Hello Everyone! – sorry for the late update, my son has been really sick the last few days with a super high fever (103 F!) which I know isn't horrifyingly high in kids but its no fun when its your kid.
Earlier this week put up the first chapter of a new Robin x Starfire story 'June Fete' about Starfire's birthday right after Tokyo. Its fluffy and entirely tame, rated K+. It takes place right after my story 'Teen Titans: A Day Off' but way before 'Lavaliere'.
I also started a new AU Richard/Kory story called 'Where Have You Been All My Life?'. The characters are very different and the basic premise is that Kory Ander called off her wedding because she found out her fiancé was cheating on her. She takes the two weeks that was supposed to be her honeymoon to spend some time alone and rethink her life when she meets a handsome former playboy by the name of Dick Grayson. A major character will be Donna Troy (Wonder Girl/Troia). Rated T for now but this will be an adult love story.
Anyway, here is the next chapter of 'Double Take'. Its fairly long, although its mostly dialog. I went back and forth whether to include this much dialog between Kori and Taryia (and if you know who she is in the TT comic universe, you get a cookie). There is another revelation, this one about Kori's past and let's see how Richard handles it. And when will she be able to forgive him for leaving the other night? Now on with the story.
Double Take
Chapter 35
Another Revelation
Richard's Blackberry was flashing. Seven text messages. Expecting something from Manny or someone else about the horses, he found the only references to the show accompanied by the same theme: don't bother coming over until you fix things with Kori.
Don't come to the horse show until Kori accepts your apology. Bruce
R things OK? Is Kori OK? Better B – Babs
The others were essentially the same. In retrospect he shouldn't have been be surprised. He had really acted so insensitively. Richard and Kori had just realized that they had known each other when they were teenagers in Tamaran and they needed to work through that revelation together. She hadn't deserved him walking out of her hotel room the night before even if it was only for a couple of hours. He didn't want to defend himself, he knew he was wrong, he just wanted to make it up to Kori.
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It was nearly 10 AM when Kori started to stir. He loved watching her when she was waking up the few times he had the privilege. But how would she respond to him this morning after he had hurt her so much?
"Kori, how are you this morning?" Richard said softly once her eyes were open.
She struggled to smile. "Okay."
"Kori, how are you really this morning?"
Kori sighed; she had to be honest. If she was going to ever forgive him, he had to know what he was putting her through.
"I feel like I has kicked in the stomach and my heart aches," Kori's eyes welled up with tears.
"Oh, Kori, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you," Richard's eyes teared up as well, his voice obviously sincere. What have I done?
"My heart shattered last night when you left."
"Oh Kori, I know I'm going to say it a million times but I am so, so sorry." He paused briefly and added, "May I hold you?"
Kori nodded yes as a couple of tears fell. He said softly into her hair, "I want to help you heal your heart. What can I do?"
Kori gave a small shrug but leaned into him a bit.
"Well Kori, I have been told in no uncertain terms to stay with you today and make you happy again and of course its what I want to do. If its what you want of course."
He is trying.
"Let us snuggle and stay here for a little bit. There is so much to talk about, but I just need to take it slowly."
"Of course, Star."
I never thought I'd be called that name again.
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It was already getting late and they weren't getting up very quickly so Richard suggested that they order room service for breakfast. Kori felt both indulgent and a bit naughty – she wasn't ashamed that Dick had stayed in her room, they were adults in an exclusive relationship, but by ordering room service for the two of them she felt she was broadcasting it a bit.
"What do you want to do today Kori?" Richard asked over his ham and eggs.
"I think I will check my email – I think I might take a trip down to Penn campus," she replied. She thought she could use time with one of her friends.
"Do you want me to come?" Richard asked with a hopeful tone that made Kori smile.
"Not today, but thank you," she told him gently, "I think I want to spend some time with one of my friends."
Dick was crestfallen. He respected her wishes, he just wanted, no needed, as much control over the situation to make sure he didn't lose her.
"Excuse me a second," Kori went back into the bedroom, taking out her phone and placing a call to her friend Taryia, one of her few friends who was a Tamaranian.
After speaking with Taryia briefly, they set up a late lunch date.
Kori came back out into the sitting area, "I am meeting one of my friends for lunch. She has office hours this afternoon so I probably won't be too long. I checked the train schedule and I'm going to take the 12:50 downtown."
"Kori, why don't you drive, or I can drive you."
