Chapter One:
In a world so full of beauty and equally as tainted by pain, where our lives are constantly colliding against one another, new acquaintances capable of forming into allies and enemies... ever so often its entertaining to take a step back from all the chaos in which time leaves no patience for... and just take a peek into the lives of some of the more interesting citizens of this world... if only to remind us that we're not all as different as we might assume. For this era in time is so submerged in the cold, unendearing touch of technology for expression that we often miss the opportunity to experience and share in the captivated timelines certain individuals exist in... and here... here and now... we're looking in on the lives a group of friends that aren't as well put together as the seem... for even the those who live the sharpest of lives are not immune to the same chivalry, pain, deceit, and also love, passion, happiness as the rest of us normal folk. In the end we're all the same... we feel, we love, we desire, we strive, we fail, we have strengths that don't always outweigh our weakness... we're human.
We begin... with a boy,... not yet a man, regardless of the fact his age would suggest otherwise, ... we begin with Garfield Logan. How shall I put this in the most simplest of terms... Age... twenty-four... status... single, although not without a complicated unrequited love to ensure conflict... place of residence... Jump City...list of friends... they could go on forever, but I'll stick to the basics... the ones whose lives coincide at more consistent rate then most. Gar, while charming and easy to get along with... is nothing more then a goofy child at heart,... living in a world with friends that accept him ... perhaps more than they would like to at times.
We continue with Gar's dearest of friends... Kori Anders'. Alright, so here we go... Age... 23... status... single, newly single, but we'll get into those details at some point in the near future. Where was I... mmm, right, ... place of residence... a city that goes by the name of Gotham... closest friend... Garfield Logan, which I'm assuming was quite obvious. Now, while these two lives have harmonized quite well beside one another, its been an entire three years since the separation. Kori... moved to Gotham,... Garfield... actually, I think we;ll just keep at Gar from now on... he stayed in Jump City. Their lives leading down two separate paths and yet, their bond never really shaken.
But I'm getting ahead of myself, of course, I'm taking this specific time in these two individuals lives for the very sole purpose to draw attention to their approaching moment of being reunited, but I think its best if I continue with Gar's current life.
Aside from Kori, there are some old and new faces in which entered Gar's life since her departure to Gotham those three years ago. Instead of just listing them for you in a blur of font... why not just meet them?
Here we are... its Saturday morning in beautiful Jump CIty, its citizens are scurrying through their first glimpse of freedom from a long week at work, trying their best to ignore the stressful lives in which they have each built around themselves... all antsy with the promise of a relaxing weekend.
We enter Gar's life in a panicked moment, as of now, ... he's late for the day. His alarm clock, residing beside him on the nightstand to his right, erupted in a frenzy of sound waves striving to coax Gar's mind from his restless dreams... and yet,... he remained completely unflinching to its incessant beeping. It would only take the presence of ... above said unrequited love, ... who , by the way, goes by the name of Rachel Roth... entering his room in a heated essence of irritation for Gar's inability to wake.
This darkly dressed vixen, with violet hair which fell just before her shoulder in a signature style leapt toward Gar, sparing no concern for his tired state, shoving at his shoulder, shouting at him in a somewhat grainy, monotone voice... which one might suspect her to have if only just by her appearance. "Wake up Dammit!"
It was now that Gar's mind sprung to life, his large emerald eyes, which overpowered his sclera in a way that drew you into his gaze. Eyes,... which snapped open at the sight of Rachel hovering over him in a 'not so friendly' manner... her glare devouring any chance he had at beginning the day in high spirits.
"What...what?" He repeated in a fatigued voice, his mind struggling to ignite himself in the amount of alertness in which Rachel demanded from him in this moment. His gaze hovered over hers as she remained silent, crossing her arms in that all too familiar 'aren't you forgetting something' demeanor. He paused sniffling against his drowsiness and lifting a hand to his mouth, wiping at the drool which lingered upon his bottom lip. He paused, unintentionally noticing the time.
As his eyes widened in understanding of Rachel's sudden intrusion, she sighed. "I seriously don't know how you ever survived life on your own without me... you can't even handle a simple task as being prompt on a Saturday morning?"
