Oh my Goodness! I'm so happy I received such positive reviews! I was sure the first chapter wouldn't do so hot because it was kind of a slow start, but I was wrong. You sure know how to make someone happy!
Am I allowed to thank some people before I tell my story? I'm guessing that's the stuff all the authors and authoresses do. I'm guessing… It took me forever to figure out why authors kept listing so many different names like that. I thought they had multiple personalities or something. Ok, so:
Grey Rain – Thank you sooooooo much for being my first reviewer! I'm reading Fluff! And it's very sweet and funny. Heh, Aquafag… I am so lame… Anyway, my pairings are simple: Rae/BB, Rob/Star and Cy/Bee. I love Cyborg. He's the coolest and I don't want him to be alone. Does that work?
DarkElf6 – Elfie! My buddy, my homey, my second-in-command of the posse, stubborn Taurus Elfie! What can I say? Well, obviously, thanks, my sista. Also, I feel like irritating someone. Can I bother John, please? You don't like the dude and I do know what makes the boy tick… Ooh, I'm a meanie butt.
darkaurora333 – Thank you for offering to help me if I have any problems. I really appreciate it.
Sillymail – Unfortunately, this fic shall not be Rob/Rae. I was inclined to use that couple the first time I thought of writing this, but I have found myself to be a big fan of the ever-romantic 'opposites attract', especially since I've so recently fallen under that category. I never considered Kelly to be a main character, but heck; even I don't where this story leads.
I don't know if I should personally thank everyone whenever they respond because that takes up time. I'd be glad to answer questions if anyone would like me to. I'm so happy! (tears) Oh, and my writing might be sloppy. I had an –uh- accident involving a fragile, glass fishbowl and now my left hand has quite a few stitches. Spending all night at a hospital is not cool. I never want stitches again (shudders).
Disclaimer: I don't possess the Teen Titans or Carolyn Dawn Johnson's 'You Are' (WOOT! A synonym! I am so going to be an English teacher…)
Ch. 2: Recollections and An Unexpected Visit
Kori Grayson looked down warmly at her adorable son Roland. Only five months old, the baby already had a whole head of flaming red hair. Just like her, she thought proudly.
The sunlight on my shoulders
The smile on my face
My secret weapon
My favorite place
She smiled, running her fingers over his pudgy little cheeks and he giggled delightedly as she planted a soft kiss on his forehead. He looked almost like a miniature version of her, but with one definite difference. Roland was blessed with his father's magnificent eyes. The blue orbs of her son stared intently and sagaciously at her, although his face held all the glee and contentment of an innocent. It was amazing how his face displayed such contradictions. He seemed naïve yet completely coherent at the same time.
Kori leaned back into the maroon couch, pulling Roland closer to her. Sighing softly, she couldn't take her vivid, green eyes off of his sapphire ones. They reminded her so much of Rick.
The reason my heart
Skips a beat
The broom that sweeps me
Off my feet
Five years ago, she recalled so clearly, she had reached up to Rick's face, brushing her fingers along his temple. "Tell me, Rick," she had said, using his true name, "why, if we have moved on, have you not discarded your mask?"
She could feel his breath quicken slightly as it blew on her face. "It's hard…to let go, I guess."
"But a phase of our lives is over now," she persisted tenderly. "If we are to wed, why can you not let go? I wish to gaze upon the eyes of my beloved."
His mouth twitched, but not from irritation. "I suppose you're right. It's just going to be strange having you see me."
"But, Rick," she murmured. "I have always seen you. But I have never seen inside of you. I believe that is what you are afraid to show me. As I have learned, eyes are the windows into ones soul." She paused. "I wish to see your soul, Rick."
A gentle inspiration
My weary soul's salvation
The half that makes me whole
"Kori, I –" he started, a worried look creeping across his face. But that moment passed quickly. He cleared his throat, starting again. "You and I are getting married. We're finally getting to start normal lives. My God, Kori, we're leaving all we've known for the past seven years here on this isle!" He cried out, more in self-realization than anything else. "And I… I was selfish to hide myself from you for so long." His hand traveled up to her own. "I love you." And he conceded, leaning his face into her palm as she slipped the mask from his face.
