Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Teen Titans.
Xavier
He hadn't expected to do this tonight, but what was the point of prolonging it. Things weren't going to get better between them, and he knew this was the right thing to do. Instead of joining Ryan back at the dorm after his workout, he got back into his car and drove. He didn't have any particular destination in mind, but he knew he was in need of a phone. He was going to call her tonight and explain himself.
He strummed his fingers on the steering wheel, scouring the streets for the nearest payphone he could find. Despite Jump City being one of the larger cities in the area, it had been ten minutes until he saw a phone booth that by then, he didn't mind so much its dilapidated state. He pulled up beside it and turned off the engine. Xavier lit up another cigarette as he entered the old phone booth and placed a call to her, not bothering to slide the partition for privacy because he wouldn't there be long, he thought.
He blew out a puff of smoke, waiting for her to pick up the line. He could only imagine what she would say. "Hello?" came a weak voice, sounding a bit annoyed as if she had been woken from bed.
"Hey, Babs. It's Xavier."
"I know it's you," she said, her voice now clearer. "What's wrong? It's almost...10:30 at night."
"Listen, is there any way I can see you now?"
"Xavier," she groaned, "you're so insatiable. Isn't enough ever enough? I'm tired and I don't feel like doing anything tonight."
He resisted the urge to scoff at her, and her implications. Yes, he was aware of his high level of sexual activity, but when did that become such a bad thing? "Thanks, but that's not what I'm calling about."
"It's not?" she questioned, surprised. "Well, then what is it because I have a long day tomorrow. I don't have time to go back out."
"Are you sure you can't come out? I'd rather you did."
"I said no. I need to get up early tomorrow. Helena and I are going apartment hunting."
He flicked the remainder of his cigarette to the ground. "Fine, but I really didn't want to do it like this."
"Do what?"
Breaking up with a fling was usually an easy thing for him. But Babs wasn't just a fling, and she was a nice enough person...most of the time. But he said, "I want you to understand that, what we had," he paused, "…it was fun while it lasted."
"Had?" she echoed. "Xavier, you're losing me. What do you mean?"
"I don't really know the best way to say this but-"
"Oh. My. God," she started, already knowing exactly where this conversation was heading. "You're breaking up with me?"
"Let me explain-"
"And you're doing it over the phone!" Her cursed tone showed no degree of wanting to hear his explanations.
"That's why I wanted to see you. To do this in person."
"Why? Just so you can humiliate me even further?"
"That's not what I'm trying to do." He sighed after hearing what seemed like the beginning of a sob come through the other end. He hated the sound of a woman's cry, even more so now because he was the cause of it. "Don't consider this as us breaking up, Babs."
"How else am I supposed to consider it?"
"A chance for you to find a guy who is more suitable for you. Because let's be honest, it ain't me."
"How can you say that to me?" Her cries came louder.
"Come on, doll. We're driving each other crazy. I'm stressed out, you're not happy." He sighed, thinking back to the kind of man Dick was, or least appeared to be from the moment he met him. Someone with class and a fine upbringing, he was exactly what Babs needed. Not some unpolished guy from a broken home whose only ticket to a better life was knocking the hell out of people. "Let's face facts. I could never be the kind of guy you needed."
Babs's sobbing ceased long enough to say, "But I care a lot about you."
His body tensed. Why was she making this so hard? Xavier ran a hand through his fuzz of black hair, frustration and anger mixing with his words. "Well, maybe you shouldn't."
"What? You're saying I shouldn't care about you? Why would you say that? What is wrong with you!"
"What's wrong with me? I'm sick. I'm sick of you always telling me what to do and how to do it. You talk down to me like a fucking two year old," he snapped, his choler getting the best of him. "I'm not Dick, ok. I do what I want, when I want. No one is going to change that."
"Dick?" she wondered, confused. "What do you mean? I wasn't trying to change you."
"Yes you were."
"I can't believe your actually saying this?" she hissed, her temperament changing. "Who do you think you are that you feel you can treat me this way?"
He used his free hand to pinch his forehead. "Babs, lets not go into the dramatics."
"After everything I did for you. To be with you, and you want to leave me?" Her voice grew to a shout, but she stopped herself for a moment. "It's for her, isn't it? The girl from the party. Kory," she laced her voice with venom. "This is why you're breaking up with me."
"Leave her out of this. She has nothing to do with this."
"Don't lie to me!"
Xavier had to tear the phone away from his ear at her outburst. "Calm down, alright," he said, not caring for her tone. "I'm not lying to you."
At this point she was sobbing again. "I thought," she sniffled, "...I thought what we shared was special. That's what you told me."
He knew he couldn't continue this conversation any longer. He needed to make her angry enough that she'd never want to see him again, and that would be that. He breathed hard, not wanting to used the clichéd, "What we shared was just sex, Babs. That's all it was."
There was a gasp, then an eerie silence but Xavier knew not to respond. "You selfish, insensitive bastard!" she seethed with pure hatred. "And to think I left someone as great as Dick for you!"
"Didn't seem like you cared too much at the time, considering you never even told me you had a boyfriend."
He could hear sounds of her crying. Her feelings were hurt and he stared down to the ground. All he wanted was to end the call but he knew he had to handle ending things permanently. "I'm sorry to have to do it like this. It wasn't my intention to hurt you."
"Please, Xavier. Can't we try and talk about this," she pleaded. "Don't you care about me, about us at all?" she tried reasoning, quite unlike herself. If anything, Xavier had a hard time believing this was the same woman he'd been seeing the last couple of months.
"I want you to be happy, but I'm not the guy who's going to do that for you."
"We are not over." Her tone changed again, more demanding. "It's not fair. You think you can hurt me like this but you can't. I won't let you. You owe too much."
"Sweetheart, I don't owe you anything. And quite frankly, I'm done arguing with you. So this ends tonight."
"No! Wait! Xav-" but at those last words, he replaced the phone back into its base.
