Summary: Alternate world. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, CA.

Los Angeles, CA.

It was early in the morning when the phone rang. A normal person would have been asleep at that hour but he wasn't. The smell of cigarettes surrounded him as he stared at the latest report he had received just the day before. He wondered if it would be a good idea to pour himself another drink but quickly dismissed the idea. That really wouldn't help him.

Looking at the phone as it rang, he sighed. There were only a few people who would call him at such an ungodly hour. Letting the phone ring, he turned back to the report, hoping to get some more work done... but just a few moments after the phone stopped ringing, it rang again.

"Do you know what time it is?" he asked, picking up the phone.

"Good morning to you too," The voice of his best friend Wally greeted him. "It is lovely to hear your voice so early in the morning," he chuckled at his own words.

Dick rolled his eyes even though no one could see. "Wally, how can I help you at," he paused to look at the clock on the wall. "Four, almost five in the morning?"

"We have a meeting. So it's a good thing you are already up."

"A meeting?" He asked it had been a while since he was last asked to attend a meeting. "And what is this meeting about?"

"I have no idea," He could imagine Wally shrugging as he said that. "I was only tasked with getting you there... So will I have to go get you or can you get here yourself?"

"I'll be there," He sighed. "At what time is this meeting?"

"In two hours... So be there early," Wally said before the line went dead.

He still had ten minutes to spare when he arrived at the meeting room and found Wally standing outside. Waiting for him.

"So what's this all about?" he asked, standing next to his friend and taking the offered cup of coffee. "What could possibly be so important?"

"I have no idea," Wally answered with a small shrug of his shoulders. "They really have not said anything..." he sounded somewhat bored. "Come on," he said patting him on the shoulder before walking into the room, Richard right behind him.

It wasn't long before Captain Jones entered the room, nodding at the two detectives before taking a seat.

"Grayson. West," he said greeted the pair as his assistant handed them some folders. "You have a new assignment," he said, not wasting a moment and getting straight to business. "I need you to look after LA's newest darling. Rising star and what not" he said, motioning to the folders. "There have been some... issues and the studio needs to make sure she is safe.

It was not a secret that money made things move in the city. If you had the money you could do whatever you wanted and there were only a handful in the city with the kind of money needed to boss the police around.

"We're on it, boss," Wally said, genuinely pleased with their task. Looking at his friend, Richard was already reading the file. No surprises there. Out of the two, he had always been the impatient one, always quick to act; while Richard was always analyzing every last detail, taking his time to do things right.

"Yes. We are on it."

"Good. The young lady has been made aware of this and she will be expecting you both," Captain Jones said and they both knew they were dismissed. "Do let me know if anything relevant happens."

The pair nodded before standing up and leaving the room. It was better to get right into work when it came to cases such as this one.

"Hey, can we stop and get some breakfast real quick?" Wally asked as they left the building. "It will be a quick pitstop."

Richard smiled. He knew that was not true. Wally loved his food. "I'm pretty sure you already had breakfast, Wally."

"Okay. Fine. Maybe," the red-headed young man agreed. The pair had been friends for too long so there really was no point in denying the truth. "Let me rephrase that. Can we stop along the way so I can get a quick snack? I'm hungry."

"I suppose we have time," he said, sparing one quick look at his wristwatch. "Now get in the car," he said before opening the door and getting into the driver's side.

"He always gets to drive," Wally murmured to himself but did as was told.

The young starlet lived in one of the best neighborhoods in the city, despite this, the house itself was not a grand mansion. It was a large home, but not something one would associate with a movie star. It was beautiful, nonetheless. Whoever designed the place clearly took some inspiration from the Roman Villas. A lot of open space and green areas.

"Looks nice," Wally said, both showing their badges to the officer guarding the front gate be allowed inside. "Less gloomy than the place you grew up in."

"What makes you say that?" Richard asked, well aware of the differences between the two places, as he parked the car before getting up.

Wally smiled in return before they once again pulled out their badges to be allowed inside. "You would think someone got killed here..." He murmured so only Richard could hear his words.

