Here's a sigh to those who love me, and a smile to those who hate; And, whatever sky's above me, Here's a heart for any fate, -Bryon, To Thomas Moore
Warning: Foul Language used, rated T for that reason.
Full Summary: Korina Anders is a well-known fashion designer climbing the ranks of the fashion world, and the company she works for, Lumiere. But fate plays its hand and she barely gets saved by Nightwing. What she didn't expect was to be stuck with the one man she learned to hate, the wonderfully handsome but local cocky-literally-playboy Richard Grayson, and son of multi-millionaire Bruce Wayne. Can she survive and how will her heart play in it all? Usual Pairings KoriXRich, RaeXGar, VicXKaren, JennyXWally.
Kori glanced at her watch and began to impatiently tap her foot. If the meeting took any longer, Kori would miss her meeting with Kitten Moth. Not that Kori wanted to see the bitch, but Kitten was Kori's number 1 consumer and she paid a lot of heavy bucks to get what she wanted.
Roy continued talking about using organic materials and Kori groaned inwardly. She glanced at Sabine, her boss and Founder of Lumiere, and made a show of tapping her watch when Sabine caught her eyes. She gave a brisk nod and stood.
"Roy, mon chère," She said in her French accent, "Vy don't you finish zis in writing and everyone vill read your magnifique idées?" He looked a bit angry for being interrupted but nodded and everyone got up in a hurry, rushing out of the room. Kori swiftly walked through the halls to the elevators in the lobby, her heels clacking against the creamy white tile flooring made of granite. As she rode down the elevator, she opened her purse and pulled out her lavender compact, checking her image. Her black eye makeup dazzled her emerald green eyes and her lip gloss hadn't smeared. That was the only make-up Kori really needed, a touch up really, and she smiled.
"I need it done by tomorrow, Kori," Kitten smacked her lips, flipping her bleach platinum blonde hair back, "Think you can do it?"
With the money Kitten was giving her, Kori could finish the dress in four hours.
"Definitely; perfect timing to finish," Kori smiled and put the wads of rolled up cash she had been counting in her purse. Kitten stood and said, "Great. Meet me up at my room tomorrow, 10 AM if you can." She left the private dining area of the Plaza to go back up to her room and Kori couldn't hide her glee. Kitten requested a short cocktail dress in pink. Her exact words were, 'I want to be the rare priceless gem people are bidding for but can never reach high enough. I want to dazzle!'
Standing, Kori smoothed down the skirt of her dress and left the 5-star hotel, walking down the street to the garage she had parked her car in when her phone rang.
"Korina Anders," she said in her business tone.
"Did you even check your caller ID?" Rachel's monotone voice emanated.
"Nope, how's it going?" Rachel had a signing today for her latest books called Black in a Shade of Gray.
"So many people. I had to be escorted to the restroom so I wouldn't get attacked, and when I asked how long the line was, they said it made a wide circle around four blocks."
"Good for you!" Kori said, her excitement growing, "You deserve it!" She opened the door to her red mustang.
"Thanks to you," Rachel answered. Kori rolled her eyes as she slipped into the driver's seat. Putting her purse on the passenger seat she said, "I told you a signed book and a $50 gift card to Chinese Dragon would be enough."
"Says the person who wanted nothing until I offered that," Rachel snickered, "What did Kitten offer you?"
"50 grand," Kori chuckled, "upfront."
"Holy shit," Rachel whistled," As in holy frigging divine."
"I know, and another 70 grand when the dress is finished. Of course, all the gemstones have to be real diamonds and I have to find her shoes, a jacket and some accessories which is why she's paying the 50 grand upfront. But still, don't worry about the mon-ay," Kori pronounced the word funny. Rachel made a funny noise and said, "Shoot, I have to go. Coming to dinner?"
