A/N: As you all can probably tell I love cliff hangers . I've been excited to work on this story, turns out that its doing better than One Jump City. Probably because I like this one more and have totally not wanted to do anything other than work on this. Hehe thanks for the great reviews, and I'm glad you like me spoiling you, and guess what I got my homework done!! XD Well I've been thinking about how I'm going to do this chapter all day, which was totally distracting me from my school work, so lets pray I got all my spanish homework right. Ok enough with my stupidness, and on with the story!

Disclaimer: GUESS WHAT!!...I still don't own them...

Chapter 4-Listen

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"Huh?" Said Kori and Richard at the same time. What was Dillan talking about, a baby? They wern't even married let alone that she would not let him make love to her because of the fact that they were not married.

Dillan grinned his evil grin again, "You know what I'm talking about, you know the baby that Kori's expecting."

Kori finally got out of Richard's grasp, and bitch-slapped Dillan, then shoved Dillan and the media out the door, slamming the door in their faces. Richard saw tears roll down her eyes, and walked over to her and embraced her in a hug. "Kori, its alright.." said Richard, holding her closer.

Kori shook her head, "Richard, no it's not alright. This is what we get for letting our personal feelings get in the way of work and our publicity." she released herself from his hug, and walked into the kitchen, tears still rolling down her face.

Richard followed her, "Kori, why does it even matter? We're together, the press and everyone is gonna have to get over it." he reached for her hand, but she pulled it away.

"It matters because now that this article is going to run, Roy and my parents are going to know where I am. I know that all these women will be all over you now, and don't think I don't know about your past. I'm wondering if you'll stay faithful to me." Said Kori, hopping up onto one of the counters, and sitting there, staring at him with red swollen eyes.

Richard stood infront of her, "Kori, remember the promise that I made about never letting anything happen to you? Guess what it still stands, and I'm not going to let a bunch of media crap get in the way of our happiness. Bruce will just have to understand and so will the rest of Gotham."

Kori looked away, leaning against the wall now, she loved how he made her feel better, but something told her that things wern't going to be smooth sailing from here on out. "Richard, I'm glad you're keeping that promise, but Bruce is gonna be pissed."

Richard scooped her up in his arms, and made her look at him, "So let it be, and things may be tough from now on out, but eventually things will cool down." He kissed her forehead, and carried her into the living room.

He sat down on the couch, with her still in his arms. Richard sat Kori on his lap, and pulled her close, and put a blanket over them.

Kori smiled up at him, "You do know that Gimme the mic Gotham auditions start tomorrow right?" She asked, playing with his hair.

Richard smiled, "Yeah I know, and we have a lunch with Luke. Sound's like an eventful day."

Kori shook her head as she smiled, "No, tomorrow is going to suck."

Richard reassured her that everything would be ok, and leaned down and kissed her softly. Kori kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Richard ran his fingers through her hair, and lay down on the couch, her now on top of him. After a few minutes, Richard pulled back, he didn't want to make her upset anymore than she already was.

Kori smiled down at him, "No, its ok." she kissed him, and pulled his shirt over his head.

Richard was shocked, but continued to kiss her as they continued to remove each others clothing. He looked up at her, "You sure?"

Kori nodded, "Yea."

He kissed her one more time, and things got a lot more heated after that.

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Kori stood in the shower, washing her hair, smiling to herself. She thought that she'd be upset after making love to Richard, but surprisingly she was happy. She started to hum the song that she sang after she won Gimme the mic Gotham, but the humming quickly became singing.

"Listen,
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But can't complete

Listen, to the sound from deep within
It's only beginning
To find release

Oh,
the time has come
for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own
all cause you won't
Listen...
"

Kori continued to sing, then quickly stopped as she heard a knock on the bathroom door. She peeked her head out of the shower curtain, "Come in..." she watched as Richard came in, fully dressed and ready for work.