"No one did," Richard assured his friend, knowing he had given the file a quick glance, as they were led inside by a different officer. "Don't worry about that, pal."

Whatever Wally was going to say was cut off by the officer letting them know their host was waiting for them in the living area. Richard thank him before the officer went back the way they came.

"I don't think he liked us..." Wally said, watching the man walk away.

"Probably because you talk too much," Richard smiled as he teased his friend before patting him in the back. "Now come on..." he added before walking into the living area, where two young women were expecting them. A raven-haired woman and a red-headed one.

"Good morning, ladies," Richard said, a polite smile on his lips as he spoke. "I'm Detective Grayson," he introduced himself before pointing at his companion. "And this is Detective West. We have been tasked with your safety for the time being."

"This is going to be fun..." the raven-haired woman murmured as she crossed her arms over her chest, sitting down on the armrest of the sofa.

"Rachel," the red-head said, trying and failing to be stern, before turning her attention to the young detectives. "I am Kori," she introduced herself, smiling brightly as she spoke. "This is my friend Rachel."

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," Richard smiled politely at both women. "We will do our best to be out of your way during our stay and should you need anything, please let us know," he added as Wally nodded. "Excuse us..." with that, the pair walked off the room to begin their job.

As the young detectives walked out of the room, Rachel barely spared them a second glance, while Kori seemed intrigued. Especially about the dark-haired one.

Some days later, Richard found himself outside the impressive home alone. Wally had gone to find something to eat, not that he was surprised by that. His friend could really eat, that was something people quickly learned about him.

Chuckling to himself, Richard shook his head. Being around Wally was entertaining.

"What could possibly be so funny that it has you laughing all by yourself?" He heard Kori said from behind him.

"I was just thinking of something," He answered as he turned to face the red-headed young woman.

"A funny memory?" she inquired, making him smile. After a few days around her, he found out that she was very curious. Not in a way that would bother others but in a way that he found endearing.

Richard nodded. "Something like that."

"At least you are entertained. I can't imagine this being very fun," she sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. He knew she thought it was unnecessary for Wally and himself to waste their time taking care of her. Nothing relevant had happened since the initial incident but the studio insisted.

"I don't mind being here... and I know Wally likes it very much," he said, making her smile at his words. It was no secret why Wally enjoyed his time there. "I didn't think he would get along so well with your friend."

"Yes, she seems to like him," Kori smiled. She knew Rachel could appear cold and distant but once you truly got to know her, she was much different... but not everyone cared enough to bother with that. "I'm glad she does."

"Me too. He is a friendly guy but his love for talking... and eating," he added the last part as an afterthought. "Not everyone likes that about him. Especially the talking part."

Kori laughed at his words. She had come to realize how much Wally loved food, no that she blamed him. She loved eating as well... though she was encouraged not to indulge on that too much.

"I like him. He always has a funny story to tell," she smiled, rubbing her arms as the night grew colder.

Richard removed his jacket and offered it to her so she wouldn't be cold "That's Wally," he said as he helped her put the jacket on. "You will never know a dull moment around him. Unless he doesn't like you..."

"Well, I am happy that he likes me," she smiled brightly, now feeling warm and content. She enjoyed spending time around the two detectives assigned to protect her, especially Richard, but that was not something she would say out loud.

"We both do," He said, being completely honest. Though he might like her a bit more than his friend, just like her, she was not going to say anything about it. This was his job and he needed to avoid any distractions. "Now, let's get you inside. It's getting colder and I don't want you to get sick."

"You worry too much," she said but nonetheless, she agreed. The night was growing colder. "Come on," she grabbed his arm and pulled her along with her before we could react or say anything.

Inside they found Wally and Rachel in the living room. Rachel was reading a book. No surprise there. He had learned she loved reading anything she could get her hands. Wally, on the other hand, was eating. No surprise there either.

Rachel looked up and raised an eyebrow at her friend, noticing the jacket she was wearing. Kori simply smiled in return and sat near the fire to warm herself. Unsure of what to do with himself, he too sat by the fire next to the redhead, watching the flames as they all were silent in the room.

