Chapter Six: Dates

Quick Sticky I hate the new ratings system! It is not as good in my opinion as the previous system. I want the old system back! Movie Ratings by the MPAA are much better than the Fiction Ratings. Thanks Racle for telling me I acciddentally posted my chapter twice. I feel so stupid.

Also, I must explain the Amish joke since some people don't get it. The Amish don't believe in using modern technology. That would be Hell for Slade, although he relies on martial arts to fight the Titans. He does rely on a lot of technology to fight them though. He'd be very miserable knowing he doesn't have his tech to fight them with.

I'm sorry to announce that there will be no new updates from me for awhile due to the fact that someone erased my floppy disc when I left it in my computer class. I have to rewrite Chapter Seven: Sifting Peices completely. I'll update probably by this weekend, so just hang in there.

Kory placed the last box in the living room of her condominium. "There," she murmured to herself. "The last box; welcome to your new life, Kory." She stared around at the bare place.

She began unloading her things, putting up what was most important in its proper place. She placed books on bookshelves and dishes in the cabinet. She unpacked her clothes and placed them in dresser drawers. Kory reached into a box and pulled out a small portrait with a photograph inside. She stared at it and sighed. It was her and Nightwing two years before when they had first been married, when they were happy, before Slade came back, before he started obsessing, before everything fell apart.

She sighed to herself. Starfire looked at the photo. It was a reminder of the past, and she would hold onto the hope that one day they might be happy again. But her happiness seemed distant and far away from her now. She finished unpacking. She went into her new bedroom, placing new sheets on the bed, she moved the drawers where she wanted them.

The task of moving in was completed. Starfire placed the small picture frame on a table next to her bed. Looking at the picture, she threw herself down on the bed and dissolved into a fit of tears.

Kory Anders stared intently at the picture as she lay on her side in her bedroom. She had given up on weeping over her broken heart. It did her no good and she knew it wouldn't help her to keep reliving the past continually.

Still, she couldn't help remember the happy time in her life, when they were so full of life and hope for the future. But that was all gone now. There was nothing left of it now.

The clock displayed the time, 7:30. She had to go to work now. Climbing out of bed, she went into the bathroom. Splashing water on her face, she stared at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. She was still stunning and beautiful as ever, her looks had not changed. Her demeanor had.

She donned on a jet black outfit. Her police uniform placed over it. Fixing a simple breakfast, she found Beast Boy and Raven up and eating. "Well you all are up now. I have to go to work."

"Hey Kory, don't forget my show tonight. It's at that Soto club/warehouse okay?" Beast Boy said.

"I will not forget, Beast Boy. I will be there." Kory ate quickly. She couldn't be late for work. "See you later."

"Good-bye, Kory," Raven said. "Keep yourself safe. The last thing we need is for you to get hurt."

"I will." Kory shut the door behind her. Climbing into her car, she drove to the police station. She climbed out of the car and went inside. Nicholas Rufus Dennis was sitting at his desk as always. He looked up as she walked in.

"Hey Kory," he said. "How'd your visit with Robert go? Our man in good shape is he?"

"Yes, he is in very good condition," Kory replied. "I think he may come back sooner than we all expected. Chief, I must ask you a question."

"What would that be?" Nicholas asked.

"What do you know about Dick Grayson?"

"Hmm, like what?" he asked.

"Besides those things you told me a couple days ago. What else do you know about him?"

"Oh, besides the fact that he's rich, has good looks and notoriety. Let me think for a moment. Heard he was married once, awhile back. Five years ago, I think."

"Yes, Robert told me that…" Kory let her voice trail off. There was something eerily similar to Nightwing and Richard Grayson: They had divorced their wives at about the same time period. And the reason was their work. She was starting to get suspicious, but it was all coincidence, right?

"Oh, and Dick Grayson's parents died when he was a kid. Tony Zucco, a mobster, he threatened the owner of Haley Circus when the man wouldn't buy his insurance policy. It's said his thugs cut the high wire while his parents were performing their act."

"That is horrible!" Kory exclaimed. "How sad!" That one's parents should be ripped away from them at a young age was horrifying beyond anything she had ever experienced.

"Yes, it is sad," Nicholas Dennis continued. "Anyway, he was adopted by Bruce Wayne and he is now the heir to Wayne Enterprises."

