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And So It Is

Chapter 15

I smiled at everyone as they played those stupid baby shower party games. I wasn't really in the mood to play, so I sat to the side, softly humming to my stomach. The baby shower ended up being pushed back another three weeks in hopes that Richard would be able to clear up this whole mess with Babs and be there for me, but that could not come to pass. Rachel decided to have the party at my new mansion, which was nice. Bruce told me that Richard insisted that I moved in and prepared everything and got comfortable, because it was my house after all. It was rather depressing... Everyone was at this baby shower, even Xavier and Bruce, but not Richard. I hadn't talked to Richard since that phone call and he hasn't even tried to contact me at all. This whole ordeal was ridiculous and I could not stand it.

"He misses you dearly you know."

I looked at Bruce and smiled weakly, "I just want to see him. I'm lonely, so very lonely."

Bruce gave me a half hug, which was rather awkward with my giant stomach. Indeed they say in the last so many weeks of pregnancy the baby doubles in size, and the back pains from all the extra weight are excruciating.

I turned my attention to the new game that was being played. I stifled a laugh as Garfield sat blindfolded on his knees, holding a giant bowl on his head while trying to scoop up cotton balls with a spoon. These games were absolutely ridiculous, but I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at the thought of Bruce being in the same position.

I saw Rachel glance at her ringing cell phone and then stand up and leave the room. I was about to follow her when I felt a hand on my arm. I inwardly groaned as Xavier smiled a little to brightly at me.

"Hi Xavier." I said cheerily, still trying to see where Rachel went.

"You look radiant." His voice was so sincere. I smiled politely at him and nodded my thanks, but he didn't let go of my arm. I looked at him questioningly and raised an eyebrow. "Have you thought about what I said?"

"No," I said bluntly, "What is there to think about?"

"I want to take care of you."

"I don't need to be taken care of. I'm perfectly able to take care of myself and my baby." I shrugged off his arm.

"Where is he then?" His voice was bitter.

"Are you implying that I need HIM to take care of me?"

He was silent.

I rolled my eyes, "Are you jealous? I'm not some stupid game for you two to bet over or whatever."

"He doesn't love you."

I laughed. I really didn't mean to, but I couldn't help myself. I laughed. Hard. What the fuck was he thinking? That he did love me? Yes, sleeping with my sister was a sure way to prove that. I shook my head and walked away from him, still chuckling. What a fucking moron. I got closer to the hallway when I heard Rachel's voice, she sounded really angry.

"Well if you love her then why aren't you here?"

There was a pause, probably giving space for the person on the other side of the line to reply.

"Who the hell cares about her! Your duty is here. She's fucking miserable."

Another pause.

"She's celebrating the fact that she's about to give birth to your child and you can't put this legal bullshit behind you for one day and be here for her!"

Richard. I must be stupid to not have realized who she was talking to. Who else would it be, but Richard? Who else was expecting a child soon? Who else was as big as a fucking whale and felt like they had to pee every fucking 5 minutes! I took a deep breath and quietly walked up behind Rachel, who was too busy chewing out Richard to know I was there.

"... And I don't care what kind of shit she is trying to pull. Pay her off or.." Rachel was abruptly cut off when I snatched the phone out of her hand.

"Rachel, please stop bitching already." I heard his exasperated tone.

"Richard Grayson was never one to say please." I smirked.

"Kori?"

I nodded and then realized that I was retarded because he cannot see me nod while we are having a phone conversation. "Yes." I quickly supplied so he wasn't left with dead air.

"How.. how are you?" I smiled at the tone of his voice. He almost sounded unsure of himself.

"I would be better if you were here. I miss you."

He sighed, "I miss you too baby. I miss you so much."

I bit my lip, "Couldn't you come over and visit? Just for a little while?"

Long pause.

"It's really not a good idea.."

"But it's not forbidden? You can come see me?" I was sounding so hopeful, I could almost see his resistance crumbling.

"It's really not something I should be doing. I'm sorry." He did indeed sound very sorry, but I was still more than a little hurt.

"So you can, but you wont?"

"Kori, it's not like that.."

"Then what is it like Richard? It isn't against some fucking cardinal rule that you can't see me! It's not like you were married to her! I can't possibly see how this entire thing would effect her... You just refuse to see me. I'm fucking about to pop in the next few weeks, but you rather be a complete asshole and deal with your court bullshit instead of spending time with me! And that reminds me, What happened to us getting engaged and all that other shit you told the media! I have no fucking ring on my finger!"

There was a long silence and then he finally answered, his voice sounding amused, "Are you done with your hormone induced rant?"

