Two weeks had passed since Kori had begun working at the paper. She enjoyed the work which consisted of running to refill coffee cups and scrambling to get lay outs to the correct people and editors but between working full time and helping Richard she barely had time to breathe, fortunately she almost found pleasure in it.

" Hey Kor!" A voice said as he walked into her cubicle. She swiveled in her chair to see the face of her coworker Roy. She smiled politely. He reminded her of Richard at first so she gravitated towards him, but he mistook the friendliness for something more and was now her shadow.

" Hello Roy, what can I help you with?"

" Johnson needs us to reorganize the last months papers in chronological order in the archives, it hasn't been done yet, he asked us both." He smiled as he turned away to lead the room with her task. She followed and saw a mess of paper on the table and groaned.

" Why was this not done earlier?"

" I don't know, I'm not in charge?" he shrugged and smiled. They went about their task making small talk until there were a few pages on the table. Kori gasped as she saw the picture.

" What?" Roy asked as he hastily ran around the table to her as she clutched a newspaper in her hand. She was shaking as Roy took the paper from her hand to examine it. " You never saw this? It was the front page and on the news for a few days, don't you get the paper delivered?"

She looked at the picture even though he was still holding it. The headline read, " Boy Wonder takes a Blunder with New Villain". Robin was clutching his arm while in conflict with a black figure.

" I do."

" This happened the night before that big gala," Roy said shuffling some papers around and found a paper with Kori and Richard's face plastered on the front. " Huh, I thought you looked familiar, makes sense why everyone is so nice to you." Kori still couldn't talk. She was replaying how she could have missed this. The day of the gala was so busy that she did not follow her normal routine of reading the paper, and she never picked it up. Richard did not want to talk about the arm, and since the gala he was especially attentive, making sure that they were always together, or helping with tracking and assisting Bat Man. She just thought it was him being romantic, she didn't think he was trying to hide something. Her eyes skimmed the article and read how Robin was knocked unconscious and the reporter got to the scene while the villain had a gun pointed to the hero. The reporter acknowledged his foolishness in getting so close to the fight but the villain had no interest in him and left as soon as Bat Man disappeared, which was strange.

" I must have missed it that day." She faltered, trying to appear normal to not raise suspicion.

" It was a big deal, first time the big guys have had a mistake on camera. For wanting to be a reporter you missed something big." He chuckled then checked his watch." Sweet, it's time for lunch, do you want to grab something with me?" He asked hopefully.

" Not today, but thank you, I actually have lunch plans." She said, but as soon as she answered with a negative reply he seemed less interested and began to head out. When he was gone she took the paper and headed to her cubicle to grab her purse.

Wayne Enterprises was just a few blocks from her building and with the rage she was walking with it only took her a few minutes. As she walked into the building she was greeted by the front desk who knew that she was granted immediate entrance without an appointment. As the elevator opened to the top floor she walked past Richard's secretary,

" Is he in?" She asked before she could be greeted.

" Yes, he is just leaving for a lunch meeting though."

" This won't take long." Kori said as she went straight to his office. He was seated at his desk and looked startled and then pleased as he saw her enter. He stood to greet her,

" Hey, I was just-"

" What the hell is this?" She asked as she slammed the paper on his desk. His eyes widened at her use of language, and he picked up the paper. The color drained from his face as he took it in.

" Kori-" He said calmly.

" How could you possible explain this?" She interrupted, " You have never been caught on camera this closely before AND you have never been this injured before. He knocked you unconscious? You told me that Slade was a threat, not that he was this strong. Why would you try and hide this from me? Is this why you suddenly wanted to spend every waking moment with me? So I wouldn't know how bad it was?" she finished and exhaled. Richard stayed silent.

" Listen," he said quietly, " this guy is dangerous, and for some reason lately he has been targeting me. Every patrol since then I have come up against people wearing his insignia, but as soon as Bruce shows up they disappear. That fight with him was harder than I was anticipating, I didn't want to scare you. I also am worried about you, the less you know the better."

" Did you take my newspaper so I wouldn't see this?"

" Yes."

She sunk into a chair in front of his desk. " I love you, but you can't hide this from me, what about no secrets?"

" There are no secrets between Richard and Kori," he said as he sat in the other next to it, " but between Robin and Kori, there has to be some boundaries, to protect you." His tone was matter-of-fact.

" You told me it was a small fracture." She looked at him.

" It might have been a little bigger than I was leading on." It stayed silent.

" I'm sorry, " He said taking her hands, " it was hard trying to keep you occupied, especially since you work at the paper, but I didn't want to worry you before your new job."

"You said that he's been targeting you. For how long?" She asked. He was quiet for a moment.

" A few months." She inhaled.

" But I helped you patrol, I never saw anything,"

" There were times after I dropped you off that I would go again, and complete more thorough sweeps."

