AN: I don't see many stories with Mar'i in them so here's this~ Original with the title, aren't I? Yes. Yes. I know :B
Summary: All seven year old Mar'i wanted was to know who her father is, when her mother sends her to a co-ed camp, little did she know, she would find her answer with a ten year old boy named Damian. Dick/Kory.
The Parent Trap
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"L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very, extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore and
Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don't break it
Love was made for me and you"
It was their song; it was the song playing at the soiree that his father was holding that night they met. It was the song playing when he smirked at her, offering her his hand, the one she gladly took as he took her to the center of the ballroom, it was the song that played as he leaned in closer and told her just how beautiful she looked, it was the song he sang to her when he gave her a promise ring, and it was the song he played every year for their anniversary.
They were only teenagers when they met but they've already experienced a love much greater than any twice their age. He was dashing, quick-witted, ever so kind and charming; his dark hair always in an unruly fashion and his piercing blue eyes; oh those eyes, how she could stare into them forever and just get lost. She herself had gorgeous green eyes, a shade unlike any other, and her hair was a fiery red auburn shade that suited her personality, she was kind, confident, independent, and there was an innocent charm about her that he loved so much.
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To a crowd, they looked like the perfect couple, always attending gatherings, parties, balls, charity events, anything that involved them to be seen together or accompanied by a date – they were always together and to his father's dismay and disapproval.
He didn't quite understand his father, well in fact, he didn't at all. He was old enough to make his own decisions and he wasn't like his father, he actually liked the idea of perhaps someday getting married, settling down, and having kids of his own. His father was well old enough to be married and have everything. He had children, just, he never married nor committed to anyone. Sometimes he thought, maybe his father feared it.
She on the other hand was a well known model who moved to the United States when she was young. Her own native home was a small tropical country known as Tamaran. She had an uncle who raised her so he was the closest thing she had to a father and he always encouraged her to follow her heart. She found her heart and the person she very well thought of as her soul mate, the only problem that always kept holding them back was her boyfriend's father. She knew she was unwelcomed and unwanted by him but that didn't stop her from loving his son. She wanted to prove to him that she wasn't just any model, she also knew how to design clothes, in fact, half of what she model were some things she helped to create. She never got to show them the other side of her, just like she never got to tell her boyfriend that she was pregnant.
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Kory Anders; her name and a well known name that was seen on every fashion magazine published in the city and even overseas. If someone stopped her, she would gladly pose for a quick picture or sign an autograph. She was charismatic and a people person, and if you just mentioned the name 'Kory' – people knew who you were talking about. She always planned to get to her boyfriend's job early so she could drop off his lunch she made him, but she was always late due to being stopped when recognized. He didn't mind since he was piled with so much work that he hardly noticed when she would get there.
He was eighteen and already the young CEO of his father's US chain of Wayne Enterprises. Many cursed at him for rising to the top just because 'daddy' owned the building, but that wasn't the case, his relationship to the 'big boss' had nothing to do with how he was promoted quickly. He worked his ass off and didn't take hour long breaks right next to the water cooler just to complain about work. He worked so hard to get to the top that slowly but surely, he forgot he had a girlfriend and a life outside of his top building view office.
He was so stressed out that he didn't hear when his girlfriend entered his office. He was so stressed out and it wasn't only the work stress that got to him, it was the fact that his father was always on his case about said girlfriend. He didn't know what the hell his problem was or why he insisted so much that he have a different woman always on his arm. He wasn't like that and he didn't want to be, he's been with the same girl for three years now and he liked it that way.
"Richard?" He heard her sweet voice as he swiftly turned to look at her. Kory slightly jumped and took a step back; his blue eyes were like ice, cold, detached, and annoyed. When she noticed that he wasn't going to say anything, she smiled and continued, "I brought you, your lunch" She said as she forgot about his stare and walked closer.
He softened up a bit at that as he greeted her with a quick kiss and took the plastic bag containing her homemade meal for him. He set it on his office desk and then went and sat down on his black leather couch he had right next to the wall as he sighed and started to rub his temples. Kory sat next to him as she instructed him to turn a little so she could reach his back. She was massaging his back lovingly when she decided she wanted to tell him now. She was honestly afraid of his reaction but she figured, she was seventeen, she was basically an adult and she should handle this in a mature fashion.
