Monday mornings, Dick hated Monday mornings. Especially when his alarm clock wouldn't stop ringing. His hand wandered around his desk and came in contact with the loud contraption. When his fingers brushed against the alarm clock he pushed it to the floor, cutting off the sound it was once emitting and probably breaking it, though he could care less about that.
Dick felt groggy as he sat up in bed and he rubbed his head due to the minor headache. He wasn't surprised that he had woke up with a headache. he had spent all of last night drinking his new favorite drink, vodka. Dick seemed to have sticky fingers when it came to Bruce's liquor cabinet.
But then again he had his reasons. Having the love of your life taken away from you wasn't an easy thing to deal with, especially after you were said cause of separation. Dick hung his head low in sorrow. He loved Kori, he really did and he wanted to go back to her, but he couldn't. Not with the image of her being shot scarred into his memories. Dick wouldn't, and couldn't, bring himself to put her in danger. He would just have to deal with her not being in his life.
And today he would take the first step. Today was Monday which meant a brand new school day. Dick was lucky, he wouldn't have to deal with the consequences of his decision just yet. Kori was still recovering in the hospital and wouldn't be back in school for awhile.
Once Dick was dressed he styled his hair into spikes and put on his thick black shades. He grabbed his book-bag and took a moment to see if he was missing something. That's when his cell phone began to ring. He checked his pockets only to come up empty. Dick looked around his room. He spotted his cell phone and hurried to answer it before the person on the other line hung up. Dick picked up his cell phone and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Dick."
Dick froze at the sound of Kori's voice.
"Dick, please just talk to me. Please."
Dick felt like he was being torn apart by the sound of her voice. She sounded so sad and he wanted to respond to her but he couldn't bring himself to talk to her. He removed his cell phone from his ear and closed it, ending the sound of Kori's voice. He took a mental note to check his caller id before answering his phone. Dick sighed, this was going to be a lot harder then he thought it would be. That's when he spotted the bottle of liquor on his table.
Nothing like a little drink to help ones problems.
---
The school day was slowly passing by and Dick found himself loathing the entire school. When he passed by the halls students would whisper to each other and Dick already knew why. Word had gotten out about the incident in the park. Everyone knew about the shooting though they didn't know the full details. Dick felt so drained and barely talked to any one. He was glad that it was now his lunch period, at least now he wouldn't have to deal with his teachers.
Dick grabbed a lunch tray and sat down with his friends. The whole table was quiet as the five friends glanced at each other. Raven looked over at Dick and couldn't help but to notice the ever so present sunglasses on his face. Raven sighed, it looked like Dick was right back in his shell. Gar looked around the table and opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He looked down at his lunch and lazily poked his tofu with his fork. Vic sat quietly and looked over at Raven, expecting her to say something. Next to Kori, she was the strong one in the group.
Karen looked at her friends with hope that someone would say something. It was to quiet. Hell, she could even go for one of Gar's jokes right about now. Finally, it became to much and Karen slammed her fist down on the table in frustration. The others were wide eyed by her actions.
"What is wrong with you people," Karen asked, looking at each one of them. "It's almost like someone died here. Kori is fine. She said so herself and if she were here right now I bet she wouldn't approve of our behavior."
"It's just hard for us to deal, Karen." Raven said.
Karen sighed and her shoulders slumped.
"Hey you guys," Gar spoke up, wearing a wide smile on his face. "You know what would be fun, if we all got a gigantic pizza and brought it over to Kori. I bet she hates the hospital food already and we could all go after school to see her."
"That's a great idea, Gar," Raven said, showing off a small smile. "We'll all go and visit Kori after school. We can invite Alain and the others to."
"I can't go."
All eyes instantly went to Dick who was staring at his food tray.
"Man, what's going on with you," Vic asked. "You didn't go and see Kori yesterday and now you're refusing to visit her today. What's the deal?"
"Yeah," said Karen. "You're Kori's boyfriend, not to mention her best friend. If she needs anyone right now it's you."
"Kori and I aren't anything right now," Dick said. "I broke up with her."
The whole table fell silent. Eyes were wide and mouths agape.
"You... You bastard," Karen yelled, standing up and glaring at the ebony haired boy before her. "How could you do that to Kori after everything she's done for you! How could you abandon her during her hour of need?"
"You guys don't understand," Dick said quietly. "... It's complicated."
"You know what's not complicated," Gar said, standing up and rolling up his sleeves. "Kicking your ass."
Dick glared at the green haired boy and Gar flinched. Dick was a way better fighter then Gar and could easily take him down.
