Hey all! What's happening? Here's the next chappie for you. Thanks to ALL the reviews from cartoonstar, Nightstar Grayson, HeadStrongx3, creepyladie123, Dana-Fire, Star 4 Robin, RXS, RxS4Lyfe, and of course my editor, First Angel, whose approval being the reason you're seeing this chapter.
So have fun reading!
Chapter 6 – Uncovering Truths
Wally, Gar and Vic turned to see Karen, Jen, Terra and Rachel coming their way as they entered their favorite pizza place. The boys hadn't ordered anything yet except for bread sticks as an appetizer; they thought it best to wait for the girls so they could decide together on what kind of pizza they wanted. Terra was still yawning.
"So, I guess you girls were up all night talking." Gar said noticing Terra's tiredness.
The girls all looked uneasily at each other. To be honest they were still shaky after hearing Kori's story, it hit them pretty hard.
"Something I said?"
"Actually Gar," said Rachel, "we were up watching a movie, but that's not why we're tired." She paused a bit before continuing. "Kori woke up screaming last night."
"What happened? Is she okay?" Vic asked in concern.
"Well after Richard came over she was…"
"Hold up! You had Rich with you at your sleepover?! And you didn't invite us?!"
"Shut up Gar and let Karen finish!" Rachel snapped.
Gar immediately retreated back into his seat. "Like I was saying, after Richard got there she was okay. We had to call him, you should've seen her, she wasn't herself, she was completely scared out of her mind. I'd never seen anyone so scared before."
"Scared is when you're on a roller coaster," said Terra, "but she was like…she was…"
"Completely consumed by her worst fears like it was eating her from the inside," Rachel finished. Everyone gave her an odd stare.
"Yeah…what she said."
"So what was her nightmare about?" Wally questioned.
"Maybe when Kori gets here she can tell you herself. We can pretty much guess what she saw, but it's not for us to say." Jen replied.
Earlier back at the Manor…
"Who was on the phone?"
"That was Vic again. They're all gonna meet for pizza, they're just waiting for us and the girls to show up."
Kori was leaning against the wall staring up at the ceiling. So much had happened that morning alone. Her friends found out about her past, and she told Richard about the dreaded Anders File that awoke a new, yet suspicious mystery.
"Richard? You don't think we scared them when we told them about what happened to me, do you?"
"Why do you say that?" he asked pressing a few more keys on his cell phone and constantly checking his screen.
"Well they did look kind of….frozen…like they couldn't move."
Richard smiled at her. "Don't worry Kor, they'll be fine. I'm sure they'll recover from it." He searched around for his keys looking quite puzzled as to where he might have left hem.
"Um, Richard?"
"Give me a minute Kori, I just need my keys and we can go."
"But Richard…" Kori could see he wasn't listening, looks like she had to make him listen. She grabbed him by his shoulders and pushed him against the wall. Richard held a look of surprise at her swift movement, but then gave her a sly smirk.
"You know we don't have time to play right?"
"Is that all you think about?" She replied just as slyly. Then before he could say another word she dangled a pair of keys in front of his face.
"Where did you find those?" He asked, arms still wrapped around her.
She shook her head disapprovingly. "If you think back to ten minutes ago, you asked me to hold them for you while you were on the phone."
He sweat dropped. "So can I have them back now?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
"On what you're willing to do for them."
"Are you challenging me?"
"Mayyybe."
"Oh, then it's on."
In a second the two were quickly engaged in a playful wrestling match with Richard trying desperately to get his keys back from Kori. Who knew how long this would take…
At the pizza place…
Gar was looking at the menu with Terra, Vic was chewing on a breadstick, Karen had gone to the bathroom, and Rachel just sat there looking bored watching Jen and Wally immersed in their own conversation. Richard and Kori were yet to show up.
"Ew, Gar that sounds gross. What if we had that one with these toppings on em."
"Now that's gross." Gar and Terra were trying to imagine up the worst choice combo of pizza that they could think of. They couldn't agree on the best tasting pizza so just for fun they tried it with the most disgusting. Vic didn't appreciate what he was hearing.
"Would you guys cut that out? I didn't come here to lose my appetite!"
"Chill Vic, it's not like we're actually gonna order it and force you guys to gorge it down," said Gar.
"But we could always make Kitten gorge it down," Terra said in a sly, evil smirk, earning an approving nod from Gar. "Oh my gosh! Did we even tell you what happened when Karen and Kori ran into her?"
This grabbed everyone's attention.
"You mean Kori has met Kitten?" Gar asked in astonishment.
It truly was a shocker for everyone as they all knew how Kitten felt for Richard, but also because she was a slut everyone hated, and her meeting someone as sweet as Kori, well they were scared what Kitten would do to her. Kori wouldn't hurt a fly, she didn't even know Kitten or the kind of person she was, so they could only hope she hadn't done something hurtful to her.
"So what happened?" The boys were dying to know.
Just then Karen came back and walked in on the conversation. "What are we all talking about guys?"
