The last time Dick was at Key West he was on a mission tracking down a suspect as Agent 37 when he caught a glimpse of his favorite golden girl fighting off an alien and sending the alien ship away as people cheered her on. Being undercover and faking his death, Dick hadn't stayed in touch with anyone nor kept an eye on Kory as it was extremely risky for Dick to have any information on Kory or contact her in any way which is why during that time period, he had no clue where she was or what was she doing. Last he heard from Alfred was that she had broken up with Roy and left the Outlaws to venture out on her own. Dick knew a lot of people would keep an eye on her. He trusted his brothers Jason and Tim along with friends like Donna and Superman to keep an eye on her and to keep her safe, not that she needed it, but it gave him some sort of mental satisfaction and comfort. Silently thanking the fates, Dick decided to get a glimpse of his angel while not having any direct communication with her as he didn't want to put her at risk, nor did he want anyone to make the connection that he was Dick or Nightwing, and also, as an afterthought, he decided it was because he didn't want to jeopardize the mission.
Dick knew he should concentrate solely on his mission, but he couldn't help checking up on Kory. Within a few minutes, he uncovered where she lived and was pleasantly surprised to find out that she had gotten a job at the aquarium. Dick decided to visit the place disguising himself just to see her from afar and then continue on his assignment. He lost track of time while he watched her play and interact with the dolphin. A sight he found breathtakingly beautiful. The kids and a few onlookers stopped to marvel at the sight as well, whispering how mesmerizing she truly was. Dick smiled to himself as he saw freedom in her moves reminding him of the times he had shared with her. He was about to blow his cover and talk to her when he saw a guy signaling to her, stopping in his tracks he saw Kory give him a knowing wave and smile. Unable to contain his curiosity Dick ended up eavesdropping on them, his heart sinking as he realized she was going on a date with this guy who was flirting with her. He knows he has no right but seeing her with anyone else always ached his heart.
Ditching the idea of following them he decided to head to the spot where according to his intel, his target was meeting someone. Seeing his target board the sunset cruise, Dick decided to board the ship to be able to observe and report the exchange. Disguising himself as an older person with his Hypnos he made up a brilliant excuse on the spot that got him on board. Kory did tell him once that he was a master manipulator after all. Gaping like a fish out of water, Dick couldn't believe it when he saw Kory against the setting sun. Her red flaming hair against the backdrop of the blue ocean and orange sky was a sight to see. He felt a pang of jealousy when he saw her face light up with excitement and wonder at something the guy she was with said. And watching her in a passionate kiss with another man, hurt him more than he could have ever imagined.
He knew he had to focus on the mission, but he was distracted and had unconsciously let his guard down. He wasn't being stealthy enough and unfortunately for him he was discovered. Trying to keep up with his mark, while ensuring the other people didn't get hurt, he knew he was in trouble as gunshots flew past him. Dick froze when he heard her voice. He should have known she would come to help. Kory would never let innocent people suffer. Her heart was too pure. But when he heard a voice threatening her, he had to intervene. Ignoring all his training and instincts, Dick leaped to her rescue kicking the gun away from her attacker. Having his focus solely on her attacker, he failed to realize a second goon behind him who managed to get him in a death grip. Struggling against him, trying to catch a break, Dick was astonished when he felt the heat from those green starbolts flying by him and apprehending his attacker. Dick could only stare and marvel at his Starfire in all her glory and power. His Kory had come to his rescue once again.
When he took up this mission as agent 37, Dick had faked his own death informing only Bruce and Alfred of his intentions. His face camouflaging technology was one of a kind and even Bruce wasn't able to identify him when he used it. Surprised at being recognized initially, Dick jolted back to reality when she called out his name. He should have known his disguise wouldn't work on Kory and he was secretly ecstatic that she had recognized him within seconds. She always did know it was him, even when he donned the bat cowl, she had recognized him immediately.
After all, she knew his heart, no matter which face he wore.
Not giving himself time for a reunion while silencing his beating heart and focusing all of his adrenaline rushes on the mission Dick asked for her help. He could hear hope and excitement in her voice at finding out that he was alive, but all his attention was focused on the briefcase on the boat that was getting away. Dick knew he owed her answers and an explanation, but he first had to deal with the problem at hand. All of Batman's training was circulating in his head as he tried to justify his divided attention. He knew with Kory's help he would be able to complete his mission effortlessly and quickly. His emotions became difficult for him to control when she threw her arms around him and hugged him. At that point, Dick wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and disappear to their own sweet paradise, away from the eyes of the world. But he couldn't, it was a matter of the greater good, the reason he left everything behind.
