Disclaimer: Ha, ha, forgot to put this on last chapter. :) Anyway, standard procedures apply. Don't own anything but plot. But I still hate this chapter. You'll see why at the end.

Café Devenir

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family."

-Anthony Brandt

Chapter Ten

A whirlwind romance... Maybe it'd fit 'us' better if it were described as a twister.

A new message flashed across my screen. It was a rarity for me to receive such casual messages but this particular text sent my eyes bulging in simultaneous horror and euphoria.

307-540-0050 (Unknown Number)

Good evening, Robin :) I have been pondering about whether it would be in your interest to dine with me tonight.

How…HOW DID SHE EVEN GET MY NUMBER? I never gave anyone my number apart from Alfred, Bruce, Wally, Jinny, Tim and a couple of other meaningless people. My phone was practically a mobile Facebook. You just keep adding people to boost your Friends count.

How… I don't even know how she… Does that mean she knows who I am?

I breathed in deeply, flexing my fingers on the keypad.

Sorry, I'm kinda busy right now. But how did u get my number?

No. No that just won't do. I can't just… Jesus Christ. My thumb repeatedly pressed the delete button.

Sure, I'd love to!

No, too eager.

Okay.

Too indifferent.

Cool, I'd

NO NO NO NO.

It would be in my interest to dine with you, Miss Kory.

I don't even. I give up. I pressed the 'Send' button and sank deep into my seat. Dinner was in two hours. If she replied, then I'd have a hot date. If she didn't, I could always say "Family Time".

A sudden beeping noise cut the air. I jumped.

New Message. 307-540-0050 (Unknown Number)

I opened it.

Glorious! Where would you like to meet?

I stared at the barren ceiling. Café Devenir would probably be closed by now. I don't think Gar would like to stay until Kory and I finished our date. I guess the next best thing was the Hard Rock.

Meet me at the Hard Rock Café…or would you like for me to pick you up somewhere?

I waited, but it didn't take long for her to reply.

That would be marvelous, thank you. My address is 2061 Nevermore Avenue. It is the large grey building next to the café.

Rachel and Kory were neighbors, then. Or close enough to be neighbors. I wondered if I would see her brother when I got there.

Sure, what time should I pick you up? Also, you might want to wear something suitable for a fast motorbike ride. ;)

I added the wink for fun but regretted it once I sent the message. I just wanted to be seen as a cool type of guy, smooth and suave.

Okay, I will make certain of that. Would 7:00 be a convenient time?

Yes, I replied, that'd great. My phone ceased sounding out beeps and I ran to the shower to clean myself. I'd been through tears and blood today. I think I deserve this one night with a beautiful lady.

So, yeah, I showered…I don't really think I should go into detail about that but anyways…I spiked my hair and shrugged my bare shoulders at the mirror. Reaching over the bedside table, I took my comb in hand and neatened my unruly hair.

Then ruffled it again.

I know, I know. Don't remind me.

I grabbed my shaving equipment from the bathroom and cleanly cut the faint stubble appearing on my jaw. Then I dressed. It wasn't supposed to scream 'EXTRAVAGANT' or whisper 'formal'. I think it was supposed to just state 'Eloquent'. I can't wait to see what Kory looked like. God, I sound like a girl having her first slumber party.

I haven't been this excited for something in ages.

I flashed a genuine smile at the mirror then headed downstairs.

The time was 18:45.

Fifteen minutes was plenty of time. I sauntered into the kitchen where Bruce raised a sleek black eyebrow at my attire.

"I take it you're not going to eat with us?" he asked with his face hiding behind the newspaper.

I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm going out with friends tonight." A white lie. Sue me.

Bruce made a disbelieving snort but I ignored him. He kept on reading the newspaper article and I couldn't help but notice Damian and Cassandra's picture on the front page. Cassandra looked really pretty when she was alive. And Damian was a normal seven-year-old boy smiling at the camera. The sight of their carefree faces made my heart heavy.

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you I'll be out," I said.

Bruce nodded as he turned over the pages. "Be back before eleven," he replied.

"You're not my mother."

"Whatever you say, Dick."

I groaned as I headed towards the door. Alfred handed me my shoes and I tied them up with ease.