Kori hadn't missed Richard's disappointment earlier. "I will take the train in but how about we do this: you could pick me up downtown. We can spend some time on campus and then be back for the jumper class tonight. Its not until 8:30, am I correct?"
The relief was obvious on Dick's face and he smiled. "Just name the place and time and I'll be there."
Kori convinced Dick that she was fine walking to the train station (all of two blocks away) and sent him on his way. Getting dressed in dress pants and a simple blouse and she got to the Devon Station in plenty of time for the train.
She looked forward to seeing her old friend again. They hadn't grown up together, but became friends when they were both at Penn. Taryia and Kori had an interesting history to say the least. In an attempt to keep Kori in contact with other Tamaranians once she was living in the US, and because it was still done in her culture, Galfore had arranged not only the introduction but the engagement of Kori to a man named Karras Kalaputt, whose father was the former Governor of one of Tamaran's southern provinces.
Kori, then a sophomore in college, was horrified at the thought but at only age 19 and not yet feeling as though she really fit in, she agreed to the arrangement anyway. Karras was nice enough and had a successful career as an airline pilot but he was older. He acted quite possessively toward the naive teenager as well as being quite domineering. Kori did not know any better but when Karras kept pushing her into a physical relationship she finally told him in no uncertain terms 'no' and they decided to call the engagement off.
About a year later Kori ran into Karras on campus with his girlfriend Taryia, who happened to be a grad student and teaching assistant in Statistics. Taryia was five years older than Kori and remembered Kori from Tamaran, she was the princess after all. Taryia had met Karras when she worked between undergrad and grad school as a stewardess and because the 'engagement' between Karras and Kori was arranged and had to do with politics, she accepted it at the time but was thrilled when the engagement was called off and she could be with Karras.
Soon Kori and Taryia became close friends and things were surprisingly not awkward between them. Kori never volunteered anything about Karras's advances toward her. Taryia was very direct and her forceful personality meshed well with Karras's, but was nurturing as well and often served as a 'big sister' to Kori when she needed guidance. When Taryia and Karras were finally married, Kori was a bridesmaid.
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"Hello Taryia!" They spoke in Tamaranian. They met at a Chinese restaurant right on campus.
"Hello Princess Koriand'r" Out of respect, no matter how often she asked her not to, Taryia would refer to Kori as the Princess if only upon greeting her. Because it was spoken in Tamaranian, Kori did not feel too self-conscious about it.
"How are you?"
"I am well, but we will speak of me later," Taryia produced the Society pages of the Suburban newspaper that covered the news of Philadelphia's Main Line. There was a large picture of Kori and Richard dancing at the Boots and Tails Ball.
Kori gasped and blushed. The caption identified them as "Dr. Richard John Grayson of Wolf Trap, Virginia and his date Miss Kori Anders of Washington, DC."
"So, Kori, anything new in your life?" she said with a knowing smile.
"Yes, Taryia, as you apparently have seen, I do have a special man in my life."
"How special?"
"Very."
"An American?"
"Yes, Taryia, however, his father is Bruce Wayne, who was the US Ambassador to Tamaran from 1988 to 1992."
"Really? How did you meet?"
"Well that is an interesting story. We met at work – I was working at an ER through an agency – and Richard is one of the ER doctors there. However,"
Taryia was hanging on her every word, "Go on."
"we did not begin the courting process until we were introduced by K'norfka Galfore and Ambassador Wayne."
Taryia laughed, "and you let your K'norfka arrange another engagement?"
"No, it is not an engagement but simply an introduction. K'norfka Galfore knows better than to do that again – I didn't talk to him for four months after things did not work out before." Taryia obviously knew she was speaking about Karras, but Kori was sensitive enough not to say it directly.
"Things are good, are they not?"
"Yes, for the most part they are," Kori replied honestly, and she was there for the support of her friend so she needed to give the entire story.
"For the most part?"
"Yes they are, but some things came to light and Richard did not handle it well."
"What do you mean?" Taryia was definitely paying attention to the conversation which Kori appreciated, but it was still a difficult story to tell.
"Well, as it turns out Richard and I had met when we were children. We only knew each other by our nicknames, Robin and Starfire."
"Your mom used to call you Starfire," Taryia said, "I remember you telling me"
"It is a confusing story so bare with me. I was 13 and Robin, Richard was 15. He never knew I was the princess and I did not know the ambassador was his father. We used to meet at my father's stables and we liked each other very much. He was the first boy I kissed," Kori couldn't help but blush and get a bit misty-eyed over the recent revelation, "Anyway, I had repressed the memories of the last few months in Tamaran during the bombing,"
"That's understandable."