Gar lowered his head into his pillow releasing a growl of frustration. "I'm up, ... I'm up." He paused at the sound of Rachel's footsteps, his gaze immediately directing itself to her. She stood near the doorway of his room now, his mind instantly taking in her appearance. There's no better way to say it other than that he was far more attracted to her then she could ever begin to understand. He swallowed hard, his eyes moved from the black jeans she wore, up her small frame to the navy blue tank top, then lingering upon her violet eyes which had vexed him so. "I..."
Her eyes narrowed. "Well...?'' She lifted a fragile shoulder in a shrug. "Are you just gonna sit there staring at me... or are we gonna...?" She fell silent as Gar stumbled to his feet.
"Yea... yea.. give me a minute." He paused forcing a shoe onto his large, sock-less foot, losing balance slightly. "I'll be ready in a sec."
Rachel paused, shaking her head at the mess before her. Not just at Gar... but also at his room, which alone resembled, in her opinion, that of a garbage dump. She stepped away from him entering the small living room, which wasn't any better kept by Gar. She rolled her eyes at the sight of the empty pizza boxes which layered over the coffee table, empty beer bottles scattered among every possible flat surface.
"I take it Dick and Vic were here?" She inquired in disgust at the sight before her.
It was now that Gar joined her,... a smile slapped across that cheesy expression of his. Stepping to her, he lowered his hands to to his belt, tightening it and laughing at her comment. "Yea... poker night."
She nodded. "Right... Friday night... how could it have slipped my mind?"
"Its never too early for your sarcasm now is it?" He grinned, hoping for a giggle... a laugh... a smile... anything...
Which, of course,... his hope was quickly shot down at the presence of Rachel's slim brow raising in annoyance. "Your not funny." She stepped to the door. "Are we going or not?"
He scratched at his vibrant green mess of hair... and yes... you read that right... I meant to type green... its no typo. You see, while I realize we're still in the beginning of all of this... I might as well just confirm your suspicions in that Gar is ... well... a very interesting... colorful character.
He stepped to Rachel who had entered the long hallway outside of his apartment as he responded. "Yea... you know... Dick wanted us to meet him by ten but... you know he's always late so... I think we'll be fine."
Rachel released a curt breath. "True..." She paused looking back at Gar as she placed a pale hand on the exit door. "... but Vic is always early." She sighed, stepping into the bright day, a squinting Gar following behind. "Which means... because of you Vic has been sitting there alone for the past twenty minutes... and we haven't even arrived yet."
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"Twenty minutes...?" Rachel snickered as her and Gar entered the large coffee shop. "Did I say twenty minutes...?" She pointed to Vic, Vic as in Victor Stone, a sturdy, strong built twenty-five year old man who sat with a scowl upon his features, his eyes wandering impatiently over his watch in the corner of the coffee shop. Rachel looked back at Gar as they continued their way toward a displeased Vic. "Make that Forty minutes he's been waiting for us."
Gar released a sigh. "It's not like Dick's here either."
Rachel ignored his comment, stepping to Vic with a close-mouthed smile. As his eyes rest upon them, they immediately narrowed. He stood, stepping to Rachel with a quick embrace. "Thanks for being on time."
"Don't blame me." Rachel said carelessly, situating herself at the round table Vic had once occupied by his lonesome.
Vic turned to Gar with a shake of the head. "You look like shit this morning? What's the matter,... can't handle poker night anymore?"
It was this that Vic managed to get a smile from Rachel as he, himself, broke into laughter, leaving Gar to rise in a defensive attitude.
"Don't even go there." Gar said, joining Rachel at the table, looking to Vic as he returned to his seat across from him. "I killed all of you last night." His chest raised in arrogance. "No one can't beat me at my own game."
"Who's ... 'all of you' ?" Rachel asked, looking to Vic. "I thought it was just you and Dick last night?"
Vic shook his head, the excitement on his face was far too much for Rachel to stomach at the moment. She lowered her gaze to the menu as he responded.
"Nah,... last night was epic, we haven't had a poker night like that in a long while." He paused looking To Gar. "Let's see... who all was there?"
"Uhh... Roy... Roy was there."
"Yea Roy," Vic continued his brows burrowed in thought. "I think... was Xavier there?... No... I only remember Wally, Dick, you, me, Roy... and... I think... there was one more."
Gar nodded. "Yea... it was..."
