This chapter is dedicated to Scribbles by Me – My 400th Review, Cyber Buddy and Fellow 'Tiny Titans' Fan! (Best. Comic. Book. Ever.) Aw Yeah Titans!

Thank you for staying with this story everyone!

This chapter is short, but it was a very good stopping point and I am a broken record - changes/renovations around the house, the child (and laptop hog) is still sick, spring break is next week, so I am not sure how soon I am going to update. It is pivotal and fun in parts. The climax is beginning to unfold some more but we still have a way to go, especially because I am considering incorporating the sequel into this story.

Hope you enjoy please review. And again, I know it's short, I'm sorry but it's a good read!!!

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Double Take

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Chapter 52

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"Good morning, m'love," Richard said as Kori's eyes finally fluttered opened and she stretched up with her arms in a way that always made him nearly lose his mind.

He had watched Kori sleep for at least the last hour. It was a particularly quiet morning in the manor, well, technically it was now getting late into the morning. Bruce had left for work hours before, Alfred had taken a rare day off to visit friends in the Virginia countryside, and Richard and Kori were going to have that Monday to be alone all day. Well, alone until a little after 4 PM when Richard would have to leave to pick up Barbara for her group therapy session, but still. Oh, the wonderful possibilities...

"Good morning to you, Richard," Kori purred seductively as she had started to do, looking for attention of something more than just the cuddling and snuggling kind in the morning. But who could blame her? She now wore his mother's ring as a promise ring, the ring Richard's father gave his mother on his first birthday.

They were openly discussing engagement and marriage. They had weathered a few storms, negotiated more than a few obstacles. It was a short, intense courtship over the last two months but they had known each other as teenagers and loved each other then. Plus, their relationship worked for them and there was mutual respect. Neither was leading or pushing the other into anything.

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As they cuddled after a heated but as always restrained session, Kori kept fanning her left hand, admiring Richard's mother's robin ring that was now hers.

"It is perfect, Robin, thank you so much. I will wear it always," Kori said, her eyes misting a bit with tears, she couldn't remember being so happy.

"It will move to your right hand of course thought Star."

"What do you mean?" She wasn't be coy, she was a little sleepy.

"For another ring that I would give you m'love," he replied and leaned in for a kiss,"one that will be followed by joined another that will join us together forever. And I'll wear a matching ring to that second one," Kori's smile was brighter than the Sun and they kissed again.

How soon could we get engaged and married? I don't want to wait – not just so we can finally make love, but so we can start our life together...

The cell phone rang in Richard's pocket. He withheld a curse this time but not a growl.

He kissed Kori's nose, "Hold that thought."

Kori only managed a nod and then got out of bed to give Richard some privacy.

Dick answered, "Hello?"

The male voice on the other side of the line said, "Dr. Grayson?"

"Yes?"

"Hi Dick, it's me, Miles Rafferty from Miss Gordon's program." Miles Rafferty, MD ran the addictions clinic and within his practice managed about 40 people on Suboxone.

"Yes, hello Dr. Rafferty, how are you today?" Richard replied.

"I'm fine, but I have some concerns about Miss Gordon," he said in quite a serious tone that gave Dick pause.

"Really?"

"Yes I do, and we need to speak about it in person right away," he said firmly.

Dick rubbed the back of his neck. "Alright, I'll be coming in this evening with Barbara for group at 5 PM-"

Rafferty interrupted, "I need to see you without Miss Gordon for this meeting."

"Alright..." Dick paused, confused about this, Babs should be part of her care at every turn.

"And actually, is your girlfriend available today as well?"

That struck Dick is very odd. "I believe Kori is, but may I ask as to why you would need to see her as well?"

"She was the one who got my name from my colleague Jim Hermann in Philadelphia, correct? Also, I thought she was the one who originally suggested Suboxone therapy and is very supportive of Miss Gordon and her recovery. It is also my understanding that Ms. Anders has been a good friend to Miss Gordon."

"Yes, all that is true concerning Dr. Anders," Richard corrected, the title reflecting Kori's earned doctorate in nursing.

"I need to see you at one o'clock then at the Center?"

Well, that blows our entire day alone together... "Very well, we'll be there Dr. Rafferty."

Dick was tempted to slam down the phone but phones aren't like that anymore. He slumped his shoulders and let out a heavy sigh. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and thought for a few minutes before Kori came back into the room.

"I can't believe this Kori," Richard said, obvious disappointment in his voice.