Kori continued, "and Richard had been told who I was and was also told erroneously that I had died."
"Wow," Taryia said, it was such an incredible story.
"We have known each other for two months now and it was not until last night that I remembered him."
"Then what happened?"
Kori blushed again, "Well, at first it was wonderful, realizing we had found each other again, and then, well things got physical, more physical than they had been, but then I suppose Richard became overwhelmed and just walked out the door." Kori shed a few tears.
Taryia reached over and gave Kori's hand a reassuring squeeze, "Alright, what happened next?"
"Richard did return after about two hours," Kori's suppressed a sob. The thought of him leaving still hurt so much.
"So he came to his senses," Taryia gently pointed out.
"Yes, but Taryia, it hurt so much when he left."
"I am sure it did. Did he apologize?"
"Yes," Kori smiled, thinking of how sweet Richard has been since returning, "he has apologized over and over."
"And this happened just last night?"
"Yes. Why does it still hurt?" Tears began to fall again.
"I am not sure, psychology is not my field," Taryia said lightly.
Kori managed a smile. "Very funny, I am asking you as a friend, as a sister"
"Did you make love?" Taryia asked directly.
"No, not last night, nor have we."
"But I can tell you love Richard."
"Yes, very, very much." Kori's face brightened significantly. "I have never felt this way before. Things were going so well-"
"Koriand'r, love is never easy! We all make mistakes. Has Richard done anything that upset you before?"
"Not since we began dating,"
"But before then?"
"Well, yes, you see, I thought he liked me and did ask for my phone number but he was being quite the 'playboy'-"
"Sounds familiar," Taryia interjected, speaking of her formerly womanizing husband.
"I bet."
"But you said he's done nothing since Galfore's introduction?"
"No, nothing, Richard has been wonderful. Very understanding, willing to court me on my terms. He even agreed to date me exclusively from the beginning."
"Well, Kori, it sounds like things are going to be alright. He disappointed you and upset you but I am sure things will be fine."
"Thank you Taryia. You made me feel so much better. But please, tell me about your life."
"I do have news." Taryia smiled broadly and could barely contain the excitement in her voice, "Karras and I are expecting a child."
Kori squealed in delight and hugged came over to Taryia's side of the booth to hug her friend. "That is glorious news!"
"We are very excited. Karras has been particularly doting."
"I have no doubt. How far along are you?"
"Only 10 weeks, I am due December 19th."
"You look great, how do you feel?" Kori asked.
"Tired but glorious!" Taryia replied.
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The friends talked nonstop as they ate their lunch. Afterwards, they walked to Taryia's office.
"When did your office move?" Kori asked Taryia.
"Just a few weeks ago. You know I've been interested in health care, I've collaborated with you enough," Taryia said, having co-authored as the statistician on a number of papers with Kori, "so I was offered an assistant directorship here in Health Economics to begin in the fall when school's back in session."
"Taryia, that's wonderful! You have had such wonderful things happen lately!"
"Yes I have."
Kori and Taryia worked between the rare student coming in for office hours. Summer term had just started and Taryia was teaching a section of Introduction to Statistics.
"So when do I get to meet your Dr. Grayson?"
"This afternoon if you wish. I was going to call him to pick me up shortly because we need to get back to the horse show tonight."
"Wonderful, I can't wait to meet him and I am very happy for you. You should take the time you need to forgive him, but I'm certain everything will be fine."
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Dick arrived on campus and met Kori and Taryia in Taryia's office.
He knocked on the door and Kori met him at the door. He was pleased when she gave him a bit of a lingering kiss on the lips, and then his hand as he entered the office.
Dick was taken aback a bit – he hadn't expected Kory's friend to also be a Tamaranian, but realized it by the name on the door, Taryia Kalapatt, although he could have guessed from her appearance. Taryia also possessed red hair and green eyes and the golden complexion so common among Tamaranians. She was an inch or so shorter than Kori and had a truly lovely face.
"You made it Richard, come in! Richard Grayson, I'd like you to meet my friend Dr Taryia Kalapatt."
"Please to meet you Dr. Grayson," Taryia extended her hand.
"Please call me Dick," he replied as they shook hands.
"Very well Dick, please call me Taryia," Taryia added in Tamaranian to Kori, "even from his picture I did not realize how handsome he is."
