Here is the next chapter in our tale. My muse is a bit sluggish of late, plus I've been sick and there has been the pressures of the holidays. I imagine the next update will be after Christmas so Merry Christmas to all! After that, I'll do my best to update at least weekly.

And if you want a seasonal story, please check out my new minific 'Winter Solstice', another AU Dick/Kori story. It is pure fluff.

A quick note: Many aspects of Dick's personality are in play as he is being pulled in a few directions at once. Hopefully its not overdone as he is at times vulnerable and at others he is his cocky, more playboy pre-Kori self. More notes after the story.

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Double Take

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Chapter 45

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Therapy

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It was Tuesday evening, and Kori hadn't seen or heard from Dick. She considered asking Alfred if she could dine in her room but did not wish to appear rude and as it turned out Bruce had invited Selina over for dinner as well as Dr. Chase Meridian, who Kori had been anxious to meet.

After Alfred informed Kori of the dinner guests, she made her way to the formal living room for introductions and cocktails before dinner. Kori thought that there was a surprising lack of tension in the air between Chase and Selina, Chase being a former girlfriend of Bruce's, and Selina being the current one.

Chase made Kori feel very comfortable, and although Kori's past wasn't directly discussed, Kori made arrangements for Chase to return Thursday evening for a session. She knew this would have fit into Dick's work schedule, but now that Dick was busy with Babs, she worried that her sessions would be of less importance to him.

Her discomfort obvious, Chase and Selina asked about how she was feeling about Dick helping Babs. Kori held the party line of "Barbara's situation was more important right now. She needs to get into treatment."

"That may be true Kori, and you may believe that, but that doesn't mean you are not allowed to be upset right now. You need Dick now too," Chase said in a compassionate tone.

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Dick reflected as he finally drove to his home about how interesting for lack of a better term his day was. It was the first group session that Babs was to attend and as her support person, Dick was there with her. It was difficult because it was the first time they were to go public with her addiction. Even with the relative anonymity that there was at sessions like these, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and other '12 Step' programs, it doesn't mean you won't run into people who you know, or who know who you are.

Seeing Roy 'Speedy' Harper was a shock to both Dick and Roy. Dick had no idea Roy was struggling with addiction and obviously Roy would want to keep it private. Not that it didn't happen to professionals like nurses and because he was in treatment it legally could not impact his work. It was unlikely that the ER was the source of Roy's narcotics, as the opiates and controlled substances are always kept under lock and key and two people count the narcs at the beginning and end of every nursing shift. It would turn out that Roy's drug-of-choice was heroin. Yes, it happens to professionals too.

Still, Roy and Dick considered each other nervously, and only had a chance to exchanged pleasantries before the session to begin. Dick noticed Roy with his on-again-off-again girlfriend Jade Nguyen as his support person, who was obviously pregnant. Dick realized just how much he had been out of the loop lately.

Dick also noticed other people's eyes on him. He was somewhat used to it being relatively high profile, but he knew that his recent notoriety as Kori's boyfriend was the likely source of interest, and once again felt a twinge of regret that he was betraying her by all the time he was spending with Babs. Babs noticed this and if anything moved closer to Dick. For whatever reason, women tend to try even harder when the guy's obviously taken. Dick made a mental note to discuss this with Babs later. Theirs was a friendship, plain and simple, and as much as this was supposed to be a confidential meeting, that didn't mean people wouldn't gossip. Dick couldn't believe he hadn't even thought of that. Not for himself, but for Babs and also Kori.

And it didn't help that they were introduced in the classic way in such meetings, using the first name and last initial to protect one's identity. So they were Barbara G. and her support partner Dick G. Just great.

After some boring moments and plenty of 'me, me, me' talk that happens in group therapy, it was break time for a cup of coffee. To Dick, it seemed like an eternity.

Dick approached Roy and Jade while Babs was off to the bathroom.

"Hey, Roy," he left it unsaid that he was surprised to see him there, or that it would never impact them professionally. "Nice to see you again Jade."

"Hi, Dick," both replied uneasily.

Dick smiled slightly, hoping to put them at ease and asked, "You're coming to Kori's party Saturday, right?"

"Uh, yeah, got your message, sorry I didn't call you back. Things have been really busy. But I'm off and we'll both be there," Roy replied. "And Dick, I didn't get a chance to tell you that Jade and I are expecting a baby."

"That's great guys, congratulations!" Dick replied in the only way one can really handle such news. He thought a few things at once. One was that he was a bit sad for Roy. The relationship he had with Jade was a rocky one at best and he suspected it wasn't just Roy's apparent drug use. Roy was a bit of a philanderer and a serious flirt. He even heard that Roy had been flirting with Kori before Dick and Kori were a couple. Not that that would have occurred in front of Dick. In unspoken guy code Dick had laid claim to Kori upon that first notorious double take.

Dick also had some thoughts about Kori, seeing an image of her being pregnant. He'd later think about how much that simultaneously scared and thrilled him. He wasn't sure when or if he'd mention that to Kori.

Jade excused herself to the bathroom and Roy asked his friend quietly, "Things are good with Kori though, right? I mean, you and Babs-"

"Are just friends. Kori is great, we're just adjusting to all the publicity. She's staying at the manor."

"Yeah Dick, a princess, man I knew she was hot," Roy got a Dick Grayson death glare and backed off, "uh, and you guys were getting close, right? But you have time to support Babs?"

Dick tried not to get exacerbated, but replied tightly,"Yes, things are great, everything will work out fine." He softened a bit, "We'll see you Saturday then."

