Option Two: COLLEGE BOUND
Summary: Rookie Kori Anders is finally rising in the ranks but when there is a dangerous case in the main gaze of the chief officer who chooses Kori to go undercover in order to find the perp... who will join her? Will their mission be a success or will lives be lost? Either way... she's college bound.
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CHAPTER ONE: PARTNERSHIP
Jump, a problematic city within the state of California. Its crime rate high, its people victim to unexpected violence scattered throughout the once safe streets. Well, at least that's the way things used to be before one very vital presence relocated within this town. His name, Richard 'Dick' Grayson, or as most would refer to him... Officer Grayson or just Dick. With his help this city was being restored to its once magnificent and safe environment before danger had decided to strike this poor area. But this story isn't about just him, no, it's about the sequence of events that are about to take life within his world that completely alter what most people think about him. I know what you're thinking? A change worth mentioning; a change leaving obligation to draw a story around... it must involve a woman? Right? Well, yes, you would be correct in assuming this, but lets not give away too much detail quite yet. Lets start from the beginning of this now shall we?
Kori Anders; yes the girl in question, a rookie cop, mentored by the above mentioned Richard Grayson and about to enter a transition period determined to separate such a pairing. Why? This rookie was about to be partnered with another officer, one that would take the place of her mentor. Which is fine right? That's how these things work? Well, lets just see how these things play out int his scenario...
"Hey," Richard said, drawing the attention of Kori who previously remained at a short distance from him in the large weight room, her body draped in nothing more than a snug pair of black shorts and close fit tank top, her rich crimson hair tied back in its usual tight bun.
This was their usual routine; arriving early to the 'office' of sorts, which they referred to it as. They would spar against one another, train together, but it again was a habit formed between nothing more then a mentor and his student. Stepping to the center of the large blue mat, Richard smiled to himself, noting that Kori's eager demeanor seemed far more adamant and determined this morning then most. He knew why but the sight was something he could not dismiss as anything other than adorable.
"You ready?" He teased, placing himself into a fighting stance as she situated herself opposite him. Her movements seemed strained at a result of the encompassed anxiety that clearly hovered through her and he was looking forward to taking advantage of this; the mere anticipation of her touch was enough to arise an equal pattern of irregularity within his heartbeat as always occurred when thrust into this physical scenario with her.
"I'm ready," She obliged, mirroring his stance in preparation for his attack.
There was a fire in her eyes that seemed to burn brighter this morning, her determination fiercer, her focus undisturbed even as he lunged at her. There was a small struggle between them before Richard managed to knock her on her back, his body hovering over hers now; a small chuckle showering down on her.
"So uh... I guess as of today you're no longer a rookie huh?" Kori sighed, her brows sinking in unexpected despair at his words, even as she struggled against his firm grip. This was not out of the ordinary; conversation amidst their dueling but she seemed distracted in this instant. Her muscles contracted without avail against his which held her still. Holding her down, his hands gripped at her wrists which remained above her head, her legs desperately trying to gain leverage against him. "Whats wrong?"
She released an aggravated growl of stressed breath before she managed to wrap her ankles around the front of his chest, arching her hips as she forced him into submission, his back hitting the ground now as she dominated over him. Ignoring the small uncomfortable grunt that escaped him, she maneuvered her wrists free, taking the same position he once held over her. The obvious fact that something was bothering her came full front with their close proximity now, Richard's curiosity sparking.
Pulling her to one side, which took in his opinion far more strength, on his part, to bring a success to then the average woman, he returned himself to his feet offering a hand down to her. "You alright?"
