Here's the next chapter of 'Double Take'. I've been working on this since I posted the last chapter, and again, it's just getting it completed and up that I still am having trouble with. I again in the interim put up another RobStar in universe one-shot: this one is a Halloween-themed one, 'All The Better'. Please take a look!

Also, my husband and I are working together on a sequel to 'One Man's Junk', entitled, not surprisingly, 'Another Man's Treasure'. We hope to get it up before the Holidays, so keep an eye out for it.

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Double Take

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Chapter 59

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"Welcome back to Paradise Island, Sister Kori."

The words and the bright sun off the white sand beaches broke Kori out of her sleep deprived state as she came up the catwalk. She had deplaned at a small airfield one of the main islands off the coast of Greece right after dawn, about 6 AM local time; however, during the long boat ride over to Thermyscira, better known as Paradise Island, Kori had fallen into the cocoon of mental dullness that protected her fragile mental state.

"It is lovely to be back, Hippolyta." Kori tried to be upbeat but was failing.

Donna's adoptive mother gently hugged her and smiled. "Whatever it is, you are home and here you have the support of all your sisters. Stay as long as you need."

Kori nodded, disbelieving that she was nearly falling apart at her age. At least she didn't go into another fugue state as she had in the ER. She didn't need that embarrassment.

Her bags were taken to a small cottage with a view of the Aegean Sea and she followed. It was high on the cliff face, somewhat removed from the other women's residences. She knew from other visits that there were different areas on the island for retreat, and that some desired solitude so it was provided for them. Apparently in her call to Donna not 24 hours before, and without going into any detail of her situation at all, the decision was made to give her all the space she might need.

Alone in her new surroundings, knowing from their previous conversation that Donna was going on a photo shoot until late the next day, Kori took advantage of privacy for the first time in months: She wasn't in the Manor or the Embassy or before at the University...

It did not frighten her, nor did she feel lonely. Having her privacy, Kori allowed herself to finally, finally break down and cry.

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Richard had felt very guilty about not looking at the note right away. For some reason, he felt that the words on the paper would be better left unread for the evening and he planned to face them the next day. His stomach was still sour from the surgery and pain killers. His pain was coming back full force so after some soup that Alfred served him in his room, he took something for pain and tried to sleep.

He soon realized that no words Kori could possibly have written could have been worse than the things he tortured himself with that evening: both consciously and subconsciously. Dick woke up screaming a few times through the nights, whether from the medication, the anesthesia or his own conscious, he wasn't sure. Alfred had offered his assistance the first time, but Dick appeared so embarrassed and broken, he did not intrude for the balance of the night.

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Kori wasn't sure how long it was that she had cried before she fell asleep, but when she awoke, there was a large tray of food and beverages set up in her room. She was not the heaviest of sleepers; then again, it had been it very difficult few days, or, if she were honest about it, few weeks. She had some cheese and bread and juice and looked out at the setting sun over the sea, not at all surprised at the hour.

Comfortable with being alone, she noted a lovely leather bound journal by her night stand that she had not seen before. The cover was a rich cordovan color, and Kori opened it, admiring the marbled paper on the inside of the cover and on the edges of the blank pages within.

Inscribed on the first page Donna had written: Koriand'r, Perhaps writing about your recent experiences will put them into perspective and ease your mind. Always know that you are loved, Your friend, Your sister, Donna.

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Alfred insisted that Dick at least have toast at 11 AM. Well, it was set down for him, not that he touched it. Dick was refusing his pain meds and didn't want any company or even the blinds open. Alfred gave Dick wide berth, but by 2 PM, Bruce started decided to pay his son a visit. He noted that Kori's letter still lay on the bed side table.

"What do you want Bruce?" Dick grumbled, ready for an inevitable argument. He was certain that his father would not reserve comment on the situation, not that he would blame him.

"To see how you are doing. I am concerned." Bruce said evenly.

"I'm fine, but I'm not in the mood for visitors."

"Well, I'm not in the mood to deal with you either. Did you bother to read Kori's note, or have you decided to move on already?" Bruce decided to bait Dick. He figured it was one way to get him out of bed.

"Move on?" Dick roared. "Are you telling me she broke up with me?"

"So you haven't read the note."

"What did she say to you?"

"Read the note, Dick. Then I'll talk to you." Bruce turned and walked out.

"Dad-"

Dick picked up the note and finally read what was written in Kori's lovely handwriting,

My Dearest Richard,

In reflecting on our conversation last evening, I agree that we need time apart. I do not wish to be away from you but a break may give both of us perspective and you some understanding about what is happening.

I thought it would be easier for both of us to stand by this decision if I left before you returned from the hospital. It is my understanding you are doing well and I wish you the best in your recovery and rehabilitation.

I know that I love you and you love me. I am very happy that we found each other again, Richard, and I do hope that we can find a way to be together again.

Love Always, Koriand'r

Dick couldn't help but let the tears fall as he reread the letter for a third time. He had been such a fool. A fool for letting Babs get between them, a fool for suggesting the time apart. And now she was gone.