"Yup, and probably at work and here at Group."

"Looks like I'll be seeing you more than Kori, Roy," Dick joked.

"Yup. People'll probably start talking about us," Roy joked back.

Dick rolled his eyes, "The way things are in the gossip columns, it wouldn't surprise me."

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Bruce, Kori, Selina and Chase were about to go in for dinner when Dick finally arrived home exhausted.

"Master Dick, we can hold dinner for you."

"Thank you Al, I'll be right down."

He showered quickly and came to dinner. Kori's face lit up and Dick got a bit of a goofy grin on his face when they saw each other and this was not lost on the rest of the people in the room. He gave Kori a kiss that lingered for a moment or two. Bruce cleared his throat uncomfortably although mostly in jest as he was getting used to the couple's affectionate nature.

"So, steal any cars lately, Dick?" Chase asked Dick as he came over to greet her.

"Chase, I was 16 when that happened! And nice to see you again, too." Dick replied as he blushed and then he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Yes, you were sixteen Dick, and you knew you weren't allowed to take my car," Bruce reminded him, "It seems like only yesterday..."

Kori smiled politely, but obviously hadn't heard the tale of when Dick 'borrowed' Bruce's new Lamborghini without permission. This set the tone for the rest of the meal, and a tired and irritable Dick Grayson had to work very hard to not get upset as the center of attention. For her part, Kori felt a bit uncomfortable about the teasing of her boyfriend, not that she would say anything to the others, but she certainly didn't join in on the assault. The meal couldn't end quickly enough for the couple.

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"Star, I am so exhausted sweetheart, but I really need you tonight. Please stay with me in my room tonight," Dick said in a drowsy but husky tone as they walked upstairs.

Kori paused and Dick's shoulders slump as he braced to be told no, "Richard-"

"Please, Kori," he asked, appearing as vulnerable as he felt. "My bed's more comfortable than the one in the guest room."

Kori wanted to be with him but would have been happier if they would stay in her room, away from the rest of the family. "Of course, Richard. I'll just go get some things from my room-"

She turned to leave and he grabbed onto her and pulled her to him, "Don't leave, please, I've missed you so much." Dick hated feeling so needy but he simply wanted if not needed to be with Kori.

Kori smiled, "Do you have an extra toothbrush?"

Dick smiled, obviously relieved, "I'm sure I do."

By the time Kori got under the covers, all Dick was awake enough to do was put his arms around her and then he fell into a deep sleep.

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The next few days were difficult. Dick was scheduled to work Wednesday and Friday and had daily sessions with Babs while Kori stayed in the mansion, clandestinely helping Alfred plan her party so she would not go mad. She was to see Dr. Meridian everyday, starting Thursday. It was hoped that she and Dick would meet with Chase together at least for one of the early sessions, but his obligations to Babs and the hospital meant that was out of the question. As therapy is want to do, as Kori worked on dealing with her past in Tamaran, other issues came up including those with Richard.

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On Wednesday, it was Dick's first shift back in the ER and he reported in at 7 PM, but for him, work was hardly a refuge. Of course, there was the inevitable unsolicited comment by Kitten, "So Dickie-poo, your new girlfriend is a princess is she? Why does she even bother working? I guess it took someone of royalty to replace my place in your bed... of course I'm sure that she can't show you as good of a time as I can."

He ignored Kitten, but there were plenty of other comments and questions from the staff. I don't need this. Maybe I should have just taken a leave of absence for a few weeks.

"Oh I know who you are! You're engaged to that princess!" exclaimed Dick's patient as he was poised to start his examination.

It wasn't the first time that shift he was recognized by his patients or their family members. He paused wondering if he should bother correcting her about being 'engaged', but luckily, or unluckily, Tara was there.

"Dr. Grayson and Miss Anders are not engaged, Mrs. Siegel," Tara said.

"You mean not engaged yet," Mrs. Siegel shot back with a wink.

"That's right!" Tara said. Dick rarely got flustered at work, but he couldn't stop the blush.

He also felt a twinge of guilt: he had barely spoken to Kori since they got home and hadn't seen her at all that day. And now he was scheduled until 7 AM and would be sleeping until Babs had group therapy at 5 PM so he'd miss dinner again. He better order Kori flowers or something. It was then he remembered the session with Kori and Chase. He really needed to be there. He had no idea how difficult this was going to be.

After assessing Mrs. Siegel and diagnosing her 'chief complaint', Tara opened up the surgical pack and set up the tray for Dick. Dick had to concentrate and get down to work. Mrs. Siegel needed that abscess on her back drained. Oh, the glamor that is life in the ER...

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In the movie 'Batman and Robin', Dick 'borrows' the Batmobile. Robin/Dick was Chris O'Donnell and his costume looked a lot like Nightwing's. At one point (a long time ago), O'Donnell was supposed to play Nightwing opposite Tyra Banks as Starfire in a Teen Titans movie. It was obviously completely scrapped.

Dr. Chase Meridian appeared only in the Batverse in the movie 'Batman Forever' as Bruce Wayne's as well as Batman's love interest and was played by Nicole Kidman. She 'chose' Bruce over Bats.

People will talk about Dick and Roy together ;-) Had to poke fun at this popular slash pairing.

Roy did struggle with heroin addiction in the comics, starting when he had a big fight with his mentor, father and partner, the Green Arrow, Ollie Queen.

Jade Nguyen was the villain Cheshire and she did have a daughter, Lian, with Roy. The character list appeared in the early chapters of this fic and will be relisted for the upcoming chapter for Kori's birthday party.

Thank you for reading and please review.