"Karen! Tell us what happened when you ran into Kitten the other day." Vic urged on her.
"Is that what y'all talking about?" Karen sighed. "Nothing really, her and Kori bumped into each other, Kori tried to apologize but Kitten being the bitch that she is wasn't being very nice about it."
"But then she realized who she was," continued Jen, "and she got all like (in brat-like mocking tone) just remember, you may live with Richard but he's mine, mine, mine, blah, blah, blah."
Wally couldn't help but laugh at Jen's childish impersonation, making Jen smile back at him. To him she was always fun to hang around with, she always knew just how to make him laugh.
"Wait, wait, wait! You didn't hear the best part," said Terra, "Go on Karen, tell em."
"Kitten said to Kori that Richard won't be hers forever and soon he'll realize only one person is good enough for him. And I said..." she paused for dramatic effect which drove everyone crazy and scream at her to keep going. "I said...it would be a shrink after dating you."
Everyone at the table burst out laughing, Vic laced a loose arm over Karen's shoulder and pulled her in for a sloppy smooch on the cheek. They were all in fits until their sides ached.
"Well you guys all seem happy."
They stopped to see Richard standing beside them, arm around Kori's waist. "What are you all laughing at anyway?"
"We were just telling them about the time me and Kori ran into Kitten a couple of days ago." At that point Richard gave a concerned look towards Kori.
"You never told me you met Kitten." She blushed ashamedly like she was going to get into trouble. "She didn't say anything mean to you did she?"
"Man, if you heard what Karen said to her you'd be laughing just like we were," Gar explained, and they retold the story to Richard as he and Kori took their seats.
Well into the hour after Richard and Kori's arrival everyone's stomachs were about to burst as they tried to finish off the remaining slices. Wally and Jen had gotten a table all to themselves and were busy chatting away. The others remained where they were, their heavy consumption of food making them too lethargic to move...for some anyway. Richard was playing around with Kori discreetly under the table, whether it was grabbing her hand, or putting his hand on her leg, or caressing her foot with his. It didn't matter to her, she was enjoying everything he was doing to her. Thankfully no one else noticed their little game.
"So Rich, you up for shooting hoops with me tomorrow morning?" Vic asked him.
"Can't. I gotta see Commissioner Gordon."
"Sounds important. I guess I shouldn't ask what it's about."
"It's about my mother's death." Kori blurted out, making Richard give her an odd stare, and Vic, Terra, Karen, Rachel and Gar's eyes widen.
"I-I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have...It's just that you would've found out sooner or later..." Kori stuttered in embarrassment. She didn't want to look at Richard, he was probably upset with her for coming out with such a huge statement, as secretive as Richard liked to be. The others noticed from their expressions that this was a sensitive topic for the couple.
"Hey you know guys, it's okay. We're not gonna make you tell. We're just...ya know..."
Richard sighed. "I may as well tell you. It was when Kori and Babs were coming back from the mall and they had to make a small stop..."
With Wally and Jen...
"Why don't you ever take the day off sometime, you always work so hard at that cafe."
"I need the money Wally, I have to pay for my education somehow."
"So what are you looking to be anyway?"
A tinge of pink lit her cheeks, making her look adorably cute to Wally. "You'll just laugh if I tell you."
"No I won't, I promise. Cross my heart."
"Okay. I want to be a...an Environmentalist." She bit her lip nervously, waiting to hear his chuckle, a snicker...anything...
Back with the others...
Richard had told them everything about what Kori found, and Kori even mentioned the pictures she saw of her mother's accident.
"Wait a minute", Vic interjected, "If her mom's accident was all those years ago, what was the file doing on the Commissioner's desk recently? Is the case being re-opened or something?"
That hadn't even crossed Richard's mind. What was the file doing on that desk? Maybe the Commissioner was just curious and needed to look something up, but still, what initially triggered him to get that file out in the first place?
With Wally and Jen...
Jen was still looking away from Wally, thinking he was going to burst out laughing any second, until she felt his hand take hers and looked up to his smiling face.
"Why aren't you laughing?"
"Because I promised I wouldn't. Why, you want me to laugh?"
"No it's just..."
"Listen, I think it's great you have ambition and a dream to follow, and I admire that you're working so hard for it."
A tiny smile appeared on her lips. "I don't see why you have to be so embarrassed about it Jen. It's not like you're the first person to go for that sort of thing."
Jen shook her head, her smile now increasing. "I really thought you were going to laugh."
"Aw, come on! I care about you. I would never want to hurt you."
"Do you mean that?"
"Now what kind of a person would I be if I didn't?" That got a little chuckle out of her.
"So Jen," he said leaning back in his seat, "I got these tickets to a game next week, you wanna go with me?"
She didn't answer. "Jen? Jen?" He followed her gaze over to the others and saw that she was too busy staring at them.
"What do you suppose they're talking about over there?" she asked out aloud, noticing how they all hung on each other's word.
"Probably nothing." Wally shrugged, but Jen begged to differ.
"No Wally, look at the way they're talking, they all look so...serious."
