Just the sound of Slade's name made chills go down Richard's back. He was the most dangerous villain he'd ever been against 'you still haven't stopped him' Richard thought to himself, fist clenching. Richard was in his Black Charger that was modified to auto drive and park for him, in those hasty Robin times. Richard had just changed into his uniform when he realized he was a couple minutes away from arriving at Slade's coordinates. Robin was mentally focusing himself to go into combat against this psycho when Kori's image flashed through his head. Butterflies were triggered as Robin began to panic, forcing himself to think about the fight and only the fight as he jumped out of his auto parking car and landed on his feet with no trouble.

Robin looked around, knowing Slade was around somewhere, but where?

"Hello Robin." Slade's voice came from above. He was standing on the rooftop looking down on his desired apprentice.

"Slade" Robin snarled, venom dripping from the name that escaped his lips.

Robin used his grappling hook to launch himself up along the building and kicked Slade in the stomach on gravitational impact. Slade was knocked back, got up and began to chuckle.

"Oh Robin, you have no idea what I have in store for you." Slade taunted, trying to get into the young man's head, while pointing to two little boys tied up and scared on one edge and a red headed woman tied up facing away from Robin and Slade. 'That better not be my red head' Robin thought, becoming Richard in a moment. His heart raced that red hair and skinny figure; Slade had got Kori and now he had to save her.

Robin charged Slade again, hoping to get another solid hit on his enemy. Instead, Slade grabbed Robin's leg and tossed him close to the edge of the building; Slade walked over to the two young kids and held them both up by the ropes that bound them. Slade walked to the side of the building and released his grip on the ropes causing the children to fall to their doom. Richard immediately jumped over the side of the building in freefall just trying to catch up to the fast falling children. Right before the children impacted on the street Robin grabbed them, and while using his grappling hook, caused Robin and the two scared kids to go back up to the building. Robin sighed, realizing how close that was as he glanced over to see his horror.

Robin saw Kori falling halfway down to her death. By the distance of how much she had already fallen and the distance between Robin and her, he knew he couldn't get to her in time…but he had to try. That instant, Robin used his grappling hook to latch on to the building Kori fell from and launched himself towards her, wishing with everything he had for God to let him get to her in time. 'Please I have to' he prayed, the single moments of this situation seemed to last forever. 'I can't live without her' he continued praying, hoping by some chance that there would be a miracle today. She was almost gone and he could feel it, 20 feet, 15 feet, 10..9...8…7…6. Robin was too far and he knew no matter how fast he tried he couldn't have the impossible amount of velocity to save her life right now, he wished he could die in her place.

That's when Batman came out immediately and caught the red head 6 feet from her death. It was no soft catch and there would definitely be bruises later, but otherwise it was a miraculous rescue.

Robin landed 2 seconds after Batman rescued her, with leverage of his grappling hook. Robin looked at the red head as she ran away screaming and realized it wasn't Kori although the woman bore a resemblance, but she didn't compare to Kori.

"What's got you so freaked out?" Batman asked, noticing the amount of strain on Robin's face. Hell yeah Robin was stressed out, he thought he lost Kori and that was the worst possible feeling he could imagine. He realized a life without Kori is a life without a meaning.

"Nothing. I just would have felt horrible that I couldn't save her in time. Thanks." Robin stated, pulling himself together to hide his emotions from his mentor.

Robin used his grappling hook to go up to where he left the children so he could help them down safely and find their worried mothers.

"We'll get him next time Robin." Batman said to his side kick as Robin nodded, and the both went on their separate ways to handle their own affairs.

'You did good' Robin thought to himself, consuming himself with pride the only way he can justify all the work he puts into training himself to protect the city. But most importantly Kori was safe and sound. He truly had thought he lost her at that moment, and the way his heart ached at that thought made him realize how much he really loves her. He was going to be a big boy now and own up to what he felt from day one. He loves Kori Anders with every inch of his heart and he would make her feel the same way, no matter how long or hard this process was going to take.

Richard got into his car and looked at his phone, he got a text and the number was from Kori.

It's Kori we need to talk, meet me on dorm roof one hour

Richard had never received Kori's number but he memorized it off of Raven's phone so seeing that number on his own phone made his heart sing. Richard smiled to himself, not being able to contain his excitement that she obviously had a good reaction to their kiss. The first kiss moment between him and his beloved was a memory he'll never forget, her soft lips on his own for the first time. It felt magical, like that was the way he wanted to feel forever. He wanted her forever, and meeting her now was only step one. Richard's smile never left his face as he drove back to the dorms, ready to make progress with the girl he loves.