Here is the next chapter of 'Double Take'. Babs starts treatment and will this drive Dick and Kori apart?

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Double Take

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Chapter 44

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Withdrawal

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Dick called Kori on her cell catching her while she was still having the meeting to plan her new wardrobe. She excused herself and answered the phone. She then excused herself and met Dick in the room in Wayne Manor that she was staying in.

Dick walked into the room and gave Kori a hug. He pulled back to look at Kori, his expression grim, "Babs is ready to detox."

"Do you want me to go with you to talk to her?" Kori asked, quite sincere. She had always wanted to help Babs and although there were no firm plans as to how it would be handled when the time came, Kori and Dick knew they would be the ones that were going to help her. However, now that they were finally there, Dick thought it was better that it just be him.

"I think it'll be better if I go alone," he said, fighting the urge to look away. He hated himself for saying it, but it would be easier. He had to figure this would be especially true if it turned out that Babs had told Amy about Kori being royalty and therefore was the one that got the publicity nightmare started.

Kori nodded - it didn't come as a shock to her that Babs would be more comfortable with just Richard there - and then grabbed her purse, pulling out a piece of paper and handing it to him. "My friend Jim gave me the name of these doctors that will subscribe Suboxone here in DC if Babs decides not to go into inpatient drug rehabilitation."

There were really only two choices for treatment: regular 28 day drug rehab programs or outpatient treatment.

Suboxone is an outpatient treatment for opiate abuse that involves taking a pill under the tongue that contains an opiate (buponorphine) and an antagonist, Narcan. The medication will halt withdrawal once it is started because the patient is still getting some opiate, but because of the added Narcan, if the person takes any other opiate in addition, they will get very ill. After a period of about 18 – 24 hours after stopping the opiate that the dependency is on, you can start the Suboxone and it will reverse the withdrawal effects very quickly. However, you are trading one opiate for another, similar to Methadone treatment. Suboxone therapy has to be coupled with supportive therapy for it to be effective, usually utilizing both group and individual therapy and daily or near daily monitoring. A supportive family and ideally a partner who will work with the patient daily is key to success.

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After saying goodbye to Kori, Dick went over to Babs' Brownstone. At that point, Babs was having mild withdrawal symptoms, with some sweating, rapid heartbeat and restlessness. Dick checked her vital signs and reassured her before heading over together to talk to her dad.

DC Police Commissioner Jim Gordon was at first pleased to hear that Babs and Dick were coming over. He was very fond of Dick although had recently given up the idea of him as a potential son-in-law when he heard (and read) about Dick and Kori's relationship. He was completely surprised by Bab's news. Given his position in the community, Babs had wanted to spare him the embarrassment of a drug-addicted child, but Dick and Kori had assured her that treatment is generally extremely discreet. She would need all the support available to her.

"I have been on Percocet for awhile now Daddy," she explained, "but it was always prescribed for my back and then also for my nose job. Then I realized that I couldn't stop on my own so I need to get help. Dick told me my options a few weeks ago, I was just getting up the courage to get the help I needed." She reached for Dick's hand and he took it, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"There are two options, Commissioner," Dick explained. "Inpatient rehab for 28 days or outpatient treatment." Dick waited for Babs to drop his hand, but she didn't.

"What's the difference?"

"Inpatient she stops the medication and is medically and psychologically managed through her withdrawal. In the outpatient setting she can go on a medication called suboxone that will replace the Percocet with another opiate in carefully controlled doses," Dick explained.

"Like Methadone?" Commissioner Gordon was certainly aware of treatment for narcotic abuse considering that he was in law enforcement, but Suboxone is relatively new in the US.

"Sort of. Unlike methadone, Suboxone has an extra agent that prevents you from taking anything on top of it so there is no risk of continued abuse or overdose." Babs added her second hand to Dick's. In spite of feeling like her skin was crawling, no matter how uncomfortable it felt to be physically touched and whether or not it was conscious, she took the opportunity to be close to Dick.

"What do you want to do, Sweetheart?" Babs' father asked her.

"Outpatient Daddy."

Dick added, "Because Babs has ongoing pain issues coming off the Percocet will be especially difficult. The Suboxone will be able to keep her comfortable and she can come off of it later once her back and nose are fully healed and aren't bothering her anymore."

"What can I do?"

"Just be here for me Daddy." She leaned into Dick further, "Dick is going to go with me to group and individual therapy."

"Thank you for helping my little girl, Dick, but do you have time for it?"

"Of course he does Daddy, or he wouldn't have offered!" Babs said, her irritibility from the withdrawal symptoms coming through.

"Babs' recovery is what's important," Dick smiled at Babs to reassure her. She leaned in further and put her head on his shoulder.

"Isn't it great that Dick is there for me?" Babs asked her father.

"Yes, of course it is, Sweetie," Commissioner Gordon replied with a kind smile.

"I think I'm going to lie down in my old room Daddy."

"I'll get things lined up Babs, get some rest," Dick said and Babs gave him a hug.

The men stood and watched Babs leave.

Jim Gordon placed his hand on Dick's shoulder. "I had no idea this was going on. I can't thank you enough for your help and support. It is above and beyond the call of duty isn't it?"

"Not at all. Babs is a good friend."

"Well, it is very kind of you Dick, but I have to ask about what your girlfriend thinks about you helping Babs."

"Believe it or not Commissioner, it was Kori's idea that we help her and she was the one that lined up the right people to call."

