Chapter Two: That's New

"What... the hell... am I looking at?"

There was an uproar in awkward laughter derived from Karen's words; her stunned reaction to the scene before the three of them quite appropriate given the situation.

Vic placed a strong arm around his beloved girlfriend and with a shake of his head, small chuckles still surfacing between words, he said, "It's uh,... quite a sight now isn't it?"

That was an understatement Karen needed more elaboration for. While she seemed unable to snap out of her constant observationh of Kori and Richard standing in line for coffee from across the café, her inquiring mind still managed fluid thought. "Am I hallucinating or does Dick seem... I don't... I don't even have words for what I'm seeing."

"I know, its kinda like waking up in the twilight zone." Gar laughed, giving an elbow to Vic's arm as they shared a nod in agreement. "You should've seen the morning we had."

"I know you said Dick was different with Kori, that they were close but I have to be honest this is the last thing I imagined." Her eyebrows rose, if possible, even further. Richard was currently hugging at Kori from behind, a very out of character smile etched onto his features, and he was whispering something in her ear that made Kori giggle, hugging back into him further. "I didn't realize he was even capable of behavior like this." Her head tilted to the side in further confusion. This had to be a dream; nightmare more like it. "I almost believe his smile this time around."

Planting a playful kiss to Karen's cheek, Vic's laughter raised in volume and he shrugged. "I warned each and every one of you. This is only the beginning of what is sure to be a very interesting year."

"Things are definitely taking a stroll down crazyville." Karen murmured to herself, still unable to come to terms with what her own eyes were witnessing.

"It's borderline disturbing isn't it?" began the voice of someone they had not recognized, finally causing them to turn away from Kori and Richard to find a darkly dressed woman. "But trust me, when they get comfortable around each other and start fighting you'll wish a little pda was the only inflicted discomfort." Her dark violet eyes snapped to them, searching each of their faces before landing on Vic and she shrugged one shoulder with a brief smile. "How did I know you'd still be hanging around, Stone? I thought you'd have wised up by now and actually find a real friend aside from shallow Dick Grayson."

That was a laugh, not that Karen wasn't a little put off by the girls attitude. "Who are you?"

"Relax Karen," Vic interrupted, hoping to diminish any argument that could arise between these two strong-willed women. Clearing his throat and smiling, he gave the girl a nod. "This here is Miss Rachel Roth. Dick and I used to go to the same high school. How you been? I'll admit its a little strange not seeing you with a book in your hand. I almost didn't recognize you."

"Funny." Rachel said in a gaveling reply of sorts. Her arms had crossed over her chest, thoughts swaying toward irritation at the sight of Gar laughing as though Vic had announced the most hilarious of jokes. Which, by the goofy looks of this kid and the immature vibe she received from him it made her realize that if she had met him before she would surely have remembered; how could she not? She had known him all of two seconds and he was poking at her patience; his laughter having yet to come to a pause.

Upon noticing the awkward tension coming from Rachel in response to Gar's incessant squeals of laughter, Vic cleared his throat, returning to the subject at hand. "To answer your sarcasm, yes Dick and I are still good friends."

"That would imply he was capable of being a good friend." Rachel responded rather dryly. "You were always far too understanding when it came to instances of his selfishness." She paused, finally acknowledging Karen who seemed somewhat uncertain of her opinion of Rachel. Extending a hand out toward her, Rachel cracked a smile. "Rachel, and you are?"

"Karen, Vic's girlfriend."

Oh, okay, now her cautious behavior in regards to a woman surfacing from Vic's past suddenly made sense to Rachel. Before Gar had the chance to be introduced, the approaching laughter from both Kori and Richard took a hold of their attention.

"Rachel?" There was a loud squeak of excitement from Kori as she noticed Rachel and she lunged at her. "I didn't know you'd arrive so soon! How was your flight?"

"Fairly adequate." Rachel managed to say regardless of the suffocation received from Kori's strong embrace. It was now Rachel forced herself to acknowledge Richard, her voice making no attempt to hide her lack of approval with him. "Dick."

That earned her a chuckle from him but in reality he would not have bothered in a reply if not for the eagerness exuding from Kori.

"Of course you know Rachel, right?"