"So I guess things turned out pretty good after all," Kory smiled. "I heard he was married. Do you know who his wife was?"

"To be quite honest with you, I'm not sure who his wife was. I know he got married, but something happened and she left him. I'm not even sure what her name was."

"That's very interesting…" Kory was now more curious than suspicious. She wondered whether or not any of the newspapers had put anything about Dick Grayson's divorce. She was surprised she hadn't read something somewhere. She decided she was going to research him and satisfy her curiosity. Besides, it was not like it would affect her much.

"Are you asking me these questions because you have to go see him today?" Nicholas Dennis asked. There was something mysterious about Kory Anders he couldn't quite place what it was, she was just different somehow. Even Robert didn't know where she was from, and he was her partner! He decided to do some background checking on her once she left.

"Mainly to satisfy my own curiosity," Kory replied simply. "Thanks Chief. I better head over to Wayne Enterprises."

"You're welcome, Kory. Tell me how everything goes, 'kay?"

"I will." Kory left the police station, driving to Wayne Enterprises. Climbing out, she walked inside. Richard Grayson was standing there waiting for her.

"Hello Kory, back again?" he asked, shaking her hand warmly.

"Yes, I suppose so," Kory replied. "This is probably one of my last visits here. I am almost finished with the investigation."

"Well, I hope you find what you're looking for," Richard said quietly. "I must admit, I've gotten used to seeing you."

"I am flattered, somewhat," Kory blushed.

"Are you doing anything tonight?" Richard Grayson, Nightwing felt tightness in his throat as he forced the words out. "Would you care to go to dinner with me?"

"Are you asking me out?" Kory asked, she seemed nervous and she was somewhat surprised by his request.

"Yes, I'm asking you out," Richard laughed. "Where would you like to go?"

"I have a friend who is expecting me to come to his comedy performance tonight. Would you mind if we went there?"

"No not at all," Richard smiled. "Dinner and a show sound great. Meet you at 6:30?"

"Sure," Kory smiled. She felt a little different now that it was said and done. She felt a little lightheaded. She had just been asked out on a date by Richard Grayson! Kory couldn't believe it!

"So where is it at?"

"A place called Soto, ever been there?"

"Once, a long, long time ago." Dick Grayson smiled. He didn't want to give away too much. I'll see you at 6:30."

"And I will be there." Kory smiled. "If you will excuse me Mr. Grayson, I need to look around."

"Sure, take all the time you need. I will be checking up on things in here if you need me for anything."

"Thank you Mr. Grayson." Kory then went into the laboratory and began reexamining everything. There had to be a connection between the break in at Wayne Enterprises and the museum somewhere. Red X was a thief and the museum had plenty of things that would he would fancy as valuable.

"The Clock of Eternity, valuable in the past, priceless in the future."

Kory gasped. She knew what Red X wanted. She had not thought of Warp in years, but now his words came back to her. "He wants the Clock of Eternity. It is a priceless relic now." That would explain the break in at Wayne Enterprises. He needed Zynthonium to power his suit so he could break in to the museum to steal the Clock of Eternity and sell it. He would be rich beyond human conception, and be able to live the rest of his life in luxury.

But how could she link both ideas together? She needed proof that Red X had been one of the culprits behind the first break in. And Nightwing had dispatched two teens had apparently broken in the first time. Red X was not one of them. It didn't make sense; Red X was the type to work alone. But they had fought him when he had attempted it the previous night so she thought she might actually be onto something.

Kory looked around. She knew there was a connection, she felt it in her guts and she had to convince everyone else that she was right. She reexamined everything, everything that she could think of to find some cryptic clue that would link the two incidents together. She didn't find anything obvious, however and she decided that the only way she was going to have to stakeout the museum later that night.

Way later that night, she had a date with Richard Grayson. She smiled silently to herself. How ironic it was. The man she had had no interest in she had invited on a date. A paradox really, she wasn't sure if she was ready for another relationship. Still, he seemed so familiar to her somehow, as if she had known him for years.

She decided she would have to do some research on Richard Grayson. Where would she look? The Internet, the tabloids, and the newspapers, television? No, they were not completely reliable. She would have to go to court, ask for information on the divorce papers; then she would find what she was looking for.

She walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. Richard was sitting in his office; he looked up at her as she walked in. "Hello, find what you were looking for?"

