Love, Football, And Superheros - Your Average Highschool Story

Chapter Eight - The Beach

Sunday, September 7th 7:00 AM - Richard and Kori's house

Love this chapter. The first arche of the story is chapters 1 - 15, and this one is way up there on my fav list, along with chapters 2 and 14. Remember to review. 60 for another chapter.

Kori felt herslef being shook awake. She blinked open her eyes to find Richard sitting on her bed side. She smiled softly up at him and reached for his hand. "Hey there," he smiled down at her, once he saw she was awake.

"Greetings," she replied, stroking the top of his hand were her thumb.

"I figured since you woke me up yesterday I'd pay you back today, set my alarm clock and everything," he joked.

Kori giggled, and glanced at her alarm clock to find she slep over twelve hours. "I slep a long time," she commented.

"You did," Richard agreed. "I came up here to wake you up for dinner last night, but you were out cold. I thought about waking you then, but decided against it. We saved you a whole pizza by the way, that is if Vic hasn't ate it yet"

"I thank you, I was very tired yesterday," she responded.

"Well, I hope you regained your energy because today we're going to the beach. Taking a boat ride, having a bonfire, the whole deal," he informed.

Kori was so excited, she sat up so quickly that her covers fell off of her, exposing her breasts. "Oh, this shall be glorius," she exclaimed. "I have been wanting to go the bench since I moved here."

Richard didn't hear any of that. His eyes were wide, as he swallowed. "Ummm, Kor," he pointed to her exposed breasts.

Kori raised an eyebrow not realizing what he was pointing at until she looked down, to find her girls were on display. Smiling sheepishly she grabbed the corvers and coverd them. "My apologies, I got excited."

Richard's brain still wasn't fully fuctioning so he just nodded. He had seen plenty of naked women before, but Kori was differnt. She had an affect on him he couldn't quite explain, not to mention he'd been a saint since he had met her.

"Richard are you the okay? You do not appear well," she commented noticing his face was lacking some colour.

He shook his head vigourously. "Umm yeah. Fine, just ummm... hey, you found the necklace," he said, seeing the gold chain around her neck.

Kori looked down at her necklace and gripped it with her hand. She closed her eyes and a smile spread across her face as she remembered what it now stood for. "It is most beautiful, I love it," she said with multiple meanings.

Richard smiled. "I'm glad you like it, you look really beautiful with... well, you look beautiful all the time really," he said feeling a little nervous. Nightwing may not flinch in the face of danger, but Richard Grayson was scared to death by the way she made him feel.

Kori blushed and smiled softly. "I thank you. I shall never take it off."

"Good. Now, why don't you get up and get ready, while I make everyone some breakfast," he suggested.

"We are not going to the Huddle House?," she asked suprised, not to say she wasn't happy that they weren't. Richard almost never cooked breakfast, they always ate at the Huddle House.

"Nah, I thought I'd attempt to cook today," he replied, remembering Kori being mad at him after the incident yesterday. He definitely didn't want that again.

"Very well," she replied

Richard stood from the bed. "See you down stairs," he said before heading out of the room.

When Richard got down stairs, he glanced at his friends, who we're watching the news on the living room couch, before he headed into the kitchen and turned on the stove. After about twenty minutes of cooking, he heard footsteps approaching him. He turned to see Kori, walking toward, him wearing nothing but a purple bikini and her emerald necklace. "This is acceptable for the beach, yes?," Kori questioned, doing a quick spin, so he could see her from all angles.

Richard nodded as he took in her appearance. "Yep, I'd say so," he replied, pratically drooling.

Kori saw that he was starring and blushed. "Do I look the okay?," she asked, just to hear him say it.

"Yeah, alot better than okay," he complimented.

Kori beamed a smile. "I thank you."

"Anyway," he began, "breakfast is almost ready, why don't you go tell everyone to get ready so we can leave as soon as we eat."

Kori nodded. "I shall," she replied, before scampering out of the kitchen, and into the living room, where her friends sat on the couch. "Friends," she called, causing them all to turn to her. "Richard has instructed me to tell you to get ready so that me way leave upon the consumption of the breaking of fast."

"Yeah, yeah, tell Richie-rich we're on it," Vic replied.

Kori nodded before scampering off back to kitchen to help Richard set the plates out.


