Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Teen Titans.
Richard's POV
"Hey bro, where have you been? Did you forget that we existed?" joked Roy who immediately slapped palms with Richard while getting a closer look at Kori.
"Hey Roy. I see you still haven't lost your sense of humor." he answered the clearly awestruck teen as he followed Roy's stare straight to Kori. Richard was beginning to get a little worried. Knowing his best friend, he already had ideas forming in that girl-crazy head of his.
Now Roy was a class act who had a way with the ladies. He could win over anyone with his charms or maybe it was just his good looks. His bright red hair, perfect smile, and enchanting clear blue eyes made it easy for girls to swoon over him. He never had any trouble finding a date but he could never find the one person who could tame him. But once he came eye to eye with the strikingly stunning girl sitting before him, he did something he'd never done before. He blushed a dark crimson that would make even a rose envious of its shade.
"Hey Rich aren't you going to introduce us to your lady friend?" questioned Garth. If Roy was considered a romeo, then Garth would be his complete opposite. His straight black shoulder length hair tied back into a loose ponytail along with his soft-spoken chocolate eyes gave him an exotic eastern look. Although many thought he was handsome, he never paid mind to the compliments he received. He liked to consider himself a gentleman more so than a womanizer. It also didn't help that he was shy beyond belief.
"Oh sorry uh...Kori these are my friends Roy Harper, Garth Waterson, and Babs Gordon." The boys offered her a friendly smile at the mention of their names. Well Roy gave her more of a wink. Babs just simply nodded her head. "Guys this is Kori Anders. She is.."
"Very beautiful, we know." Roy finished his sentence as he gently shook her hand. Richard couldn't help but feel that little tingle of jealousy he always felt when Xavier was near Kori. He understood why Roy would be attracted to her, but it wasn't really like that with Richard. He felt something more for her, something unexplainable. He knew Kori's inner character was a much more beautiful thing than her gorgeous appearance. And that was what he wanted to get close to.
"Um…thank you Roy." she said with a confused expression on her face. "It's also nice to meet you Garth and Babs." she smiled tenderly as the bangs over her eyes caused her to blink adorably.
"It's Barbara if you don't mind. Dick is really the only one who calls me that." she didn't mean to sound rude. Richard shifted at the mention of his nickname but a little offended at her tone.
"Oh I'm sorry uh…Barbara." she stated in an apologetic timbre.
"Just don't worry about it." Babs urged. She didn't like the look Richard was giving her. Maybe he really does care about this one. He's never glared like that at me before.
Garth could sense the tension coming from Babs ever since they stepped up to the table. He knew she could be rather protective when it came to Richard. Now with her latest statement directed at Kori, he had to break it. He cleared his throat and turned towards Babs. "Hey Babs why don't you find us a table, OK?"
"Why don't you go find one. I want to talk to Dick." she scowled. "So how long have you two been going out again?" she could see the aggravation in Richard's eyes before he shut them tightly. Did I say something wrong?
"Excuse me?" Kori sounded unsure of what she meant. She turned to Richard to see if he could explain why she was being antagonistic towards her but became startled when she heard Garth shout…
"BARBARA! Stop giving them the third degree and just go get us our usual table, please." Garth tried to hide the hint of his annoyance and hoped she'd listen.
"Fine!" she was defeated. "But Roy I wouldn't stare too long. You see she is Richard's new girlfriend." Babs stared at Roy then to Richard whose eyes were bulged. A tinge of disappointment rode itself upon Roy's face. Before she left she decided to give Kori one last look, one that would kill if it could.
"Ok…what just happened here?" Kori asked the boys who themselves had bewildered looks plastered on their faces. It remained quiet for a few more seconds. Garth being the mediator that he was…
"Ex-girlfriends…wh…what can you do?" stuttered Garth raising his hands as he shrugged with his crooked smile in place.
"Ex-girlfriend?" Kori tilted her head as if she didn't know what he was talking about.
"She and I used to date when I went to Gotham Academy. She's my ex-girlfriend." Richard explained quietly. He didn't want to bring up his past relationship with Babs. It was an unpleasant subject, and not one he wanted to share especially with his silent crush by his side.
"Ooohhh…say no more!" she now completely empathized with Bab's unfriendliness towards her. Being a girl herself, she could identify with the feeling of seeing your love in the company of another female. She waved it off and now stood from the table following Richard who had already rose.
"So you guys are dating, huh?" Roy's sad undertone didn't go unseen by Richard or Garth, who simply rolled his eyes.