Kori shrugged, matching their original fighting stance before passing a glance around her to ensure no one would over hear her concerns in this instant. "I just... it's going to be strange not being under your supervision after today." Her train of thought paused as she bawled a fist, sending it toward him. Of course, he anticipated this move, her hesitation being her downfall each time, but as he cranked her arm to the side, a weak whimper of pain striking her she managed to continue. "You were a great teacher and while I appreciate everything you've taught me I'm just..." She fell short of breath as he spun her, forcing her back against his chest, his arms tight around the front of her. She allowed a full exhale before a deep breath was inhaled, freeing herself by throwing her arms down at her side with immense force. "I'm nervous as to who I'll be partnered with." At this Richard gave off a slight smile, finding her nerves never more adorable as she struggled for words. She face him once more, blocking his kick which aimed for her side. "I mean, when I'm around you I'm fine but that's only because I'm use to being under your leadership. What if... " Another pause as she caught his fist which barreled toward her. She earned a small grunt from him once more as she positioned his arm behind him, her grip on his wrist rising his hand to an uncomfortable height as her foot collided with his ankles sending him face first to the floor; her chest heaving for breath as her body remained with a knee to the center of his back. "What if I mess up? What if I make a huge mistake that puts my partner in danger?" Her shoulders slouched forward helplessly, a small whimper escaping her. "I don't think I could handle letting anyone down."
A deep croak within her throat sounded as Richard took his next move and before she knew it, after a moment of intense pressure on her side she found herself once again on her back, Richard staring down at her triumphantly.
"You'll do fine." He said, his breath finding its usual smoothness even after falling victim to a sharpness in his chest at the desperation her glittering eyes held as they peered up at him helplessly. Removing himself from atop her he stood once more helping her to her feet. "Anyone here would be lucky to have you as a partner." He placed a sympathetic hand upon her shoulder, resulting in the instantly drawn eye contact from her; one that sent his emotions and forced composure on the brink of extinction. Clearing his throat he placed his hands in his pockets now, passing a careless glance around the room. Meeting a fellow officer and close friend, Victor Stone's somewhat suggestive gleam of a gaze which was to relay that he was aware of these two's attraction to one another's, he glared now. "Look, you'll do fine, and if there's ever anything you need..." he sent a sweet smile her way. "... I'm just a phone call away."
Kori hesitated, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead. Why did he have to be so charming? How was she ever going to escape the unbearably strong feelings he ignited within her? Well, now that she wasn't going to spend everyday under his wing perhaps the space between them would help; not that she expected it to. Having feelings for your superior alone was something no one would condone and while her ability to deny herself such a reality continued to crumble, she had to remain distant; she just had to.
With a deep, prolonged inhale, Kori nodded lightly. "You're right. You're absolutely right." That amazing smile surfaced in which Richard had grown ever so fond of; the only thing keeping his blush from coming to life was the mere fact that Vic was making strange faces in the back round now. "Thank you Richard..." Her eyes widened. "Oh... I mean, Officer Grayson."
As she took her leave quietly, finding her way to the other end of the weight room, Richard observed her perky strut, only falling from his thoughts of admiration at the sound of Vic Stone himself.
"Well?"
Richard's posture tightened at the voice and turned to him rolling his eyes, expectant of the usual taunting to ensue. "Well what?"
Vic's attention was pausing back and forth between Richard beside him and Kori who always had the sole attention of Richard, not that he would admit it, not that Kori ever noticed, but a fact that was well aware of to Vic who wished these two would just voice their attraction to one another.
"Well..." Vic continued, finding humor in Richard's inability to desist the frequent glances to Kori who remained at the corner of the room. "Have you told her yet?"
"Who?"
"Officer Anders."
Richard's gaze snapped to Vic now, unsure of his meaning. With a shrug he brought a small white towel to rest over his shoulder. "What are you talking about? Tell her what?"
"Oh I don't know..." Vic said sarcastically. "...maybe who she's been partnered with."
"I didn't realize it had already been decided upon." Richard said with a new-found curiosity. "Who uh... who is it?"
Vic smiled, more to himself at the satisfaction he was sure would encompass Richard's expression once he voiced the reality of who Kori had been partnered with; a man Richard had no patience for; a man he otherwise loathed. "Well... I'm surprised you weren't informed first but its..."
