A/N - As some of you smart ones (ahem, Somekindafreaky and RobinluvsStar…kudos, guys! You both get a cookie) already figured out, this fic is very loosely based on one of the plotlines from the movie Love Actually. It's such a great movie (great dialogue), starring so many of the biggest British actors ever. Why Maggie Smith isn't it, I'll never know. lol. In fact, this whole fic was inspired by one of the scenes in the movie, which will be loosely reenacted in the next chapter.

Did I mention I was a sucker for romantic comedies? Well, I am, and I'm thinking of writing a lot more AUs based on (well, more inspiredby) my favorite movies, Jojo style. :snickers evilly: MORE ROBIN TORTURE! I was thinking about remaking My Best Friend's Wedding, but hey, I'm just brainstorming here.

And if you didn't know, the title was inspired by a Frank Sinatra song by the same name. You should take a look at the lyrics, they're just too sweet.)

Okay, okay, I'll shut up so you can enjoy the fic. Enjoy! Love, Jolyn

Lil' LIK Star - Yay! I'm glad you liked it! I love happy endings, but I'll let my characters decide where they want to go. That's how I work, I suppose. Hee hee. Thanks for the comment!
Girl of Darkness - Ohh Raven, she's such a know-it-all. Hahaha. Who knows what she's thinking? I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long for this one!
Jadedea - Aaww, you're so sweet:glomp: Your comments always manage to make me smile, thanks!
Tammy Tamborine - Hey! I love your username, hehe. Thanks for the comment!
Bree2006 - Aaww, thanks for the comment! I hope this one doesn't disappoint! Hee hee…
Samanthe2121 - Raven sort of got his mind off more stressful things by reminding him of their childhood, and managed to really cheer him up by telling him that Gar proposed. Yay, Raven! Hehe, thanks for the comment!
Angelina - Thanks sooo much! Make sure to tell me what you think about this chapter, too!
Strodgfrgf - You're just way too nice…hey, what about this. If I get a hundred reviews, I'll dedicate a chapter to you. Hee hee, how's that sound? Yay:D
SuperrachiE - Ssshhh, you'll give it away! Haha…you're making me feel like a spy. We should infiltrate Teen Titans writers' headquarters and make them write more RobStar fluff!
Xox.Annie Potter.xox - Ohh your comments always manage to make me smile! You always seem to get what my chapter is all about. Yay for you! Hehe…Oh, you're a fan of HP, right? Did you finish the 6th book yet? AHH IT'S SO SAD.
April4rmH-town- Yay, April's a member! Thanks for the comment! I'm so proud of myself, I actually got this chapter out pretty fast.
RobinStarfire - Ohh thanks so much! I'm glad you've liked my story, hope you like this one, too! Thanks for the comment!
Thugette90 - Yeah, that SN is for AIM…and you seem rad, too :HUG: I'm sorry this chapter won't be as long as the last one, but the next chapter should be soon in coming! Yeah, I love Speedy, but he's just the prime target in RobStarSpeedy triangles…haha. Oh well, as long as Robin and Starfire get together…
RobinluvsStar- Yeah, Roy's definitely too business savvy. As for Kory's feelings…well I actually thought of switching POVs after reading your comment since I've been thinking about that too, but I decided to just keep itin Richard's to keep the consistency. We will, however, know more about Kory's feelings in the next chapter, so don't you worry! Ohhh, I'm so glad someone caught the Love Actually thing…this story's actually loosely based on one of the plotlines from that movie. Next chapter will have tons of references!
Mr. Rogers - Thanks so much! I appreciate the compliment!
MyMonkeyIsOrange - Your username is just too cool. Hehe. Thanks for the comment! Hope you like this chapter, too!
Somekindafreaky - I'm so pleased you caught the Love Actually reference! Like I said to RobinluvsStar, this fic's sort of based on it, and the next chapter is inspired by one of the scenes in the movie. I'm so glad you liked my fic, and I am positively in love with Christmasing With You…it's definitely one of the best fics out there; very inspiring. Robin is just too adorable in it!
Hopeless Romantic - Hi there! Aaww, readers' comments always make me feel warm and fuzzy, and the least I could do is answer back. Thank you so much for those compliments, they really mean a lot. I've always dreamed of being a writer someday. Hope you like this chapter!