"We'll see. Say hi to the guys," they ended their calls and Kori smiled for the hundredth time. She was happy that Rachel's book was doing as well as it should and she would give 25 grand to her 1000 times over for her best friend if she could. Rachel had opted to do self-publishing this time-the reason for the money she had to borrow- especially since her agent stole some material Rachel was working on the last time. The bastard. Kori had offered to go with a mask over her face and beat the shit out of Malchior Draken's (Made up last name! Duh.) two Ferrari'sbut Rachel had a better plan she didn't want Kori to know. She wondered if it had something to do with mustard down his pants…Kori chuckled to herself and started the engine of her car. She began to slowly back out when a motorcycle flew out of nowhere and skidded to a stop in front of her car. She stepped on the brakes and barely missed him. She grabbed her purse and came out of her car, shaking.
"Sorry," he muttered, looking back.
"Nightwing," she whispered when the sounds of engines grew closer. He lunged at her and pulled her down to the ground, covering her body with his hard muscular bulk as two cars pummeled through the garage, slammed into Kori's mustang and the amass of cars rolled to the end of the garage, a chain reaction dragging every other parked car with them until the scrape of metal and the shaking had stopped.
Kori stood and screamed, "My car! Oh, shit!"
"The cars are going to blow, we have to get out of here," Nightwing yelled, wrapping one arm around her waist as he pulled up his motorcycle with his leg, putting her on the back. He straddled the bike and revved the engine, ordering her to wrap her arms around his chest. She complied and he turned the bike towards the street where the cars came from.
"No! You're not going to- AH!" she screamed as he rode towards it and flew off the edge barely in time before the cars exploded, the heat searing her back. Kori screamed in the air.
She rubbed her scraped and bloodied arms and growled, "Thanks soo much! This dress costs 2500 bucks! You got that money, buddy?" She didn't mean to be a bitch, but when something bad happened, she went into bitchy self-defense mode. At least she wasn't attacking him…yet.
"You can thank me for saving your ass," he snapped, his voice angry and his grip on the handles of his bike tight.
"You totaled my car!" She curled her fingers into a fist. Control, Kori, control, she told herself.
"Get a new one. You look like the sort who'll spend money on shitty pieces of metal, ice princess."
"What, did you think you'd get a thank you kiss from the damsel in distress? And I'm not a snotty slut heiress."
"I didn't ask for a kiss from you, and I didn't call you a snotty slut heiress. What you think of yourself-"
"And all that," she pointed at the black smoke rising to the sky, "Is collateral damage? Think your heavy cock can just smash into and break every little thing just because you call yourself a hero in a diaper with baby toys?"
"Babe, if I wanted to do anything with my heavy cock, it would be to shut you up by breaking you."
"Just leave you fucking bastard!" she screamed, pointing down the road. He shrugged and left her behind, in front of the Lumiere Company building where she worked. After the jump he had managed to enter the opposite garage building across the street. She had blacked out for a bit when the flames behind her made her faint but came back around as he was weaving through traffic, away from the scene. How she had managed to keep her grip was a miracle she wouldn't be able to explain. Someone grabbed her shoulder and she screamed, jumping and turning around, her fist out. Jane, the front door secretary put up her arms in innocence and Kori calmed down.
"Are you okay? I came from the bathroom and saw you out here like this. What happened?"
"Er, I had an accident and-"
"Oh! Were you saved by Nightwing," she said his name in a schoolgirl swoon, "He's just plain hot and sexy. S.E.X.Y. Yummy. I wouldn't mind spending a quick night with that one, if you know what I mean." She winked at Kori. Kori shook her head, no, she didn't know what she meant and couldn't imagine doing anything with an ass like him, telling Jane that. Jane raised her eyebrows in surprise as Kori marched through the building, skipping the elevators and walking-more like stomping-up the stairs until she reached the 25th floor where her office was. She entered and closed the door, putting the sign out not to disturb her.
Lying on her black leather couch Kori sighed and stared at her shaking hands, the only thing giving away her fear besides her rapidly beating heart. She couldn't believe it, or herself. She had nearly died, was saved by Nightwing and the most she could say was bastard? She was surprised she didn't turn feral. She groaned and pounded her head lightly as her heart began to calm down. How had Nightwing managed to jump the distance was incomprehensible to her, but what scared her most was who might have been in the two cars chasing him. The image of the convoluted crash came back to her and she sat up. Her car. When the police finally get everything done, they're going to know it was her car. What if they thought she was involved? And if she told them she was saved by Nightwing, they would ask her why she waited so long to call. She jumped to her phone and dialed the emergency number. When the lady answered and asked what her dilemma was, she said, "I parked my car in the garage that is now on fire, and barely missed the scene."