She came up behind him and put her arms around his waist, "What is it my darling Robin?"

"You know today, the rare day that in spite of being holed up here in the manor we are actually alone-"

"And we could chase each other around naked if we were already married," she said in an innocent tone to her voice.

Richard groaned, she wasn't helping. At all. He put his hands over hers, "and we could chase each other around nearly naked and I would catch you and tickle you and deny you kisses for that last image because sometimes you absolutely kill me."

"Sorry."

He turned around and hugged her, "No you aren't." He kissed her hair, "This glorious day together was already going to be cut short by my having to leave at 4 PM to take Babs to therapy. That was her therapist Dr. Rafferty on the phone. He wants to see both of us at 1 PM today."

"Both of us? Why?" Kori asked, pulling back to look at Richard.

"To discuss Barbara with us," he replied

Kori cocked a brow, "Really?"

"Yes."

"Will she be there?"

"No. And he wants you there because of your quote support of Barbara and Suboxone therapy," Richard explained.

"It is highly irregular and does not sound professional. I guess there is not choice but to go. I have to say as skeptical as I am, I am most curious to hear what this Dr. Rafferty has to say."

"So am I."

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"Thank you both for coming," Dr. Rafferty said and shook Dick's hand and then Kori's.

Miles Rafferty was on the tall side, with dark brown eyes, his prematurely gray wavy hair tucked behind his ears. He wasn't unattractive but made Kori uncomfortable with the way he looked at her and held her hand that extra unnecessary beat. She had men look at her like that before and it surprised her that a man would do it in front of her boyfriend. She noted it was something Xavier did as well. Diverting her eyes but not looking away, she noticed his hands were manicured and there was a large gold insignia ring on his right hand with an emblem she didn't recognize.

Richard set his jaw a bit and stood straighter noting Kori's discomfort and Dr. Rafferty's gaze. Wanting to get this over with, he said, "How can Dr. Anders and I help you this afternoon, Dr. Rafferty?"

"Please, call me Miles. And may I call you Kori, Dr. Anders?"

She looked at him slightly defiantly and paused a moment, "yes."

"Good," he smiled in an almost slimy manner that Dick hadn't seen before in sessions. Maybe he was imagining things. Maybe he was reacting to Kori, maybe he just wanted to get back to the manor and see how much they could chase each other around and how much of her clothing he could talk her out of.

"I do apologize for interrupting what appears to have been a day off for the both of you," Rafferty continued, "but it was brought to my attention that Miss Gordon had a very difficult weekend and that as her support person Dick, you were not fully available to her."

The possibility that this was going to happen was brought up by Kori as they drove over. Although Dick dismissed that Babs would try to pull something like this, Kori reiterated her reasons but didn't push it. It could have been an argument but neither wanted that, things were too wonderful. In the silence that fell, Dick hadn't given credence to the theory, but hearing it from Rafferty now, he was able not to react to it defensively. He would have to thank Kori for many things, and that would be one of them.

"I am sorry that you feel that way. Did Babs tell you that herself, or are you speaking as her personal therapist?"

"Both. You were not with her for two consecutive days," Rafferty countered.

"Her father was with her who is fully supportive, knowledgeable and vested, even more than myself," Richard replied, remaining calm.

"Yes, but you are committed to her and her recovery. It is a role you volunteered for, that Kori herself suggested and supported. Within a week of treatment you missed not one but two sessions due to non-emergent and dare I say frivolous reasons."

Kori remained impassive. Dick did not.

"Babs treatment began on her timetable and I have worked around her schedule as best I can, forgoing work and sleep. Other people are there for Babs – her father, her own boyfriend-"

Rafferty cut Dick off, "but it is your support that is critical, Dick, and your attention. A little missed work or sleep for the life of a friend is not much to ask."

Dick raised his voice, "I am certainly aware of the nature of Babs' condition, but she had a choice when to treat and she knew my other obligations and has other support people. It is also not like alcohol – her withdrawal needs only psychological support and generally not medical as well doctor, as you should be well aware.

"And as far as too much to ask. I may be giving up some sleep and work, I agree that is very little to sacrifice for the well being of a friend and a dear friend at that." Richard looked to Kori briefly although her eyes remain cold and on Rafferty," But what is Kori giving up? I have postponed our engagement. I have left her in the middle of a media maelstrom alone holed up in my father's house without almost any support from me. Let's not forget that she was the one that realized Babs had this issue, that it was her sharp diagnostic skills through which we first even realized there was even problem. One that her own boyfriend, a physician failed to recognize. Kori was the one that knew about Suboxone, made the calls to her contacts in the addictions field and found you, Dr. Rafferty."

