Chapter 39
"And why could we not fly?" Kori asked for the umpteenth time.
Dick grinned over his shoulder at her and turned to lend her a hand in scrambling over the rocks. "It's called hiking, Star," he said as he pulled her level with him, shifting his grip to her hips and directed her up over the next set of rocks. "There's no fun in it if you fly. You have to work for it."
"Why can I not fly and you work for it?" she grumbled, her foot slipping on a rock briefly. Dick tightened his grip on her hips, lifting her up so she could get her footing. "We could be there by now."
"Aww, baby," he said, releasing her hips before scrambling up the rock after her. "Quit complaining. You're taking all the fun out of it. I promise it will be worth it."
She raised an eyebrow at him, her lips pressed into a line before she sighed. "I am unused to this."
"I know," he said running his hands up and down her arms tenderly. "But look, we're nearly there."
She eyed him. "How do you know?"
"Listen," he said with a smile, placing his hand over her eyes, his other hand still holding onto her arm. "What do you hear?"
She stilled, passive beneath his hand. "I hear… birds… wind through the trees… some native insects that sound like a high pitched hum…"
"What else?"
"There is a strange roaring sound… water? Are we not a long distance from the ocean?"
"We are indeed," he said, removing his hand.
Kori cocked her head in confusion. "So, why do I hear water?"
"You'll see," he said cryptically, pulling her along as he followed Blue's carefully laid markers.
They reached a tall rock face, the limestone rock towering above them and it was here that Blue's trail ended. Dick glanced up and down the edge, but he couldn't see the opening Blue had described. Readjusting the pack on his back he took a step backward, eyeing the top of the cliff before glancing along the face again.
"Flying does not look so bad after all," Kori said with a sly grin.
"Uh-uh," Dick grunted, refusing to allow her to con him into taking the easy way out. "We've come this far. Star, you follow it that way, I'll go this way, we're looking for an opening large enough to walk through."
"Could I not just-"
"No way," he said, swiveling her shoulders in the direction he'd pointed and smacked her lightly on the rump. "Shouldn't be too difficult to find."
Kori shrugged and walked off while he headed in the other direction.
"I believe I have found it," she called a short time later.
"Wait for me," he called, trotting back over to her.
He heard her giggle and she disappeared down the crack in the rock face.
"Minx," he muttered affectionately to himself as he found the crack and disappeared into its depths behind her.
Kori emitted a startled gasp of breath from ahead as she reached the end of the crack and he saw her take a small step forward before lifting into the air and spun excitedly. "Oh Richard," she sang. "It is glorious!"
Dick smiled and stepped from the crack behind her.
They were standing on an outcropping of limestone rock overlooking a huge pool. The area was completely enclosed; the only entrance into this paradise was the small crack in the limestone that he'd just walked through. And in the middle of this limestone hole was a three-tiered waterfall; the top one cascading down from the top of the tall limestone cliff face and crashing into the water below. The first and second tiers were small, no more than his height and each of them had a huge pool at its base. Water so clear he could see the sandy bottom pooled in the first two tiers but the third tier seemed bottomless, the water fading into emerald green and then to black and Dick knew it would enter the underground system of caves that would lead the water down to the ocean. Green ferns sprouted out of every crack in the limestone and those sections that had no cracks was covered in a fine layer of green moss.
Dick dropped his pack on the limestone rock beneath his feet, stepping to take Kori by the waist.
"Oh," she breathed, her eyes shining. "Never in my life have I seen such a glorious sight. I often dreamed that such a paradise would exist on Tamaran. Oh Kom would have loved this." She frowned suddenly, planting a hand on her hip as she looked at him disapprovingly. "You said we were doing the hiking. You made no mention of this being here and you insisted that I did not need to bring clothes for bathing."
"I did?" he asked cheekily, a slow grin spreading on his face. "Oh, how terribly thoughtless of me. Guess you'll just have to swim nude then."
She arched an eyebrow at him, her arms folding across her chest. "I see… and if perhaps I choose not to swim?"
He shrugged, moving away from her and sat down on a rock to pull off his boots. "Your loss."
She watched him with veiled eyes as he shed his clothing. "What are you doing?"
"Going swimming," he replied, dropping his jeans and boxers to the ground, hiding his mirth as her eyes went wide. "What? Did you think I would ask you to do something I wouldn't do myself? Can't let all that lovely water go to waste." He walked to the edge of the outcropping, briefly peering over the edge to determine if he'd jump on any rocks before diving into green water of the third pool.
He surfaced with a gasp, grinning up at Kori as he treaded water. "Come on in, d'anthe l'ani," he called, floating slightly. "It's wonderful."
She narrowed her eyes at him and disappeared away from the edge.
He swam lazily backward, further into the middle of the pool, trying to see what she was up to. He grinned broadly when the shapely, naked form of his wife launched from the overhanging rock, curved gracefully in the air and swan dived into the water, barely making a ripple.
He rolled onto his stomach, swimming lazily toward the area she dove into, knowing she probably wasn't anywhere near there anymore and tried to peer through the water as he did so to see if he could spot her. A hand closed around his ankle, giving him just enough time to gulp in a breath of air before he was yanked underwater and he caught a glimpse of Kori's laughing green eyes.