Dick + Kory
Dick parked his Tahoe at a curb still a block away from the pizzeria, mainly because traffic was merciless this time of night, opting to walk the rest of the way. During their walk he saw as she shivered gently, hugging herself to fight off the cool front had gradually made its way up from the north to downtown Gotham, and offered his suit jacket.
There were a sea of people still out this evening, but they paid no mind. The two continued down the concrete sidewalk, only stopping to occasionally window shop when something of interest caught their attention. She turned her head when they passed a familiar store. Though Kory had never bothered entering before, she always made an attempt to gaze at their displays, all while trying to avoid having a raised brow directed at her from a supercilious store attendant. They always have the most beautiful jewelry, she thought.
This time something had truly caught her attention. "Whoa!" Kory pressed her hands against the glass of the jewelry store, getting a closer look at a golden necklace set on a velvety necklace bust. Linked with it was a pendant in the form of a pair of ballet slippers, and at the center of each vamp stood a single red ruby stone. "Now that's a necklace!"
Dick joined her by the window, "You like it?" he asked.
"They're pointe shoes."
"Oh, that's right. You dance ballet," he stated, remembering Xavier's response from earlier.
She moved away from the glass with a smile. "And hoping to make a future from it," she said, bringing up both hands and crossing her fingers for luck.
"How long have you been studying?"
"Since I was seven."
Dick whistled, "That long."
"Well, I've been taking classes for awhile but I'm in the process of getting a professional trainer. Then off to an academy after high school."
Dick felt a sad impression twitch within but it had left him almost as fast as it came, though he couldn't explain why. Then he realized that it was perhaps because he now knew their friendship was finite. "Seems like you have everything planned out."
Kory was about to open her mouth to reply until a pair of booming voices caused her to look over her shoulder, her ears perking at the noise. Her eyes fell upon a nearby alfresco pizzeria not twenty feet away and the two men who engaged in a zealous chit-chat. She turned back to Dick, who held the most discomfited face he could summon. With a great smile, Kory asked, "That's them, isn't it?" He nodded and she gave a soft pull to his dress shirt before they made their way over to them.
The grappling men at the table did little to prevent pedestrians from sending them their own looks of disapproval. However, their only focus at the moment was the last slice of pizza that remained on the tray.
"I said it's mine, you butt plug!" Vic shouted, rendering his friend in a headlock .
Wally tried squirming out of his grasp. "No way! You got the last slice the last time!"
"You want it so much?! Fine! I'm gonna stuff it up your-"
Dick stopped walking, in turn making Kory bump into him. "Alright. There. You've seen them. Now let's go back." He held her elbow, trying to turn her back around.
Laughing joyfully, she refused. "No, Dick!" She had to lug at him to keep him from making a beeline for the nearest building. "I want to meet them."
"Kory, we still have a chance. They haven't seen us yet," he advised, trying his best to make his way the opposite direction, but her grip on him remained firm.
"Will you stop? I'm sure they're not as bad as you're making them." As they approached closer, the duo's bickering had rocketed to a clamorous war of words.
"Oh yeah," Vic laughed. "I can definitely see Jinn falling for an idiot like you!" He extended his arm up and away, holding the pizza at a distance from Wally's reach.
"Hey, if she dated your dumb butt, then she'll definitely like me!" he proclaimed, making a mad dash for the slice. Vic ceased and sat calmly, grinning widely. Wally opened then shut his mouth as he caught on, understanding his error in words. "Wait…that didn't come out right."
"See," he taunted, "even you agree you're an idiot."
Back and forth through their rants, they failed to notice an irritated Dick and the stunning redhead chuckling behind him, who was enjoying the show. After clearing his throat, they jumped out of their seats and turned, not expecting their best friend to have arrived so soon.
"Dick!" Wally announced.
"What's up, guys?"
"Not much. Just-" Then it got quiet.
Dick's face grew hot when he viewed his friends' eyes lock onto his cut. "Damn! What happened to you?"
Kory bit her lip guiltily. Even if it wasn't her fault, she felt partly to blame for Xavier's behavior.
"Guys, it's nothing." He touched his lip again, "Just a stupid accident."
"You sure?" Vic asked, both men wearing slightly skeptical expressions.
"Yeah." He waved off their worries like it was nothing. "Everything's cool."
Vic shrugged knowing they weren't going to get much more information out of him. "If you say so, Dick," then sprang his gaze on Kory, finally taking in her image despite how long she'd stood by Dick. "Hello," he drew out the word. "Yo, Dick, when you said she was hot-"
"…you didn't say diabolical, man," finished Wally.
Dick's face fell and his eyes deadpanned. There it was. The embarrassment. This must have been one of their personal records, too. A nervous sweat drop emerged on Dick's forehead, along with the reddening of his face when he felt Kory nudge his shoulder. Her lips curled upwards, "You said I was hot?"
He swallowed down a ball of nervousness. "They're only kidding." He smiled sheepishly, but flared his eyes at the two after she looked away. Note to self. Kill Wally and Vic very, very gruesomely. Wally cleared his throat, ready for their introductions.
"Kory, these buffoons are Vic Stone," who waved, "and Wally West."
Wally greeted, "Hey."
"Guys, this is Kory Anders. She's the-" but that was all Vic needed to hear as his eyes broadened, doing a double take at the mention of her name, eliciting a surprised gasp.
"Anders?Kory Anders?"
"Yes," Dick and Kory both said in unison. "Have we met before?" she added.
"Kory Anders, sister to Ryan Ian Anders. Jump City University's all-star offensive running back who scored a total of 1855 rushing yards this year, winner of the End Zone Award, the 2006 Athlete of the Year Award, the Best Offensive Player of the Year Award who assisted in J.C.U.'s 26-1-1 all-time record, and soon to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame." He panted for the lack of air. "You mean, that Ryan Anders?"
"I see someone's done their homework."
"Boo-ya!" He fisted his hand into the air. "Your brother's my idol! The best running back in college football today! I've followed his career all through high school and college. He's the next big thing out of the NCAA." He got out of his seat and moved towards her, "And here I am in the middle of Gotham Square talking to his sister!" He squealed like a fanboy.
