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5 Years Later…

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His mind couldn't seem to register what was really happening. He could see the dark walls of Gothams' alleyway flash by him in a slow blur, casting shadows in his path. He could feel the hard bite of rain on his skin, cooling his hot body. He could taste the acrid bile rising in his throat, churning around in his empty stomach. Nothing seemed to register in his mind except for the fact that he had to run faster, he had to get away. He could have nothing to do with his work. Never again would he go back to his obsession, even if it was over something different. He had made that silent promise to himself, and to her.

The pressure in his throat was spreading rapidly, the acid threatening to rise into his mouth. But he couldn't stop running. His lungs burned with an intense fire, his throat too dry to swallow down the bitter taste. But he had to go on. His legs burned and tightened every time they pressed the ground, flames shooting up his legs. But he could never, ever, go back.

His comforting haze of not knowing where he was or where he was going began to wash away, his thoughts clear and painful. He knew how it would all start. He would start writing a paper for his job at Wayne Enterprises, just like he was doing today, and he would fall prisoner to it. It would grow in his mind, becoming more and more important with each word he wrote, and it would soon be the only thing of importance.

He had fallen prisoner to his obsession more than once. He had hurt so many people over the years, and that's why he had forbid himself to become attached to anyone. He would never get too close to someone, because he knew just how much he would hurt them. It was for their safety, not his. He had no social life, besides the occasional forced conversation with his clients, and even then he kept the conversation shallow and superficial. He refused to make the same mistake he had made so many years ago, not after everything he'd lost.

He couldn't keep running forever, though. His legs were weak under his weight, and he could no longer breathe enough air to supply the demands of his body. He skidded to a stop, immediately giving into gravity, and falling to the hard ground. He let his head rest against the cold building wall, welcoming the icy rain on his skin. Fast, raspy breaths escaped his mouth, doing nothing to help soothe his burning throat and lungs. The throbbing in his stomach was excruciating, the bile threatening to rise into his mouth.

After nearly ten minutes of labored breathing, the pain began to fade. The hazy numbness that had hid him from reality wore off, revealing a new pain. It tugged and pulled at his mind, causing his stomach to flip and fill with nausea. He tried so hard to feel numb again, wanting to return to his hazy state, to hide from the gruesome pain. It was only then he realized he was not alone.

It was almost impossible to see anything with the dark clouds blocking the sun's light, and the rain laying a thick fog in the air. But through the dark miasma that evening, there was no mistaking the glowing pair of emerald eyes that looked knowingly at the hurt young man on the ground. It seemed as though every single thing that those eyes had experienced reflected into the world, showing the hurt and pain; love and lust; fear and loss that had filled their life. It hurt the man to look at them, because it reminded him too much of the very thing he was running from. Yet he wanted nothing more than to embrace the person in his arms, telling them that it was all going to be okay. Hoping that would help make up for all that he destroyed.

The figure on the ground was still limp, pain surging through his body, lying helplessly on the alley floor. The pair of eyes moved forward into the light, revealing a concerned and innocent face. The girl had long flowing crimson hair, flying freely in the wind. Her hair burned like fire, glowing red and illuminating the space around her, yet it looked softer than velvet. Her face was beautifully composed, radiating warmth off of her soft features, and looking simply stunning. Her emerald eyes were penetrating, piercing into his soul as she stared ruefully at him, but searing warmth into his cold body. Never in his life had he seen anyone so beautiful, and he was sure he never would again. She stepped forward into his gaze, revealing her entire figure…

And the world came crashing down.

His chest ripped open again, throbbing with a pain-like guilt that he hadn't felt in years. It hurt to breathe, he was panting now, and he couldn't seem to get enough air. She was soaking wet, her clothes sticking to her like a second skin. The pain she felt radiated off her body, piercing into his heart, causing him to suppress a cry. It was like he was imagining again the horror he had envisioned from his letters, when his love had cried to him, telling him how much pain he had put her through. She looked so much like his lost love, yet so different. It seemed like the girl was just awakening from a trance to find him there, just now looking at reality. It hurt to see all of the sorrow that hid in her emerald eyes, soaking into him like the rain.