Sunday, September 7th 9:30 AM - Jump City beach.

Normal Pov

After breakfast the guys packed the coooler up with drinks and snacks, while the girls grabbed some towels and loads of sunblock for Raven. After everything was loaded into the two cars, they made there way to the beach. Richard smiled at Kori as he drove. She was absoulutely giddy, and asked how much longer it would take to to get there at least ten times. When they did arrive she was the first one out of the car. She gazed over the sandy shore and seemingly endless oncean in awe. Though it was early, the beach was already pretty packed. Alot of faces she reconized from school were there, most of whom were not yet in the water. While she was enamored is the sight of the beach, the boys were carrying the suplies down to a spot they deemed acceptable. After everyone was setteld, the fun began. Vic and Gar threw the football they had brought back and forth, while Kori and Bee made there way into the water, and Richard and Raven went for a walk down the shore. Kori had seen them walk off from the water, but it didn't concern her. Their relationship reminded her of the one she had with her brother, she knew there were no romantic feelings between them.

Raven and Richard eventually got tired of walking and took a seat on their towels, while everyone else continued to do their own thing. Raven noticed Richard watching Kori spalsh Bee in the water and smiled a little.

"You like her don't you?," she asked.

Richard glanced at her from out of the corner of his eye. "Yeah... alot actually."

"Then why aren't you together?," she continued.

"It's complicated. It's not really possible to be with someone unless they know everything about you, and I can't just be like, 'hey Kor, oh by the way I forgot to mention I'm Nightwing,'" he replied somewhat jokingly. "It just wouldn't be fair to her if we were together."

"No, what's not fair to her is that all she wants is to be with you, and you want let her, even though you want the same thing,' Raven said in a scolding tone.

Richard sighed. "I'm just trying to do what I think is right, and sometimes what's right isn't the same thing as what you want."

Raven frowned. "You're just stubborn."

He chuckled. "You're one to talk."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Raven dismissed.

"Oh, c'mon. You and Beast Boy are worse than me and Kori. At least we don't fight like and old married couple," Richard smirked.

"Me and Gar are just friends," she insisted.

"Right...," he teased.

"We are!," she exclaimed.

Richard held his hands up defensively. "Okay, if you say so."

Raven just frowned at him. Truth was she was begining to not even believe herself.

After awhile everyone returned to the towels for lunch. Kori sat down next to Richard, while the rest of the group sat about twenty yards away.
"Richard," Kori began as she swallowed a peice of her ham and musturd sandwhich. "What time are we doing the riding of the boat?," she asked.

"Right after lunch," he informed before taking a bite of his own sandwhich.

"Will we see whales?," she asked hopefully.

"Maybe, I...," he began before being interupted.

"Wow, funny running into you here," a female Voice called from behind them.

Both Kori and Richard turned to see Britney standing there in red bikinni. Richard tried not to look her over, while Kori glared at her.

"Umm, hey Britney, why aren't you at work?" Richard greeted a little uncomfortably.

"Off today, what are you guys doing here?," she asked cheerfully.

"We are about to do the riding of the boat together," Kori replied for him. She reached for his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his. He was hers, even if he didn't know it.

Britney glanced at their locked hands and frowned. She had picked up the vibe they were together yesterday, but this all but confirmed it. "Well, I guess I'll just see you in school Dick," she said with fake enthusiasm, before walking off.

Richard let out a sigh of reliefe as she left. He didn't need the drama today. "Well, that was... odd," he commented.

"I do not like her," Kori replied.

"Well, forget it about, we got whales to find," Richard proclaimed with dramatic enthusiasm, causing Kori to giggle.

"Yes, let us go," she agreed.

With the completion of lunch the group headed for the docks. Kori and and Richard walked hand in hand the whole way. She'd seen in movies that it was considerd romantic for couples to take walks on the beach hand in hand, so she was overjoyed they were doing something she knew earthen couples did. When they arrived at the docks Richard located the boat he'd rented for the little trip. It was very nice, and had more than enough space for the six of them. After informing the captain they were ready to set sail, him and kori headed to the front of the boat. Kori leaned against the rail, and Richard wrapped his arms around her waist causing her breath to hitch. It was moments like this, moments when it was just them and he held her tightly, and talked in a hushed tone into her ear, that made her fall in love with him. She just hoped he wouldn't break her heart, but that was something she'd worry about later. Now she was happy, and she wasn't about to let herself ruin that.

