First Time Chapter 26: Shake it out, a teen titans fanfic

Warning: mentions of rape

It wasn't a dream, Kori concluded as she opened her eyes to find Dick next to her. He was still asleep, and so Kori took the opportunity to examine him closely, and with every trace her fingers made against his skin the more real his presence became. Dick was back.

Her hand retreated to his hair, her fingers combing through the black tresses. His hair had grown longer in his absence, and although it wasn't a major change, it was still a change. So much had changed since the day they had seen each other last... her most of all. Her hand returned to her side as she bit her lower lip. By some miracle Dick had returned to her, and as happy as it made her there was still a level of uneasiness. What would happen now? Things had changed. What if they were too different now?

She turned away from him and quietly got out of the bed. The day had hardly begun and she was already flustered. She needed to walk off her worries, perhaps eat something; anything to settle down. She nodded to herself and left the bedroom, heading towards the kitchen. When she arrived her eyes immediately fell upon Xavier who sat at the table, head lowered and an untouched cup of coffee in front of him.

She froze, her hand locked on the doorway as she remembered Dick was back. Dick was back and things... change. For everyone.

She gulped, and with guilt in her heart she pulled up a chair besides him and sat down. The two were silent, Xavier never even raising his eyes to acknowledge her presence. Finally, she decided to say the first word.

"Sorry."

He still didn't look at her, so she turned to him and repeated it again.

"I'm so sorry, Xavier."

Slowly he took held of his coffee mug and took a sip. He set it back down on the table after a moment, turning the mug around with scrutiny. "... Why does anything have to change? Why does it have to be him?"

For a moment her hand extended to his, but at the last moment she withdrew it, returning it to her lap where she began to fiddle her fingers.

"Give it to me straight, cutie," he commanded, noticing her hesitation. She had already burned him by picking another. There was no need for her to pour salt in his wounds by insulting him with an unnecessary worry of hurting his feelings. He was strong. He could handle any damage afflicted upon him.

Finally she stopped fiddling her fingers and looked up at him. It took her a moment, but she finally answered him properly. "... When I gave my heart to Dick Grayson it was not on loan. He is my first love, and I can't imagine anyone replacing that feeling."

His grip tightened around the handle of the mug and he shook his head. His emotions were as bright as the morning sun, clearly visible to Kori's eyes, and she frowned sadly.

"You are angry with me."

"I'm not," he assured her quickly.

"You are," she replied firmly. "It is okay to be angry at me. It is okay if you... hate me."

"I could never hate you," he said immediately, finally turning to look at her.

"But you should. I've dragged you through hell only to-"

"You never did anything to me. I knew what I was getting into. You warned me, but I refused to listen."

"I should have insisted. I should have-"

"Cutie, enough," he commanded and she pursed her lips. "Look... what's done is done. Besides... I owe you an apology."

Her eyes widened. "You? But you have done nothing wrong."

"I betrayed your trust."

Her head tilted to the side in confusion. Xavier betray her? She couldn't even begin to imagine it. However unimaginable it may be though, she noticed how his eyes wouldn't meet hers' and his clenched fist on the table. "Xavier... what did you do?"

"I told him."

"Told him?" she repeated, trying to make sense of his words.

With a guilty rise of his head his eyes looked towards the entrance of the kitchen. Her gaze followed in pursuit, and once she realized who he was talking about her eyes widened. She turned her gaze back to him fearfully. "What did you tell him?"

He looked away, ashamed. "He knows what Phey Zzon did to you."

She left the table and Xavier stood up after her as she began to pace the kitchen anxiously. She looked at him, her hands trembling in front of her. "How could you tell him? Why would you tell him? I didn't even get a chance to prepare myself!"

"I'm sorry but I had no choice. It was the only way I could get him back here."

She stopped her pacing and looked at him, stunned. "You brought him back?" her gaze fell. "I thought he came back on his own."

Xavier stepped towards her. "Kori."

"I thought he came back because of me. Because he loves me," she covered her face with her hands. "Not because of pity."

Xavier stepped next to her. "It's not like that. As much as I hate to say it the jerk actually cares about you," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "If he's here, it's because he wants to be here for you. Okay?"

She looked at him, trusting his words, and nodded. "... Thank you, Xavier."

He smiled at her gently and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled into his chest, hugging him back.

A loud cough filled the air.

