Welcome back to my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans and I do not profit from my writing on fanficnet. I do however, own the plot.

Even though updates aren't consistent, I love this story, a lot of the remainder is written and there's still plenty of story to tell.

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Double Take

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Chapter 65

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The white cliffs of the mainland of Greece slowly came into view. The open deck of the boat offered Kori plenty of sun and as the boat approached the harbor, the surf was more noticible, and the rhythm of boat as it moved along that was once comforting was becoming more and more jarring. Kori wished the boat captain would slow down the vessel. She didn't need to add nausea to the array of her emotional and physical concerns.

Only twice had Kori turned back to look at Paradise Island since she and Donna and a handful of others had gotten on the ferry. Now gone from view, she was severed from the sanctuary even if her respite was not completely over; once away from the seclusion and protection of the island, Kori knew that she was no longer untouchable and that she would no longer be able to assertain that level of peace and solace.

Kori had tried not to obsess about Richard, but wasn't the point of the trip to think about their relationship, to gain perspective? Wasn't she supposed to deconstruct what had happened, to learn from it? How could she do it without thinking about him?

But thinking and obsessing and worrying in a vacuum – that is, without being able to speak with him, when he wasn't even writing her back – well, the lines were blurred. Kori was worried about Richard's health both physical and medical even more about the relationship. At least she knew that was a healthy thing for her to do, a natural concern.

Her overriding concern and worry was about how he must have felt about her accidentally leaving his mother's ring there. And all this worry was made worse with the fact that he had not called her back, and then the ruminating began and the self-berating: Why did I leave the ring there? How could I? Was it an oversight, or something more, and why did it take so long to realize it wasn't there?

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"Hey Dick, I realized that your phone went right into voicemail a couple times that I tried to call," Babs said as she sauntered in for her early lunch. She had things down pat: she would meet the mailman so she could be able to intercept anything that might be from Kori, and then deliver the balance to Dick and Bruce personally.

It wasn't until recently that Dick was heading out more and Babs realized that he never called back or mentioned her calls that she placed to him on such occasions. In the early weeks after his injury, Dick was always around the house so she never needed to call him. Now she wanted to keep track of him. She was surprised that things hadn't progressed behind some make out sessions on the sofa, not even going as far as they had that fateful night of his hand injury and Babs was going to be damned if she was going to miss her opportunity with Dick. If he was feeling better enough to be out and about, he better be out and about with her. The same applied to when he was up to doing more physically: when he was up for more, she was going to be sure she was the first or rather the only one in line.

"Yeah, it, uh, died, haven't bothered to replace it." He didn't mention the cell phone's death was at his own hand during his post hospitalization tirade.

"Well lucky for you, I am the thoughtful sort of, g-, uh, friend that is here to help. I put an extra line on my plan, so here's your new iPhone."

"Thanks Babs." Dick replied, leaning over to kiss her, letting it linger a bit. It was comfortable to be with her, not that a commitment was going to be made. Dick hadn't put much time into that decision; nothing good would come from it as far as he was concerned.

He made a mental note to get a second phone now that he was up for going out a bit, even if it was only to see Vic or even, oddly enough, to grab dinner at the Club with Xavier. Again, he had no plans to tie himself to Babs exclusively now – even if he did let things return to the friends-with-benefits status that Babs was so obviously offering up – and now that he had decided that Kori was out of his life, and he certainly didn't want Babs to know who he was calling and who was calling him.

Nor was he going to bother to reactivate his old phone. Kitten had that number for heaven's sake and what if Kori called...

No, might as well start with a clean slate.

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Donna's photo shoot for National Geographic was an incredible opportunity and Kori finally felt like she had something to offer her friend. After receiving so much support from Donna and her family and friends on the island, now Kori could give back. Kori usually absolutely thrived when she was needed. She hadn't felt that needed for a long time and even if it was holding a camera bag and reassuring Donna that everything would be the o. and the k., that was something.

Kori checked her voicemail once back in cell phone range nearing the Greek shore. There were messages from Galfore, Raven, Tara, Karen, Vic, Chase, and even Gar and Wally and Roy – all together in one rambling adrenaline-infused call after an ER overnight shift – and even though she was braced for it, her heart sank when she realized that Richard hadn't called. It did more than sink, it turned a bit cold, an odd sensation that caused Kori to start to pace the deck. Not only do to the agitation she felt, but from the physical pain she felt.

She had asked Richard in her last few weekly letters for just a quick voicemail, just to confirm that he was doing well. It didn't seem that much to ask, and she had tried not to appear desperate in that request. She needed some communication from him, some sign that they were still connected.

It had been her fear for some time: it was obvious that he didn't need her anymore.

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Richard had been trying to get his mind off Kori but found that he couldn't, especially when he was alone. Not for the first time he realized that he might have voicemail waiting, but he knew that if he heard her voice that it would hurt too much. But he was curious about what she'd say about the ring.

He had to admit that he was surprised that she hadn't even written. She had said she would - hadn't she? he wondered, unclear because of all that he happened the night she left – and she just seemed like she would.

Well, if she was acting as callous as she had been with the ring, maybe it was best not to hear from her. It made breaking up with her easier...

