Christmas time came fast for the busy duo. They missed out on some school social events, and pretty much became daytime zombies, all for doing their best to keep the arsonist from becoming a murderer. Their grades started to slip and JD was in hot water with his mom over it. They never expressly discussed his night time activities as Vigilante, he wasn’t even sure she knew at all, but he refused to give up.

The 23rd of December was the first day of winter break for their school. A party at a student’s home was planned, complete with bonfire for that night. Figuring they would be out anyway, Marc and JD made their way to the party. Marc kept his earbud in listening to the police scanner, and JD kept his suit in the car. Marc didn’t really want to attend the party, but he knew he had to be near his friend’s side just in case.

The night progressed as most do when teenagers throw a party. Someone brought a keg, others brought liquor, and before long, both Marc and JD were drinking. While JD was the life of the party, moving frequently between the house and the bonfire, Marc sat quietly by the fire, sometimes visually checking on JD from where he sat.

Also, like most high school parties go, the police were called. Marc caught the call on the scanner and got up from where he was, unsteadily, to gather JD and get out before the police showed up. After inquiring a few times, he discovered that Melissa had dragged JD off to a more private room in the house. Marc’s heart was already beating pretty fast, but the news of those two being alone made it jump. He ran off in the direction the others had pointed him, and without knocking, started opening doors.

Finally he found the one they were in; the door wasn’t even completely closed. JD and Melissa were sitting on a bed, both with their own hands in their laps just talking. They both looked up as Marc came in. Melissa excused herself, “I’ll let you two talk.” And then left stumbling down the hall.

Marc looked at JD confused about what was going on. JD took a swig of his drink and set it down. He got up and approached Marc carefully.

“Hey, the cops are coming, we should go,” Marc spoke anxiously as JD just got closer to him. He watched it happen in slow motion.

JD lifted his hand and brushed Marc’s brown hair out of his eyes, his fingertips grazed Marc’s blushing cheek. “This,” JD started in a low husky voice, “this is right, this is what I dreamed.” He pressed his lips to Marc’s gently at first. JD felt his heart jump in his chest, and then he pressed for a deeper kiss, his tongue teasing at Marc’s lips until they opened. With one hand in Marc’s hair, JD’s other hand tried to grab Marc’s waist.

Marc pushed JD off of him, “Stop!” he yelled. “You don’t know what you’re doing, you’re drunk!” JD tried to grab at Marc again, but it was too late. Marc ran out of the room, down the stairs and out the door.

JD ran after him, skidding to a stop by his car to consider driving. He chose, instead, to fly. He wasn’t sure which direction Marc took so he started with sweeping loops looking for his friend from on high. He called Marc several times, each time it rang several times before going to voicemail. An hour later, still searching with no luck, he called again. This time it didn’t ring at all and went directly to voicemail. Marc’s phone was off. JD was determined and flew all over the Westbrooke area, and even into Central City. Marc didn’t have a car so JD was very concerned for how he managed to disappear. As a last ditch effort before returning to his car, JD called Deanne.

“DD,” JD spoke breathlessly, “have you heard from Marc?”

“Who?” Deanne was a little confused.

JD wasn’t up for this, “Your son! Have you heard from your son?!”

“Oh, oh! Is this JD?”

“Yes, DD, it’s JD. Have you heard from Marc tonight?”

“No, I’m at work. I only just noticed my phone. I don’t have any messages from him.” Deanne didn’t seem concerned.

JD had no patience for it but thanked her anyway before hanging up. He flew by the party and watched as the police rounded up underage drinkers, calling parents, and sending some to the hospital for observation. He watched from a rooftop, waiting until he could get back to his own car without meeting any cops. The bonfire had died down now and JD felt so alone. He shivered in the December wind as the tears slipped down his face.

It was almost dawn by the time JD made it to his car. Inside he found Marc’s jacket, gloves, and face mask. Their walkie-talkie headsets were set there neatly too. He sighed and turned the car on, driving away slowly. He found he couldn’t stop looking though. Every turn, every street, he was looking for Marc. He drove slowly, trying to find anything that might help. All too soon, in JD’s opinion, he made it back home. The sun was already rising over the horizon.

He went to Marc’s home first, and searched up and down, looking for any sign that Marc had at least come home. But he found nothing. Then he went to his own house. Coming in through the back door, he faced his mother first.

“Where the hell have you been?!” she demanded.

“Mom, I was just out with Marc. We got home late, but I just came back from his house,”it was a half truth.

“Marc who?”

“Ma! The next door neighbor, DD’s son!” JD really hated this fight.

“Deanne doesn’t have a child. Are you on something?! ARE YOU HIGH?!”

“No, mama, I am not fucking high! It’s Marc! He’s missing, I can’t believe you always fucking forget my best friend!” JD was in tears, he never yelled at his mother before, but he couldn’t think rationally.

“Oh no, you don’t cuss out your mother! I didn’t raise you like this. Get to your room boy! Get in there! I don’t wanna see you until you can act right!”

JD stormed off and up the stairs. He slammed his bedroom door and threw himself on the bed. He laid there crying for several minutes before he heard a soft knocking on his door. Still feeling angry, he glared at it instead of answering.

“It’s TT, JD, just TT.” She knocked again, a little harder this time.

JD got up and let her in, but tried to hide the fact that he had been crying. She walked straight in and up to him and gave him a hug.

“You woke, me, I was scared,” she said in a small voice.

“I am sorry TT. I really am,” he hugged her back.

“You’re gonna apologize to gramma, right?” she asked, giving JD the puppy-dog look with her big brown eyes.

“Yeh, I’ll apologize to your gramma.”

“Maybe when she’s not mad she’ll remember Marc,” TT mused out loud. 

JD looked at her a moment with wide eyes. His tears had stopped. “Wait, Tasha, you remember Marc?”

She gave him a look like he was stupid, “Oh God, why do people always underestimate me!”

“TT, do you have a power?”

She grinned, “I’m not telling,” she sang it out and ran off, leaving JD to his thoughts.