Sorry for the delay and that it's a bit short. Richard only in this chapter, what Kori is going through at the same point will be up shortly and is already half written.

Happy New Year!

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Double Take

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Chapter 61

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Friends for long enough time that there weren't actual uncomfortable silences between them, Chase regarded Richard as he leaned against the stone wall that abutted the backside of the terrace. He wasn't himself that was for sure, but he looked better than he had looked the previous day. After they had exchanged pleasantries about five or so minutes before, Dick went back to, well, brooding and she went into assessment mode. It was a professional call after all, but things remain friendly, the went too far back to be entirely clinically detached; especially with her recent sessions with Kori alone and the brief time Chase had with both Richard and Kori as a couple, small chunks of time tacked on to Kori's sessions.

Richard took in a deep breath, gathering himself, and moved toward the table and chairs. He was surprised that he felt so bereft now that he was no longer being held up by the stone wall: no more cool, stony, unforgiving surface. It lacked comfort but supported him. He might not need it, but he wanted that now.

Chase watched the slight change in gate and carriage as he negotiated the fifteen or so feet to the dining set. "Well, Richard, you look and smell a lot better than you did yesterday."

He flinched at her addressing him as Richard, even though she had teased him by using his given name with regularity when he was younger. His sunglasses hid some of his sadness, but not all of it. "I'm sorry Dick-"

"It's all right, Chase."

"No, it isn't. Only Kori calls you Richard, right?"

"That's been the general rule," he replied, looking away. He sighed heavily, trying to reign in his emotions: self-loathing, sadness, and regret. Tons of regret. Time for a diversionary tactic. "Man, it's getting really hot, do you mind going in?"

Even with the fans and the shade given under the vine covered Pergola were not enough to make the outdoors tolerable with the heat and humidity of even the early part of a summer day in the DC area. Chase tried to lighten things up. "I just think your eyes can't handle the sun after all those days inside."

Dick chuckled and feigned defensiveness. "Hey, it wasn't that many!"

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Chase and Dick moved into one of the manor's sitting rooms, looking out onto the back of the property. It was somewhat like a sun porch, but it was kept very cool, with a slate floor and an indoor fountain and fans, balanced out by wicker furniture with overstuffed cushions. It was one of Dick's favorites for a number of reasons: it lacked the opulence or some other form of pretentiousness that in his opinion nearly all of the other places in the manor had; and it was one of the few rooms of the mansion that there was any real view of Dark Night Farm.

During a particularly difficult discussion about self-destructive behavior with women in the past, as with Kori now, and also with his hand, Richard got up and looked out to the farm. He wanting to get away from the conversation, it wasn't hard to realize that to either Dick or Chase, but she was there professionally, so she could not let him avoid talking about things entirely.

"When was the last time you were down there?" Chase asked, knowing that horses were important to Dick and had always kept him grounded. She also knew how connected they were to the early memories Dick and Kori, or rather, Robin and Star, shared.

"Where?" Dick replied, not wanting to talk about it. He hadn't been down to the barn since before the horse show, and hadn't ridden since the horse show. It had been such a wonderful time until...

"The farm, Dick. When was the last time you were over at your barn? When was the last time you rode?"

"Before she left."

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Richard retook his seat, not wanting to move forward, and Chase waited patiently for him to speak first. She was about to prompt him when Alfred approached where Chase and Richard were sitting. "Dr. Red is here to see you, Master Dick."

Caught by surprise but not willing to let it show the stood and Red deftly preoffering his left hand for Dick to shake, as to put Dick at ease. "Thanks for coming, Xavier."

Damn you, Alfred, but thank you. I need this looked at so you called Red. I might not have made the call, Dick thought, trying not to berate himself. He'd do that later.

Xavier was not as smug as usual. That alone would have thrown off Dick. "No problem Dick, I enjoy housecalls. I understand that the hand could be doing a bit better and I thought I'd take a look for myself."

Able to change gears quickly, Dick nodded and turned to Chase. "Dr. Xavier Red, I'd like to present Dr. Chase Meridian."