"Wow, Vic. Stalker much?" Wally turned to Kory. "This guy has an unhealthy obsession with your brother and -argh!" He cursed under his breath at the pain he received from Vic's head slap.
"Listen, rock for brains. It's not an obsession. I'm taking notes. Learning the techniques and executions."
"Let me tell you something, hun. To you, he's the God of Football," Kory put her hands on her hip, "but to me, he'll always be the bratty brother who used to barge into my room whenever he wanted, read my diary, and feed all my Barbies to his pet iguana. That is the Ryan Anders I know."
The football fanatic laughed at his idol's mischief. He etched closer to her, a slight glimmer of hope in his chestnut eyes. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any of his old jerseys-"
"Ok," Dick intercepted with a hand, pushing Vic away. "Why don't we let her sit down, guys," he indicated to the patio table. She thanked Wally as he pulled up a chair for her.
Twenty minutes had passed since their introduction and the four sat around the table talking about nothing and everything all at once. Dick was only too amused by his friends' faces when they realized Kory was still in high school. Apparently he wasn't alone in thinking how mature she looked for seventeen.
Dick remained relaxed in his chair as he sipped his tea. His nervousness had died down after about the first ten minutes of their meeting. So what if Vic's occasional burps grew louder by the minute, or if Wally's jokes weren't in the best of tastes. Kory didn't seem to mind. In fact, for the past two minutes she had failed to even look at Dick.
With her arms crossed as she rested them on the table, she leaned in further, listening attentively as Vic dished on about Dick's incident at the Motocross Madness. Yes, the very story they had "promised" not to reveal to her in the first place. He wasn't partaking in the discussion much, mainly just seesawing his gaze between his friends and her. Though he had to admit, she captured most of his attention. It wasn't until the loud bursts of laughter at the end of the anecdote that he drew away from his thoughts. He shook his head, "What?" It was like he had just realized his surroundings.
Kory turned to Dick, looking downwards. "So commando, huh?"
For some reason, Dick didn't mind so much sharing his embarrassing moment with her, nor did he mind her enticing stare. "Not anymore. I've learned my lesson."
"Shoot!" she pumped her hand playfully. She turned back to him fascinated. "You never told me you motocrossed, Dick."
"It's just a hobby of mine."
"Are you kidding? This guy's a pro." Wally informed with a point of his finger. "Have you seen his collection of bikes?"
"It's really not a big deal."
"You should really check out one of his races, Kory." Dick jerked his head to Vic, knowing exactly what he was trying to do. Vic smirked, "When is the next time you'll be racing again, Dickie?"
"Hey, I'd love to watch you race," she said. "Of course, that's assuming you won't choke this time."
He raised a brow, leaning forward. "Oh, that was funny to you, was it?" She nodded, taunting him. "I'll show you choking," he joked, raising from his seat to grab at Kory's neck in mock strangulation. She laughed, gently pushing him away.
"Dick, no!" Kory giggled louder as he moved in closer around her neck. "I'll do it," she threatened, bringing up her hand with her fingers ready to attack his perfected hair, which only made him more persistent. "Ok, I warned you." She ran her fingers through his hair, disheveling it into a midnight mess.
At this point Dick held one of the biggest smiles they'd ever seen, causing Wally and Vic to exchange a look as well as a knowing grin while watching the pair off in what appeared to be their own little world. Wally elbowed Vic, to which he mouthed an, "I know."
Amid their laughs, Dick heard his cell go off and slowly stopped their horseplay. He was reluctant to answer it, not wanting to ruin their fun, but he did. Looking at the ID, he widened his deep blues not expecting to have received a call from her so soon.
He flipped open his phone, answering. "Hello." After stealing a glance from Kory, who began to compose herself, he shifted around in his chair uncomfortably. "What's wrong, Babs?" Just the mention of her name, and the table held in their breaths. Gazes fluctuated between the other three when Dick rose from his seat again. "Don't worry. No, I'm here for you." He looked away when he caught sight of the disapproving stares delivered to him by his friends. "Look, hold on a second." He covered his phone, "If you don't mind, I'm gonna have to take this call." He removed himself from the group and wandered off to a secluded area nearby.
She sighed, watching his back as he left, shaking her head. "Even miles away, she still manages to make an appearance." She looked back to the guys. "Houdini's got nothing on her," she joked, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Vic puckered his lips. "She's a master illusionist all right. Always making Dick believe things are there when they aren't." He looked around Kory to see Dick pacing with worry. "Wonder what's wrong with her this time."
"Who knows," Wally shrugged. "Maybe her broomstick is in the shop and she needs him to drive her somewhere."
Kory resisted the urge to laugh. "No, guys. Maybe we're being just a little too hard on her."
"Not a chance," Wally said. "After all the crap we took from her, she deserves the treatment she gets from us. Trust me."
"I just don't approve of the way she treats him," Vic suggested, then thumbed towards Wally. "You don't like her because she's always calling Jinn a jinx."
"Shut up, Vic. That's not why."
Kory looked over to where Dick paced. She knew. She just knew. He was falling back into their old pattern and the idea sent her nerves racing. Turning away, she placed her hand under her chin, focusing on the two men who sat opposite her. "So Wally," she asked as she wiggled her eyebrows at him, "…who's Jinn?"
Wally couldn't help but rub the back of his neck nervously. "Oh, just a friend." There was a slight crack in his voice.
"Just a friend? I don't know. She sounds too tasty to be…just a friend."
"Well, she…um..." He cleared his throat and took a hold of his glass, stuttering, "I think I need a refill." He raised himself off the chair and began heading back into the pizzeria.
"Hey, get me one too, will you?" Vic handed his glass to him.
"What? Get it yourself, lazy fart." The ebony hulk growled which sent the redhead into a mad dash inside the parlor.
"Why you little-" but paused, turning to Kory, "excuse me, will ya?" and began the chase after him. "Come 'ere. I'll show you lazy!"
