Well, I was sick as a dog all weekend and on Monday, my dishwasher breaks. And I spent Tuesday and today getting a root canal and now my face kinda hurts...(yes I know the joke). Anyway, so as the house falls apart around me and my body just falls apart, what's a girl to do? Write fluff!
I do apologize though, even with all that, this took longer than it should have. I split the chapter in two because the second half isn't quite right and will post it as soon as it is.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans but I own the plot line.
Chapter 20 – First Date – Part 1
"Hello, Kori"
"Uh, hold on a second......." Kori responded and there was pause and fumbling heard, "Sorry, had to get the ear piece in..... hello?"
Dick chuckled, imagining the scene on the other side of the telephone.
"Hi, Kori, its me, Dick." When talking to her, he always identified himself as Dick but was thankful she always called him Richard - he loved the way Kori said Richard.
"Hello, Richard. Thank you so much for the flowers by the way, they are just beautiful."
"I'm glad you like them."
"It was very sweet of you."
"That's me, sweet. You're not back to DC yet?"
"Not quite. I ran into some old friends last night and we met for lunch today. I wish I would have left a little earlier though, I will never get used to how early traffic picks up here."
"Part of the Government's brilliant idea to stagger work times. It just extends rush 'hour' to about 4 hours."
"The government making things more complicated. I am shocked!"
Dick paused and took a breath. Why am I so nervous?"So-ooooooooo, I was wondering when you could get together. I can't wait to see you again."
"Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. My schedule is very free right now. This trip to Philadelphia was about the only thing on my social calendar."
"So you'll be free tomorrow night?"
"Yes, I believe I am free."
"Great. Let me make a couple calls and I'll get everything set, and then I'll call you back with the details."
"Sounds great. I'm really looking forward to it."
"Me too, and Kori?"
"Yes."
"That social calendar of yours? Why don't you pencil me in for every Saturday night?"
"Pencil you in?" she teased.
"No, you're right, use a Sharpie."
"Sure of yourself are you Dr. Grayson?"
"Yup, well I mean sure of us."
"Very well then, I'll put you in."
"Don't forget."
"I won't," she said with a giggle .
"Talk to you soon, Kori."
"Good bye, Richard."
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Dick went through his mental Rolodex and thought of the Seward Inn. Near the DuPont Circle, it was in the heart of Washington but had an old country inn feel. The menu offered quite a selection including local favorites like crab cakes along with some dishes with strong Asian and French influences.
Saturday nights could be a crap shoot dining out. The best staff was generally on, but anyone in the restaurant business knows that as far as the customers were concerned, it was amateur night. So the staff could be, well, cranky. But the Seward had always been wonderful, the staff friendly, efficient and of diverse ethnicity. He thought Kori would enjoy it immensely.
Dick was well known at the Seward and had no difficulty getting a good table with only 24 hours notice.
He phoned Kori back to confirm the details.
"Hey that was quick."
"What can I say? We're on for Saturday at 7:30 at the Seward Inn. We'll be early but why don't I get you about 6:45 or so?"
"Uh, sorry Richard, but can I meet you there? Its just that.."
"I know you want to drive yourself. Its fine Kori, whatever's best for you..." Dick paused, considering the options, "but tell you what, why don't I have Alfred drive us?"
"Really thats too much trouble..."
"It'll work out better anyway." Dick insisted trying not to sound too pushy. "The embassy is on the way to the restaurant for us anyway and then I don't have to worry about having a glass of wine or worry about you driving in town alone, and you don't have to worry about being alone with me... and I'm babbling..."
"Its nothing personal, its just an abundance of precaution, I assure you..." she said somewhat apologetically.
"Kori, its fine, you don't need to explain anything to me."
"Thank you, and actually I'm glad you suggested Alfred drive. Otherwise, Galfore might catch wind I'm driving myself and insist on dropping me off and waiting in the car."
"Let's not have that. I don't think I could relax if I knew he was outside the restaurant waiting for us."
"He's not that scary."
"You weren't there when he was grilling me about taking you out..."
