It had, and probably will always be, the happiest day of her life. Then, three years ago, she was happy and in a way, that kind of made the memory happy too. Her wedding day, both the one she had on Tamaran and the one she redid on earth was the best days of her life. And how could it not be? Even if she had been married on a rainy day in a cardboard box out in a alley with a hobo as the priest, at least she was marrying him.
But the thought of him only made her cry harder. She was sitting their bed. The bed they had shared for years. The bed that only she and him had ever touched. It was something they shared. Maybe not very significant, but all the more, it meant that much more to her.
A knock came to the door and with superhuman speed, she was out the bed and swinging open the door. Rachel stood there, complete with dark jeans, flats, and a hoodie.
"Any news?" Kory asked, vibrating with impatience.
"Nothing," Rachel said with a shake of her head, "But I figured you were cooped up in here so I took the liberty of making you a healthy, breakfast."
Rachel was always concerned about Kory's health. Over the past few weeks, Rachel had become much more than a best friend to Kory. She had become much closer than a sister ever could. In the past few weeks, Rachel had become Kory rock. Her weight. The very thing keeping her from drifting off and just ceasing to exist.
"C'mon," Rachel insisted, "You shouldn't leave yogurt out like it is."
Frowning at the dairy product that was probably part of her breakfast, Kory followed Rachel down the long hallway. Kory had never really wanted a big house, but Richard had insisted that they buy only the best and with his proposal fresh on her mind, she would of agreed to almost anything. But now, looking down the long spiral stairs that led to the foyer and study, she was really wishing she lived in a small ranch house.
She had been correct when she expected Rachel had put yogurt on the menu, but like always, she was surprised at how detailed her meal really was. Yogurt and strawberries and apple slices sat neatly in a bowl. 3 sausage links sat, beautifully arranged with unnecessary care. A slice of toast with butter and honey drizzled over it and a cup of, from the looks of it, freshly squeezed orange juice awaited her. Rachel could be so over the top, but her cooking was immaculate and she insisted on using only organic things that was 100% healthy. A habit Garfield, her husband, undoubtedly started her on.
Garfield himself was sitting at her island, eating some of the fruit out of her yogurt.
"Gar," Rachel scolded, "I put your bowl on the table. That's for Kory."
"Aw, she wont miss it Rae." he insisted, taking another apple slice.
"Wheres Victor?" Kory asked, noticing her 'big brother' wasn't in the room.
She had grown accustomed to eating breakfast, and sometimes lunch and or dinner, with all of them. It was just something they couldn't stop after everyone separated. The Titans itself wasn't exactly 'disbanded'. Everyone still had a part in saving the city when needed, often pairing up and working together. The Titans themselves just didn't live together. While Kory lived in her big house, Rachel and Garfield lived a little closer to the city in a penthouse apartment. Victor chose, 100% serious, about never leaving the tower. Even when Richard tried, with all his might, to get the man to buy a house. Even offering to buy it for him.
"Ran to the store," Garfield explained, "He wanted to add another update to your security system."
Kory sat beside him, picking at the strawberries in her yogurt. Victor was always adamant about making sure they were well protected. And while Rachel and Garfield, unbeknownst to them, had a missile set up under their floor boards in case of an emergency, Kory and Richards house had bomb sensors under ever blade of grass in their lawn. And now that Kory was in the house alone, Victor had stepped his game up big time. She had at least four different codes just to enter her front door. She was afraid that walking on her lawn could get her foot blown off, even though Victor implored her that that wasn't possible. But, she thanked him greatly. It was nice to know he cared.
"Pills." Rachel said, pointed at the large pills in front of Kory.
"Those things are like horse pills," Garfield said, shifting to a pony to make his point..
But routinely, he grabbed one of her chopping knifes and began grounding the pills up so that she could just mix it with water and drink it. While Garfield was chopping her pills, and Rachel was busy cleaning up from the small breakfast she made, Kory slipped out the kitchen and down the hallway. She didn't worry about tiptoeing or being heard. She knew Richard well enough to know that a squeaky board wasn't even possible in his house. He would not have anything of that magnitude anywhere near him.
She went to her nearest living room, and switched on the TV. The channel was already on the news. She made sure, just in case she had to turn on the TV quickly, she have to have to push any buttons to change the channel. The weather was going off and traffic reports were coming on, but she paid that no mind. Instead, she got closer to the flat screen and read the tape line that scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
She was looking for his name. She was always looking for his name. She had been looking for his name, even a mention of him, for 3 days now. His name had to come sometime. And she wouldn't rest until it did. Something in her said she was just worried. That she was probably overreacting and that he was fine. But he was also missing. And she would find him. As something about politics scrolled by, the TV shut off. Kory slumped. Busted.
"What have I told you?" Rachel asked, the remote being put down by her powers, "Your only hurting yourself more by watching that crap. The stress isn't good for you."
"I..." she trailed off. She had already used every excuse in the book. She just had to admit defeat.
"We'll find him," Rachel said comfortingly, "You know him. He probably went to Germany to buy you some chocolates or flowers or whatever and his flight got canceled. You know Germany has crazy weather, so the phone lines are down or something. Its probably some junk like that."
Kory shook her head, but smiled. The likely hood of that was about none, and Rachel knew that, but Kory was glad she tried.
"If it makes you feel any better," Rachel continued, "I'm meeting with my mother today. I've asked her to help me search for him mentally. I didn't want to tell you unless we really did find something, but I guess you'd of found out anyway."
Kory did feel a little better now. Rachel was good at finding people mentally, but her mother must have been better. And the more people looking for Richard the better.
"Horse pills," Garfield announced, as they entered the kitchen, "Chopped and ready for your digestion."
Kory groaned, downing the pills without thinking too much about it.
"Don't you have a doctors appointment today?" Gar asked, taking her empty cup away for her, "I'll drive you if you need."
Kory shook her head, "I do but Victor is taking me. You can still come though, if you want to."
"Actually," he said, smiling, "I was gonna head to Azarath with Rachel. I just wanted to make sure you weren't going alone."
Kory wanted to hug him for his concern, but Rachel beat her to it. Rachel always got affectionate when Garfield showed he cared for Kory, for some reason. Kory wasn't sure why, but she left for her room to get her shoes. Her appointment was in an hour, but if Victor got back early, and they left early, she might be able to be seen sooner. She was already starting to get jitters. Appointments made her nervous.
She was just wearing some sweat pants and a t-shirt, but she figured that her ob/gyn would understand her want for comfy clothes. She was pregnant after all.