"Was your car on the 5th floor?"
"Y-yes. I can't believe it. It was by chance that I missed it. I could have died."
"Ma'am, what you need to do is calm down. Stay home a while, breath it out. Do you think you can give me the particulars about your vehicle?" Kori gave the lady the information about her car.
"Once the investigation is over we will call you about your car, is that alright?"
"That's fine. Thank you, and good luck." She disconnected and sighed. Now they would know it was by chance. Kori's hands were still shaking and she knew that the only thing possibly capable of calming her down was to make Kitten's dress. Going to her connected bathroom, Kori stripped down and washed her body, putting on bandages where needed then pulled out her spare clothing-a light pink long sleeved cashmere sweater and black trousers. She kept her black pumps on and walked out of the bathroom when she realized that through the whole event, she had managed to keep her purse with her. Was it desperation, luck, or the ugly greed for money that made her keep it? She shivered but grabbed it anyway and headed down to the Studio, three floors beneath the first floor under the company.
Around 20 people were already working there, pinning things on dresses or looking at fabric as Kori walked over to Materials and Services. It was Clara's shift-a young inspired intern in college learning Financing and Fashion-and Kori put on her best smile, despite her nerves.
"Hey, Clara. Still got Fabric 4425-C that I put on hold earlier?"
Clara consulted the database and nodded, leaving to get the shimmery pink fabric and came back, "Despite my abhorrence to pink, this is some amazing fabric. Who's it for?"
"Kitten Moth," Kori said, "Oh, and do you have some of that, er, handmade Chantilly lace accents fabric. I think it was Fabric 15.175-A."
Clara checked and said, "So close. Fabric 15.157-A. Anything else to get you?"
"Yes. I need Kit 33.25, Model 34-MBJ from Store C, Model 86-PSH from Store D, and Jewel Kit 7." Clara marked them down and went to get them as Kori checked the price on the sketch pad paper Clara calculated the numbers on. All in all it was about 15 grand for all the materials minus the Jewel Kit. (Speaking of kits, you're probably wondering where all these codes, models and numbers come from. Nowhere but my head, of course. MBJ stands for mini black jacket, PSH stands for pink stiletto heels. So, from now on, abbreviations will be explained in bold. ) Clara came back and Kori took out the five stacked jewel kit that had fake models of Jewelry pieces. Kori chose a diamond embezzled vine bracelet with little daisy jewels, the center a diamond and the petals amethyst. She also chose long dangling diamond earrings and a plain silver chained necklace with only a diamond cut into a teardrop shape. As Clara took the kit back, Kori glanced at her watch. 7:45 PM. Still early. Clara came back with the jewelry in leather boxes, placed them in a bag and said, "Okay. When you're done with the dress, call the next person in the shift and she'll calculate the price for the dress. Want to pay for everything else now?"
Kori nodded and Clara said the heels, jewelry and jacket would all be over 40,000 dollars. Kori reluctantly handed the money over and took the items, waving goodnight as she took the farthest mannequin and set to work.
Kori's phone rang but she ignored it, sewing the last bead with white thread. The strapless dress had a fitted bodice and low cut neckline shaped like the top half of a heart, criss-cross back design with silvery white satin ribbon, an empire waistline and a flouncy skirt. The light Chantilly lace started a centimeter below the neckline and down to the skirt that fell lightly on the skirt similar to the pedals of a flower. The waist had a silver velvet sash, a daisy gem similar to the bracelet but with white petals in the middle, swirling scroll accents made of mini amethysts on each side. At the top of the neckline Kori had finished sewing sparkly white beads across the neckline when her phone rang again. She picked it up and said, "Korina A-"
"You little bitch!" Rachel snarled on the phone. Kori nearly dropped the phone but said, "What?"
"Have you seen the news? Do you know how many times I've tried calling you at your office, house and phone?"