"Geeze forget I asked." Rachel sighed to herself. "I didn't realize you had all drank so much you can't even remember the company you kept." She jumped slightly as Victor's voice carried loudly through the entire coffee shop.
"Yea! There he is!" Vic said standing, drawing the attention of Gar and Rachel to the entrance.
There stood Dick Grayson... now, just hearing his name I know he needs no introduction so I'll skip the trouble of explaining it in full detail... playboy... millionaire... desired... that's all that's important for now. Dick stepped toward the group with a smile... removing his shades to reveal those captivating blue eyes which sparked even brighter below his thick, black spiked hair. He stepped to Vic, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Am I late?"
"Always." Rachel replied.
She received a glance from Dick, but his attention was instantly returned to Vic as he spoke. "How you been spike?"
Dick shrugged, situating himself in the chair across from Rachel, beside Vic. "It's been one hell of a morning. You'd think with Bruce living in Gotham and me al the way over here, that he'd be less of a pain in the ass. Apparently he's sending a temporary assistant here from Gotham to 'check up' on me." He paused giving a quick nod to the others. "Gar,... hey Rae... how you been?"
She inhaled deeply, lowering the menu to the table. "I've been good..." She paused looking to Gar and Vic simultaneously. "So... whats the deal? WHy are we all here?"
Gar cleared his throat. "I have some news."
Rachel looked to him in confusion. "Wait... you're the reason we're all together right now, and you weren't even awake for it?"
Gar sighed. "Look... just... listen." He paused clearing his throat. "Do you guys remember Kori."
"You mean do we remember the millions of times you've brought her up?" Vic laughed.
"What about her?" Rachel said, being the only one who knew Kori personally.
"Yea well... she's coming out here to visit and I'm hoping I can convince her to stay." Gar said.
This sparked a sense of excitement in Rachel, who was actually quite good friends with Kori before she moved. "When... when is she suppose to visit?"
"Today." Gar replied. "I'm suppose to pick her up at the airport in a few hours... but..." He paused glancing back and forth between Vic and Dick. "I just wanna be sure everyone welcomes her."
Dick raised a brow to this comment, a slight chuckle escaping him. "What is that suppose to mean? What are we gonna do to her?"
Gar shook his head. "I don't mean it in a bad way... just... Dick..."
"Oh I knew this was coming." Dick said rolling his eyes.
"Don't... I mean... try not to be yourself around her... she's a free spirit and I wouldn't want you ... I don't want you to..."
As Gar remained in hesitation, Rachel looked to Dick with a smirk. "What he's trying to say is ... don't sleep with her."
The table erupted in laughter, all aside from Dick who shrugged. "I don't sleep with every girl I meet. I think you'll be fine."
"I don't know Dick." Rachel began. "She's quite a looker."
"Nah..." Vic joined in, placing a hand firmly upon Dick's shoulder. "... Dick's got standards... and no offense Gar, but if this girl is as close to you as you've made it seem..." his eyes narrowed and his features crept in a sour expression. "... something tells me not to get our hopes up."
"What is that suppose to mean?"
Dick sighed, standing, annoyed with the direction the conversation had taken. "I'm going to use the restroom, I'll be back."
When he finished in the restroom, Dick made his way back toward the table, pausing at the sound of a melodic giggle which sounded beside him. He paused turning to the direction of where the sound originated from. A smile crept across his face as his eyes wandered up the thin figure of a voluptuous red-head. His eyes wandered over her in a slow, patient moment of appreciation for her beauty. She was turned with her back to him, but that didn't stop him from noticing the tight faded jeans which hugged at her hips and the beautifully flowing flame of red hair which trailed down her back, stopping just before her waist. Clearing his throat he stepped to her, drawing her attention with a casual 'accidental' collision of shoulders.
He swallowed hard as the girl turned to him, her bright jade eyes sparkling before him, his gaze taking in the beautifully displayed cleavage of hers which was cradled beneath a snug fit lavender T-shirt. "I'm.. I'm so sorry." He said in response to running into her. "I ... I didn't see you there."
"It's no trouble." She said immediately turning away from him.
Dick's eyes narrowed... how could she not know who he was? How could she dismiss him so easily? Sure he had become more of a notorious playboy in this town but his reputation and wealth wasn't short of being common knowledge. The fact that this stranger dismissed him without even the slightest amount of hesitation, only fed his interest in her. He stepped in front of her once again, extending a hand to her. "I didn't get your name..." he smiled that charming smile of his, hoping to draw her in. "... I'm Dick Grayson."