After some time, Kori and Richard began speaking among themselves. Nothing of importance, just a conversation to pass the time. Noticing this, Rachel closed her book and tapped Wally's arm, hoping to distract him from his current task; which was stuffing his face with food. At the sight of him, she really couldn't help but wonder where did everything go... No matter how much she had seen him eat, he never gained a pound.

She knew one or two young stars would be extremely jealous.

Looking up, Wally smile, making Rachel shake her head. He reminded her of a young child at times.

Holding her book to her chest, she motioned for Wally to follow her out of the room and though he wasn't sure why, he followed after the raven-haired girl, leaving his friend and their charge alone.

Realizing they were alone in the room, Kori leaned her head against Richard's shoulder as he was telling her some story about his youth. He made a brief pause to look at her before continuing with his story. When he was done, he noticed her eyes were closed and she was leaning not just her head on him.

"Am I that boring?" He asked in a playful manner, keeping his voice low. "I can stop with my stories if they are putting you to sleep."

Kori smiled but kept her eyes closed as she spoke. "No. They are very interesting," and she was not being untruthful. Just like Wally he always had a story to share.

"I find that hard to believe when I am putting you to sleep."

"I am a little tired," she admitted, finally looking up at him. "And your voice is very soothing."

He couldn't help but chuckle at her words. That was not something he was expecting to hear. "I will be sure to mention that under my special skills. One never knows when it might come in handy for a job."

"Happy I could be of assistance," she smiled brightly and Richard had to admit to himself, she looked even more beautiful when she smiled. She truly brighten things around her by just being herself.

Resuming her place, she asked him to tell her another story and he happily obliged. He was quickly realizing that there really wasn't much he could deny if she asked. So he told her a story but stopped himself somewhere close to the middle of it when she yawned.

"Maybe you should rest?" he said as he helped her to her feet, resting his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

She seemed to be considering his words for a moment before shaking her head. "I am not that tired," she finally answered.

"Of course not. You are only falling asleep where you are standing because you are full of energy," he said as he guided her out of the room. "As one regularly does."

She grinned and stopped walking, pulling on his arm so he would stop walking too and face her. "I will admit that the last few days have been exhausting but I don't want to sleep. I can do that later."

"And pray tell me, why you want to postpone this?"

"Because the time we have together is limited. You will be gone once this has been resolved and I will not see you again..." she admitted, eyes cast down as she spoke. She was not entirely sure as to what had compelled her to say what she did but she was glad that those words had finally been said.

Richard on his part was speechless. That was not something he expected to hear. Ever.

As silence reigned between the pair, Kori began growing restless. She knew he understood the meaning of her words and wanted him to say something. Anything was better than silence.

"Do say something," Kori said as she began to twirl the ends of her hair, a nervous habit of her.

"Say something?" he repeated to which she nodded in response, hoping he would say something. "You shouldn't have said that," he finally said, a hand running through his hair as he looked at her. He emerald eyes, clouded with emotion. "And this shouldn't be happening," he murmured, mostly to himself.

"So you do not like me," she said and he hated the sad look on her face and hated himself even more, knowing he was the cause of it,

"Wait. That is not what I meant."

"Then explain what you meant."

Richard sighed. "I like you. I think you are beautiful and smart and funny," he admitted, his words bringing a small smile to her face. "If things were different I would have asked you out some time ago... but I can't. I have a job to do."

"I am not a porcelain doll in need of your constant care. You don't need to watch me every second of every day," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "And I am not a queen. I am not untouchable."

"That is not what meant. I know you are not helpless. I quite like that about you," he admitted, pulling her closer.

"Then why don't you do something?"

"I will," he reassured her because he really couldn't deny the red-headed beauty much. Heaven help him.

"Good," she was beaming at his words, as he tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. "When?"

"Soon," he murmured, leaning closer. So close, yet far away.

"How soon?

He smiled just before he kissed her cheek. "I don't want to ruin the surprise," he murmured, pulling back to see her smile. "Now, you should go to get some rest..."

Thank you for reading another chapter! I hope you like it. Please leave a comment with your thoughts. Do let me know if you would like a part two on this chapter or just let me know what you would like to see.