"My phone's been on silent," Kori complained, "Why are-"
"'A dangerous collision on the 5th level of a public parking garage began with two black BMW's smashing through the upper level into a red mustang and dragging along at least 20 other cars across the level into a pillar. The cars exploded and the pillar collapsed, crushing at least 200 other cars with the 4th floor along with the 5th. The red mustang's owner has been verified and is currently unharmed, not near the event of the accident."'
"Are you reading that?"
"Hush. It also says that 'Authorities are under current investigation of the accident, excavating the remains of the other cars. If you are certain one of your vehicles was on either floor, please call,' blah blah blah. First, how the hell did they know it was your car? And second, why didn't you call?"
"Okay. First, I called them after I was saved by Nightwing and second, I'm working."
"You were saved by Nightwing? And you think that that information wasn't necessary to tell the authorities?"
"They probably know," Kori shrugged, packing away the Kit.
"We need to talk. I'll be at your house."
"What time is it anyway?"
"11:45 pm," Rachel said, "BE AT HOME or I will KILL you," she threatened, shutting the phone in Kori's face. Kori sighed and walked over to Anna, the girl who had taken Clara's place, another intern.
"I'll be giving these back. Will you come see the dress?"
"Sure," Anna said. She followed Kori and took note of every little bead and yard of fabric Kori used.
"Okay, you used about 15 yards of the pink, and 2 yards of the lace. That'll put you at 10, and the design accessories at 15. So, in all, it'll be about 39,568 dollars and 25 cents. How do you want to pay for it all?"
"Cash," they returned to the Service station and Kori counted out the rest of the money, her purse feeling extremely empty as the wad of cash disappeared. If it wasn't a permanent keep by Kitten, then the money would go to the company account and sold as part of the company, giving all Kori's money back. Luckily the 50 grand was just for the making of the dress. Kori took her receipt and put the dress in a large bag with the box of heels, mini jacket and jewelry on a cart and pushed it to the front lady. She had Jane put it in reserved storage with Kori's name and the location it was supposed to go to at 9:30 AM, its recipient and her phone number. Bidding Jane goodnight, Kori left the building.
"Shit, my car is gone. I'll have to take the bus." As she walked down the street filled with Gothamites, (Lol, what would you call people who live in Gotham? Gothaminians? Sounds like Condominium.) she stopped at a local burger place and bought a lemonade. Sipping the sweet nectar, she glanced into boutique windows, admiring the designs of other famous fashion designers. Would she ever be as-something grabbed her waist and pulled her into the alley. She kicked and screamed but he held her tightly.
"Let go!"
"Here's a message to Nightwing," he whispered, throwing her against the wall. She tried to scramble up to fight but two other men held her down as the first pulled a knife out of his pocket.
"You're so pretty. It's too bad we'll be cutting you up after we play a bit. Don't worry, we'll dump you in front of Nightwing's door before you die."
Kori screamed as he straddled her legs, ripping her cashmere sweater in half. Her blood heated and she began to sit up, the men's grip on her loosening.
"Shut her up!" One grabbed her head and slammed it against the wall. She felt warm blood trickle down her forehead, the dark black water slowly swallowing her vision when someone stepped into the alley and knocked the guy straddling her away. She tried to move but everything around her began to tip. Her eyes followed the man as he punched another in the face when she met blackness.
Something cool touched her forehead and Kori groaned. Opening her eyes, she met Rachel's worried violet ones.
"Hi," she managed weakly. Rachel rolled her eyes and said, "Hey stupid. Does your head hurt?"
"Not really," Kori tried to sit up when a big hand touched her shoulder gently. She looked up at him in surprise. He had messy jet black hair that shone almost blue in the fluorescent lights and the most shocking cobalt blue eyes. She racked her brain trying to remember who he was when Rachel said, "This is Richard Grayson, or commonly known as Dick. You've seen him in magazines."
"Oh ya," Kori said, closing her eyes, "What happened?"
"Richard saved you from almost being raped," Rachel said, "Damn Kori, first the accident, now this?"
"Rae, I'd let her sleep," Richard whispered.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Kori asked, struggling against the heavy curtains of her eyes.