His arrogance was restored as she accepted his hand with a grand smile. "Dick Grayson?... the Dick Grayson?" He nodded, her smile growing wider. "This is great."
"Yea well..."
"You might actually be able to help me. I've heard a lot about you from my friend..." As she hesitated, Dick's eyes went wide... hoping she wasn't the Kori he was meant to steer clear from. "You see... I'm Kori Anders. I'm trying to surprise my friend Garfield." As Dick remained silent, still processing her beauty coupled with the fact that he was not allowed to pursue her under the orders of Gar himself, she continued. "I mean... I'm sure your busy, but..." She paused brushing a strand of hair behind her right ear, her eyes focused on her shoes now. "I just... if you could possibly direct me to his apartment. I kinda wanna catch him before he leaves for the airport." As Dick still remained unresponsive, Kori released a nervous chuckle. "Alright well... clearly I have the wrong Dick Grayson so... I'll just..."
"No..." Dick finally spoke. He cleared his throat, frustrated with his inability to speak clearly. He shifted his body slightly, pointing in the direction of his table. "See... Gar's just over there. He was uhhh... he was just telling us you were coming to town."
It was now that Kori's smile returned, her large eyes widening over the sight of Gar slouched over the table in the distance. She squealed in excitement to herself, looking to Dick once more. "Is that Rachel who's with him?"
Dick nodded, immediately following Kori as she crept quietly toward the table. As Dick returned to his seat, he couldn't help but feel slightly taken back by Kori's careless demeanor in meeting him. It tore at his arrogance slightly... but then again... Kori didn't exactly live here so perhaps it would take time for her to realize exactly who he was.
His eyes focused on Kori as she snuck up behind Gar, thrusting her hands upon his shoulders starling him. Gar jumped from his seat, stepping to Kori in a cheer of excitement. Dick and Vic's eyes widened as Kori jumped into Gar's arms, him spinning her once, giving her a kiss upon the forehead.
"It's so good to see you!" Gar smiled, returning Kori to her feet.
Kori blushed before him, while the rest of the table merely observed their rekindled friendship occurring before them.
"You used to be so adorable." kori laughed. "What happened?"
Gar shook his head. "Look at you... three years has turned you into quite the babe."
Kori's giggle sounded again as she stared back at Gar's raised brows and cheesy expression as he nodded back at her. "Well, are you surprised? I took the early flight so I could save you the trouble of going to the airport." She paused and before Gar could respond Kori stepped to Rachel, placing a knee upon Gar's seat and leaning into Rachel, hugging her tightly. "Rachel!"
Rachel's eyes widened. "Can't ... breathe."
Kori immediately released her, taking her place in Gar's seat, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "You look amazing Rachel..." her eyes narrowed in a sinister gleam. "I see your sarcasm and bitchy attitude haven't changed."
While Vic and Dick's eyes widened in fear for how Rachel would respond, they remained in shock as Rachel sent Kori a smile.
"Yea well... we can't all be as enthusiastic as you and Gar." Rachel replied in a monotone voice.
Kori shook her head, looking to Gar as he pulled up a chair beside her.
"So..." Gar said, the smile on his face unshaken. "I... I still can't believe your here." He shook his head. "Three years is a long time. What have you been up to?"
Kori sighed. "I don't even know where to begin." She paused looking to Vic. Sending him a smile, she extended a hand to him. "You must be Victor?"
He smiled, accepting her hand, shaking it firmly. "Right you are. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Kori's eyes wandered over Dick now. "And you..." she giggled. "I've heard a lot about you."
"It's all true." Gar laughed... ignoring the glare Dick sent his way. "So... " he continued looking to Kori still. "What did you wanna do today?"
Kori tapped a finger against her chin in thought. "You know what..." her eyes ignited in a fierce gaze. "It's been a while since you and I spent the day bar hopping. It's the perfect way to catch up on the time we've had away from each other."
Dick choked slightly on his water, looking to Kori in surprise... She definitely didn't seem like someone who would condone such things.
"Yeeeaaa!" Vic cheered, nodding in Kori's direction. "I think you and I are gonna get along just fine little lady."