Gar sat down and suddenly felt a lot smaller. "Kick his ass, Vic."
Dick looked over at Vic who glared at him. Vic had an angry look in his eyes and had his arms crossed. In a fight, the two were almost evenly matched. A fight between them would most likely end in a draw and ultimately be a waist of time. What Vic really wanted to do was punch Dick out until he was bloody, but he didn't. Dick was... Dick. The same guy he grew up with. Vic was really angry at him but he didn't want to beat Dick up. But something had to be done.
"Get out."
Dick remained unmoving.
Vic raised his voice this time. "Get out of this table."
"Vic, maybe you should give him a chance to explain," Raven said, trying to keep the peace between the group. "You can't just throw him out."
"Yes I can and I don't have to give him a chance to explain. Dick has stepped on Kori long enough," Vic said strongly. "Besides, I'm sure he'll be more then welcomed at Kitten's table."
Dick looked over at Karen and Gar who had the same stances as Vic. Apparently they agreed with Vic and were more then willing to throw Dick out of the group. Dick looked over at Raven who looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. Dick gathered his things and left the table.
---
The day had finally come to an end and the students of Jump City left their classrooms and headed to their lockers. Amongst them was Kitten Moth, dressed in a pick attire as usual. She had heard all about the shooting and Fang's invovlement. Kitten knew Fang could get jealous and violent but she never expected for him to shoot somebody. Kitten was just glad that it wasn't Dick who was shot.
One may think she would have felt guilty or at least sorry, but not one of those options applied to Kitten. She hated Kori and wanted revenge on Dick. She got her wish. It was like that old saying, killing two birds with one stone, or something like that. Kitten wasn't big on metaphors. The point was, Kori was hurt and Dick was alone. The entire lunch room had seen and heard the incident between Dick and his friends.
Kitten was very pleased and felt like she was floating on a cloud. Plus, now that Kori was out of the picture she could have a second chance with Dick. Call her crazy, which she was, but Kitten still felt lust for Dick.
Kitten closed her locker and smiled. She turned around and was confronted by none other then Mandy and Cindy.
"Hey guys," Kitten greeted. "What's up?"
"Have you heard the news about Kori?" Mandy asked.
"Well duh," Kitten said with a small smile. "The whole school knows."
"Don't you feel... bad?" Cindy asked.
"Why should I?"
"Cause you sent that crazy bastard after Dick and his girlfriend almost died." Mandy said while crossing her arms.
"Oh...," Kitten shrugged. "Oh well. Who wants to get their nails done?"
"I do!" Cindy said happily, clapping her hands.
"So we're just gonna ignore this?" Mandy asked.
Kitten nodded. "What happened in Fang's fault so it's his problem."
"Well you have a point there." Mandy said, relaxing a bit.
"Of course I do," Kitten said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Besides... if Fang would have killed Anders that wouldn't have been a bad thing. The little bitch deserves to die."
"What did you just say?"
Kitten's eyes went wide and she turned her head around to see Karen standing there with Raven.
"Did you just say our friend deserves to die?" Raven asked with venom in her voice.
"Maybe I did," Kitten said with smug smile. "Everyone thinks Kori is so innocent when in reality she's nothing but a boyfriend stealer."
"I am so sick and tired of you, Kitten," Karen yelled, glaring at the blonde girl. "Kori is a way better person then you will ever be."
"Well at least I'm not the one in the hospital."
That was the last straw. Karen was done with Kitten. It was time for that girl to fall off her high horse. Karen drew back her fist and punched Kitten as hard as she could right in her face. Apparently to hard as the punch sent Kitten falling into the arms of her friends and caused blood to gush from her nose. Kitten brought her hands to her nose and screamed.
"You broke my nose!"
Kitten screamed and ran off. Mandy and Cindy stood there and glared at Karen.
"What," Karen said, putting her hands on her hips. "Would you two like a broken nose as well?"
"That won't be necessary." Cindy said quickly and she ran off with Mandy. The two of them headed in Kitten's direction.
"Wow," Raven said after awhile, looking at Karen. "Nice punch."
Karen smiled. "Thanks. It felt really good."
---
There was a splash of water at a foot hit a puddle. The sky had come become darker and cloudy, as if it was going to rain. Fang took no notice to this as he ran for his life. He hid behind a wall in the maze like narrow alley he had been running in. He paused and listened to the sound around him.
A can was kicked.