"No Roy we are not dating. We just came here to grab a bite to eat. Kori has never eaten here before and I wanted to show it to her." already dimly agitated he decided it was time to leave. Richard placed a ten dollar bill on the table leaving Rosie a tip when he heard the song on Kori's cell phone ringing through her purse. Quickly she retrieved it trying her best to stop the tune from playing again.
"Hello?" he heard her mutter. Giving her privacy, Richard took this opportunity to gather his friends and explain something he needed them to know. He grabbed them each by the shoulders and led them astray, not too far, leaving Kori to converse with her mystery caller.
"Guys, listen. I need your help. Babs came over this morning wanting to talk. Long story short she asked me to give us another chance but I knew it wouldn't work. So to let her down gently I told her Kori and I were together. And…"
"But you just said you guys weren't dating, right?" Garth raised an eyebrow.
"No we're not, but that was the only thing I could think of. How was I supposed to know they'd eventually meet each other." he stated. It was true. It was a freak occurrence that they all showed up at the same time they did.
"So what help do you need?" Roy asked. He would catch himself trying to get glimpses of Kori on her phone chatting away. Then he would spot Richard's threatening glare and look away cowardly. Not until Richard spoke again did he look to him.
"Just in case Babs asks anything, tell her we are dating Ok? Go along with it just until I can figure out something to tell her." Richard hated asking them to lie but what other choice did he have at the moment.
"But if Babs thinks you guys are together how am I supposed to ask Kori out?" Roy mumbled without realizing his friends had heard him.
"That's easy, you don't!" Richard growled.
"Oh come on. You can't expect me to pass her up. I mean she might be the one for me Rich. Just let me…" Roy rambled on as if in dreamy state of mind.
"NO! Stop treating her like she's a damn possession." Richard shouted. The loudness caused people to stare for a moment. Maybe 'possession' wasn't the right word, when he himself felt like he was treating her the same way. I don't want to treat her like that.
"Alright, alright. We'll go along with it." Roy said dismally. He knew Richard could be stubborn at times but he also knew he could knock him out with just two moves.
Kori ended her discussion on the phone and walked up to the bickering threesome.
"Look guys I'm going to go pay for our meals. I'll talk to you guys later." Richard bid his friends farewell before heading to the register with Kori in tow. The boys nodded and retreated to the table Babs had chosen for them. She waited impatiently for them to arrive wanting to know of their discussion, word for word. Clearly she was not in a joyful mood.
"I'm sorry about my friends. They kinda take getting used to." Pulling out his wallet he waited to the cashier to arrive.
"No that's alright, I liked them." She smiled though he could sense a little sadness in her words. Something is wrong. Who was she talking to?
"They liked you too." well most of them, especially Roy. She smiled a small grin and thanked him for her meal. After paying he waved a final time to his friends before exiting the door. They arrived in the parking lot and entered her car. The rain had since stopped and the night was calm. They began their drive to Richard's home.
"Well I had fun tonight Richard. I was feeling terrible earlier but then I ran into you and well…" she stopped herself from further embarrassment.
"Well I wouldn't of ran into you if you hadn't picked me up. Which by the way, I don't think you should ever do again with anyone. There's a lot of whack jobs out there." he warned genuinely worried for her safety. Great what are you now, her father.
"You mean like your friend Roy." she giggled.
"Exactly. Wait are you trying to tell me you didn't fall madly in love with him like every other girl he meets?" he scoffed at the idea.
"Hardly. He's just a little too friendly for my taste. Maybe for Terra but definitely not for me." He felt relieved for a second. Richard had to admit he feared Kori might have actually fallen for his flattery ways. He was about to intervene with a comment when once again her cell phone rang out all through the car. She didn't want to answer it because she knew who it would be. Going against her thoughts, she quickly regretted it.
"Hello?" she paused. "I said no X! Stop calling me. I don't want to see to you anymore, please." Richard stared in disbelief. She's arguing with X? She didn't want to see him? They aren't together? He knew that Kori hadn't referred to Xavier at all the whole time they had been talking but he didn't want to hear about him either. He decided it be best not to bring him up. His contemplation ceased after several seconds when he heard her continue…
"Look stop doing this…I…I can't do this with you anymore, I'm sorry." she hung up her phone abruptly. Richard could see the tears about to well up in her eyes. What happened with her and Xavier? Did he hurt her?
Richard looked to Kori and saw the pain she absorbed within herself. "Are you alright?" he touched her shoulder caringly.
"I'll be fine. It's just…Xavier. I don't want anything to do with him but he can't seem to understand that." she shook her head softly shutting her eyes almost afraid of Richard seeing her like this.