Kory frowned as she sat on her bed to put on her shoes. Richard didn't even know. He disappeared the night she was planning to tell him. He had had a meeting with the Jump city Wayne Enterprises board. Nothing too unusual. But he normally returned from those long meetings at around 7, if not sooner. She had been so excited. She'd made dinner and cleaned the house extra good. She had set up the dinning room with candles and roses. Imagine her surprised when 7 o'clock ticked by. She had called his cell phone at 7:30 and was still trying to get in touch with him. She called Rachel immediately at 8:30, and Rachel had come to sit with her. Then 9 o'clock came and went. Then 10:30. Then 12. By morning, Kory had been sick with worry. A wreck. Frantic and unable to think straight.
Rachel had called the Wayne office to see when he had left, only to find that he never showed up to the meeting. Kory's mental breakdown started then. Victor and Garfield arrived to help, searching the streets and asking around. The other honorary titans kept a lookout too. Kory insisted they call the cops and hire a detective, both of whom were still out looking for clues and evidence.
And now, three days later, she was still sick with grief. Worried beyond all compare, as she left the master bedroom. So many things could of happened to him. He could be hurt, with no way to get help. He could have been kidnapped, he was the richest guy in Jump. Or worse. It could be so much worse. And truly, she didn't want to think about it. But she knew one thing for sure, if he was out there, alive and well, she knew he'd be doing everything in his power to get back to her. It was the one thing that was certain in her life. She knew, without a doubt, that he loved her and that at that very moment, he was thinking about either escape or her.
The front door rang, momentarily pulling her from her mind. She went down the steps a little faster, hoping a detective or cop had found something. She was halfway down the stairs when Garfield showed up. He held his hand up to her, telling her to stop. She froze on the steps while he answered the door. She really wasn't sure why she wasn't allowed to open her own front door. She looked to Rachel, who was standing in the foyer, for help, but Rachel just stared at the back of Garfield's shirt, looking like a love sick puppy.
Rachel was so weird.
"Its cool," Garfield said, stepping aside, "It's just Vic."
Kory rolled her eyes, 'false alarm' sounding off in her head. Garfield really was like a protective big brother.
"Alright, Kory," Vic said, putting down numerous shopping bags from Home Depot, "Lets get on the road. If we're there early the may see you sooner. Besides, I want to instal these cameras and automatic locks."
Kory knew better than to object any of Victor's ideas about security. She was better off just nodding her head and leaving. Garfield, like he did every time he was over and she had to leave the house, grabbed her coat from the closet and held it open. She walked backwards into the overly large fur coat that Victor had brought for her and slipped her arms in. The buttons became coated in black as Rachel did them up.
Victor slung his arm around her and walked her out to his car, the t-car, really, in Lamborghini style. It really wasn't that cold out. Especially when there was a break in the wind. Kory was actually starting to sweat as Victor held the door open for her and she got in.
She pushed away the feeling of being smothered, and put on her seat belt. Even with the large fur coat on, though, that wasn't what was making her feel claustrophobic. No, it was her friends. She loved them. Each and every one of them, dearly. But, they were suffocating her. They were at her every turn. Waiting with the pills and the coats and the alarm systems. With Richard gone, she told herself that she needed this. That they were just watching over her in his absence. That not only her, but her unborn baby, and soon Richard, would appreciate this day. They were doing everything in their power to not only keep her calm, but make her comfortable and happy. She was ashamed to feel uncomfortable about it. She felt ungrateful.
"Victor?" she asked, trying unsuccessfully to turn towards him in her big coat, "You know I love you, right?"
Victor slowed the car down as they came to a stop light.
"Yeah," he said slowly, "I know. I love ya too."
"Good." she said, focusing silently on the passing buildings.
They soon sped past Garfield and Rachel's apartment. Naturally, it was the nicest one in the city, courtesy of Richard. But Kory couldn't get over the fact that their was a missile under the very floors. That at any minute, evil would come with a vengeance, and all anyone would have to do was press the button to blow the floor from her friends apartment floors. It was bitterly sweet, the situation.
Victor pulled into the hospitals parking lot, driving to the front doors.
"Stupid attendants must be on a lunch break... kind of hospital takes lunch breaks?" he muttered, then loudly said, "Alright Kory, you go on ahead and get yourself signed in. I'll find a parking spot."
Kory sighed as Victor sped off. She could of walked from the parking lot to the hospital. She wasn't in labor. She was only 4 weeks pregnant. Just barely noticeable. What would any of them do when she was 4 months pregnant? Or 6 months pregnant? Or 8? She had no doubt that she would never get a second of peace when that time came. She almost cringed at what they would probably do when she actually went into labor.
Shaking her head, she went into the building and walked straight back to the elevator. Nowadays, the elevators motions were starting to make her feel sick, but at the moment, she was too tired to take the stairs. Maybe Vic was right about dropping her off at the front.
The elevator dinged at the eighth floor, and she stepped around a mother whose daughter was screaming her eyes eyes out and yelling ferociously. Kory winced. When her baby was born, she would make sure he or she never behaved like that in public. They would be of royal heritage after all. But thinking about it, Kory knew nothing about children in general. She knew the basics, but nothing more. And discipline? Richard was always the one who got serious when needed. He just had a... and his face... he would just... he just had this look that told you when he done playing. You just knew when to behave when he looked at you.
She, on the other hand, knew nothing past smiles and thank you's. She acted, as Richard had once put it, like Benjamin Button. It hadn't been until she had seen the movie to actually know what he meant. She knew she was a bit childish. She like to have fun and smile, she knew that. But being serious was such hard work. It required a skill that she just didn't have. But he didn't mind. Kory was actually pretty sure that he liked that childishness about her.
Coming to the front desk, she sighed her name in, and went to take a seat. She was the only one in the room, besides the woman at the desk. Kory pondered taking a magazine, but decided against it and pulled out her cell phone. A nervous habit she begun doing the night Richard disappeared. She went to her messages, and sent Richard a quick text.
She was pretty sure he wasn't getting them, because he never responded, but it was her way of talking to him. She just sent him random hellos. And I miss yous. And hope your safe. At night she always sent a fully detailed text of what she had done that day. What she had eaten and how the search was going, without going into full detail on any locations, in case someone else somehow had gotten his phone.
She merely sent him a short text that said she had a surprise for him when he returned. Yes, a baby was certainly a surprise. But she wouldn't tell him, at least not in a text, that she was pregnant. The whole ordeal was much to wonderful to truly be conveyed electronically. No, she would tell him face to face.
Her phone vibrated suddenly, and for a moment, she couldn't breath. But it vibrated again and Victor's name popped up on the screen. She sighed, a bit disappointed, but picked up her phone.
"Hello Victor," she said, cheerful, hoping he couldn't tell she was upset.
"Hey Kory. You in the office, yet?"
"Yeah," she said, looking out the window behind her, "Where are you?"
