Welcome back to the story. Sorry these chapters are coming slower than I'd like.

Here is the beginning of Kori's birthday party. I didn't put up the characters list, but will next chapter if I use the peripheral characters more than I expect to.

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Double Take

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Chapter 48

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Kori's Party, Part 1

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He wasn't usually flamboyant with his money, but Richard spared no expense when it came to Kori's party. It was her 30th birthday which was certainly quite a milestone, plus they obviously hadn't had a lot of time socializing since coming home after being away for over a week at the horse show. Kori needed to reconnect with people, and Dick did too. Plus, he really was thinking more and more about their future and he really enjoyed that they were a couple.

The party was 'small' by Dick's standards, only about 40 people, most of whom would be spending the evening in the mansion. They were a mix of friends and coworkers from the ER, Kori's friends from Philadelphia, and, as Gar would call them, some random 'grown ups'.

A brunch was planned for the next morning and people were welcome to participate in a variety of sports activities at the mansion, including swimming, tennis, crochet, badminton, volleyball and basketball. They were prepared for it to be a nice and long as well as a fun celebration.

The grounds outside the manor were beautifully decorated for the party. The table linens, flowers and votive candles were in mauves and pinks with some teal accents. Kori's favorite colors had been incorporated without looking like it was decorated for a Sweet SixteenParty instead of a 30th Birthday celebration. Little white Christmas lights were scattered among some small trees and bushes very sparingly and would add a little extra light once night fell.

The weather was continuing to cooperate into the evening, and the sun was just beginning to right before the guests were set to arrive.

Starting at 8 PM, the party was to begin with a wonderful buffet rather than just cocktails. That Kori knew all about, having secretly worked on the menu with Alfred in an attempt to stay sane that week as she was stuck in the manor and Dick was busy with Babs. What she didn't know about was the band, which was a nice surprise. She enjoyed music and dancing, and was thrilled about.

"Richard, you never told me that a band would be playing!" she said as she bounced up and down in excitement when she saw the band members set up before the party from the window of her room. A temporary dance floor was also set up over the cobblestones of one of the terraces. "Thank you so much!" she said as she gave him one of her trademark bone-crushing hugs.

He did love her enthusiasm and the hugs were always welcome.

"My pleasure," he replied, his smile fading slightly, replaced by desire as he again realized how much he wanted her.

He leaned in for a kiss that he deepened immediately, turning almost bruising and he was uncertain if that was helping or hurting the situation. It didn't help how flushed she looked when their kiss ended, her lips were slightly swollen and a dazed but happy look was on her face. He wanted to bask in her warmth but fortunately or unfortunately, there was a party to host.

"Wow," she breathed willing her knees not to give way.

"Wow is right," he replied and chuckled slightly. He leaned in and began to kiss her again, somehow reining himself in enough to allow things to be much more restrained but still very sensual. He decided at that point that none of this was really helping his situation: he really wanted her.

Not that it would stop him from being as close to her as she would allow. He would never pressure her, but if Kori decided that she no longer wanted to wait, he had to wonder if he might just go along with that amended decision.

The thought of hurting her terrified him. But that was not the only way he could hurt her.

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People began arriving right at 8 PM and had various stories to report on the lengths to which the paparazzi were going to get comments. At least there hadn't been any helicopter, at least not yet.

Kori was in a very carefree and happy mood, feeling much more relaxed and right at the beginning of the festivities, she was having more fun than she had dared hope.

Richard and Kori stayed together as they greeted their guests. Some introductions needed to be made, but because Richard had done his best to contact all the guests personally, in nearly all the cases with Kori's friends, it was simply placing a name with a face. There were also a few people that were there who Kori did not know.

"Commissioner Gordon, I'm glad you could make it," Dick said as he shook the hand of Barbara's father and one of Bruce's closest friends. "It is my pleasure to present my girlfriend, Kori Anders."

Kori shook the Commissioner's hand. He was not a particularly imposing man, roughly 60 years old with gray hair and mustache.