"Which mode of transport will you be taking, Master Dick?" our butler inquired with a knowing glint in his eye.

"I'm taking the Ninja, Allfred. Take care of Bruce, will you?"

He nodded with a smile. "Of course, Master Dick. Always."

The large mahogany doors opened and closed silently behind me.

It was cold outside. Probably because it was nearing the cold part of winter. I think the only thing I'm not aware of is the season. I can't believe it's winter.

I checked my watch. 18:51. Better get a move on. The garage doors opened at my command and I hastily mounted on my Ninja. Would Kory prefer to be behind me or in front of me? Either way, I'd be close to her.

I checked the engines and fuel levels routinely before I sped off into the night.

Dramatic, I know, give me a break.

Jump City at night wasn't as lively as Jump City during the day. I've been so used to the nightlife at Gotham City that even now, Jump City seemed so dull to me. The casino lights that flashed by were boring compared to the casinos at Gotham. Albeit, those casinos were normally prone to heists and whatnot.

I turned a corner when the light turned green and parked my bike at the front. Walking up to the buzzers on the grey building, I pressed the number of her flat.

I waited.

"Hello?"

"Hi," I said. It was definitely Kory.

"Robin! You are on time! I will be down shortly."

To be honest, I was quite disappointed that she didn't invite me upstairs to see her apartment but I can't complain. Being with her was enough to make me happy even though I knew next to nothing about her.

A couple walked past me, giggling whilst holding hands. I stared after them, imagining something else entirely.

There was a click and I turned around to face the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Seriously. No exaggerations. There are no exaggerations when it came to Kory Anders.

She wore a simple sparkling pink dress that came up to just above her knees, swaying smoothly with the cold wind, baring her smooth tanned legs.

Her fire red hair cascaded down her back in flaming curls. Her piercing emerald eyes warmed under the dim lamp lighting and her glossy lips curled up into a stunningly shy smile.

I was speechless. As you can tell.

Then she looked past me and her smile became impossible brighter. "Is that your vehicle? She looks beautiful!" She giddily ran to the side of my Ninja, running her hands down its side. She turned to me, and my heart plummeted skywards.

I smirked at her childish fervor, doing my best to stay composed. "Let us go, Miss Anders. To the second best café in town."

"It would be my pleasure, Mr. Robin," she giggled like the bells that ring when you open the door to home.

I fished out my keys and ignited the engine. "Sit tight," I warned.

Kory slid behind me, pressing her warm body against mine. Her arms snaked around my waist. My gut twisted in nervousness.

"Hold tight," she whispered into my ear. And giggled girlishly.

I beamed. The feeling of her holding me like there was no tomorrow has never left me. Not ever.

The sound of her carefree screaming has haunted me all these years.

"We're here," I chuckled, "You can stop screaming now." I stepped off the bike and took Kory's hand, guiding her off the Ninja.

"Oh, Robin! That was amazing!" she grinned, bursts of laughter erupting now and again.

"Okay, okay, easy there, sir and madam," a waiter approached us. "Please follow me to the main building."

Kory thanked him and walked beside me. I think something told her it would be a bad idea to link arms with a more-or-less perfect stranger.

"Have you made a reservation?" the receptionist asked upon our entrance.

I leaned casually towards her and whispered, "My name is Richard Grayson. I think it'd be in your best interest to appoint us a table, please."

She turned white and smiled widely at my closeness. "Bensen will guide you to your table, but can I have your autograph first?"

I nodded and quickly signed her tissue paper. She was squealing with glee once Kory and I left the desk.

Bensen seated us and handed us the menus. Red Hot Chilli Peppers' Dani California was playing in the background.

"I already know what I am ordering," Kory informed me and passed the menu over to my side.

"Oh?" I asked. "Have you eaten here before or something?"

She nodded, closing her eyes in reminiscence. "I've been here with Rachel a few times, at the end of the month when we've earned enough from our salaries." She opened her eyes, revealing her bright green eyes again.

I nodded. "That's cool." Idiot! Why am I so incoherent whenever I'm around her?

I called over the waiter and dictated our orders; Bensen was scribbling notes down furiously. Then he left and we waited in a not-so awkward silence.