"Woah," he expelled as she propelled him from the water and into the air. He arched gracefully, completing several backward somersaults before diving back into the water, sinking deep into its emerald embrace.
He kicked off toward the surface again, laughing gleefully as he broke it, looking around to see Kori's eyes protruding from the water, her nose and mouth still hidden but he could see the merriment in her eyes.
"That was fun," he said, lazily swimming over to her.
She lifted her head completely out of the water to smile at him. "Yes, I did enjoy that, I received a nice view."
He arched a single eyebrow at her, smirking, treading water not far from her. "Having a perv were we?"
She frowned for a moment, before her eyes brightened and her face became incredibly flirtatious. "Oh, yes, I was definitely looking at you with the lustful intentions."
Heat trickled down his chest, through his belly and settled in his nether regions.
Her eyes twinkled and she waggled a finger at him. "But that does not mean you will actually get some… 'action' from me."
He pouted. "Why not?"
"You have to catch me first," she said mischievously and splashed away as she dashed through the water.
Dick laughed and gave chase.
TTTTT
The sound of the video game blipped and pinged in the background as Cyborg boisterously played his games, shouting out obscenities at the screen whenever something went wrong and whooping in delight when something went right.
Raven absently buried her nose a spell book, keeping half an eye on her lover as he concentrated on the chessboard before them. She hated to admit it but he was getting better at this game. Thinking more clearly and several steps ahead and playing his strategies remarkably well.
She turned her attention back to her book, the words of the page meddling together as her eyes skimmed over them. It was actually quite an interesting spell book, some of the spells in there could be very useful in controlling her powers when she got too worked up in the bedroom. She'd been getting much better at not allowing them loose during sex, but it couldn't hurt to have that extra backup.
"Check," Beast Boy announced happily, moving his castle into position, keeping his fingers on the piece. "Aaaaaaaaaaand…" he continued, his eyes still moving around the board as he considered. He looked up at her, removed his fingers and a proud yet goofy grin crossed his face. "Checkmate in two moves."
The book slipped out of Raven's suddenly limp hands and clunked to the floor. Cyborg's car crashed in the background, his body suddenly appearing beside the board, his eyes wide and face drawn into a picture of astonishment.
Raven studied the board intently, feeling the weight of Cyborg and Beast Boy's eyes on her. Cyborg looked quite nervous and Beast Boy had a timidly smug expression on his face.
Raven pursed her lips, determined to drag this out as long as possible, using her peripheral vision to watch as Cyborg begin to sweat and Beast Boy's smile dropped off his face and a look of nervousness swept upon him.
She let out a long sigh and looked up, keeping her expression bland, her voice neutral. "Cyborg, do you remember when you told Beast Boy that if he ever managed to beat me at chess, you'd eat tofu?"
"Yeah," he said nervously, casting glances at Beast Boy.
She smirked. "Guess what's for dinner?"
Cyborg's jaw dropped.
"No way," Beast Boy blurted. "I did it? Really?"
Raven nodded.
Beast Boy was up and out of his seat immediately, dancing around the room, throwing his arms around wildly and shaking his tush. "I did it, I did it, go Beast Boy, go Beast Boy!"
Raven watched with no small amount of amusement as Beast Boy completed his ritual 'I won' dance and reveled in his success while Cyborg slid to the ground and watched him slack jawed.
"No way," he muttered. "You should check again."
"Why?" Raven asked in her monotone voice. "He won, fair and square. Check for yourself."
Beast Boy danced over to her, sweeping her into his arms and waltzed around the room with her. "Babe, you're just totally awesome. Thank you so much."
Raven smiled at him and allowed him to spin her around the room.
TTTTT
Kori ducked her head under the stray of the water in the shower, allowing its warmth to cascade over her body and reached for the conditioner, making sure to lather it in as much as possible. She didn't want her hair drying out after all this surf, sun and sand they'd been doing lately. She smiled to herself and begun to sing softly under her breath as her fingers massaged her scalp.
They were only a six days into their honeymoon and she already knew she never want this time with him to end. The close call they'd had yesterday scared her, him too for that matter, but it was more concerning for her to hear him talking of giving up the hero life.
Kori sighed again, placing her head under the spray of the shower, rising out her hair before she turned off the taps and reached for the towel.
When she entered the bedroom, towel wrapped around her chest, there was a large flat box lying on the bed. On it sat a white rose and a small note and beside it sat a shoebox.
Kori raised her eyebrows and picked up the rose, twirling it in her fingers for a moment while her other hand unfolded the note.
My shining Star,
I give to you these small offering as tokens of my affection. I would that you wear them tonight and journey to the docks before six where I shall be waiting with our carriage for the evening.
Your loving husband.
Kori beamed happily, glancing at the clock beside the bed before she gently opened the box and sucked in a startled gasp of breath. "Oh, Richard," she breathed quietly to herself.
TTTTT
Kori withheld a giggle as she peered out from behind the tree. She could see Dick shuffling nervously, the restless twitch of his legs as he tried to wait patiently for her on the dock.
She had no idea how she'd managed to get so close to the docks without him noticing her. Nor why he appeared to be so nervous. But she did know that he looked absolutely gorgeous, black dress pants and shoes, and a pale green long-sleeved shirt. She narrowed her eyes and suddenly had to fight to withhold a squeal. Was he wearing a tie?