Sure he did, not that he hadn't tried to rid his mind of her memory. She had this way of getting into Kori's head and while most of the time Rachel's opinions and theories were spot on with his true intentions, that didn't mean just because she was in the right that he had to like her. She had a habit of putting him in his place in instances of deserved blame in a very less than subtle way. "All too well. I thought you'd be more suitable for the whole school abroad thing."

"And miss you and Kori's emotional reunion?" The sarcasm seeping from her pores was more than obvious to everyone. But hey, at least Karen seemed to be warming up to her. "Darn, I thought you'd be just as happy to see me again as I am to see you."

"Oh play nice, both of you." Kori giggled, shrugging off the tension building between them. There was nothing that could bring her down, not with Richard finally back in her life. "So, what time is the book reading?"

It took a moment for Richard to realize she had been addressing Rachel in the inquiring of assumed plans which clearly seemed to have been scheduled without his implied presence. That was annoying and... definitely unexpected.

"It doesn't start until later tonight. I just stopped by here to make an appearance, grab a coffee, then its back to unpacking."

Kori gave a nod. "Right." She paused turning to Richard now, who seemed far disturbed by the conversation in this instant. With a shove to his arm Kori giggled. "Are you busy today? I was thinking before Rachel and I leave for the book reading that you and I could spend a little time together."

Duh, was this something he hadn't made clear? "Of course I'm free." Without causing a scene that his mind was already conceiving in regards to the retaliation he had scraping his veins in protest to Rachel having stolen Kori the first night, he intertwined his fingers with Kori's and pulled her out of the coffee shop.

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Okay, he seemed a little distracted at the moment. Setting her purse down on the arm of a chair, Kori plopped down on one of the leather couches in the living room, Richard still in deep thought and pacing slightly before her. "Mind telling me whats going on in that head of yours?"

Richard passed her a brief sideways glance, his feet coming to a halt. "Nothing."

That was obviously a lie. "I know we've been separated for a long while but do you really think I can't tell when something is bothering you?" His eyes narrowed as Kori released a confident, sharp exhale. "Do give me more credit than that."

He thought about that for a moment, then forced a careless shrug before taking the place beside her on the couch. "I've just missed you."

Kori's eyes narrowed; there was more to this explanation than he was giving. When he refused to detach himself with silence Kori began waving a hand in circular motions meant to relay the necessity of further explanation. The two stared back at one another for a few seconds, both rather stubborn to continue this subject of choice.

Then, with a sigh of defeat, words dripping in childlike vulnerability, he said, "You made plans."

With this Kori broke into a giggle. "You can be so ridiculous sometimes."

"Its your first day back and you made plans without me, not even bothering to include me." His brows were furrowed in their usual defensive attitude and he shrugged. "When we talked last you never discussed such plans."

"Oh come on, you can't really be this upset."

Her answer was that all too familiar roll of his eyes and crossed arms. "I'm not upset. If you would rather spend your time with-"

Richard was thrust into a muffled silence as Kori threw herself into him, a hand playfully covering his mouth, while the other coaxed him back to recline on the couch. "Oh dear, sensitive Sally. Had I known you would make an appearance perhaps I would have reconsidered my plans."

Sensitive? Dick Grayson? Ha, yea okay well, that was the furthest thing from reality... then again, maybe, just maybe, when in the presence of Kori he was so, but on any other account, never.

"Kor-" His voice vibrated in a testing tone against her persistent hand which clung over his mouth even after his efforts to remove it. "Come on-... just... let me..." he released a growl of impatience which sparked even further laughter from Kori. He was trying to be serious in this instant, having taken true offense in her willingness to separate herself from him on her first day back into his life, but she would not have it. The ongoing jabs and pokes at his sides meant to revive laughter from him had quickly taken their effect on him and within an instant Richard had forced himself over Kori, having scooped her up and forced her into his previously reclined position. Staring down at her surprised expression, eyes wide, Richard shook his head and gave a chuckle, his hands tight around her wrists which he kept above her head. "You're starting a battle you can't possibly win. Have you learned nothing?"