"So,"I drawled. "How did you get my number?"

Kory smirked. God she's so sexy. "I acquired it from a certain Rachel Roth, who had bribed a certain Garfield Logan to get his mother to bribe your father for your number. It was an arduous process, and Rachel will not tell me who your father even is!"

My jaw lay on the floor. Bruce had willingly given Rita Logan my phone number to give to Gar.

Mindblown.

"So, who is your father?"

Please tell me I'm not hearing this.

"Robin?"

And suddenly, the 'Robin's turned into 'Richard's. I felt sick and disbelieving. I needed to get over this. I needed to get over this. GET OVER IT, GRAYSON. GET OVER IT.

"John, are you alright?" Kory asked worriedly, reaching over the table to caress my hardening knuckles.

I managed to nod painstakingly. I was over it.

I didn't know when these fits of mental blockage started. I think they've always been there, and my encounter with James Gordon probably intensified it. If Tim found out, there was the possibility of getting kicked off the case. I wasn't about to let that happen. Not when these people haven't been brought to justice yet.

"I'm fine, Kory," I choked out. The waiter came by. He placed our food in front of us and we started to eat in silence.

Then: "Robin?"

And: "Yeah?"

"I understand if you want to keep your family and identity secret. God knows I do too. I do it all the time." She cast her eyes down onto the table. "But there are certain people you can trust, even with your life, and I know we have only just met not more than a month ago, and only spoken a handful of times together, but my gut instinct tells me we were destined to meet. And my gut instinct never lies." Her eyes fluttered to meet mine.

I gulped. How could she have so much faith in me? How can she be so confident in someone like me?

"I…"

"My brother…is involved with, as you might say it, 'the wrong crowd'. I…I am not the least bit proud of it, but I love him and so I must protect him. Sometimes, I just wish I could say no," Kory continued.

I whispered, "Kory…"

"I was born in Australia, to a tribe called Tamaran. I was the chief's daughter. When I was of age, I had many suitors wanting my hand in marriage, but my gut instinctively disliked all of them. The only time I ever distrusted my gut instinct was what happened afterwards."

"You don't have to tell me your life story," I said, not meaning it rudely.

"Robin," she said, almost pleading. "I have only ever told Rachel what happened that day in August. I want to tell you. Please do not turn me away."

I sighed, complying. She gave me a thankful expression.

"My…innocence…was taken on that day of August 9," she shakily began. I stiffened. What? What did…? "I was walking home from my school when one of the suitors I had rejected attacked me and…deflowered me. I…" Kory's breath hitched. "I ran away. I ran away fearing for my life. My parents would disown me. My honor was lost. My sister would take my place."

My throat got caught. "What?" my voice was just above a whisper.

Young The Giant was softly emitting from the speakers. I couldn't even pay attention to that.

"What?" I repeated, louder.

"You heard me, Robin," Kory replied. "You heard me."

"S-Star…" I stuttered. "That's…"

"I am alright, although scarred, I have moved on from that event and moved forward," Kory chirped gloomily. She shook her head. "I am sorry for ruining such a lovely dinner."

"No," I reassured her. Maybe too eagerly. "No, you're perfect. You're flawless, Kory. Don't…Don't forget that."

Oh, my God I was actually saying this to the most beautiful woman in the universe.

She smiled softly at me, her hands hugging her shoulders. "I am finished with my dinner. It was perfectly flawless." She giggled, my hopes soared.

"Glad you liked it," I said. Putting down my fork.

"Hey, look here. I've finished too."

"Oh, Robin! You are so funny," she flattered, alluring playfulness dancing in her green eyes, all traces of the nostalgic sadness gone from her face.

I signaled for the waiter to give us the bill. Once I had paid it in full (after a heated debated about who should pay it), I gently led Kory out of the building.

Fortunately for me, her shoulders were shivering uncontrollably when a chilly breeze gushed past her. I took off my fleece-lined blazer and set it on her shoulders. Her fire red hair blazed, scorching the black fabric. Her fingers pulled it closer to her.

"Shall we go?" I mock-bowed towards her.