Just by looking at the way she moved, the way she looked into his eyes, and the way she unintentionally showed the world her life's story, he could see just how much she had been through. Emotions surged through his body, moving his soul like nothing before. He wanted nothing more than to embrace the girl in his arms, kiss her and tell her that he wanted to be with her forever. But how could he feel that for a person he'd just met? He was sure it was only lust that coursed through his veins at the sight of her, but he seemed to feel so much more.

"Are you unharmed?" she said, her airy voice piercing the rhythmic pattern of the rain.

It took him a while to comprehend what she had said, wondering if it was really true that this angel was speaking to him. When he finally noticed her lean figure kneeling beside him, he realized she was talking to him. "Y-yeah, I-I'm fine. Just a l-little out of breath."

"What is it you were running from?" she asked, her delicate voice sounding truly concerned, for him.

"Um…" he wasn't sure if he should tell her the truth, because he honestly felt he could tell her everything, but he'd just met her. "I was just…um…getting some exercise."

The very moment he said the words, he regretted it immediately. He knew she would see past his unconvincing lie, and her face only turned in disappointment when he told her.

"It seems like you would have to be running from something, given the condition you are currently in," she said politely, trying hard not to make it sound accusing.

"Well…," he knew he would have to tell her something remotely close to the truth. There was no way he could lie to those piercing emerald eyes. "What's your name?"

The sudden subject change took her by surprise, and it took her a second to realize what he had asked. She paid no heed to the previous conversation, and gladly told him her answer. "Kory Anders. And yours?"

"I'm Richard Grayson," Richard said, offering his hand to for her to shake. "It's nice to meet you Kory."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Kory said, taking his hand. She flashed a bright smile, watching in amusement as he winced at her handshake.

"Wow," Richard said, drawing his hand back and flexing his crushed fingers, "nice handshake you got there."

Her light giggle echoed off the alley walls, bemusing the crowd walking past them. "Do not underestimate me by my size, Mr. Grayson, I can assure you that I would be a worthy opponent for you."

The tense air seemed to lighten considerably, a playful game starting between the two of them.

"Is that so?" Richard asked playfully, smirking at her. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

"Are you requesting a spar match, Mr. Grayson?" she said, playing along with his fun game.

"Do you accept?"

Their faces were only inches apart, the rain no longer a problem. Richard could feel her warm breath on his lips, and it took every ounce of self-control not to kiss them. His lungs filled deep with her sweet scent, breathing in the scent of honey and roses. It smelt like nothing he had smelt before, and he wanted nothing more than to stay that way forever.

He could no longer feel the pain and fear he had been running from. He felt his heart racing in his chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through his veins. Even though only a few seconds had passed, he still felt happier than he had felt in years. He was perfect, as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

"I do," she said softly, her warm breath filling his senses. Her eyes were closed half way, a seductive look taking over her features. He somehow knew she felt the same way he did, for her eyes were no longer clouded over. But there was another emotion hidden beneath her emerald eyes. It was a new emotion to him, something he hadn't seen in a while, so it was hard to determine. Longing? Love? Lust? Relief? He pulled himself out of his wandering thoughts, not wanting to go further into the eye-interrogation.

"Well then, where shall our match take place?" Richard said, pulling away from her alluring scent.

"Why not right here?" Kory asked innocently, oblivious to the surrounding people.

"Let's not get arrested today," Richard said jokingly. "How about we go to my place?"

Kory seemed slightly confused. It reminded Richard so much of his alien princess…but he didn't want to think about that now. "Where is your 'place'?" she asked, emphasizing 'place' to show her confusion for his term.

"We can go to my house, I have a gym there. It's perfect for sparring," Richard stated simply.

"Alright then," she said, rising gracefully to her feet. "Take me there."

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Review!!

-Alien