Looking up, Kori and Xavier saw Dick standing at the entrance.

Kori immediately stepped away. "Dick... I-I didn't know you had woken up."

Dick didn't reply to her, his gaze turning to Xavier. He raised a brow and crossed his arms.

Xavier's eyes narrowed a bit. "... I have some things to take care of today. I'll be gone for awhile," his gaze turned to Kori, though the glare was absent. "You two have a lot to discuss."

"Thank you," Kori replied softly before he walked away.

Before leaving the kitchen Xavier paused by Dick briefly, his voice low. "Upset her, and I collect your fucking head."

The words went through one ear and out the other for Dick. The only thing that registered to him was the slam of the door upon Xavier's exit. With him gone, he finally allowed himself to look at Kori. "That's twice now that I've caught you in his arms, and the new year has just started."

"I-I'm sorry," she replied quickly, her fingers fiddling in front of her. "He was just being nice."

With her eyes on the floor she hadn't noticed that Dick was approaching until his hand landed on hers', her fingers ceasing their motion. She looked up at him.

"I can be nice, too," he said before pulling her into a hug.

Her eyes widened upon the contact, the heat rising to her cheeks as her face turned red. With trembling hands she hugged him back. As his arms tightened around her the more steady she felt, her own arms tightening around him.
TT

They knew they had many things to discuss, but despite this Kori tried to postpone it anyway, opting that the two talk after breakfast. Four cereal bowls after (three of which belonged to Kori) Dick attempted to start the conversation, but she evaded him with talks of a shower. Her fickleness wasn't fooling him however, and he demanded they talk immediately after his turn in the shower was done. With time ticking away Kori anxiously waited for him in her room, every second a painful reminder that the unavoidable was coming. Collapsing onto her bed she covered her eyes with her arms, a hiccup stuck in her throat as she bit her lower lip. Already she could feel the dam breaking, the water escaping.

"You really haven't changed that much, have you, Kori?"

She lowered her arms, revealing her eyes to Dick who looked down at her. He smiled gently, lifting a hand to her cheek so he could brush away a tear.

"Calm down. We can start when you're ready."

Clasping her hand around his wrist she took a deep breath, allowing herself a moment to relax... and then she began.

She didn't cry, she didn't stutter, she didn't allow the memory to claim her, to break her like it did at night in her dreams. She tried not to think about his touch, his face, the feel of his breath against her skin, his scent. It had happened once, and she didn't want her retelling the events to feel like a second assault. Dick's hand was tucked into hers', and the more she spoke the more her grip on him increased. He was her support, her shimmer of light. She would not succumb to the dark. It wasn't Phey Zzon who was sitting next to her in bed, it wasn't the sound of his breathing in her ear, it wasn't his palm in her hand. It was Dick. He was the one by her side. He was real and he was here to fend off any ghost that dared to scare her.

Her story was done and despite her fear Dick was still there, his arms around her as she settled into his chest, the feel of his cotton shirt against her cheek.

"... You're not mad at me?" she asked softly, the surprise evident in her voice. Of all the times she had envisioned this moment his demeanor was much more hostile towards her.

He pulled her at arms length so he could look her in the eyes. "Why would I be mad at you?"

She looked away. "You, my family, everyone... All of you have always told me that I needed to be more careful of who I trust. I thought Phey was my friend. He was my mentor. I trusted him completely and...," she shut her eyes, turning her face to the side, ashamed. "It's all my fault."

"Kori, look at me," Dick commanded. When she didn't he gently turned her face towards him. "You are not to blame."

"... You should hate me."

"Hate you? The only person I hate is the monster who raped you. And I'm going to make sure he pays," he said fiercely, standing up to collect the new phone he had brought upon arriving in the city. It resided on her vanity desk.

"What are you doing?" she asked, standing up.

"I'm going to call the best lawyer I know. By the time the court is done with him, Phey Zzon is going to regret ever having laid an eye on you."

Kori ran up to him, taking the cell phone from his hand and shutting it off.

"Kori, what are you-"

"You can't get a lawyer, Dick," she said, placing his phone back on the desk.

His eyes narrowed, his tone rising slightly. "Why not? Don't you want that bastard to answer for his crime as much as I do?"

"Of course I do."

"Then why did you stop me?"

"Because I don't want anyone else to know!" she screamed. "It was hard enough telling Xavier and then you... I don't want the world to know! My friends... my parents..."