Strangers in the Night: Chapter 4

"Master Dick, you made page three," Alfred droned, subtly amused, as he placed a folded newspaper on the breakfast table at Richard's elbow.

Richard dropped his fork and pulled it open, revealing a full-page account on the Harper-Anders engagement party. While there were no media allowed inside the Harper Manor, they still managed to have a full attendance list and almost as much detail about the guests' clothing as the Oscar's. The middle of the page had a full-length picture of Roy and Kory arm-in-arm, Roy with an easy grin and his hand raised in a wave while Kory had her eyes on the red carpet, avoiding the flashing camera lights. Richard swallowed a lump in his throat and forced his eyes to the lower left-hand corner of the page, where two smaller pictures sat side-by-side. The first one had Kitty hassling a distressed reporter and, beside her, an impossibly calm Richard prying them apart. The second had an obviously intoxicated Kitty arm-in-arm with the equally drunk lead singer of Punk Rocket, an infamous rock metal band from Metropolis. The headline announced: GRAYSON PLAYMATE LEAVES WITH PUNK ROCKET SINGER.

"Playmate? That's new," Richard snorted sarcastically as he snapped the paper close and pushed it aside, instantly dismissing it from his attention. "Well, at least she got a ride home," he added, flatly indifferent.

Alfred gave a sudden, but politely stifled cough, which sounded suspiciously like a covered-up chortle.

"So anyway," Richard said, choosing to ignore Alfred's outburst. He took a sip of his black coffee. "What do I have for today?"

Alfred cleared his throat and read off a big, fat planner, "Wayne Enterprises corporate meeting from ten to one…"

Richard groaned.

"…but you've got the rest of the day free."

"Huh, well. Seems like Bruce felt forgiving today."

--

The sky tore open the moment Richard stepped out of Wayne Enterprises that afternoon, drenching him almost instantly in ice-cold rain. He stopped and glared at the blackened clouds as people darted past him, shielding their heads with whatever they could find. Not even trying to bother, Richard stepped off the sidewalk and into the backseat of his car, holding up a halting hand as Norman started to scramble out the driver's seat with an umbrella in his fist.

"Bad day at the office, Master Dick?"

"You have no idea, Norman," Richard answered automatically as the older man started up the engine. Richard leaned back, undoing his tie and shrugging off his long, black coat, frowning at the deja vu. The utter monotony and dreary uniformity of his everyday life bored him to death, and he wished, as he often did, that this life was not his.

That corporate meeting tested the limits of Richard's patience. The business jargon went through one ear and out the other, the words running into and over each other until Richard felt like Charlie Brown, sitting in an elementary school classroom with the teacher mouthing off nothing but nasally "mwahh mwahhhs." Then the people at the round table decided to argue. He sat through it for six solid minutes (yes, he was counting) trying to put a word in to resolve it, but was rewarded by more arguing for his pains. No one in Wayne Enterprises dared to argue with Richard Grayson (or the more, Bruce Wayne), and simply argued among themselves to get a point across. It wasn't until Richard coolly threatened to give Bruce a call that his managers settled down enough to get some work done. That didn't mean they hadn't fumed silently the entire rest of the time.

And, what's more…

He couldn't get her out of his mind. The memory of her held fast in his mind's eye, lingering on the edges of propositions and contracts to sign, coming to mind at every flash of red hair and exposed limbs (provided mostly by his exasperatingly flirtatious secretary). But every thought of her was followed by excruciating guilt as he remembered Roy, whose name was quickly and unavoidably coupled with hers.

It was then that Richard realized that he had become surpassingly messed up.

He closed his eyes, willing the thoughts of her away, especially those of her enchanting emerald greens, or that dangerously titillating hourglass of a figure--

"Master Richard," Norman piped up, his voice revealing slight surprise and confusion, "is that not Master Roy's fiance? Ms. Kory?"