"Kory," he said guiltily, "I just got called back into work. They want me to leave now, but I cant-"
"Its fine Victor," she assured him, "I'll just call Garfield to pick me up when the appointments over. You go ahead to work."
"You sure you all right? Because I can-"
"Victor go." she insisted.
"Alright then. I got my cell on me, so call if you need."
"Without any doubt."
He chuckled before hanging up, and she slouched in her chair. She's either be walking home or catching a bus, now. Great. Garfield and Rachel had probably already gone through her portal to Azarath, but Kory didn't want to keep Victor from his job at Star Labs. He was working so hard on something she couldn't remember, and she didn't want to keep him from it. She was already so much of a burden to him. Between searching for Richard and sleeping, he barely had any time for work, choosing instead to give his free time to her. The least she could do was give some of that time back.
"Mrs. Grayson?"
She looked up to the nurse who had called her. Oh how she loved that name. Even now, three years after marrying him, she still got goosebumps when someone said her last name.
She smiled at the cheerful woman, mirror her smile and stood to follow her.
"Are you here alone, Mrs. Grayson?" the woman asked, and though it pained her to think about it, she nodded.
She knew if Richard was there he would be taking over the whole operation. Asking the nurse, a woman who didn't even know Kory, questions. He'd be holding Kory's hand tightly, more nervous about these appointments than she was. He'd fuss over her, much more than usual, and make big deals out of nothing. She missed him so much.
"You can wait in here," the woman smiled, "Doctor Richardson will be in soon."
What an ironic name. She sighed, entering the brightly colored room. Subconsciously hoping up onto the bed, she laid back and stared at the many posters and booklets on breastfeeding and asthma. She twiddled her thumbs, looking around the room at all the instruments. Right about now would be when Richard would pace the room, biting his thumb nail and rambling about what was taking the doctor so long.
Stop it, she scolded herself, thinking about him like this isn't going to bring him back any faster. Your only going to stress yourself out.
Despite her better judgment, she was about to pull out her phone and send Richard another text when the room door opened. A tall man with white hair all over his face walked in. His face was full of wrinkles and laugh lines and he had a pair of glasses resting hazardously on the bridge of his nose. But despite obviously being an older man, his posture was incredible.
"Kory, I presume," he said, just as cheerful as the nurse.
Kory forcefully relaxed herself. This was just a checkup. She'd be fine on her own.
"And Dr. Richardson, yes?" she asked, sitting up to shake his hand.
The man froze, confusion on his face. For a moment, Kory wondered if she had been led to the wrong room, but the man lifted up a name tag and smiled pleasantly.
"That's what the name tag says,"
Taking a deep breath, she felt better knowing her doctor wasn't a grumpy person. She just hoped that he had been joking about not remembering his name.
"Alright Kory," he said, sitting in his swivel chair and rolling over, "Now that pleasantries are out of the way, we'll get down to business. As you already know, I'm Dr. Richardson. I'll be who you'll see for the remainder of you pregnancy."
She nodded, glad she didn't have to see a different doctor every time she had an appointment. Rachel would of known that, and for a minute, Kory wished Rachel was there with her. But Kory took comfort in knowing that Rachel and her mother and Garfield was looking for Richard. For all she knew, Richard could be home, at that very second, waiting for her to walk in.
"And we'll just see whats going on inside," Dr. Richardson said.
Kory had a mild panic attack, angry that she hadn't been listening to the doctor. She just hoped she hadn't said anything important. The thought that she might have was enough for her to ask him to repeat everything he had just said, but he had turned his back to her and her attention was now drawn to a machine he was starting up.
"Don't worry," he reassured her, "This is just the ultrasound machine. It'll send harmless sound waves through your stomach and send us a visual image of what the baby looks like."
"What?" she snapped, sitting up, "We'll... I mean... I'll get to see-"
"Yup," Dr. Richardson said, as if she had just asked the number one expected question, "Right now. In about 20 seconds."
Kory laid back. Now, she was really wishing Richard was there with her. Or, at least Rachel. Even Garfield or Victor. Suddenly, feeling suffocated by them was sounding pretty good.
"Alright," Dr. Richardson said, grabbing a bottle off a table, "This gel will help us get a clear view, so I'm going to put some on your stomach. Its a little cold, so don't be alarmed."
Cold was an understatement. That gel was freezing. Next time she saw Victor, she'd ask him about ob/gyn gel heaters, because that was ridiculous. Kory held her breath. This was it. Dr Richardson turned on the monitor screen.
"Don't worry," he said, again, "This is a Transducer probe and its a T-type linear. My favorite."
Kory was 2 seconds from tears and Dr Richardsons gibberish talk about linear T-types and probes (a word she had grown to really hate and fear) was not helping. She hadn't even seen the baby and already she expected herself to cry. She was just hoping the baby was alright. She wanted him or her to be healthy.
"Here we go," Dr Richardson said, purposefully moving in slow motion.
She giggled. Obviously, he had been doing his job for a while now, and she had to admit it, so far, he was pretty good doctor. She was calm again. Completely and utterly tranquil. And then she looked to the screen. She immediately burst into tears, hiccuping all the way. Yes, all she really saw was a tiny gray glob of color. But that was her tiny gray glob of color. It was all hers.
They spent about another hour just talking about that tiny gray glob of hers. About her health and stress. She couldn't help but crumble to the old man about Richard, and surprisingly, he had no idea who either of them were. They talked about food and her future pregnancy. By the time she was getting up to leave she felt refreshed and informal.
"Wait, wait wait," he said, stopping her, "Your forgetting something."
She did a mental search. The only thing she had had with her was her cell phone, and she could feel that in her back pocket. But Dr Richardson went back to the ultrasound machine and pressed some buttons. She waited as something printed and he rolled over to her in his chair.
"Don't want to forget this, do you?" he asked, holding a printed out picture of the baby.
She hadn't known you could take pictures! Suddenly, that freezing cold gel was worth it. And as she left his room and got back on the elevator, she was still staring at the picture and date. She tucked it into her pocket, careful not to fold it, as she left the building. It was colder at noon, but her fur coat was still too much for the weather. But she'd rather sweat than be cold and left the jacket on, opting to leave the buttons undone.
When Richard returned, he'd be ecstatic when she showed him the picture. Maybe, she wouldn't say a word. Maybe, she'd just hand him the picture and let him figure it out. The look on his face would be picture-worthy. Maybe she should buy a camera. She thought about. If she passed any electronics stores, she told herself she'd buy a camera.
She was just crossing a street, her intent on catching a taxi, when a loud horn blew behind her. Whipping around, she saw the ever so familiar green Ferrari. And that meant Rachel and Garfield was back. It also meant Victor had called them. She was in for a long car ride.