Her eyes coated over in mischief and a sly smile developed across her plump lips. "Do not tempt me, Richard Grayson. Since you last saw me, I've learned plenty new strategies that would work wonders against you." She smiled as he did, clearly welcoming the challenge. "Don't let my thin stature fool you, I'm stronger than I seem"

"You seem confident in yourself, Anders. That's a dangerous mindset." She shook her head as his smirk surfaced, his eyes trailing down to the exposed flesh of her side, fingers at the ready, anxious for the plethora of giggles that would spark at his tickling. "If you knew me at all you would know that I'm not really one to turn down a challenge..." As Kori took a slow inhale, trying to mask the anxiety he had inflicted within her, he had to hold back a laugh. He was getting to her, she may have this confident attitude now, but give him a few seconds and he knew she'd be pleaded for him to desist in his attack of the tickles. "Especially when my opponent is as feisty as you."

Her breathed hitched at the touch of Richard's fingers as they whispered in a gentle ripple against her side in a taunt that would imply if she did not call for mercy now, she would not get it. "I will not stand down."

Damn, from the look of satisfaction molding into his features, it was clear this was the reply he had hoped for. Kori had not endured one of his attacks in a long time and while she wanted to believe her confidence as being a worthy opponent, she would be lying if the situation wasn't plaguing her with the fondness they once shared and had always led to her defeat.

Their eyes narrowed over one another's awaiting the other to make the first move.

"Change your plans with Rachel." It was less of a request and more of a gentle demand.

"No."

Inhaling deeply, Richard's expression darkened. They both knew how crazy it made him when she denied him something, no matter how irrelevant or small. "Change your plans, Kor."

"I'm not going to, Richard." She taunted. Had she known he would act this offended she wouldn't have agreed to the event with Rachel but the fact is she had.

"I'm going to ask... one... last... time..." He said slowly, his free hand finding its way to Kori's ribcage once more, settling just over the very spot which he had learned long ago was her weakness. The look in her eyes of impending doom only confirmed such accurateness, but she held back not wanting to give in so quickly. Kori clasped her eyes shut in anticipation of his ruthless attack which was surely about to begin and he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Change your plans."

Her breath was skidding now, trying to calm but currently incapable of doing so. Her answer would be the trigger and right now she was playfully dancing around it. "I can't just bail on Rachel, Dick."

Well, that was it. Not only had Kori denied him a third time, but she had referred to him by his nickname, which he had told her long ago was never to slip past her lips; they were closer than that. Richard was who he was when he was with her, so unless she was upset and he was not allowed to voice his irritation about the name switch, then he would retaliate with utmost determination.

His hold over her took a more childlike stroll and the tickling commenced quite vigorously, sending her in a convulsing shudder of laughter. It was nice, the feeling and sounds of her so consumed in the moment, his mind instantly ringing back with memories of similar situations such as this from the past. But it was as her hips jolted slightly, squirming beneath him that her knee raised, hitting him square between the legs.

"Fuck!" He exclaimed, body collapsing atop hers in defeat and the hand previously attacking her side found its way to the wounded area.

Quickly slipping out from her place beneath him, watching as he curled over slightly, small grunts of pain echoing off the walls, she took a defensive stance at the side of the couch; knowing after such an act this was far from over.

"Shit Kor, had I known your new methods were cheap shots I would have better prepared myself," He croaked.

She cringed, hating the pain she had caused him. Still rather breathless, she said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. It was a reflex, but..." Her head tilted to the side as he looked up at her, a more dangerous look in his eyes. Raising a finger toward him, she shook her head taking a small step back. "But... while I do apologize, I must remain strong in my stance in this conversation. This is too important to Rachel for me to miss and besides I already agreed to go. Do not put me in this position."

He shut his eyes, catching his breath which had been knocked out of him then he stood, a slouched posture about him and his voice still uneven. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you did that on purpose."

She laughed at this. There was no way that the thought had even crossed her mind. "Of course not."

He moved toward her, her own posture tensing. Clearing his throat, his gaze softened. "All I want is for you to spend the first day you're here with me."

"I am spending the whole day with you." This was true. The book reading wasn't until after dark, rendering it night-time but she knew what he meant.

"Kor..." He warned.

Rolling her eyes she placed a hand at her hip. "Richard,... I..." She shrugged helplessly. "I don't know what you want me to say. The reading is only an hour or so. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. It isn't a big deal."