Wally observed the group. Everyone was huddled in together like there was some secret. "Yeah well, we could ask them about it later. I'm sure they'll tell us if we ask nicely. Now Jen, about those tickets for the game..."
With the others...
"Hey don't worry too much about it Rich, after all you are going to see the Commissioner tomorrow anyway, you can find out everything you need to know then."
"Yeah," he sighed in a retreating manner, "I guess I'll have to wait."
"The Commissioner can be a busy man, do you even know if he'll be available tomorrow," Rachel asked in her monotone voice.
"Hey, it's not like he's gonna turn me away when I show up."
Rachel gave him a glare, the kind that convinced Richard that she was right and if he didn't listen he would regret it. "Alright, alright, I'll give him a call later," he said taking Kori's hand and placing it in his lap. It was the first time she managed to look at him since she unintentionally revealed why they were seeing the Commissioner in the first place. She smiled and leaned in more to him.
Unknown to anyone's knowledge a mysterious figure discreetly watched the group converse together as they huddled close. The figure stood silent until a sound was heard coming from his ear piece.
"Confirm visual."
"Target is in sight, but not alone," the figure replied.
"Do you wish to switch targets?" The person buzzed over the ear piece.
"No. I think we've found who we're looking for."
"State activity."
"They're just talking."
"Do you intend to act?"
"No. Let them be. It isn't time to make our move yet." With that said the transmission ended and the figure left with a devious smile.
The next day…
The Commissioner's office was being cleaned so he had arranged to meet with Richard and Kori in another office. It was about the same size as the Commissioner's, but it was just used for storage. Kori acted nervously, her fingers were fidgety and she was constantly biting her lip. Richard on the other hand was calm and confident, sitting up straight and staring at the Commissioner dead in the eye while he talked. The Commissioner had just sat down and had his finger tips pressed together leaning with one elbow on the desk.
"I had a feeling I'd be seeing you soon," he said. He was speaking to both but was directing his gaze at Kori. "So, what is this important matter that you said you needed to discuss?"
Richard cleared his throat. "It's concerning a case file you have, Kori claims she saw it in your office the other day."
"The Anders File." The Commissioner responded as he nodded. "Kori here seemed pretty...struck, when she left here with Babs that day. I was wondering why she looked pale coming out of my office."
"We need to see that file, sir." Richard requested getting straight to the point. He never did like to stall.
"Of course, it's right here." From a drawer he pulled out a yellow file and handed it over to Richard. Richard gave him a strange look. It was odd that the Commissioner happened to have it ready before even knowing Richard was going to ask for it. Noticing his reaction the Commissioner responded, "Like I said, I knew I'd be seeing you soon, and it would have something to do with that," he motioned to the file with his eyes.
Both Kori and Richard looked through the file, scanning each piece of information they came across. Every time they would turn the page Kori would hesitate, still remembering the images of her mother's car accident and afraid of what horrific thing she would find out next. One thing she knew for sure, she was glad she wasn't here alone, she had no idea how she would cope by herself. Richard looked back up at the Commissioner straight faced.
"You do realize we're dealing with a homicide case here."
"I know, but we never really had enough evidence to keep the case open."
"Until now?"
"What do you mean?"
"What made you decide to take the file out recently?"
The Commissioner took a deep breath and leaned forward, lowering the tone of his voice. "Look, this is off the record, but I'm only telling you two this. Something's going down, we don't know what exactly, but we've been picking up on something strange. It's too early to tell yet but…let's just say, I think there was more to Lou-Anne's death and why she died."
Kori's eyes widened yet she was so confused. She had never expected to hear anything like this at all, what sounded like a..."A conspiracy? Is that what this is all about?" The Commissioner and Richard glanced towards her.
"I'm afraid nothing is certain at this point yet, we don't have all the facts on the case."
A few moments more of skimming through the file and Richard decided it was all they needed to know for the moment. He got up from his seat motioning to Kori that they should be going, who was surprised that he was already done with his questions and looked at him unexpectedly. She felt the Commissioner hadn't told them enough. Richard noticed her reaction but continued to make for their exit.
As they left the building Kori was still in thought over why Richard left when it was obvious there was still more to inquire about the case. She summoned up her courage and was about to ask him when…
"I know what you're thinking."
Kori stood in shock for a few seconds but it passed and she was able to respond. "Really?"
He made a sharp turn into an alley, most likely to hide from the stalking eyes of undercover paparazzi that continuously spied on him. Kori allowed him to lead her wherever he wanted to go, until they reached a secluded area where there seemed to be no sign of life and the sounds of the city could no longer be heard. He stopped abruptly only to press her against the wall and lean into her real close so that their faces were inches apart, but he held a stern gaze.
"I know there's still a lot more we need to find out, but to be able to get all the information I need to resort to other…methods."
"What kind of methods?" Kori questioned softly.
"I can't tell you, but I promise you Kori, someday you'll know everything. I just…" he seemed to struggle as if trying the find the right words. "I just need a little time, that's all."