After about thrirty minutes Kori got what she had hoped for. A group of whales rose from the oncean, less that fifty yards from the boat.

"Richard look!," she exclaimed as she pointed.

He chuckled. "I see."

The whales stayed near the boat for almost two minutes before disapearing back under the water, much to Kori's displeasure. They rode in the boat for another two hours before returning to the docks. On the way back to the beach Richard looked over at Kori, who was happily strolling along beside him. "Well, did you have fun?," he asked.

"Yes, it most enjoyable. Thank you for taking me," she replied.

"Anything fo you," he smiled at her.

"Well, if you two are done with mushyness, someone needs to go to the store and get the stuff for the bonfire tonight," Gar exclaimed.

"Not me," Vic replied. "Me and Bee are going for a walk down the shore."

"I do not wish to go either," Kori added in. "I want to do the bathing in the sun."

"That's fine. Me, Gar, and Raven can handle it," Richard responded.

"Fine by me. I've had enough of this sun," Raven droned as they step back onto the sand.
"I don't know Rae, you could use a tan," Gar joked, earning a hard slap on the back of the head from Raven, which caused everyone to laugh.

"Well anyway, we'll be back in about thirty minutes," Richard informed.

"Very well, I shall see you then," Kori said, giving him a hug.

Richard hugged her back before releasing her and heading for his car with Raven and a still dazed Gar following.

Vic turned to Kori. "Alright little lady, we're bout to go for a walk. You're more than welcomed to come with us if you want," he offerd.

Kori smiled at his politness, but shook her head. "No, you may go on with out me, I am going to do the relaxing until Richard returns."

"Alright girl, if you need anything we'll be somewhere down by the shore," Bee informed.

Kori just nodded and smiled in response.

"See ya later Kor," Vic said as he and Bee walked off toward the water's edge.

"Have fun friends," Kori waved, before heading off to her towel. She placed the sunglasses Richard have given her over her eyes before laying back, and let the sun hit her skin. It didn't take long for her to lose track of time, as she relaxed her mind and body. She was only brought back to earth when she felt a hand run down her arm. She smiled, believing it to be Richard, but when she heard the person say, "hey cutie" in her ear, her eyes shot open, and she sat up quickly. She wasn't suprised to see that it was Xavier sitting there beside her. She instantly scooted away from him. "Xavier? What are you doing here?," she asked, not sounding to happy.

He chuckled a little. "The beach? It's hot outside, why wouldn't I be here?," he questioned retorically.

"That is not what I mean. Why are you here beside me?" she clarifed.

"I saw a friend. Is it crime to aproach someone you know in a public place?," he asked in almost an amused tone.

"We are not friends. You tried to come between me and Richard," She replied, the anger seaping through her voice.

"Look, I already told you at first that was my attention, but I'm trying to show you that I actually like you. Just give me one date," he requested.

"As I said before, Richard would not like that, and I am fairly certain neither would I," she reminded.

"You never know until you try," he coaxed.

"No, I know quite clearly, so please leave me alone before I retrieve Vic or Richard returns. I am certain neither would be to happy to see you," Kori threatened.

Xavier eyes narrowed. "Fine, but this isn't over," he warned, before standing and calmly walking off. Kori scoffed, not wanting anything more to do with the guy. Suddenly she felt arms grab her behind, causing her to jump. She was ready to throw a Tameranian strenghtend punch before she saw that it was Richard. "Did I scare you?," he asked teasingly into her ear.

"Yes, and it was not nice," she pouted.

Richard chuckled. "Well, I think this will make it up to you," he said handing her a bottle musturd.

She looked up at him smiling. "You are lucky you have this, otherwise I would be most upset with you."

Richard positoned himself so that he was sitting directy behind her, allowing to lean back against him. "Yeah, I am pretty lucky," he said with grin.

Kori blushed, and laid her head against his chest. She then noticed that none of the others were in sight. "Richard, where is everyone else?"

"Gar went to find Vic, so they could set up the bonfire and Raven's in the car still. She doesn't really like the beach," Richard replied.

"Oh, that is a shame. I found it to be most enjoyable," Kori said.