"Master Vic is here to see you, Sir," Alfred announced as he entered the sunroom.

"Where's your shadow?" Vic asked, a half-hearted joke he had repeated since finding Babs at Dick side most of the time since the accident. A dangerous glint in Vic's eye told Dick not to say anything too positive about her... and if previous conversations were any indications, nothing negative could be said about Kori either.

Dick gave Vic an incredulous look. He had sent Babs off to shop earlier that day – giving her $1500 in cash to pick up something to wear to a Wayne Enterprises dinner the following weekend. He wished he hadn't reacted physically to the idea when she mentioned the need for going lingerie shopping, but then again, he was single, he was a guy, so why wouldn't he?

Vic smiled. "Jus' messing with you, Man. Let's hop in my baby and get you out for a while. You are turning into a creature of the night all holed up in here all the time."

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"Kori, you are far too quiet."

Kori looked up and saw the concern in her friend's blue eyes. "I offer apology, Donna. Do you wish to spend this time doing the talking of small or is there something of particular note that you wish to... um... what do you wish to discuss."

Donna's face softened, although she had to work hard not to laugh at her friend's use of English. "Thinking in Tamaranean, Kori? Things that troubling?"

"I did catch myself," Kori smiled. "but I am deep in my thoughts, yes."

"It's understandable given the circumstances, but the fact that we are here on an archeological site that about 25 people have been allowed to see so far and that there are some incredible pieces of crockery unearthed as well as the dwellings themselves... well, it's unlike you not to at least mention what's here to see."

"Again, I apologize..."

"Kori, don't apologize. What happened? How can I help?"

Kori sighed, tears pricked her lashes. "When we were still on the boat over hear from the island, I first checked my voicemail and I have not heard from Richard. Nothing. I cannot believe that he wished to sever me from his life completely."

"You said before that you've left messages?" Donna asked.

"Yes, on his phone of cell and in my letters I asked that he just leave a message to let me know how he is doing." Kori's tears fell. "Why did I leave Washington? I never wished for things to end this way... how could he do the ignoring of me?"

Donna gave her friend a hug. "I wish I knew, Kori, and I wish I knew Richard so I'd know what to say." Donna paused. "How about one of your friends back home? Can you contact them?"

"I believe I will do that. If you will excuse me, I best make a call now. Because of the time difference."

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"Dick, I still can't believe you haven't heard from Kori."

"Not a word." Dick ignored the fact that he hadn't reactivated his old phone number and remained unaware about Babs' deceit concerning the letters."

"Still man, you are too angry. May I point out you were the one that messed up."

Dick grabbed the dashboard, whiteknuckling it, trying not to lash out at his best friend. Might as well tell him, Dick thought. "Yeah I messed up, but Kori made it clear it was over. She left my mother's ring in her bathroom without saying a word about it."

Vic looked at him stunned, forgetting for a moment that he was driving. No, that didn't sound like Kori at all...

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"Kori! How are you? Thank Heaven you called!" Karen said as she answered Kori's call. Kori knew that she owed Karen a call. The bride-to-be would have to be a little bit concerned over her globe-trotting bridesmaid.

However, the meaning behind the statement 'Thank Heaven you called' was not something that Kori was sure she wanted to know.

Kori decided not to address her status. That might change drastically with anything Karen might say. "Please, Karen, how are you doing? Are you set for the wedding? Rest assured I would not miss it-"

"Kori," Karen's voice was nearly scolding, "do not make this call about me. I'm fine. How are you, that's what's important."

"Karen, I am the o. and the k. I should be home shortly, as soon as I spend some time in Greece. There are actually some diplomatic events I wish to attend and perhaps do a bit of the observing at some local hospices-"

"Kori, ok? Really? Why aren't you here, really? I know you needed time away from Richard, but it's been weeks and, well..."

"Well what, Karen? Is Richard the all right? How is his hand?"

Karen drew in a deep breath. "So Vic was right. You two haven't spoken."

"Karen-"

"Kori, I am the first to admit that he was the world's biggest jerk but I didn't think that things would just end like that."

Again it was a crushing blow: it was over, the confirmation she needed but did not want to get.

"I suppose they have," Kori murmured. "I thought perhaps... but then he never answered my letters and I left his mother's ring and..." Kori broke down in tears.

Karen talked to Kori for another hour or so, helping Kori vent her frustrations, verbalize her sadness and once that had been all said, the conversation did return to Karen and Vic's wedding.

"You know Kori, if you'd be uncomfortable in the wedding party I'd understand. I mean, I want you there, of course, but-"

"Karen, I appreciate what you are trying to say, but I am a big girl. I will be able to be in the same room with Richard. That is, unless you worry that we will make the scene."

Karen giggled. "No matter what the situation, the two of you always captured people's attention. Maybe my wedding will be the perfect opportunity to reconnect... that is, if you want."

"It is what I want. Things would be different after all that has happened, but I do believe we can do the working of things out. He is my mate of souls, I have loved him all my life and we found each other after all those years apart. What he did with Barbara was terrible, but I believe we are stronger than that."

"Sounds like you want to fight for him."

Kori's voice was firm. "I do."

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to be continued...

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Thank you for reading and please review.