She laughed. "We shall," she replied, taking my hand and fiercely dragging me towards the Ninja. Wow, she was strong.

"Didn't know you had so much muscle," I commented, amazed. I held my hand up to my face finding it to be unharmed.

"My father introduced me, my sister, and my brother to the art. Plus, genetics have enabled us to be abnormally stronger than the average human, and as I've heard, handsomer," she winked.

I could hear my heart beating erratically in my chest. I felt euphoric.

"There's something I need to tell you, Kory," I breathed.

She leaned against the Ninja, her hair splaying against the black shine. "What is it, Robin?" she asked smoothly.

"As much as I love hearing you call me that, you were right. John isn't my name," I blurted. I was going to tell her. Right here, right now.

She was beaming, her fingers loosening their hold on my blazer.

"My name…it's Richard," I told her earnestly. "Richard Grayson."

She laughed, the sound of it dispersing into the cool winter air. She let go of my blazer and I watched it drop to the cement floor. Her arms curled around my neck, embracing me. My hands snaked around her waist, lifting her from the floor. She was laughing so much I could feel her stomach pulsing against mine. I could smell her strawberry and apple hair and feel her warm breath on my ear.

And then, in one moment, our faces were so close together. The magnets pulled at our foreheads until they were touching. I saw her licking her glossed lips in anticipation.

I pulled her closer in a gradual motion.

She kissed me first.

It was sweet and blissfully sweet and amazingly amazing.

Wally knows I've had my fair share of kisses, but hers beat them all. Especially for a first between us.

Us. Am I even allowed to call us that? Oh, guess I have.

I screamed when she screamed driving down the highway. The cars honked wildly and pedestrians shouted after us irately, but we didn't care. We just wanted this one night between us.

I turned a corner into Nevermore Avenue. She took my hand before she took off her helmet and inserted her keys into the lock of the grey building.

All I could hear was the shutting of doors and the patter of footsteps ascending the stairs.

And the turning of keys and the switching of lights, and the ominous greeting of, "Hello, dear sister."

Kory stopped at the doorway. My hand felt hers trembling. She was afraid. I had the urge to protect her.

"Ryan," she monotonously responded to the voice. Her brother, I deduced.

"Who's that guy, Star?" he called from within the dark corners of the apartment. He called her Star. I felt insanely envious.

"He is Robin, the one I…the one I told you about," she stammered nervously. "Ryan, what are you doing in there?"

"Making dinner…" the voice deepened. I sensed a hint of playfulness. Kory's grip on my hand loosened. It was safe.

"Oh, Ryan! You can be so annoying!" Kory switched on all the lights. "For a second, I had thought you were Kam."

"Me as Kam Anders? Presposterous!" the voice changed from a mature tone to a voice similar to a guy stuck in puberty. "You have such a wild imagination, Kory."

"As do you, Ry," Kory giggled. "Step out so Richard can see you."

Mmm, I like the sound of my name from her lips. I definitely should've told her sooner if I'd known it would sound that good.

"Yeah, I'm just finishing off stuff in the kitchen. The dinner's all mine so hands off, 'kay?"

Kory rolled her eyes and smiled at me. "He is so dramatic sometimes but he is undoubtedly my brother."

A tall, tan-skinned boy in his late teens stepped out of the kitchen munching on tray of sushi. He gulped it down hastily, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I stared at his countenance. Holy shit. Red hair, green eyes. It all made sense.

"Hello, I'm Ryan Anders, brother and protector of Kory Anders who has all the strength in the world to beat you senseless if you break up with her."

It took me a while to process the 'beat you up senseless' part, but once I did, I registered his name.

Ryan Anders.

AKA Target 2.

I took his hand, shaking it slowly. His eyes so similar to Kory's stared at me weirdly. Damn it, I probably looked so gay looking at him like that.

Kory punched her brother's arm lightly. "Stop it, Ryan. You are frightening him."

I found no reason why she would be distressed over someone like Ryan Anders. He seemed the jolly, carefree type. Although being carefree often led to carelessness, I found no reason for a murderer to target Ryan. He was perfectly normal.

"My brother…is involved with, as you might say it, 'the wrong crowd'." Damn it, Kory. You're probably right. I need to dig deeper.