He smiled, and kissed her, "Good morning beautiful. I don't know if I've told you this before, but you have the most amazing voice I've ever heard."

Kori smiled, and kissed him back, "You've told me so many times. Now get out while I finish my shower."

Richard shook his head and laughed. He kissed her one more time, and left the bathroom. Kori smiled to herself again, and finished her shower. Getting out, she dried herself off, put on her robe, and wrapped her hair in a towel. She walked out of the bathroom, and headed for the closet. She had to sing Listen at the beginning of the auditions today, which were going to be aired on tv, and once again when the top twelve compete for the first time.

"More publicity...great." Muttered Kori, picking out her clothes. She slipped on a black long sleeve dress that went to just above her knees. It was very form fitting until it hit her hips, which is where it flared out. She slipped on her black open toed heels, and went to dry her hair, and finish getting ready. She ended up straightening her hair, and making her makeup very natural. Slipping on a silver bracelet, she felt Richard slip a ring onto her left middle finger.

She stared at the ring and smiled, "What's this for?"

Richard kissed her cheek, "It's a promise ring, since I've been making a lot of those lately."

Kori smiled, and hugged him. "Thank you." She whispered in his ear.

Richard kissed her softly, and spun her around. Setting her back on the ground, they kissed once more, and he let her finish getting ready for work. Sweeping some light red lipstick on her lips, she stared at the ring. It was beautiful, its was white gold, with a diamond in the shape of a heart in the middle of it, with smaller diamonds going around the rest of the ring. The heart stood out the most since it wasn't flat against the ring, but it wasn't huge to where it looked out of place, it was perfect.

Walking out of the bathroom, she met him in the living room, and took his hand, "Ready to go?" Kori asked Richard.

Richard smiled, "Lets go."

The two walked out of their apartment, and out to the car.

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Walking into the auditorium, Kori took off her sunglasses smiling to herself. Richard had to go up to her office to fulfill the promise he'd made her about finishing her work from yesterday, boy he really did keep his promises.

"Good morning Kori." said Rachel, her own personal assistant.

"Good morning to you too Rachel, what is on my agenda for today?" asked Kori, as she took a sip of her coffee.

Rachel went through her planner, and began to read it off to her. "At twelve thirty, you and Richard have lunch with Mr. Slade, this morning you're singing for the beginning of Gimme the mic Gotham. Also your mom left a message for you this morning, she said she's comming to town."

Kori almost spit out her coffee, her mom was comming to Gotham? Why? Suddenly she heard a familiar voice behind her, and she froze.

"Oh Kori! I'm so glad I've finally found you!" Said her mother Brianna, giving her a hug.

Kori gave her mom a light hug back, then pulled away looking at her mom. "Hi mom."

Brianna smiled, "Kori, why didn't you contact us, and why did you run away?"

Kori frowned, "You didn't listen, but now I have to go perform, but you can watch, I think my song will send a message to you." She walked away from her mom, and rode the elevator up to her office to get Richard. As the elevator doors opened, she came face to face with Richard.

"Hey Kori..." said Richard, stepping into the elevator, and hitting the level one button. "What's wrong you look upset."

Kori sighed, "My mom's in town, she wants to know why I left and stuff. I'm pretty sure my song will clear things up."

Richard sighed, "That's just great. I hope she doesn't make you go back to Miami with her, even though you are twenty three."

Kori wrapped her arms around his neck, "She can't make me leave especially now that I'm living with you. Plus I wouldn't move back there for the world." She leaned in and kissed him, just as the elevator doors opened. The many photographers took pictues of this, his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and her arms wrapped around his neck tightly. The two pulled away, and stared at the photographers. They walked out of the elevator, and the reporters began thrusting the microphones into their faces.

"When did you two start dating?" Asked a reporter

"When did you get engaged?" Asked another, holding up Kori's left hand.

The flashes of the cameras started going off, snapping pictures of Kori's ring. Richard held her right hand, giving it a squeeze, not knowing what they should do. Luckily for them, Bruce came and whisked them away into the judges only room.

