Second chapter because I love! Happy 4th!

Chapter 19 – The Embassy

"You are kidding me? Bruce, what the fuck?"

"Get up, Dick, get dressed, no argument. And hurry up, we are due there at three. And do be civil. I do not know what's been going on with you but I am done with you moping around here."

Dick Grayson got dressed. He knew better than to argue with Bruce when he was like this. Bruce had been fairly hands off recently relatively speaking, not asking him to do too much socially, but still Dick didn't want to go to some embassy and make small talk. And what was this about being introduced to someone?

Dick went out the front entrance dressed in a light weight navy blue suit and red tie. Bruce was already sitting in the back of the limousine and Alfred waited to open the door for Dick.

"Thank you Alfred."

"You're welcome, Master Dick."

Once settled in his seat, the curiosity was getting to him.

"We are going to an embassy so I can meet a girl?"

"We are going to have tea with the ambassador and then you are going to introduced to I believe either the ambassador's daughter or niece." Bruce explained, "And she is no girl, I believe she is in her late twenties and Ivy educated. Completely suitable."

Suitable? Great, but at least she isn't just a socialite looking for an rich American husband.

"Can you at least tell me what embassy?"

"Tamaran's – do you still remember any of the language?"

"We were there for four years, of course I remember," and I got to practice it a little bit recently.

Dick just scowled. Another Tamaranian girl? Kori was beautiful, she would be beautiful by anyone's standards anywhere, but most Tamaranian women seemed to be a combination of Celts and Amazons.

Kori. How was she? A few weeks had passed since the incident with Cooper. Dick had called her a few times right afterwards and she was polite but not much was said. He had hoped to see her at the hospital but she hadn't returned to work yet. Dick had been very busy with his horses along the ER, the spring social season and his charity work, but why hadn't he called?

"Plus, you just need to take her out once, try to resurrect your reputation after Kitty or whoever that tramp was."

"Take her out? Uggh, whatever, never mind."

"In your present mood she'll feel like she's the luckiest girl in the world," Bruce said sarcastically. "And would it kill you to smile"

"Maybe." Dick replied, making a show by contorting his face into a forced smile.

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Kori was trying not to panic. "Uncle Galfore, I cannot believe that you are bringing someone here to the embassy to meet me!"

"My little bungorf, you do not talk about it, but I know that look. There has been a lot going on with you and you are not happy. I know that incident at work was unsettling and I have done my best to stay out of it as you requested. But even before that there was a man somewhere that caught your eye but has disappointed you, yes?"

"Uncle Galfore, you know better than anyone that my life does not center around men!" Kori said incredulously.

"Yes, of course dear, but let yourself try to be happy. And besides, Mr. Wayne lived in our country with his son." Galfore explained. "Perhaps Mr. Wayne's son will understand you better than the American that is currently breaking your heart."

"He is not doing the breaking of my heart, although I believe it is that he just wants to be the friends." Kori replied softly. Kori had not told Galfore anything specific about Dick or that he had lived in Tamaran.

"Kori, please, do not be concerned about this meeting. Just say hello and its up to you whether you see him again."

"Really, its up to me?" She said sarcastically. She hated when Galfore meddled in her personal life, no matter how well intentioned.

"Galfore, I know you mean well. But it must be a quick meeting, I am due in Philadelphia by 7:30 for dinner."

"You are going to insist on driving yourself, I assume."

"Yes Galfore, I like to drive. And I need some time to think."

"Very well. Are you going to dress?"

"Uncle Galfore, I do not wish to put myself the 'out there' as they say and get all the dressed up! I will change into suit that I am wearing tonight."

"You always look pretty Kori, I just wish for you to make a good impression"

"Don't I always?"

"Yes you do, now be a good girl and get ready."

"Yes, Uncle Galfore," Kori jumped up on her tiptoes to give Galfore a quick kiss before heading up the stairs to change.

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Alfred pulled up to the modest embassy and Bruce and Dick were greeted by Galfore himself. Seeing Galfore, himself over 7 feet tall and almost as broad gave Dick pause. He hadn't had great expectations about the girl he was going to meet before and now found himself lowering any expectation further seeing that she was related to the behemoth.

Once introduced, they entered the Embassy's parlor where tea and sandwiches were served.

"I had the chef prepare a traditional English tea. Few people are accustomed to Tamaranian dishes." Galfore explained.

Bruce replied, "Thank you Ambassador Galfore, but Dick and I would not have minded. Remember we lived in Tamaran for over four years."

Bruce and Galfore discussed the current state of Tamaran and Dick merely sat with the diplomats, trying not to appear bored.

Just then the embassy's butler Frank appeared in the entry to the parlor with a young Tamaranian woman a few yards behind, "Ambassador Galfore?"

Galfore got up from his chair, crossing the room in bold strides. He reached Kori who was hanging back, not really wanting to deal with the inevitable.

Dick and Bruce rose from their chairs and faced the entryway.

"Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson may I present my niece" Galfore's voice boomed. "Koriand'r".

Dick had been braced for an awkward introduction and again had to do a double take when he realized it was Kori.

Kori shook Bruce's hand upon their introduction.

"Pleased to meet you Koriand'r"

"Mr. Wayne was Ambassador from the US to Tamaran for four years before the coup," Galfore explained.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Ambassador Wayne."

She was then directed to Dick.

"And this is Ambassador Wayne's son Dr. Dick Grayson."

Dick took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Nice to see you again, Richard."

For the first time in many days, both Dick and Kori had genuine smiles on their faces.

Bruce cocked an eyebrow at his son but before reading their faces or trying to understand what was going on, Galfore asked the butler to escort Kori and Dick to the formal garden behind the embassy for some privacy.

