Grr...I hate it when I can't put Rich and Kori together right away...and now I put Xavier in the mix, and I have to get rid of him, too! LOL. this is a short chapter, but this is basically all I wanted to say in this chapter.

Disclaimer: don't own TT


Lunch was extremely enjoyable at Kori's table. When Kori was in a good mood, everyone around her caught her infectious happiness. "And then, he put his arm around me!" she squealed. Kitten listened with rapt attention, mostly to the Richard parts. Terra laughed at her friend's excitement.

"Kori, it's only a matter of time, now," she said. Kori glowed.

"Mind if I join you, ladies?" asked a familiar voice. Kori turned around, beaming.

"Xavier! Of course." She scooted over to make room for him, and he sat down next to her as close as physically possible. "What's going on? Is something the matter?"

Xavier chuckled. "No. Is it against the law to enjoy lunch with my favorite genius?" he asked. Kori blushed. Apparently, word of her commendable grades had spread far.

"Yes...I mean, no...I mean, I don't think it's against the law..." she stuttered. Xavier chuckled again, but then turned more serious.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you, Kori. Have you heard about Wayne's party tomorrow night?" he asked. Kori nodded. "Well, I was thinking...would you want to, you know, come with me? As a date?"

Kori's eyes opened wide with shock. She had forgotten Xavier would be there, as his mother worked in Wayne Enterprises. "Me? Really?" she said, cursing her squeaky voice. "I mean, yes! That'd be great!" Xavier smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

"See you later, then, Kori," he said, leaving her in a state of shock. As soon as he was out of hearing range (which wasn't very far in the noisy cafeteria) Terra, Jenny, and Kitten congratulated Kori. Well, Terra and Jenny did; Kitten shrieked her approval. Kori could not stop smiling all day.


Lunch was extremely hard to enjoy at Richard's table. His bad mood put everyone in a bad mood. Gar and Vic were fighting over tofu vs. meat, Rachel and Karen, Vic's girlfriend, were fighting over yellow vs. black, and Alan Waters, the fastest swimmer on the swim team, Roy "Speedy" Harper, who was determined to get an archery team for the school, and Wally West, a track star, were fighting over which sport was the best. Richard just sat, furious about his day.

He looked over at Kori's table and saw Xavier talking to her. Again. Whatever he was saying was making Kori blush. A lot. He tried to look away, but then, Xavier kissed her. Not Kitten-kissed, but on the cheek.

Wait a minute, why was Richard about to explode?

Xavier left Kori's table and walked over towards Richard's. He stood up. "Redd. Is there a reason you're smiling? From what I know about you, it can't be good." Xavier just smirked at him.

"Ah, poor Richard Grayson, going dateless to his own party. Well, I suppose you could always take Kitten again," he said nastily. Richard's eyes widened.

"You're taking Kori?" he asked in shock. Xavier glanced over to Kori's table to make sure no one was listening, and then turned back to Richard.

"Yeah. What's it to you? You better not even think about talking to her, Grayson, because I know what you're going to say. Kori took pictures of you with Kitten, did you know that? If you say anything, I'll show the whole school. And whatever I do with her before, during, and after the party is none of your business, got it?" he whispered. Richard's eyes widened, if possible, even more. Xavier walked away, and Richard sat down shakily. Kori was in more trouble than Richard couold ever put her in.

No! I'm the only one allowed to make Kori upset in any way, not Xavier! And he's not going to hurt her...I'll make sure of that. So what if I hurt her every day? I would never go that far. But why do I care? I hate her! Does that mean she deserves it?

The biggest question he had though, was: Is Kori's safety more important to me than my reputation? Richard prided himself on his reputation. He had never cared for a girl, and never would. Was it worth breaking for Kori, of all people?

Yes, was the honest answer. And he knew exactly what he had to do.


Xavier's evil LOL! I figured I'd get rid of him easier this way...the only problem is I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how Richard is going to save her and not get together with her...

Review please!