Kory laughed at their never ending battle for the world's biggest goofball. What an opportune moment it was for Dick to return from his call, seeing that she was alone. He was glad the two were absent for the moment as he had been striving for some time with her.
There was a modest grin on his face, but she knew better. Something was wrong. He scooted out his chair to sit down beside her. "Sorry that took awhile."
"No problem. You're friends are great company, Dick. And they're hilarious."
"Maybe, but they sure do lack in the maturity department."
"They are not that bad. Besides, I babysit my neighbor's kids all the time and," she gawked towards the inside of the parlor before leaning in closer to Dick, "ok, so they're not that much different, but you couldn't have asked for better friends. They really care about you."
"They really do, don't they?"
Since his return, she waited for him to tell her something, anything about the phone call. Her green eyes had tried skimming through his thoughts, hoping for any news on why Babs would have called him. So far she was coming up blank. It wasn't like she was trying to pry but she did worry about his ex-girlfriend's questionable behavior. However, it was pretty clear Dick wasn't too eager to discuss it. So she took the initiative. "So Babs called, huh?"
"Yeah." His answer was terse as he looked to the ground.
She leaned forward anxiously. "Everything alright?"
"Actually, no. She was distressed."
"Why?" She raised her glass of water for a sip.
He remained hesitant at first but spoke. "She and Xavier just broke up." He concentrated his sight over to her, wishing to see her expression at the news. It was her reaction. He needed to see her reaction.
Her shock almost made her choke back on her beverage. "They did?" She coughed, regaining the ability to speak. "Did she say why?"
It wasn't the reaction he'd hoped for but he continued. "She didn't mention why. She was too upset. But from what I gather, she broke it off."
"What did you say to her?"
"Only that I was here if she needed me. You know, the kind of sympathy you normally give a friend after a breakup." He waited a couple of seconds before telling her, "She wanted me to come over."
This caught her by surprise. "Are you?"
"I said if I had enough time tonight," he mumbled, "I might." He spoke so low that Kory had to perk an ear forward to catch it.
"Of course," she nodded, moving her side-swept bangs away from her eyes. "What kind of knight in shining armor would you be if you didn't," she uttered.
Yet it seemed he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to have heard her. "It's happening sooner than I thought, Kory."
"But that's good, isn't it?" She hugged herself tighter with his jacket. "Not long before you two are together again."
He breathed out roughly through his nose. "Together again," he said more to himself, than to her. He seemed distracted, lost even.
"Gorgeous, are you-" but the tune to Kory's cell began playing, causing her to move hastily to retrieve it before it stopped. "What is this? Now we're playing musical phones?" Just in time, she answered. "You got me." A smile came to her face. "Hey babe, I've missed you," she squealed with delight.
Babe? This caused Dick's head to turn to the phone call in question, wondering who on Earth she was talking to.
"What? Terra, are you sure?"
He relaxed. Ok, so maybe it wasn't right of him to feel at ease knowing that she was, indeed, talking to another female, but that didn't stop him from blowing a sigh of relief. And it was this particular behavior that had him worried. This was just more confusion he didn't need at the moment. He ran a hand of frustration through his messy hair as his body began to grow hot. Why was he feeling this way? He looked to Kory as she conversed on her cell, and wondered if she was dealing with the same problem? She did kiss him, too, after all?
"No. Hang there, Terra." Kory rose from her seat. "I'll pick you up. Love you."
Dick saw the worry on her face after she hung up. "Is everything alright?" He rose from his seat to escort her.
"I'm not sure. My friend needs me to pick her up from work." She reached for her clutch bag. "She thinks someone might be trying to scare her."
"I can drive you to pick her up if you'd like. You can never be too careful around Gotham."
"Oh, no, honey," she waved off. "That won't be necessary. Besides, I think I've already taken up a lot of your time tonight. If you could just drop me off at home, I need to pick up my car."
She looked behind him to see Vic and Wally returning with foam cups in hand. "Yo, what's going on?" Vic asked, noting the couple raised out of their seats.
"Well, boys," she pouted with sad eyes and a frown, "it's been a blast meeting you two but I have to cut our pow-wow short."
"Aw man, your leaving?" Wally whined. "But we were just getting started."
"What can I say," she shrugged, "everyone wants me," Kory kidded. She walked towards Wally and embraced him into a friendly hug. He was taken back by her openness at first but gladly hugged her just the same. "Hopefully we can do this again sometime." She turned back to Dick as if waiting for a confirmation.
She then moved to Vic, "And you, big guy," she jabbed at his chest, "if you promise to lay off Wally here, maybe I'll ask Ryan if he can pay his biggest aficionado a visit."
With an explosive grin, he said, "Now that's what I'm talking about, little lady." Vic picked her up for his hug as she was too short to reach him herself. Piping happily from her facetious lift, she kissed his cheek.
Dick looked on, and a smile graced his lips at their goodbyes. He couldn't deny that deep inside, and really somewhere deep, he secretly wished that, if even for a split second, this was not going to end, and that she was, in fact, his. Yet, he hated himself for thinking it because he loved Babs. So why was he being plagued with thoughts for this girl? Feelings for someone he knew he would never be lucky enough to have? Why? Because girls like Kory didn't want guys like Dick, as Xavier had been more than happy to remind him.
After Vic brought the redhead back down, she turned to gaze at Dick who shook his head playfully, grinning. She leaned into Vic, whispering. "Keep him safe, Vic. It won't be long until they're back on. You know that." They turned around again, watching as Dick ushered for them to go. "And he doesn't deserve to get hurt again."
Vic nodded, aware of her concern for his best friend. She didn't know how long she would have with him until he returned back to Babs but at least she wanted to know he'd be in safe hands.
Kory relaxed her head against the comfortable headrest, glancing out the window. The images outside slowly transformed into a blur of abstract art, much like one of Koma's paintings. It had been a long day for her, and she turned her head lazily to peek at Dick, who remained focused on the traffic up ahead, realizing it wasn't long enough.