Xavier eyed her appreciatively, and gave a quick skeptical brow to Dick. "It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Meridian," he said as smoothly as possible, and as Chase extended her hand, Xavier chose to kiss the back of it rather than simply shake it.

Dick fought to not roll his eyes and Chase saw through the act, which she would have even without already knowing Red's back story from Kori's sessions. "Please call me Chase," she replied with a sweet smile.

"I will, but only if you call me Xavier."

Chase took over the conversation which Dick was more than happy for. He was holding up, but emotionally and physically fragile, and there was no reason for Dick to appear awkward in front of Xavier. "Why don't you join us for a bit Xavier before you take a look at Dick's hand? Dick and I were just finished catching up on some charities and other nonsense. We were going to ask Alfred for some more ice tea and allow ourselves a chance to relax for a bit longer, trying to gather enough energy to move in the sweltering heat. Honestly, with the winters that we've had lately, I forget that Washington can sometimes really be part of the South and feels like it."

"Charity work brings you here to see Dick in his hour of need?" Red's tone was playful enough that his skepticism didn't come off as if he was accusing them of anything - just maybe insinuating something. Okay maybe he was as smug as usual - and of course they both knew he was at least fishing.

"Why, Xavier, are you implying that I would come here and try to seduce Dick away from Kori while his physically compromised? Not my style, plus a tad creepy, robbing the cradle and all that."

Dick loved to see Chase work Xavier, she was as smooth of a manipulator as she was a psychotherapist. "Robbing the cradle? Why Chase, you can't be a day over 25!"

"That is lovely of you to say, or is it Dr. Red? Given that I am no where near that young, I believe your flattery a bit insincere."

Oh she's good, Dick thought. Xavier looked over to him, "Come on Dick, she's kidding right?"

"I'm not telling you her age. Might as well let him know, Chase."

"I'll ballpark it for you Dr. Red. When Dick was in High School and taking joy ride's in Bruce's cars, I happened to be dating Bruce, and was already going by Dr. Meridian."

"A child prodigy, perhaps."

Her smile faded... a bit. "Quit while you're not ahead."

Red's smile didn't but his hands went up signally defeat. "Okay, I believe you."

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Alfred had led Dick and Xavier to a large bathroom near a guest suite on the first floor where Xavier could unwrap and assess Dick's hand. There was no way that they would use Dick's bathroom; his room was still a disaster area from his previous days and nights of anger-boy time.

"A family friend? God, I wish my parents had friends that looked like that."

Dick shrugged.

"But then again, Bruce Wayne has dated a lot of beautiful women." Red paused, likely to make it appear meaningful. "As have you."

Dick couldn't stop himself from glaring.

Red ignored it. "I meant to ask how Kori is doing. How was her trip to...? Where is she again?"

Dick did his best not to react. He had prepared himself for the question. "She's fine. Her trip has been going well, and I'm not going to tell anyone where she is, per her request." Not that I really no where it is. Damn Bruce for taking her to Greece, not that it isn't all my fault that she left and went to whatever place she is there...

"Just curious, I thought she'd never leave once this happened."

Red continued to unwrap the hand. Once uncovered, even Red forgot about the fact they were talking about Kori when he saw the state of Dick's hand.

"God, this is a mess. Mr. Pennyworth was right to have me come by rather than arrange an office visit. He's a sharp medic. This is going to become a disaster and quick if we aren't there already." He paused to keep going over things. Dick had to admire that he was in complete professional mode, not another thought going on, Red was just planning the treatment for Dick's hand.

"I've got to get right on this to at least save function of this hand."

Dick nodded in defeat.

Xavier gave him a compassionate smile and Dick was surprised that it was sincere. Dr. Xavier Red was human as well as a great doctor. "I'm sorry Dick, I've got to get you back to the OR to debride this and try to save the hand. I'm driving you, we are leaving now."

Dick dropped his head and felt himself slip back again. Had he honestly been stupid enough, felt sorry enough for himself that his self-destructive streak could really mean he'd lose function in his hand or worse?

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To be continued...

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