"You two aren't together anymore?" he knew it was a redundant question. An idiot could tell they weren't together but he wanted reassurance.
"Oh I'm sorry I guess I didn't tell you. We broke up earlier today. It's just…he's already hurt me too much and I can't see myself being with him anymore." she began sniffling.
"I'm sorry to hear that Kori. If you ask me he didn't deserve someone like you from the start." What the hell am I saying. Why don't I just write 'infatuated moron' on my forehead.
Kori gave a quick look to Richard and gazed at him as if she found what she had been searching for. "You are so nice. How is it you always know what to say." She tried to keep her eyes on the road but couldn't help but glance at the boy who she found to be so intriguing.
"I don't know. I guess I just call it like I see it." He rubbed the back of his neck, a habit he had whenever he became insecure or tense. "Besides if you want me to I could pound his face in? I wouldn't mind really. I never did get him back for the cafeteria 'incident'." he used his fingers to quote the words.
Kori chuckled more to herself at his comment. "Thanks but I wouldn't want you to get your hands dirty in this. You're a nice guy and he's not worth your time, Richard."
Richard just grinned. I'm a nice guy. But don't they always finish last? After a minute or so she had already reached the gates to his manor.
"Well here we are. I just want to thank you for everything and well…being there for me today. It's weird. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to tell my closest friends about my problems and well you…I don't know you make me feel so relaxed."
"Well anytime." he smiled. "I guess I'll see you in school Monday?" he said uncertainly.
"You bet." Richard went to open the door when he heard Kori call to him. He rounded to face her and she went towards him pausing for a moment, almost as if she was battling something in her mind. She continued anyways and enveloped Richard in a soft and gentle hug. Once their bodies made contact he hugged back as if on cue. She surprised him even more as he felt her soft lips grace the side of his cheek so gently. "You're an amazing friend." she whispered so angelic it sent shivers down his spine.
"No you're the amazing one, Kori." he declared. And it wasn't a whisper either. It was audible as if he wanted her to hear him. He wanted her to know she was special to him.They let go and stared at the other. Both were too scared to do anything else, Richard thought it be best to depart now.
"I better get going before Bruce kills me." he joked.
"Yeah its getting kinda late I guess." Kori stated. She waved bye and he just saluted her with a flick of his fingers against his forehead as he closed her door. He walked up the driveway and turned to see Kori heading off again. After all this time he had been at this school, he wished he could spend some time with her. He always knew something was different about her, now he had proof. If she was no longer with Xavier does this mean he had a chance. What if she didn't feel the same way and or only saw him as nothing more than a friend? But then he remembered who he was, who she was…his friends, her friends, his life, her life. Could people like us ever work, would our contrasting lives let us work? He was already at his door, then turned the doorknob letting himself in.
Rachel's POV
"Are you sure you want to do this Rachel? I mean once we do it, there's no going back." Gar wanted to make sure she wasn't making a mistake.
"I'm sure Gar. Trust me I know what I'm doing. I've wanted to do this for a long time. And I'm glad you're the one whose with me. But we need to be careful. No one can find out we are going to do this, especially my mother. She'd kill me if she found out."
"Shit, she'd kill you, my parents would go ballistic if they knew what we were about to do. I'd be disowned." He had to admit, he was a bit scared. It was his first time after all. "So are you ready?" he asked.
"Yes. Let's do this." with that Gar enclosed his hand into Rachel's and went through the doors. Immediately the sound of buzzing and whimpering came from the one of the rooms adjacent to the waiting area. He saw his friend who was seated at the front desk. Without looking up he said in a monotone voice…
"Welcome to Lee's Body Art. How can I help you?" The heavily tattoed asian looked up to see the customers that had entered. He quickly recognized his buddy.
"Gar, my man. How's it been?" he asked.
"Not too bad Los. We're just interested in getting some work done." Gar informed him.
"Uh…how old is your friend. Is she over eighteen?" Los questioned with a skeptical look. He knew Gar wasn't over the legal age but wouldn't pester him about not allowing minors to get painted. But he had no idea who Rachel was and if she'd get them in trouble.
"Come on Los, just do it this one time for a friend. Who the hell are we going to tell?" again he tried to persuade him. Finally after three more minutes of pleading Los decided to go along with him but only after they signed the admission papers informing them that Gar was her legal guardian. Who really reads these anyways?
After waiting about fifteen minutes in the lobby, their turn came up. They were lead into another room which was engulfed with various pictures and designs of different body art and tatoos. It smelled of disinfectant and paint fumes. Rachel was beginning to feel nervous at the sight of the instruments but summoned up her courage and remained strong. She only wished that Gar's hand wasn't squeezing hers so tightly. She could sense he was extremely nervous. She also understood if he decided to change his mind and not go along with it.