"Yeah, we were in elementary and middle school together and kept in touch after that," Rachel said, "It just never came up."
"So weird…someone that's known you longer than me," Kori chuckled, then sighed. Before she released to the sleep tugging at her she said, "Thanks."
Richard glanced at Rachel and said, "At least she said thanks. The first time she wasn't so nice."
"Shut up, Dick. It's your fault they attacked her."
"Listen, I can't fucking protect every bitch that needs help, okay?"
"Kori is not a bitch!" Rachel hissed.
"Coming from the ice queen," Richard growled, "You know what, I'm not arguing with you. You don't know the hell I go through every day to save millions of innocent lives, and neither do the millions out there. I, at least, deserve some credit for not being a total ass all the time, and I sure as hell don't deserve little bitches snapping at me when I try to do good."
"It's Karma, Dick. You are a total ass all the time and when a girl doesn't yell at you, you expect her to spread her legs for you. And all that damage…"
"There's nothing wrong with getting some release every now and then-"
"Every now and then! Its everyday you get a new girl," Rachel said over him.
He continued, "And I sure as hell don't need you to mommy me. Plus, I pay for that damage, as Nightwing and as Richard Grayson. So get off my back!"
"Dick, if you'd just-"
"I'm over this. I can live my life the way I want to, so just fuck off."
"I'm only trying to tell you that laying a girl every-"
"If the girls are spreading their legs for me, why not?" Richard hissed, grabbing his jacket off the couch, "See you when you're not fucking PMSing. And keep her," he viciously pointed at Kori, "Away."
"One of these days Richard, you're going to fall so hard for a girl you can't reach," Rachel yelled, not caring if she woke Kori up, "That it'll end up killing you!"
He flashed the eagle as he left, slamming the front door to a close. Rachel groaned. She hadn't meant her conversation with him to end that way. Sure, he deserved time on his own and she didn't mean to treat him like a child, but she didn't like the way he treated people, taking what he wanted and tossing them away. Rachel was convinced it wasn't a lack of commitment. It probably wasn't even an inability to love, but probably fear. Fear that one day someone might hurt the one he loves because of his work, or that he wouldn't be able to concentrate as Nightwing with a wife, maybe even future children, waiting for him at home. Batman had affected him too hard that way, but while Richard's fear was losing all he loved, Bruce couldn't trust people enough to bring them in, so they both used people enough to numb their feelings deep inside them.
Rachel glanced at Kori and wondered why Richard didn't want her near him. He usually didn't mind bitchy heiress's, especially since he claimed they were great in bed and they usually paid, but why Kori? He was always a sucker for red heads-he even had an affair with Barbara Gordon, the Commissioner's daughter, before he dumped her- and Babs was a feisty one, but why Kori? Rachel shrugged and poured herself a cup of water. Rachel didn't like how fate was playing its hand in Kori's life, threatening it twice in one day, but somehow near Richard both times. Was it a good thing, or did that mean impending doom? The world God made worked in mysterious ways, and all Rachel could do was to pray for both Kori and Richard to be safe in the future.
"You know," his voice murmured in her ear, "You're beautiful." Kori chuckled and nuzzled against his chest, "You've said that 13 times already, it's getting boring. Say something else."
"13 times? Really? I don't think I've said it enough, but if you want me to say something else…how about how much I love you?"
"How much?" Kori asked, kissing his bare chest.
"I love you so much I would grab the moon and sun and give them to you if I could."
"Cheesy," Kori murmured, "So unoriginal."
"Oh? How about I love you so much that if you don't accept my first I'll tickle you until you accept?"
Kori widened her eyes in mock horror and said, "Oh no, please not tickling!" He roared and began to tickle her. Kori screamed and kicked in laughter as she tried to run away, only to find herself back in his arms.
"Okay, okay!" she gasped, "I can't breathe! Oh, stop!"
"Come on Kori, accept it!"
"N-no way! Aha, ok, okay! I accept it!" he stopped tickling her and laughed at her red face. She pouted, crossed her arms and said," Unfair." He shrugged and tried to kiss her but she shifted her face away.
"No," she said in a stubborn voice.
"No? Do you want me to take out the fingers of death and tickle you again?"