"I'm not going to say anything," Rachel said, as Kory got in, "I think you already know how I feel."
Kory nodded silently, like disobeying child. But she wasn't too upset about it. Kory had bigger questions.
"-No," Rachel said, speaking before her, "Arella and I didn't find anything."
Kory almost couldn't believe it. With Arella and Rachel combined, Kory was sure they'd find some kind of trace of Richard. She had been hoping so hard that they found something, if not him entirely. That had been big hope for her. The detectives weren't getting anywhere. The titans weren't getting anywhere. And now, Raven and her mother? That was quite a let down.
"How was your appointment?" Garfield asked, trying to change the subject.
"Fine." she responded.
Really, Kory didn't want to talk about such a happy thing when all she felt was miserable. But regardless, the reached into her pocket and pulled out the ultrasound picture. She wordlessly handed it up to Rachel, who had her eyebrow cocked.
"Kory," Rachel said, clearly smiling, "That's amazing."
"I don't get it?" Garfield said, peaking over during the red light, "It looks like old tofu."
"Its a fetus." Rachel said, hitting his arm.
"Its a blob. No offense Kory."
"Its a baby." Rachel insisted, handing the photo back.
But Kory wasn't offended. Just an hour before she had thought the same exact thing. It did look like a blob. And a tofu blob at that.
"Well anyway," Garfield said, turning down her street, "Victor wants you home Kory. He said he had a surprise for you."
Millions of images popped into her head. Her last surprise had been her fur coat. If Victor got her a matching scarf and boots she was going to scream. Loud. And probably for no apparent reason, but screaming would definitely help her get all of her pent up energy out.
Walking up to her front door, eyes open wide so the iris scanner would allow her in, she couldn't help but think about the best surprise. Richard. If Victor had somehow found Richard and rescued him from whatever dark hole he had fallen in, she'd pass out from sheer joy. She could already see it in her mind. He'd step out of some dark corner that she hadn't been expecting. She'd break down immediately, and run into his arms where he'd be waiting. He'd stroke her hair, soothingly running his hand through it, whispering that everything would be okay. And in the end, everything would be okay.
But stepping into the foyer, she was met with Victor, smiling broadly and holding something behind his back.
Richard... well, he wouldn't be hiding behind Victor's back, but Kory hoped maybe instead, he may have had a new lead on where Richard was. It wasn't as good, but it was more than what she had. Or better yet, he could have some kind of tablet, and Richard could be on there ready to video chat. Maybe he really was in Germany!
"Kory, you know how we all hate leaving you here alone at night, right?" he asked
Please be Richard. Please be a clue. Please be a tablet.
"So," Garfield said, running beside Victor, obviously having a part in the surprise, "We took the liberty," Rachel shrugged at her, clearly being as clueless as her.
Please be Richard. Please be a clue. Please be a tablet.
"Surprise!" Vic and Gar both exclaimed.
Something small and black wiggled in Victor's hands and before Kory could calm her nerves from the fact that they might have a rat, a small puppy poked his head up. His little brown and black face was the tilted at Kory, and her heart melted. His pink tongue was sticking out, and his fur was the fluffiest Kory had ever seen.
Maybe it was the crazy hormones, but for a second, she was brilliantly happy. Deliriously fascinated by the small animal.
"All his stuff is in the kitchen," Garfield said, smiling, "What'r you gonna name him?"
"Its a boy." Victor clarified.
But Kory just shrugged. She had no idea what she would name the cutest puppy in the world. She had totally not been expecting him.
"Honestly, Kory," Rachel said, walking over to give her a hug, "Gar and I would love to stay and help get him set up, but I promised Arella he and I would go back for dinner."
"Its fine," Kory said, taking the puppy from Victor's hands, "You guys go on."
"And I should get back to the tower," Victor nodded, "You know. To check out police reports and make sure help isn't needed."
Kory nodded at him too. She would love to go back to the tower and help him with crime, but he wouldn't allow it. Ever since her pregnancy, her powers had seemed to be cut off. A quick chat with Galfore revealed that that was normal. She frowned, locking the door behind them. They all had lives away from her, and as much as it pained her to see them go, she knew she had no right to keep them around. She already took up most of their day. It wasn't fair to them.
Shaking her head of sad thought, she went to the kitchen to see what Vic and Garfield had brought for the dog.
Her entire counter was full of supplies. From tons and tons of dog food, to shampoo, to a brush, to a leash and collar. They clearly didn't want her running to the store for anything. She set the puppy on the counter, prepared to put the dog food in the pantry only to find that the pantry was already full of dog food.
She sighed, opening all her bottom cabinets to find them stuffed with dog food.
"Made yourself at home already?" she asked, turning to the dog who sat, wagging his tail. "What am I going to name you?"
The dog food bags were heavy, and with her powers acting out, she could barely drag it. But she managed to get them all to a corner. She'd ask Garfield or Victor to help her store them the next morning. Grabbing a trash bag, she put all of the other supplies in and planned to put them in her room. Her and Richards room.
She picked the puppy up and held him to her chest. He really was adorable.
"How about... smokey?" she asked him, heading up the back spiral stairs. "No. I don't really like smokey. How about bandit? Whisper? Shadow?"
No, she wanted her puppy to have a significant name. Something that meant something to her. The most important thing to her at the moment was finding Richard, her friends, and her baby. She could name him search, like a search for Richard. She could name him friend, or amigos. She could name him baby or kid. But those were pretty horrible names. But then again, she could always name him after her brother Ryand'r.
"How about Ry?" she asked the dog, who just stared at her with big brown eyes.
She really did need to call him. Since his coming to earth, her life had seemed dramatically perfect. Ryan was pretty good at everything he did and Richard had instantly given, not even offered, him a job at Wayne Enterprise. With Richard on his back, Ryan really didn't seem to have a choice on the matter. But Ryan, like her, thrived on making others happy and he took the job. Now, he was an overseer, of sorts. He managed mostly things in the physics department, but really, he was in charge of the whole building.
And Garfield had said all his training as a prince in leadership would never come in handy.
He stopped by at least three times during the week, and he was over every weekend. Regardless though, she always missed him. Being that high on the social scale as leader of the Jump Wayne Enterprises, he was always busy. But he made time for her, which she admired.
She set the puppy down. Wondering about a name. The dog skipped around happily on her bed, rolling on his back and kicking up his legs.
"How about mask?" she asked, as she scratched his belly, "Or boots? Cape?"
What would Richard name him?
She shook her head. She was not thinking about him at the moment. And yet, without a thought, she pulled out her cell phone and took a picture of the dog, then attached the picture to an email.
Look who lives here, now.