A young portly man entered the room and took off his cap and threw it onto a chair. "Ok who's next?" he asked looking at both of the youngsters.
"I am. I'm Rachel and I already know what I want." while she had waited for him to arrive earlier she looked around the room at all the different ideas. One drawing had caught her attention. It was of a raven perched on a pole with its wings spanned out fully. She loved it. She wanted it. She would get that design.
"Alright then sugar what will it be?" he asked again more annoyed the second time.
"This one right here." she walked to the wall which had her desired pick and pointed to the black bird.
"Ah the raven. Good choice. Not many get that one but who wants one everyone's got, am I right? Good then where do you want it?" he eyed her up and down.
Rachel lowered her shirt only enough the see the back of her right shoulder. "Here."
She bit down on her lip as the needle stabbed right through her skin. The pain was overwhelming. The sound of the machine cackling in her ears. She felt like she couldn't continue, she wanted it to stop. Flashbacks played in her mind, her father, her mother, the arguments, school, Gar…
"Great Rae, I knew you could handle it. You're awesome." he encouraged her. A small crooked smile appeared on her face. I don't think I could have done this without you Gar. It had been about forty-five minutes since he had started piercing through her flesh. "All right sugar I think we're done here." He wiped any excess ink he had left on her skin with a damp towelette. "My shoulder feels sore." she told him.
"Of course its gonna hurt sugar you did just get poked repeatedly with a freaking needle." he said in a sarcastic tone. He bandaged up the newly mutilated skin that now held a beautiful two inch dark ebony crow. "Now make sure you keep this clean and change this gauze every six hours." he instructed. When he finished with Rachel he looked to Gar. "All right buddy what will it be?" Gar gulped loudly at the sight of the tattoo artist and looked as if his world was about to end.
Kori's POV
Kori drove up to her garage and parked her car. Walking up along the path to the front door she noticed Koma's sports car in the entranceway. So the demon spawn is home. She entered the hallway and immediately spotted her sister who was laying sprawled out across the couch. She hadn't bothered changing as she was still in her party dress. Koma heard the footsteps and looked to find her sister glaring at her.
"Something wrong, dear? You look like shit." she laughed.
"Well that something you'd know alot about Koma. So I take it the date ended early or did he not leave enough money on the nightstand at the cheap motel he took you to, hmm?" Kori cocked her head at an angle satisfied with her remark.
"You little bitch. You think you're so damn good don't you? Well let me tell you something, I will always be better than you in every way even Xavier thinks so." Koma saw the surprised expression on Kori's face. "That's right I know you two broke up. He called and told me how ecstatic he was now that he no longer has to put up with you. He loves me Kori, always had." she loved the tormented look her sister's mug.
"Koma as far as I'm concerned you and Xavier can both go to hell!" she shouted.
She couldn't look at her sister's disgusting face any longer. She stormed up the stairs but felt the need to sprinkle water over her face which was burning from rage. Never had she hated anyone as much as her own half-sister in her life. Her room was still a little further down the hall so she decided to use the one past the stairs before her room. The one the guests would normally use. She entered and turned on the faucet making sure the water was chilly. She splashed the cold water not even ruining what little makeup she had on. The coolness of the water felt so great but failed to break her of her thoughts. X how could you do this to me? I thought I might have loved you but maybe I was just lonely. If Koma already knew we weren't together then you must have told her. Do you really love her? Just as she was about to turn off the faucet she stepped on something that was left on the floor. She bent down and picked it up. Oh my God! She's pregnant. But X…is he the father?
She ran down the stairs to find her sister still in the same position on the couch. With all the fury she had she threw the discarded box at her. "What the hell does this mean…huh?" she bellowed.
Koma grabbed the box reading it and laughed inside. She faced Kori with determination and sneered, "What this means dear sister is that Xavier and I are going to start a family." Enjoying the sight of her sister running to her room crying she let out a sigh as if all was perfect in the world.
Well sorry for the long wait. Although I'm not crazy about this chapter, it seemed a little boring to me. Just consider it a filler for the upcoming chapters. Things should start happening soon. But now I'd like to thank all my loyal repeat reviewers and now the new ones: Batgirl435 aka Carleena (I think), Rix Kid, lilykat, and of course teen freak. I can't stress enough how awesome all you readers and all your words are. Also I'd like to dedicate this chapter to solodancer since she/he did one for me. If your reading thanks again. So until next chapter...