Kori mumbled and he leaned in saying," What was that?"
"I'd rather have a kiss."
He tapped her pouted lips and said," Would that make you happy?"
"Depends on how good the kiss is."
He laughed and pulled her up into his chest, "We'll see Miss. Anders, but that kiss might just turn into something else."
"Not the fingers of death?" Kori raised her eyebrows. He chuckled and Kori sighed. She loved the deep rumble of his chest.
"Well…" he didn't complete his sentence. Lightly grasping her chin, he pulled her face up to look at him. Kori smiled and touched the lids of his cobalt blue eyes, then tugged at a stray strand of black hair.
"Tell me Miss. Anders," Richard smiled, "What do you love about me?"
Kori sat up and put her mouth to his ear whispering, "Kiss me and find out." He laughed and his lips found hers.
Kori opened her eyes. Looking around, she found herself at her house, sprawled on the couch with a bandage wrapped around her head and a thick blanket tossed over her. Tossing the blanket aside, Kori groaned as her head erupted with pain. Getting up, she shuffled to her kitchen and opened the fridge.
"What are you doing?" an angry voice asked from behind her. Kori turned and met Rachel's violet eyes.
"Hey, Rachel, how's it going?"
"How's it going? Let's see. My best friend nearly gets killed, doesn't tell me, then on her way home she gets attacked and nearly raped. I've been worried sick and couldn't sleep all night. How do you think it's going?"
Kori shrugged and offered the milk container in her hand, "Want some milk?"
"No, I don't want any milk," Rachel snapped. She sighed and slipped into a wooden chair at the circular table Kori used as a dining table, cradling her head with her hands. Kori rolled her eyes and put the milk away, then brought out the kettle and filled it with water, putting it on the stove. Sitting opposite Rachel, Kori nudged Rachel's leg and said, "If it makes you feel better, I was saved."
Rachel's head snapped up and her cold violet eyes glared at Kori's emerald ones, "And if you weren't? Imagine if you weren't so lucky, Kori. If Nightwing hadn't saved your ass the first time, then Richard the second, you'd be dead. Or worse."
"What's worst?" chuckled Kori, "Looking like a bloody pancake? Or being raped then killed? C'mon Rachel, you can't avoid trouble, or it'll find you, you know that."
Rachel shook her head, "I can't imagine how you must have looked or acted when it all happened. You must have been terrified. I'm surprised you didn't…well, you know, turn feral."
Kori looked away from Rachel and at her diamond shaped clock on the wall. It read 10:30 and Kori couldn't help wondering if Kitten had gotten the dress. 'No, now's not the time to think about business.' She turned her gaze back to Rachel's.
"I was scared, and you know how I act when I'm about to shit in my pants. I'm not sure if it's a good survival mechanism."
"Like a bitch," Rachel nodded, agreeing, "I've had more than enough times working with that form of you and trust me, it isn't pleasant."
"Nothing's pleasant to a Goth except tea, dark poetry, reading, and publishing books," Kori giggled, getting up to turn off the wailing kettle. Pouring chamomile tea for the both of them, Kori set Rachel's black mug in front of her, then took out Kori's own purple mug. Rachel sipped and sighed, "That hits the spot."
"See? I told you." Kori smiled, sipping her own tea. Rachel frowned and set down her mug, "Does your head hurt?"
Kori nodded, "Just a bit. I'll be fine with some aspirin or something. Shouldn't you get ready to open your bookstore?"
Rachel nodded and stood, "Kicking me out, like always. I'm going to call to see if you're okay every now and then, just so you don't do something stupid. Like always."
"I don't do half as many stupid things as your boyfriend, so hush up. I'm a big girl and this isn't college roommate lecture time." Kori said as they headed to the front door. Rachel grabbed her coat and nodded.
"Give my thanks to Richard," Kori smiled, "Since you two are friendly."
"Don't try to mess up my relation with Gar just because you're lonely and you think it's fun. You know how annoyingly low his self-esteem gets and I don't want to nurture his wounds."
"No," Kori shook her head, slightly closing the door as Rachel stepped out, "You wanna lick them."