She covered her face with her hands, the thought of her family knowing overwhelming as she thought about their disappointment. Slowly she walked over to the bed and sat down, bringing her knees to her chest and hiding her face. It took him a moment, but eventually Dick joined her side. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He didn't like her decision at all but he couldn't force her to do what he wanted. Growing up the ward of Bruce Wayne he knew how important one's privacy was, as well as one's image. If certain things were to be revealed to the public eye there would be a stain on one's life, one that could never be removed.

With an exasperated sigh he surrendered. "... It's you choice, Kori. If you don't want to press charges then... I won't mention it again."

She turned to him, a look of relief spreading across her features, and she opened her arms to hug him in gratitude, murmuring her thanks. He welcomed her embrace, though in the back of his mind he questioned his decision and if it was the right one. Had she properly thought about the weight of her decision? Was sparing the feelings of others worth letting Phey Zzon off the hook? Was there a way to protect her from the media if the truth were to be revealed?

As they pulled away his doubt pestered him, forcing the words out of him before he could even realize it. "Are you sure about this?"

She was a bit taken aback by his inquiry, having thought the subject had been closed. "Yes, I'm sure. Xavier and I have already talked about it and-"

His eyes widened. "Wait, wait, wait, wait... Xavier? You already had this conversation with Xavier?"

"Of course," she said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her tone was completely normal and it worried Dick immensely. "He was the first person I told, and he was so angry when he found out. It was only natural that he wanted to take some form of action against Phey. But he understands how I feel. I don't want Phey to reenter my life. If I press charges I'm going to have to face him again. I don't think I would be able to handle that... You understand, don't you?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Dick replied. He looked away, scratching his head. "So uh... just what is the situation with you and Xavier?"

She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just that you seem to be making all these major decisions with him... Should I be worried?"

Her eyes widened and she immediately took his hand. "Of course not! I love you."

There was a pause, a seed of doubt pushing forward. "If you love me so much, then why did you kiss Xavier?"

She opened her mouth to reply but fell short of a response.

Her silence only confused Dick more, giving strength to that seed and allowing it to fester, his eyes narrowing. "What is your relationship with him? What was he even doing here this morning? And earlier today he said he'd be 'gone for awhile.' Is he seriously coming back here? What is he, a stalker or something?"

"He's not a stalker...," Kori replied softly, lowering her gaze. "He's my... roommate."

The room fell into silence.

"... Roommate?" Dick repeated, his voice almost a whisper.

Kori nodded.

He stood up from the bed instantly and walked away. He paced the floor with his hands clenched at his sides, silently reminding himself not to let his emotions get the better of him.

Kori stood up. "Dick-"

He raised his hand in warning, not even looking at her. "Don't... Just give me some space."

Wordlessly she sat back on the bed, wrapping her arms around herself in fear of the explosion she knew was coming.

Finally he turned to her, being sure to keep his distance. "I am desperately trying to keep my cool... but it is very hard."

She nodded in understanding and watched as he walked over to take a seat by her vanity dresser. He placed his hands on his knees and she couldn't help but notice that they were clenched into fist.

"Okay," he said after releasing a heavy breath. "How 'bout you tell me what I've missed."

Unlike before Kori was unable to keep herself together as she told Dick her experiences with Xavier. She would stutter, she would tear up, and although Dick's face remained passive she could tell that there was an anger boiling within him.

"I'm so sorry," Kori said after she was done telling him everything. "I know it's not enough but... could you ever forgive me?"

Dick looked away. "... I don't know. Kori, you were planning a whole life with him," he glared at her. "You were going to replace me!"

"I wasn't...," she stood up and took a step forward. "I never stopped caring about you."

He stood up. "If you cared about me so much then why were you kissing Xavier every chance you got?!"

"It wasn't like that! You weren't there!"

"As if that's my fault!" he snapped. Bruce sent me away against my will. If I could have been here for you, I would have."

She crossed her arms and looked away. "I don't believe you."

His eyes widened at her response. He took a step closer to her. "Excuse me?"

She glared at him. "I know what I did was wrong, and I'm not trying to make excuses, but I thought you were never coming back. Especially after you sent me that email."

He raised a brow. "What email?"

"Dick, don't play games with me."

"I'm not playing games," he grabbed her arm, turning her around so that she could look at him. "What email?"