Richard blushed slightly, as did Kori, who said gently to her friend, "Taryia, Richard is fluent in Tamaranian."
Now it was time for Taryia to blush. "My bad," she remarked in English with an embarrassed laugh.
They visited briefly over coffee and conversed in Tamaranian about Tamaran and moving to the US.
"How did you two meet?" Dick asked.
Kori answered for them. Not that she was certain that he would mind, but she had never spoken of her brief engagement to Karras and didn't want Dick to find out this way. The conversation continued in Tamaranian, "Here at Penn when I was in nursing undergrad and Taryia was a grad student."
Taryia could tell that Kori didn't want to bring up Karras, but added "And since then we have collaborated on a few papers."
"Taryia is a wonderful collaborator and is does a great job working with the data we have collected."
"That's great," Dick said genuinely, realizing he missed academic medicine. Sure he worked with the interns and residents but he'd love to do research. He realized he needed more intellectual stimulation.
Kori could no longer contain herself and enthusiastically told Dick her friend's good news, "What is really great is the fact that Taryia will be assistant director here in Health Economics and the fact that she is pregnant with her first child!"
"Congratulations Taryia, that is wonderful news!" Dick replied sincerely.
The conversation wound down and Dick and Kori decided to head back to Devon and get a bite to eat before the jumper class started.
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Richard and Kori stopped at a California style bistro in the Manyunk section of Philadelphia for dinner. Kori considered telling Dick about the engagement with Karras over dinner but decided to wait until later when they were in private. The more she considered it, the more she worried about Richard's reaction to her broken engagement.
Conversation fortunately still as came easily as it nearly always did and Kori was telling Richard about some of the research she had done with Taryia.
"So co-sleeping is the widespread in Tamaran?" Dick asked, a bit surprised that the practice of keeping a baby or child in bed with the parents was quite commonplace there.
"Yes. Richard, you do realize that we are the only mammals that do not sleep with our babies and children. In Tamaran it is not unusual to continue co-sleeping even on a part time basis until a child is 4 or 5."
"Don't the babies sometimes get hurt?" As an ER doctor, Dick had unfortunately seen it happen when I parent rolled onto a child or a child fell off the bed.
"Rarely, and usually only when drugs or alcohol are involved as it is in most of the cases here in the United States."
"Doesn't it affect a couples, uh, intimacy?" Dick asked, understandably curious.
"Actually no," Kori added with a smile. "In fact, relations within Tamaranian marriages outnumber those in the US 5 to 2," This is turning out to be a fun conversation to have.
Dick cocked an eyebrow at her and looked pleased by that information, "Really? That's good."
"What do you mean?" Kori asked with an innocent tone.
Dick blushed a bit, "Oh, nothing."
"Why the interest in Tamaranian marital and family behavior Dr. Grayson?" Kori asked as her boyfriend began to squirm.
"..."
Kori gave a self satisfied smirk. I guess he is giving some thought to marrying me.
Dick had the urge to tug collar, it suddenly seemed tight.
He decided to change the subject, "Anyway, an important business matter – apparently, my girlfriend turns 30 soon." He was happy to have something else to discuss, although the thought of marital relations with Kori was appealing.
"Yes," Kori replied still smiling broadly at the previous subject discussed.
"And you were going to tell me..."
"Sorry Richard, I did the forgetting with everything happening and with planning for this trip."
"So, I am hoping to spend at least part of the day with you. And, you have yet to tell me when the big day is."
"June 4th."
"And Kori,what would you want to do on your birthday?" Richard asked hoping a bit it would be something like said 'marital relations' but knowing that it was best that they continue to wait, at least for a few more months.
"Oh, nothing special," Kori feeling a bit self conscious. Since leaving Tamaran, she almost never had anything significant planned for her birthday
"I'd like to do something special, would you let me?"
Kori began to protest, "Richard, there is no need-"
Richard playfully admonished, "uh, uh, uh – I want to do something special – how about we come up with some choices? And is there anything special you'd like for your birthday?"
You. Kori blushed. "I-I am not sure."
"Well, I'll worry about the present then, but as far as what to do, let's see," he had a twinkle in his eye, "I could get the Wayne jet and take you almost anywhere – Napa, the Keys, Santa Barbara... what do you think?"
"That sounds nice but we just took time off work and I'm not sure what Galfore would say..."