She ran her fingers over her dress again, smoothing out the wrinkles. It was a deep emerald green colour, he'd probably chosen it for her eyes. It was strapless, the fitted bodice clutching her skin before the skirt of it fell in tiers from her waist and ended just above her knees and complimented by black strappy shoes. She'd left her hair loose, there really hadn't been much time to style it, and despite all her best efforts, she'd never been able to style it in a way that was acceptable on Earth without the help of Raven or Bumblebee besides the very, very basics. She did however, pull most of it away from her face and held it in place with two combs. She just wished she'd thought to bring some jewelry, her neck did feel rather bare, but she was pretty sure that was the Tamaranian coming out in her again.
She peered around the tree as Dick stopped his restless pacing and looked at his watch again, before tugging the cuff of the sleeve back over it, glancing over his shoulder at the boat behind him. It was much larger than Blue's 'dinghy'. It was one of those luxury yachts and it consisted of two levels; the upper one looking like it was the bridge and she could actually see someone moving around in there. The back half of the lower deck was an open sundeck and Kori could see the stairs heading up to the bridge and down into the main cabin from there.
Dick glanced at his watch again before he dug his fingers into his collar and loosened it, his feet returning to their pacing.
Kori giggled, stepping out from behind the tree and continued down the path toward the dock. She clasped her hands behind her back, struggling to keep her feet grounded as she walked toward him. As it was, she couldn't quite hear the sound of her shoes clipping on the stone walkway.
She actually got pretty close to him before he finally spotted her, his jaw dropping in surprise and appreciation.
"Wow," he breathed as she reached him, his expression enthralled. "Star, you look gorgeous… I… wow…"
Her smile grew wider. "You look very handsome too, Richard." She unclasped her hands from behind her back and reached for his. "You have exquisite taste in clothes. I do like this."
He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "That's… ahh… a Simon special. He's actually quite taken with you, he's done a whole series of clothes for special occasions for you."
"Oh," she replied with a smile. "Well then… perhaps I should gift Simon with the kiss I was planning to bestow on you?"
"Ah, no," Dick said quickly, squeezing her hand and pulling her in for a kiss. "All your kisses belong to me."
"Possessive?"
He grinned at her, his hands tight on her waist. "Oh yes, definitely. Let's go, Star," he said as he released her, leaving one hand on her waist as he pulled her toward the yacht. "Our chariot awaits."
"Richard?" asked Kori as she steeped onto the wooden deck. "I believed a chariot to be a archaic Earth vehicle pulled by horses. And I do not believe those cute little horses of the sea that Garth showed us could pull this."
He smiled. "Originally yes, now it's just a fancy way of saying this is our ride."
"And where shall we be riding today?"
He grinned and kissed her cheek. "You'll see, stay here a sec. I'll be right back," he said as he bounded up the stairs and spoke to whoever was in the bridge. She saw him nod and turn his head to look over his shoulder at the dock and nod again before bouncing down the stairs. Kori frowned when he stepped off the yacht and headed to the front of it, concerned as she felt the engine rumble into life beneath her feet.
She walked to the edge of the yacht, leaning on the boundary that rimmed it and watched as Dick unwound the rope that connected the yacht to the dock, tossed the rope toward the boat and headed back to the small opening in the boundary. He beamed at her as he closed the door. "Just had to unhook the rope," he said, heading back up the stairs. "All set," he called into the bridge, his hands on either side of the door as he leaned inside to speak to whoever was in there, tapping the toes of one shoe against the deck briefly. She saw him nod again and trundle down the stairs to grin goofily at her.
The engines hummed under her feet and she had to make sure they were firmly planted on the deck as the boat picked up speed. "Why are you being so secretive?" she asked as he wove his hands around her back.
"Cause its fun," he retorted with a smile.
"Whose… 'dinghy' is this?" she asked hesitantly.
"Oh, this isn't a dinghy, and don't ask me why Blue insists on calling all boats dinghies. This is one of Bruce's luxury yacht, one of his smaller ones, apparently I don't warrant borrowing the larger ones."
"Or doing the steering of it either," Kori commented, looking over his shoulder toward the bridge.
Dick chuckled. "Oh I could steer this if I wanted, but I don't know the waters well, I'd probably run into a sandbank or something, especially at night. And then we'd be stranded."
She giggled. "Oh that would be terrible."
"Minx," he said kissing her lightly on the nose. "Plus this way I get to spend time with you."
"So, what merits the occasion?"
His goofy grin grew wider. "We've been married exactly a week."
She froze and looked at him. "Truly? It seems longer."
"Yeah, I know the feeling. So," he said, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "I've planned a surprise for us. First step in this night of fun is the sunset."
Kori smiled. "And after that?"
He ran his finger along her nose. "You'll just have to wait and see."
"I cannot persuade you to give me a hint?"
"You can persuade all you like, but my lips are sealed."
Kori smirked at that and kissed him, running her tongue along his lips until he opened his mouth for her. "It is strange," she said with a smile as she pulled away. "They do not feel sealed."
"Are you sure?" he asked huskily. "You'd better check again."
Kori found herself giggling as she angled her head back toward his.
TTTTT
Beast Boy was watching Cyborg gleefully as the cybernetic youth eyed the contents of his plate dubiously.
