Here's another huge chapter! Over 5,700 words, decided not to split it - enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, but I own the plot line and a wonderful full size Chevy Pick-up - and I can throw a mean tailgate party.

Please note: Within quotes, italics are for emphasis, otherwise, italics indicates thoughts.

.

Chapter 22

.

Tailgating

.

Plot Summary:

AU Playboy Dick Grayson, MD and newcomer to the area Kori Anders, RN meet when she comes to work at the ER where he is on staff. There is definitely an initial attraction, and after some missteps, they finally get together with some help from an unlikely source. How are their pasts intertwined and can they have a future together?

Richard 'Dick' Grayson - ER doc/playboy

Kori Anders - Nurse practitioner/working temporarily as an ER nurse

Victor Stone - ER doctor

Karen Beecher - ER Nurse/Victor's Fiancé

Tara Markov - ER Nurse

Rachael Roth - ER doctor

Gar Logan - ER Nurse

Wally West – Paramedic/ER Nurse

Roy Harper - ER Nurse

Katrina 'Kitten' Moth - Registration Clerk

Barbara 'Babs' Gordon – socialites, former flame of Dick's

Galfore – Kori's uncle and the Ambassador to the US from Tamaranian

Bruce Wayne – Dick Grayson's adopted father, diplomat and former US Ambassador to Tamaran

Alfred – Bruce's and Dick's butler, friend and confident

Xavier Red, MD – plastic and reconstructive surgeon

Dick whistled happily as he bustled around the kitchen, packing a very large wicker picnic basket for his date with Kori. A properly prepared meal and appointments for tailgating was a bit of an art form and Dick Grayson had a great deal of practice.

"Master Dick, you are particularly chipper this morning." Alfred remarked.

"'Chipper', Alfred?" Dick replied cocking an eyebrow.

"Yes, Master Dick, 'chipper'. Any reason?"

"You know why, Al" he smiled at the man he often thought of as his grandfather.

"Ah yes, Miss Anders. You two do make a lovely couple."

Alfred noted that Dick did not flinch when he used the word 'couple'. He smiled inwardly, always rooting for his surrogate grandson who had so much difficulty finding someone to share his life with.

"She's one in a million," Dick offered, blushing slightly, something else that wasn't missed by the aging butler.

"And where are you off to today may I ask?"

"Down to the Mall for a polo match,"

"Would you like me to drive you?" Alfred asked, eyeing the three bottles of wine Dick had already packed.

"Nah, I'll drive, but thanks anyway."

"Perhaps we should swap this out then," Alfred said, holding a bottle of Fiuggi sparkling water.

"Don't worry Alfred, I plan to keep my wits about me, I just want to be sure I have enough,"

"Perhaps Miss Anders might interpret this as you trying to place her in a compromising position."

It hadn't occurred to Dick, but Alfred was right. Kori would be extremely unhappy if she thought he was trying to take advantage of her.

"Good point, thanks Al. What would I do without you?" He replaced one of the wine bottles with the water.

"I shudder at the prospect." he replied dryly.

TtTtTtTtTt

Kori paced back in forth in the foyer of the embassy waiting for Dick to pick her up. Dick had said to dress casually so she chose to wear jeans with a peasant style blouse in pink that was somewhat tailored, accentuating her curves and making her feel feminine even with jeans on.

She was very excited about her date. Dick had chosen to surprise Kori and she was dying to know what they would be doing. She was just hoping that Dick would get there before Galfore got back from Mass. Galfore had been a bit overbearing and she could tell he didn't completely trust Dick, even though Galfore had been instrumental in "setting up" Kori with Dick. She was almost 30 for Heaven's sake! She understood Galfore was just trying to protect her, and in spite of his reputation, Dick had been a perfect gentleman with her and it was Dick who made her feel protected and more safe than she had in a long time.

TtTtTtTtTt

Dick pulled into the embassy's driveway and Kori bounded out the door, heading toward his Cadillac Escalade and getting to it before he could even park.

"In a hurray?" he said with a chuckle as she let herself into the SUV.

"Quick, quick," she said with a giggle, "before Uncle Galfore gets back!"

"Are we sneaking out?" he joked, cocking that eyebrow again.