With Vic's hesitation as he studied Richards eager anticipation of his words, Richard became impatient. "Who?"
"Officer Harper."
Richard's gaze hardened, his jaw tightening. He knew, as well as everyone within the precinct that Roy Harper, as well as many other officers, had a thing for Kori, but Harper was one that Richard only took offense to as a result of his openly display of flirtation. With a shake of his head he cursed beneath his breath, returning to Vic who had taken this opportunity of Richard relapse into his furious thoughts to step away to one of the weight machines. "That can't be right."
"I assure you it is." Vic replied, lifting a bar over his head.
Richard paused, his gaze finding Kori once more. He let off a deep sigh, the amount of emotion that hit him was further from disappointment and closer to pungent rage. There was no way he would allow this to happen. He may not have the courage to initiate his feelings for Kori but that didn't mean he would let his innocent rookie fall prey to the likings of Roy Harper of all people.
"Where are you going?" Vic asked, knowing perfectly well that Richard had every intention of fixing this situation to which he deemed noting more than a mistake.
Richard ignored him, quickly finding his way out of the weight room and entering the large office of the chief. The chief who sat behind his desk with a phone attached to his ear and a violent pitch in tone screaming back at the occupant on the other line suddenly came to a pause. He raised a finger to silence Richard who in turn shut the door.
When the phone call ended the chief turned to Richard with a sigh. "Let me guess..." He began, his tone calmer yet still depicting a small amount of impatience. He laced his fingers together in his lap as he leaned back into his chair, Richard becoming more frustrated with the reality that everyone seemed to know of his soft spot for Kori. "...you're here to complain about the partnering of your rookie with Officer Harper?" Richard nodded, his jaw set tight and his eyes firm. The chief rolled his eyes. "Look Grayson, you're the best man I have but I cannot accommodate every single one of your needs. Officer Anders will do just fine alongside Harper and I think with his track record you can agree with this, because surely your opposing opinion in this pairing has nothing to do with the fact that you and Harper are always in competition..." His eyes narrowed in a knowing manner. "...right?"
Richard sighed. "Look, Officer Anders deserves someone better."
"And who would that be? As it is Harper has requested her partnering, and she is not one for complaining." He shrugged carelessly. "The best quality about Officer Anders is that she is entirely accommodating."
"You do realize that Harper only requested her in order to spite me, and not to mention his obviously inappropriate and highly irresponsible attraction to her." *cough* ... an example of hypocrisy folks.
"Oh?" The chief said, sarcasm liquefying in a flow of his tone. He directed his hands out at his sides. "And what is this...? ... you sitting before me demanding she be with someone else? Is this not as a result of an irrefutable attachment you have between yourself and Officer Anders? We are all aware that you and her have built this fond relationship while in training."
Richard sigh, shit... this was true but it somehow didn't matter; this was different. "Look, I'm only asking that you pair her with someone else. Anyone else."
The chief paused, seriously considering his request, a hand rubbing at his chin. "Fine... who would you have me pair her with? No one else is available; everyone has been partnered."
Richard paused, this reality striking him hard; skidding passed his mind in a queasy annoyance. He remained in thought for a long while, long enough for the chief to quickly lose interest in this discussion. Richard instantly became anxious as the chief leaned forward in his chair with a roll of his eyes and lifting the phone to his ear once more, saying, "As I said Grayson... everyone has already been paired so perhaps if you come to find someone willing to part with their current partner for your wishes... then maybe we can finish this discussion but until then she will work alongside Harper."
"Me." He said quickly, causing the chief to come to a halt.
The chief's eyes narrowed over Richard and as he returned the phone to the desk his eyes wandered over his firm expression for a long while trying to decipher his response; undeniably convinced he had heard him incorrectly. "What?"
"You heard me correctly. Partner her with me."
Their glance remained unflinching in this instant before the chief's eyes narrowed even further. "You?"
"Yes."
