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Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.

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You've Got Mail

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Chapter 53

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"I love you so much and I've missed you, Kori. I didn't realize how much until right now."

She had surrendered completely and it was everything Richard could do not to continue their reunion on only a physical level. They were more than that; he knew Kori would have wanted to talk first but with her lying in his hotel room, willing to be there for him, he realized he needed her on more than just a physical level at that moment as well.

"I-I'm sorry, Kori, I didn't mean to seduce you first chance I got-"

She gave him a sympathetic smile. "I understand your stress Richard and I am here for you... in all ways." Her tone was not altogether reassuring, but he wasn't sure if she was just weary from travel.

"I need you as my best friend as well as my lover, Kori; I told you that before you came and it's true." He let his eyes search her face and then he pulled her into a cuddle.

The fact that Richard was trying to talk, that the darkness of lust had dimmed from his eyes comforted Kori. She needed Richard's support, not just the kind of excitement that comes from being in love. "Thank you. I have missed you so very much. I wish to be able to be there for you and it is most difficult that I cannot be. When we do get a chance to talk on the telephone it is either so late or early and I fear that you do not convey to me all that is on your mind due to the hour when we are speaking."

"You're right, you've really gotten to know me, but when I wake you at 4 am, I don't feel like I can burden you with what's going on here. Hell, I'm not sure what's going on here-"

"Then tell me, whatever the hour, I will make sure to wake up, or do the emailing, I am here for you. It will make me feel better about things." The strain had gotten to her. She didn't mind as much that he wasn't there for her, she was beginning to realize, but if he needed her and didn't look for her support, well, she didn't think she could handle it. She wasn't sure why.

"I know you are, baby, I know. And what about you? There's a lot on your mind that you're not sharing, isn't there?" Even though they were already holding each other, Richard nudged Kori with his shoulder.

Kori laughed lightly. "Why yes Richard, my huge issue is my roommate for next year is a bit immature with what seems to be an odd if not inappropriate relationship with her grad adviser. It shall do the ruining of my life."

"Kori, immature how? Donna as a roommate is a tough act to follow but if you don't think your living situation is going to work out next year well, that can't be fun-"

"I barely know her, Richard, I am sure Tara and I will be fine."

"Tara? That's her name?"

"Yes, Tara."

"Are you sure you need a roommate? I feel so bad you didn't get a single room when you had the chance-"

"It cost too much money, Richard, we talked about that."

"Kori-"

"I cannot take your money-"

"But haven't we decided we're going to be together from now on? I just don't understand why you can't let me help you."

"Richard, please understand. It is not that I am not willing to accept some help from you."

"I don't want your living situation to interfere with your studies. It's your PhD, you are on your own timetable. But please think about it, just a bit more. Please, Kori."

She smiled at him. "I will take that into consideration but I am sure things will be fine. I have been better about you helping pay for things, have I not? Perhaps I will consider allowing you to support me more prior to, well, um..."

"Well, what?" Richard's eyes danced a bit. As serious as the topic was, as tough as this issue could be for them, especially now, he loved it when the topic turned to the future, especially when Kori was the one to bring up their future.

Kori bit her lip, wishing she hadn't brought it up. She knew where they stood, but wanted Richard to be the one to say it. She never wanted to overstep the bounds of their relationship. Her insecurities were such that she always worried that things might take a step backward, or worse.

"You might let me support you more prior to what, Kori?" he pressed.

Kori's eyes focused on some lint she seemed to find on the duvet. "Richard, you know what I mean."

"I think I do, but to be sure I'd like you to say it."

Kori growled in frustration. "X'hal you can be difficult."

"One of the many things you love about me. Look at me, love." Richard paused, raising his eyebrows to prompt her again.

"Very well. Prior to our, um... engagement?"

"Hmmm."

"Hmmm?"

"Who said anything about becoming engaged?"

Kori let out a slight gasp and shrunk back a bit. "Richard, I apologize, I only meant, I mean I thought-"

"Why wouldn't we just get married?" Richard laughed as a relieved Kori pelted him with a pillow.

"That was mean! You are such the stinker sometimes!"

"Stinker, huh? Yes I am, I'm sorry, it was just, well too easy." The pillow stilled in Kori's hands and Richard looked to gauge how angry she might be. "And for the record, of course I like the idea of an engagement. Very much."

"You may not get the answer you seek if you do the pulling of the stunts such as this one again. Or even after this one."

Richard felt panicked. "Sorry, sorry, please, Kori. Forgive me please! I have to admit it's great to laugh, I'm sorry it's at your expense, sweetheart."

Kori's expression softened. "I am so sorry things have been so difficult. I only wish I could make things easier on you."

"You are, just by being here now, and by always being there when I call," he captured her lips in a brief kiss, "and for loving me."

Richard resumed kissing Kori gently at first and then deeply, putting weeks of emotion into his kiss. He pulled back and searched her face first but asked to make sure. "May I make love to you?"

"Please, I love you so very much Richard."

"I love you, Kori. Thank you for coming all this way to be with me."

"There is no where I would rather be."

Richard savored Kori with long strokes, gentle caresses. He was hardly teasing her, just loving her. His eyes barely left hers.

"Now and always."

"Now and always."

There was no rush and no faltering on their connection. At Richard's request, and in something so natural, their eyes remained locked during their gentle and loving coupling.