This was definitely a new take on their friendship. Since when was he the one pining for her attention, and since when had she made him work so hard to keep it? "Of course it is. Am I really the bad guy for assuming I'd have you all to myself?"

She allowed a small smile, his words thrusting a more comforted feeling within her. "No, of course not but does that make me the bad guy for assuming you would surely have your own plans?"

"I would have told you if I had plans. You really think I would ditch you on the first night here? Come on, whats going on here?"

Okay, now he was being dramatic. If she was being honest he had never seemed so immature. Since when did he cancel plans to make room for her? Sure they hadn't seen one another in a while but this was something she truly had been blindsided by. "I just don't want you to feel obligated to change your entire life because I'm here. I want to go about this whole roommate thing the right way. I know you have your own life here in Jump and I don't want to get in the way. So yea, when Rachel asked me to go, I agreed. No offense intended."

Did he really have to explain the importance she held in his life? Apparently. "Look, Kor,... there will never come a time when you are in my way. I asked you to live with me, I expected us to return to being inseparable and clearly-"

"Clearly you are being ridiculous. It's only an hour Dick, two at the most. You could always come with us." Yea because that sounded like a fun night. As he exhaled curtly, Kori sighed to herself, finally realizing how offended he truly was. She stepped to him, a sympathetic hand to his shoulder. "Its a friday night, shouldn't you be more interested in hanging with the guys? I distinctly recall you telling me that every friday you do that poker night thing."

That was true but somehow didn't change the situation. "I canceled."

"Because of me, which is what I want to avoid." That confused him. Shouldn't she be thanking him for such a gesture? Bringing him into a tight hug, she sighed once more, a hand rubbing at his back sweetly. "If this whole living together thing is going to work we can't be afraid to disappoint one another once in a while. Our schedules are going to be all over the place but we'll find our rhythm." She pulled back staring up at his emotional yet suddenly understanding expression and she smiled. "Although, I'll admit, perhaps I should have mentioned sooner my plans with Rachel but I only confirmed them with her last night." She gave a pout. "Forgive me?"

He rolled his eyes, unable to sustain a smile. "Of course." Placing a hand to cup her face, his eyes darkened. "However... I'm less than inspired to forgive you for that cheap shot you just pulled."

She smiled, giving an innocent shrug. "I'll make it up to you."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

She shook her head as he moved away from her, returning to his place upon the couch. "There's actually something else..." She hesitated as he looked to her now, his hand taking a pause from the remote clutched in his hand. She had this strange look about her that instantly invoked suspicion in him. "It's not a big deal but I have a friend arriving tomorrow and I really want you two to meet."

He shrugged, was he going to have to share her with everyone? School hadn't even started but once it had there would be only brief instances when they weren't insanely busy. "Sure thing."

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"So?" Rachel asked, greeting Kori with no more than a casual nod.

Kori hesitated for a moment, giving herself time to completely asses her current situation. As the two entered a large building where the book reading was meant to take place she sighed. She knew immediately as to what Rachel's question referred to but there wasn't really an easy way to deal with it.

"Did you talk to him about it or what?" Rachel pressed further.

Lowering her voice as they entered the quiet room, Kori sighed. "Sort of."

"What does that mean?" Rachel inquired with a quizzical brow.

Their eyes met, Kori's instantly receding into a whimper. "I don't know about all this, Rae. I'm dreading tomorrow now because I know once he finds out he will be less than pleased."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I thought you said things would be different? That you wouldn't allow him to control you anymore?"

"Richard has never controled me," Kori snapped, receiving several shushing from the gathered crowd around them. Sinking into her seat, Kori shook her head and returned her voice to a whisper. "He's just protective is all. He'll... well, I'd like to believe with time he'd be understanding."

Yea right. Rachel, as well as Kori, knew better, but what the hell let the girl have a little hope. "If you say so."

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(A/N) So here's chapter two finally. Thanks for all your patience with me guys. And those of you still reading Conflicted Opportunity, I'll be updating soon. I just want to make sure the chapter is perfect. Moving on,... if you loved this chapter let me know. Reviews are always helpful and inspire me to update more frequently because its easier to write when I know where your guy's heads are in relation to the update. Thanks for reading!

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