He shook his head. "Grayson, for three years you have denied every possible partner I could have placed with you, even the most reputable in the field so why? You would really have me believe that Officer Anders is the one to change your firm opinion on working alone?"
Richard hesitated. He enjoyed working alone, preferred it this way and had never agreed to be partnered with anyone but ... this was different. "Yes."
"And what of your trip to Gotham?"
"I'll make it as quick as possible. As it is I have Officer Stone already in aggreance to keep an eye on her for me in my absence."
The chief hesitated once more before allowing a heavy sigh to escape him. "Fine... she's yours. I'll inform Harper immediately."
Standing confidently, Richard could not fight back his smile that tugged at his lips. Adjusting his shirt, he cleared his throat. "I'd like to be the one to tell Kori..." he paused as the chiefs eyes narrowed once more, this time in disapproval. "Sorry, Officer Anders."
"Very well. Now get out of my office." As Richard stepped out of the office, the chiefs loud voice called out to the room. "Harper, my office, now."
There was a small collision of shoulders between Richard and Roy now, as they passed one another. "Grayson."
The satisfied smirk upon Richard's features only arising suspicion in Roy. "Harper."
The smile plastered across his face quickly faded as his attention met Vic's once more.
"And what has you smiling?"
Richard shrugged contently. "Don't worry about it." He paused, his eyes scanning the room for the figure of Kori now and as he spotted her his smile grew. "I guess its back to work huh?" Before Vic had the chance to respond, with an enthusiastic pat at his shoulder Richard walked away.
Vic stood still, watching as Richard took to his office, his strut never seeming more confident which only confirmed to him the suspicion that Richard had managed to convince the chief to deny Roy the option of being partnered with Kori. Just as he was consumed in his thoughts he came to a pause at the sound of Kori calling out to him.
"Hey little lady." Vic said with much enthusiasm at a result of being anxious for the shift that clearly take place between Kori and Richard. He sent her a smile to which she mirrored with equal, if not more, excitement. "Nervous about your partnership?"
This subject seemed to rise conflict within her for her cheery smile and perky behavior began to plummet. With a sigh she forced an almost believable smile. "No, not at all. I'm pleased to finally be considered worthy as someones partner. I have worked very hard for this opportunity."
"You've had the best mentor too. Grayson trained me back when I started."
"He is quite exceptional." She paused, scanning the room now. "Do you know where he is?"
"Buried beneath a stack of paperwork by now." Vic replied with a roll of his eyes. "You know how he is."
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It was the end of the day, most of the officers had taken their leave, being quickly replaced with the night shift of officers that began to pile into the building. Vic and his partner had already gone home but Richard remained slouched over his desk beneath a dim light of his desk, his eyes squinting over a large file when the nervous presence of someone at his door shook his concentration. He was about to release a growl of frustration at the disruption but as he realized who this intruder was, instead of a scowl, his features softened into a light smile.
"Ms. Anders."
"I'm off the clock." She smiled shyly, her feet shifting awkwardly beneath her as she hugged at herself slightly. "I've told you before that you can call me Kori."
He leaned back into his seat with a tiresome sigh. "And as always I must insist on remaining professional..." he smiled. "... Ms. Anders."
Kori hesitated. The only thing on her mind was how she would have given anything to hear her name pass his lips just once. Which, she doubted a likely possibility, at least anytime soon. Brushing a scarlet curl that escaped the tightness of her twirled bun, she motioned to the chair opposite him. "Would you mind if I..."
"Oh yes,..." He replied quickly, mentally scolding himself for his manners having fallen short of acknowledgement until now. He motioned to the chair in question and smiled. "Please, sit." When she did, he swallowed hard. The reality that her mere presence seemed to brighten the darkened room was one he could never get used to. Catching himself staring and adoring her appearance, he quickly shifted within his seat, clearing his throat. "Is there... is there anything you need?"
"Oh... ummm, yes. Actually I was hoping if you are not too busy that I could have a quick word with you."