Oh, he looks so handsome when he does that. "No, Uncle Galfore knows we are going out, but he is not back from church and its just a bit, well, easier this way."

"If you say so Kori, I just don't want to make him more upset with me by avoiding him."

"He's just overprotective, but come on, we have to go!"

"Alright, alright."

"So, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"But I want to know now" she replied in a mock whine.

"Not gonna tell you"

"Please Richard."

"Patience, Kori"

Kori feigned a "hmmf" at him, sticking her nose in the air. She then scanned the back of the vehicle and eyed the picnic basket. She smiled broadly, something that was not lost on Dick, who was happy that he had apparently made a good choice, that she would enjoy a picnic.

They drove toward the Potomac River, making some conversation, but mostly listening to the country station on the radio. It wasn't always his favorite music, he really enjoyed rock more, but had gotten used to having it in the background because it was the station that the radio at the barn was always tuned to it. When Shania Twain's "I Feel Like a Woman" came on, Kori perked up and leaned over to turn up the volume. She bounced a bit in her seat and sang along, and Dick found himself both amused and aroused. Watching her so carefree and happy, he just could not believe his luck, she was just so adorable.

The polo match that they were to attend did not begin until 3 pm, and when they arrived in the field by the Potomac where people parked to tailgate it was before 12:30 and they were among the first ones there. Dick parked away from the few cars already there, finding a coveted spot under a large shade tree.

He had been able to calm down a bit after Kori's sing-a-long, but still all he wanted to do was kiss her. It wasn't that he want to get it over with, but the thought of kissing her for the first time was distracting. It had been on his mind since their date the evening before, and though he could not remember the details, he was sure he had dreamt about kissing her, or more accurately, he had a dream that included kissing her among other things.

Since the evening before, Kori had been thinking about how to get Dick to kiss her as early in their outing today as possible. She had gone to bed thinking about it, giggling to herself at the time that she was acting far younger than her 29 plus years. She loved the feelings she was having, she loved the thought of being Richard's girlfriend although she knew it was far too soon for such a label. She journaled about it in her diary, and let herself fantasize about their future. Becoming his lover before marriage was likely out of the question, that had been a promise she made herself long ago, but kissing and becoming close was in no way off limits and she could barely contain herself, knowing that soon they would share that first kiss.

Seeing the coast was essentially clear, Dick placed the SUV in park and took a deep breath, seeing he had a chance to kiss her. He knew he had to just go for it, before there could be yet another interruption. He turned toward Kori, leaning onto the console between the two captain's chairs. He began to say "Kori," when he realized she was just inches away.

Kori had a similar strategy – she wanted to make sure they kissed as soon as they got the chance. How could they go on any longer without kissing? Kori had leaned over toward him and onto the console as Dick had finished placing the vehicle in park and had started to say "Richard," when he had turned to face her, each saying the other's name essentially in unison.

Both laughing and blushing about the awkward situation, Dick managed to simply say, "Hi," as he smiled at her, removing his sunglasses.

Kori replied, "Greetings" and smiled brightly, looking into his beautiful blue eyes.

"Kori."

"Yes, Richard."

"You know I care about you."

"and I care about you."

Their hands that were on the console between them found each other, and their pinky fingers intertwined.

"I was really hoping I could kiss you now," Dick said in a low husky voice that along with what was being said, made her feel light and tingly.

"I also was hoping you would kiss me now," Kori replied softly.

Dick reached up to the right side of Kori's face and with the pinky side of his left hand a caressed her tenderly, getting lost in her green eyes.

"Kori, you are so beautiful, so wonderful, and I am so happy I found you," Dick leaned in and placed his lips gently on hers.

It was such a soft kiss, and although Dick desired to deepen it, to ask for entrance, he held himself in check. The way their lips felt against each other, how wonderful it was to be close to her and to hear her content sigh. Dick would reflect later that it was truly the most amazing first kiss he had ever had.

For Kori, the kiss was so perfect that almost didn't feel real. She couldn't have suppressed the sigh that she let out during the kiss if she had wanted to, her body reacting in both relief that they had finally shared a kiss and that the kiss felt so wonderful. It was better than any kiss she had ever shared with a man.