She noticed how a hint of darkness briefly crossed his features and stared into his eyes intensely, as if trying to search his soul and into the deep crevices of his heart and mind. She had always known there was something going on with him, certain things he would never talk about. Though she accepted that she still didn't push him to open up, but whatever this thing, this secret was, it was driving her to the edge of curiosity, and she wondered how long it would take her to be patient with him.
She nodded silently and he tore his eyes away from hers and slowly backed off of her. Kori remained in her spot, contemplating on whether to say anything. What was there to say? Yes, she still had questions but she had to trust him. Richard knew what he was doing…right? Right now, she could only trust.
He laced his fingers through hers and led her back towards the hectic atmosphere of the city, into the depths of the bustling passers by and crossing the street to a small diner where he pulled her inside. Richard ordered them both a latte and they remained there in a comfortable silence.
"In Stock Market news word is that Wilson Corp has made yet another bid for the Mason Company, marking the continuation of the nine year battle between Wilson and the Tamaran Stock Company. It's been a race between the two to see who could buy Mason before anyone else can, yet rumor has it that Mason, being the most valuable stock on the market, may have their lost heir to the company within reach to take their place, though sources still have no clue to the identity of the heir to the Mason Company."
Bruce sighed as he turned off the T.V. and gently rubbed his temples. He spotted Kori sitting on the ledge of the window sill staring into space. He silently walked towards her and stopped a short distance away.
"So how did it go with the Commissioner?"
"Huh?" She hadn't noticed someone was talking to her until she turned her head slightly to see Bruce standing a few feet from her. "Oh I'm sorry Bruce, I was lost there for a minute." She said trying to compose herself.
"So I could see," he chuckled, leaning against the wall. "From the looks on your faces you and Dick didn't seem to have much luck."
"Actually…" she trailed off falling back into her thoughts.
"What did you find out Kori?" His voice began to sound as though it was pressing her to reveal what she knew.
"It was murder." The words just rolled off her tongue effortlessly without emotion. "But apparently there's not enough evidence to call it that. As far as the law is concerned, it was still just an accident." Her face was hard and cold like nothing affected her, like her emotions were dead.
"I thought as much," he replied coolly.
Kori hastily fixed her gaze at Bruce. "You mean to say you knew?"
"I always had my suspicions, but now I guess you confirmed it."
Kori turned back to the window and continued to stare like she was doing before. "I just don't understand why anyone would want to kill her. What could she have done?"
Her words had triggered an image in Bruce's mind. He let his eyes rest as his mind transformed his surroundings to another part of the Manor, a part where it seemed somewhat brighter. He found himself in a room, it was elegantly furnished like all of the rooms in the Manor were, but here its true beauty glowed more due to its location. The sun's rays pierced in brighter through the lace curtains, giving the doorway a spotlight scene, as if in preparation for the arrival of someone special. That someone had emerged and glided in as soft as the wind. Bruce stared at her as she daintily walked, her stunning smile never leaving her lips. She stopped a few feet in front of him and fixed her eyes on him.
"When you called I didn't know if I should come," she said.
"I'm glad you did." His rich deep voice sent chills up her spine.
"Why?" She whispered.
Just as he was about to answer Alfred had walked in asking if there was anything he could get Bruce's guest. She simply requested some water with a lemon."
As soon as Alfred left she spotted a vase full of flowers on the center table in the middle of the room and went to smell them. As she bent over her hair cascaded down past her right shoulder, which shielded her face from Bruce, but she immediately held it out of the way as she took in the fragrance of the white roses. After observing her actions Bruce had slowly walked over to her as she stood up, and took one single rose from the vase placing it in her hand. Her eyes gradually rose to meet his.
"You didn't answer my question," she said to him.
"What question would that be?"
"Why are you glad that I came here?"
"Because Lou-Anne," he stroked her hair, "it's what you want, and I won't deny you anything."
Their gazes remained locked onto each other and their faces were drawing in closer, she could feel his muscular body touching hers and his warm breath on her skin making it tingle. Her eyes closed mechanically, while he was set to make the final move.
"Miss Kori?"
"Yes Alfred?" Bruce heard Kori say. Whatever he had been seeing then was now gone, but his thoughts still lingered.
"Miss Rachel is on the phone for you."
"Thank you Alfred." Alfred nodded with a respectful smile before leaving.
Kori hopped off the window, and noticed Bruce leaning not far from her on the wall. Had he been standing there this whole time, not that she really minded but it just seemed so unlike him, but then she caught a glimpse of his eyes. It was as though he was in deep thought. She couldn't help wonder what could possibly grab his attention like that.
"Bruce? Are you…alright?"
He steered his head towards her with a stiffened gaze overshadowing his features, his stare didn't falter but remained fixed. She saw him mouth a word mutely, though she didn't hear she did manage to read his lips, and realized what it was to her surprise.
"Lou-Anne. He said Lou-Anne," she realized in her mind.