The gravity that grounds me
The arms I want around me
Never letting go
"I love you, too," she whispered, then gasped. Even in the dim light of her bedroom she could see a million diamond sparkles gleaming exotically, intoxicating her, pulling her ever closer. Past the fascinating glint of the magnificent blues she could see the worry. She could see everything; his fears, his attentiveness, even the glow of love. "Oh, Rick!" she grinned, falling in love with him all over again. "I have never beheld such a beautiful sight! Indeed, I do not think I could even dream in such a color as that."
"Really?" Rick blushed, immensely relieved. "I'm glad, Kori. I'm glad it was you who truly saw me for who I really was."
"Me too, Rick." Kori kissed him lightly on the lips. "I will be grateful forevermore."
I've lived –
I've lived enough
To know what is
And what's not
You are
You are
And they continued sharing the passions within their hearts from that moment on. Rick became the husband of which she had dreamed when she was a princess far, far away. At first he did not express himself so much in public as she would have liked, but he grew into the whole role when they moved to the last place anyone would expect – Samson, Oregon. (A/N: I don't know if that's a real place. I just made it up. I live on the east coast.)
Starting the jobs they had always had enthusiasm for, Kori worked in a flower shop and Rick started up a gym. Even with the planned inheritance left to him by his rich foster father, Rick valued the simple, everyday life he had seen but never experienced.
All the love
I wanna make
Every breath
I wanna take
They stayed in contact with their best friends throughout the years of separation. Vesper only lived a few hours away and Vic and Gar, the other two, lived somewhere in California. Sadly, they only met rarely, such as Rick and Kori's wedding and the other wedding of Victor and Beatrice (Bee). And then for the most important even of all: the birth of Roland. Everyone except Gar, who was having some financial problems at the time, made it for her delivery.
Roland was Rick's pride and joy. He loved his son with every ounce of his being. To his and Kori's surprise, upon seeing the baby he was the first to cry, though he denied it later. Kori smiled dreamily. It was all a fairytale come true for her.
The rush that's running
Down my spine
The touch that takes me
Every time
Looking up at sudden movement, Kori watched Rick enter the living room, carrying a tray with hot chocolates on it.
He grinned down at the lovely sight of his family. "Two days until Christmas." He brushed a wayward strand of hair from his wife's face. "I know it's really, really short notice, but how bout we invite the team up here for the holiday week?" Rick always said 'team' when he referred to the group. It was a habit he wasn't likely to drop.
She frowned slightly. "A splendid idea, Rick, but the others may already be metaphorically beaten by reading materials."
Rick didn't skip a beat. "I don't know that they'd be booked for the holidays, Kor. Something tells me this is the perfect chance for everyone to get together."
Kori shuddered with delight at the thought of reunion.
An innocent seduction
I can't get enough and
I can't help but let it show
"Your intuition is generally correct, Rick." She kissed his cheek as he sat next to her, taking Roland in his arms. "Call them if you wish. We may all partake in the singing of many carols together!" She motioned to the piano in the corner. After settling down in Samson, she found the instrument a successful way of helping her to relax.
Rick kissed her lips, carefully minding the baby's head.
I lose all my composure
I'm totally exposed and
The reason I let go is
"Thanks, Kor," he murmured against her hair.
"Whatever for, Rick?"
"For being everything I could have ever dreamed of. I know it sounds overly sentimental, but I wouldn't trade what we have for the world."
I've lived –
I've lived enough
To know what is
And what's not
You are
You are
She cuddled closer to him, leaning her head onto his shoulder. Roland was nearly asleep. Looking up slightly, she queried, "What of James?"
Rick thought for a moment. "I know you don't like him that much, but he is Vesper's fiancé. Will you be able to stand him for Christmas?"
She let out a long breath. "I suppose, for Vesper's sake. Though I still think he is a gorgaftrax."
