WooHoo! The last part! I didn't think I could do it, but suddenly, it just came to me! hyper
I hope y'all like it.
Thank you to everyone whose been reading and FDKing! FoLCs, you're the best! smile

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FROM PART 3:
Quote
He felt good. As he bid his parents good night and let them out of his apartment, he'd felt very good. Life was finally going smoothly for him!

As John turned out the lights, a brief vision of freedom danced in the growing darkness. Now that he had his parents' understanding and approval, nothing else in the world mattered. Nothing could keep him apart from his muse.

He'd just stepped into the shower when a dreadful, blood-curtling scream sliced through his head.

"JOHNNY!!!"
PART 4:

*~*~*~*~*~

Without thinking, Johnny followed the sounds of Gloria's screams, his heart pounding wildly in his throat. He arrived at the mouth of the alley just as her attackers succeeded in muffling her with an old rag. Less then a second later, the two men were in a groaning heap on the street. John didn't even remember how they got there. He pressed a hand to his pulsing temples and turned to face Gloria. "Are you all right?"

She swallowed, then nodded. "I don't know what they wanted..." she gasped out. "I mean, they didn't really get a chance to...do anything..." She unconsciously adjusted the strap of her purse. Afterwards, her eyes wandered over John's body and she quirked her lips into a half-smile. "Nice costume, by the way."

John closed his eyes, feeling his face and neck burn. His entire skin felt warm. "Do you realize that this is *literally* my worst nightmare?" he whispered, low enough that the two criminals wouldn't be able to hear, if they were conscious. He cast a glance over his shoulder and saw that one had his eyes closed and just lay there, quietly bleeding. The other kept staring at him as best as his swollen eyes would allow. John turned away again. "Let's just go," he muttered, still burning, "before I get arrested for indecent exposure or something."

Gloria nodded, barely repressing a snicker as John picked her up and flew back to his apartment, faster than the naked eye could follow.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She was still laughing as he set her down and ushered her over to the sofa. She quickly grabbed a pillow and buried her tear-streaked face in it until she felt somewhat calmer. Then, she slowly sat up. "Thank you for saving me, Johnny."

He shrugged, his skin still burning red. "Don't mention it," he muttered.

Gloria turned her head towards the bathroom. "Is that *water* running?" she asked, focusing on the sound.

Johnny cursed and disappeared into the bathroom for a few minutes. The sound eventually ceased, followed by a rush of air, and then Johnny stepped back into the room wearing shorts and a T-Shirt. "Sorry," he said sheepishly as he sat down, "I was--ah--in the shower when I heard you yell."

Gloria smiled and reached up to brush a stray lock of hair away from his eyes. She leaned forward and kissed him.

Johnny smiled despite himself, and began to return her kiss with a steadily growing passion---when suddenly, the phone rang. Johnny pulled away from her and grimaced. With a sigh, he stood and grabbed the phone off the wall.

"Hey. Oh! Hi, mom." There was a pause as John listened to the other end of the line. Gloria watched as his eyebrows slowly climbed up towards his hairline, while simultaneously his face drained of all color. "What?" he squeaked. He shot a glance at Gloria. After a few more seconds, he dropped the phone as though it were a red hot iron and sprung to his feet.

"John?" Gloria stood, watching him quizzically. "What's the matter?"

He turned and sped into the bedroom, leaving a gust of air in his wake. By the time Gloria managed to follow him, he'd already turned on the television.

<----by a single man, alone and stark naked. Details are a little unclear, but the commotion was enough to distract night watchmen who were on duty at a nearby warehouse, allowing thieves to get away with several tires. Do we have another clone among us, or---->

The reporter's words were cut off as John killed the television. He closed his eyes and sat down on the bed, rubbing his temples.

Gloria sat down beside him, running a comforting hand along his shoulders and down his back. "Poor baby," she soothed.

John heaved a sigh. "Gloria?"

"Yes?"

"Let's just paint something."


The End.


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