A small blush pricked at her cheeks at the realization of Richard's nervous fidgeting as his hands busied themselves with the paperwork on his desk; his eyes cast down in a determined avoidance of her gaze which he was sure would only increase the intensity of his nerves. "Of course."
Her mouth opened to speak but she fell short, noticing the familiar file on his desk. Brows burrowed she leaned toward the desk, far too interested in what she stared down at. "You're trying to solve the University of Jump case? I thought officer Stone was assigned to that one in particular?"
Well, there goes his nerves; they vanished instantly at the reference of work. His hesitant gaze narrowed down at the paperwork once more, a long exhale forming as he ran a hand through his hair. "Yea, Vic came to me about it. Hoping I would have a little insight but to be honest this one seems a little more tricky then I originally anticipated." He lifted a single sheet from the file and brought it closer to his vision as if the closer distance his eyes had from the scattered font would somehow make things more clearer; as if he would realize something that was obviously missing.
Although the only thing that developed over Kori's thoughts was impending envy for Vic. Why was it that Richard had no quarrel with referring to him on a first name basis but she was left to be group with everyone else in the formalities of name titles? Childish perhaps but this was what encompassed her thoughts; not that she hardly expected for even an instant that Richard held her into a special light; not the way she viewed him at least.
She smiled to herself, forced from her thoughts at the sight of Richard's serious and determined eyes which moved frantically over the file. Clearing her throat sweetly, she moved closer to the edge of her seat, nearing the desk more. "Officer Stone mentioned to me that yet another student has gone missing. Do we have any leads? Any new information?"
She responded in a jolt as he slammed the paper back down upon the desk with a frustrated sigh. She knew how serious he took his work but it was never easy to adjust to his temperamental behavior when he couldn't satisfy his need to solve something.
"No. Nothing." He leaned back into his seat, running a hand down the length of his face. "Just another dead-end."
"I see."
There was a silence, one that enveloped for a long while before Richard managed to notice Kori's sudden insecurity within this instant. A thought passing through his mind, his anger suddenly died down and a smile surfaced on his lips. "So... I heard about your partner. Congratulations... it's great news."
"Really? What did you hear? There were rumors that I would be matched alongside Officer Harper." Richard's sheer satisfaction that consumed him at her saddened expression was one he honestly could have lived without but at the same time he allowed himself to enjoy... if only for a moment.
"Would that be so bad?" He asked, poking at her thoughts in hopes of resuming the obvious distaste she had for Roy. "Do you not like him?"
"Oh no." Her eyes widened. "There is nothing I have against him; nothing at all." Her hands began to twitch within her lap now, her eyes staring down at them as if to coax better composure. "I just... he wouldn't be my first choice is all."
"And who would be?"
Their eyes met now, both well aware of what she would say but neither voicing this truth. She was well aware that Richard worked alone; that's the way it had always been and probably always would be. A sheepish giggle sounded before she found her voice once more.
"I don't know." She looked to him again, his smirk making her uncertain, causing her brows to burrow. "I am only aware of a few officers that are available to be partnered and Officer Harper, aside, the selection is not very..." she paused looking to him as though she were nothing more than a pathetic basket case, unsure if her opinion in this matter was appropriate. She was well informed that he took work very seriously and never condoned such things as gossip or bashing of someones name but... he had asked her opinion did he not? "Well, if I had to choose someone I would be the most comfortable with spending each of my days beside, given the limited choices I have, I would say... perhaps Officer Brady would not be too disagreeable."
Her opinion brought two conflicting reactions within Richard. One, relief; Officer Brady was of the most neutral choices he would have been alright with her being partnered with. Two, envy; of all the choices why would Kori single out a man to be her partner when there were three options of women who cold be chosen?
Shaking his head and falling from his thoughts, he gave Kori a smile upon noticing her anticipation of his reply. "Well,... unfortunately Officer Brady has been matched already."
"Oh... what about Officer Dayes?"