Rick knew exactly what she meant. If she had called someone that back home, she would probably have been punished for using such a brash name. He chuckled. "I know."
My every hope
My every dream
You are my everything
Just then the doorbell rang once, twice, three times in rapid succession. Kori jumped up immediately, being that she was the one without the child in her arms. Luckily Roland seemed unperturbed by the interruption and slept soundly in his father's arms.
"I'll get it," Kori said down to her husband.
Not even waiting for a reply, she exited the living room and turned right. The front door was decorated top to bottom in a wide assortment of Christmas cards from friends across Samson. In the center was a fake, gold-colored wreath. It blended well with the warm, maroon paint on the walls. The doorbell rang once more as she stood up to it and she cocked her head in interest. Who would be so persistent so late in the evening? She opened the door to learn.
To her surprise Vesper stood there before her. Tears were streaming down the young woman's cheeks and a medium sized suitcase stood upright next to her. Her violet hair was pulled back into a stiff braid and she was holding her coat (black, of course) to her. Upon seeing her tall friend, she rushed forward, embracing her.
"Starfire!" she cried, using her friend's real name. Kori was astonished, to say the least, at Vesper's uncharacteristic action. But she quickly wrapped her friend in a hug.
"Raven –er– Vesper, my friend! What's wrong?"
Rick appeared beside his wife, his eyes wide. "Vesper?"
The tiny woman gave a muffled sniff from Kori's shoulder. "James…cheated on me." She said despairingly.
Kori's usually cheery disposition dissipated. "He what!"
Rick was speechless. As Vesper explained, he went outside, shifting Roland into one arm and picking up her suitcase with his free hand.
Vesper raised her head. Although her eyes revealed utter forlornness, her face was stoic. "He…sniff…called off the wedding. He has another…sniff…woman."
The redhead kicked the door closed with a fury. Rick was fortunate to avoid her wrath. "What a horrible man!"
Vesper frantically wiped her eyes. "And that's not all. That other woman is – is pregnant." She spat out the last word.
Rick hissed multiple profane words while Kori took the young woman's hands. As she did so, all of the cards on the front door became shrouded in dark matter, then all burst into flame.
"Kori!" Vesper gasped, retreating. With the wave of a shaky hand, the black flame vanished. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to slip."
Kori hesitantly draped an arm over her shoulder. "Come, Vesper. I shall take you to the room of the guest where we can talk about it. You may stay for Christmas, if you wish. We are planning a team reunion."
The visitor nodded numbly, eyes brightening as she heard about the reunion. "I would like that." Her suitcase became limned in the same black magic that had ignited the Christmas cards. She began her ascension, Kori following.
But the redhead stopped halfway up the steps as Vesper kept walking. When she was out of earshot, she looked back at her loving husband, who had said very little.
I've lived –
I've lived enough
To know what is
And what's not
You are
You are
You are
"I suppose that is one less guest to call." She said, only half-joking.
Rick nodded soundly. "We're better off without him. Still," he sighed, "I wish we knew how to help her out completely."
At the thought, Kori's eyes brightened with their usual fervor. "We may not be able to help her through this ordeal, but I know one who can."
Rick stared at her a moment longer, wondering what her beautiful mind was scheming, but let it rest. Whatever it was, it would be for the best. Her intentions were always true. He never doubted that.
The sunlight on my shoulders
The smile on my face
My secret weapon
My favorite place
Okay, yay! Longer chapter than I had originally planned, so that's good. I never know how long my chapters will be, so expect many different lengths.
I know Raven may have seemed a bit OOC, but then I realized that they are all adults and that we weren't there to watch them mature, so they behave the way they are because of what's happened. They've matured, which can be a real mess at times. I think we should kind of expect them to act this way. Does that make sense? Raven is a bit more emotional, and you'll find out why. I wanted her to retain at least a little of her emotional difficulties but not totally overwhelm her.
I like how I made Starfire and how she will progress. She's kind of like a Guardian Angel.
Please Read and Review and Criticize and Ask and Cheer and anything else you want!