"Really? Wow, that's quite a woman you have there."

"You have no idea."

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"I can try to hold dinner for Master Dick," Alfred said as Kori tried to busy herself in the kitchen in spite of Alfred's protests.

"It is up to you Alfred, but I imagine Richard will be gone for a few more hours."

"Very well. Do you wish to eat with Master Bruce now then?"

"That would be lovely. Thank you Alfred."

Once in the dining room and getting settled, as if on cue, Bruce Wayne walked into the room. "Dick said he'd be out visiting Babs for awhile, but hasn't he come home yet?"

"Not yet, Bruce." Kori said, struggling to keep her tone casual, "I believe you are aware that she has had difficulty coming off her pain medication after too many months on it. She has decided to stop her medication now so Richard is helping her as she goes through withdrawal and starts treatment."

"Dick did mention something about it. Did she decide on inpatient or outpatient?"

"I believe outpatient treatment on Suboxone."

"Is that easier or harder on you?"

Kori blinked at hearing the direct question and kept her answer objective. "There is actually more success with outpatient so she has the best chance for recover. Up to 88% with the outpatient treatment she is going to be receiving."

"But Dick is going to be her support person," Bruce countered pointedly.

"Yes."

"And you are alright with that?"

Kori suppressed a sigh and tried to smile,"Barbara is Richard's friend and she needs him. Her welfare is important to both of us."

"You are a very understanding woman Kori."

The rest of the meal was eaten in relative silence.

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It was nearly midnight and Kori gave up on seeing Richard. She tossed the magazine she had been leafing through aside and settled down in her bed to get some rest. She was already wishing that she had insisted on going with him. She trusted Richard but again found herself skeptical of Babs' intentions. Kori knew that the next few days were key to Babs' recovery and she tried not to worry about it as she tried to fall asleep without Richard with her for the first time in over a week. She hadn't even gone to sleep once without at least one last 'good night' phone call from Richard since they started dating.

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Kori was surprised that when she awoke it was already light outside and she hadn't even heard from Richard. They had been together almost continuously and shared so much and now she felt his absence acutely; especially because she was in his home without him.

She took a shower in the attached bathroom of her guest room and dressed for the day. Alfred was already busy in the kitchen when Kori entered it at 7:45 AM.

"Good morning, Miss Koriand'r"

"Good morning, Alfred."

She paused before asking the obvious question and Alfred noted that she was uncomfortable.

"Master Dick did contact me. He did not want to disturb your sleep. He will fill you in later but apparently it was a difficult night for Miss Barbara and Master Dick stayed with her at her father's home. He will contact you as soon as he can, but they are planning to meet with the doctor this morning and for the treatment to begin today."

Kori felt a pang of jealousy and then scolded herself. She had nothing to be jealous of. Babs was going through a lot and the sooner she got help the better it would be for all of them.

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It wasn't that Babs was having a good time. She was having a horrible time. She barely made it through the night, even with Dick holding her hand, and now she was on her way to meet her new doctor, start the treatment and face the demons that even unintentional addiction to drugs leads to.

Dick was exhausted physically and emotionally. He had been up with Babs all night and he was missing Kori.

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It was midafternoon and Alfred walked onto the terrace where Kori sat. She was looking over a paper that had been submitted months ago to a nursing journal, now marked up for resubmission to the editors. At least she could get her mind off of her lack of freedom with a little work. Even if her new found notoriety prevented her from going to work, at least there was work she could still do.

"Pardon me, Miss Koriand'r, but I wish to discuss your birthday party Saturday night with you."

"Yes Alfred?" Kori said with a smile and set aside the hard copy of her paper, now covered with perhaps too much red pen marks.

"If you would, could you please look at this list?"

She nodded and took the two pages that Alfred was showing her. On it was the names of most of her coworkers and friends from the hospital along with a few names of friends in Philadelphia.

"Is this guest list complete?" Alfred asked. "Master Dick wanted me to confirm this with you and then to make plans for our guests' stay."

"Their stay?"

"Master Bruce and Master Dick feel that it is better to have your birthday party guests to stay after the party here at the mansion. That way they cannot fall prey to the paparazzi nor do we have to worry about anyone drinking and driving."

Kori only said "I see," quietly. She wished she had been in the loop for this one. Actually, at that moment she didn't want a party at all, not that she would say anything. She looked over the list and saw nothing amiss, "this looks fine, thank you Alfred. Is there anything I can do?"

"Now Miss Koriand'r," Alfred answered in a kind voice, "this is your party, and Master Richard wants to handle it himself." He paused briefly, "With my help of course."

Kori smiled at that. She wanted to say something but was far too polite to and Alfred knew it, so he added, "we will work on the menu together tomorrow if you wish, but it needs to be our secret."

"Thank you Alfred," Kori said with a bit of a now conspiratory smile. At least she'd have something she could do then.

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It had been nearly 24 hours since Kori had seen Richard. Sure, Babs was going through drug withdrawal, but Kori was going through her own withdrawal of sorts from missing her boyfriend. She hated this feeling of dependency but they had been together continuously and had become so close and now she couldn't even say hello to him. She found herself wishing she was just back in the embassy and back to her life before the horse show and the world's awareness that she was in fact the Princess of Tamaran.

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Sorry its another kinda boring chapter. There is a lot of things coming up soon though, I promise! Thank you for reading and please review!

LJ