"She'll be okay once it cools down a little. You wanna go for a swim?," he offerd.

Kori turned so that she could see him. A beaming smile was on her face. "Yes, I have been waiting for you to get in the water all day," she exclaimed.

"Well, let's not keep you waiting any longer," Richard replied, standing and pulling her up with him. They walked hand in hand into the water, which was really warm at this time of day. When Kori had her back turned to him Richard smirked and dove under the water.

Kori turned around to see he was gone. She looked around, but he was no where in sight. "Where, did he goaaagh!," she squeled when she felt something grab her by the ankle. Suddenly whatever had her released her ankle, and Richard shot up directly in front of her, laughing.

"Richard, that was not funny," she scolded. "I believed I was being attacked by the shark of great whiteness."

Richard chuckled at how badly she messed up great white shark. The way she said things sometimes was beyond adorable. "I'm sorry, I mmm," he tried to apologise, but was stopped when she coverd his mouth with her hand.

"Do not try, you have scared me twice today. Musturd shall not be able to fix this," she said, before dropping her hands and turning away from him.

"Oh, c'mon Kor," he pleaded, unable to stop himself from smiling.

Her only response was to cross her arms over her chest, and look back at him so she could stick her tonge out at him.

Richard's smile turned into a devious smirk. "Okay fine, but not talking is a declaration of war," he playfully warned.

"I do not fear water," she retorted, believing he was going to splash her.

"I never said anything about water," he said placing a hand on each side of her, then leaning so that his mouth was touching her ear. "I know your really ticklish on your sides," he whispered.

Kori's eyes went wide. "Richard," she began warningly. "Do not..." It was to late. He began to tilkle her, before she could finish. She tried to escape him, but he was to quick. "Richard... no... please... I cannot... take it," she managed in between fits of laughter.

"Should of thought of that before you ignored me," he teased as he continued.

"I will... talk to... you."

"Promise?," he grinned.

"Yes," she squeled.

Richard holted his attack on her waist, but still held her tightly.

Even after he stopped, it still took Kori a minute to calm herself. When she finally did, she turned to face him. "I feel the need to remind I am aware of where you sleep," she said playfully.

Richard had a smug look on his face. "You're gonna sneak into my room at night?," he asked.

"Yes, I shall," she replied.

Richard was begining to have a very strong want inside of him. He could pratically feel the lust coursing through his veins at this point. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing," he said with a smirk.

Kori was suprised by not so much what he said, but how he said it. She could hear the seduction in his voice, and her body was responding to it. "Maybe it is not," she agreed softly. Their faces were now only an inch apart, and both had a haunger in their eyes. Their lips were almost brushing when Vic called from shore, "hey loverboy, come help set up the bonfire."

Richard suddenly realized what he was doing and backed away, much to Kori's frustration and displeasure. "I should go help them," Richard said, dropping his hands from her waist.

Kori sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, feeling somewhat hurt. "Very well."

Richard gave her a light smile before walking past her, off to help Vic and Gar.

Kori stayed in the comforting waters a little whie longer, but decided to head to shore when her fingers started to wrinkle. She took a seat on her towel, and drew her knees up to her to her chest. Bee noticed that she looked sad from her where stood by Vic, and decided to find out what was wrong, so she walked over at sat down beside her. "You okay Kor?," she asked.

Kori sighed. "Yes, Richard is just confusing me," she reponded, sounding somber.

"How?," Bee questioned.

"He comes so close to kissing me, but then it is like he changes his mind. I do not understand him," Kori explained.

Bee gave her a sad, yet understanding smile. "He's probally a little confused himself. You're the first girl I think he's ever really had feelings for."

"I just wish he would quit being so difficult," Kori repied.

Bee laughed. "All guys are like that, but you know what? I think I have an idea," Bee said with a smirk.

Kori became instantly curious. "What is this idea?"

"You'll just have to wait till the bonfire to see," she informed with a knowing smile, before getting up and walking back to Vic, leaving a very curious Kori behind.