"Your imagination is disgusting. Want to meet for some lunch later?"
"Naw," Kori smiled slyly, "You have licking to do." Shutting the door in Rachel's face, Kori sighed. Damn, her head hurt more than she realized. She walked through her room to her bathroom and opened the pharmacy. Drinking up two capsules of aspirin, Kori lay on her bed, clutching her head. She was already late for work but she couldn't call in sick. Standing, she staggered a bit but bit her lip in determination. She skipped a shower and put on fresh underwear, another pair of black slacks and a silk button up v-neck dark purple blouse with no sleeves, then took off the bandages on her head. She gasped at the blood she saw but did nothing about it. Grabbing her purse she checked to see if everything was in it, packed a bit of extra cash and left her house. She staggered to the bus stop and leaned heavily on the sign as the old bus rolled down the street and stopped with a screech. Stepping inside, she took a seat next to the emergency door in the front and pulled her phone out. She dialed the Front Desk number.
"Lumiere Industries, fashion industry. How may I assist you today?"
"Kelley?" Kori asked, faintly recognizing the voice, "This is Kori Anders."
"Oh! Hey, girl, you're so late!"
"I know. I got mugged last night."
"What!" Kelley gasped, "Are you alright?"
"Just a bit of a headache. Listen, can you tell Sabine what happened. I'm on my way, plus, my car is totaled."
"Sure thing."
"Great, also, was the dress sent out to Kitten Moth this morning at 9:30?"
"Aha, Darla wired the money to your account. All 70 grand. That is a lot of cash, chick! As if being a top writer in the magazine isn't enough."
Kori smiled but was intensely aware of the pounding headache stabbing her head and eyes, "Good. I'll be there soon."
"Sure thing. Bye!"
Kori put her phone away and rested her head on the window. Her headache had only gotten worst and Kori wanted to cry. She didn't feel so well and was emotionally exhausted. The bus stopped and Kori got off, walking down the block to the company's main entrance. Stepping inside, Kori walked past the front desk ignoring Kelley's concerned gaze and up to her office. Sabine was in her chair.
"Hey there, Sabine, sorry I'm late."
"You don't look very well," Sabine muttered, standing and offering Kori the chair, "Perhaps you should zit, if it vould make you comfortable?" Kori did sit and relaxed her head, "I'm ok, Sabine, no need to worry. I just need to rest a bit, then get working. Did the new article subject come in yet?"
"Yes, and I also sent your last article out to publishing. You can take a sick day, Korina. I'm not sure zat working you when you are sick is wise."
Kori waved her hand impatiently and said, "No, no, I'm fine. Don't you have something better to do that pester me? Shoo."
"At least call if you feel the slightest uncomfortable and I will drive you home personally, yes?"
Kori nodded and with one last concerned look, Sabine walked away. Kori sighed and put her head in her hands. Damn, her head hurt so much. It strained her eyes. She leaned back in her chair and logged onto her computer.
CYBORG requests permission to chat.
Kori smiled and accepted, wondering what the hell Victor Stone could want so early in the morning.
CYBORG and STARFIRE are now chatting
Starfire: Hey, whats up?
Cyborg: lil' lady, you have some things you need to fess up to
Starfire: ….? Like?...
Cyborg: Like why the hell you kept everyone in the dark about your car, then mugging
Starfire: Rachel has a big mouth
Cyborg: We're all just worried, is all. Feeling well?
Starfire: Well enough. I need some sleep, but I can't push work away. At least not until I meet next week's deadline
Cyborg: I'm sure your boss wouldn't say no to a break, are you pushing yourself Kori?
Starfire: ….no….i'm fine, Cy, honest.
Cyborg: If you say so. Anyways, let's all have dinner tonight. Rae and Gar accepted, Karen's goin, and a few others
Starfire: what is this, college reunion? Who's going?
Cyborg: Jen and Wally, Garth, Troy, Jose and Juan. The usual gang
Starfire: Ahh, I miss Jose and Juan. Sure, I'll come to din. Where?
Cyborg: The Cove
Starfire: mmm…time.?