" What about since your arm?" she asked but she knew the answer, " How many times have you been out since you've been injured?" He didn't answer which confirmed her fears. She put her head in her hands.

" I am so sorry." He said sadly. " I'm not sorry that I've still gone out. You are my whole world, if there is a threat out there that could ever harm you I have to get rid of it."

" I'm not going to pretend that I'm over this and I'm not hurt, but I love you, so," she took a deep breath, " I trust you." He gave a small grin but was cut off before he could speak.

" Mr. Grayson the car is downstairs for your lunch appointment." His secretary's voice rang over the intercom. He pushed a button and replied with a " thanks".

" Can I make it up to you? Dinner tonight, please?"

" Alright." She said as she stood to leave, " but you still aren't in my good graces." She said with a threatening tone. He laughed,

" I wouldn't expect less." He kissed her slowly and they went down to the front of the building together.

As they stood in front of Wayne Enterprises Richard said his goodbyes and she headed back to her office and he entered the car.

" Good afternoon Mr. Wilson." He said as he sat down.

" Mr. Grayson, I am so flattered that you saw fit to join me." His voice was cool and calm.

" From what I understand you have tried to have Wayne Enterprises fund your weapon systems for years." He replied as the limo began driving.

" Was that an acquaintance of yours?" His voice was still even. Richard looked confused.

" Who? Oh, yes, she is, a very close acquaintance. Now back to,"

" Bruce Wayne has denied my proposals multiple times."

" That is what this lunch is about, trying to see how we can help you, and you help us. Now, looking through previous records they were denied because they were found faulty and dangerous, have those been revised?"

" Does Bruce always send children to do a man's work?"

Richard's face hardened.

" Mr. Wilson, as Vice President of this company I would like assure you that I know this craft and that if I see this proposition acceptable we will take on your task, but if there is fault in it then Mr. Wayne has made it clear that our business with you will be complete." Mr. Wilson gave a grin to Richard's firm response.

Hours later, after work had been complete and dinner somewhat enjoyed Kori and Richard made their way to the manor. They were met by Bruce when they walked in.

" So she's caught up now?" He asked. Kori gave Richard a glare.

" He knew you were purposely keeping me out of this."

" Hey, remember dinner, and how it was romantic, and how we're are not getting mad at me for trying to protect you." He said as he reached for her hand.

" I never saw you today, how did your meeting go with Wilson?" Bruce said, changing the subject as they made their way out of the foyer. Richard sighed.

" It was interesting. I had to turn down his proposal. His still hasn't altered the restrictions on it. It's too dangerous."

" That's what I told him too. It's not worth the risk." Bruce nodded his head in a agreement, and before he could say something else an alarm went off. Without speaking a word the two men hurried off, but Richard made sure to kiss Kori's cheek before they left.

By the time that Kori and Alfred had made their way down to the Bat Cave the men were already gone. Following their moves on the massive screens that took up a wall, Kori kept watch. Her eyes had grown sharper since she helped them practice. As she watched his bike turn a corner she saw a gang dressed in all black with a large orange "S" on one side.

" See, it's a good thing I found out." She said into the microphone, which he would hear inside his earpiece. He shook his head in response but didn't verbally respond. She watched as Bat Man attacked from up top and Robin used his martial arts. The group of men went down fast.

" That was child's play." A voice said. From the shadows emerged a figure complete in black armor. The duos in front and behind the screens froze.

" You've been doing this for months." Robin sneered, " sending your men to do your work."

" Ah, but I believe the one time I did fight you, you showed weakness. How's the arm?" He said with fake sympathy. Robin's fists clenched and he breathed slowly.

" Stay calm." Kori whispered in his ear.

" Yes. Stay calm." Slade said with a twisted sneer before he threw something to the ground that exploded in smoke. Bat Man raced towards him but it was too late, when it vanished so did he. Without speaking both men started the quick journey home.

As they entered the Bat Cave Richard took of his helmet and then quickly and fiercely took his ear piece out threw it in a garbage can. Without saying a word he went to the monitors and began replaying the night.

" What happened back there?" Bruce said, still in Bat Man attire as he walked up next to Richard. His voice was angry, urgent, and even though he tried to hide it, anxious.

" I have no idea. Our systems don't show a breech in security, and my ear piece was on a secure network."

" How did he know what I was saying?" Kori asked quietly, " and how often has he been listening?"

" That's the real question. Did you ever use any real names, or locations?" Bruce asked quickly.

" No." Richard said as he ran his hand through his hair, " Never. Not one slip."

" Alfred, scan our vehicles to see if there are any trackers on them. Kori go through every security camera, look to see if you can find him." Without a word Kori went straight to the screens, pushing buttons and squinting to see every detail.

"What can I do?" Richard asked.

" You can help me figure out what this note means," Bruce said producing a folded paper. " It was left where he was."

" What does it say?" Richard asked hastily.

" Jump City."