She maneuvered herself out of Dick's jacket when the heater began doing too good of a job, and placed it atop her lap. There was a calm silence except for the rock music that played on the CD player. It was then that her cell rang again from within her purse. Shuffling around, she retrieved it, worried that it might have been Terra wondering on her whereabouts. "You got me," she answered quickly, ready to give her location.
"I need to talk to you," came a deep but almost spectral voice, sending a light beam to her lips. It was almost as if her anger towards him had vanished. She side-glanced to Dick, then spoke as low as she could.
"So talk away."
"No. Face to face. Tonight," he responded with a sense of assertiveness in his tone. To anyone else, he might have appeared demanding but to Kory, it was just something she'd come to expect from him. His straightforwardness was something she couldn't ignore, unlike other suitors who tried to yield her and failed miserably. Yet with Xavier, she just couldn't help herself around him. "Can you be there?"
She fooled with her bangs somehow hoping they would manage to cover the guilt on her face. "I'm not sure." She glimpsed to Dick, wondering just how suspicious she must have appeared. But it seemed as if his attention still remained on the road. Perhaps he wasn't one to eavesdrop.
"It's important, babe." She remembered about his breakup with Babs, and felt maybe he needed some consoling.
"Fine. But I'm picking up Terra from work first. Then later. I'll meet you...there."
"The beach then."
Kory nodded.
"I'll be waiting for you. All night if I have to."
Nodding, and without saying goodbye, she hung up her phone. She put it away just as Dick boldly spoke up.
"Don't tell me. It's the famous Xavier you'll be meeting tonight." There was hint of resentment in his voice, though she thought nothing of it at the time. After all, Dick was within good reason to be mad with him.
"He's upset about the breakup, and just needs someone to talk to right now," she said as if it was no big deal.
"I bet he does," Dick replied cheekily, topping it off with an irate nod of his head.
She tilted her head and sent him a flying glare. "What's that supposed to mean?" She waited for an answer.
"It means he and Babs just called it quits, and now he's all ready to use you, too."
"Hold on, Dick." Kory laughed at the thought, "Xavier is not using me."
"You're right, Kory." His grip on the steering wheel tightened more with every word. "I'm wrong. He's not going to use you." He glowered straight ahead, hating the feeling of just how dominant his jealousy was over him. How was it that this girl, a girl he just met a few days ago, could leave him up in arms faster than a speeding bullet to the head? "He is, after all, such a swell guy."
"Dick…" she tried to reason with him.
"I mean, how could I be so stupid to believe someone like Xavier could ever use or intentionally hurt anyone?" He stuck out his tongue, traveling it over his dark cut, tasting the dried blood for emphasis of his point. He looked to her again, guilt written over her face. This girl, a fixation he couldn't understand no matter how hard he tried. Why could it be that no other girl he had ever come across could turn him inside out quite the way she had.
She turned in her seat and stared directly at him. "Why does it bother you so much, Dick? I mean, you're so in love with Babs, right?" she asked, drawing out on one particular word. "This would get Xavier out of your way. So the way I see it, it's basically a good thing." She waited for a simple reply but received only silence. "Isn't it?"
Dick rubbed his forehead, but was still as quiet as ever.
The firm look he held only confused her more. "Dick? …are you mad at me?" She used her fingers to touch his chin so he could face her. She wanted to stare into his eyes, hoping he'd answer her. "Dick? Talk to me."
He jerked his head away from her, still angry it appeared. Amidst her confusion, she failed to notice the vehicle come to a slow stop. "We're here," he said finally, not looking at her.
Kory looked out the window to see they had just arrived at her house. Parked in the driveway, she remained still in her seat.
"Aren't you going to get out?" His gruff demeanor was unintentional and he wanted to slap himself for it. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, but he couldn't stop himself.
She shook her head defiantly. "Not with you mad at me like this."
He pinched the crook of his nose, sighing. "Kory, you have somewhere to be and so do I."
She stirred in her seat, not believing what she had just heard him say. She narrowed her eyes, "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess we can't keep dream girl waiting now, can we? Heaven forbid what tongue-lashing she's going to give you if you're late." She reached for the door handle and exited his car, placing his jacket back into the Tahoe. Holding the door ajar, she decided to let him know something else. "But I'm sure you've become accustomed to her blame game by now, huh Dick?"
The sound of the door slamming shut beckoned him out of his coma of antipathy, as did her words. They were brutal but more importantly, they were true. And worst of all, Kory was mad at him.
He watched her storm up the pathway to her front door and enter her home. She hadn't bothered to look back at him, not that he could blame her. Light emitted through a window near the door, and he guessed it was from a lamp in the living room.
He took his tuxedo jacket from the passenger seat where she had left it, bringing it closer to him. Her fragrance lingered on it, and it filled his senses, making him frown harder at the scene that had just played out. "I'm sorry." He sighed again before pulling out of the driveway.
…like I'm really going to tell you
He rubbed his weary eyes vigorously. How long had be been hiding out across the street from her house now? What with the night air getting colder and his legs tired from standing, he had lost track of the time. She should have been home by now. After following her for some time, he mentally constructed her work schedule and knew when she would arrive home.
Just as he looked to his watch, he noticed as a red Mustang came into view. It stopped just at the curb of her house. Who's that?
He noted the familiar blond as she sprang out of the passenger side of the car and closed the door. It's her but where's her car? Just then, he viewed as a redhead opened the door to the driver side and got out. They both walked up the pathway that led them to the front door of the Markov residence.
He couldn't hear what was said but saw as they hugged goodnight. Immediately, the driver began making her way back to what he assumed was her car. A good look at her face, and he instantly knew there was something recognizable about her. She looks so familiar. But where have I seen you? Without wasting any time, the redhead started her car and sped off back into the quiet street. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen her before, a time ago.
…But where?
As luck would have it, not even a minute after the redhead departed, did a black minivan come up the driveway. He knew from good old fashion detective work that this was the mother. She traveled up the path and unlocked the front door letting herself in. Well, she's not going to be alone tonight. I'll have to come back another time. Looking around, he stealthily escaped his camping ground without even the slightest trace that he was ever there. But he would be back, he promised himself. He would have to see her somehow.