She snatched her arm away and glared at him. "The one you sent me," she crossed over to her nightstand and took out her laptop from the top drawer. She started it up. "You talk so much about how I replaced you, yet you're the one who dumped me."

Shock consumed his countenance. "I never dumped you."

"Then how do you explain this?" she snapped, showing him the email she got months ago.

He took her laptop in disbelief, reading the email for himself. He looked at her, baffled. "Kori, I never sent this."

She rolled her eyes. "That's your email address, Dick."

"I know but look at the date. This was sent to you in September. Bruce confiscated my phone and laptop in August before he shipped me off to school. I didn't have access to a computer at that school. No student did at that hell hole. They said technology instills bad behavior."

"I don't understand," Kori began, meeting his gaze. "If you didn't send me that email, who did?"

"I don't know, but it's obviously someone who didn't want us to be together," Dick said, his eyes narrowing. And he had a hunch as to who that someone was.

Before reaching the doorstep of her home Raven turned around and waved lightly at Gar. He smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up, before driving away on his moped, his long white scarf flapping behind him almost like it was waving goodbye towards her. She smiled as she watched him go, waiting until he was out of sight before turning towards her door with key in hand. She stepped inside, unzipping her coat, and heard a commotion in the living room. The hoots and hollers of her brothers playing their new video game filled her ears, and with a shake of her head she decided she would sneak up to her bedroom where it was more quiet.

The foul language and cheers were nothing new, her brothers always got excited while playing video games, so she didn't really pay any attention to their exchanges, but one sentence stopped her in her tracks, forcing her into the male dominated room.

"Aw, sick! That was totally cool how you killed that zombie, Joey!"

Her eyes widened and she ran into the living room, confirming the presence of Joey. He sat on the sofa with her brothers Jacob and Josh. As she stood there, stunned, Josh looked up and noticed her.

"Oh, hey, Raven. When you'd get here?"

She didn't answer him. Her eyes were trained on Joey. The same question just asked of her was one she would like to ask her boyfriend. That, and why was he here?

Joey stood up upon seeing her, a grin on his face. "Hey, it's about time you showed up. I've been waiting for you," he approached her, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Where have you been? You had me worried."

She doubted that, and she had a malicious reply at the tip of her tongue, but she held it in. Her brothers adored Joey, she'd rather not have an argument with him in front of them. Keeping her voice low, she spoke so only Joey could hear. "Can we talk?"

With hands in their pockets Raven and Joey walked side by side, passing many houses that still had their Christmas decorations up.

"Hey, dare me to put those two reindeer in a position that's bound to make people cover the eyes of their children?" Joey joked, hoping to earn a smile. He received none and frowned. "Look, I'm really sorry about ditching you last night. I had a lot on my mind but I'm better now. And I'm willing to make it up to you if you let me. How's about I take you out for dinner? We can go wherever you want to go."

She paused in their walk, her eyes rooted on the ground. Joey stopped as well, looking at her curiously. Lifting her gaze she locked eyes with him, her countenance nonchalant. "I spent the night at Gar's house last night."

There was a brief pause before Joey spoke.

"Okay."

She felt as if she'd just been hit in the gut, but didn't show it. "That's it? Just okay?"

Joey rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... yeah."

Her eyes narrowed. "It doesn't bother you that the reason I never replied to any of your messages was because of the fact that I was with Gar?"

"He's your friend. Why would I be bothered?"

"Because... Because I'm your girlfriend and you're just supposed to be. You're supposed to be angry and jealous and-"

"Why would I be any of those things? I trust you and Gar completely. It's not like you guys haven't done sleepovers before. I've heard all the stories."

She glared at him and turned around. She had taken two steps before stopping and turning around to face him once more. "Are you gay?"

Joey had felt as if the breath had been knocked out of him. "W-What? O-of course I'm not!" he narrowed his eyes. "Why would you-"

"I saw you kissing Alain at midnight. And don't even try insulting me by implying I imagined the whole thing. I know what I saw."

Stopped dead in his tracks before he could even start, he pursed his lips before conjuring up another angle. "... We... We were drunk. It didn't mean anything."

She desperately wanted to believe that he was being honest with her, but his lack of eye contact and timid tone betrayed him. "I'm going home," she announced after a brief pause, turning away.

Joey ran up to her, desperately seizing her arm and spinning her around. He latched onto her shoulders, his eyes wild. "You believe me, don't you?! We were just being stupid, I swear. It was a one time thing. It won't happen again. I-I care about you, Raven!"

She placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him away. "... I know you care about me."

He smiled at this, relief entering him for just a moment before Raven snatched it all away along with his smile.

"... but not in the way that a boyfriend should," she finished, turning and walking away. "Goodbye, Joey."

He let her go, his heart racing as he watched her get further and further away. "Raven... Raven, don't... I-I'll call you tonight! Okay?! Nothing's changed, okay? I'm still normal, I'm still-Dammit," he lowered his face and rubbed his eyes against his sleeve. "Dammit!"

They had put their conversation on hold, taking a break to have some lunch. Kori had ordered a large pizza (she had the number on speed dial) and now sat with her legs crossed on top of her bed, pizza box on her lap. With a grin she placed two slices of pizza together, one on top of the other, and took a bite, the mozzarella cheese stretching as she pulled her slices away and dangling as she chewed a mouthful. After swallowing she sought out the dangling cheese, slurping it up like it was a string of spaghetti. Some sauce had gotten on her fingers, and she sucked them clean. Dick watched her in fascination.

"Wow... you're really hungry," he said after a pause, being sure to keep his slice close by in fear of her gobbling it up. His eyes fell to her stomach. "I guess being pregnant has boosted your appetite."

She glanced at him, then at her slice, lowing it down in embarrassment. "My apologies. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"No, no, it's fine. I mean you're pregnant so," he looked away and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Yeah..."

"Are you bothered?" she asked after a slight pause.

"... A little," he admitted softly. He looked at her quickly and saw her crestfallen face. "But not because of what you think." He took her hand in reassurance. "You're still my Kori. Beautiful and amazing as always."

She smiled at that, but soon she became perplexed and with a tilt of her head she inquired as to what was troubling him.

"It's just," he sighed, looking away. "I always thought that I would be your first. And that we, sometime in the future, would have had a child together." His eyes narrowed. "Phey Zzon stole that from us."

She placed her hand above his clenched fist, raising it to her lips so she could place a kiss upon his knuckles before snuggling into his shoulder. It didn't take very long until his arms were wrapped around her, drawing her in closer.

Joey waited outside the fence of Alain's home, pacing with a look of anxiety. Too consumed with his own troubles he didn't even notice Alain's arrival.

"Okay, I'm here," Alain said, stepping outside the fence. "What's the emergency?"

Joey ceased his pacing, pausing to look up at Alain. His fury consuming him he glared at Alain, grabbing him by his jacket and showing him roughly against the trunk of a tree. "You told her!"

Beyond baffled and a bit fearful Alain was unsure of what to do. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Liar!" Joey seethed, shoving Alain to the ground. He clenched his fist. "You told Raven that we..." He gritted his teeth, trying his hardest to keep his voice as low as possible. "That we kissed."

Alain's eyes widened. "She knows?"

Joey paused, silently observing Alain's reaction. He seemed genuinely surprised. His face softened and his raised fist fell to his sides. "... She knows."

Alain quickly got to his feet. "Joey, I swear I never sad a word."

Joey cast his green eyes to the ground. He had been so caught up with his anger that he wanted to place blame on someone, an action he deeply regretted. Alain had been nothing but loyal to him, he should have known better than to accuse him. There could have been a hundred different ways that could explain how Raven found out, but Alain wasn't one of them. He sighed and turned away, muttering his apologies.

Alain grabbed his arm. "Wait, where are you going?"

"To hide in my room," Joey snapped. His tone was sarcastic, but he was very serious with his response. He wasn't in the mood to be around people.

"Hold on," Alain pleaded, following him. "If Raven knows, then what happens now?"

Joey paused, unsure of how to respond. Everything had happened so quickly he never had a chance to think about what to do next.

"Maybe... maybe this is your chance."

Joey turned his head, gazing at Alain from the corner of his eyes. "My chance to do what?"

"... To come out."

Joey turned around to face him properly. "Alain, we've been through this."

"I know, but that was before Raven knew the truth."

"As far as I'm concerned Raven doesn't know a damn thing. She maybe have saw us, but she can't prove anything."

"Yeah, but-"

"Alain," Joey snapped. "Enough already!"

The athlete opened his mouth to protest, but upon seeing the strain in Joey's eyes he decided against it. He lowered his gaze in defeat.