"Fuck you." I said, my voice filled with venom, before quickly snapping the phone closed. What a fucking prick. One minute he is all sweet and the man of my dreams, the next he is a total fucking jerk off and yet still the man of my dreams. I was only torturing myself. I knew it. Being in love with someone like him, who was used to getting everything and anything he wanted. Only showing his soft, vulnerable side at certain times. I glared angrily at the phone, tempted to throw it at the wall in some hopes that it would hurt him.

Rachel knew of my violent tendencies and quickly grabbed the phone out of my hand, holding it to her chest like it was her lifeline.

"Don't hurt my baby."

"It's just a phone." I said a lot calmer than I expected. I knew what I needed to do. I wasn't giving up on Richard although I should because he is a complete and utter prick. But I love him and you have no control over who you fall in love with. The world is a completely fucked up place and love is even worse. This would be the part where I would think of some clever quote about love that I once read or heard somewhere, but right now I'm way too pissed to think. I needed to find Victor and fast.

I quickly made my way to the main room where everyone was eating cake. Rather rude considering I wasn't even present to cut it or have it presented to me, but yeah.. whatever. I grabbed Victor, who was currently in the process of stuffing his face full of chocolate cake with banana and Bavarian cream filling, and pulled him aside.

"What's up Legs?" He asked with his mouth full.

I shook my head, "I need a favor. I need it now."

"Whoa, Kori what are you planning? I've seen that look on your face before."

I glared at him, "It doesn't matter what I'm planning will you help me or not?"

He sighed and rubbed his bald head nervously, "I could never deny you anything. Especially now that you are pregnant. Dick would kill me anyways if I said no. You are his number one priority."

"Bullshit," I said under my breath, "I don't want Richard to know about this.." I saw his eyes fill with curiosity, but I continued before he could ask, "I need you to find out where Barbara Gordon is staying in Gotham."

He looked at me with a mixture of shock and apprehension, "Babs' address? I don't know about that. This doesn't seem like it could be good."

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't ask you how it seemed. I could simply be asking to have tea with her. For fucks sake, don't pussyfoot around me now. Get me her fucking address."

He nodded reluctantly, "Fine. I'll text it to your phone within the hour."

I smiled brightly at him and kissed his cheek, "Thanks Vic, you are the best."

He just smirked and went to get more cake.

I checked my phone again to make sure I had the right place. Winter Gardens, suite 2194. The Winter Gardens is this beautiful, recently restored hotel from the 1920s. It got it's name from the fact that during winter, the snows freezes all of the outdoor gardens completely preserving all of the plants, almost making it look like a stilled paradise. Like a real like Norman Rockwell painting.

I softly knocked on the doors to the suite, patting down my dress while waiting for her to answer. She swiftly opened the door and froze. We stared at each other for a few moments before a large, and rather sinister looking, grin appeared on her face.

"Kori, how are you?"

"Can I come in?" I asked quietly, trying to keep from flinching at that creepy smile. She nodded and moved aside for me to enter the room. I went into the living room area of the multiple room suite and made myself comfortable on the sofa. She sat across from me, completely oblivious to the fact that her robe was peeking open.

"Did I come at a bad time? You don't seem... dressed for company."

She giggled and shook her head, "No, I just was preparing to shower, nothing that can't wait."

I nodded and fiddled my hands together, "Look. I don't know why you are suing Richard, but please.. please can't you call it off, and take some deal that Richard is offering you? Please."

She stared at me intently, "We were going to be married until you came and fucked it all up. Why should I let you two be happy? You don't deserve it." Surprisingly, her voice held no malice. She seemed rather indifferent.

"I love him. I've loved him way longer than you could imagine. I've grown up with him! He's been my life for as long as I can remember. You didn't even love him anymore... you didn't even want to have his baby! Why are you being like this!" I knew my voice was sounding more and more frantic, but I couldn't help it. I felt like seeing her was my only option.

"None of that matters to me." She shrugged.

I wanted to scream and rip her hair out. I wanted to yell at her and call her a bitch. I wanted to ask how Richard could ever like someone like her. I sighed and stared at my lap for a few moments. I knew that it would probably come down to this, but I was hoping she would be reasonable. I opened my purse and took out my check book.

"How much?"

She looked at me surprised for a moment and then shook her head, "I don't want your money."

"My money isn't good enough,.. but Richard's is? How much!"

She didn't answer and just stared at me.

"I'll write you a check right now for 10 million if you drop the lawsuit and leave and never bother us again." I said it without looking at her

She eyed me and then smiled viciously as I heard someone enter the room, I turned around to see Richard dressed only in a towel, staring at me in shock. I swallowed hard as I felt the bile rise to my throat. It was abundantly clear that they fucked. I felt my eyes grow watery and somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered Babs' voice...

"Stupid girl, It was never about the money.."