"Taken." He said plainly.
"Officer Joy?"
"Also taken."
"Officer Mayson?" She asked, her voice colliding with desperation now.
"Unavailable."
"Mmm... are you trying to tell me that I am to be paired with Harper after all?" Her head tilted to the side in confusion as he broke into laughter. "You are aware of who my partner is... correct?"
Rubbing a hand over his mouth to help stifle his laughter he nodded. "Yes..."
Kori's eyes narrowed and she lingered in undesired silence in hopes of his continuation but he merely stared back at her with a undefineable look. "Then... who?"
His brows rose and he inhaled deeply in an attempt to relay a false amount of sadness. "Unfortunately I'm not sure you'd be very pleased with who it is."
"I see." She stood, her mind coming to the conclusion that if his assumption was so, that she would rather prologue the discover of who her partner was to be. "Well, I suppose I will see you tomorrow."
Standing himself, Richard made his way toward her; both coming to a halt at the office door. "Actually you wont." Having caught her interest, she turned to him. "I'm headed to Gotham for a few days, maybe longer."
"Oh..."
An intense crestfallen emotion encompassed his existence now, even his voice no longer with the ability to sustain the immunity to the stuttering mess his mind held. "Uh..." he chuckled hesitantly, a hand wavering through his hair as his eyes scanned hers for the words and courage he so needed in this instant. "I was umm... I'm about to go to the airport. I have an hour or so before I have to be there but..." He inhaled deeply, hoping it would restore even a fragment of composure... nope. "Have a drink with me?"
"Are... are you sure?" She asked. It wasn't that she wanted to question this offer, no, in fact she was never more thrilled but again, this was something that Richard never did; ever.
He swallowed hard. Come on, the hardest part was over, he already asked her, now all he needed to do was say yes... so say it... say yes.
"Uh..."
Her head tilted to the side in bewilderment. Perhaps she had heard him wrong. In fact, maybe he had never asked the question in the first place, and maybe her mind was playing tricks on her; it certainly wouldn't be the first time this day dreamer had been fooled.
"Uh..."
"If you are asking that I..." Great if she restated the offer and it turned out to be nothing more than her imagination then he would surely think her insane, but if she ignored it... who knows what could have been had this turned out to be reality. Shutting her eyes and concentrating at her now scarce breath she brought a had to her forehead. "Maybe... maybe I should just go. You seem tired and..."
"No really." Ugh, the anxiety that consumed him was never something he could adapt too; it was as if each time these hesitant prickling of his nerve-endings caught fire they intensified with each occurrence. He rubbed a hand over his mouth, trying to persuade his voice to find itself once more. "Just uh,..." He shook his head, mentally scolding himself for acting such a stammering fool. "Have a drink with me... you know... to uh, celebrate your rise out of the ranks of being a rookie."
Kori matched his sudden laughter which was a mesh of awkwardness coupled with hope, before a small blush spread within her cheeks. "Umm, sure. That sounds..." Amazing, great, glorious, marvelous... and any other fantastic adjective that presented itself in a litany of blinking options within the confines of her mind, but let's try and keep this as less embarrassing as possible. We'll just leave it as... " ... that sounds wonderful."
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"Have you ever been here before?" Richard asked, his profound apprehension surprisingly allowing him to remain calm within this moment as he held the bar door open for her.
Kori shook her head innocently, her childlike gaze examining the elegant surroundings. When he said drink she assumed he would take her to one of the run down bars that Vic enjoyed so much but this, this was quite the opposite. Now if only she could strip the romantic scenarios her defiant mind was conspiring against her when all she wished for was composure, innocent, neutral, no, professional decorum.
"No, I haven't." She shivered against the presence of his hand as it found the center of her back leading her to a small table within the corner of the room. As they sat she tried to calculate the emotion found in his eyes as he finally removed his dark sunglasses to reveal his piercing, pale cerulean gaze. She swallowed hard, limiting herself from permitting her eyes to meet his for any prolonged period of time; an act she was sure would only diminish her control of emotion as of now. "Its... beautiful."