He looked up at Raven and Beast Boy. "Couldn't I just-"
"No," Raven droned from Beast Boy's side, her expression equally gleeful. "You made the bet. You get to follow through."
"Yes, but-"
"No buts, Cy," Beast Boy said cheekily. "I won, fair and square. You get to eat it."
Cyborg tried to get out of it again. "It's pretend meat. There's no substance, no flavor-"
"Have you ever actually tried it, Cyborg?" Raven asked. "It might surprise you."
"Couldn't I just have some Cy-B-Q sauce on it too?"
Beast Boy sighed, his shoulders slumping and Raven narrowed her eyes. "No," she snapped. "Try it first."
Cyborg let out a heartfelt sigh and picked up the tofu burger Beast Boy had prepared for him and gingerly took a bite.
Beast Boy's expression instantly became watchful, hopeful.
Cyborg deliberately took his time as he chewed and swallowed heavily, placing the burger back on the plate. He let out another leaden sigh. "Okay, so its not as bad as I thought," he conceded.
Beast Boy crowed his triumph.
"But that doesn't mean I'm giving up meat!" he said loudly over the changeling's boisterous calling.
Beast Boy laughed. "I don't expect you to, Cy," he said, beaming happily. "All I ever wanted was for you to try it before you made fun of it."
Cyborg rolled his eye and picked up the burger to finish his meal.
TTTTT
"Oh, Richard," Kori breathed, her hands clasped to her chest. "It is beautiful. Never have I seen so many colours and to see it set completely over the ocean with no land in sight is breathtaking."
"Yes, breathtaking," Dick agreed with little regard for the actual sunset, his eyes on her, loving the way her face shone and her eyes sparkled with that innocence and fire he found irresistible. "Simply breathtaking."
"I believe you are meant to be watching the actual sunset, Richard, and not me."
"I like to watch you. Much more interesting."
She giggled, turning her head to look at him. "And why is that?"
"You're gorgeous," he said huskily. "And you're mine. Now and forever."
"Was there any doubt?" she replied, her eyes already sliding shut as he moved closer.
"Mr Grayson?" a voice asked and Dick had to fight to withhold cursing at the driver of the yacht.
"What?" he asked, disappointed when Kori opened her eyes, smiled forlornly and returned her gaze to the sunset. He looked over his shoulder at the driver as he approached.
"I need to start heading to the next destination, we'll miss the turning of the tide if we're not careful."
Dick nodded. "Okay then." He glanced back at Kori who had turned her head back to him.
"So where are we journeying to next?" she asked curiously.
Dick grinned. "Dinner."
TTTTT
The boat rocked gently as it docked in its booth in the harbor of the main island, Dick leaping free to secure the rope the moment he was able to.
Kori waited patiently, looking at the sparking lights of the many boats in the harbor while Dick spoke with the driver. There were no other boats parked on this particular dock, giving them the appearance of privacy, but Kori could see people moving around inside other boats on other parts of the dock.
"All set," Dick announced, walking up behind her, his arms hugging her stomach. "Jeff's gonna wrap things up here. He'll be back in the morning to take us back to Wayne Island."
Kori frowned. "Then where will we be sleeping tonight?"
"Who said I planned sleep?" Dick replied cheekily.
She angled her head around so she could see him, one eyebrow raised and a smile playing on her lips.
"Didn't you wonder what was below deck, baby?" he asked with a grin. "We're staying on the boat tonight." He gave her a slight tug, shifting his arm to drape over the top of her shoulder. "C'mon, there's a small walk to the restaurant and it's a lovely night for a stroll."
She raised her hand, treading her fingers through the one across her shoulder and leaned into him as he led her down the concrete dock. He was right, it certainly was a nice night for a stroll, the ocean breeze crisp and fragrant with salt, the single moon of Earth hung gracefully in the sky and the lights of a thousand stars winked at her.
There seemed to be a few others taking a moonlight stroll. They passed a few couples lingering at the edges of the dock, gazing into the murky blackness of the ocean while they talked in hushed tones. More than a few couples were secreted in dark corners engaging in recreational activities.
Dick leaned over the distance between them, kissing her on the temple as he led her through the cobbled streets to a place that was within a short walk from the harbor.
Kori's smiled dropped off her face as she saw the restaurant he'd picked. The name 'Bon Parfum' was splashed across the door in cursive writing. She began to feel nervous as he ushered her inside.
Even the ambiance of the place felt expensive to her. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the room, the light protruding from it giving the room a golden hue. Waiters dressed in tuxedo's flittered around the tables speaking in quiet tones. Every tablecloth was a crisp white, every piece of cutlery shone brightly, every crystal glass sparkled. A string quartet played in the corner of the room, the classical music trickling over the area. Patrons were littered around the room, speaking and laughing in hushed tones, all of them dressed in expensive looking suits and dresses.
Kori tightened her grip on his hand as he approached the man waiting expectantly. "Yes?" he asked with a bland face and she saw the man eye them up and down for a moment. "Can I help you?"
"Dick Grayson," Dick said with his trademark smirk. "I have a reservation."
The man's demeanor instantly changed, becoming servile and fawning and Kori fought to suppress a sigh. "Mr Grayson, yes of course, right this way."
Dick glanced at her, playfully rolling his eyes as he released her hand and shifted his arm to her waist, allowing the man to lead them to their table.