Kori giggled then looked to a quiet Rachel. "Whats wrong? Your not up for it?"
Rachel shook her head. "Its only eleven in the morning."
"Please... don't act all high and mighty... I've got a few stories about you that would shock even Gar."
Rachel's eyes widened. "You swore you wouldn't speak about that. Besides... you spill my secrets..." a sinister grin crept across her face. "... and I spill yours... and trust me, yours are far worse."
Kori laughed. "Touche." She paused, her excitement fading suddenly. "No... you know what... the fun might just have to wait."
"Why?' Gar asked sadly.
Kori shrugged. "I have to meet up with someone."
Vic and Dick remained confused as both Rachel and Gar sighed in frustration.
"Please don't tell me this has anything to do with Roy." Rachel asked.
Kori shrugged, her eyes receding into a dreamy state now. "Ahh... Roy Harper..."
"Didn't he break up with you? I mean, isn't that the reason you left Jump City in the first place?... to get away from him?" Gar asked.
"No... I left because of you."
Gar rolled his eyes, paying no attention to the laughter that consumed their table now. "Nice Kori... real nice."
"Sorry Gar..." Kori continued. She brushed a stray bang from her eye. "No... I didn't leave because of Roy..." She sighed. "I left because..." She passed a suggestive glance to Rachel, who in turn burst into laughter.
"What? What am I missing?" Gar asked.
"I left because of Bruce Wayne."
This caught Dick's attention now, Bruce Wayne being his adoptive father. "Wait... how do you know Bruce?"
Kori shrugged. "He and I ..."
"Please don't tell me your fucking him?" Rachel said, both Gar and Vic sparked into laughter while Dick remained wide-eyed and silent.
"No..." She stifled her laughter, attempting to express her true sense of frustration in the matter. "... no, it's just that he gave me an internship at his company a while back and I finally accepted." SHe shrugged, taking a sip of the glass of water before Gar. "... which is why I had to move to Gotham... and its also why I'm back."
"What do you mean?" Gar asked curiously.
There was a pause as Kori lowered her black and purple tote bag from her shoulder, revealing a thin manila envelope. Her eyes narrowed over the sheet of paper which she removed from it. "Mr. Wayne has advised me to spend a few weeks at his business location here."
"That's great news. So you wont be leaving as soon as I thought you would." Gar smiled.
As Kori's shoulders slouched in annoyance, Rachel's brow lifted slightly. "I take it you're not all excited about it."
Kori inhaled deeply, replacing the manila envelope back into her purse. "I don't hate the idea of working there, I just... Bruce was very clear that my boss here is quite the prick." She paused trying to remember his name. "He said to be careful around this one... this... Richard character." Her eyes narrowed as the table erupted in laughter, aside from herself and Dick of course. As she noticed his raised brow in curiosity she said, "Did I miss something?"
Dick ran a hand through his hair, a slight chuckle escaping him. "Uh... well... that's me." He paused, continuing only after Kori stared back at him in confusion. "I'm the prick Bruce warned you about."
"Yea Kor," Gar said lifting his glass of water to his lips now trying to hold back the humor he felt from the scenario before him. "Dick is a nickname for someone named RIchard."
"Yea..." Rachel chimed in. "Your boss is... " she motioned to Dick. "... well, its this bundle of joy."
Kori's eyes widened over Dick's, his demeanor staring back at her with an expression she took as offended. She shook her head, her words stuttering passed her lips. "I... I um,... I mean Bruce didn't say that you were... I mean, those weren't his actual words..." She scratched at her head, her eyes frantically moving across the table before her. "... he spoke very... very... highly of you and..."
She fell silent as Dick laughed, waving a hand dismissively in her direction. "Don't worry about it. I know how Bruce is..."
"He should..." Vic added. "Bruce is Dick's father."
It was now that Kori could feel heat rising against her cheeks in embarrassment... the only thought processing in her mind that this was not exactly the first impression she had anticipated in relation to her new boss.
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(A/N) Alright so this is just something I had written from a little while ago and I thought I'd post it... not sure If I'm going to continue it or not, but I figured I'd see how things turn out. I'm still continuing with my story "The Light Behind Your Eyes', so for those of you who are still enjoying it, don't be concerned ... I'm not paying any less amount of attention to it. So please, if you will R/R =]