She saw that he was still staring and tried to bring him back to reality. "Bruce? It's me, Kori." At the mention of her name he blinked a few times and became more aware of his surroundings. He relaxed, assuring a concerned Kori that he was fine. She, remembering that she had someone waiting on the phone for her, rushed away to answer it, but still remaining bewildered by that strange experience.
"Kori."
She turned around nervously to face Bruce at the sound of her name.
"I want you to be careful…both of you…when dealing with this case." Kori simply nodded and turned back round to leave.
He was still contemplating over the minor incident that occurred moments ago. It appeared that Bruce's image hadn't completely left him. He knew what he had accidentally called Kori, and that she may have even noticed. Well, she did resemble so closely to her mother, but still, what was he going to tell her now? Is it time she finally knew?
"I thought you'd be gone."
It was Richard. He had plunged straight to work on the Anders Case after both he and Kori had returned from seeing Commissioner Gordon. It had been hours since then and it seemed he finally came up for a breath of fresh air.
"Having any luck?" Bruce asked. He never needed to elaborate too much with Richard, it was always like they could read each other's minds. They would usually know what the other was talking about.
"Too early to tell," he said, reading something in the newspaper he had picked up. "Especially when you're dealing with homicide."
"So it's that obvious then?"
Richard looked over his paper at him square in the eye. "Alright Bruce," he sighed folding the newspaper, "I know that you're dying to tell me, seeing as how you're so good at this."
Bruce smiled, "I just think what I know would give you somewhere to start from. But don't say I don't do anything for you."
"Now when have I ever said that?" he quipped, earning himself a glare from Bruce.
Meanwhile on the phone...
"So is this place far then?" Kori was talking to Rachel who sounded even duller on the phone.
"I wouldn't say far, just…hidden. So you still wanna go? Normally I would be asking Gar to come with me but I'm not speaking to him."
"Oh Rachel, what did he do now?"
"You remember that book I was reading at the sleepover?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"Well I also brought it with me when we all met for pizza yesterday. I stupidly let Gar drive me home after that and I happened to leave my book in his car."
"So…ask him back for it."
"I did. Guess what he said?" Kori paused, waiting for her answer.
"He said he LOST IT!" The sudden outburst from Rachel made Kori jump a little.
"I'm sure it's around somewhere. If you just search his car maybe…"
"Search his car? That's like searching through a forbidden forest when you're stranded on a weird planet. You never know what you'll find. I told him so many times to clean that damn car of his, but does he listen, no."
Kori smiled. She could see Gar and Rachel becoming more than just friends, if Rachel could just get a little less hostile….
"So are you coming or not?"
"You mean to that coffee house place?"
"Yeah."
"Sure, why not. I'll see if I can get Alfred to drop me off there."
"If you're gonna ask Alfred make sure it's not in a limo or something flashy, it won't fit the scene, believe me."
"Alright. So what's the place called again?"
"Raven's."
After a few more of Rachel's instructions on things to remember when going to a Goth-type place Kori hung up, and saw Alfred conveniently pass by.
"Oh Alfred?"
"Yes Miss Kori?"
"Would you…by any chance…drop me off somewhere?" She still never liked treating Alfred like some sort of slave, she had always regarded him in high respect, more like a dear friend rather than a butler. Often she would try and help him with his chores whenever she could, it was the least she could do for him. He preferred her not to concern herself with such things but didn't really mind her help when she offered, insistently.
"Of course, where do you wish to go?"
"It's a coffee house called Raven's. Are you sure it's no trouble Alfred? If you have something else to do I…"
"It would be my pleasure to take you anywhere you wish my dear." Alfred said with a smile.
"Alright, well I'll get ready then. I won't be long, promise."
At the Coffee House…
Rachel and Kori were sat at a table way back in the corner. Rachel said it was the best seat in the house; she liked being secluded at times which came as no surprise to Kori, at least not anymore. Kori wasn't wearing the same clothes as when she had left the Manor, Rachel offered to help her out when she discovered Kori had nothing to wear that fit the Goth scene, so she searched around for something she could borrow before she left and hoped that Kori could pull off the look. And she did. Although it didn't fit her personality black looked pretty good on her. Her black pants were Rachel's and since she was shorter than Kori they looked like crop pants on her. Her fitted t-shirt was black with the words: 'IT'S A GOTH THING.' And to top off her look was a black beret.
"How did it go with the Commissioner?" Rachel asked.
Kori shrugged and shook her head.
"Wanna talk about it?" No answer. "It wasn't an accident was it Kori?"
Kori's eyes shot up to Rachel, and then she sighed. "It's been almost ten years since she died Rachel, all this time I thought it was just fate but…it was murder. Someone took her life. The question is who, and why."
"What about the case? Is it going to be re-opened?" Rachel asked in her usual plain tone.
"It's one thing to believe that what happened was planned, but to prove it is totally another, especially if it's to re-open this case."
"You're faced with quite a challenge then," said Rachel sipping away at her tea.
"Rachel…I'm never going to find peace, am I? I thought after finally being with Richard things would be alright and the nightmares would be over…but they came back. They always come back."
"They're about your father, aren't they? Just like the one you had at Karen's."