Richard practically flew at the window, pressing his forehead against the glass as his eyebrows furrowed. The flaming red hair, brilliant even in the soaking rainstorm, was a dead giveaway. The petite girl shivering in the middle of the sidewalk, in the pouring rain, was indeed Kory Anders.

"Yeah," Richard said, his tone filled with perplexity and nervous affection. "Pull over will you?"

Norman brought the car into a smooth curve to rest against the sidewalk, and Richard wasted no time in pushing the door open to find a drenched Kory staring wide-eyed at him.

"R-Richard!" she said, utterly surprised.

"Kory, what are you doing in the rain?" he said, inwardly flinching at his reprimanding tone. "Get in, you're soaked!"

She brought a shaking hand to push a lock of dripping red hair behind her ear. "Your leather seats…I-I will ruin them…"

Richard shook his head. "You'll get sick out there." He coughed, disguising the affection that laced his words. "Please, for my own peace of mind."

"I-I thank you," Kory murmured, glancing at him as Richard slid further into the car to give her room. He felt a jolt of electricity turn his stomach at that one glance, and he had to swallow with difficulty before attempting to speak again.

"Norman, let's go home," Richard said as Kory closed the door behind her. "Wayne Manor is only a few blocks away," he told the girl beside him, deliberately avoiding those wide green orbs. "I'll have someone dry your clothes, and then Norman can take you home."

Kory flushed, and Richard wanted to strangle himself. Why can't he make his voice sound a little more gentle? Now she thought he wanted to get rid of her as soon as he could.

"I am…sorry for the trouble," the girl said softly, sniffling.

Richard glanced at her, then quickly turned away as his ears turned hot. She was once again wearing the knee-length tan jacket, but the short skirt she was wearing proved that she, along with the rest of the city, was caught unawares by the sudden storm. The provocatively short skirt clung to her thighs, hitching up considerably as she shifted in her seat. The v-necked sweater she was wearing was utterly soaked, sticking to her like second skin. He could see the outline of her bra, and he couldn't help but stare at the sloping line of her neck and the smooth skin of her legs…

He resisted the urge to kick himself. To forced his eyes away and glanced up at the rear view mirror, where he saw a bad-tempered scowl etched upon his own face. He glanced at his companion's reflection, and was horrified to find her watching him with a red-faced look of near-tears. Dammit, he thought. Now she thought he was upset at her.

"What happened?" he said after a moment of awkward silence, schooling his face. "Why were you out there, all by yourself, without even an umbrella?"

She turned to him quickly, and he was surprised to see anger swirling in the depths of her eyes. "I wish you would not mock me!" she said rather suddenly, fury in her tone. "I do not know why you dislike me so," she went on as Richard gaped at her in speechless shock, her tone quickly changing to profound distress, "but you most certainly do, and if you really must know, I had been expecting Roy, but he must have been so very busy and forgot all about me, and then you arrive instead of him and I am causing you so much trouble and--STOP THE CAR!"

The Rolls Royce screeched to a halt, and Kory, whose voice had risen in pitch and volume as she babbled, instantly burst into tears.

"Kory, I--" Richard stuttered, appalled at himself but not knowing how to fix anything. "Kory, please, I didn't--"

Too late. She opened the car door and stumbled into the downpour outside, splashing away into the gathering darkness with her tears mingling with the rain.

Richard sat gaping out at the driving rain, a hand frozen in the air. It had been an attempt to stop Kory from leaving, but once again, it had been too little, too late. She hated him now.

"Master Dick...?" Norman said carefully, staring at the young man through the rear view mirror. His gray eyes were soft with concern.

Richard slowly pulled the car door shut and slumped into the leather seats. "Norman," he muttered miserably as he felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach, "Let's go home."

--

A knock sounded at the door, and Richard dismally rolled over in his bed and sandwiched his head between two goose-feather pillows. "Alfred, please," he croaked, "I don't want any tea, okay?"

"Hot chocolate, then," said a voice quite unlike Alfred's before the door to Richard's bedroom swung open. Bruce Wayne strolled in quite regally, looking perfectly sleek and debonair, as usual. Richard burrowed under the covers, shame at his unkempt appearance adding on to his misery. He realized that he hadn't changed since that day when…well, since then.