"How old are you, Ryan?" I asked smoothly.

He cocked an eyebrow at my question. "Nineteen, why?"

He fit the description flawlessly. "I was just asking…" I replied truthfully. "Where do you study at?"

"Oh, he and Rachel do the hanging out at her university as well," Kory chimed in. She turned to her brother. "Perhaps you want to finish your sushi, Ry."

"Will do, sis. After I watch Game of Thrones," he sneakily excused himself.

Kory shook her head at me as he threw himself onto the couch and turned on the TV. Come to think of it, Kory and her brother had a cozy, neat apartment. It wasn't big or anything, but it fit everything just fine.

"My brother likes to view that show," Kory noted. "Rachel recommended it to him, and he does not sleep until he has watched at least three episodes a night."

"Are him and Rachel close?" I wondered aloud.

Kory nodded beside me. "They are like brother and sister as well. He would not want to be in the way of what he calls the 'BBRae' ship. I am guessing you have an idea of what that is?"

Ryan, who had been eavesdropping into the conversation, called out from the couch. "Sure, Kory. It's just like RobStar."

Kory blushed beside me. I gathered she knew perfectly well what that meant.

"Kory even came up with the shipping name herself," Ryan dismissively commented. "Okay, guys, shut up so I can watch Daenerys and Drogo get it on."

I held back a laugh when I saw Kory give her brother a smack on the head.

She motioned with her head towards the door. I could only follow.

We reached the cold, thin air of the outside world. I was worried for Ryan. He seemed innocent enough. But his innocence and being involved with the wrong people often led to hitmen and war. I hoped I'd gain his trust sooner or later for him to tell me. Preferably sooner. Or just soon. I didn't want to delay the case one bit.

Somewhere at the back of my mind, a voice was whispering, Then what are you doing with Kory?

Of course I ignored it. I mean, what else would I do?

Kory leaned her head against my shoulder and I wrapped my arm around hers, pulling her closer.

"What now?" I said, proposing the question we were both waiting to hear.

She shrugged. I felt her shrug. "I do not know, Richard. We are two beings still riddled with fear and secrets. We barely knew each other and yet we shared an intimate kiss. Richard, one way or another, we are fated."

I smirked. "You do know that fated could also mean doomed, right?" She slapped my arm. I chuckled.

"You are so pessimistic. Just like those newspapers," she said, leaning into me again.

I sighed. "I'm just so glad you don't read them. Sometimes, I just hate what the media says about me. It's sickening and an invasion of privacy."

"What does the media say about you, Richard?" Kory breathed, white puffs becoming visible in the air.

"Well," I began. "They say I'm a womanizer, like my father."

"But you are not," she predicted. "Your father is Bruce Wayne, am I correct?"

"Yeah," I replied, afraid of what she was going to say next. Would she reject me? Would she stay with me…but for money?

"Can I meet him?" she asked sweetly.

"Um, sure," I said. "Why?"

"So I can teach him a lesson about how to treat women."

I laughed, and it echoed throughout the silent street. "Hell, yeah! Only if you do one favor for me…"

"And what, pray tell, is this favor?" she teased.

I pecked her cheek boldly. "Paint my ceiling. Please."

She burst into laughter and hugged my chest. "Alright. It's a deal."

We sealed the deal with a kiss.

The next morning, I got a call from Tim asking me to come to the office. The call ended and I saw Kory's number on my text history. I smiled and saved her number, naming her 'Starfire'.

A/N: Ugh, this chapter feels so out of place. I don't know...I think it went a bit too fast in relation to the speed of the plot and other chapters. I don't know, really. Tell me what you think. I feel like I should rewrite it but I don't know where else to put it...grrr... anyway.! we meet Kory's brother, and Robin has finally told the truth about his name! And Kory reveals her tragic past (don't know how to write this romance thing even though most of my stories on FFNet have romance in them. go figure). UM. I THINK it should be quite obvious who we're dealing with now, but if you still don't know, then don't worry! Surprises are awesome! There were at least two reviewers who guessed correctly but I'm not mentioning any names. Have a good day! And canyouguyspleasereviewplease ? :)