Fang saw his opening and pulled out his gun. He saw his opponent and fired. The bullet hit the wall instead of his enemy and gave away his position. His opponents didn't hesitate to open fire and shoot at him. Fang immediately ducked behind the wall but he wasn't fast enough. A bullet had pierced his arm, causing a trickle of blood to spill down his arm and on to his finger tips.
"Dammit."
Fate had played against Fang today. Fang was caught in the worse situation possible. He was alone with only his gun on him, but soon that would be of no use for he was low on bullets. Then there was his surroundings. This alley was cramped and members from Jonny's gang filled every dark corner. He was in deep trouble but he wasn't going out with out a fight.
Quickly firing a series of bullets to blind the enemy Fang took off at a run down a corner of the alley. It was weird to him, he had never been the one to run away from danger. Then again he was usually the one causing it. For the first time in his life he felt fear and for some reason, his life was already flashing before his eyes.
He was what one would call a villain. Fang liked to see people suffer and he liked to make people suffer. He wanted power and so he joined the bad side and started a gang. Him and his gang would commit many crimes, whether that crime was minor or not, it gave him a name. It got him money, girls and respect. But he got cocky and picked fights when he didn't have to. He was given warnings but he shrugged it off. Fang though of himself to be like a king.
All kings have their enemies.
His were Jonny Rancid and Xavier Red.
All kings have their queens, and maybe a few mistresses on the side.
His was Kitten Moth. The one girl he ever cared for. They had fit each other perfectly. She was a bitch and he was a gangster. They brought each other down and picked each other up.
In the end was it all worth? This is what he asked himself.
As Fang reached a dead end with no where left to run he thought maybe it wasn't worth it.
But it was fun as it lasted.
It began to rain and Fang turned around to met by four figures. One was Jonny himself and his second hand man, Chris Hive. Fang looked to his left and saw Billy and none other then Xavier Red himself.
"So this is how it all ends, huh," Fang said quietly to himself. "Never thought it would come so soon."
Xavier narrowed his red eyes that held no emotion. "You forced this one yourself, Fang," Xavier said with a calm, level voice. He turned to Jonny and nodded. "Do it."
After the order was said Xavier turned away with Billy following him from behind. As he walked away he heard the blast and the thump as something fell to the ground.
Fate can be a very twisted thing indeed.
---
It was their first official date as boyfriend and girlfriend and Kori couldn't be happier. She would dream of this moment, of her and Dick on a real date and now it was actually happening. Kori was happy and she was enjoying herself to. Dick had taken her to a miniature golf course and although she had never golfed before she found it to be quiet fun. As of right now it was her turn to go so she stepped up and lined herself up to make a hit.
"And now playing for the American team is the beautiful Kori Anders," Dick said in a fake British accent as he used his hand as a microphone. "Oh no, it looks like the beautiful Miss Anders is having trouble with her form. No worries cause super boyfriend Dick Grayson is here to help."
With this being said Dick rushed to Kori's side and wrapped his arms around her. Kori burst into giggles.
"Dick, what are you doing," Kori asked in between laughs. "I'm trying to play."
"I know," Dick said with a wide smile. "But I'm helping."
Dick held her hands in his as they grasped the golf club. Dick moved her arms in a position for a swing and struck the ball. The ball moved in a straight line and fell into the hole.
"I did it! I did it! I did it!" Kori chanted as she jumped up and down smiling and clapping her hands. She stopped and wrapped her arms around Dick in a hug. Kori planted a soft kiss on his lips and pulled away.
"Damn...," Dick grinned at her. "I need to help you more often."
Kori giggled and kissed him again.
After playing miniature golf the couple headed out to the mall. They came across a picture booth and instantly went inside after Kori dragged Dick over to the machine. They pulled back the curtain and the picture taking began. One picture was a sweet one of the two with Kori leaning on Dick's shoulder, the next one was of them doing funny faces, the third picture was one of Kori kissing Dick on the cheek and the last one was them kissing fully on the lips. They spilt the pictures between them, Dick taking the funny one and the one where they kissed on the lips. Kori took the last two.
The next thing they did was head off to the food court. They had found a empty table and Kori went off to go order the food. She returned about ten minutes later and what she saw made her both happy and angry.
Dick was in his own world, staring at the pictures they had taken not that long ago which made Kori smile. What made her frown was the group of girls eyeing Dick like he was man candy. This was enough to get Kori frustrated. Kori came back to the table with a frown on her face, surprising Dick.
"Kori, what's wrong?"
Kori pointed over at the group of girls. "Your fan club is what's wrong."
Dick looked over at where she was pointing and shrugged. "They'll go away soon enough. Just ignore them."