As their kiss ended and they smiled at each other before Dick pulled her into a hug that she enthusiastically returned.

"Mmmm, thank you, that was wonderful." Dick said softly and in that husky tone that was sure to be the death of her, as he held her, kissing her cheek softly.

"Agreed," Kori replied softly, smiling broadly, reveling in being in Dick's strong arms, enjoying the intimate kisses on her cheek.

"The first kiss of many," he said very softly in Kori's ear, causing her to shiver, before kissing her cheek again.

Kori was surprised by the shiver and in that moment she realized that her body's reaction to Dick would be more than anything she had ever had to deal with. It was more than a bit frightening but it was also very, very thrilling.

TtTtTtTtTt

Dick made a bit of a dramatic show of setting up their picnic on the tailgate of the Escalade. He found himself so relaxed and he was actually playful. Kori gave him plenty of compliments on the food prepared and how it was all presented, the "table" complete with flowers and a sterling ice bucket for the wine.

The field slowly filled with cars and other tailgaters but Dick barely noticed, totally enthralled with his date. They certainly were not acting inappropriately, but they gave each other little touches whenever possible and they found themselves simply looking at each other. They fell into the playful banter that they shared, something each realized was special, something they had never experienced with anyone else. Dick leaned over to kiss Kori, always on the cheek, after she said or did something he found endearing, which was quite frequent. After they were finished eating, they held hands and Dick frequently would lift her hand to his lips to kiss it. The meal had been lovely and Dick's attention was beyond flattering. Kori was in heaven, feeling so happy and content, and knowing that she had found someone who was accepted her for who she was.

TtTtTtTtTt

"Well its about time!" Victor said with a laugh coming up to the couple.

"Hey Vic, what are you doing here?" Dick asked as he stood up and shook his friend's hand.

"Well, Dick if you'd have checked your messages, you'd know a bunch of us from the ER were meeting here today. Hi Kori, its good to see you again."

"Hello Victor, it is nice to see you as well," Kori said coming over to Victor to give him a quick hug and quick kiss on the cheek.

"And everything is going well I see," Vic said with a wink and Kori giggled a bit and blushed.

"Everything is wonderful," she replied happily.

"Yes, they are," Dick said placing his arm possessively around Kori's waist, and she leaned into him in response.

Vic noticed Dick was relaxed and actually able to show he was happy, which was a bit out of character. But then again, he had been there when Dick first saw Kori in the ER, and who could forget that reaction? If Vic wasn't sure before, he now knew there was something special between the two.

"Alright you two, grab whatever you're drinking and join us at 'tailgate headquarters'" Victor commanded.

"Tailgate headquarters?" Kori asked.

"Kori, I'm sure you're impressed with what Dick did here," Vic said, motioning to the back of the Escalade, "but you ain't seen nothing yet."

"Vic thinks he puts together a better tailgate than I do, but really he just overdoes everything." Dick explained to Kori.

"Nothing exceeds like excess," Vic replied as he led them toward his car not far away.

It was an impressive set up, complete with a generator running various appliances including a world class boom box. There were two grills, a beer keg, tables of food, and a throng of happy partiers.

Kori saw many of her coworkers among the revelers. She was a bit apprehensive, having not seen any of them except Rachael and Richard in the weeks since the incident with Cooper. She had spoken with Tara and Karen on the phone a few times right after the assault, but had not in the last week or so.

Dick felt her stiffen and gave her a reassuring squeeze at her waist. He leaned in and whispered, "Just say the word and I'll get you out of here."

She looked up at him and smiled. He wants to take care of me, protect me. "Thank you Richard, but it is good for me to see our friends again. I will be fine."

He actually liked the way she said 'our friends' and again, he surprised himself. "I'll stay close," he said to her softly and coupled it with another light squeeze.

As they approached Vic's party set up, heads turned and people began to react to seeing Dick and Kori, obviously together.

"Ha, ha, I knew it!" Karen exclaimed joyfully upon seeing the couple together, clapping her hands.

"Okay guys spill, when did this happen? There was a lot of money riding on when you guys would finally get together." Wally added, smiling happily – he had the day before in the betting pool that he had help organize.