She sent it. If Richard did still have his phone, at least now he wouldn't be surprised if a dog was laying on his bed. Richard was actually very strict about his bed. He didn't like people touching it, if of course he even let you see it. But not many people had actually went into the master bedroom, anyway.
"Sir Cuddles Worth?" she asked, laying back beside the dog, "Bubbles? Bark? I've got it." she said suddenly.
The dog climbed on her stomach and sat, staring at her.
"How about, Erou?" she asked.
The dog barked and she couldn't help but feel that he meant yes. Erou sounded a lot like the word 'Arrow', and that was what she'd tell everyone his name was. But to someone who spoke Romanian, like herself and Richard, it meant 'Hero'. The perfect, all around, general meaning to her life. It meant something to her whole family, friends included.
"Alright, Arrow." she said, sitting up. "Right now, I would love to take a nice, warm afternoon bath."
Arrow simply stuck his tongue out at her. Kory grabbed a few things from her drawer. Most of her clothes still fit, she did always favor stretchy things, but she knew that soon, she'd need to go shopping for bigger things. She hoped, with all her might, that Richard would be there with her. That she and he could go together.
Going into the bathroom, Arrow followed, weaving in and out of her legs. She didn't mind though. Instead, she shut the curtains and turned on the water to her jacuzzi tub. Of all the things in her big house, she loved that tub the best. She loved the marble steps that led up to it. She loved the roman columns that Richard insisted was necessary. She loved the optional spray that could come down like a shower, despite her having a shower just on the other side of the bathroom. She even loved the jets that spurted out air and made the jacuzzi, a, well, jacuzzi.
Going for luxury, she turned down the recess lighting in the room and search under the double sinks vanity for the flowers and rose petals. Normally, she hardly every used that stuff. Preferring instead to take quick baths and showers. But that day, she felt she needed a bit of down time.
Squeezing some pink tinted bubble suds in the bath tub, searched around for a lighter, for her candles. If ever she needed fire, she always just used a starbolt, and now that she needed a lighter, she had a hard time finding one. She searched through both her vanity and Richards, seeing nothing that would emit any fire.
Huffing, she left the bathroom and headed back down to the kitchen, Arrow at her feet the whole time. After searching there, and finding nothing, she turned on her electric stove and placed a coiled up end of paper on it. Withing moments, the paper began to smoke and pretty soon it was on fire.
She wouldn't know what she would do if she dropped the paper and the house caught on fire, so she hurried back up the stairs, glad when she made it without any problems. By the time she lit all the candles and set them up randomly to her taste, her bath was ready. Arrow seemed to sense the end of walking around and curled up on the rug, looking like he was going to take a nap.
Shaking her head at him, she stripped down and climbed into the tub. There really was nothing like relaxing. Just sitting back, literally smelling the roses, and enjoying the the jets that was hitting her back. It was heavenly.
She pried herself not to think about anything boy related. Certainly nothing that had to do with Richard. No, this was her relaxing moment. She needed this break. She was just sinking down, letting her shoulders get massaged by the jets, when Arrow jumped up suddenly, running to the bathroom window. Kory looked over the side of the tub, curious as Arrow let out a sharp and high bark.
That was the first time she had heard him make a sound and she wondered what was up. But suddenly, the door bell rang. She growled, the pink bubbles of the tub fluttering away, as if afraid. Arrow was looking at her now, and she smiled at him for a moment. Yes, Erou indeed.
But content over came over her as she settled on the fact that she simply wasn't going to answer the door. Rachel, Victor, and Garfield knew how to get in. Ryan had a key as well. Any of the other titans knew her cell phone number. They'd call if they were trying to get in. Anyone else just had to merely wait or come back another time. Settled.
She sunk back down into the bath. But Arrow let out another sharp bark. Sitting up, Kory sighed. Arrow wasn't going to relax until she did something and she did want to know who was disturbing her. The thought that it may have been a detective made her move a little faster. She grabbed her robe and rushed out the bathroom, Arrow right at her heels.
How could she ignore that door? How could she try and relax? Richard was out there, missing. How could she think, for one second, that she could just stop worrying about him and relax. A moment of stupidity, she declared to herself. She just had a moment of stupidity. That was all. It wouldn't happen again.
She typed a few passwords into the door and then swung it open, hoping a detective, if not Richard himself was standing there. She saw black hair in her frantic rush to open the door, and delight filled her. But disappointment crept in when she realized that it was just her neighbor, Xavier Red. She had confused his shaggy black hair for Richards.
"Just got back from a business trip in Gotham," he said, leaning against her door frame, "When I heard the news about Richie."
She didn't quite want to respond to that, so instead, she moved aside to let him in. Honestly, this was his first time inside her house. Richard and him had never gotten along. Ever. If Xavier even touched a blade of Richards grass, the two erupted in a war of sorts, bringing up totally unrelated things and yelling at each other. Kory didn't really see anything wrong with Xavier, but since she was always around Richard, Xavier was never let in and she hardly got to speak with him.
Xavier seemed to gladly step inside, but only a few feet in, he slipped on the trail of water Kory had left on the floor. It was with sheer agility that he caught himself. Kory's lip quivered at the sight. The mere thought of agility reminded her of Richard, but she straightened herself
"Bath." she explained, when he followed the course of water to her dripping hair and legs.
He seemed to notice for the first time that she was clad in nothing but her robe. His eyes traveled over her for a moment, before he seemed to remember himself and his brown eyes snapped back to her face. She pretended she hadn't seen that, and led Xavier to the kitchen, quickly excusing herself so that she could get dress.
Arrow skipped along behind her, like a shadow, and she couldn't help but smile. She was really falling in love with that dog.
Reaching the top of the stairs, she found herself out of breath and exhausted. After a quick bathroom break, she chose out a pair of sweat pants and a t shirt. She would of preferred a tank top, but that wasn't proper house guest attire. Putting on a pair of socks, Arrow jumped on her lap. He just sat their, resting his head on her knees and looking as if he wanted to finish he nap. Well, she thought standing up, she wanted to finish her bath.
Heading back down the stairs. She couldn't help but wonder what Xavier was doing there. She didn't know him very well, just from a few run-ins at the market and general neighbor talk, but what if Richard had always been trying to protect her? What if Xavier was really some kind of serial killer? An ax murderer. Richard was always looking out for her, what did Xavier have to hide? What dirty secret did Richard know that she didn't? Was she in danger now that Xavier knew Richard was gone?
The thought almost made her go back up the steps and yell for him to let himself out. To sick little Arrow at him and lock herself in the bathroom. Maybe call the police while she was at it. But then again, what if Xavier was the sweetest guy, besides her Richard of course, on planet earth. She wouldn't know until she stepped into that kitchen, which ironically, she was doing right at that moment.