"Easy for you to say," Kori huffed and crossed her arms. "I bet as soon as you see a pretty girl you'll leave me."
"Kori--"
"Don't deny it, Dick. I've seen you do it before."
"Ok, that is true but I would never do that to you. You're special to me, Kori."
"You really mean that?"
"Of course I do," Dick said while flashing her a smile and holding her hand. "I promise you, Kori, I'm not gonna leave you."
"I'm gonna hold you to that promise." Kori said while taking a bite out of her French-fry.
"By all means please do," Dick said. "Besides, you're stuck with me any ways."
Kori giggled. "I am, huh?"
Dick nodded and grinned. "You are. Just wait and see, fifteen years from now we'll both be married and live un this huge house with a barn yard full of animals. And I defiantly see kid in our future."
Kori rose a brow. "Someone's been planning. Aren't I supposed to be making these type of plans."
"Hmm... I guess you do have a say," Dick joked. "What color should the bed sheets be?"
"Dick!" Kori yelled, hitting his arm.
"I was kidding." Dick said while laughing.
"You play to much."
"Maybe. But that's what you love about me." Dick said while leaning in closer.
"That is so very, very, true," Kori said as she leaned in closer. "I love you, Dick Grayson."
"And I love you Kori Anders."
Their lips met in a kiss and every thing felt like bliss.
"Kori?" Dr. DeGraw rose a brow at the teenager.
"Huh?" Kori looked at him, wondering what he had said. She was to busy reminiscing about her first date with Dick to hear one word he had to say.
"I was just telling you about your condition," Dr. DeGraw said. "You still need to take it easy and rest but I think it will be safe to release you this weekend."
"Oh, thank you." Kori said absently.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then, Kori." Dr. DeGraw said before he left the room.
Kori waited until he was out the door before picking up her cell phone which she left on her side table. Raven had been nice enough to bring it to her today when she came to visit. With her cell phone in hand Kori dialed Dick's number. She waited about five minutes and there was no answer. Kori sighed and closed her cell phone. She should have known better then to call Dick. Through out the entire day she had called him five times. If he did answer, he didn't speak and just hung up on her. This annoyed Kori to no ends. Dick had no right to cut her out like this. There was no way Dick was just gonna ignore her like this.
Taking a deep breath Kori stood up and got out of bed, making her way to the door.
---
Today had been and eventful day for Dick. His friends had turned their backs on him. Well, not all of them. Roy, Alain and Wally still had his back. Once he was kicked out of his usual table he went to theirs. At first he was welcomed at the table but then the truth came out. The girls were not happy and called him every name in the book. After school, Dick had gotten the cold glare from Toni. But not all the girls were hated at him. Raven had called him not that long ago. Although she was mad at him she didn't want to shut him out and promised to be there as his friend.
Dick sighed, he knew high school was going to be complicated but he never imagined that it would end up like this. And to make matters worse he was starting to get a craving for a certain little drink out of Bruce's cabinet. But he didn't seem to notice the problem with this. It was just a craving, not an addiction. He could stop any time he wanted to.
And he would, as soon as his life got bak on track. In the meantime he decided to try something else out of Bruce's cabinet. Dick read the label on the bottle; brandy. He shrugged and opened it. He was in the living room and he leaned back on the couch.
"Bottoms up." he said to himself, raising the bottle to his lips.
Or not.
Before he could take a single sip, the doorbell started to ring. Dick sighed in annoyance and closed the bottle of brandy, he then hid it under the couch. Finally getting up he made his way to the door, grumbling over the disruption. Dick opened the door and the scowl he had on his face disappeared into a soft expression.
Blue eyes that were hidden by sunglasses looked into green ones with shock.
On the other side of the door stood Kori, wet head to toe from the rain. She looked exhausted and completely drained. Kori was dressed in scrubs and a pair of white sneakers. Dick looked at her with wide eyes. She was supposed to be in the hospital. Just what was she thinking by walking in the rain at an hour like this?
"Kori, what are you doing here?"
"I had to see you." Kori answered quietly.
Kori suddenly felt tired and didn't have the strength to stand. Her eyes closed and she fell into an unconscious state. Before she could hit the ground Dick caught her in his arms. He felt her forehead and cursed under his breath. She had a fever. With out a second thought Dick picked her up bridal style and carried her inside.
---
Kori sat quietly on Dick's couch in the living room. She was dressed in a old sweatshirt and pants that belonged to Dick and was already dry. Her fever had gone down and she was feeling a little bit better after she woke up and changed.