"Alright everyone, calm down." Dick said, motioning with his free hand with his palm down.

"No way Dick, we are going to have to hear the details – watching you two dance around each other was excruciating." Karen said, subtlety not exactly being her strong suit.

"Relax, Karen," Rachael said, and then to Dick and Kori, "glad to see you two finally together."

Tara came up and gave Kori a hug, "I'm with Karen, I want details,"

"Richard and I are doing the going out," Kori said said with a smile. She was not upset, she just hadn't anticipated the attention.

"And?" Tara said, encouraging her to give more details.

"Come on guys, we started going out, end of story. A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell." Dick said, again coming to Kori's rescue, pulling her a bit tighter.

Gar and Wally gave each other a high five. "So there was kissing," Gar said, waggling his eyebrows.

"Gar, grow up," Rachael said to her long time boyfriend, taking his hand and leading his away from the crowd that had formed around the new couple.

TtTtTtTtTt

After a bit of ribbing and a few more awkward moments, Dick and Kori settled in, circulating among the people there, having a wonderful time with their friends. It had been so unexpected to see everyone, and as much as Dick wanted to be alone with her, it was wonderful to see Kori relaxing and having fun. He also realized that by having Kori there and being with her, he was enjoying the get together much more than he usually did.

Dick knew that the incident with Cooper had affected her greatly, and even though she barely spoke of it, he had worried a bit that she wasn't really dealing with it. Even with her reassurance that he hadn't failed her that night, Dick continued to feel guilty. But seeing how well she handling being with her coworkers while fielding questions about how she was doing after assault, he was in awe of her strength and resilience.

Once presented with the situation, Kori realized that it was better to have been able to face her coworkers away from the ER. At least to some extent, whether consciously or not, she had been avoiding her new friends. As much as she just wanted to forget about the assault by the strung out intern, but it had been the support of her friends that she probably needed the most.

As the afternoon progressed, Dick got to watch Kori continue to blossom, her naturally sunny personality shining through more than he had ever seen it before. People gravitated to her, and Vic's large party had attracted plenty of people including passers by, many whom they didn't know, who joined in on the fun. Dick certainly had some pangs of jealousy when other guys would come up to Kori, whether he knew them or not, but the entire time she never flirted with anyone but him. And when they weren't right next to each other, Kori would always smile and even gifted him with a wink or two when she saw Dick looking at her.

One person that wandered by unexpectedly to join into the festivities was Barbara Gordon. She was dressed in a smart sheath dress and vintage hat, and with her was three friends who were similarly appointed. When she saw Dick, Babs smiled in a way that was almost predatory.

"Dick, Dick, it's great to see you!" Babs said, running up to Dick, throwing her arms around his neck. Dick, who at the time was holding Kori's hand, had to let go to hug Babs back – and to stay on his feet. It was immediately obvious that she had been drinking.

"Hi Babs, whoa" he replied, as he took a couple steps to balance. Perhaps Babs had meant to knock him over. He gave her a nervous smile. "Babs, are you okay?"

"I'm fine Dick, fine! I am just so glad to see you!"

He deliberately peeled her arms off of him and stepped away after a few seconds when it became clear she was not going to back off. Dick made little effort to hide his annoyance.

"Babs, I want you to meet Kori Anders, Kori, this is Barbara Gordon."

Kori offered her hand and said with a forced smile, "Please to meet you."

Barbara took a hard look at her before taking her hand.

"Likewise," she said in a cold tone.

Dick slipped his arm around Kori's waist, and within a few seconds, Kori recognized Barbara from the picture in the paper she had seen of Barbara and Dick at the Cricket Club but kept her face neutral.

Babs was in no condition to, nor did she have any desire to show decorum.

"Dick, may I talk to you a minute, alone?"

"Babs," he started in a warning tone.

Kori wasn't sure what was going on, but she felt that Barbara was volatile, and she wanted no part of it.

"Richard, why not do the catching up with Barbara? I am going to get another drink."

"Alright, Kori," he replied, and with his arm still on her waist leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, "hurry back."

Unable to maintain her neutral face, a twinge of dread caught in Dick's chest when he saw the sad expression on Kori's face. Why now? Why can't my past stay in the past?

