Chapter 7 - Rhythm in the stars
I stood on the balcony-corridor of the motel, supporting myself at the railing, watching Rachel and Gar hanging out in the garden. They seemed so carefree and even from this distance and against the dark, I could tell they like each other. A lot.
I smiled at the idea.
"Think they're okay?" Dick stepped next to me casually, examining my lineaments. I was slowly getting used to his presence again which I wasn't sure is a good thing, if I wanted to be completely honest.
"They're cute together." I admitted it still looking at them.
"Good to see her look like a normal kid, you know." He noted turning to our teens too.
"Yeah" I understood him perfectly. In a life like this, you had to appreciate every moment of peace.
"What's wrong, Rory?" He turned to me now seriously, with a quiet question. I looked puzzled. "Ever since we left that Caulder house, I feel like something's… off." He explained as I shook my head slightly, thinking about his words.
"Nothing, really."
I mean, nothing he should be worry about. I didn't even know how he caught this well-hidden -even from me- vibes.
"After every smile, every laugh of yours there's a glimmering sadness, despair. I know something is bothering you." He diagnosed me with terrifying accuracy. "I know you, Ror"
I stood there, totally stunned, not having any idea what to say. What happened that night stirred me deeper than I liked to admit, but I would get over it eventually. There was no problem. At least not anything I'd like to discuss with him.
"Talk to me" He begged me, lowering his voice. "Please" He was hurt, worried. His voice was full of pain and misery. I looked him in the eye and I knew I'm lost. I hated to see him like this. And I could never lie to him efficiently.
"Back there, you saved Rachel" I started, gulping hard. "You made a commitment. You took responsibilities for your actions." I took a deep breath, trying to control my hammering heart. "You decided to fight for her, not to give up" I continued as I felt the urgent sob choking at the back of my throat. "And that was amazing" I ensured him casting my eyes down. "I just…" I started not believing that I was really saying this to him. "I just wish you did it earlier too" I finished barely audible. My voice failed me and I was no longer able to stop my tears nor to look him in the eye.
"Angel" He husked heartbroken as my cry only strengthened. He used to call me that… a lifetime ago.
I felt his soft touch on my skin as he cupped my face, wiping my cheeks. He lifted my chin up, making me look at him. Tears were gathering in his captivating brown eyes too as he was about to say something. I disengaged myself getting a hold of my emotions. We can't do this. Not right now. Maybe not ever.
"I have to call Hank" I excused myself quickly, leaving like I've been chased. I haven't even looked back. I didn't want to see how much I hurt him with this last sentence.
I shut my eyes closed for a moment to blink away the remaining teardrops. This was madness. I knew, I never should've started this conversation.
I fastened my steps and ran until I felt enough distance between us.
I really should call Hank, by the way. It would do me good, and maybe he could tell me some info on Dawn.
I regulated my breathing again, calming my mind before I dialled his number.
"Hey, babe" He picked up almost immediately, making me smile.
"Hi, Handsome" I greeted him. "How's our little Dove?" I asked concerned. I knew he would've called me if anything changed, but still.
"Same" He sighed tiredly. "Doctors can't say a damn thing!" He added frustrated. "It's fucking annoying" He murmured. Oh, how I wished to be there, to close him in a tight hug and calm him. In this craziness I truly needed his constancy. "Are you coming home?" He asked as my stomach twitched.
"Not yet" I answered biting my lips.
"Why? I thought you found that girl" He questioned getting more irritated.
"Yeah, but we lost her. She's been kidnapped. Well, not exactly, I mean…" I started gabbling. "They're still after her." I said before he would've lost his patience.
"I thought you're only there to find her, not to babysit" He groaned.
"Those people are strong, Hank, you know that. She needs me" I tried to reason.
"She or he?" He taunted me getting jealous again.
"Seriously, Hank, I thought we're over this" I raised my voice a bit. "Don't be so childish!"
"Yeah, I thought that too. Yet there you are still with him while your childish boyfriend is covering your ass, taking care of your other friend." He lectured me as I felt the tears rolling down on my face again. "You know what, Rory?" He started asking cruelly. "If you can't make yourself come home now to be with your so-called family, don't bother to come back at all." He gave me the ultimatum then he hung up.
I collapsed next to the wall, silent sobs shaking me uncontrollably. How could he say such things? Is he right? I probably should be with them. He did so much for me, and here I am betraying him by leaving him alone to deal with Dawn. Was I really doing this for Dick? No, Rachel is the reason I'm still here… right?
Either way, I knew what I didn't want to do. Think. And I also knew just how I was going to reach that goal…
"What's your poison?" The lady at the liquor store asked nicely.
"Hmm. Any suggestions?" I questioned considering the options.
"Well, folks who wanna party usually buy beer." She started as I shook my head. I wasn't really in a mood for a party. "Folks who wanna think, they buy whiskey." She continued as I scoffed. That was the last thing I wished. "You kinda gotta line it up with your intended activity." She added as I looked over the shelves.
"Tequila." I decided earning her smirk, but she nodded approving.
DDD
"Dick, it's me. Rory." I knocked on his door maybe a bit louder that it was appropriate, but I've already had a shot or two.
"What's wrong?" I've heard his concerned voice from inside as the locked turned almost immediately, opening the door. He was only wearing a towel around his waist and the water was still dripping from his hair.
"We need to talk." I announced it as I couldn't help but admire his abdomen.
"Can I get dressed first?" He asked.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before." I smirked, barging in his room with the tequila in my hand. I placed it on the coffee table, determined. "I was thinking about earlier." I started poring some alcohol into two glasses.
"What are you doing?" He asked me confused.
"You were right, we have to know each other better to fight together perfectly" I handed him one of the shots.