Kori gingerly sat as Dick guided the chair in behind her, before sitting on the chair opposite and she nervously smoothed down the ruffles in the skirt of her dress.
"Can I offer you some refreshments while you peruse the menu?" the man asked, hovering by the side of the table. "Perhaps some champagne or wine? We have a wonderful wine selection-"
Dick arched an eyebrow at the man. "We're underage, so just some cokes, thanks."
"Of course," the man said, seemingly disappointed as he gave them a small bow.
"Wine selection, sure," said Dick with a smirk as he watched the man hurry off. "He just wants me to purchase that four hundred dollar bottle they keep for their 'special patrons'." Dick's smirk softened to a smile as he moved the vase containing a single red rose in the middle of the table to the side so he could see her better. He lay his hand on the table and wiggled his fingers at her. She lifted one hand from her lap, placing it in his. "Why are you nervous?" he asked curiously.
She flicked her eyes up to him. "I… I do not wish to embarrass you," she said in a tiny voice.
Both eyebrows shot upward and he looked flabbergasted. "Why would you embarrass me?"
She sighed. "Oh, Richard, dining etiquette still escapes me. There are so many different eating utensils and manners that I still have not learnt correctly and I never know which foods are the correct combination and request items that do not belong together and the serving people always look at me as though I have suddenly become the hideous offspring of a grishnik and a glorg. Every time we dine at a place that is not Cathy's or the pallor of Pizza I always manage to do something inappropriate and our friends will laugh and you will get the strangest expression on your face and-"
"It's just me," he said soothingly, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand as he halted her babble. "And nothing you have done has ever embarrassed me. Just be yourself and if they can't handle it, we'll go somewhere else. I just want to have dinner with my w-" his eyes flicked around uncomfortably, "girlfriend at a nice restaurant without the others being there."
"But-"
He gave her a wiry grin. "That strange expression is probably me desperately trying not to kill Victor and Garfield for laughing at you. I love you just the way you are, cultural fumblings and all and I wasn't any better when I visited your home. Or do I need to remind you of how the greeting with the Bynador went?"
Kori giggled. "That was most… comical. But they did understand."
He chuckled. "Sure they did, which is why they steered clear of me for the rest of the night. Still, it was an interesting experience, being on the other side of the fence. And I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
She shook her head instantly. "Of course not."
"So, why would you think anything you do would embarrass me?"
She dropped her eyes from his. "Because we are not out as-" Starfire and Nightwing, she sent. "We are Kori Anders and Dick Grayson. And Dick Grayson is the America's most eligible bachelor beside his father. He is suave and sophisticated and elegant and I am-"
"The love of my life," Dick said softly, squeezing her hand. "Baby, never listen to what the press says about me, or us. You know they some of the things they print about the Titans, how untrue they are. Same thing goes for Dick Grayson. They always say whatever it is they want to anyway, but you know the truth, and I know the truth and that's what matters. You don't embarrass me, ever. Now, please, give me one of your thousand watt smiles and just enjoy yourself."
She beamed at him and he grinned in return. "That's better. Now, let's have a look at these menus…"
That man returned a short time after that, simpering and bowing as he took their orders, Kori cringing as she saw the other patrons start to take an interest in who they were. She was certain she heard Dick's name being whispered and there were two woman over by the window that twittered and giggled, constantly casting flirtatious glances in their direction.
She watched them out of the corner of her eye while she and Dick chatted about nondescript things that had been occurring in the Tower during her absence. She knew what she could do about if she was on Tamaran. She would simply walk over there and claim pal nuk trol, the ancient Tamaranian tradition of protecting ones claimed, chosen or marriage partner from the unwanted advances of others, reminding all those around whose partner they were. As Starfire, no one dared flirt openly with Nightwing, beside the blushing giggles behind their hands as they asked for his autograph and if they tried, she could star bolt them.
So what could she do as Kori to show others that he was hers and no other?
Kori excused herself after the meal, heading to the bathroom.
She was in the stall when she heard the door open and recognised the giggles of the woman that entered.
"Oooh, Claudia," one the woman said and Kori peered through the crack in the door to see that woman preening at the mirror. "Can you believe the Dick Grayson has graced our little corner of the world?"
"Oh I know Tiff, it's just incredible. And here I thought we were going to have slim picking this year."
Kori frowned, what was he to them, a piece of meat?
"I know," the one called Tiff replied. "And did you see that no-named hussy he was with? Talk about plain. And she was all over him, holding his hand, making doe eyes. It's sickening. He's a free spirit, he's never gonna be tied down by something like her."
Kori's heart thumped in her chest.
"I'd like to make doe eyes with him," Claudia replied with a giggle. "Hey, didn't we see her in the Gotham Times? Cary? Corry? Or something? She's was with him at Christmas."
Kori saw Tiff shrug. "Who cares? Besides, he'd be a playboy, just like Bruce. Think we can get him to sneak off with us for a while, have a little fun?"
Claudia's voice turned flirtatious. "Are you thinking threesome? Share him?"
Kori snapped the handle on the door, cringing as she saw the broken metal in her hand, but the sudden noise didn't seem to deter the two giggling woman. Kori peered through the crack again as the one called Tiff peeked out the bathroom door. "Hey, he's alone, shall we?"