TtTtTtTtTt

Rachael and Gar were immediately at Kori's side as she walked away from Dick and Barbara, having seen everything.

Looking over at Dick and giving him a cold glare, Rachael said to Kori, "I guess you haven't met Barbara Gordon before Kori."

"No, I have not had the pleasure, but I saw her pictured with Dick in the paper a few weeks ago."

"Here it is in a nutshell, Kori: Barbara is an old girlfriend and now she and Dick are just friends. He occasionally escorts her to functions," Rachael said, and then with emphasis, "but there is nothing to worry about."

Kori looked at her, a bit surprised.

"Kori, Dick is crazy about you, you really do have nothing to worry about." Gar insisted.

"I hope you are correct," she replied meekly. Is Dick's past going to keep coming up every time we are in public? The girl's drunk in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, was she the kind of woman Dick really likes?

TtTtTtTtTt

"Di-ick" Barbara whined once Kori had left.

"What Babs?" Dick hissed at her. I so don't need this right now, things had been going so well with Kori.

"So, I was wondering if you would take me to the Boots and Tails Ball this year."

Did she not even notice Kori? "No Babs, I can't."

"What? Why?"

"You are drunk aren't you?"

"No, I'm not. But I do need an escort."

"No, Babs, I'm sorry."

"So why not then?"

"I'm with Kori."

"Dick, you are never really with anyone. Well, except when you were with me." she laughed, and then her voice hardened again. "so, who is she?"

"Come on Babs, walk with me," Dick said turning and walking away from the group, hands buried deeply in his jean pockets.

Babs grabbed on to his arm. When they had moved 30 or so feet away from the tailgaters, Dick turned toward Babs. He removed his hands from his pockets and extricating his arm from hers, stepping back from her a bit.

"Kori is my girl--" he started, reconsidered and then decided to go with it, "Kori is my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend, are you kidding me? Who the hell is she?"

"What is wrong with you, Babs?"

"Nothing is wrong with me. Who is she?" she demanded.

"If you must know, we met awhile back in the ER where she works as a nurse and then Bruce and her uncle, the Tamaranian ambassador, introduced or rather reintroduced us." He said deliberately emphasizing to the snob that Kori had social standing.

"I don't know what's worse," Barbara replied with a snort of laughter, "that you two were fixed up or that she is a nurse."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"A nurse, seriously, can she even hold a conversation? What do you see in her, or did she just offer you a bed bath and beyond or something."

He was livid, this was ridiculous. Why is she acting that way? "If you must know, Babs, Kori has a PhD and I will remind you that you barely made it through finishing school."

"I had other priorities." She said in her own defense, "But Dick, we belong together, I mean the other night..."

"I was drunk and you were vulnerable and you sent me home in a cab before anything really happened."

"No Dick, the attraction is still there. I'm the only girl you ever loved, remember?"

"Babs, its been over for a long time, and I'm sorry if I made you think there could be some sort of future between you and me." He consciously avoided saying 'us'.

Barbara wasn't sure what to say. She took for granted Dick would always be there, and now he wasn't. She decided to try another angle.

"You haven't asked her yet, I mean to the ball, have you?"

"Not yet."

"Then just take me, as a friend, you owe me that much."

"I owe you?"

"Yes."

"You are being ridiculous Babs. I don't want to be mean but I am with Kori, and she will be my date for any social functions I choose to attend. If you were really my friend Babs, you would be happy for me."

Barbara tried another tactic. "Oh Dick, I'm sorry," she said, letting some tears fall for effect, "I am happy you found someone to go out with on dates. I am just so lonely and we were always there for each other and I always saw us ending up together."

"First off Barbara, Kori is not someone who I just 'go out with on dates', its way more than that. And secondly, its news to me you still thought we'd end up together."

"But we belong together."

"Why do you keep saying that? You are really pushing me Babs, and I guess I have to say it to get my point across: we do not belong together."

"But we do."

"No Babs, I never saw us ending up together, alright. I'm sorry. But right now I have to get back to my girlfriend. She had the decency to step away so we could talk, but Kori and I are on a date, and I have been away from her long enough."