Kori nodded, keeping her gaze on the same spot she had been staring at for the past few minutes.
"You always knew didn't you Rachel? You could always tell there was something…strange about me." Rachel looked up to see Kori staring at her with a small smile.
"Was I that easy to read?"
"No. You didn't let on much, but for some reason, I knew I wouldn't be surprised if you did suspect something. You're really easy to talk to."
"I'm glad I can be tolerable, especially for you."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you seem so happy anyone would think you'd be the last person to be having problems."
Kori laughed lightly at that. Just goes to show how looks can be deceiving. She watched as each person walked on stage reciting some sort of poem reflecting on some dark thought or other. Oddly their words seemed to travel to her, tuning in to her mind, like they all knew her, like she wasn't a stranger to them. They all seemed to share some sort of common ground with her. Suddenly to Rachel's surprise Kori got up from her seat and made her way to the stage. She stepped up and calmly took the microphone. Rachel stared intently, half believing at what she was about to do, until everyone silenced to hear Kori's voice.
"Darkness closes in no matter where you run,
Always following no matter where you hide,
Running, stalking, hiding, following,
Where can you go, where do you escape,
Just when you think you give it the slip
It is still there, lurking not far behind.
You want the light, but the light doesn't want you,
Rachel noticed how her face held no expression whatsoever.
Where do you go?
Where do you run?
Is this all you're destined for?
You've been running for so long that it's second nature,
Trying to escape your demons,
My demons, chasing after me like prey,
Wrapped in the storm of my past,
It's coming, he's coming,
Darkness is my Predator,
While I am…a Prey of the Storm."
She let her head drop and then silently stepped off the stage making way for the next person to come up. Rachel was frozen, and that didn't happen too often. Here was this cheery, happy, bright colored girl, who just put on a display of complete darkness that sent a chill even in Rachel.
Kori sat back down opposite her without a word as if nothing happened and idly starting inspecting her nails.
"Kori…that was…"
"I have to say that felt good." Kori responded with the same stone face she had on before when she was on stage.
"Maybe I should start bringing you here more often from now on." She looked at her mug and saw that it was almost empty. "Well, I think I need to go and get a refill." Kori watched Rachel head to the counter to get more tea, almost not noticing someone else taking her place opposite her.
"Well, well, well, we meet again cutie."
With all that currently weighed on her mind Kori was only mildly surprised to see him. "Xavier, or X as you prefer. What brings you here?"
He was leaned back on his chair eyeing Kori up and down. "What does it matter? Great performance by the way, I didn't think this was your kind of place."
"Doesn't seem like yours either."
"No need to be harsh there, cutie." He reached forward and placed a hand on top of the one that was playing with a napkin on the table. Kori made no attempt to resist his touch. "I didn't even have a chance to get to know you properly."
Now she looked him up and down. He was dressed in all black with a leather jacket on, and he looked undoubtedly good. No, sexy was more the word. He pulled on her hand to draw her in closer to his face.
"Trust me cutie, you'll find me very interesting, and by the way you were checking me out, I think you already do."
By this time Kori was too mesmerized to realize what he was doing, his eyes were so alluring and she found herself drawing into his lips.
"AHEM!" Kori sprang back before anything could happen.
X looked to see an evil glare aimed straight at him. "Rachel. What a surprise," he said with a hint of regret in his voice.
"Cut the bull and tell me what you're doing here," she snapped.
"Relax Rae, it's not a crime to take a load off and get some coffee." He replied smoothly.
"Don't call me that, and I know you better than to come here without a reason."
"A reason," he chuckled while looking at Kori. "Can't I just sit and talk to someone who happens to be…interesting?"
"It depends what exactly it is that you find so 'interesting' about them," she didn't like X anywhere near Kori, anything to do with him always meant trouble. "Now get out of my seat."
X abruptly got up and stood closer to Rachel so that his mouth was by her ear. "What's really eating you babe? Still missing the nights when it got hot between us…really hot?" Rachel shivered. "Just say the word babe, and we can…" He whispered the last part in her ear making Rachel slam her eyes shut and grind her teeth. He knew too well how to push her buttons, unfortunately for her. Seeing his effect on her seep in he took the chance to bend down to Kori's ear and whispered something seductive, then kissed her neck slowly before he left.
Eventually Rachel recovered and she hastily sat back down scowling. He had come and ruined her whole night. Was he right though, did she still miss him? No. She was definitely over him. He hurt her and she would never forgive him for that.
"Rachel?"
"Yeah Kori, what is it?"
"Do you want to go? You don't look too good…and, I don't really wish to stay either."
Great, now X had to ruin Kori's night too, as if he wasn't enough chaos for Rachel. She thought about what Kori said and decided that they should go, after she'd finish her tea of course.
The sun had set and there were already a few stars out in the night sky. Kori walked in through the gate after she was dropped off outside and buzzing the intercom so that Alfred could let her in. She opened the door to see Richard waiting for her on the stairs. When he saw her he was pleasantly surprised, observing her in her all black outfit.