Xavier + Kory
This was their spot. Always had been. The last time he was here was almost a year ago, but not much about this place had changed. It was pretty much barren except for the series of beach homes that were being constructed near the vegetation-filled sand dunes that ran about three-quarters of a mile away.
But seeing her again tonight, that was a total shock, considering their circumstances.
Xavier waited on the hood of his Camaro. His feet were propped up on the fender as his elbows rested on his knees, listening to the calming sounds of the ocean's waves as they splattered about, and feeling the cool breeze as it sent a pleasant tingle to his almost-naked head. It wasn't as cold as it was in Jump City or Gotham, but if he was tired enough, he was sure he could sleep through the night here.
He looked to his watch, noticing just how late it was getting. Even if Mr. Modmann's final on the Crusades of the High Middle Ages was the first thing on his agenda tomorrow morning, nothing was going to keep him from seeing her tonight.
He thought back to their phone conversation earlier. Judging by her discreet tone, he knew she was with him. Kory spoke so softly to him, as if not wanting anyone to know who was on the other end of her line, that it made him laugh quietly.
Bright headlights from Kory's Mustang grazed his face, causing him to squint lightly as she maneuvered her car onto the beach. He jumped off to meet her.
Her car door opened, and she exited. Just by the slam she gave her door, he knew she wasn't sporting a smile. She had since changed into some nice denim jeans and a black sweatshirt with the words Gotham West embossed in gold, her alma mater. She strutted up the beach to meet him, shaking her hips as well as her head. "Why did you hit him?"
She sure didn't waste any time, did she? Xavier brought up his hands innocently. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't toy with me, Xavier. I'm not stupid."
"Give me a break. It was just a stupid tap," he confessed. "Why? Did princess go crying to you about it?" Whacking Dick on his lip was beginning to feel vindicating, even more now that it made a smirk appear on his face.
"It's not funny."
"Well, you weren't there," he taunted with a toothy grin. Kory responded by crossing her arms, annoyed. His grin deflated. "You know, he's not so damn innocent, babe." He leaned in closer, raising a finger to the fresh bruise just beneath his eye. "The bastard got lucky with a sucker punch. He cleaned my clock with his left, but I guess I'm the only bad guy here, right?"
She fixated on his bruise for a bit, but discounted it, knowing more than surely he was the instigator. "Excuse me, but you seem to have a track record going for you."
He gave an inward sigh, hating whenever she brought up the past with him. Xavier would be the first to admit he had issues, no thanks to his father and how he chose to run their home. People, women, love, authority...you name it, he was sure there was some deep rooted issue stemming since childhood.
Xavier maintained his stony expression, cracking his neck to the left and right as the tension built around them.
"You can't keep doing this, Xavier. You can't keep chasing away every guy I meet."
He wrinkled his face at the ridiculousness of her statement. "I don't chase away every guy you meet."
"Really?" She lifted her hand, raising a finger. "What about Pfeiffer, the soldier from last summer?" Then another digit rose, "Franklin, the quarterback from Star City," Then another, "Then there was Karras, the Greek fencer," and then one more, "and now Dick."
He neared her. "Look, I didn't call you out here to talk about old conquests. I wanted to talk about you."
"What about? Everything that needed to be said, was said. What's so important you had to see me?"
"You." He raised a hand, his fingers capturing several locks of her red hair, and traced them down to the tips. "You're important," he grabbed her hand, "and I had to see you."
Kory gazed down to their hands as he intertwined their fingers together. "Or maybe you think since your free again..."
He shook his head with a small laugh. Was he really surprised? "I forgot just how fast good news travels around Gotham."
"So breaking up with Babs was a good thing?"
"Well, I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think so."
This caused the redhead to look oddly at him. "Wait a minute," she brought up a hand, "you killed the relationship?"
"I'm not going to kid myself. There's only been one who could thrill me. Keep me." He let go of her hand and grasped both sides of her face, "And nothing's changed yet, beautiful."
She failed to realized how she, herself, was falling back into her old familiar pattern as her hungry green eyes centered on his warm lips. "You never stop, do you?"
He shook his head, "Not when it's something I want." Before she could say anything, his lips linked with hers roughly. His force was unstoppable as he wrapped his arms around her, followed by Kory who hugged his thick neck as they kissed. Their passion, despite the hiatus of their separation, hadn't diminished in the smallest token.
But clipped images of Ryan's anger after he discovered their hidden romance as well as Dick's modest smile defeated her lust and her conscious gave way. "No," she mumbled through their kiss, which she jerked away from. She pushed him away from her with little force. "Stop. We can't do this. We both know where this is going to lead."
"So," he uttered, moving in close, barely able to touch her until she moved away from him again.
"No!" she said louder. "This can't happen!"
Xavier tightened his lips before releasing a hard wind of air. He was more than frustrated. With vexation, he dug his boot into the sandy ground. "I want you so much," he growled under his breath. He looked to her but there was something different about her expression. It wasn't so much her pushing him away because of Ryan's objection that bothered him. There was something more to it, something he didn't want to come to grips with.
Kory heard the cracking of his knuckles, an indication to her that something was bothering him. It was a habit she had become familiar with. "What is it?"
"He's using you."
She gazed back to him, reminiscent of Dick's speech earlier. "Who? Dick?"
He didn't bother answering her, just went straight to the point. "He thinks I stole Babs away from him. Now he's screwing me by screwing you. But you won't let yourself see it." He looked up to see her face him with somber eyes, and it pained him. Sometimes he really didn't know when to keep his mouth shut. The roguish boxer didn't mean to hurt her feelings. He meant well with his words but that didn't change the fact that they still cut her deep like a plunging knife. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it quite-"
"Yes, you did."
"He loves her, babe. And he'd do anything to get her back. Listen to me and don't trust this guy."
The idea of Dick using her had never entered her mind before. From a different standpoint, technically he wasn't using her. They did have a deal, after all. But still, what possessed him to kiss her back at the restaurant? Why had she allowed him? Was their kiss just salt to pour into Xavier's wound? Did it really even mean anything to him?