"Please call me Jim. I have really looked forward to meeting you, Kori. Thank you so much for all your help," he said, leaving it unsaid that he was talking about Babs.

"Pleased to meet you," Kori replied. "Did Barbara not come with you this evening?"

"Not with me, although she sends her regards and hopes to come by a bit later with Xavier."

Kori sensed Dick tensing up. She briefly considered it. It was no secret the men didn't like each other. Could it be more than that?

"I do hope she makes it," Kori said sincerely.

"Thank you for coming, Commissioner," Richard added.

"Come on Dick, how many times have I told you to call me Jim through the years?"

It was Kori's turn to tense up, knowing the history between Dick and Babs.

"Alright sir, uh, I mean Jim," Dick responded, uncharacteristically nervous.

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"Roy, Jade, I'm glad you decided to come," Richard said, shaking Roy's hand and kissing Jade's cheek.

"It's wonderful to see you, happy birthday," Roy said giving Kori a quick kiss on the cheek, "Kori, I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend Jade."

"Thank you for coming Roy, please to meet you Jade." Kori noticed the petite Asian woman's pregnant belly, "You are expecting, congratulations!"

"Thank you, Kori."

"You didn't tell her, Dick?" Roy asked, surprised by this.

"No Roy." He thought for a moment as Kori tried to figure out the subtext. He looked around and said softly, "Kori, I'm in rehab right now so Dick knew about the baby," and then turned to his friend, "Thank you man for not saying anything but you could have told Kori."

"I didn't want to make assumptions, Roy."

"Roy, I am glad you are getting help and I will of course not say anything." As a nurse, an opiate addiction can affect employment, although it shouldn't unless the nurse 'diverts' medication – that is, take someone else's medication rather than give it to them. Kori continued, " Stay strong and if there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to contact me. And congratulations again to both of you. You must be very excited."

Roy was more scared than excited, more worried about having a unplanned pregnancy with a woman who he had not always had the best of relationships with. Dick was sad for his friend, although certainly didn't say anything. It was not the time or place.

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There were so many people at the party who Kori hadn't seen for some time and she was so touched that people made the effort to make it. Taryia and Karras had made it and Karras and Dick regarded each other civilly. Perhaps more awkward was when Karras and Taryia greeted Galfore. How Karras treated Kori when she was young was not something Galfore was every going to truly forgive, not matter how much he liked him personally.

It took some persuasion by Kori and Dick (and Bruce) for Galfore to agree to come, although once there he was pleased to see his little bungdorf so happy.

"Thank you for coming, Uncle Galfore," Kori said as she hugged her uncle. It again occurred to Dick how imposing the Ambassador was, and wondered how he would have fared as a professional wrestler.

"Happy Birthday, Koriand'r", he then shook Dick's hand and gave him a bit of an icy stare from his green eyes. Eyes which were so similar to Kori's in color but were devoid of the softness and kindness that always shown in hers, "Greetings, Richard Grayson."

Bruce, having noticed Galfore's arrival and Dick's body language, quickly came to his son's rescue and whisked the Ambassador away asking for an update on Tamaranean politics and with promises of fine brandy. Dick couldn't help but be a bit embarrassed and found himself rubbing the back of his neck before Kori leaned up to kiss him. Not many people intimidated Dick and to be saved by his father, well, that was a humbling moment. But Kori's warm smile helped him forget at least for the time being about that huge man that someday was likely to become essentially his father-in-law.

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As the guests finished arriving and were sitting down with their food, Kori and Richard began to circulate barely letting go of each other's hand. For Kori's friends, they had rarely seen her with a man in any kind of serious relationship and were struck she was even happier than usual. For the people who knew Dick well, his soft demeanor and happiness were striking. Being with a woman was expected, there was always someone on his arm, but to see him this happy was unexpected. And to every single person there that night, it was obvious that they were a couple very much in love.