Joey took a step closer. "Alain, I need you to do me a favor. I doubt Raven is that kind of person but... if she tries anything, I need you to be on my side. I don't care what you have to do, just please don't let this get around. If my dad hears about something like this-"

"Don't worry about it. I have your back," Alain assured him. "... And, if you ever decide to change your mind, I'll still be in your corner."

By the way Alain spoke Joey could tell his words were genuine, and although he knew Alain was loyal he couldn't bring himself to trust in those words, the weight of a former betrayal still weighing heavily in his heart. Without so much as a nod goodbye Joey took his leave.

As he climbed the stairs joyous laughter reached Xavier's ears. Although having heard Kori's laugh before, it sounded different to him this time; more natural and light as if nothing were holding her back. As he entered the hallway his eyes drifted towards her door which was slightly ajar.

"It can't be because of him...," Xavier muttered, heading towards her door and pushing it open. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Dick and Kori sitting in front of each other on the bed, a look of amusement bestowed upon Kori's face.

"And then Gar...," Kori paused, catching sight of Xavier from the corner of her eye. She turned her head towards him. "Xavier, I didn't hear you come in."

"I just got here," he replied, stepping into the room and purposefully ignoring the glare on Dick's face. He smiled at Kori. "Are you okay, cutie?"

Her cheeks turned red and she gave a short nod. "... I was just beginning to fill Dick in on how our friends are doing."

"Maybe the rest could wait till after dinner?" he suggested. "You must be hungry."

Her eyes lit up with excitement and she clasped her hands in front of her chest. "Perhaps we can try that new Japanese restaurant? I received their flier in the mail and everything sounded so delicious."

"Sounds good to me. It's nice to take a break from cooking every now and then."

Kori's smile brightened and she turned to the boy sitting besides her. "Dick?"

Dick offered her a small grin. "It's okay with me."

"Splendid! I shall go fetch the menu from the kitchen," Kori said, anticipation guiding her steps as she exited the room.

With Kori gone the two boys looked at each other briefly before turning their gazes away. An awkward silence fell upon them and Xavier was the first to break it.

"I wonder if she even knows where the menu is at," he said mostly to himself. "I better go help her look."

"Hold on a minute," Dick called before Xavier could reach the door. He stood up from the bed, his eyes narrowing as he took a step forward. "I have something I need to say to you."

Xavier returned Dick's glare with one of his own. "... I'm listening."

"Kori and I spoke a lot today, so I'm up to speed with what's been going on between you two while I've been gone. You've been playing house with my girlfriend, trying to take my place, but it ends now. I'm back in the picture, and that makes you unnecessary. I'm all she needs."

"... Are you done?" Xavier asked, a smirk gliding across his lips. The sudden action took Dick by surprise, causing him to frown in response. Since Dick remained silent Xavier continued, his gaze full of loathing as he took several steps forward to stand in front of his opponent, the two boys just inches apart. "While you've been off at your rich boy school I've been the one who has taken care of Kori. I've been there when she needed someone the most. I'm the one she's confided in, I'm the one who's held her hand and dried her tears. Just because you're here now doesn't mean anything has changed. You're insignificant."

Although he wanted to show no signs that Xavier's words afflicted him, Dick's eyes betrayed him. There was worry in his sapphire blues. Triumphant, Xavier turned away and left the room, and it was only after that did Dick sit back on the bed. Raising his trembling hand he covered his face, his head hung low. With his free clenched hand he made a fist, punching the surface of the bed, the word 'dammit' slipping from his lips.

The song Shake it out by Florence The Machine inspired this chapter's title.

Sorry that this chapter took so long guys! Midterms are a bummer. And I was actually supposed to post this on Wednesday, because it was supposed to be my day off, but I got called into work so I never got around to typing it.

Okay, so I have two papers due next week, and then after that week I have another paper, so my writing schedule is going to be crazy! I'm hoping Chapter 27 will be done before this month is up, that's my goal. I hope I can make it, but if not just keep an eye on my profile for any previews or post I make about the progress of the chapter.

P.S. - I've gotten some reviews about BBRae in this story. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say much, but... Raven is still with Joey at the moment. But that relationship won't last for long so... I wonder who her next romantic interest will be (winknudgewinknudgegrin).

Next chapter: Dick feels intimidated by Xavier's relationship with Kori and is determined to push him out of the picture.

REVIEW