Dick walked into the living room with a bottle of water and a blanket in hand. He handed Kori the bottle of water and unfolded the blanket. Dick then wrapped the blanket over Kori's shoulders providing her with extra warmth. He sat down next to her, not sure what to say or do.
"Uh... do you need anything?" Dick asked quietly.
"No," Kori said softly. "This is good."
Dick sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Kori, what were you thinking walking in the rain at this hour?"
"What were you thinking by just ignoring me?" Kori asked bitterly.
Dick stood silent, not sure what to tell her in response to her question. Silence fell between them and Kori was the first one to speak.
"When did you stop loving me?"
Dick's eyes went wide at her question. He looked away and looked down at the floor.
"I never stopped."
"I find that hard to believe," Kori said. "In fact, I find it hard to believe that you ever loved me."
"I do love you," Dick said, finally looking at her. "I have feelings for you that I've never had before."
"If that's so true then why do this?" Kori asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Kori... It's better this way."
"Better for who," Kori asked, tears filling her eyes. "I don't want this. I want us to be together and have that future we talked about."
"Kori...," Dick paused, knowing there was nothing he could really say to her at this point. "Come on, I'll drive you back to the hospital."
"So that's it," Kori asked, a few tears running down her cheeks. "You get to make the final decision and I have no say?"
"Come on, you need to get back to the hospital."
Kori looked away and reluctantly followed him to the garage.
The ride to the hospital was silent and Kori looked out the window as the rain fell. She refused to believe that Dick and her were over but hope was starting to fade. Dick clutched the steering wheel in deep thought. Kori had walked over to the Manor in the rain from the hospital. Dick couldn't believe it but this only made him believe more in his decision to break up. She could have been seriously hurt just because she wanted to see him. Dick sighed, this was all his fault. This break up was supposed to protect her, not make her but herself at risk just for him.
A thought hit him.
Just who was the break up protecting, Kori or himself?
Before Dick could dwell on the options they arrived at the hospital. They walked inside and rode the elevator in silence. When they arrived on the floor Kori was staying on they walked to her room. When they arrived at her room they saw Komi standing outside with a couple of people who were on staff at the hospital.
"Where is my sister? How could you idiots just lose her like that? So help me, I'm gonna get so many lawsuits on this hospital--"
"Komi."
Komi stopped in her rant and turned around. "Kori? You're ok," Komi glared at her sister and at Dick. "You are so lucky mom and dad aren't here or you would be so grounded. Now go to your room, we need to have a talk."
"Komi–"
"Now, Kori."
Kori sighed and walked into her room. Komi waited until Kori was inside her room before glaring at Dick.
"You good for nothing bastard," Komi said while walking up to Dick. Before he knew it, Komi had punched him hard in the face. "That's for making my sister cry! You're lucky we're in a hospital or you'd be in serious trouble right now."
Dick said nothing and clutched his cheek. Mental note: the Anders were freakishly strong. He turned away and left, heading for the elevator. Once he was out of sight Komi walked into Kori's room with the intentions of yelling at her younger sister. When she walked inside she changed her mind. Kori looked completely heartbroken and Komi couldn't help but feel bad for her. She would scold her later but in the meantime Komi had something serious she needed to tell Kori.
"Kori," Komi said softly, sitting on the chair by Kori's bed. "We need to talk."
"If you are going to yell at me for leaving the hospital please don't. I'm not in the mood."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to yell at you... yet," Komi sighed. "Listen, a few hours ago the police found the guy who shot you."
"Fang...," Kori said, looking at her sister. "Well, what happened? Did they arrest him or something?"
"Kori... Fang is dead."
-----------------------------------------
BIG THANKS TOO FairieAngelx3o, RavenSis, Lil-Mz.Sunshine, Kory Anders Grayson, Agent of the Divine One, ToCoOLfOrU, titangirl797, BerryDrops, Koriand'r Grayson, xryosakufujix, Royalfire14, Harry Potter Fan 1994, chaylorfan, SaoirseWaveglow, Ace.04, imcalledkitty, cookiesruletheworld, TerraBB4Eva, CERTiFiED02, jerseygrl90, Idiotic Stupidty Person, SaffireStarz, Star 4 Robin, gothchik18, Pirategirl0, Sulan123, BeastBoy4pres052, Stormy Midnight AND T.T.rox FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS! I HOPED YOU ALL LIKED THIS CHAPTER.
SO... I GOT SOME BAD NEWS. SEPTEMBER 4 I GO BACK TO SCHOOL. I KNOW, I KNOW, IT'S TERRIBLE.
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