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After the first set of five or six songs, people had begun to dance. Soon the band had 'slowed it down' as it were, playing some soft rock and pop standards and allowing couples on the dance floor to slow dance. At that point there was no way that Kori would miss an opportunity to dance with Richard. They had said hello and had conversations with pretty much everyone there and were happy to, for even a minute or two, just be close.

"My turn to dance with the birthday girl," Victor said as he stood to cut in with Karen at his side as the band went into the third song of the set.

"Very well," Kori said with a warm smile.

She loved dancing with Richard but knew she needed to get back to the rest of her friends as well. Richard had been always at her side since the party began. She figured he was being protective of her. Not that she really minded, it just surprised her.

"Come on Karen," Dick said playfully to Vic's fiancee, "I'll do my best not to make Vic too jealous, but no promises."

He shot a quick smile and wink to Kori who giggled softly and winked back. She didn't wink often and the way he was feeling it took significant self control not to take her back into his arms.

"So Kori," Vic said taking a moment to pause as she shifted her focus from Richard to her new dance partner, "are you enjoying your party?"

"I am indeed Victor," she responded with a bright smile.

"Are you staying out of trouble?"

"I believe I do not have a choice," Kori responded, the slightest disappointment in her voice, but then her smile returned.

"Miss your freedom, miss working?"

"I do Victor, very much."

"It's temporary, right? And then it's back to the ER with the rest of us trauma junkies?" he paused, thinking for a moment, "or back to hospice or academics?"

"Any of those options would be wonderful," Kori responded honestly.

Not one to be the cause of ruining her mood, Vic said with sincerity, "he loves you, you know. More than anything."

"I know," she said softly, wistfully.

"Dick has been my main man since he moved into this place, the manor," he chuckled as he made the word 'manor' sound the same way Alfred pronounces it, "good times, bad times, rag time – I've seen it all, and I have never seen him as happy as his is with you."

"Thank you Victor."

They talked more and the band finished one song and were beginning the next when Richard and Karen appeared alongside Vic and Kori. In the corner of his eye Dick saw Roy approaching but shot him a look before turning to Kori,saying, "C'mere Star."

"Star?" Vic asked.

"I'll tell you all about it," Karen said, realizing that neither Dick nor Kori had heard him, that they were fully focused on each other.

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Richard pulled Kori flush against him as they danced, and murmured in her ear "I love you."

"I love you as well, but perhaps we need to do the mingling more?"

"They'll all be here until tomorrow afternoon," he said in protest and then conceded, "but you're right. Shall we make the rounds again then?"

"We will meet back on the dance floor in a bit then, yes?" Kori's speech pattern faltered a bit due to her nerves. She wasn't rejecting Richard per se, but she did believe that he was currently doing 'the hovering'.

He looked at her, his face unreadable. She was a grown independent woman, and she could easily fall into the protected princess role of her childhood, tucked away in a beautiful palace or in this case mansion. She didn't want that and she knew that Richard really didn't want her to become dependent and 'cared for'.

"Of course, I didn't mean to smother you-"

"Richard, please no apologies. Let us enjoy the party. I will find you if I need you," she smiled and added, "and if you need me, you will find me, yes?"

"What if I just decide that I miss you?"

"Or if I am missing you? Then we will find each other." She kissed him softly, "thank you for this wonderful party Robin and for loving me."

As she wandered off to mingle, Richard had to wonder why he was becoming so dependent or was he just being overprotective? Was he overcompensating for the time spent with Babs? Or was he worried that something would come between them?

He wasn't sure and he was still thrown by when she called him Robin. It brought up so many emotions and things that he should be working through with Kori and Dr. Meridian, but for the moment, that was put on the back burner behind what Babs needed to work through. He had worried he was putting Babs ahead of Kori, even if it was temporary. He had forgotten that he was also putting Babs in front of himself.

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To be continued...

Next up: More of Kori's Party and Babs and Xavier show up!

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Thank you for reading and please review!