"Well, just a suggestion. As far as work, I was thinking it could be just two or three days." Better not push. "How about a party? We could invite anyone you want. Maybe Taryia and her husband could come down. We could have it at Wayne Manor, maybe in the gardens."
Kori smiled at the thought of a party but tried to hide it. Its too much trouble on short notice and even if there is a party I don't think Richard will want Karras there after I tell him about my broken engagement to him.
"Oh Richard, it would be so much trouble -"
"Now Kori," he interrupted, "I saw your face light up when I mentioned it, so I'd like to arrange a party for you. You only turn 30 once."
"But -"
"Kori, it's nothing, really. I can call Alfred today and start the arrangements. He's probably bored without Bruce around anyway..."
"And without you around," she playfully pointed out.
"Nah, I'm no trouble. I can pick up my room and everything. Now Bruce on the other hand..."
Kori cock a brow, "You can pick up your own room, with you own two hands..."
Now it was Richard's turn to cock an eyebrow, "Oh and you do all the cooking and cleaning at the embassy..."
Kori laughed. "Good point. I guess neither of us are really grown ups now are we?"
"Oh, I don't know about that," Dick said and he leaned in toward her, and even though they were at a restaurant, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him the rest of the way to her for a kiss.
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They made it to the horse show and had a wonderful time with Bruce, Selina, Babs and Xavier. As far as they were concerned, Kori seemed fine but Richard knew she still could not completely forgive him and was more solicitous than usual which amused everyone, especially Bruce.
The Open Jumper class was missing a few exhibitors, presumably resting the horses for the Grand Prix the following night, the most difficult class for the jumpers. Nightwatch did well, going clean in the first round but getting a knock down in the timed jump off, earning him a respectable 3rd place. Having won the previous night's class and getting 3rd in tonights, he was the leading Open Jumper so far which Bruce and Richard were thrilled about.
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It was nearly 11:30 PM when Richard and Kori reached Kori's hotel room. The following day, Thursday, was going to be a big day at the show for Dark Night Farm with multiple hunter classes for their young horses in the morning and afternoon along with the Grand Prix at night. It was not matter to Richard, who hoped to stay with Kori and was happy to sacrifice some sleep.
Richard took both of Kori's hands as they sat on the sofa.
Cautiously he began, "I know we need to talk at some point about last night and knowing each other before, but Kori, I think there is something I'd like to discuss first. I want you to know that I really want us to wait for at least awhile longer before we make love. As I said the other night, we keep dancing around it..."
"Don't you want me?" Kori found herself saying defensively before she could stop herself.
He smiled warmly, speaking with great passion, "Kori, I want you more than I have ever wanted any woman, more than I've wanted anything. I love you and I'm so attracted to you. As we've agreed before, it has to be when we are both ready. I couldn't bare it if either of us regretted it, even for a second. You've waited your whole life for the right person, Kori. I'd love to be that person, I think I am that person, but we can't make any mistakes."
'I'd love to be that person, I think I am that person' Kori was so warmed, so thrilled by those words.
"But what if I still want to wait?" Kori asked meekly.
With unbelievable gentleness, he told her, "As I've said, then we wait..."
"Even if its until my wedding night?" How I want it to be our wedding night.
"Oh course, we wait until then." Richard's eyes darkened a bit in desire as he added, "But Kori, I'd really like it if we can still kiss and be close."
"Certainly, I cannot imagine that we would stop. I love kissing you, holding you and I am sure we will share even more and get closer soon." she gifted him with a smile that he found unbelievably sexy and he was certainly stirred by her words.
Kori put her arms around Richard's neck and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. They shared a passionate but disappointingly short kiss. Kori pulled back and took both of his hands in hers and gave him a look the gave him pause.
"Richard, I do not mean to do the changing of the subject," Kori started, her English usage reflecting her nervousness, "but we have barely spoken of our pasts and there is something that you need to know."
Her serious tone was not lost on him, "You can tell me anything, Star."
She smiled slightly, loving to hear him call her Star.
She took a deep breath. "I did not tell you the complete truth about how I met Taryia."
Dick gave her a slight nod to continue.
"I did meet Taryia at Penn when she was in grad school and I was in undergrad, but we met because I knew her husband."
"Okay," Richard said, feeling uneasy.
"When I was 19, Galfore did the introducing of me to Karras Kalapatt," Kori's voice was shaky, her English was slipping again. Richard is not going to like to hear this. What if he leaves again? I couldn't bare it..