With her impeccable aim, Kory had blasted the engines trapping the goons for Dick. Just when he was going to ask her to lift him, the guy she was with confronted him. Unable to hide the resentment from his voice, Dick was able to dismiss him easily, calling on Kory to fly him to the boat. Dick knew he was being petty when Kory introduced the two men, but Dick couldn't really care at the moment. Most of his energy was directed towards his mission and the rest was focused on his golden angel. With a smug look, Dick gave the other guy a two-finger salute as Kory lifted him and flew towards the boat.
Dick loved to fly, ever since he was a child and started walking, he dreamt to fly, after all his parents were the flying Graysons. They taught him how to fly, showing him the freedom flight bought. After their death, he thought he would never fly again. Then Batman came along and showed him another way to fly, swinging from rooftops, saving the city, his flight now had a purpose. He flew with determination and focus, forgetting the joy and freedom of flight. Then she came along, Kory. His flying angel. The first time he saw her fly, through the clouds, swirling and twisting herself in ways he couldn't even imagine. She reminded him of something, of something he knew but had forgotten over the years, something he had forgotten under Batman's shadow. The first time she invited him to fly with her, he hesitated. His heart wanted to, but his brain was cautious. Because flying with her meant not only entrusting his life to her but also entrusting his very identity to her. He was after all a flying Grayson. Taking a leap of faith, he soared high with her. Over the clouds, the city beneath their feet, he was flying again. Flying with her brought back his memories of joy and freedom that came with flight. And this he would have to say, was hands down his favorite way of flying. He had missed flying with her, so when she took him in his arms and rush towards the boat, just for a moment he relished in the joy and freedom of her flight.
As always during every battle, he knew where Kory was positioned. Batman had grilled him many times for it, but he always had a sense of her presence. It felt natural to him, call it his natural instincts. So naturally, when she suddenly flew away, he noticed and was shocked by her departure enough to lose his concentration and get punched in the face. He never thought she would leave him mid-flight. Was she that upset with him? Was he expecting too much out of her? He was the one who left, making her believe he was dead, so could he still expect her to be helping him? He is delusional thinking expecting her to stay by his side no matter what. Distracted and worried about her, because sparkling fairy alien light beings weren't always a good thing, he was losing his fight. Calling for her help, he managed to drop the briefcase and apprehend the two criminals. A tad bit upset at her destroying the trigger, he couldn't help but laugh at her actions. Since celebrations were in order, and also because he felt he needed some liquid courage to face her, Dick opened the bottle of wine.
Gathering some courage from the wine, he finally asked her what he wanted to since he saw her with that guy, Sol as she had introduced him. Not fully convinced about her answer of them being just friends, he decided to let it go. Reminding himself he had no rights to ask her, and it was none of his business He knew he owed her some answers, since she had always been straight to him, and he had hurt her. Since he couldn't answer these questions here, he tried to give her vague answers evading the details. Hearing her despair over his death and the tears in her eyes, he could take it no more. Apologizing to her and seeing the sincere look on her face, he acted without thinking. Bringing her close, he kissed her as his very existence depended on that kiss. He had never meant to hurt her, but he did what needed to be done.
He ended up spending the night with her. Seeing her after so long he just melted into her warm embrace, taking in her completely, he felt safe after a long time. Embracing himself against those warm lips, buried deep inside her, he found solace in his chaotic life. She was always his anchor and seeing her brought peace and contentment to his soul. Dick loved her, there was no question in that, and God knows he has loved her with everything that he is, but he couldn't give her more. With a heavy heart, he had to leave as he wasn't done with this role of his just as yet and he couldn't bring her into that mess of a life he had. Praying to fates that he could be with her again, Dick set off leaving her with an empty bed once again.
After embracing his role as Nightwing, Dick checked up on Kory finding she left Key West shortly after her encounter with him and had moved to New York. Although hoping to see her, Dick had convinced himself she wouldn't be here; so naturally to say he was shocked to see the familiar orange and purple figure descending towards him here with her beautiful red mane floating gracefully behind her, was an understatement.
She was a sight for his sore eyes, a warmth against the cold night, and a rhythm for his starving heart.