Little Arrow surged ahead, skidding across her kitchen floor and whelping for help when he couldn't stop. He slid, bumping the wall and lay there, as if stunned something had actually happened.
Kory was really starting to love that dog.
"Little adventurous, isn't he?" Xavier asked, looking on from his spot at the island, "And a bit young to try and take on bigger meat."
"His names Arrow," she said, picking him up from the floor, "I just got him today. Victor brought him for me."
"Hows the big guy doing?" he asked, picking at a sting on his long sleeved shirt, "The whole crew is around a lot more often, I've seen."
"Well, with Richard-" she started, not even daring herself to continue. He'd get the point.
She placed Arrow up on the island counted, grabbing herself a chair across from Xavier.
"With him... out, they don't like leaving me alone very often. And now with-"
She smiled to herself. Now with something so wonderful happening, the thought of her alone scared them even more.
"With what?" he pushed, smiling a bit at her.
"And now," she continued, "with me expecting, they've ramped up the visits."
For a moment, his face was indescribable. A mixture of two faces it seemed. That previous smile hadn't left his face, but it was mixed with... well, she didn't know. After a moment, he smiled genuinely anyway.
"That's great, Kory. How far are you?"
"About a month now," she said, scratching Arrow between his ears, "Just confirmed with the doctor today."
"Did Richard know?"
Kory wasn't particularly fond of the fact that he used passed tense, but she let it slide.
"No," she said, "I hadn't got the chance to tell him."
"Grayson and I never really got along," he said, suddenly solemn, "But I wouldn't wish this on him no day."
"He'll be back soon," she said resolutely, but the look he gave her said 'pity' all over.
He didn't believe that. He didn't believe Richard was coming back. Ever. He had some dark, gruesome, image in his mind. So that was why he had come. He had come to pay his respects to someone who wasn't dead. Richard was coming back. He was. She didn't need to believe it, she knew it. He wouldn't just leave her. He was out there, fighting for her. Fighting his way back to her. She knew he was. He was doing all he could to get back to her. He wouldn't give up, and when he found out that she was pregnant, he'd be happy. He'd never leave her again.
"Well," he said, standing up, "I just wanted to drop by a make sure you were alright."
"I'm perfectly fine," she said, standing and grabbing Arrow, "But I appreciate you stopping by."
"Don't hesitate to call," he said, as she help the front door open for him, "Anytime you ever need anything. Just stop by or call."
"I will. And thank you," she said, watching as he walked across the street to his house.
Well, she definitely wouldn't be calling him. She didn't need to talk to anyone who thought her husband wasn't coming back. Because he was. He definitely was coming back. He was probably on his way at that very moment. With German chocolate and a tale of some horrible German storm. She'd cry for a while, the sheer weight of the situation fading, but he'd hold her. Whisper to her. Make her feel alive again. He was coming back. She knew it. Could feel it all over her. He'd be back for her. Back for her, and their baby.
She went back to the kitchen, gingerly putting Arrow back on the floor, and went through her cabinets. She was hungry now. Hardly any breakfast and now a late lunch, she was border line starving. She grabbed a pack of Roman Noodles, and began eating a cookies and cream Hershey's bar while the water was heating up.
Arrow yipped, his paws beating at the side of the counter. With one hand, she reached down and put him on top of the counter. Maybe, putting him on the counter was a bad habit to start, but she didn't mind, he was so small anyway.
Her pocket vibrated, and she reached in to grab her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Kory," Rachel said, "I just wanted to let you know Gar and I were about to head to Azarath."
"Alright. Dinner with mom, right?"
"Right. You know once I cross planes-"
"That I wont be able to get in touch with you. I know."
"And-"
"And if anything happens, call Victor, Karen, or any of the other titans. And the cops. I know."
"And Kory-"
"I love you too, Rachel," Kory said, smirking.
"Actually, I was going to say make sure your doors are locked, but sure. Whatever. Same here."
"Alright, then have fun with you mom."
"Yeah Kory, because everyone loves having to travel through the universe to sit awkwardly at a table with your mom and husband."
"Every girls dream."
"I'm not every girl."
"That is abundantly clear."
"Gars barking, so I guess that means I better go."
"Have fun, Rachel."
"Yeah. That's going to happen."
Speaking of barking, Arrow was acting kind of fidgety. Kory rushed up the stairs, taking a 5 minute break after, fetched the leash from her room and rushed back to the kitchen. She just wasn't in the mood to clean up any dog crap. Arrow was on the kitchen floor whimpering when she went back in, probably having fallen off to try and follow her. She immediately felt bad about leaving him alone, and decided she'd make it up to him by taking him for a walk.
She turned the stove off and went to get her coat. She fidgeted, settling on a lighter coat, and not the fur one Victor brought her. If she was going to be walking, she couldn't do it in that fur coat.
Arrow stood still as she put on his collar and leash. She had to admit it, she felt kind of cool holding a leash and about to walk a dog. To many people, it was a casual and usual thing, but she had never owned a dog, much less walked one. Thanks to Garfield, she had seen and pet one before, but Garfield never needed a leash.
She opened her front door, a gust of wind blowing in, and closed it behind her. It was cold, but not cold enough for her fur coat. Besides, once she started walking, she'd warm up a bit.
Arrow jumped and ran in front of her. They hadn't been outside for a few minutes before Arrow scrambled over and peed on her lawn. She pulled him along, opting to take a walk around the neighborhood. It was a pretty big neighborhood, the houses being so far spaced in between and the streets being long and curved. It would take her about an hour to walk around the whole thing.
Arrow would love that.
She started, picking going left randomly. The streets had a lot of trees, most of them big enough to cross over the street, and make a tree-like tunnel. She loved that about the streets. Though she lived in the city, the trees made her feel more like she lived in the country. She especially loved the fall, which had just passed. When the leaves turned colors and began to rain down, she walked these streets the most. Richard was more of a summer/springtime guy, but he'd walk the streets with her anyway.
How she wished he were walking with her at that moment. Holding her hand, and complaining about the temperature. Telling her random facts about why bugs suddenly disappeared in the cold and where they went when they did. Explaining the bird and butterfly migration to her, although he did every year and she was pretty sure that any questions any person could possibly have, she'd be able to answer.
How she wished he were there, so she could tell him her wonderful news. He would, initially, freak out, maybe even passing out, but she knew he'd be happy. She knew he'd be just as excited about a baby as she was. He would fuss over her, probably make her wear that fur coat Victor got her. He'd buy her new scarfs and gloves. Make her layer up and wear furry boots. Carry her around after every other step she took.
She missed him so much.