"Wow, interesting ensemble. The Goth look suits you."
Kori smiled, "Rachel lent me these clothes so that I…fit in at Raven's Coffee Shop."
He hadn't expected Kori to be anywhere near a place like that, let alone Rachel inviting her, nevertheless he wasn't complaining, seemed like Rachel's influence of fashion sense did wonders for Kori. "So do I get a kiss? I haven't seen you all day and… I missed you…a lot."
"Aw really? Come here then." She laughed reaching out a hand for him which he gladly took, and wrapping her up in a loving hug while he kissed her deeply.
When their lips separated Kori remembered asking him how his investigation into the Anders Case was going.
"Well, you know the car your mom was driving? Days before the accident it'd gone in for an inspection which it passed with flying colors. So as far as who did it I doubt it was anyone at the Mechanic's, I'm guessing it was someone close to home. I have a list of possible suspects but still working on the motive."
Kori nodded with a fake smile. "Did you speak to the Commissioner again, is that how you got all this information?"
"Um…no. I got it from Bruce, he told me."
Something told her that Bruce was more involved than she first thought. Should she ask him about it? Would he tell her? Did he even have the answers she needed to know?
"Kori? Baby, you alright?"
"Uh…fine Richard. I just need to go to my room, I'm tired. It's been a long day."
"Alright, let me know if you need anything, like someone to hold you," he said slyly, nuzzling in her neck.
"Count on it," she said unraveling herself from him, and she ascended up the stairs towards her bedroom.
It had just been her and Richard for the evening meal, Bruce as usual couldn't attend because of work, or so Richard said. It would be nice to see Bruce at the table more often, though even Richard sometimes missed dinner in the evenings, saying that it's something to do with work. Didn't work usually come with timings? She had to admit, Bruce was very dedicated to his company.
It was about after 10:00pm and Kori was wandering the halls staring at a picture in her hand, she was so absorbed in it she didn't see where she was going and bumped into Bruce, falling to the floor and dropping the picture at the same time.
"Oh Bruce, I'm so sorry, how clumsy of me."
"It's fine Kori. Here, let me help you," he said offering a hand to her. "Are you hurt?"
"No, really, I'm okay." Noticing the small picture on the floor he picked it up and gave in to curiosity as he turned it over. He glanced up at Kori, then back at the photo with a sigh.
"Still carry a picture of her I see."
"Of course, she was my mother. Sometimes when I feel lost I use her picture for comfort, it's like she is right here with me."
He thought for a second. "Kori, I'd like you to follow me if you don't mind."
She wasn't sure what he wanted, that was a complete mystery to her, yet she agreed nonetheless. "If you insist."
They entered into a large room with huge windows that overlooked the whole front yard up to the gate and even beyond that. He sat down behind his desk and motioned for her to sit in the armchair opposite. He still had the picture in his hand as Kori noticed, except it was face down on the desk. Bruce slowly rubbed his temples and then spoke.
"St. Augustine once quoted: 'Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all.' I think about that sometimes wondering, what if that fateful night never happened, what if she never came into my life the way she did, what if I never knew her?"
Kori observed as he stood up to go and pour himself a drink of brandy. He stayed there with his back turned to her but continued to talk. "Lou-Anne was a kind hearted woman, who didn't deserve the life she had fallen into. I was submerged in complete darkness when she came and brought light into my world, just the way you did with Richard. She opened my eyes to something...amazing. I'd never recalled feeling that way before, I guess not since I lost my...my parents...when I was a boy."
Kori never knew Bruce's past, she'd always assumed he had a somewhat normal childhood. She remembered now, that's why her mother felt a certain sorrow towards him, she had known this whole time, she even once hinted to a 7 year old Kori about it. It was when she was getting ready for bed, and her mother came to her room to tuck her in. Kori was saying her prayers and her mother reminded her not to forget those children who lost their parents and had no one to take care of them, like Bruce. "But Mr Wayne isn't a child." Kori had said confused at her mother's words. "No, but he was once." Of course then she didn't understand, but now it was becoming clear.
"It had started out with only the odd visit from her with something she cooked. You would probably remember, she would bring you too on occasion."
It was faint in her mind but when she really thought about it she could recall certain things.
"Something that I had never expected happened between us, we became close friends. I found myself opening up to her with ease, usually when you have a dark past it's hard to trust someone and let them get close to you, but with Lou-Anne, she made it all easy. Before I knew it I was inviting her back, whether it was for a walk in the garden, tea on the balcony, or a fancy party, I just wanted to see her again. One rainy night, she came here, cold and wet, she seemed very upset. I remember it as though it was yesterday...
Flashback...
Bruce hurried to the door after Alfred informed him that Mrs. Anders had arrived. It had been raining hard and Bruce didn't want to keep her waiting any longer than necessary. He opened the door to be met with a completely drenched red haired woman. She was wearing a white dress and was using her small jacket to shield her head from the rain. Her eyes were puffy and red, which meant she had been crying.
"Lou-Anne," he breathed.