At first when she would get the morning sickness, she thought she just caught on to some horrible stomach flu going around but then it happened frequently and knew it was something more than that. She wanted to rule out the possible fact of pregnancy but knew she shouldn't because they did in fact have sex and it wasn't that long after that she started to get the symptoms. She kept the same diet so it stuck her as odd that suddenly her favorite foods and regular diet would cause her to become sick now. So she did the only thing she could and went to the doctors. It was there that she was congratulated and blessed with the news that she was indeed going to have a baby and not just anybody's - but Richard's baby.
She knew for about two weeks but kept contemplating on how exactly she was going to tell him so finally she decided she would do it today because today was just as good as any other day. She was so happy and giddy that her regular greetings to her fans were filled with twice more enthusiasm and love and her fans could tell by the way she was glowing.
"Richard?" She softly said as she stopped massaging his back as he turned to face her.
He caressed her cheek, "What is it?"
"I have good news to tell you" She beamed as he titled his head. He was about to tell her to go on when his cell phone went off. Grunting he took it out of his pocket and answered it, "What" He demanded more than asking.
He got up and started to pace around the room as he heard the person on the other line. Kory could feel the shift of emotions in the room that it made her suddenly feel depressed. She patiently waited as he talked on the phone. She kept open and optimistic; she just hoped that he would be ecstatic too.
Richard sighed and threw his phone right next to her on the couch which startled her. He didn't say anything so she spoke up, "Richard?"
"What" He answered coldly.
"I have something to tell you" She softly began.
He grunted, "Can't it wait? Can't you see how busy I am? I don't have time, Kory!" He lashed out on her. Richard turned to look at her; he could see her smile fading away and her eyes brimming with tears.
Kory got up and shakily asked him, "W-Who are you? I don't know you anymore!" With that she took off the emerald and sapphire encrusted promise ring he gave her and threw it at his head as she ran off.
Choking back her tears, she packed up and was never heard of again.
Seven years passed since then.
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"Mommy pleeeeease? Can I pretty please go?" A young girl begged as her mother went over some fabric patterns. "Oh I don't know, sweetie. A camp in America and you'll be gone for four weeks?" Her mother asked.
"Mommy please! I'm seven years old now! I'm a big girl and I've never been to America, we've traveled all over the world but never to the United States! I promise I won't talk to strangers and I'll be good! I promise! Mommy, pretty please with whipped cream and zorkaberries on top?" She begged as she clasped her hands together, shutting her eyes and praying her mom would let her.
"Koriand'r, why don't you let her go? You have a big wedding consultation to attend to and need to fly out to meet them, no?" A deep voice reasoned with her as Kory turned around as her uncle walked in and hugged her daughter. "K'Norfka Galfore, will you take me to camp while mommy is away?" She asked with big enthusiastic green eyes. "It would be my honor my little Bumgorf" Galfore replied as they both stared at Kory with big pleading eyes.
Kory signed and gave in, "Alright you can go Mar'i"
Mar'i jumped down from Galfore's embrace and hugged her mother. "Thank you! Thank you!" She squealed as Kory smiled caressing her dark hair. How it reminded her so much of him, if only he could see just how much Mar'i acts like him, has the same determination and drive. Mar'i was the last gift that he gave her and the only gift that mattered to her in the world.
There was a reason why she tried never to consult with people in the US; she feared that where ever she would go, somehow she would bump into him and she didn't know if she could handle that. She left with good news and a broken heart, there was hardly any communication left in their relationship due to him being stressed out all the time because of work and his father Bruce Wayne. Kory fought and tried to look at things in a good light, she knew that it had nothing to do with her or at least Richard didn't show that it was; she loved him and that was the only excuse she needed in order to stay and hold on dearly to their crumbling relationship.
"Mommy?" Mar'i called as she snapped Kory out of her thoughts.
Kory looked down to her daughter, "Hm?"
"I'm going to my room to pack up!" She quickly kissed her mother's cheek and ran off.
Once Kory and Galfore were alone, Kory let out a deep breath, she was very reluctant to see her daughter go especially without her being there to protect her but she knew that it would help Mar'i to meet more kids from different places and not just Tamaran and to learn more about the States and be just as fascinated as she was when she was Mar'i's age.