What could have happened those three days ago? Though he may not seem like he could take care of himself, she knew that if any danger came up, he could very well protect himself. Hardly anything could conquer him. He had so many different skills and he was just so smart. What could cause him to stay away from her that long?
Arrow crossed in front of her legs, nearly tripping her. She stepped over the leash, and tugged him along. He jumped at a dead, falling leaf. He barked at a scurrying squirrel but quickly shifted his attention to another falling leaf. At least one of them was happy.
She rubbed her stomach absently. How could she do this alone? True, she had the support of her friends and brother, but she needed her husband, too. She needed Richard to help her get through this. She... she couldn't have a baby without him. He was the father. He was supposed to hold her hand through this whole pregnancy ride. He was supposed to tell her that things would be okay. That she would be fine. That the baby would be fine. He was supposed to be there, with her.
Coming to a clearing, she saw through the trees that dark clouds were making its way over. The last thing she needed to do was get caught in the rain and get sick. Arrow was looking a bit exhausted anyway, so she turned and began making her way back home. She hadn't even made it halfway around the neighborhood, but that was alright to her, she was tired anyway.
She was just walking in through her front door when her phone rang. After talking briefly to her brother, who was just checking up on her, she went through some of Arrow's bags and pulled out his bowls. She put her stove water back on and put some water in Arrow's bowl and food in his other.
As he gobbled it down, she went into her living room and turned the news on the TV. Rachel wasn't there to franchise her TV watching channels, so now was the perfect time. After watching sports recaps for 10 minutes, she went and fixed her noodles and a cup of hot chocolate, before sitting back in front of the TV.
She could hear the sound of the wind whistling and blowing on her window, usually something that made her appreciate her house a little more and made her feel warm and cozy, but she was too occupied scanning the red tape of information going across the bottom screen to notice. The weather. Sports. Young kids steal neighbors purse. Control Freak jail breakout. Shoplifting 80 year old man steals depends. But no Richard. No hidden messages. No secret videos. No interrupted broadcasts. Nothing. No one even knew Richard was missing yet.
She checked the time, surprised that it was 10 o'clock. She had literally been watching TV for hours. She found Arrow, asleep with his head in his food bowl and picked him up. It was time for her to go to bed too, but she knew she'd just turn her TV on in her own room and watch a little more of the news.
She laid Arrow on her bed and went to brush her teeth. She was in the midst of spitting before her phone pinged with an incoming message.
Back home. You safe?
Of course it was Rachel.
Doors locked, mom.
She sent, finishing her 'nightly ritual', as Richard called it.
Good. I don't want to have to kick your butt if someone comes to kick your butt.
Promise. I'm fine.
Good. Now go to bed. Don't even think about turning on that TV, either. Get your pregnant butt in bed and go to sleep. Stress is bad for the baby.
I wasn't planning on watching TV, mom.
Um-hm. Now stop texting and go to bed. I'll be there bright and early to make sure you take your pills.
Alright Rachel. Night. Say night to Gar, too.
Will do. Night.
It was nice having someone to call just to say they were home and making sure you were safe. Rachel cared so much that Kory nearly couldn't believe it. Rachel, simply put, was amazing.
Going to her bed, she decided to listen to Rachel and just go to bed. Arrow had somehow managed to shimmy him was up to her pillow and was sleeping soundly. It was odd, Kory never thought of dogs sleeping.
But there was one thing she wasn't going to forget to do. She pulled out her phone again and picked Richard to send a message to. She remember Xavier being over and decided that she mine as well text it to him. He may not even have the phone to read it with, but she decided that she'd feel better if she texted it anyway.
This isn't going to make you happy.
Kory jumped so hard she woke not only herself, but Arrow up as well. Kory sat up, watching as Arrow jumped off the bed and ran to her double doors. Her room was a dark blue color and Kory knew it must have been early, but she wasn't sure what had woken her. Settling on the fact that she must have had a bad dream and woke herself up, she laid back down.
A loud banging rapped her door, and Kory almost peed on herself from fright. Arrow howled, and Kory jumped out of bed. She hadn't reached her door before it was flung open.
"Rachel?" Kory gasped, holding her chest. "You scared me."
"Sorry," Rachel said, disappearing in her closet.
"Here." she said, coming out of the closet with Kory's robe. "You cant wear a tank top and shorts in front of the detective. I already don't like what he thinks about you."
"Detective?" Kory asked, already rushing out her door and leaving Rachel. "He's here? Has he found something? Did he bring anyone? Does he know where Richard is?"
"No," Rachel said, running down the stairs behind Kory, "I didn't want him to tell me until you were present. I don't know anything."
Kory slipped, nearly flipping over in the foyer, but a black claw caught her. Without even turning to thank Rachel, she ran into the kitchen, Garfield and Victor already there waiting. The detective, with his tan over coat and black Sherlock Holmes hat, was actually named Mark. Kory just always forgot that and just called him detective.
"Anything?" she asked, not bothering with hellos, "Do you know where he is?"
Mark held his hands up, to show patience. Kory was sure, though, that she felt energy flow through her hands. She was a half a second away from beating the information out of Mark. She wasn't totally opposed to violence.
"He's right," Garfield said, "We should calm down and think sensibly."
Kory looked at him. He was the last one she expected to defend the detective, but because it was from him, she listened. She took a deep breath and motioned to the living room, where she led everyone. She sat down, Arrow in her lap, and prepared herself to cry. For good or better. Because worse wasn't a possibility. It couldn't be.
Rachel grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly. Kory grabbed it back with equal force. This was it. This was her answer. Her fate. Her husbands fate. Their baby's fate.
"On behalf of myself and the JCPD, we regret to inform you-" he began and flashes of tons and tons of Richards Sunday morning crime movies came rushing back.
All of her doctor mystery shows were coming back in waves. Regret. Behalf. Inform. Just a few keywords that tore at her heart. She wasn't hearing this. She couldn't be hearing this. This would mean Xavier was right. This would mean that that look of pity would only be the first. This would mean that for the next few months, her house would be surrounded by cameras. And worst of all, this would mean that he wasn't coming back. Her Richard was gone. Her Richard would never see his son or daughter. Never hold them. Never hear them laugh or cry. Never grow older. Never see his new dog. Never smile at her again.
She wasn't sure if the detective was still talking. She had suddenly gone deaf. Sound was gone completely. Even her vision was blurred. Tunnel vision setting in. The only things that was remotely clear and visible was Rachel, who was crying harder than Kory ever remembered seeing. Kory just stared at Rachel. Waited for Rachel's eyes to glow and set things straight. Waited for the girl to smile. Waited to hear that they were tears of joy, not of pain and sadness. Richard couldn't be gone.
