I've had time to write! What kind of crazy world is this?
Shortish chapter alert but a good place to stop and yeah, there's (properly credited) lyrics, but not a songfic.
Some Richard/Kori moments so bring the love!
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Double Take
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Chapter 73
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Kori read the note in her hand again. She was so glad Richard sent it. I would make things so much easier to get through the evening. She scanned it again before she tucked it into her white beaded clutch.
Star:
Hope you're feeling better, so sorry I didn't stay with you. Best Man & all, 'very busy', know I'm not ignoring you. See you later - a dance per chance tonight? Time together tomorrow? Wherever, whenever you want.
Love Always, RJG
The penmanship was terrible, much worse than his normal doctor's scrawl. It must have really hurt him to write it, she thought, but she was so glad he too the time to write it.
And then the to die for smiles he sent her from the other side of the table. Now those were nice.
They both knew that they couldn't be overly obvious, but the shared looks and smiles, well, they spoke volumes. Things just might be okay... someday.
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Richard stood up with the other groomsmen tapping their glasses to indicate it was toast time. He had practiced holding his champagne flute in his left hand, but it felt awkward. There was just no way that he could hold it for any length of time in his bandaged right hand. It was hurting from doing something simple as writing Kori that short note. Man, he still had such a long road left in recovery. Not that writing that note wasn't completely worth any amount of pain or discomfort. It was the connection he needed with Kori right then and there. As far as he was concerned right, he had to have it not only get through the evening but to stay sane.
Richard cleared his throat and spoke strongly, not needing a mic.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Dick Grayson, and first I'd like to thank all the people that made this possible. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Beecher along with the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. Stone for this wonderful celebration. I also want to thank the woman we all called Grannie and to Mr. and Mrs. Beecher for raising such wonderful people and friends. I also want to thank you, the guests, for coming and I hope you have a great evening as we celebrate the union of this incredible couple. I raise my glass to all of you.
"When Vic Stone asked me to be his Best Man I was, of course, honored to accept. I was also 13 years old. I thought he was crazy. I'm also glad he waited. I think it's much more appropriate that he gets married now. But I must admit, when the Groom is now my boss who also has control over my work schedule, the task of writing a Best Man's speech is a particularly daunting one.
"Eager to observe the tradition of, ahem, gentle character assassination, I started my speech by writing a list of all the wild times from the last fifteen years or so – the women, the parties, the questionable associates, the public gaffes... should I continue? No? I have a question: Victor, where were you, bro? You were always too busy to join me. And it's not going to get any better now you're married, is it?
"Yup, this speech would've been so much easier if you had a past like mine.
"In school, in spite of our close friendship, Vic and I always were always seemed to be locked in competition, whether in the class room and on the sports field. In college, we were finally apart, but there was just a bridge and the Jersey turnpike between us. Man, this is starting to sound like lyrics to a Springsteen song...
"Then there was med school, internship, residency, fellowship - well, let's just stop the comparison there – Victor was a phenom. And when we got to Lincoln, I'm the first to admit I rode his coattails all the way."
"No wonder my back always hurt!" Victor shouted out.
"And then he became Department Head and the place never ran better. But somehow, Vic started turning into everyone's big brother. It was so, so... hysterical, uh, I mean sad. It seemed like all our friends always had a girlfriend or a, a, 'date' but poor Vic not so much. He was our esteemed designated driver, designated person to listen to all your woes, designated person to vomit on... you get the picture, and it wasn't pretty, trust me.
"That all changed one fateful day when a new head nurse came into work at the ER, Ms. Karen Beecher. She knew how the department should run from a nursing standpoint, business standpoint, all the standpoints. However, given her predecessor, Vic had been doing the head nurse job too – and man that little white cap and white TED stockings looked hot on him!
"Well let's just say that Karen did not like the fact that Vic assumed that her job was still part of his job. Her very first words to him were, and I quote: 'There's not a man alive who can tell me what to do!' Sparks literally flew to the point she's called him 'Sparky' ever since. So they got past that first encounter, fairly quickly I might add, and they have been together ever since. Vic's never had his eyes on anyone else and Karen appears to have just given up and settled.
"When I sat down to work on this speech earlier this week, I asked Vic what he was looking for in marriage. He answered immediately, beaming from ear to ear: 'Love, happiness and eventually a family.' When I asked Karen the same question, she replied, 'a toaster!'
"In all seriousness, in my life I've seen only two other couples that were made for each other the way Vic and Karen are, it's so rare and you're so blessed. No one in this room doubts that your love is special and that you'll make it. You are an inspiration and will make any cynic believe in love and marriage.
"Marriage is not about finding a person you can live with, it's about finding the person you can't live without. Victor has found that person.
"So before I take my seat, I want propose a toast: to the bridesmaids – no, well, yes, but also here's to a lifetime of happiness and love and laughter for Victor and Karen!"
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Kori was a mix of emotions during the speech but laughed along and clapped at all the appropriate places. After the clapping and cheering had ended at the end of the speech Rachael turned to her and said, "Are you holding up all right?"
"I feel so much better since getting IV fluids, yes-"
"No Kori," Rachael interrupted, "I can feel the emotions wafting off of you."
"Oh," Kori looked down at the note, "I am just confused about things with Richard."
"Don't read too much into his speech. If you think about it, it's nothing new."
"Oh, I know."
"Let's just concentrate on getting you through tonight physically and emotionally. Plus there's sure to be more toasts to listen to."
