Omg, I actually updated early this time. BAM! My dear brother is at prizegiving and I've had all afternnon to come up with this deliciously fun peice of writing. I hear that the TTs movie premiered in America today which completely sucks for me because NZ is probably NEVER going to get it and I'll end up ruining it for myself my reading what happens. I already know some seriously juicy gossip. Hehe.

Anyway, I got alot of reviews for my last chapter and I really want to thank you for that, you guys are just unbelievably awesome :D

Wolftriplex - I was unable to answer yuor question over a PM so I'll tell you here. The reason why I pdate so late, besides my initial laziness, is that this is my brother's computer and the only time I get on is when he has rugby. Unfortunately, the rugby season has (it brings a tear to my eye) FINISHED sob so now I get on maybe twice a week for like an hour. It completely sucks and I apologise profusely for it.

Last time: Kori was trapped in an alley with 3 grown men, could the situation be any worse? Then she got angry and something weird happened. Rachel was on the verge of being asked to the dance my Garfield when she saw and explosion and rushed out to find Kori.

This time: Rachel takes Kori to her place and we learn about another of her skills. Richard texts and ends up angry at himself, Kori goes home.

Comic book names:

Robin: Richard grayson

Starfire: Kori Anders

Beastboy: Garfield Logan

Raven: Rachel Roth

Cyborg: Victor stone

Speedy: Roy Harper

Aqualad: Garth

Bumblebee: Karen Beecher

Kidflash: Wally West

Argent: Toni Monetti

Chesire: Jade Nguyen

Jericho: Joe Wilson

Terra: Tara Markov

Arella: Angela Roth

Madame Rouge: Ms. De Mille

Slade: Mr. Wilson

My names:

Red X: Xavier Red

Kitten: Kitten Moth

Jinx: Jen Xing

Blackfire: Kim Anders

Trigon: Tristen Roth

Ushering Kori into her room, Rachel garbled out a somewhat lacking reply to the question her mother had thrown at her. Closing the door abruptly on her bewildered face she thanked God once again for her mother's permission to purchase her most cherished lock that she clicked into place without hesitation. What had happened to Kori was, frankly, none of Angela's concerns.

"Over here, just lie down, I think I've got a med kit in her somewhere..." bustling around her room like a woman possessed, Rachel felt overcome by a sense of protectiveness. Seeing her new friend in this state, her new, kind, caring friend...it made her want to hurt someone.

"Thank you Rachel, I do not wish to be a burden..." Kori said softly, her eyes closed as her exhausted body practically melted into the bed, the extent of the day's turmoil finally taking its affect.

"Don't be stupid, you're hurt and I'm your friend, nothing more to it." Rachel said firmly, rifling through her shelves until her hand finally clasped what she had been searching for. Opening the sturdy white box engraved with a blood red cross, she pulled out some cotton wool buds and a small bottle containing a cloudy liquid that swirled and danced with grace as Rachel gave it a vigorous shake.

"I hope you don't mind but the ointment I'm going to use on your cuts isn't actually government approved, uh, its kind of my own creation..." Rachel blushed, she'd never really told anybody about her strange habit before. Ever since she'd been a young child she'd found that she had a special gift, she had the ability to heal. Growing up she'd experimented with a lot of flowers and herbs, using them to revive injured animals and on some of the nasty cuts she had received from her father. To be truthful and all, she was ashamed. Ashamed about how different she was, how much of a freak she must come across to others, so she hid the wonderful talent she had been granted.

"You make medicines? Glorious..." Kori mumbled, almost asleep as she heaved a large sigh, radiant crimson locks splayed across the pillow in such an unfamiliar burst of colour that Rachel's eyes hurt. Glorious? Could her vocabulary be any more...out there? Shaking her head at Kori's choice of words, Rachel jumped as she felt her pocket vibrate insistently. Tugging at the cellphone placed firmly in her jean pocket she looked at the screen, suitably surprised at the arrival of a text considering the fact that she'd given her number out to approximately...5 people.

Hey, in a horrible mood, thought maybe you could cheer me up with some dry humour?

Trust Richard to spell everything correctly in a text, Rachel smiled lightly. At least she wasn't the only one obssessed with accurate grammar.

Hey back, can't talk right now, just found Kori on the street, shes covered in scratches, something weird happened. See you later.

Tapping the keys with surprising speed she heard the pleasant beep as the message sent, only really adding the bit in about Kori's scartches because she knew Richard would want to know, being completely and utterly in love with her and everything. Almost as soon as she'd sent the text she heard the phone blast into a symphony of aggravating ringing. Figures.

"I'll be right back Kori, don't move" she sighed, opening the lock and diving for the phone before her mother even registered the incessant ringing.

"Hello?"

"Rachel! Is she O.K.? What happened? Who did it - I'll kill them!" Not even bothering to draw breath Richard rambled on about how he'd rip her attacker to shreds.

"Richard, I'm only saying this as a friend. Shut up." Hearing him finally calm down, Rachel took the opportunity to present her case.

"Koris fine, shes in my room right now, pretty much asleep. As for what happened...I'm not sure. I'm getting the idea that some men attacked her in an alley. When I found her, I know this is going to sound stupid but...I think she was glowing. I saw a man on the ground and he was burnt all over, Richard, I think she did that." Waiting anxiously for him to reply, Rachel heard a sharp intake of breath and when he spoke again, she couldn't pinpoint his emotions.