"So this is your plan, get me drunk and I'll spill all my secrets?" He teased me accepting my offer.
"Yeah. It's brilliant, right?" I raised my glass to a cheer as he shook his head in disbelief.
"If only someone told me in the morning that Lorelei Raymond would end up in my room with a bottle of tequila and a bunch of questions..."
"Are you afraid?" I challenged him brazenly as he raised his brow.
We clicked our glasses, locking eyes then he drunk it for one sip answering my question silently.
"Are you?" He returned the question provoking me, but I was up to the game. I emptied my cup quickly with a slight grimace. It was strong.
"Why did you walked away from being Robin?" I started heavily as I sat down on his bed. He sighed tiredly, supporting himself on the desk, half-sitting.
"I had to." He declared it simply. "When you hide behind a mask for so long it starts to give you a license to do things." He continued. "I don't think I have to explain it to you" He murmured. Of course I knew what he meant. Vigilantes, that's what the police called us. And the line was very vague between being justified or self-righteous. "It was getting out of hand."
"What happened with Bruce?" I went on intending to figure him out. I earned a look from him as he scoffed lightly.
"I'd rather not talk about it." He said, folding his arms in front of his chest.
"You are so secretive." I murmured irritated as he looked at me frowning.
"You're not exactly an open book yourself." He retorted as I nodded considering his point.
"Alright. Answer for an answer." I offered. "Ask"
He remained still, examining me for which seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke again.
"Do you love him?"
For a moment I froze. That was a heavy start… Then I chuckled nervously.
"You know how to set the mood" I mumbled avoiding his gaze. "Yes. I do" I answered him now loud and clear.
I did. Hank was really my family. And I managed to hurt him too deep. Maybe beyond repair…
I saw Dick's eyes darken in anguish, yet he just nodded. Well, don't ask a question you don't want an answer for, right?
"It might not be so mutual now though" I added, taking a deep breath as I stood up to get another drink. Hank was angry, but I heard his voice also being determined. He told me to decide, but there was no chance to leave Rachel, when she just started to trust again.
"What happened?"
"We had a fight" I said filling up the glasses. "He said if I don't go home now, I should never." I summed up, walking to him.
"Asshole." Dick groaned. "Just because he's still jealous?"
"Kind of" I agreed giving him his tequila, standing right in front of him. "He thinks you're part of the reason I'm staying." I added, finishing up my drink. I was so close to him that I could feel the radiating heat of his bare skin.
For a moment he remained silent, taking in what I said then his gaze intensified, travelling down on my body, burning every inch of me. He set me ablaze in a second.
The tequila worked on me too as my cheek flushed bright red.
He put down his glass cautiously, then he took mine too. Our fingers brushed against each other, a delicious shudder shooting through me.
"Am I?" He asked lowering his voice as he placed his hands on my waist, destroying me completely. He gently pulled me closer, testing me, ready to stop anytime. I locked eyes with him, letting him hold me there. His pupils were fathomless, filled with desire and eagerness.
"Maybe" I confessed quietly, almost against my will as my look wandered upon his lips.
His closeness was intoxicating. My body reacted to his without permission, returning to the old patters unawares. His hand followed my curves up to cup my face. We drew closer to each other until only a few inches set us apart and I could feel his breath stroking over my neck.
"Dick!" Rachel knocked on the door firmly. "Are you still up?" She questioned desperately.
I jumped back as her appearing here snapped me out of the trans. My blush deepened and I just wanted to disappear, yet I nodded to Dick to open the door.
"What's the matter, Rach?" He asked.
"Can you help me take off the mirror on the wall?" She questioned frustrated. "I just can't... bare it" She finished noticing me. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt" She excused honestly. "It's not so urgent, you can come over, anytime"
"It's okay, I'll be there in a sec, just putting some clothes on" He ensured her with a smile, closing back the door. "You should get some rest too. We're leaving early in the morning" He told me as I took the chance and left hurriedly. I was so stupid, coming over here!
DDD
Yet things only get worse in the night. I woke up to shouting and struggling sounds and as I stepped out of my room, our favourite family greeted me. At least the two kids.
"Oh, shit!" I swore ducking down from a punch of the boy but I had no time to recover as a whip wrapped around my neck. The girl dragged me down as I was desperately trying to get free while the boy was about to deliver some hit with a baseball bat. I managed to kick him in the ball, I know, not the nicest move, but them attacking at the same time wasn't either.
I got back on my feet, smashing the girls head into the wall, then pushing her down on the stairs. Then fast, before the boy could react I kicked him hard on the chest so he followed his sister.
I checked them disappearing, still panting as I hurried out to find the others. I really hoped, Rachel was okay!
"Where's Dick?" I asked as I met Rachel and Gar at the parking lot.
"I don't know." Rach answered shaking her head worried.
"Rory." Gar warned me as all the four of them circled around us.
"Fuck." I murmured, trying to analyse a situation and figure out how we all could survive. "Stand back. Get behind me." I ordered, shielding them with my body.
"It's time to burn, assholes." Kory arrived just like a Calvary as I smiled relieved. But my happiness wasn't long-lived. "Fucking night!" She swore too. All she could do was small sparks. We were doomed… The father hit Kory with a car-door which he tore off as she fell back hard, almost loosing her conscious.
I was about to panic for real, when a smoke bomb rolled close to us. Even though it made us cough, it meant that the real Calvary has arrived!
"Dick" I grinned as he showed up with all his gears.
"That's Robin." Gar noted in disbelief as I hurried, joining him in the fight. We moved in unison, understanding each other without words, countless missions together did its job.
Soon everyone followed, Gar transformed and even Rach could use her power efficiently. We were unstoppable.
"Well, look at the mess we've made." The mother said regaining her composure, dropping her saw defeated.
It was over.