"Like he introduced us?"
"No, Richard. Galfore and Karras' father, the former Governor Tharras Kalapatt, had arranged our engagement."
Dick's eyes flashed in surprise, but he said nothing. Now it was his turn to feel like he'd been kicked in the gut.
Kori continued, "I was young and did not know I could go against Galfore's wishes. Karras is an airline pilot and I did not see him much. We dated for about 4 months but when he pressured me to-" Kori eyes dropped to her lap and she took a deep breath in.
"To what Kori?"
"To have sex. I said no, not before I was married, and he broke the engagement."
"I'm so sorry that happened Kori. You must have been upset." Dick unconsciously withdrew a hand and clenched his fist. How could anyone do that to Kori?
"I think I was more angry than upset. Angry at him, angry at Galfore, angry at myself."
"Did you love him?" Dick asked, staying present in the conversation, but at the same time his mind was still processing the new information.
"Maybe on some level, but I think I just wanted to be in love."
Dick felt some relief that Kori didn't seem to be in love with the guy. "And after that you saw him with Taryia?"
"Yes, and as it turns out, he had been going out with her before he and I were, uh, introduced,"
"Oh Kori, that must have been hard." I really hope I don't run into this guy if I've had a bad day.
"It was, but Taryia turned out to be a very good friend. I asked for her help with statistics as I was struggling a bit and my professor was no help, and then we hit it off. I hadn't realized he was with her while he was with me."
"Does she know about you and her husband?"
"Yes. I think she felt she had to defer because I was the Princess. He was happy with her and after we called off the engagement he was able to marry her. Now they are going to parents and he is good to her. They are well matched. But are you upset with me for not telling you?"
"No Kori, I'm a bit surprised, but I'm fine" he insisted although it was at most only partially true. Dick found himself jealous of Karras and angry he would break up with her over not having sex but very relieved she hadn't given in. The thought of her being engaged to anyone but me...
Richard felt the strong urge to get up. He knew it would upset Kori, that he couldn't get up at that moment even if it was just to walk around the hotel suite.
"Richard, it is you I love. I loved you when I was 13 and I love you now." She leaned over and kissed him gently.
"I know Kori," working hard to block out the idea of her with another man, "and I loved you when I was 15 and I love you now." He cleared his head and thought only of her, " What do you remember about our first kiss?"
"That I was thrilled that you wanted to kiss me and when we finally did that it was better than I imagined," Kori replied wistfully.
"Hmm. I was so nervous. I had never kissed anyone before."
Richard gave her the goofy, lopsided grin that she recognized as the look she usually saw on him as a teenager. Dr. Dick Grayson didn't generally have that look on his face.
"Truly?" Kori knew it was her first kiss, but didn't think it was his.
"Yeah, even away at boarding school, I just never met anyone I had wanted to kiss. I am very happy you were the first girl I kissed." And I hope you'll be the last girl I'll kiss.
"I am very happy you that you were the first boy to give me a kiss."
Richard leaned in and began kissing Kori. The kiss was magical. It was as though Richard was pouring everything he had, all his love, all his focus, everything, into the kiss. Kori was caught off guard by how sweet it was, how much love she felt from him through the kiss. She also realized that once again, he was biding his time, giving her the opportunity of deepening the kiss, to essentially show him what she needed. Her heart still hurt from him walking out the night before and she couldn't yet completely forgive him, but she knew he was trying. She also knew she was loved and emboldened, deepened the kiss.
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Long, probably tedious... hope its a good read. I tried to cut it down but it didn't work as well.
I can't imagine that Richard won't be jealous/upset over Kori having been engaged before, so we'll just see how it plays out. Plus, Kori is still upset about him leaving and may take a bit to fully forgive him.
In the comics Taryia is the girlfriend (well they refer to her as lover) of Karras. She is the first mate in the space ship that comes to Earth to collect Starfire for her wedding on Tamaran with Karras. It was a 'marriage of state' and Taryia thought Starfire was so nice that Taryia accepted the marriage ad the women were on good terms.
Karras and Taryia stayed together in spite of the marriage to Starfire, who returned to Earth and had resumed her relationship with Nightwing (with plenty of drama of course). Karras was later killed in a fight with his sister Xyannis (who had been a slave as Starfire had been). At the funeral, Starfire and Taryia mourned together, and it was then when Taryia told Starfire that she was pregnant with Karras's child.
Anyway, lots more to come – Please don't forget to review!