"Let's go," Claudia replied as the pair of them flitted back out the door.
Kori broke the door to the stall in half, her fists clenched in anger. How dare they, how dare they! He was hers! They had absolutely no right to him. She planted her hands on the bench before the mirror, gouge marks appearing where her fingers raked across it of their own accord.
She looked up at herself in the mirror and forced herself calm. Getting angry wouldn't help her at all. She was on Earth, challenging the pair would do no good. So what could she do?
A thought dawned and a smile crossed her lips. She calmly washed her hands, checked her makeup and made sure her hair and dress were perfect and strolled from the bathroom.
Those girls were almost all over Dick by the time she got there. One of them had the gall to sit in her chair, while the other hand pulled a chair from the table beside them. Both of them were leaning in toward him, lecherous looks in their eyes. And she could see how incredibly uncomfortable Dick was with them by the way he was angling away from them, his eyes constantly darting in the direction of the bathroom and the way his voice had that hard edge to it.
The girls had positioned themselves so that their backs were to the bathroom, a rather stupid idea in Kori's opinion since it meant that she was able to get quite close.
"Um, I'm waiting for my girlfriend," Dick was explaining as she approached. "And I really don't think she's gonna like you two being here. And I have no interest in-"
Kori cleared her throat.
Relief flared in his eyes when he saw her, followed by a flash of fear.
"Now, Dick," she said tartly, planting one hand on her hip as she stood behind the girls, startling both of them and they swiveled around to stare at her. "Are you attracting more of the 'hussies'? I cannot leave you alone even for a moment."
One of them spluttered. "Hussies?"
Both of Dick's eyebrows hit his hairline, his eyes wide. "Yes, it does seem to be a failing of mine," he replied cautiously, both girls turning back to him with equal expressions of dismay on their faces.
"It must have something to do with your overwhelming good looks," replied Kori. She glanced at both the girls, keeping her expression bland. "It is a shame that there does only seem to be slim pickings at present," she said mildly, feeling smug as both of their jaws dropped. "But if you two do not mind, I would like to continue making the 'doe eyes' with my boyfriend and perhaps you could find a 'playboy' elsewhere that would be willing to 'sneak off' with you and conduct this threesome that you both seemed to be so interested in. Though somehow I doubt that any sane man would be interested in conducting any sort of activity with a pair of… trollops like you."
Their jaws dropped even further and they both went bright red but neither of them made to move.
Kori heaved in a sigh. "Remove yourself from my seat or I will remove you myself."
"Baby," Dick said, getting to his feet. "I think we're done here anyway. I've gone off my food, being confronted with these two." He offered her his elbow. "Shall we?"
She smiled at him, threading her arm through his and allowed him to lead her away.
God, Star, that was fucking brilliant, he sent as he paid the bill.
She giggled into his mind. I thought that would be a more appropriate response than challenging them to battle.
He chuckled into her mind. Personally, I was hoping you'd toss them out the window.
Yes, but that would damage this place more than I already have, she returned sheepishly.
He arched an eyebrow at her while she blushed, turning to pay the bill and ignoring the simpering and fawning of the man behind the counter before draping his arm around her waist and dragging her from the restaurant. Where did you hear those words?
In the bathroom, they did not know I was in there. Although I am uncertain of some of the meanings, I believe I used them in the correct context, yes?
Yes, you did, well done. Do you want to know what they mean?
She chewed her lip. I am fairly confident I know what 'doe eyes' means… and I do not think I wish to know the rest, there are a few things that I would like to remain ignorant of. She glanced at him as they stopped outside the restaurant window. Besides, seeing your face at hearing me use the word 'hussy' convinced me that it is not a word I will wish to repeat.
"Fair enough," he said, giving her a hug. "Ready for the next bit?"
She raised her eyebrows. "There is more?"
"A night of fun, Star, and the night's just begun. But first, I have this powerful need to kiss you," he said and did just that, right in the middle of the walkway, in full view of the restaurant window.
She sank into the kiss as he deepened it, her hands creeping up his back. You are doing this deliberately, she sent, the waves of jealously from inside the restaurant almost tangible. As 'payback' to those girls.
Oh yes, he replied cheekily. Definitely, they need to know what they're missing. Plus, there are paparazzi across the road there, giving them a show, cause we're gonna have to lose them later.
Paparazzi?
"Mmm-hmm," he hummed, continuing to kiss her. Photographers that chase celebrities for money. If they get a nice shot now, they won't mind as much when we ditch them later and I really don't want them following us back to the yacht. Do you mind?
Not at all, I receive kisses.
Dick grinned as he pulled away and she smiled back at him. "Let's go, Kori," he said loudly, waving a hand at the blacked out building across the street. He weaved his arm around her waist again and pulled her along.
"So where are we heading to next?" Kori asked curiously.
"You'll see," Dick said secretly.
She heard the music before she spotted the place they were heading, the bass line thumping up through her feet, reverberating through her chest.
"We are dancing?" she asked as she saw the bright flashing lights and a pair of revolving lights pointing onto the sky outside a dimly lit club that was also somehow illuminated with many different rolling colours.