After ordering two beers Richard looked back to Kori, his arms leaning into the table now. "I uh... listen, about Gotham." There was a jittery flutter of shy glances shared between them before he continued; both uneasy within one another's company which had never met an environment quite like this. "I don't want you to worry because I've already asked Victor to keep an eye on you while I am away."
"Right, thank you. I..." She paused, her mind taking a moment to assess his words before understanding finally struck. "Wait... why would Officer Stone need to keep an eye on me?"
He smiled. "Well, it's not for too long but with your partner out of town its customary that you have access to any neighboring help that might be useful."
Kori nodded, Richard remaining still as she remained quiet, still processing his words. He yearned for instances of this nature, her beautiful large eyes sparkling in hesitation as her mind tried to piece together the words he had actually said, her expression never more innocent, and her features never more adoring. Then suddenly he broke into a chuckle, her eyes wide against his now.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying? I..." She motioned her index finger to herself which then directed itself toward him. "... you... we... we are...?"
"Yes. I spoke to the chief earlier today. I meant to tell you sooner but... Ahh." He jumped at the harsh force of Kori leaning over the table, tossing her arms around him in a bone crushing hug. "Ugh, Kor... please... can't... breathe..."
She instantly receded, hugging at herself now, cheeks beat red out of sheer embarrassment but feeling more enthusiastic about this news then anything. "I'm so sorry I..." Her mind flashed blank again. This wasn't happening was it? This was clearly a joke? Richard had never agreed to having a partner before? Wait, what did he just call her? "Wait... you called me Kori."
Either her blush had filtered itself through the small space between them in a contagious manner or he was completely unlike himself this evening because the darkening shade of his features were more than apparent. It shone against her bright smile before his voice cracked words now. "Uh... sorry. It was an accident." He cleared his throat, a hand behind the back of his neck now. "You uh... you are alright with being my partner, right?"
Her eyes grew much wider now then he thought possible. "Of course..." her voice squealed ecstatically. "I have never been more pleased. I ..." Composure, oh composure... where are you? Bringing her gaze to he table, her own cheeks flushed once more. "I mean... yes Officer Grayson. I am very honored."
"Alright... great." He paused, admiring and taking pride in her nerves that consumed her. The intense, prolonged gaze they now found themselves in was one that only faltered as a result of returned hesitation on Richard's part who had become uncomfortable against the heat within the air that rose around them. He gave off a charming chuckle, avoiding her eyes just as she did his before a thought crossed his mind. "Hey... listen, when I'm gone I want to make sure we agree on a few things."
"Absolutely."
He smiled once more before continuing. "You know this case, the one the chief is really concerned about?"
"The Jump University case?"
"Yea, well,... I can tell he's getting a little desperate, especially after the newest kidnapping of yet another student..."
Kori's eyes narrowed as he stared back at her in a form of what she took as despair and concern. "Okay..."
"Just promise me... no matter what happens you wont get involved with it."
"What do you mean?"
He sighed, how was he going to extend to Kori the length of fear he had for her where this case was concerned without officially announcing his feelings for her? "Just... this one is very dangerous and I'm asking you... begging that you just stay out of it."
Kori hesitated. "Alright... sure. I mean I'll do my best to avoid it but..."
"No." He interjected firmly, the light emanating from his eyes striking a more serious projection, his voice raised slightly, almost angrily. He sighed, trying to ease the hesitation he had obviously brought Kori to fall into. "Sorry. Just... promise me. I need you to promise me you wont get involved especially when I'm across the country." He paused as she remained in thought. "Promise me."
"I promise."
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(A/N) If this option is chosen, in the next chapter conflict arises, boundaries crossed, promises broken, dun dun dun...
Again, which ever story is chosen wont be continued right away but will proceed Conflicted Opportunity... that being said, please review and let me know your opinions.