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Once dinner was over, Vic and Karen were called for their First Dance. They had chosen 'It Had to Be You'. It seemed particularly apropos.
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around, and finally found
The somebody who could make me be true
Could make me be blue or even be glad
Just to be sad just thinking of you
Some others I've seen might never be mean
Might never be cross or try to be boss
But they wouldn't do
For nobody else gave me the thrill
With all your faults I love you still
It had to be you
It had to be you
It had to be you
It was a surprise to Karen. She couldn't stop laughing about the line 'try to be boss'.
The band segued into Bridal Party dance song, 'Because You Loved Me', and the bridal party got up and joined the bride and groom on the dance floor.
Tara danced with Dick, as was tradition, given they were Best Man and the Maid of Honor. "How are you holding up, Dick?"
"Oh, fine Tara, the hand hurts but-"
"Not what I mean and you know it. About Kori-"
"Tara, I don't want to talk about it here," he said quietly, as he turned her to check out who was on the floor. It was still just the bridal party. He caught a glimpse of Kori dancing with Vic's cousin Virgil and he was happy to noted that she held the same formal stance as she danced with him as she did with Dick when they had first danced in public. Not that he expected anything different.
"Stop staring, Dick." Tara said playfully. "I'm sure you ask her to dance with you soon."
"You're right, and I don't want to give people too much to talk about."
"Subtle - that note passing," Tara mocked.
Dick chuckled and actually blushed. "Vic's idea."
"What'd say?"
"Aren't you nosy tonight, Nurse Markov? You can ask Kori."
The song changed to 'Faithfully', and Dick tried to block out the lyrics. He was torn; no one else had switched partners within the bridal party, the guests hadn't been invited up yet. He danced stiffly with Tara.
"Dick?"
"I'm such a dick."
"What?"
"I don't think I'll ever fix things with Kori."
"You haven't even tried yet Dick, have you?"
Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love along the wire
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And loving a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
Oh Girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully
The band leader invited the guests to the dance floor.
"Excuse me, Tara. Thank you for the dance."
"Thanks Dick. Off to find Kor..." Tara never finished her question; Dick had just walked away. She hoped he was going to find Kori; he walked off the dance floor instead.
Circus life
Under the big top world
We all need the clowns to make us smile
Through space and time
Always another show
Wondering where I am lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
Oh girl
You stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully
Kori saw Dick leave the dance floor. She recognized his body language. He was upset with himself, or perhaps in pain. Could the lyrics really have bothered him? Listening to the lyrics, that was a girl thing, wasn't it?
Kori could see Xavier approaching out of the corner of her eye and decided just to make a break for it, as it were, and follow Dick. No one attempted to stop her.
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Kori was trotting in her heels by the time she caught up to Dick in a back corridor by the hotel restaurant's kitchen.
"Richard?"
Richard's shoulder's slumped further and he turned to face her; before he could say anything she gave him a huge hug.
Richard did his best to hold back tears as he hugged her back tightly.
"I'm so sorry for everything. I can't believe what I did to us. I got you back, Star, and I threw it away. Please forgive me."
"Sh, Richard it is the all right. Everything will do the working out."
"But can you forgive me?"
Kori sighed and pulled back to look at him. "Richard, it is not hard for me to forgive you, I love you and I always will, but we should not have this discussion now."
"But-"
"Please. We must rejoin our friends' wedding. It is truly lovely, is it not? Oh, and thank you so much for the note."
"You're welcome. What did you think of my speech?"
Sadness washed over Kori's face. "I, uh... there were parts that were quite humorous," she said diplomatically.
"Oh sweetheart, I didn't mean to upset you."
"I have no right-"
"Yes you do, or at least I want you to have the right to."
"We really should get back, Richard."
"Before we go - one more thing about the speech. When I spoke about only knowing one or two other couples that were meant for each other – did you know who I meant?"
"I assume your parents."
"They are one. And we are the other." He put a hand on each of her shoulders for emphasis. "I messed up, let me fix it, please Kori."
"Oh Richard, I think that we are made for each other is well, but please, let's have this discussion later. There's so much to go over and we are sure to be the missed by now. Is Barbara not your date?"
Richard rubbed the back of his neck, "Well she is, as a friend, but she knows how I feel about you, about getting back toge-"
"Again, Richard please, no more talking. We can not make such a decision in moments here while hiding away from 250 people that I am certain are now doing the noticing we are gone. We will meet tomorrow, I promise."
"But what about tonight?"
"We shall share a few dances no doubt, and we shall enjoy our friends, but you have a commitment to Barbara, and I am going to be the just fine unescorted."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought her."
"Do not be, Richard. Nothing is more damaged between us than it would have been otherwise. Let us try to do the sneaking back in and have the good time tonight, shall we?"
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To be continued...
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Please review! Again, some Richard/Kori moments so please bring with the love!
No promises, but I hope to post again soon - there's more wedding fun to be had!
A/N: I am WELL aware that nurses no longer wear Nursing Caps. The studies that determined that they carried germs and put nurses and patients at risk were first done at my school and the hospital I trained in; we were the first school to do away with caps. However, wearing supportive hose like TEDS is an excellent idea.
Song Info:
'It Had to Be You', written by Isham Jones with lyrics by Gus Kahn, and believe it or not, published in 1924. Probably most often heard recently as recorded by Harry Connick, Jr.
'Because You Loved Me', written by Diane Warren and best known as performed by Celine Dion.
'Faithfully', music composed by Neal Schon and lyrics written by Jonathan Cain of the band Journey. Performed by Steve Perry with Journey.