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Kori lay on the hotel bed of the highest quality, which felt incredible, sleep not letting her out of its hold. Richard traced the length of her back gently, watching her sleep soundly, sprawled out prone.

He knew he had asked a lot for her to come over to England to see him, that she had obligations at school with her studies and students and work, but he had to see her and he was fairly certain she at least wanted to see him. Things weren't growing strained, but being apart was never easy, and the suddenness of his departure, the disappointment his new job obligations brought, were difficult on them.

Richard didn't want things to change between them. He felt terrible about his behavior at his father's party earlier, wanted to let her know that, and to reassure her that he didn't want it to happen again. He really wished he was the one who had been able to have traveled to see her, especially so close to exams.

No MBA for him, not at least in the fall term. Less time together. More challenges in Richard's work.

And he was questioning himself and his abilities, what he really wanted out of life. But could he make the change, give up the responsibility, his goals, his obligations to Bruce and Wayne Enterprises? He had worked so hard. But this mergers and acquisitions position, getting into the privatized portion of the next generation of space travel late to the game, it seemed it was, if not folly, that he perhaps was simply not the man for the job.

Yes he hated doubting himself.

It was not his way and never had been, but he wanted to back out of a few things, if not everything in his life for a while. No not everything...

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"Are you up for dinner, Kori?"

"Of course." She was groggy, but couldn't help but beam at him. They were together and even if she hardly felt rested, it meant everything to both of them to be near each other. "Dress code?"

"It's dressy if that's okay?"

Kori smiled. "I can do dressy. Should I do the 'wowwing of you'?"

He pulled her into his arms. "I would love for you to do the 'wowwing of me – although you always do."

She changed into a vintage Adrienne Vitadinni cocktail dress, black and formfitting, short and sleek. She was so curvy and this definitely accentuated that, and it was shorter than she generally wore. There were long sleeves, but an open back with just an 'x' of fabric. She had to go braless, not that she figured that Richard would mind. She wore her high Jimmy Choos that she had worn before at Chantilly, knowing that Richard liked the extra height on her.

She made sure that her make up was perfect, that she had a sultry look with a smoky eye.

Needless to say when she was finished and Richard saw her, he was floored. He was not intimidated this time as he had been before their date at Chantilly, but he still couldn't get over Kori's beauty.

"You are stunning. You've gone beyond wowwing. I'm not sure I can think of the right word."

Richard quickly changed into a smart black suit with a black dress shirt and tie, with texture of the tie the only offset to the monochrome look, and they were off to one of the trendier restaurants in London. Even in London the Grayson – or rather the Wayne – name meant a last minute reservation was no issue.

Kori was jet lagged but still on cloud nine. Richard was attentive and demonstrative. She had seen some paparazzi going into the restaurant which hadn't made her happy, but knew that things were much worse in London than almost anywhere, even LA, at least from what she'd heard. They'd be photographed together, she thought briefly, then dismissed the thought, angry at herself that she was even concerned about their image in the public eye.

At least the restaurant was very private; they were tucked away in a booth, sitting on the same side, Richard making it clear he wanted to stay as close as possible.

And it might dispell the rumors about other women.

"Thank you for being here, really sweetheart, you have no idea how much I needed you here." Richard rubbed Kori's thigh as her looked into her eyes.

"You only say that because I am wearing this dress."

"Which I love and I've already mentioned you look stunning but that is hardly the reason. You ground me. I feel so much better knowing you're in my life and when you're around, I'm just happier. That's why at the party I was so freaked out about my behavior."

"Well, I must agree, it was atypical of the Richard I have come to know and love."

"You have forgiven me, haven't you?"

"Of course. I would not be here if I had not."

Richard was relieved. He was also surprised. Were things thrown out of balance because of that one night. "I messed up didn't I?"

Kori's expression was soft, kind, loving. "Yes, but our love, our bond is strong. I believe we could get through that and much more."

"But you just said that you might not be here..."

"It would be a great deal to ask if things were tenuous between us, but let us not speculate about if our relationship was truly tested. I doubt either of us would have allowed us to get to that point." She searched Richard's eyes. "I would do anything in my power to not test what we have together."

She hadn't meant it as a challenge, but Richard was concerned that she was hinting that he was pushing their limit. He had to address it. "Am I pushing our limit? Should I leave my job? I mean, for us?"

"Oh no! That is not what I meant at all! I meant that it is important for us to remember each other right now. I find that I have so many things to worry about myself with the end of the semester and graduation and also Donna's wedding. I think about you all the time but not seeing you makes it so difficult."

"It is."

"You have more pressures on you than ever, as do I, but mine will end soon. I hope to be there more for you soon. I need to be there for you more."

"Kori, I know you're there for me, I do. I'll figure this out and one way or the other, it won't go on forever."

"What do you mean?" Kori looked concerned in spite of herself.

"Oh, no, I would never sacrifice us, please never think that; it's just one way or the other, I can't stay in Europe full-time indefinitely. I'm not even sure I'm effective. I'll give it a go, six months at the most, but I have a feeling that my mind is made up already that this is not the job for me. It's just getting out of here with my relationship with my father and the company intact that's going to be the tricky part before that point."

Kori had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Six months? That could be a long and difficult time for them.

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To be continued...

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