"Why do you look so sad my Bumgorf?" Galfore asked.
"I do not know, I don't mind her going to the camp, I'm not sad to see her go mostly, I want Mar'i to have as many glorious memories as she can have as a child and to have fun and learn new things, but maybe it is I who am running away. I haven't seen him in over seven years and he has no idea that he has a daughter. What if he has children of his own? What if he got married by now? What if he threw away the promise ring he gave to me or even worse, gave it to some new woman in his life?" Her eyes were stinging with the urge to cry but she already told herself countless of times, she would not cry for him anymore.
Galfore caressed her cheek and offered her a kind smile, "My little Bumgorf, do not worry. If it were true love, then there would be no other woman in his life. I've always told you to follow your heart, you are strong as a warrior and no matter what choices you make in life, know that I will always love you and stand right next to you"
Kory hugged her uncle and thanked him for his advice. She excused herself as she went to make a couple of phone calls and arrange her ticket to Europe for her consultation.
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"Promise me you'll be safe and you have mine and Galfore's number in case there's an emergency. I want to hear about all your adventures so promise me you'll call or send me a letter and remember to take picture! If they have a computer then you know what to do" Kory bend down to Mar'i's level as she couldn't help but act like a worried mother as she told Mar'i to contact her or Galfore but more importantly, have fun and to be safe. Mar'i could see the panic rising as she giggled and caressed her mother's cheek, "Mommy don't worry. I will be fine and I know what to do"
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry, it's just that I'm going to miss you so much" Kory gave her daughter a tight hug as she didn't want to let go but knew she had to.
"Mom, can't breathe" Mar'i struggled as Kory let go apologizing.
"Well my flight leaves soon so Galfore will go with you to Jump City where the camp will be, he'll stay for a few days and then head back to Tamaran but remember he's only a flight away so if you need anything call him first, okay?" Kory said as she stood up and smoothed out her pencil skirt.
"Don't worry mom, I know" Mar'i reassured her again as they said their final goodbye. They drove Kory to the airport where they waited with her for half an hour and then she had to board the plane but before she could, Mar'i ran up to her and hugged her one last time, "Mommy, I love you" She whispered as Kory fought back the tears, "And I love you"
Galfore and Mar'i waved goodbye as they watched her leave.
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Several hours passed after Kory left for Europe, Mar'i and Galfore returned once again to the airport to board their own plane. Mar'i was excited and nervous at the same time, excited because she gets to go to a new place, she's never been to the US before so she was ready to learn about their ways, sight see, and meet new people. She was nervous because she didn't know what to expect, she was going to be all alone without her family in a new and mysterious place. She was glad that they decided to get there before the camp would open up for summer so she had a few days to go sight see with Galfore before he would drop her off. She held onto her K'Norfka Galfore's hand all through the plane ride as he smiled and comforted her.
They heard the announcement welcoming them to Jump City as Mar'i looked out the window. Many buildings and skyscrapers and cars, and oh the patches of trees and parks here and there, Jump City was very different to Tamaran where there was mostly vegetation, jungles, trees, and the inner cities and outer villages were the only places to have buildings and cars.
"We are here my little Bumgorf" Galfore held her hand as they got their things once the plane landed.
Mar'i took out her camera as she snapped a shot of the airport. She's been all over the world due to her mom's job as a fashion designer so it always fascinated her when they would arrive at an airport because each one was different than the last.
"Camp, here I come" She shut her eyes and whispered to herself as she arrived in Jump City.
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Done! To be continued.
What has a Mr. Dick Grayson been up to in seven years?
This story will contain elements from the movie but won't be quite the same~ ;D
Couple of notes:
Jump City will be based in San Francisco like in the comics where the Titans Tower was located in San Fran.
Gotham has always been a nickname for New York so Gotham City will be in NY.
Tamaran is a tropical place or well once was, before it was attacked, so in this story it is still tropical and lies somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
I only listed Dick and Kory but there will be other couples as well~
I don't know how long it'll be so we'll see! :D
Remember to R&R, Alert, etc. Plz & Thankies! :]
I don't own Starfire 'Koriand'r/Kory Anders' nor Robin/Nightwing 'Dick Grayson' and the rest of Teen Titans – DC Comics.
Nor the song 'L.O.V.E' by Nat King Cole