"Oh my God...this is my fault, this whole thing is my fault," he breathed, "look, Rachel, I don't think I can handle this at the moment. Could you just...not tell her I called? Just call me if you find out anything else and...take care of her." Hearing his end of the line cut off, Rachel was surprised at what he had asked of her, something was definitely going on. Had he even been listening to what she said about Kori glowing? The only thing he seemed to have absorbed was that Kori got hurt and he wasn't there to protect her. Returning to her room with haste, she found Kori sitting on the bed with a slightly nervous expression on her face.

"You should be lying down Kori, you need rest" Rachel ordered rather than said, picking up the glass bottle and opening the lid with a few flicks of her wrist. Sitting down beside her on the bed she poured a little of the misty liquid onto a cotton wool bud, watching as the fluffy material absorbed the trickle of liquid with relish.

"I'm going to put some of this on your cheek, it may sting but it will help." Kori watched as the now soggy lump of white fluff neared her face in some trepidation, she trusted Rachel but wasn't really sure about the concept of home-made medicine. Wincing slightly as Rachel gently rubbed it across her cut, she let her eyes wander over the room, catching her reflection in the mirror. Was it just exhaustion or did her eyes seem brighter?

"Rachel, I wish to thank you but my parents will be curious as to my whereabouts. I am sorry for causing so much trouble, perhaps tomorrow I may purchase an ice cream at the beach for you?" Kori mumbled, getting uncertainly to her feet as Rachel chucked the wool bud into her trash with unearthly grace.

"Are you really sure you want to leave? Maybe you should go to the doctor, just in case" she said in reply, ignoring Kori's offer of a free ice cream.

"No, really, I am fine. It is just, would it be possible for me to get a ride? I do not want to be obtrusive but-"

"Its O.K., I understand, I'm sure mom won't mind." Rachel cut her off with a warm smile. As she lead her out of the room, Kori caught her reflection in the mirror again. Opening her mouth in surprise, she raised a hand to her face; the cut was gone.

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"Good bye Rachel, Mrs. Roth, I am excessively grateful for your hospitality. See you tomorrow!" Smiling happily, Kori watched as the car faded into darkness before she let the grin slide of her face.

"Where the Hell have you been!" Almost laughing at the expected welcome that greeted her as she entered her richly furnished house, Kori kicked off her shoes and replied in a slightly annoyed tone:

"I was at my friend's, perhaps you have heard of the term?" She was never usually this off colour to any of her family members but today was different.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that you little worm, I had to wash the dishes by myself because you weren't here. You are so selfish." Kim sneered, dark black locks falling into her exotic eyes like a curtain.

"Selfish! I do everything for our family while you waste your pathetic life away at home! Do not speak of selfish until you understand sacrifice." Kori spat, infuriated at Kim's neverending complaints. She had left school a year ago, determined to get ahead by getting a job early, unfortunately, she was too lazy to apply for any. Now she spent her days at home, lazing about and generally making Kori's life Hell. Running up the stairs, Kori slammed her door and flopped onto her bed. Grabbing a plush magenta pillow she shoved her face into it and let rip all of her excess emotions. All the anger, all the pain, all the sorrow came pouring out in a scream so heartfelt, so extreme that Kori got lost in that moment. Finally running out of breath she rolled over and stared at her roof, letting the past day's events catch up with her. Today was...close to being the worst day of her life. Close to, but not quite.

At least tomorrow would be spent with her friends, her wonderful friends who actually made her feel like she belonged. The beach in Mauritius had been beautiful, soft white sand and forever turquoise skys that contrasted so wonderfully with the jade green of the sea...it had been one of her favourite places on Earth. She just hoped the beach in Jump City was half as beautiful.

Letting her mind drift off into fantasies of tropical paradises, Kori felt her body numb and the sweet embrace of sleep envelop her tired limbs. Maybe tonight she wouldn't be plagued with nightmares consisting of agonising memories? Maybe tonight she would sleep easy? Maybe, but not likely.

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Sunlight filtered in through the windows like a river of radiance, illuminating Richard's room in such a way that sleep was impossible. Rolling over he groaned irritably, seeing William's stiff form in the doorway.

"Master Richard, I took it upon myself to open the curtains, your trip to the beach is in less than an hour so I suggest you get up" smirking slightly, he walked away, leaving Richard with a sour expression written all over his face.

"Bloody butler..." he mumbled, entangling his long legs from the sheets and letting them drop onto the cold floor without much enthusiasm. Looking at his watch his eyes widened considerably, it was already 10:30am, he never slept in that long. Maybe its because you stayed up all last night worrying about Kori? Frowning, he made his way over to his chest of drawers lethargically, running a hand through his lustrous black locks.

Thats when it hit him.

This was the day he saw Kori in a bikini.

Suddenly the day didn't seem quite so imposing...

Heh heh, does anybody else think my ending lines were particularly humourous? YES! I get to write about the beach in my next chapter! I am going to have sooo much fun describing Kori in a bikini and Richard's reaction, so bloody awesome. Also, I've already got some stuff down for the next few chapters so you better believe I'll update as soon as possible. And my possible I mean as soon as my brothers gets whatever is stuck up his ass out. :D Review my dear friends and thou shalt be rewardeth!