It happened so fast. The aim wasn't to kill, but to distract. Within seconds the knife was thrown, the gun was down, and Richard pushed a signal in his glove that sent his coordinates to Batman.

Richard watched as Walker grabbed his hand. The gun fell and a bullet went off, but wherever it was aimed, there was no harm to Kori. Richard raced across the room, and gave him a swift punch, which caused Walker to fall to the ground. Richard used the anger he felt swelling and kicked him in the gut. He wanted to unleash all of his hatred, but he had spent too many years working on his self-control after his parents died to lose all of his control now, even as much as he wanted to.

Walker was hurt, and made a move to get up, and Richard allowed himself a kick to his enemies head, which caused him to black out.

Richard took a deep breath in and picked up the gun and placed it on a table, out of Walker's reach, in case he suddenly woke up.

The entire scene Kori was frozen. She did not know what to say. She knew that tied up there was nothing that she could do. Richard, once revealed had tried to take the entire situation in hand. Richard looked down at the mask still in his hand. He faced Kori. Both of them had wide eyes.

Richard opened his mouth, but hesitated.

" Richard," Kori said softly. " Will you please unbind me?" Richard slowly walked over and started to untie. He let out a grunt. Who ever tied these were good. He decided it wasn't worth struggling, so he took out another small knife and began to cut her lose. After she was free, there was still silence. She wanted to reach out, and touch him, but his eyes were unreadable. He was silent. Her eyes were on him, while his were avoiding her. She reached out and gently put her hand on his and began to speak, when Batman ran in. It only took him a second to figure out what happened. A dead body with a pool of blood, Walker unconscious, Kori recently freed, and Richard sitting with her, mask in hand. Batman's eyes narrowed in on Richard, who immediately distanced himself from Kori.

" I had no choice." Richard said sternly. Batman took a deep breath. " This was not a choice I made lightly, but Walker knew."

" Really." Batman said, his voice had no emotion.

" He guessed who I was." Batman gave Richard a sharp look.

" We will discuss this later." Batman said. " You take care of her, and we will debrief later. I'll get this taken care of."

Richard reached out his hand to help Kori off of the bed, but once she was stable he dropped it. He led her out of the room. She took in her surroundings. It was an old, abandoned apartment building. She followed Richard our. She couldn't keep track of how many flights they were traveling down. She was too busy trying to think of what to say.

As they made their way out of the building into the dark night, there was a black car, and the older gentleman standing there looked familiar to her. His eyes grew wider as he saw the two of them walking towards him.

" Master Bruce said you would need to change quickly." Without saying a word Richard got into the car and closed the door.

" Miss Anders." The man said nodding his head to Kori. " I believe we met briefly, but Master Dick has tried to keep you away from Wayne Manor, probably for this reason." He said with a small smile.

"Yes, he speaks fond of you Mr. Pennyworth."

" Please, call me Alfred." While Alfred was finishing his sentence Richard came out of the car in jeans and gray t-shirt.

" Thanks Al." He said, still not looking at Kori. " Would you mind taking Miss Anders home? I left her address on a note in the front seat. "

" Of course Master Dick." Alfred said. Kori wanted to talk to Richard, to let him know that she was not angry at him. Richard walked back inside the building, and quickened his speed as sirens were approaching.

" You are much stronger than you look." Alfred said after they had driven off.

Kori was silent.

" I am grateful for you." Alfred said while Kori was still looking out the window, lost in thought, " Master Dick has been quite changed these past few months. He is the happiest I've seen him."

Kori gave a small smile. " I care very much for him." She replied.

" I know you do, and between you and me Miss Anders, he cares very much for you." Kori's smile grew bigger. " Please don't judge him for his behavior today, " he continued as he pulled into her parking lot. " Today is what he feared, which is why he was hesitant to enter this relationship. I can only imagine the agony he is putting himself through."

" I do not wish him to go through agony." Kori said hastily.

" I know you don't Miss Anders, which is why I am grateful for you, and Master Bruce is too, even if he won't admit it."

Kori began to open the door but hesitated.

" Alfred," she paused.

" Give him space, he will come to you soon." Alfred said with a small smile. Kori gave him a grateful nod and headed upstairs.

Richard rode his R-Cycle home. After sending Kori home, he had gone upstairs to help Batman, but he was sent straight home. Bruce knew that Richard was a wreck inside, so sent him away.

As Richard pulled into the Bat Cave he put down the brake on his bike and took a deep breath as he took his helmet off. He got home so fast that no one gave him a second glance.

He decided that a shower would be the best option right now, so he headed to the elevator to head into the main part of the house. As he was making his way towards his room, he saw Alfred, waiting with a clean towel in his hand. He knew they way he worked.

" Thanks Al." Richard said quietly.

" If I may Master Dick, my car ride with Kori was quite enlightening." Alfred said, and Richard halted.

" Is she," he paused, afraid to hear her response.

" I think you should talk to her, there is no anger on her side, only love for you sir." Alfred gave a smile.

" Did she, I mean," Richard took a deep breath, " did she say anything?" Closing his eyes. He had been replaying the fear in her eyes all day.

" Master Dick, that is a special girl. I would do my best to keep her around. I believe the only thing she is fearful of, is you abandoning this relationship."

" Thanks Al." Richard said as he went to shower. He loved her, but he had put her in danger. He barely made it through today.

As the hot water fell against his skin, his body crumbled. He had almost lost her today. Regardless of how much he loved her, he had almost died. He began to choke up as he imagined the possible outcomes.

He would have to apologize profusely. He was torn. He didn't want to lose her. She was the light in his life, but he couldn't put her in danger.

Thanks for reading friends! I look forward to reviews, and conversations. The next chapter is currently being worked on! XOXOX