"He's a real teddy bear, most of the time."
"He's very protective of you and cares about you very much," Dick paused and added softly, "just like I do."
"You do?" She certainly was happy to hear Dick's admission, but was a bit surprised.
"Yes." He replied firmly.
"I'm glad," Kori said, smiling wide, trying not to have her voice break due to her excitement, could he be more adorable? "so, what are you doing tonight?"
"Thinking about you."
No, he couldn't be more adorable. "You are, are you? Oh wait, its Friday, aren't you supposed to be working?"
"And your point being...?"
"Shouldn't you be thinking about the patients?"
"Not the entire time."
Kori wondered if he could hear her smile. "So are you going to tell our friends we are going out?"
"I guess its only fair to. They have a pool going, might as well let'em know so they can notify the winner."
"You must be joking, correct?"
"No, Vic told me about it earlier today. I didn't say anything to him yet though. You do realize you have a lot of fans there and they really miss you."
"I miss working there too. I am certain I will be back soon."
"Don't push it, okay?"
"Oh, I will not. I am actually working on a couple publications."
"You are?" Dick asked, genuinely interested.
"Yes, and I will tell you more about them tomorrow, I am pulling into the Embassy now." Kori explained as she drove into the drive of the Embassy.
"Alright then, I'll let you go. We'll be by tomorrow at 6:45."
"I cannot wait."
"Either can I. Good bye Kori."
"Good bye Richard."
Dick reflected about how much he enjoyed the playful banter they shared, just like they had shared a few times when they first met. He wasn't sure if he'd tell him directly or not but he really needed to thank Bruce for that little extra push he needed for him to finally ask Kori out.
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Another unusual occurrence – Dick realized he was nervous. Well, if he thought about it, these 'unusual occurrences' seemed to be happening all the time when it involved Kori. I'm gonna mess this up. No I'm not!
Bruce took the opportunity to tease him, and Dick had to work very hard not to get angry. He really didn't want anything to mess up the night for him. Dick finally decided on a lightweight navy pinstripe suit and lavender paisley tie. His hair was its usual tousled, cowl-licked self that still looked fantastic. He wore his sunglasses out of sheer habit.
He decided to have Alfred drive the Town Car rather than the limousine. As much as he would have liked to, uh, stretch out with Kori, he didn't want to make any assumptions. He also had a feeling she would not be at all impressed driving such a large vehicle when it was just the two of them.
Dick brought with him a bouquet of spring flowers, not extravagant like the roses he had ordered two days before, but both colorful and fragrant. He felt a bit of a catch in his chest as they turned off of Massachusetts Avenue into the circular drive of the embassy.
TtTtTtTtTt
Kori put plenty of thought into the dress she chose. She felt best in hues in the purple family and picked a dress that was lavender brushed silk. It had an exquisitely fitted bodice that was accented by piping in a slightly darker hue that gave it a look reminiscent of a corset but was at the same time very tasteful. It also had a sweetheart neckline that showed a minimum amount of cleavage, three-quarter sleeves and an A-line skirt that came to just below the calf. She paired the dress with cream leather sling-backs with matching clutch, and as jewelry she wore an artisan's pearl necklace with Bali silver, Swarovski crystal and amethyst accents and matching earrings.
Her hair had been curled at the ends and she had taken a section from each side and affixed them with Sterling silver barrettes. Her make-up played up her eyes using a black mascara, smoky black eyeliner and a shimmering lavender ice eyeshadow. She wore a high gloss pink lipstick and a deep pink blush.
Satisfied with her appearance, she practiced a coy smile in the mirror of her vanity, grabbed her purple cashmere wrap and headed to the parlor to await the arrival of her date.
TtTtTtTtTt
next up – dinner! Thank you readers and please review!!!
I know, its going so slowly...
The pool, I know its been something I've seen in other stories, but it happens. There is still money riding on whether my ex and I will get back together. Considering that we married other people I guess my old College Housemates will have to do something else with their money. He's actually also the one that did a double take when we first met in our College House as 2nd years...