A few months flew by as they grew closer together. Kori graduated and was celebrating the beginning of summer and her internship at the Gotham newspaper with Richard, Rachel, Gar, and Victor. They had begun to spend more time with each others friends and the five of them hung out often. Richard had spent some time with her family but they were cautious to avoid too much time in case he needed to leave and look suspicious. Kori rarely mentioned her sister and Richard knew not to push it and he also didn't mention her younger brother. She seemed more distant from her family, and he was hoping it was not because of their relationship.
" Hey," he spoke quietly as the five of them were gathered around a circular table at a local pizza parlor, " we should see your parents this weekend."
" Are you sure that would be alright?" Kori asked, with a little excitement in her voice.
" Yeah, we could grab lunch."
" I am assuming that Bruce will be unavailable."
" You know he will be." Richard sighed. Bruce was supportive of their relationship now and Kori spent a lot of time at the manor, but he was still aloof from her family. He encouraged Richard to do the same. " Also, we have that charity ball on Friday." He said this slowly. It was to be their first public outing which mean that tabloids and paparazzi's would now be documenting their relationship.
" Hey dudes!" Gar yelled, " what are you guys talking about so quietly over there?" Kori blushed and Richard cleared his throat.
" We are talking about the event on Friday at the Ritz." Richard replied, reaching for her hand under the table. It wasn't as interesting as the table had hoped, so they continued on with their conversation about how to celebrate the upcoming birthdays. Victor and Rachel were both turning 21 in the upcoming month.
" Again. No big party." Rachel said.
" Aww come one man! How else are we supposed to justify all the meat that we are going to get." Victor complained.
" And tofu!" Gat interrupted, making a pouty face towards Rachel. Richard learned over to Kori,
" Is she warming up to him yet?" He smirked. Kori giggled.
" No, not yet."
" Again, dudes, no secrets!"

"Richard busy tonight?" Rachel asked as she glanced up from her book as Kori sat on the couch.
" Yes, he had business to do." Kori answered as she crossed her legs. She didn't mention that the business had to do with the Bat Sign in the sky.
" Are you okay, you seem tense?" Rachel lowered her book and looked at her roommate with her with an eye brow raised. Kori put on a fake grin.
" Of course I am, just a long day I guess." She couldn't say what was really wrong. Even though he had numerous missions since she found out his secret, she was still nervous when he went out. Her roommate held her gaze for a moment and then continued reading. Kori turned on the news,
" I am reporting here from the scene where once again, our caped crusaders have stopped an attempted murder." The anchor reported.
" That's the fifth time in the past two weeks." Rachel said not looking up. Kori silently agreed and kept her phone handy, waiting for the call or text that notified her of his safety. She scanned the TV screen and noticed that the dynamic duo were not present which meant they were in route or arriving home. The next night would be there officially coming out to the public and she was anxious, hoping Richard would call soon so they could talk about it. Her phone began to buzz right on cue. The text read, " Home safe. Long fight. Going to get rest before tomorrow. I love you." She exhaled with relief, thought not completely. Richard was always precise and to the point, but for some reason this message seemed colder.
" Glad you are safe. I love you too." She responded and headed off to bed.

" You will do great." Rachel said giving her a rare smile and Kori put on her lipstick. Kori returned with a nervous grin.
" Thank you."
Tonight they would attend an event publicly. Their first date at Wayne Manor was able to be a secret, but as Richard had done more for the company his name had become more popular. They had discussed keeping themselves a secret, for many reasons Richard and Robin related with input from Bruce, but in the end they had agreed to be in the limelight, because rumors were already spreading and it would be easier if they were honest.
" Are there going to be people you know there?" Rachel asked, Kori opened her mouth to answer but then realized what she really meant.
" I do believe that Victor and Garfield are attending, you could still come." Kori said smiling.
" Oh, no, I didn't mean, not those two, I mean they mentioned, it's not that I-"
Kori smiled watching her friend become tongue tied. Much to Rachel's relief there was a knock on the door and she quickly went to open it. Kori grabbed her violet clutch and went to greet him, her heart still pounded when she saw him, although her excitement faltered when she saw his arm in a sling.
" Are you-"
" I left the car running so we should go." He cut her off. Rachel looked at Kori with a curious expression. The Boy Wonder was usually polite and understandingly kind. Kori had her mouth slightly open.
" Of course." She headed towards the door were he was waiting. She waved good bye to Rachel whose confusion turned to concern as the door closed behind them. It was a silent walk to the car as he opened her door and walked around. As they headed out of the parking lot Kori was waiting for him to make the first move. They drove in silence. Finally she gathered the courage.
" What happened to your arm?" She asked, he kept his eyes narrowed on the road as he answered.
" Mistake last night." He didn't elaborate. They sat in silence until they reached the hotel where the event was taking place. There was a valet to open their doors and take his keys. They made their way through the lobby and into the large ballroom where the event was being held.
Kori made a small gasp as she took in the expanse of the room. Richard let out a small smile, which gave her hope that whatever dark place he might be at wasn't too dark. His stern expression reappeared when Bruce came up to meet them.
" Good evening." He said with a drink in his hand. Richard gave him a slight nod, while not meeting his eyes.
" Good evening."Kori said with a nervous smile. Bruce matched it with a sympathetic one.
" Don't forget, tonight you are flaunting your happy and lasting relationship, not sulking over last night." He said through a smile as photographers walked by. He waved to someone across the room and headed in that direction. Richard grabbed a drink from a tray as a waiter walked by and he took it down in one gulp. His eyes scanned the room noting where photographers were. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and sighed. He took Kori in his arms and whispered to the top of her head,
" I'm sorry, I'm in a rough place right now."
" I can tell." She said as he released her. She looked into his eyes and he still seemed distant, even though he grinned and said,
" Let's do this."