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Kori had no problem writing her feeling down on paper. They were brought forth in a non-linear manner, not that it mattered really, the exercise was only meant as catharsis. She barely took a moment to collect her thoughts, there was no need, the words simply flowed and soon it was pitch black outside. If not for the protests of an empty stomach, Kori would not have stopped writing nor left the comfort of her bed.

Popping the journal into her bag, she slipped on her espadrilles and made it down the lit path to the common dining hall. She found a small table and ordered a light dinner of Greek specialties, enjoying the taste of the fresh food when it arrived. Alone with her thoughts and reflecting on what she had written, she felt a bit of relaxation and even a feeling of peace. She considered this: was it simply where she was, or was it more than that? She hated to think that being away from Richard made things better, but maybe it was just being away from the Richard he had been since Babs had started in rehab and whatever was going on between Richard and Babs had recurred.

The peace was gone at that thought and then there was the nagging feeling that she should have stayed home. These were the questions that she needed to have answered to really move on or to not, for she and Richard to work through their situation and to get back on track. She hadn't given up on the relationship. She reached into her bag for the journal and opened it for one of the last pages and began a list of questions. It seemed odd for a 'time apart' to have a list of questions that needed answers, but Kori decided to play it her way. Maybe in a day or so she'd email Richard to get the answers to these questions. Without those answers, would she really get anything resolved?

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Richard mulled everything over in his mind. Yes, he had been a fool, and he had squandered a wonderful opportunity with Kori, who was certainly the love of his life. Plus, he saw now something that he hadn't let himself see before the surgery: that she was willing to forgive him, to work things out; but he had pushed her away. Bruce knew where she was, and it was time for him to have a little chat with his adoptive father.

"Alfred!" Richard called out. It never took too much of a raised voice. Alfred always heard when he was called.

Within moments he was there. "Yes, Master Dick?"

"Is Bruce around?"

"I am certain Master Bruce is available for you, Sir."

Dick braced himself for his father's visit. He had not washed up, and had only gotten up to use the bathroom. He had not taken the proper amount of pain medication, martyring himself, which was doing nothing for his recovery or his demeanor. He knew as well as anyone that he needed to be out of bed, as comfortable as possible, and also eating, something that he had also ignored. But knowing what to do and doing it was two different things...

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"Excuse me, Master Bruce, Miss Selina?" Alfred said as he knocked on the door of Bruce's media room. Listening to some music, the couple were spending a quite moment before heading out for an early dinner.

"Come on in, Alfred."

"Sir, Master Dick is asking for you."

"Is he now?" Bruce said sarcastically.

"Be nice to him," Selina warned.

"Why should I, Selina?"

"He's hurting, Bruce."

"It's his own fault!" Bruce shot back, stronger than he had meant. "Sorry, Selina, it's just that Kori was so, well, broken but brave when she left. He really hurt her, and even he doesn't know why."

"Well, all the more reason to go easy on him. I think they'll get through this."

"I hope you're right, Selina. I don't want to think how he'll end up without her."

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When Kori got back to her room, there was a note for her there that Donna was running late but would be in the next afternoon. It's just as well, Kori thought. I am not sure I am ready to talk about Richard yet. I love him so very much. I have no idea what to do.

In spite of the time difference and her long nap earlier, Kori changed into her bed clothes and got ready for turn in. Once in bed, alone in the dark, tears fell again. It was too much to hope for that everything could work out for me, that I could find love. I really thought I was enough for Richard. I wish I knew what he was thinking right now...

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"Dick," Bruce said, knocking on the door as he walked in.

"Hey." Dick didn't look over, staring out the window.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Where is she?"

"Didn't she let you know in the note?"

"No."

"Then she must not want you to know."

"Bruce..." Dick did what he could to hold his temper. "I'm pretty sure it was you who arranged to get her where ever she wanted to go, so where is she?"

"I did arrange a flight for her so she could have some privacy from the press."

Dick drew in a deep breath and did one of the first reasonable things he had for a while: he kept a level head. "Is she going to be all right? Is she with people that know her and will support her?"

Bruce smiled. He didn't have a lot of details about where Kori was, but he did know that she was with a close friend from boarding school and that she had her cell and would be checking email. "She kept things a bit vague Dick, I imagine because she wanted some distance. She will be checking email, if you want to reach her, I know that." Bruce paused. "And yes, she is with a close friend from boarding school. Oh, and this might make you feel better: they are on an island that is a women's only resort."

Dick was able to take some comfort in that. At least some of guy wouldn't be sweeping Kori off her feet while she was away. Well, hopefully not. "Thank you, Bruce."

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To be continued...

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Thank you for reading, and please review. I apologize for the long delay.

Also, for those who have been following it, You've Got Mail is going through a major rewrite and I am nearing where I had left off from prior to starting the rewrite, so keep an eye out; however, there is a number of plot changes started about chapter 7 so if you are a fan of the story, I'd suggest a reread.

I am working on the next chapter of Jukebox as well and hope to have that up shortly.