Sunday, September 7th 6:30 PM - Jump City beach

Normal POV

After the bonfire had been set up, the group gatherd around it. The sun was beging to dim, and the sky was a mixture of blue and ornge. Richard had leaned back against a log, and pulled Kori down directly in front of him. She leaned the whole weight of her body back against him, while Vic started the fire, and Gar brought out the marshmellows and roasting sticks. Richard put a marshmellow on the end of the stick and roasted it before taking it off and fed it to Kori, who giggled at the gesture. Kori then roasted one and after it cooled enough, she took it off and reaching back, placed it into his mouth. Their friends, who sat on the opposite side of the fire, looked on at the public display of affection. "Dude they got it bad," Gar said in a hushed tone.

"You ain't kidding. There more mushy than me and you," he said, turning to look at Bee.

"I think there cute together," replied smiling. Suddenly the plan she had discussed with Kori earlier came back into her mind. A grin crossed her face. "Hey, how about we play truth or dare?," she questioned everyone.

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Truth or dare? We aren't kids." She glanced at Gar. "Well, most of us aren't Kids."

Gar completely ignored her. "I'm so in," he exclaimed.

"I'll play," Vic agreed.

"Okay," Richard nodded at Bee.

Kori squeezed Richard's hand to get his attention. "What is the Truth or dare?," she asked.

"It's a game. Basically we all take turns asking one person in the the group tuth or dare. If they say truth, you can ask them anything, and they have to answer truthfully. If they say dare, you can dare them to do anything, and they have to do it," he explained.

Kori giggled. "The games here are not named very creatively."

Richard chuckled. "I guess not. You wanna play?," he asked.

"Yes, it sounds most fun," she replied. In the back of her mind she wonderd if this had something to do with plan Bee had mentioned earlier.

Raven just sighed in defeate. "Whatever."

"Alright, everyone's in. Who wants to go first?" Bee asked excitedly.

"I will," Vic replied. He then looked over each one of his friends, before stopping on Gar. A grin crossed his face. "Grass Stain," he pointed.

"Dare," Gar proclaimed fearlessly.

Vic's grin widend. "Strip naked and run down the beach."

Gar's eyes widend. "But dude, people are still here," he protested.

Vic shrugged. "Oh well, you know the rules."

Gar sighed as he stood, and stripped right there in front of everyone. Vic and Bee almost fell off the log they were sitting on, Raven's eyes went wide, and Richard shut his tightly, and coverd Kori's with his hand. She really wasn't botherd by it. Nakedness still wasn't a big deal to her. "Dude, I didn't mean strip in front of us," Vic complained, as he sheilded his eyes.

"Should have been more specific," Gar shrugged, before taking off into a dead sprint down the beach, earning a mixture of screams, laughs, and whistles from the beach's ocupants. He returned around twenty seconds later out of breath, and quickly put back on his swim shorts. "Alright, my turn," he said, as he plopped down on his log. He instantly looked at Vic, before glancing at Bee. A michevious smirk crossed his face. "Bee."

She gulped. "Ummm... dare," she replied, not sounding to sure.

"I dare you to...," he paused as he looked around the beach. His eyes eventually setteld on a guy sitting down in the sand a short distance away. "Kiss that guy," he pointed.

Bee followed his finger to find the guy he was talking about. She then glanced back at Vic, who looked like he was ready to stangle Gar. Bee flashed a sheepish smile before she stood and walked over to the guy, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, before scampering back to the group, leaving him very very confused.

"I ment on the lips," Gar complained.

"Should of been more specific," she shrugged, using Gars words against him.

Vic smiled proudly. "That's my girl," he said, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Bee smiled devilishly. "My turn," she stated, before looking directly at Richard. It was time to get her plan under way. "Richard."

"Dare," he replied without hesitation.

Bee smirked. She knew he would be to proud to chose truth. "I dare you to kiss Kori, and it has to be on the lips for atleast thirty seconds." There would be no finding away out of this.

Richard and Kori's jaws both dropped. "What?," he asked, making sure he heard her right.

"You heard me, get to kissing," she demanded.

Kori turned so that she was facing Richard. Their eyes locked instantly. Both appeared a little stunned. "Ummm hey," he said, but then mentally slapped himself. How could he have been so smooth earlier, and now they best thing he could come up with was 'ummm hey.'

She swallowed nervously. "Greetings."

Their lips gravitated closer to each others, and their friends began to watch like it was the last kiss in the final scene of a movie. "I'm gonna kiss you now," he whisperd.

