FYI I altered a few things in the previous chapters, it's a work in progress so if something is confusing that's why (if you have read this previously!) :)

" So that is the one you made the deal with last month?" She asked as the first course was brought to their table. They had been accosted a few times before they reached their seats but Richard handled it professionally. No one but Kori and Bruce noticed, as Bruce kept a close on the two.

" Who? Oh yeah." He said, still being distant not making eye contact. There was more silence. Kori shifted uncomfortably in her seat as more stares came her way. He took another sip from his drink. Kori knew that he was normally against alcohol but she decided not to comment, whatever was bothering him must have been severe. Two more reporters stopped by and questioned their relationship and Kori's past before they were interrupted by Gar and Victor.

" Dude, what did you do to your arm?" Gar asked as he sat in an empty seat next to Richard.

" Nothing." He muttered angrily. Gar knew instantly not to question.

" So how's it going you two?" Victor questioned quickly. When Richard didn't answer Kori hesitated.

" I think it has been going well. There have only been a few invasive questions but they were somewhat polite. I am preparing myself for seeing my face everywhere tomorrow. " she gave a slight laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

" You probably will," Victor agreed. " This guy only got press for one relationship and that was it, speaking of which, did you see who is back from abroad?" Richard's already stern face grew darker.

" Babs?"

" Yep."

Richard hadn't mentioned a lot about that relationship and Kori wasn't sure how she was supposed to feel.

" Great." He muttered under his breath and took another drink. Kori stood up.

" Would you excuse us gentlemen, I would love to have a word with Richard outside." Gar and Victor both raised their eyebrows at her comment, agreed and walked away. Richard begrudgingly stood up and walked by her side as they crossed the floor, heading into the hallway outside of the grand room. They walked a few feet away from the entrance to avoid a scene in front of the traffic going in and out of the room. He leaned back on a wall and avoided her eyes. " What is your deal?" she asked, with more frustration than she was used to talking with.

" What do you mean?" he replied while looking at the floor.

" What happened last night? I am not stupid and I know that you are avoiding actually talking to me." There was silence. She wanted to cave and talk to him more, but she saw him stand up straighter.

" Last night, I made a mistake." He didn't elaborate.

" A mistake? As who?" His silence confirmed it. " How did it happen?"

" Kor, I don't want to talk about it, it was a split second and,"

"That's why I'm here. That's why I've never thought about walking away, so don't shut me out." She had never been that firm with him which made him close his eyes and take a deep breath.

" You know those murders that have been occurring?"

" Yes," she said as her hear accelerated.

" We almost had the guy, we think he was behind the explosion a few months ago, the first time you were at the Manor for dinner, well last night we finally got on his trail," by now he wasn't just talking to her he was reliving it. " Bruce was trailing an accomplice while I was following him. I thought that I was anticipating his moves in combat, but, I was over confident," he voice trailed off.

" Who were you fighting?"

" He said his name was Slade." Richard said the name through gritted teeth.

" You spoke with him?" Kori asked masking her fear.

" Yeah." Richard didn't elaborate.

" What did he say?"

" It doesn't matter, all that matters is that we are going to find a way to take him down." His hand was in a fist by his side. Kori reached out and it softened under her touch. He laced his fingers through hers while running her other hand through his perfectly messed up hair. "I'm sorry," he faltered.

" How severe is your arm?"

"I have a slight fracture in my arm. Al helped me last night.."

"How long do you have to wear this?"

" He said probably two weeks."

" Do you still patrol?"

" No." his softened face turned sour again." Bruce is making me sit out until I heal. I'll be researching and finding clues to who this Slade guy is though." Kori felt relieved. These were two weeks that she didn't have to worry about him. She kissed the side of his cheek.

" I am glad you are safe." Their foreheads touched for a few moments.

" We should probably head back in, both of use being out of the room for too long would cause rumors that we don't want started." He winked and held her hand as they went back in.

She felt relieved that he was sinking back into himself. The ambush they received when they walked in was handled with more grace than before and he even cracked a few jokes, as they snapped a few pictures.

As the first course was served Bruce took his seat next to Richard.

" You seem better." He said as he sat.

" I'm doing a little better. I'll be better in two weeks." Bruce gave him a small nod and turned to his left to converse with the mayor who was sitting at their table. The meal progressed and Kori began to feel like they were getting back to normal, or at least they were until they have an unexpected visitor at their table. Kori saw her approaching and felt her stomach tighten. She was even prettier than she anticipated. Richard stiffened as she approached but he stood up to greet her.

" Richard," she said smiling as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

" How was Europe?" he asked as he placed his hand on Kori's shoulder.

" It was magnificent, but it is so great to be home." She said as her eyes followed to where his hand was.

" Let me introduce my girlfriend, Kori this is Barbara Gordan, the commissioner;s daughter, Babs this is Kori."

Kori held out her hand to shake her new acquaintances.

" It's nice to meet you," she said kindly. Barbara gave her a cryptic smile.

" I heard he had a girlfriend, I hadn't heard that it lasted." She said as she held out her hand. Richard went to open his mouth, but Bruce intervened.

" How wonderful to see you again," he said as he reached out his hand. Barbara responded with her own.

" Bruce, it's been so long, always a pleasure."

" I have been meaning to talk to your father." He said as she opened her mouth with her eyes set on Richard. Bruce led her back to the table next to theirs.

" That won't be the last of that." Richard said as he returned to his seat, eyes following the two that left.

" What do you mean?" Kori asked nervously.

" I know that look that she gave you, she feels threatened by you." He snorted, " There's not reason though, the way I feel about you isn't even in the same league."

" You haven't told me a lot about her."

" That's because I ended it when she told me how she felt. I couldn't continue a relationship with someone who loved me, but I didn't reciprocate." He kissed her cheek slowly and softly, hoping that would change the subject and she would feel comforted, but the eyes glaring at them from another table didn't make it easier.

The rest of the night went smoothly and the tension that was experienced at beginning was slowly fading. As they ate expensive food and conversed with the socially elite she was grateful for Richard's comforting touches and the brush in with Victor and Gar for comic relief.

As Richard, Kori, and Bruce were standing outside waiting for the valet Bruce gave Richard a glance, and Kori knew what that meant.

" I'll stay back and monitor." Richard grumbled.

" Shouldn't be too bad." Bruce said as he got in his car and drove off with speed and style.

" What was that about?" Kori asked as she got in the car.

" We got notified that there was a problem," almost as if on cue the Bat Sign lit up in the sky, "Bruce is going to go check it out, but because of my arm I'm off duty for a while."

" But how did you know?" She remarked about how subtle the exchange was.

" When we silence our alarms we have one that vibrates in our watches, it's silent and like our alarms it has different alerts, ranging from get there quickly, to a major emergency. It went off about five minutes ago, but whatever it is isn't too severe, something the cops could probably handle." He was sulking as he said it and turned out of the hotel.

"So are you dropping me off or..." she trailed of slyly. This managed to get a laugh out of him.

" You are insatiable! I should tell Al he's fired and you are in charge of managing patrol."

" It is quite fun and I think I am starting to get the hang of it. At least I am starting to get into rhythm while assisting you. Bruce is a harder puzzle, but Alfred seems to do better with him."

" We are starting to make a good team." He grinned as he took the roads home. " Are you sure you want to help tonight? Do you want to prep more for your first day. In two days you will be a full time working woman."

" I feel prepared, I am nervous but I know I can do it."

Moments later as they pulled up to the manor Alfred was waiting with cups of coffee which were handed to them as they made it down to the Bat Cave.