"I appreciate that, Dr. Grayson, but Miss Gordon is my patient. All that concerns me is that she gets well and that the only way that she is going to get well is to have your full support. I am very sorry for the difficulty in your personal like Princess Koriand'r but please understand-"

Kori interrupted in a tone Richard was not sure he had ever heard. Calm, firm, angry and in complete control, "Dr. Rafferty, I will not allow you to use my Royal Title. Even if it were one that I use, which it is not, I am Royalty of a Sovereign Nation and as such I can choose my audience. I choose to no longer speak with you or be in your presence.

She repositioned herself to face Richard with her back to Rafferty, "Richard, I will be in the car and I will see myself out. Please consider what is best for Barbara. She is my friend as well and I care for her a great deal. I hope Dr. Rafferty is taking her well being into consideration as much as we are. Perhaps you should remind him of the Hippocratic Oath. Take all the time you need to discuss this matter. My involvement in this meeting has come to an end."

Kori turned and walked away. As Richard watched her walk away, he smirked, beyond impressed with that side of her. He let the smirk dissolve and narrowed his eyes as he turned back to Rafferty to see where the conversation would go from there.

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Rafferty played his cards right by not saying anything about Kori when she left. He went into the treatment plan for Babs. He figured his point was made. Well in truth, it wasn't his point, but rather someone called in a favor, so just to keep things as professional as can be from here on in would keep him as clean-smelling as possible.

He used all the right words and catch phrases of 'proper boundaries' and not getting 'overly emeshed' meaning that Dick should have some time that Babs would know that he couldn't be there for her. He agreed that her father and Xavier were going to be there, but that this early in treatment, that as much as possible, Dick still needed to be there. Daily group was critical and Dick should be their every day.

Rafferty subtly told him that it was probably good that Dick and Kori hadn't become engaged because Babs might prolong her treatment as a means to remain connected to him. And that although it had been wonderful all the things that Kori had done to initiate the process, that there was resentment there, because Kori was Dick's new girlfriend and that she uncovered the addiction. It was Rafferty's 'professional opinion' that Kori's should have no involvement at all with Babs or even any impact of Kori on Dick's time would be severely detrimental to Babs, but hopefully just for a little while longer.

He was sly and slick and Dick was buying it.

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Dick thanked him and left, feeling oddly positive. He would follow Rafferty's advice, seeing no harm in getting Babs better as fast as possible, and would discuss it fully with Kori soon, but not today. He had other plans for today: telling Kori how incredible she was at handling Rafferty the way she did and what a turn on it was, like he needed that.

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Alone in his office, Dr. Rafferty dialed the number of his old pal about that favor he had done for him. He heard the greeting.

"They just left," Miles said into the phone.

He paused as heard the response.

"Gorgeous and quite feisty. I can see the attraction although if it were me, I'd try keep this one for a bit - what a plaything she could be trained to become, although she probably has a lot of natural talent."

Another pause, this one longer.

"Feisty? She dressed me down for calling her Princess and marched out of here more than regally. I wanted to throw her down and take her on my desk. I think Grayson was even taken aback."

Again a pause.

Rafferty chuckled. "Grayson did mention engagement. Seriously a virgin? God. Good luck with it. I'll keep working in Grayson on my end, convince him the only way Gordon will ever get better is if he takes a breather from your virgin princess."

Another pause.

Another chuckle. "Make that an 11 AM tee time on Saturday, Xavier. I party too hard on Friday nights to go any earlier than that anymore my brother."

Pause.

"See you then."

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To Be Continued...

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Please read and review.

Evil Xavier!!!

Let's say it together now "Go Kori! Go Kori!"

When I say 'earned doctorate', I am referring to a PhD, which can be in a wide variety of subjects in both the Arts and Sciences. It is opposed to a Doctor of Letters, an honorary degree, given out during a college or university's commencement.

'My brother' is not literal, perhaps they belong to the same fraternity or society.

Most people are under the false impression that the motto, First, do no Harm, is from the Hippocratic Oath. It is not; however, it is a creed that most health professionals live by, or at least practice by.

The Hippocratic Oath:

I swear by Apollo the Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods, and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:

To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art–if they desire to learn it–without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken the oath according to medical law, but to no one else.

I will apply dietic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.

What I may see or hear in the course of treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.

If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.