"Well, to be quite honest with you I didn't find exactly but I did find something."

"What would that be?"

"You're not the only one who's been targeted by Red X."

"Oh, well I hope you can get him soon so he won't be a threat anymore."

"Thank you," Kory smiled. "I best be going now. I will see you later tonight."

"See you later, Kory." Dick Grayson smiled. He went back to work looking at paperwork and other things as she turned around and left him to his work. As the door shut again, leaving him alone once more, he smiled. Things were going very well.

Kory drove home early that day to get ready for her big date. When Nicholas Dennis heard that she needed to leave work early, he was surprised. He was even more surprised when he found out who her date was.

"Now don't go tell the other girls who your date is," he laughed. "They'll be green with envy."

"I know, I know," Kory replied. "Don't worry Chief. The only ones who know about this are you and me."

"Well go on Kory," he shooed her away. "You deserve a good time."

She slipped out her jet black attire and changed into a dress. It was a beautiful silky pink dress, the one she had worn when she had went with Robin to the DATE WITH DESTINY dance. She was surprised she still fit in it. She almost laughed out loud when she thought about it.

Climbing into her normal car, she drove to the Soto Dance Club that was holding a special comedy night for a certain notable comedian Garfield Logan. To her surprise, Richard walked up to her car and held the door open as she climbed out.

"Thank you," she said.

"You're welcome," he replied politely.

He offered her his arm. He was acting so polite and sweet she couldn't help but smile at him. "Come on," Richard smiled. "Let's go inside. I happen to know a friend who gave us good seats."

"Who would that be?" Kory asked.

" Garfield Logan."

"He did not tell me that," Kory frowned. If Beast Boy knew him and Raven knew him, then why didn't they tell her anything about him? She was going to have to ask them later.

They walked in and sat down at a table near the stage. Kory saw someone waving at her. It was Raven, she turned around. "Hey, you made it!" Raven laughed. "I'll see you later. Enjoy your date!"

"I will," she replied. Under her breath, she added, "Hopefully." Then she joined Richard, sitting across from him.

"So how did I end up on a date with Jump City's most notable bachelor?" Kory asked jokingly.

"Oh, just consider yourself lucky," Richard laughed. "So, is this your first?"

"Yes, I have not gone on a date in a long while," Kory smiled. She decided small talk would keep conversation light and stay away from the subject of superheroes.

"So when does this start?" Kory asked.

"Right now, I think," Richard replied for Garfield Logan had just walked out onto the platform stage and was speaking into the microphone.

"Hello Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you're ready to laugh, and by the way, do my pants look too tight to you?" Garfield sudden dropped his pen on the stage floor.

"Oh great, I dropped it. Just great; like I said, do these pants look too tight to you because I—" He bent down to retrieve his pen and there was a loud sound of ripping. The audience burst into laughter. "Aw man, I hate it when that happens." Kory snickered. She had to wonder if this was one of his gags.

"Anyway, have you heard what happen to Slade after he died? Well I guess he went to Hell but Hell wasn't what he thought it would be because when he woke up he was surrounded by Amish people." The crowd gave him a funny look, a few people caught the joke and snickered.

"Anyway, you've all heard that Batman got a new Robin right? Well I heard they nearly got ran over by a steamroller. On their graves they woulda put 'Here lies Flatman and Ribbon, Gotham's Flat Resort to Prevent Crime." The crowd cracked up at this one and Richard slapped his knees, chuckling warmly.

On and on Garfield went. Some jokes worked, others didn't, but an hour-and-a-half later when the show ended Kory and Richard were both hoarse from laughing.

"Well," Kory said. "I hope you enjoyed tonight."

"Thanks for inviting me. I had a good time. Can I walk you to your car?"

"Sure," Kory and Richard walked arm-in-arm to her car. He once again held the door open for her as she got in."

"We should go out again sometime."

"Maybe we will," she replied. "Good night Richard."

"Good night Kory," he replied. She started the car and drove off. He sighed with a happy grin on his face. He hadn't had such a good time in years. He straightened his suit and climbed into his own car. It was time to tight to the streets again as Nightwing. He would probably be seeing Kory again very soon. He only hoped that she would be in a good mood, and not figure out who he was before he was ready to tell her.

He hoped that the whole situation with Red X could be finished so they could start over. Then they both would be truly happy together as they should have been five years ago.