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Dick placed a hand on the small of Kori's back and put on his sunglasses as they exited the embassy and walked into the garden, in wonderful spring bloom. They thanked the butler and were left alone in the gardens.

"Small world, huh?" Dick took Kori's right hand in his left, lacing their fingers together, wanting to touch her as much as would be appropriate.

"Apparently so." Kori responded trying to contain her excitement and relief.

"When you said you lived in Tamaran, you mentioned your father was a diplomat, I had no idea he was ambassador or that you were there that long."

"And I had no idea that you lived here in the embassy or that Ambassador Galfore was your uncle." Dick gently stroked her thumb with his. "To be honest, I really didn't want to come today. I had no idea it was you I was going to meet. I, well, I didn't want to meet anyone new."

"I did not want to meet another either. I mean other than you."

"Really? I was trying to figure out how to ask you out, but with everything thats happened...."

"You have had my number, you have called, why was it so difficult?" Kori paused, "But I thought you just wanted to be friends."

"I thought that is what you wanted." A smile played on his lips as he looked at her.

"I do want to be friends. Good friends. But when I had said that, I never meant for it to sound like I did not want..."

"More?"

"Yes, something more."

"We really have to learn to talk to each other and make sure that we understand each other."

"I will endeavor to if you will."

"I'd like that."

"I would like that as well, very much."

"Well, at least coming here has saved me a trip."

"How is that?"

"Well, I had a feeling that if we were to go out I would need to ask your father, well in your case, uncle for permission to court you."

"Galfore does hang on to the old ways."

"You do as well, am I correct?"

Kori admitted, "Yes, yes I do."

Dick knew that meant very formal courtship and a very chaste relationship in the beginning. He was actually comforted by the idea.

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Kori, its fine. I'll do this right"

"We will do this right, you mean."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Yes. Yes it does."

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"Pardon us," Galfore said, appearing with Bruce at the trellis in the entrance of the garden. "Kori, I must remind you of the time."

"Oh, yes, thank you Uncle Galfore. I apologize that I have a previous dinner engagement and unfortunately I have to leave now."

She turned to Bruce, "It was a pleasure to meet you Ambassador Wayne."

"It was very nice to meet you as well Koriand'r. I trust we will see each other again soon."

"I would assume so, yes." Kori said, trying not to blush.

"May I walk you out?" Dick asked her.

"Certainly, I would enjoy that Richard."

"And then we will talk Mr Grayson" Galfore said, "and Kori, drive carefully and enjoy your trip."

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Walking through the embassy, Kori turned to Dick, "I am sorry, there is a dinner tonight in Philadelphia that I am due at. I better get going if I am to make it on time." She did not mention that she was the featured speaker.

"You're driving?"

"Yes, I am driving. I actually enjoy it."

Dick took her hand back in his, "Can I come.... or is it a date?" he teased.

"No, its not a date, and you are not welcome."

"I'm not?"

"Its a women in health care dinner"

"Okay then, I'll wait in the car." He said with a wink.

They reached her car and she turned to him. "You are very sweet to offer."

"Another time. Soon I hope."

"Soon would be good."

"I believe I have something important things to discuss with Galfore before I can do that."

"Thank you for that."

"I want to do things right, remember?"

Kori smiled and blush, "Richard, do you believe there is a special connection between us? I overheard you say something to Victor about it."

Dick removed his sunglasses and took her second hand into his and looked her squarely in the eyes. "Honestly, yes."

He really wanted to kiss her but knew it would not be appropriate.

"When are you back?"

"Sometime tomorrow afternoon. I'm staying at the inn on Penn campus and will probably visit a bit before I head back."

"Let's get together later in the week and here, give me your phone," He took her phone and quickly put his number in it. "If you don't hear from me, or if you want to talk, please call."

"Maybe I will just do that."

Then Kori said good bye in Tamaranian, "Goodbye, Richardgrayson"

He kissed her hand once more. "Goodbye, Koriand'r"

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Before returning inside the embassy Dick found Alfred in the limo in the circular drive.

"Need your help, Alfred. Please call the Inn at Penn, its in Philadelphia, confirm Kori's reservation if you can and order her three dozen roses."

"Red sir?"

"Yes, I mean no." Red for love, orange for passion, pink for admiration, yellow for friendship, lavender for love at first sight, white for purity and new beginnings.

"Lavender, and also white."

Alfred cocked at eyebrow.

"Yes, lavender and white."

"Very good Master Dick."

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In spite of the I-95 traffic, Kori had a wonderful trip up to Philadelphia. She was so excited, so happy. She was especially relieved that Dick appeared willing to follow the formalities of courtship Tamaran.

She checked into her suite at the inn and the concierge accompanied her to her room to make sure she was comfortable with the accommodations. Upon entering the room, she saw the most beautiful arrangement of white and lavender long stem roses with heather and baby's breath.

She read the card from Richard. She hadn't remembered being so happy and thought she might burst.

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Bruce was even almost happy and certainly relieved how things had gone. Dick did explain briefly to Galfore and Bruce that he had met Kori at the hospital. Knowing that he no longer needed to vouch for his adopted son, he excused himself so Galfore and Dick could talk privately.

Galfore had some idea of Dick's (along with his father's) playboy ways, and did his best to intimidate him, but Dick assured Galfore that his intentions toward Kori were completely honorable.

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"Pleased Dick?" Bruce asked his son pointedly as Dick joined him in the back of the limousine.

"Yes, Master Dick, are you pleased with the ambassador's niece?" Alfred joined in.

"Yes."

"Want to elaborate?"

"No."

With that, Alfred and Bruce just laughed.

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There you go everyone! Let the courtship commence!

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