"I'm sorry," Mark said, and Kory was half surprised she could hear him. Granted, he sounded far away, underwater, and on the other side of glass, but she could hear him.
"How?" Garfield squeaked, and Kory felt Arrow move to look up at her. He was soaked and she was amazed to find that she had been crying on him.
"Well," Mark started, "The autopsy-"
Kory let out a strangled cry. Autopsy? They had found his...
"The autopsy and location proved that he must have been jumped. Apparently, he was on his way to his car, which was found a few blocks away. He had numerous stab wounds, but none too serious."
"I think its safe to say they were serious." Victor said, his head down.
"No," Mark said, "Actually, what must have done him in was the fire."
Fire?
"I haven't heard about any fires." Rachel surd.
"No, no, no." Mark explained. "There was no fire around him. He was on fire. His corpse was burnt to a crisp."
She was going to be sick. No doubt about it. She would throw up any and everything that was gurgling around in her stomach and then she'd pass out. She's just lay wherever she decided to vomit. And with any luck. She wouldn't wake up.
She excused herself as fast as she could, running to the nearest powder room and throwing up. Richard, her husband. He... this couldn't be happening. She couldn't have just heard that. Mark was wrong. Mark was wrong on 20 different levels. Mark was so wrong, that he needed to be fired. Fired for giving such wrong information. He was just so wrong.
She didn't even bother going back to the living room. She didn't need or want to hear anymore. She trusted her friends enough to take care of that situation. She nearly stepped on Arrow as she made her way back to her room. She planned on laying there forever. Nothing, not even her need to pee, would get her out of that bed.
She closed her bedroom door behind her, shucking her robe and crawled into bed. She felt Arrow jump onto the bed and crawl over her feet, but she just pulled the covers over her head. She didn't want to be bothered.
She kept seeing images of Richard, laying broken in some dark, crude, wet alleyway. Her Richard. Broken. Bloody. Bruised. In pain. Wishing he could call her. Talk to her. Touch her. Kiss her. One last time. For one last minute. He just wanted to see her. He was near death when some disturbed creep set him on fire.
And that hurt even more.
If his stab wounds weren't fatal, and he was set on fire, he must have been alive. He felt himself burning. In pain. Engulfed in flames and heat. He could hardly do anything to save himself. Her Richard. Her selfless brave Richard, burning. In pain. In misery. So far from her and yet, he had only been in town. So close, but still so far from her.
He was gone. Now, she wished she could set back time and go back to when she thought he was only missing. She had been miserable, but she hadn't given up hope. Now, though, she had no choice. It was the end of the story. Chapter done. Finished. Sent. There was no more hope. Hope in what? There wasn't even anything to hope for, now. Every question had its answer, and though she didn't like her answer, it was answered. Unfortunately for her, it just meant her entire world had been shattered. Crashed and shaken.
She would never get over this. Never recover. Her life was over and she didn't even care. Her poor baby. Her poor, unborn child. Slave and destined to be born into brokenness. Born into a crushed, rugged life. She could never love again. Never care for anything else. She had done her fair share of caring. She had cared for Richard the moment she saw him, and now, he had been snatched right from under her nose. Stolen from her.
She heard her bedroom door creak and expected Rachel to be there. She heard the bed bounce and judging by the softness of it, she knew it was Rachel. Rachel crawled under the covers and snuggled next to Kory, who refused to move. Had Richard been there, he wouldn't of even let her touch the bed. But he wasn't and Kory didn't have the energy or strength to fight her about it.
And randomly, as if thinking about him to much, she burst into tears. Loud, sob racking, tears. Rachel just held her, stroking her hair.
"Kory," she whispered, "I know this is hard. But you have to think about the baby, too."
"But Rachel," she cried, "He was in pain."
"Kory, he wasn't-"
"He was alive when they burnt him. He was in pain. He died in pain."
For the longest time, the two just laid there. Kory crying her heart out and Rachel holding her. Both wallowing in self-despair. Both broken. Arrow was laying on Kory's hair, but she suddenly didn't have the strength to move him. Her limbs were cement.
There was another creak as her door was opened again. Arrow jumped from her hair and she assumed he went to greet either Gar or Vic. She wouldn't know. She refused to move.
There was a gentle hand on her shoulder, it was much to small to be Victor's so she assumed it was Garfield. Light poured in as the blanket was moved slightly. His hand still on her shoulder, Garfield leaned over her, crushing a bit under his weight, and whispered something to Rachel. Rachel, still teary eyed, nodded and got from under the covers. She squeezed Kory tightly before leaving after Gar.
Kory was so alone. And not just because Rachel had left. Without Richard, without even the hope that he would return, she felt lonely. Which, she scoffed, was ridiculous since she had a whole nother human growing right in her stomach. As long as she was pregnant, she wasn't alone. But that wasn't how she felt.
For the remainder of the day, she lay there. Arrow went in and out as he pleased. She hoped Gar had fed him and let him out to use the bathroom. Rachel hadn't come back in her room, but Victor had. He had just sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her head. He talked about work the whole time, and Kory was glad that he wasn't recounting memories or talking about... him.
In cat form, Garfield had come back, but only in short intervals. He rushed out her room every few minutes, only to come back and sit back on her legs.
Even though Kory had claimed she'd never get out her bed again, she had. About 9 times, actually. But it was only because she had to pee every 30 seconds of her life. Victor had brought her a hoagie too. A long, meat and cheese and mayonnaise filled hoagie. She really didn't want to eat it. Somehow, it just felt like it was too soon after hearing the news. But in the end, her stomach won and she ate the whole thing, only leaving the wrapper above the covers.
Arrow had come and pleasantly dragged the wrapped out of her room.
But no one had made her move. The only thing forced was her pills. Garfield had walked in, a cup of cloudy, pill-ed up water in his hands. He had held it out, and she had simply downed it. She was upset and depressed but Rachel was right, she still had to think about the baby. His baby. The reminder that would always be there. A reminder of him in living flesh. She was both hoping and loathing the thought that the baby would look just like him. Either with his black hair or blue eyes or pale skin. Either way, she had a feeling she would see and exact replica of Richard somewhere in her child.
She had been dozing off all day, not really sleepy, but laying in bed always made her feel it. Suddenly, something jumped on her feet and she hardly glanced down, already knowing it was only Arrow. The dog looked panicked and kept pushing his head against her face, his tail vigorously, but she didn't want to play. No, she either wanted to die or be left alone.
Arrow barked, and managed to get under the blankets with her. He settled into her chest and she realized that he was shaking. He hadn't shaken since she had gotten him.
Pulling the blanket over her head, she shivered in the unstale air. Then she heard it, most likely the reason for Arrow's panic attack. Rachel was screaming.