Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans.

Chapter 3:
Tea Time

Before continuing their conversation, Dick pulled out the giant fleece blanket that Raven had made for their wedding gift. He tossed it on the couch leisurely. Kory was attempting to set a fire in a fireplace, but quickly grew annoyed with the human-way to do so. When Dick went into the kitchen to make them hot tea, she lit up her hands and fired at the wood.

When Dick walked back into the living room he wasn't surprised at the green tint emitting from the fireplace. Instead, he arched a brow, chuckled quietly, and handed his wife her purple mug.

Kory was sitting against the armrest of the couch. She held her warm drink close to her lips and moaned at the warmth that tickled her nose. She placed her tea on the side table when she noticed Dick staring at her. Slowly, she adjusted her gaze to meet his. She gulped loudly, "Is something troubling you?"

Dick blushed, realizing that he was caught staring at her. With one hand, he rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh, is it okay if I sit next to you?"

For a moment, Kory had almost forgotten she was angry at him. Ignoring every impulse she had to throw the mug at him, she lifted the blanket and patted the cushion next to her. Dick smiled his thanks. A silence soon filled the room, aside from the cackling fire and brooding thunder.

Kory hadn't felt her husband so close to her in months because she had kicked him out of their bedroom out of spite. Her body was no longer used to him being so near. Every time he shifted his weight, their skin would brush. Goosebumps spread across the alien's body and she tried not to let her embarrassment show.

"Dick?"

"Yes, Kory?" The man was trying to remain as stiff as possible, but the sofa in their home was possibly the softest that existed. It was near impossible not to completely unwind in it.

Kory tapped her fingers against her mug. She had always wanted to ask him, but was always too afraid to do it. She sighed, "Did you ever date anyone after you left Jump City? I mean, you've never really gone into depth about your life before I showed up again..."

Dick was hunched over in an attempt not to be completely pressed against his wife. He took a casual sip of his tea, hesitated for a moment before replying, "Nope."

Kory rolled her eyes, "I loved your nice, thought-out response, Dick. I truly appreciate it."

Dick pressed his lips together, sloshed the remaining liquid around in his cup, and shrugged. He stretched his left arm behind his wife's shoulders and placed the mug on the table next to hers. The hairs on the back of Kory's neck stood up. Dick noticed this and decided to experiment. He didn't move his arm, but instead allowed it to rest comfortably around her shoulders.

Kory had asked him the same thing numerous times, and each time Richard replied the same way, "There's not much to tell, Kor. Bruce wanted me to start dating Barbara, but I wasn't interested. It felt like I was cheating on you, even though you thought I was dead." He paused, then added, "I liked Barbara a lot. She has always been a pretty and intelligent girl. For awhile I was sorely tempted to take a chance with her but she grew to be more like a sister than anything."

It was only partially a lie.

Kory nodded, trying to take in his quick explanation while ignoring his soft touch. "So, there's nothing else I need to know about?"

Black hair rustled next to her as Dick shook his head, "No. Nothing truly got interesting until I found you here. Before then, all I did was work. When I wasn't working, I was patrolling. When I wasn't patrolling, Bruce forced me to a gala with some sleezy girl." He noticed a look of discontent plastered on his wife's face so he gave her shoulder a light squeeze, "Nothing happened, I promise."

Dick knew he'd eventually would have to admit to the woman one thing; he was a mess without her. All he did was work and sleep, unless Bruce forced him to do otherwise. It was miserable without her.

Neither needed the other. In the past, Kory had relied on Dick to be her guide on the strange new planet called Earth. However, neither truly needed the other. They were friends, the best of friends. Dick knew and accepted this but he also knew one thing: Kory was a part of him now. As husband and wife, they were one, a united front. Now, it seemed as though they were ripping at the seams.

It was painful. More painful than he could ever be comfortable with admitting. Their teammates, having all moved to Gotham to help Nightwing with the crime levels, weren't much help with their current situation. None of them wanted to see their marriage fall apart. They offered love, comfort, and free babysitting but Raven refused to allow either Gar or Vic to get involved in the drama. She believed the two should work it out on their own. However, every once and awhile she'd call Richard to kick him in the butt for being what his name implied.

As he dwelled on what the future promised him, he realized that he'd already been through all of this once. Although the circumstances were very different, and he and Kory hadn't been married at the time, the premise of it was the same. Dick was ripped away from his entire life when Bruce called him back, but most importantly his relationship with his Star, his best friend, was shattered, he thought, beyond repair. Now, they were being ripped apart again.

"We don't have to get divorced, you know." Dick whispered, clenching his fist.

Kory ignored him and shook his arm off of her shoulder, "Fast forward two years. Katie was an infant at this point. Jason was a deadbeat father... He was doing well, from what I could tell, the first few months after she was born. Although, at this point I had already discovered that he slept around with multiple women and drank a lot. His drinking quickly became a problem as it affected our life at home. He became abusive."

Dick's nails were digging into the palm of his hands at this point, "I know."

Dick despised the idea of anyone laying a hand against Kory or his two daughters. He had done so once, when he was fearful that Slade was going to destroy Jump City, destroy his friends. Richard always regretted bruising Kory's arm. Being scared for her life and determined to put the bad guy down was never an excuse for turning anger into action. He could never forgive himself for harming her, just as he could never forgive Jason. No matter how hard he tried.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I hope those of you who were reading are still doing so and I really hope I have some new readers! Please leave me a review, I'd really love hearing your thoughts and critiques!

God bless,
Rose