"What the hell were you two thinking?" Demanded Bruce, locking the door, and staring at the two of them.

Richard tugged at his black tie that lay on his white button up shirt. "Bruce, we didn't know the elevator would open so soon. Plus Kori's mom showed up, and I started to get upset that she may make Kori leave."

Bruce shook his head, "And what is this that I heard about you two being engaged?"

"We're not engaged." Said Kori and Richard in unison.

"Then why does she have that ring on her finger?" Asked Bruce.

Kori sighed, giving Richards hand a small squeeze, "It's a promise ring that Richard gave me this morning."

Bruce paced the room, he really didn't know what to do now. The businesses that he owned could be ruined, or things could only get better. He prayed things would get better, and sighed. "Okay, well we have to go out there now, and Kori you have to sing. It seems as though that everyone will soon know you're together, probably even think you're engaged. So we'll just have to see what happens."

"We are sorry Mr. Wayne." Said Kori, looking at the ground.

Bruce smiled at her, "It's alright, hopefully things will actually get better."

The two smiled, and the three exited the room, ignoring the press as the questioned them. Kori's mother Brianna gave her a curious glance as she followed them into the auditorium. The press was also following them, and taking pictures as they did so. Kori walked on the stage and grabbed the microphone.

"Ok everyone, Kori Anders is going to sing for us once again." Said Bruce to all the contestants that were in the auditorium, which was very full.

Everyone began to cheer for her, as she picked up the microphone, and heard the music begin to play. She began to sing Listen by Beyonce, smiling at the crowd.

"Listen,
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But can't complete

Listen, to the sound from deep within
It's only beginning
To find release

Oh,
the time has come
for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own
all cause you won't
Listen...

Chorus
Listen,
I am alone at a crossroads
I'm not at home, in my own home
And I tried and tried
To say whats on my mind
You should have known
Oh,
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice
you gave to me
But now I gotta find, my own..

You should have listened
There is someone here inside
Someone I'd thought had died
So long ago

Oh I'm screaming out, for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside or worse
Into your own
All cause you won't
Listen...

Chorus

I don't know where I belong
But I'll be moving on
If you don't...
If you won't...

LISTEN!!!...
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But I will complete

Oh,
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice, you think you gave to me
But now I gotta find, my own..
my ownn...
"

Kori finished the song, and took a bow. She looked up at the cheering crowd, and flashed them one of her pearly smiles. Brianna realized that Kori had been trying to tell her something all along, and she hadn't listened to anything she'd said.

Bruce came onto the stage, and took the microphone as Kori handed it to him. "Thank you Kori for that wonderful song. Now contestants please exit, and auditions will begin in thirty minutes." He turned off the microphone, and him and Kori exited the stage.

"That was great," Said Richard, kissing her cheek, smiling.

Kori smiled, "Thanks. It was more for my mom than anyone else, just because of my past."

Richard nodded knowingly, "I think you did excellent, no matter who it was about."

Kori wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, once again."

Richard looked at her, putting his hand on her stomach, "I love you Kori Anders..."

Kori wanted to cry, not because she was sad, but because she was so happy. "I love you too Richard Grayson." She felt his lips on her's, and smiled as she kissed him back.

"I havn't been this much in love with someone since the incident." Said Richard, kissing her again.

Kori pulled away, "What incident?"

Richard stared at her, he'd forgotten to tell her about what had happened about three years ago, when he was twenty. "I guess I'd better tell you huh?"

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Hehe don't you love the cliff hangers? I know I do. Well sorry about the sex scene, I just didn't feel comfortable going into detail about it. But isn't this story getting juicy? I promised I'd get this story up today, and tada here it is! Well I better gettin workin on chapter five, it will more than likely be up by tomorrow. Well just remember I love you all, so keep on reviewing!

AlwaysLoveYou