Chapter 4- Making friends with the Enemy

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It had been a week since Kori's arrival in school and things seemed to be going in her favor. School, although still hard on her, had gotten much easier. Kori still wasn't everyone's favorite girl amongst the female student population and she didn't really care much for some of the boy's in her classes. It was the perverts that made her uncomfortable.

But none of that mattered for she had the greatest friends any one could ask for. Victor had seemed to taken on a brotherly role in Kori's life and would some times be a little bit over-protective when it came to guys who came to close for comfort. Garfield was like the younger brother who would always make her laugh. Karen and Rachel had become like sister's to Kori. Karen helped Kori out a lot when it came to thing's Kori couldn't understand. Then there was Rachel. Rachel was strict when it came to Kori, mostly because she had taken a liking to the girl.

The naive red-head grew on people at a fast rate.

But still, even with all these friends at her side, Kori was missing something. Perhaps not something but rather someone.

Although Kori had been told to stay away from Richard Grayson, she found that task rather impossible. They sat next to each other in class, it was hard for her to not talk to him. But still, Kori obeyed her friends wishes. The only time Kori spent with Richard was during class and an occasional run-in in the hall way.

It was lunch time now and Kori sat down with her friends. Karen had made them all a lunch of sandwiches. Kori took a bite and smiled. Karen was an excellent cook. Out of the corner of her eye, Kori noticed Richard. She sighed. Lately Kori had been giving Richard the cold shoulder. Any time he would talk to her she would be short with him.

"Is something wrong, Kori?" Garfield asked, putting down his tofu sandwich.

Kori sighed, "I feel I have been unfair... to Richard."

The others groaned, not this again. During the last couple of days Kori had been trying to plea a case for Richard. She truly thought Richard was a good guy.

"Kori, we've been over this before." Said Karen.

"Yes, but I truly believe Richard is a good person." Kori turned to Victor. "What do you think, Victor? You know Richard, correct?"

"Yeah but..." Victor trailed off and rubbed his head. "That's only on the football field. Other then that I can't really put in a good word for him."

"Kori, just forget about him." Rachel said.

"Yes, but -"

"He can't be trusted."

Kori sighed in defeat and continued her lunch in silence.

Finally, lunch time ended and Kori proceeded to her next class. It was in this class where she sat next to Richard. Though it didn't matter any more, her friends were never going to let her be friends with Richard. She came into class and took her seat, ignoring the smile Richard gave her when she walked in.

He turned away and frowned. This getting Kori thing was harder then he thought. It was hard to get close to her with her friends breathing down their necks. He had to do something.

"So, um... Kori. Is there a reason why you don't like me." Richard asked innocently. Maybe if he put on the 'hurt' routine she would actually talk to him.

"Of course I like you!" Kori blushed at her own words. "I mean... I like you as a friend."

Richard smirked at her slip up, "If that's true then how come you won't talk to me?"

Kori fiddled with her pencil, "My friends do not approve."

Richard rose a brow, "So if your friends actually liked me then there wouldn't be a problem between us hanging out?"

Kori put a finger to her lips in deep thought, "I do not think so."

"Great, so how about we get to know each other then." Richard ripped put a piece of paper from his notebook and scribbled on it. "Here's me address. Come to my place with your friends after school today."

Kori stared at his address, then at him, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." The bell rang and Richard picked up his book bag. "Just convince your friends to come."

Kori nodded and smiled at him. Richard gave short nod and walked out the door. Part one of his plan was in action.

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As soon as school was over Kori rushed over to where she knew her friends would be. The parking lot. Over the past week Kori figured that this was where her friends would meet after school. Victor would drive every one home in what he called his 'baby'. Kori giggled at the thought. She found it strange that one would nickname their vehicle. Finally, she reached the school parking lot and saw Victor's 'baby'.

Victor looked up and smiled, "Hey little lady. Ready to go?"

Kori paused for a minute, wondering if she should tell her friends about Richard. What if they got mad at her? They told her on numerous occasion's not to talk to Richard. Kori shook her head of those thoughts. She had to be the one willing to take the first step.

"Um... friends, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it, Kori?" Garfield asked.

"Richard has invited us all to his house and I was hoping we could all go."

"No." Came the stern reply of Rachel.

Kori's smile was crestfallen.

"Come on now, Rachel." Karen said. "Maybe this would be good for all of us."

Rachel narrowed her eyes and grabbed Karen's hand, pulling her to the side, "Excuse us."

As soon as they were out of ear shot Rachel turned to Karen with a scowl on her face, "Why are you supporting this? Richard Grayson is a complete ass who's trying to win over Kori's affection."

"I'm with you when you say Grayson is a complete ass but look at Kori." Karen glanced over in Kori's direction who was currently laughing along side Victor and Garfield. "She really likes him and want's to be his friend. Nothing has to happen but let's just humor her."

Rachel huffed, "I'm too nice."

Karen and Rachel went back to the group and Kori looked up with hopeful eyes.

"So are we going to Richard's house?" Victor asked.

Karen and Rachel nodded.

"Oh, I thank you friends!" Kori squealed as she wrapped Rachel and Karen in a bone crushing hug.

"Air... need air..." Rachel and Karen said at the same time.

Kori pulled away, "I am sorry. Some times I forget my own strength." Kori smiled at them and got into the car with Garfield and Victor.

Rachel glared at Karen, "I blame you for that."

Once everyone was in the car and buckled in Victor drove off.

Finding Richard's house didn't prove much a problem. Richard was, after all, the ward to Bruce Wayne. All one had to do was find Wayne Manor which stuck out like a sore thumb. In simple words, Richard's house was huge. Hidden behind iron gates and surrounded by gargoyle statues, not exactly a friendly sight but Kori found it amazing all the same.