"Bruce, go away."

He heard porcelain meet the side table beside his head. Hot chocolate, he thought vaguely, the calm normality of it intensifying his nasty feelings. If everything around him mirrored his emotions, the world would be in war and turmoil. Richard felt his mattress dip as Bruce sat on the edge of his bed, humming a tune from what Richard recognized as Madame Butterfly. "Bruce, go away," Richard repeated, anger rising to his throat.

"Hold you anger, Dick," Bruce said instantly, his voice hard. "I will not tolerate resentment you feel for yourself."

Always the disciplinarian, ever since Richard was small. He held his tongue, seething under his covers.

"Now," Bruce went on, his voice back to the usual calm cheeriness. "You haven't been out of your room for almost two straight days. I want to know why."

Richard clenched his eyes shut. "I really don't want to talk about it," he said flatly, stifling a desolate groan as he resisted smashing his head into the headboard.

"Then at least get out of bed," Bruce said, inspecting his fingernails. "What will people say when they find out that the Prince of Gotham is hiding under his covers like a child?"

"I don't care!" Richard said, throwing down the sheets and immediately hating himself for sounding like the child Bruce accused him of being. "I never asked for any of this, Bruce! I never…I neverasked to be--to be thePrince of Gotham!" he spat, rolling over so his back was to his surrogate father.

"You're right," Bruce said quietly, gently. "But that's not what's upsetting you."

"No," Richard mumbled, his voice muffled. He shut his eyes, feeling bile rise to his throat as nauseating heartbreak threatened to make him shed a tear. A pause, then…"She hates me."

"Hm. Kory Anders, I believe." It wasn't a question.

Richard lifted his head groggily to look at him. "How do you know?"

"Norman told me about what happened the other day."

Richard turned away and dropped his head back onto his pillows.

"Hm," Bruce said again after a moment. "It seems to me as if you love her, Dick."

Richard stiffened unconsciously. "I shouldn't," he muttered before he could stop himself.

"No? Why not?" Bruce asked, his eyebrow raised in almost feigned surprise.

Richard snorted halfheartedly. "She happens to be my best friend's fiancé, Bruce."

"That could be a problem," Bruce said, mock thoughtfully. "You know, I could just have Roy murdered."

Richard's head snapped up, but Bruce was smiling slightly. Bruce got to his feet and crossed to the window, where he stood with his hands clasped behind his straight back and his feet planted slightly apart.

He looks like a king, Richard thought. The King of Gotham.

"Don't push her away, Dick," Bruce said quietly after a minute. Richard couldn't be sure, but he sensed a hint of…sadness? irony? in his mentor's voice. "You're becoming too much like me."

"Bruce--"

"I know I'm not the best person to give you advice on love, given my…reputation," Bruce said, and Richard saw the glint of a small, ironic smile in the reflection in the window. "But embrace the love you feel for her. She might belong to another, but don't hide your love. At least, not from yourself. I made that mistake once before. Don't be like me, Dick. Don't push her away."

"Bruce…"

"And besides," Bruce continued, turning to him as he brushed the sympathy aside.

Always the strong one, Richard thought, rare affection bubbling in his chest for the only family he's ever known.

"Besides…" Bruce fell silent, and Richard saw the same thoughtful expression on his face that was on Raven's not four days ago.

"Besides--what?"

Bruce studied him for a moment. "Don't mind the babble of an old man," Bruce said finally, shrugging, even though Richard knew he was barely pushing forty. "Now get out bed, drink your chocolate, and I want you down at breakfast in less than ten minutes," Bruce ordered as he started for the door. "Oh, and Richard," Bruce added as he was halfway out the door.

"Yeah, Bruce?"

"Change out of those clothes. You're starting to smell." And with those last parting words, Bruce left, leaving a grinning Richard in his wake.


Sorry it wasn't as long as the last chapter, guys. But Chapter 5 will be here soon. It's aaall written in my head...sort of. Next chapter, Kory confronts Richard. AAHH! The Drama!