"Kory!" he called to her when she fell silent without a response, drilling her out of her thoughts.
If there was ever a time she was more confused with her emotions, it was at this exact moment. She was so tired of thinking about the whole ordeal, especially of her fight with Dick. She blurted the first thing that came to mind. "Don't you think I know he loves her, Xavier?"
He narrowed his gray eyes. "Then why are you with him? He's only going to take you for a spin and then hurt you."
What could she say? Obviously not the truth…at least, not now. So she did the only thing she could. She shrugged and uttered an, "I don't know."
Anger was welling up inside him and her ambiguous reply wasn't helping. "I don't know?" he echoed, reminding her so much of her father. "Damn it, Kory! Is that your answer for everything?"
She circled, not wanting to be there any longer. Xavier shuffled his feet at the first sight of her leaving. "Kory," he called behind her, following her path. "Wait, I'm sorry. Come back, will you?"
"Leave me alone," she said, still briskly walking back to her car.
"I said I was sorry." His voice was rising. "I just don't want you falling for someone who won't appreciate you."
"You mean someone like yourself?"
There was a small moment of a pause as he took in what she had said, but he quickly caught back up with her. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He reached her elbow, pulling it to make her face him. "Huh?"
She stared at him, seeing how visibly angry he was. "Just forget it," she said, jerking her arm away, and rounded again, keeping her pace as she walked back to her car. "I won't let you tell me who I should be with anymore. I'm not going to stop seeing Dick just because you can't handle it."
What a stupid thing to say, he thought. He was beginning to see Dick's influence on her and it enraged him to the point that he turned her around and pointed a threatening finger at her. "I DON'T WANT YOU WITH HIM!"
Automatically, Xavier widened his eyes at his own outburst even as Kory stood paralyzed, fear etched on her face. There was something terribly disturbing about it. Then it dawned on Xavier, this was the same fear Mr. Redd would instill in his mother. He panted, not believing how intimidating he just acted.
"I didn't..." he shook his head, almost as if he was trying to wake himself from some nightmare, "I didn't mean to shout at you like that." He shook his head again. "I don't know where that came from."
Kory's movement was slow and cautious. She didn't know how to react with him, or his outburst. She'd never seen him this manic before. "Why did you-"
"I don't know." He gulped hard.
"What is going on with you?"
"Nothing!" He looked away.
"Why won't you talk to me? I know this has something to do with your father, Xavier. Let me-"
"I don't need your help, ok. I don't need anyone's help."
"Of course you don't." She put a hand on her hip, "Because you're Mr. Independent. You can do it all on your own." She ignored the roll of his unamused eyes, "All I've ever wanted to do was help you, but you never let me in. Why won't you trust me enough to help you? As a friend, as someone who cares for you."
"Let's not start with this Mickey Mouse crap again, doll."
She grabbed his face, "Look at me." He tried moving his head away, "Look at me, Xavier. There's only one thing I've ever wanted from you."
Xavier knew what she wanted to hear, but he for the life of him couldn't bring himself to say it. His father's voice called out to him- ...You're just as pathetic as your mother, boy...
"How do you feel about me, Xavier? I mean...really feel?"
"You know I care about you more than anything. You have a-"
"...special place in your heart. I know, we've been through this already." Her voice was beginning to break. She breathed in hard, then released it slowly. "Do. You. Love. Me?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "What does it matter?"
"Because it matters to me. I'm sick of this game that we always find ourselves in. You don't want me with anyone, so I want to know now."
"Why do you always have to keep asking me this?" His voice turned into a growl. "Isn't it enough I have to act like I don't know you? Now you're forcing me to say I love you."
Her eyes began to welt while her mouth hung slightly open, and her voice broke once more, "I'm forcing you?"
"Wait, babe. I didn't mean-" He moved to touch her but she pushed him away. "I didn't mean force. It's just that you bring it up all the time, but I just can't say what you want me to say."
No. He couldn't. Xavier didn't grow up in one of those happy-loving homes where love paraded in and around each room. No, quite the opposite. His father ruled with an iron fist, and a drunken one at that. When you have someone who's supposed to love you unconditionally tell you many times that you weren't made to be loved, you tend to start to believe it.
"I just want to know what you feel for me." Kory was on the verge of tears, but she stopped herself. For years, she wondered of his feelings for her, and every time he managed to worm his way around the question. Not tonight, she thought. "All our time together, has it been love or not?"
He struggled with what to say, so he said nothing. Just a stoic expression remained on his face. Mr. Redd's voice came again- ...There's no such thing as love, kid. And if there was, you're too much of a disgrace to ever feel it...
So Kory started again, "You've known how I've felt. If you love me," she moved closer, "just say it, Xavier." She ran a hand through her hair, her emotions besting her. "Just say it, please." He'd never seen her so hopeful about anything before.
He neared her, and she allowed him to hug her tightly. She gazed up to him, meeting his eyes.
...Pfft! Anybody stupid enough to want you must be brain dead...
"Kory," he called her name so seriously, his chest just by her ear that she could almost feel his heart beating. Her eyes danced with his, and her heart sped wildly as he moved down towards her. Was he finally going to tell her? She etched up on her tiptoes when he brought his lips onto her...forehead?
"No," he whispered sadly just above her ear. "I don't love you."
It was as if time had stopped. Her mouth was held open in pure shock, her shoulders compressed and she covered her mouth to stifle her cry. He let her go, sidling past her, and her eyes spilled. She cupped her face in her hands, bawling as she put all of her body into the cry.
But he continued walking. No way was he going to look back to see what damage he'd done. He was like the coward his father always made him out to be. He reached his car, but Xavier could still hear her muffled cries, and his eyes shut tightly. It was one of the biggest lies he had ever committed, along with one of the biggest mistakes of his life.