She immediately leapt into his arms crying even more while he wrapped his arms around her. Then he walked her inside and had Alfred fetch a blanket and something warm for her to drink. She had calmed down after sobbing for a while in Bruce's arms and gently looked up to him. He held a sympathetic gaze for her as he rubbed her arms soothingly. Then remembering why she had come she looked away in sadness.
"Lou-Anne, will you please tell me what happened?"
"I can't take it anymore Bruce. I'm not as strong as you are."
"What do you mean?"
"Myan came home drunk and I...well I just didn't like it and tried to talk to him about it. But it turned into one big fight and Myan ended up losing his temper, then he...he..."
"He what Lou-Anne? What did he do?"
"He hit me," she whispered through her sobs.
"Where?"
Lou-Anne instinctively started rubbing her arm as she took sharp breaths. Bruce was shocked, his anger was beginning to build up inside him.
"Is this the first time?" No answer. He grabbed her by the shoulders and made her look at him "Lou-Anne. Is this the first time?" he demanded.
Her eyes looked down sorrowfully shedding more tears as she shook her head no. Bruce instinctively held her closer to him while she cried.
"Lou-Anne, it's okay."
"No! It's not okay? He's done it before, and I let him!" she cried out abruptly getting up, and then falling back into sobs, "I let him hurt me. He says I'm worthless, that I'm...a nothing."
At that moment Bruce had gone up to her and took her face into his hands looking her in the eyes. "You're anything but. You're the most beautiful, precious woman I've ever come to know. Anyone who thinks otherwise obviously has no clue."
He was still holding her face when Alfred had come in with a blanket and some hot tea, and also to tell Bruce that he had a phone call waiting for him. Bruce told Lou-Anne he'd be right back and she nodded, and then left the room momentarily. She walked to the large window to lose herself in her thoughts. Myan was becoming more and more dangerous, for a while now she had a bad feeling about him. Something was going to happen but she didn't know what. What would happen to her, what would happen to her little Kori? She was scared. She could tell Myan was planning something, being the business tycoon he was. She was so immersed in her mind that she didn't notice Bruce coming up behind her until he placed a hand on her shoulder, making her jump.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."
She smiled warmly at him. "It's alright, I was just...thinking."
She felt his arm wrap around her as she held her blanket. "You don't have to worry, I'm here for you."
She gradually turned her head towards him and he in turn did the same. Caressing her face he pulled her in closer so that she wasn't facing the window anymore, but just him. Then, he bent down to catch her lips in his for the first time. She didn't resist, she was frozen for a few seconds before it registered in her body what actually was happening. Then to her amazement she began kissing him back, circling her arms around his neck, letting the blanket around her fall freely to the floor. But she was the one who suddenly pulled away.
"I...I can't," she said breathlessly. "I mean I want to...but I can't. I should go."
"Wait." He grabbed her wrist as she left his arms, "Will you be alright?"
She nodded without looking at him. "If there's anything you need Lou-Anne…"
"I know," she replied. The rain had stopped so there was no excuse for her to stay, no matter how much she wanted to. She looked back at Bruce one last time and gave him a reassuring smile, then left.
End flashback.
Bruce had sat back down behind his desk staring at the picture he left on the desk, tracing the outline of Lou-Anne's red hair.
"Kori…I think it was your father that killed her. I strongly believe he had something to do with it." Kori was already speechless from Bruce's story. Her mind couldn't comprehend all the facts. There was so much to process, so much to make sense of. Wait a minute, him and her mother were…
"My mother got killed over a fling?" Kori's voice had changed to a stern and somewhat cold tone.
"Kori I…"
"She came to you that night to ask for your help…"
"You don't understand…"
"…and you took advantage of her!"
"Kori."
"I can't imagine someone like you having any problems with dating. Why her Bruce? What was so special about her?" She had risen from her seat now and eyes were blazing in anger. "I can't believe you jeopardized her marriage for a fling!"
"It wasn't like that." Now Bruce rose with both fists on the table, looking at Kori with an intimidating stare.
"Then tell me! Tell me why! Tell me how you could let this happen!" She continued ranting showing no signs of stopping. Bruce had now come to stand just inches away from her.
"Why her? What could you have possibly felt for her?"
Kori continued shouting, she wasn't about to listen to reason, so he had to make her listen. He grabbed her by her shoulders and held her firmly. "Kori!"
Immediately she fell silent. "It wasn't like that Kori."
"So what was different about it then?" she replied in a deadly whisper.
He thought carefully about the next thing he would say to her. It wasn't that he wasn't sure of it, he hadn't been sure more of anything in his life, he just didn't know whether to tell Kori. "I..."
"You what?"
"I loved her."
Ta da! Did you like it then?
I have no idea about stock market stuff and all that jazz, so if there were any stock junkies here reading and thinking..."What the hell...?" Then I'm really sorry if my made up stock report doesn't make sense. Of course if you think I could do better then I'm ready to hear suggestions.
Remember, review for me. And if you want your name mentioned then all you have to do is give me feedback. I love reviews!