Kori brushed her hair behind her ears, and replied in the same tone. "Okay." Right as her eyes closed their lips met. Everything around them just faded into nothingness, and it was only them. Some people feel fireworks when they kiss, but this was more like a nuclear bomb going off. Richard ran his hands down her side, and her hands made their way into to Richard's hair. He pulled on her, and she raised herself so that she was sitting in his lap. She felt his tounge slide against her lips, and she opend her mouth to allow him entrance. Their tounges began to wrestle for dominance, as the kissing and the touches became more heated. She pulled his hair and bit his bottom lip, and he gripped her sides tightly as his hips thrusted foward, sending surges of pleasure through both of their bodys.

Their friends glanced at each other, before Vic spoke up. "Umm, guys it's been way over thirty second."

"Yeah, you can quit now," Gar added.

Neither of them responded.

"See what did!," Gar complained. "Now we got a porno going on in the middle of the beach."

Bee gave a nervous laugh. She hadn't expected this.

After about five minutes the others just walked off, aware that they weren't quiting anytime soon. After a solid twenty minutes, numb lips and the need for air forced them to break away. Their eyes still didn't leave each others after they parted. "Wow," Richard breathed.

A smile crossed Kori's face. "Wow, indeed," she agreed. "My lips feel very tingly," she added, rubbing her fingers across them.

"Mine to," he replied.

"Richard?," she asked.

"Yeah?," he questioned

"I like this game very much," she grinned.

A smile crossed his face and he leaned in so that their lips were touching. "Then let's play more," he teased seductively.

Kori was becoming very aroused at this point. "Fine, do you wish for the truth or the dare?" she asked, matching his tone.

"Dare," he whispered as he rubbed his lips up and down against hers.

"Kiss me," She dared.

"My pleasure," he replied taking her lips in his own once again.

After another makeout session, the sun was begining to sink below the horizon, and everyone dicided it was time to leave. As they guys packed up the suplies they had brought and put out the fire, the girls talked off to themselves.

"Well girl, it looks like you're official," Bee comented.

"Offical?," Kori repeated.

"Yeah, it means you're Richards girlfriend now," Bee explained.

Kori's eyes widend and a huge smile spread across her face. "Truly?"

"Yeah, I think the hour long make out session made that pretty clear," Bee replied.

Kori was on cloud nine at the moment, and nothing could bring her down. She wanted to fly so badly, but that probally wouldn't be a good idea. "Oh, this is glorius," she said dreamily.

Bee laughed. "Now, next up on the couples train we have Garfield Logan and Raven Roth," she teased.

Raven rolled her eyes. "Not happening," she replied before walking off toward the cars, leaving Bee and Kori to laugh.

Sunday, September 7th 8:30 PM - Richard and Kori's house

After all the supplies from the day were packed away, Richard and Kori said goodbye to their friends. The whole way home both had goofy grins on their faces. Kori wanted to ask Richard if she was his girlfriend, but she thought it best to leave it alone for now. When they enterd the house, Richard walked her upstairs to her bedroom door, where they stopped, as if he were dropping her off after there first date.

"Today was most enjoyable," she said as he leaned back against the wall beside her door.

"This is usually the part of the night where I say it doesn't have to end, but I'll settle for a goodnight kiss," he half joked.

Kori smiled softly, as she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. Richard smiled as she broke away. "Goodnight Kori."

"Pleasent dreams Richard," she replied as she stepped inside his door, and closed it softly behind her.

Richard grinned ear to ear as he headed into his room. He knew didn't have to patrol tonight, he rarely did on Sundays, so he headed straight for the closet to grab some pajama pants, then straight to the shower. As the water hit his back, he thought of only one thing, the only thing that matterd at the moment. Kori. 'God, she's so amazing. I never felt this way before.' A sudden realization struck him at his core. 'I think I... I think I might be in love with her,'

His Heart began to beat quickly, and he felt his knees grow week. He couldn't love her, it wasn't fair to her. He would never be able to give himself completely to her. She deserved better than that, better than him. And what if Slade, or worse, The Joker ever found out who he was? She'd be the first person they'd target. It would be hard losing her, but it would kill him if it was his fault. He wouldn't allow himself to feel this way, he couldn't. Starting now he'd have to build his walls up around her, no matter how much he didn't want to, no matter how much it hurt,... no matter how much he loved her.