When they approached the gates a security guard was there. He gave the ok once he saw the girl with red hair and green eyes. Apparently Richard was expecting them. When they got to the front door Kori was the one who knocked. She had a wide smile on her face. If everything went well then maybe everyone would become friends today. That was what she was hoping for. The door opened and she was greeted by Richard.

"Hello, Richard." Kori stepped up to him with arms wide but she caught herself and stepped back. "It is um... good to see you."

Richard smiled despite the fact that he saw she didn't want to hug him, "I'm glad you could make it." He looked at her friends. "All of you. Please, come in."

Richard stepped to the side and allowed them to enter.

"Who knew Grayson had manners." Karen whispered to Rachel who cracked a small smile in response.

"Wow." Garfield was amazed at the inside of the house.

There was a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and stairs that seemed like they would never end.

Richard took Kori's hand in his and she blushed at the contact. Richard grinned, "Kori, let me show you my..."

If he says bedroom he won't be able to have children in the future, thought Rachel darkly.

"Game room." Richard finished.

"Dude." Garfield stepped up to Richard in and instant. "You have a game room?"

"Yeah. Let me show you where it is."

"Sweet!"

Richard took a mental note: One down, three more to go.

Richard lead them all to the game room and Garfield immediately flew to the game station with Victor right behind him. Rachel and Karen found themselves to be deep in a game of ping pong while Richard tried to teach Kori how to play pool. Oh how he loved being the teacher. Any time Kori messed up on her figure he would move behind her and lean his body as close as possible to hers and fix her mistake.

Of course this didn't go unnoticed.

Rachel easily spotted him and once she did she couldn't let it continue. Karen hit the ball and Rachel saw it coming. Now was her chance. She hit the ball at an odd angle so instead of heading for Karen, it headed strait for Richard's head.

Now, being the guy that he was, Richard focused his eyes not on his surrounding, but at the figure in front of him. As Kori leaned over the table to make her shot Richard couldn't stop himself from looking. Kori was, after all, a very attractive girl... Not to mention the fact that she was wearing a skirt.

Then... BAM!

The ping pong ball collided with the back of Richard's head and his sight was diverted from Kori's bottom to the direction where the ball came from. He locked eyes with Rachel.

"Sorry. I hit the ball to hard." Rachel said innocently though she sounded the least bit sorry or innocent. "I guess that means I'm out." Rachel took Richard's pool stick from him. "I'll play pool now instead."

Just then Alfred, Richard's loyal butler, walked into the room, "Master Richard, the backyard is all set up just like you have asked."

"Thanks, Alfred."

Alfred gave a short nod and left the room.

Richard turned to the others, "Any one ready for a barbeque."

Victor's ears perked up and he turned his head towards Richard. "Barbeque? As in hotdogs, hamburgers and all sorts of tasty meat. That kind of barbeque?"

Richard nodded his head.

"Well alright! Let's go."

Two down, two to go.

"Um... will there be any non-meat food at the barbeque?" Garfield asked. "I'm a vegetarian."

"I'm sure Alfred prepared something you will like."

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If one thought the inside of Wayne Manor was a sight for sore eyes, they would have to see the back yard. Now that was a sight for sore eyes. Not only was there a lovely garden but there was also a swimming pool. To the side of the swimming pool was the grill.

"Ok guys, feel free to make yourself's at home."

"How can we do that if it is your home?" Kori asked.

Richard had admit, Kori was cute when she was confused, "It's just an expression."

"Oh." Kori looked away with a tint of red on her cheeks.

"I'm gonna handle the grill." Victor said with a wide smile on his face.

"You guys can use the pool if you want." Richard said.

Everyone stopped and looked at him.

"But we do not have the proper attire." Kori pointed out.

"So." Richard said, taking off his shirt and letting Kori get a good glimpse of his well defined chest. He took off his shoes as well. "We'll improvise."

Richard then jumped into the pool.

"Hell, I'm in." Said Garfield as he mimicked Richard's actions.

A little while later everyone, at least once, got wet. Whether if it was willingly, or by force. Force was used on Rachel by team action of Garfield and Victor. They grabbed her and pushed her into the pool. She was currently drying off when Richard took a seat next to her.

"So, any chance of you and me having a conversation where you don't glare at me."

"No." Rachel stood up and went to grab a hamburger. She passed by Garfield and pushed him in the pool as payback.

Richard ran a hand through his hair. It was clear to him that getting on Rachel's good side was going to be harder then he originally thought. Karen took the seat by him.

"Don't beat yourself up. Rachel is like that with almost everybody."

How come you're not like that?" Richard asked. "I thought you hated me."

"Well... I don't know." Karen said with a shrug. "You don't seem like that much of a jerk any more."

"Thanks..." Richard wasn't so sure if that was a compliment or not.

"Don't worry." Karen said as if she read his mind. "It was a compliment."

She stood up and walked over to Victor.

Richard smirked. Three out of four, not bad. Richard looked around and saw Kori by the pool. She had her feet dipped in the water and she seemed peaceful. Richard decided to go talk to her.

"Hey."

Kori looked up at him and smiled, "Hello, Richard."

He sat down next to her, "I think your friends like me."

"I am glad to hear that. Now maybe we can all be friends."

"Yeah... friends."

Richard cursed in his mind. Things were moving to slow for him. He had to win this bet but he couldn't if all Kori saw him as was a friend. He had to take things up a bit.

"Kori."

"Hmm?"

"I was wondering if you -"

"Well what do we have here?"

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