, too."
A week had gone by, Robbie had the computers together and running. As far as criminals, things had been quiet. Chase hoped that was a good sign. The family, including Robbie went to the Home. Mr. Douglas greeted them in the front room, "I hope that Robbie hasn't caused any problems. If you're bringing him back, I understand."
"No, Robbie has been very helpful to us, so much so that I would like to adopt him. I know I am only two years older than him, but I believe he would have a better life."
"Robbie is at an age where his chance of adoption is almost nil. With that in mind, age doesn't matter to me so much for him, and I agree, adoption would give him a better life." Mr. Douglas turned to Robbie, "Robbie, before you were a bit homophobic. What do you think about Chase adopting you?"
"I would like it, sir. As you and I talked about it before, I understand that I am either gay or I am not. No one can turn me gay."
Lenny added, "He even apologized to all of us."
"Very well, if you would like to continue staying there, I will set up a court date as soon as possible. Robbie, I am happy that you learned how to be happy around homosexuals. Whether you are or aren't, I wish you the best and hope you find either a girlfriend or boyfriend."
"Thank you, Mr. Douglas. And I am glad that Kash and I are friends, now. He asked me to be his best man."
"I am looking forward to seeing you in the wedding."
As they left the Home, Chase asked Robbie if he had his license. "No, but I did get my learner's permit seven months ago and just finished my Driver's Ed course."
"Do you have everything with you?"
"Yes, why?"
Chase didn't answer, or at least not in words. He drove to the DMV. He looked in the rearview mirror, "I have the document giving me temporary custody, let's get your license."
While Robbie was taking his driving test, Bill called Chase's cell; his SUV arrived. After thirty minutes, Robbie returned and showed Chase his license. Kash grabbed it and told Robbie that he had a good picture.
They all climbed into the Camaro and Chase drove to the car dealership. Bill came out to meet them. "Check out the vehicle and be sure it is exactly what you ordered."
Chase and Kash started checking out the SUV; Robbie asked if he could, too. While Robbie didn't know what was ordered, he was curious as to what the vehicle had. He commented, "Now, when we go someplace, it'll be more comfortable."
"That was part of the idea. We also figured that with so many drivers, we would need a second vehicle. We may even need a third vehicle, now."
After Chase was satisfied, he went inside to finalize the sale. Bill handed him the keys and he gave them to Kash. He handed Robbie the keys to the Camaro. Chase rode with Kash and Lenny rode with Robbie.
As they climbed out of the vehicles, Lenny looked at Robbie, "Young man, whoever taught you to drive did an excellent job."
"Thank you, sir. Mr. Douglas did most of it; he used teaching me to drive as an excuse for us to go out and talk. The classes helped, too, but I think Mr. Douglas did most of it."
"Mr. Douglas taught me, too. He's an excellent teacher, at least when it comes to driving."
Trying to be as friendly with Robbie as he could, Lenny asked, "So, do you have any love interests? If so, I would love to meet him or her."
"Not at the moment. Now that I accept that I am gay, I would love to meet someone like Kash. Don't get me wrong, I am not after him, but if he wasn't already interested in Chase, I might have tried. I think part of why I treated him like I did was he made me feel gayer than I was ready for."
"That might be true, but I hope you don't do anything to break them up."
"If I did, I wouldn't deserve Kash," Robbie looked down as he said it.
"That just told me you have character. I hope you find a nice boy who'll treat you with respect and love."
"Thanks, Uncle Lenny, or are you Grandpa?"
Lenny laughed heartily, "Chase adopts you and while not really, I will be like your uncle, but when those two get married, and Kash accepts you as his son, I will be your grandpa."
"Can I call you Uncle Grandpa?" Robbie chuckled.
"I'd like that," Lenny put his arm around Robbie as they went from the garage to the house. He smiled when Robbie put his arm around him. Chase nudged Kash and pointed out Robbie's actions.
Several weeks had gone by. Kash and Robbie had started their home schooling and worked with Chase training. Even Robbie was learning martial arts. It was morning of the last day of August when Mr. Douglas called. "Chase, I'm at the courthouse and am finally able to set up a date for you to make adoption of Robbie official. There is an opening in the court docket today at three this afternoon or we can see the judge first thing Tuesday."
"Kash and Robbie will be done with their schooling at 14:30, so we'll be there."
Chase didn't want to interrupt the boys' schooling, so he went to explain things to Uncle Lenny. They talked for several minutes and Lenny suggested that one of them have the SUV ready when the boys were done. The drive to the courthouse took twenty-five minutes, so they didn't have very much spare time.
"Any chance they may be done with schooling early?"
"We can talk to Mr. Lambert when they are at lunch."
Chase nodded his head and when the boys broke for lunch, he approached Aiden Lambert. "What can I do for you, Chase?"
"Sir, I was wondering what time you expect to be done today."
"Do you need me to be done by a certain time?"
"Not necessarily, as long as the boys are done by 14:30 as scheduled, we will have time to get to the courthouse with just a few minutes to spare."
"Courthouse? Finally getting the adoption official?" Chase grinned as a response, so Aiden replied, "I was planning to give the boys an extra thirty minutes at the end to do their work, but they can always do it as homework if needed."
"So, it wouldn't hurt if we left five to ten minutes early?"
"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem, and then Monday is Labor Day, so they should be able to get everything done before classes commence on Tuesday."
At twenty after two, Lenny went out to the SUV while Chase went to get Robbie and Kash. They made it to the courthouse with ten minutes to spare and found Mr. Douglas.
As they approached Judge Zeigler, the judge had a funny look on his face. "I understand that you wish to adopt this young man even though he is only two years younger than you."
"That's right, Your Honor. At sixteen, I don't think Robbie needs a father figure so much, but by adopting him, he will have a better future. Plus, I believe I can help him be a better man."
"And your thoughts, Mr. Douglas?"
"At Robbie's age, he has almost no chance of being adopted, and I agree with the comment that a father figure at this time would have little effect on this young man, and he will have a better life with this adoption."
"Very well, normally, I would be opposed to an adoption with such a small difference in age, but your arguments make sense and there is an older man as part of the family."
Lenny spoke up, "Yes, Your Honor. We had even discussed if necessary, I would adopt the young man."
"That won't be necessary. While as I said, I am usually opposed to such adoptions, but I may allow this adoption. I'd like to hear from Robbie, first."
"That's me, Your Honor. When I was feeling low and unwanted, Chase commented about adopting me and lifted my spirits. I think it would be an honor to become a part of this family."
"Very well, and would you like to retain your last name or take Chase's?"
"We've discussed that at great lengths, Your Honor. Chase, or rather Dad, said that it is entirely up to me, he would respect my decision, either way."
"And?"
"Well, my birth dad didn't give me any reason to keep his name but my new dad did make me feel worthy of his, so I would like to take Hampton as my last name." Hearing this, Chase started crying a little.
"Very well, from this day forward, you shall be known as Robert Trevor Hampton. I hereby declare this adoption as official."
Robbie turned toward Chase, "It's official, you are my dad." Then he placed his arms around Chase.
Chase returned the hug, "You touched me with how you replied about your last name. Just remember, your last name doesn't change who you are, and you ARE worthy of my last name and more."
"I know, you made sure of that. That is why I wanted to have your last name. I love you, Dad."
"And I feel honored having you as a son. You want to drive home?"
Robbie smiled, Chase wasn't sure if it was because he trusted the boy to drive or if it was at the thought of having a home. Maybe it was a bit of both.
|