"It's a rave," he said loudly as they drew closer, before he paused to look at her. Rules, don't ever leave a drink alone, and if you do, don't drink it after. Do not take anything that anyone offers you, especially if it's consumable, and if you start to feel weird, let me know immediately. We're just here to dance, but some of these people are here for other activities. He glanced up at the building that contained the rave and Kori could see a myriad of people dancing and jiggling inside, flashing laser lights and strange smoke floating over the floor. I'm not entirely comfortable taking you in here, but Dick Grayson is required to go to these sorts of things sometimes and I wanted to show you what it was before throwing you in the deep end where everyone would be watching. It can be fun if you give it a chance.
Kori frowned. Have I not been to one of these before? Surely the party of dance we went to when Kom came to Earth was like that?
Dick made a face. Yeah, kinda. Only that one was for teenagers, there were no drugs. This one, there's more adult population.
Kori nodded. Very well.
He grinned at her and led her inside.
Her ears were instantly assaulted with the throbbing sound of the huge speakers that towered above the crowd of dancers at the back of the room. Laser lights swirled across the walls, sprinkling the crowd of dancing people with its sparkling lights. A man stood at the end of the room between the speakers, headphones on his ears as his head bopped along with the music, fiddling with a strange machine and Kori guessed this was the DJ that she'd heard Garfield and Victor speak of. Along one wall people crushed against a long bar, bellowing orders to the bartenders behind. Tall round tables and stools were littered around the edge of the huge dance floor and hundreds of people bounded and jumped in time with the thumping beat.
Dick grinned, his face suddenly flushing blue, then red as the laser lights scattered around the room span. Dance with me, he murmured into her mind, spinning her onto the dance floor.
TTTTT
Dick loved seeing her like this, so happy and light-hearted as she spun and swayed in time with the music, the flashing lights illuminating every sensual curve as the multicolours swirled across her skin. Every male eye seemed to rivet on her, watching her carefree dance but Dick knew she moved only for him. His hands roamed around her body as they danced and gyrated together, always keeping in contact, touching the curve of her hip, the dip of her waist, the flatness of her stomach, sweeping up her sides to be tantalized by the side of a breast, caressing across her bare shoulders and down the length of her arm. One of her legs was between his, her hips always moving as they swayed to the beat.
She was his, this exotic beauty, with her flaming hair and emerald eyes. Her hands stretched above her head as though she could pluck the very stars from the sky with her fingers, her eyes shining as she danced, an ever-present smile on her lips. All his.
She spun and twirled for him, her feet lifting off the ground briefly, but she corrected herself before he could mention it. But the fact that she slipped, even for a moment, spoke volumes to him. He took her around the waist and picked her up, plastering her body against his and dipped her, kissing along the skin of her neck.
He righted her again, not wanting to give anyone else the same view down her dress that he was getting and took her hand. Time for drinks and a break, he sent, dragging her off toward the bar. Why don't you go and find a seat, I'll get us some sodas.
Yes, Richard, she chirped into his mind, leaning in to peck him on the lips before she flounced off in the direction of the tall tables and stools.
His eyes automatically scanned the room, checking to see if anyone was overly interested in her. There did seem to be a few guys watching her, but when they made no move, he headed to the bar. He waited patiently for the bartender to fetch them drinks, casually looking over his shoulder every now and then.
He fought not to roll his eyes when he saw the man with a camera secluded in the corner. He'd been tailing them all night, right from when they left the restaurant. As he watched from the corner of his eye, the man finished rolling film back onto his camera and placed the completed roll in the chest pocket of his khaki green sleeveless jacket and lifted the camera back to his face.
Dick sighed and shook his head as he picked up their drinks and pressed through the crowd back to Kori.
TTTTT
Clifford was feeling very smug.
He'd been tailing his targets all night, his trigger finger constantly snapping away. He'd captured them kissing outside the restaurant, as boring as that one was. All of the other photographers had disappeared after that, saying that the targets had allowed them a nice series of photos and should be allowed to spend the rest of the night in relative peace. All of those photographers belonged to reputable magazines, concerned that if they took it too far, said targets wouldn't be a sporting in the future.
But Clifford wasn't that nice. He sold his photos to the highest bidder and he always made sure to get the juiciest photos. Celebrities were not entitled to private lives.
Dick Grayson wasn't much like his father. Not yet at least, but Clifford was certain he would be eventually. Mr Grayson was rarely seen in public with a lady on his arm. And now, here was this red haired beauty that he'd been seen with several times over Christmas before vanishing off the radar, only to reappear here of all places, a few month later with the same girl. And they fawned over each other, always touching, always smiling.
Clifford had managed to snap some incredibly juicy pictures of the pair. Photos of them strolling in the moonlight, kissing in a dark corner of a club, and quite a few of them doing a very suggestive dance together. Photos that, with a little tweaking, would earn him a fortune.
And now as he tailed them through the dimly lit park he secretly hoped they were turning in for the night. It was past three in the morning and Clifford was getting tired himself, but if he could get a glimpse of where they were staying, he could get after them again tomorrow. And perhaps, if he was really lucky, he could get a couple of snaps of the 'romantic interlude' that was sure to be at the end to this little date, seeing as how hands on Mr Grayson had been throughout the night. Those photographs would earn him a fortune, especially if she was still underage. The blackmail potential alone…
Dick and his girl were walking sedately down the sporadically lit path in the park as Clifford huddled in the bushes. As Dick passed beneath the hanging branches of a large tree, he suddenly grabbed on to his girl and from what Clifford could see, kissed her hard and pushed her up against the trunk to the tree, effectively hiding them both from Clifford's view.