Dick
He undressed out of his tuxedo, taking his frustration out with every movement. He threw the suit in a small pile on the floor, and grabbed whatever t-shirt and boxer shorts his hands had chosen from his drawer, quickly dressing himself. He had voted against visiting Babs tonight. Dick was in no position to console anyone, let alone his ex-girlfriend. Besides, what help could he offer her if he, too, was having his own problems?
Dick laid on his bed, hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling, not paying much attention to its plain white texture. One questioned plagued him just as it had been throughout the entire night. Why did she kiss me back? He felt at his lips, ignoring the rough cut as he passed over it. What did it all mean?
But then he would think back to their argument, feeling like every ill-conceived word his mind could conjure up. He tried reasoning with his emotions, wondering what would have caused him to act the way he did. "So maybe I was wrong. Maybe a little extreme in my words." He sighed. "She didn't deserve any of it though. But she has to know he's only going to use her."
He tossed in his bed. "Then again," he paused, "he's the one with her right now while I'm left here to mope around like a loser." Dick turned once more in his bed. "Who am I kidding? She hates my guts. She has to." He grabbed his pillow from underneath him and smothered himself. "Brilliant. Freaking brilliant, Dick," he said from beneath his pillow.
As tired as he was, Dick's eyes refused to close. Not as his mind kept replaying their argument. If there was something he was sure of, it was that he wouldn't let their night end like this. He made a grab for his phone on the nightstand. "Surely Xavier won't mind if I intrude on their outing for a minute," he said with a smirk, standing to dial her number.
"Hello?" she answered after about the third ring.
"Hey." He paced around the floor. "It's me, the jerk."
There was a soft giggle. "You're not a jerk, silly."
"Didn't seem that way earlier."
"No, hun. Emotions were running high, and you had every right to be angry." Dick frowned when he heard her tone, tired and lost it seemed.
"Kory, is something wrong? You sound...I don't know, a little sad or something."
"No. I'm fine."
He could of sworn he heard a breakage in her voice. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'm just finally starting to see things for what they really are."
He decided not to delve deeper into it, leaving the matter unsolved. "So is he there next to you? Listening?"
She chuckled at his bratty nature. "No, Dick. I'm already back home."
Good, he thought. "Kory, what I really wanted was to apologize for my behavior tonight. It was wrong of me and I'm sorry. I had no right to judge anyone, or you for that matter."
"You're being too hard on yourself. Besides, you weren't alone. I'm sorry, too. Sometimes I let my emotions get away with me, and I really didn't mean what I said about you and Babs. And the whole thing with Xavier-"
"Look, I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. But it's only because I think we've become good friends, and I care for you…as my friend. I see how hurt Babs was, and I don't want to see you in the same predicament."
"I appreciate your concern," she said softly. "Dick, can I tell you something?"
"Of course you can."
"I may not have known you for long, or have this big history with you, but you're different than most guys I know. Something special. I don't think you have to know someone a lifetime to see what they mean to you."
His heart raced while his body woke with a spurring sensation that hovered over her words. "Do you really mean that?"
"I do. As bad as it sounds, you're really making me glad I hit your car." A duet of laughter echoed in both rooms. "I hope we can stay friends after this whole thing is over."
"Sure we will." There was an unbearable silence as the other thought of how to say goodbye, even if saying goodnight was the last thing on their minds. "It's getting late. I guess I'll let you turn in now."
Kory walked over to her vanity to grab her brush when she was side-tracked by a flyer that was left there by Gar. "Yeah, you've kept me up long enough," she kidded, skimming through the ad. Her eyes lit up like a little child on Christmas Day.
"I feel better for calling you. I don't think I would have managed a wink of sleep with you mad at me."
His words of sincerity made Kory weak in the knees. "I'm really happy you did."
Dick could feel his hands get sweaty from the silence. It was this exact silence he wished he could crush with words of his feelings for her, feelings that would have flooded any desert. Dick wanted nothing more than to explore them with her, but if he could barely declare them to himself, how could he be expected to tell her?
"Hey, gorgeous?" she called. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Ugh. Traveling to Chicago with Bruce for some corporate meeting." He hated traveling for these trips and couldn't understand why his adopted father would ask him to come along. He wasn't planning on learning the ropes. Being a business man might have worked for Bruce, but it certainly wasn't in Dick's future. "But I'll be back Sunday morning."
"Sunday morning's not good. I have a ballet class until 11:00. What about the afternoon?"
"Free as a bird."
"Well, does this little birdie like surprises?"
"Now that depends. What kind of surprise did you have in mind?"
"Oh, no, beautiful. You're not getting anything out of me. Just be ready Sunday afternoon. Remember, this is my treat, so I'll pick you up."
"It's a date. But I think I should let you know, it's not going to be easy to surprise me."
"Then I guess I'll have to try extra hard. You're worth it, right?"
Before he could come up with an answer, a kissing sound came through the other end of the phone, and a "Goodnight, Dick," chimed in his ear before he heard her hang up. Oh, how he envied that phone right about now.
********
This chapter might have seemed...blah, but I don't know why, I liked it. What do you guys think? It doesn't help that I've been too exhausted to write sometimes. I just hope I don't lose my will for this story because I still had some plans for it. Heck, I'm just glad I finally got Xavier to dump Babs, but will that be a good thing? Well, ever wonder what people mean by a woman scorned? Unfortunately, for our Xavier, he's going to get a firsthand knowledge of what it means.
And I see some of you have been wondering what that darned "incident" Kory has hanging over her head is. It shall be revealed in the next chapter…at least I plan to.
And RobinxStarfireLuvr, thanks for the heads up on actuality of the POV's, so I've taken your advice. I hope this makes more sense and easier to read. I take all my reviews seriously, so the feedback helps more than you know. Also sorry for any mistakes, I was in a bit of a hurry.
Well all, you don't need me to tell you how awesome you are for reviewing. Thanks to my loyal repeat readers who have kept up with this story from the beginning and the new ones: monique, abcdee, Rix Kid, FL, Silver Fox, SomeOneWhoNos, SuperBrit, Obsessed714, Robin Grayson
Thanks from the bottom of my little heart and until next chapter…