Cyborg: 8 30. If ur not there, we'll find and get you
Starfire: got it, got it. Ttyl
Cyborg: take care
They logged off and Kori set to work, doing her best to ignore the nagging pain in her head as she typed out the rest of her article and added the sources. The rest of the day consisted of meetings and contacting clients for photo shoots and then reserving her spot in the winter show in LA. She would be show casting her latest designs and selling them, if there were any buyers. But that wasn't for months and required a lot of work yet. She needed to make three summer designs, two winter and three fall. The day ended rather early with Kori's head still feeling like someone took a hammer and beat it against her skull.
When she got home she checked her messages. One was from Kitten Moth exuberantly chatting about how much she 'adored' the dress and was certain to give Kori's name and number to all her 'very rich' friends. The second was from some telemarketer and the last made Kori's heart beat rapidly. She sat down in shock, her mind going blank. Unwanted memories filled her, tears falling down her face. She wanted to forget…the beep of the answer machine pulled her out from the shock and she wiped the tears away hastily. She didn't even hear the message. Her fingers shook above the play button. Did she want to hear what her brother had to say?
No, she shook her head and deleted the message. She wouldn't be able to handle what was said. She glanced at the clock and sighed. She had two hours before leaving to meet up with her friends. Did she want to risk taking a nap? Kori sighed again and decided against it. Walking into her room, she opened her closet and began to get ready for dinner.
"Where's Kori?" Victor asked, his brows creased in worry. Rachel frowned and pulled out her phone. Both Kori's cell and the home phone rang with no answer and Rachel bit her lip.
"She's not answering. I should go check up on her."
"Wait, let's just cancel. I'll go with you and Gar to check her out as well," Victor offered, worried for his little friend. Rachel nodded and they excused themselves from dinner, taking separate cars to her house. Victor was worried. Kori was known for pushing herself too much, but she knew her limits. Did she ignore them this time? It wouldn't be the first, but the last time it had happened…he ignored those memories. Even though he wasn't very superstitious, thinking about that past made him want to knock on wood.
Rachel frowned. The lights were all on in the house, so why wasn't Kori answering.
"Let's go," Vic assured her, "Everything's alright. Kori probably just decided to take a nap, and is still sleeping."
Rachel nodded, and felt relaxed when Gar squeezed her shoulder. Taking out her key, she began to unlock the door when she noticed that it was open. The key dropped to the ground.
"Rae," Gar asked, worried. He followed the line of her sight and froze as well. The door looked as if it had been broken into. Rachel snapped out of her stupor and pushed open the door, rushing inside.
"Kori!" she screeched, searching in the kitchen. Everything seemed to be untouched downstairs, but once her foot stopped at the last step on the stairs, her blood ran cold and the hairs on her nape rose. Victor came up from behind her, and she pointed. Small puddles of blood formed a line to Kori's bedroom. The door hung off one hinge, slightly ajar, the light from her room pouring out into the dark hallway. Victor grabbed Rachel's arm and tried to lead her away, but she pushed him aside, and moved forward.
"Gar is calling the police, let them handle it Rachel."
"If she's in there…" Rachel whispered, pushing the door aside. It snapped off the second hinge and slammed down onto the ground. Her room was a mess. The nightstand and lamp were on the ground, pieces of her laptop scattered across the desk. Pens, papers, pencils and photos littered the floor. But Rachel's eyes only found more and more blood; smeared along the walls, as if her hands were struggling to grab hold of something to save her life. Victor made his way to the bathroom and peered inside, his heart thudding anxiously, about to tear out of his chest in fear. When his eyes found nothing but glass and shampoo bottles on the ground, he relaxed. Her shower was empty too.
"Is she in there?" Rachel asked softly, tears forming in her eyes. Victor shook his head, but refused to speak. His throat constricted, and he couldn't breathe, not swallow, because there, on the walls, written in Kori's red lipstick, the words branded themselves into his brain. Nightwing, the pretty bird has only 24 hours to live. Give us what we want, you know where we are. 23h, 59min, 42seconds, 41seconds, 40seconds….
He turned away from the bathroom and his eyes met Rachel's dark violet ones. He found his voice, and softly said, "Call Richard."