"Fine Dick," she said in a very angry tone, "but when you get sick of her, when you get a little bored and decide for some variety, or when she simply doesn't measure up, don't expect me to be there."

"Don't worry Barbara. I won't." Dick simply walked away, leaving Barbara there, drunk and angry, hoping to find Kori and praying that he didn't have to do too much damage control.

TtTtTtTtTt

Dick found Kori talking to Gar and Rachael. Gar had regaled her with his many amusing tales of life in the ER, and she listened with intently, smiling politely and trying to block out thoughts of Dick and Barbara together.

"Hey Kori," Dick said as he came up behind her, wrapping both arms around he waist and giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Hi guys," he said to Rachael and Gar, who were both surprised by the intimacy of Dick's embrace and in unison each cocked a brow.

Kori responded to the couple with a slight shrug to her friends and couldn't help herself as she leaned back a bit onto Dick's chest.

"May I borrow you for a minute?" Richard said near enough to Kori's ear to cause her to shiver, which this time he felt. For that he felt very pleased he had that effect, but a little guilty he was using it to his advantage.

"Sure," Kori managed, definitely overwhelmed.

"We'll catch up with you two later," Rachael said, "come on Gar." and once again, Rachael found herself pulling her boyfriend away from Dick and Kori.

"Just when things were getting interesting," Gar whispered to Rachael, with disappointment in his voice.

TtTtTtTtTt

Kori spun around and gave Dick a quick hug. There was no way she could think clearly with him embracing her from behind and as good as it felt, he had pushed her out of her comfort zone.

"So..."

"Yes Dick? Did you want to tell me what that was all about?" Her tone was very even and measured. He was always disappointed when she called him Dick rather than Richard.

"Well, that was Barbara Gordon," he started sheepishly.

"Yes, I recognize her from her picture in the paper with you from a few weeks ago."

"Oh." Dick had no idea that Kori saw the picture in the society pages. Even though it was before they had gotten together, they had already met, and he already had asked Kori for her phone number. He felt a tinge of guilt or was it regret?

"And Rachael and Gar mentioned that she used to be your girlfriend."

"She was Kori, a long time ago."

"She did not appear to be the over it as they say."

"Yes, you're right, and she surprised me with that. Kori, honestly, I think she was just interested in me as an escort to an upcoming function and then just overreacted when she saw us together."

"Did you agree to being her escort?"

"No I did not," he said with emphasis.

"Richard, perhaps I had no right to ask you to see me exclusively, I mean we just started going out..."

"No Kori, you have every right. Plus it is what I want."

That surprised her. "Are you sure?" she asked, a smile slowly emerging.

"Yes. In fact, when she asked who you were, do you know what I told her?" He smiled back, this was going way better than he expected.

"That I was Kori Anders?"

"Well yes, I mean no, I had already introduced you"

"True. So when she asked you who I was, how did you respond?" she said in a teasing tone.

"Are you sure you want to know?" he teased back. How could this be going so well that we are falling into that playful banter that I love?

"Well, I told her that you were," he leaned in close, "my girlfriend."

She couldn't stop it, she let out a bit of a happy squeal. He was very pleased with that reaction.

Kori worked to regain her composure. "Your girlfriend, huh?"

"Yes, if that is alright with you."

"I believe I would not be opposed to being called that."

"Good."

"And does that mean you are now my boyfriend?"

He was already quite close to her as they spoke, but Dick surprised her when he leaned in and gently started kissing her lips, working his jaw a bit. He broke the kiss and placed his forehead to hers, looking deep into her eyes, "what do you think?"

He started kissing her again, convention be damned, this was more important.

The spell was broken when they heard a very loud "Ahem" courtesy of Victor.

"Come on love birds, lets go find some seats."

TtTtTtTtTt

Nice and long, hope you enjoyed - please reward me with reviews!

A/N: Apparently you can't tailgate at the Mall anymore during the polo matches, and they cost way more to attend then they did when I was in grad school. But, I left it into my story cause its cool.

I hate when nurses are put down and I hate the oversexualization of nurses as well. Although I amuse myself - Bed bath and Beyond!

Chapter 23 - The rest of their date, the polo match and Babs isn't done yet!

LJ