He silently cursed before he snuck out of the bushes, circling around the concealed couple as he shifted position, hiding in some bushes on the opposite side of the pathway and looked back toward the tree.
They were gone.
"No way," Clifford muttered to himself, peering into the gloom as he examined at the trunk of the tree. They hadn't reappeared on the other side; he was sure he hadn't removed his eyes from the tree as he'd circled. So where the fuck had they gone? He stepped out of the bushes and walked toward the tree, intent on following the path and seeing if he could spot his targets.
Clifford spotted them strolling away, Dick's arm back around his girl's shoulder and he heard the girl call a greeting to the young red haired man in running clothes coming from the opposite direction. The young man seemed quite taken with her, turning to jog backward as he watched the pair walk off. Clifford sighed, lifting his camera to see how much film he had left.
He was so intent on his camera, he didn't see the red haired man baring down on him, still running backward until it was too late. They crashed together, limps flailing, Clifford's camera flying away and he heard it shatter before the pair of them fell in a tangled heap on the ground.
"Ugg," the jogger groaned as he pulled himself off Clifford's chest and got to his feet, offering Clifford a hand. "Dude, I'm so sorry, I should've been looking where I was going. Serves me right for looking at that fine piece of tail. You okay?"
"Yeah," Clifford grunted, brushing off his legs.
"Dude, I think I broke your…" The jogger bent down to retrieve Clifford's camera. "Camera? Why would you need a camera in the middle of the night?" The jogger eyed him. "You a stalker?"
"No," Clifford muttered, snatching his broken camera from the man. "Photographer, from a magazine."
The jogger arched an eyebrow at him. "What's there to photograph at this time of night?"
Clifford peered at the man. "Why are you jogging in the middle of the night?" he retorted.
"Shift worker," he replied immediately. "Can't do it any other time. S'why I was so surprised to see a piece of ass like that one this late. You photographing her?"
"Him actually."
The jogger peered at him. "Are you gay?"
"What?" Clifford blurted outraged.
The jogger held up his hands. "Whatever floats your boat, it's all good in my book. Can I pay for the camera seeing it's my fault it's broken."
Clifford considered, as he checked the camera. The film was damaged, but with all these photographs he'd taken, he really was going to earn a lot of money. And since he'd been distracted, the targets had managed to wander off, so any further delay, like getting this guy's details would allow them to get even further away. Besides, it was only his second best camera. "It's fine."
"Ooookay," said the jogger slowly. "Well, take care, dude," he continued and jogged off.
Clifford started up the path following the last direction Dick Grayson and his girl had been heading to see if he could find where they were staying at least, bringing out the small digital camera he had for backup, still hopeful of catching some raunchy photographs. He was so intent on following them, that he didn't see the sudden burst of green that dropped from the night sky behind him, scooped up the jogger and vanished back into the black.
TTTTT
Dick and Kori collapsed on the bed in the main bedroom below deck on the yacht laughing madly. Dick held his hand in front of his face so he could see the holograph ring, changing his holo image back from the red haired jogger to its normal. "God," he laughed, kicking off his shoes. "I never knew these things could be so fun!"
Kori giggled gleefully as she kicked off her own shoes. "Oooh that was most comical. I did not know we could alter the image to appear as though I was both of us. Did you get them?"
Dick nodded, drawing several canisters from his pocket. "Sure did." He rolled onto his stomach and placed the canisters by the bedside. "Might actually develop those later, see if he got any good shots of us, I just realised we don't have many pictures of the two of us."
Kori continued giggling joyfully, lying on her back on the bed. "Oh Richard, I had such a wonderful time tonight."
He scooted over to her, lying on his side. He propped his head up on his elbow and rested a hand on her stomach, rubbing gently. She looked up at him, her eyes shining merrily, one hand above her head and her other coming down to rest over his. "Me too," he said, leaning down to kiss her.
She opened her mouth for him, her hand lifting to clutch at the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his hair at the back of his neck. She half turned toward him, hooking one leg over his hip. He pressed his body against hers, the hand on her stomach sliding downward to slip up her the skirt of her dress. He massaged her bottom with his fingers, reveling at the touch of her bare skin; she did like to tease him with those thongs of hers. Wait…
Dick froze and pulled away, staring at her in shock. "Uhhh…"
"Richard," Kori crooned coquettishly, her eyelashes fluttering at him while her hands tugged his shirt out from his pants and ran up the inside. "I am wearing exactly what you told me to."
He swallowed heavily, his eyes wide, his breathing increasing as he realised what she'd be wearing, or lack of, all night. "Oh god."
That alluring smile he loved twitched across her lips. "I am wearing exactly what was in the box, and you did not place any of the undergarments in there for me."
He pounced.
Author's note:
This chapter, although fun, is nothing but filler. In a novel, it never would have been published. There are several such chapters in this story (although there are numerous sections that would never have made it into a novel as well), this is the last filler chapter. In fact, most of the honeymoon would have been cut if I had intended this for actual publication. Food for thought.
Next chapter: A devious Kori, a nervous Victor, and Beast Boy gets ridden.