Thank you for the wonderful response to the last chapter.
Now I know most of you have been too wrapped up in Kry's Promise and are already on angst overload, but I did post my own angst-fest in-universe based one-shot Heroes Day a few days back. If you haven't already, please take a look.
GREAT NEWS! Boomerang is starting with TEEN TITANS reruns again on Monday, September 5, 2011 (at least here in the States) at 10:30 PM Eastern, it's usual slot! My letter campaign of one worked! Go me! (Now least just bring back Justice League Unlimited, okay? Hell, even Super Friends. Okay, maybe not... but there are about 12 years of those in a bunch of different form and form. Yes, I know. I know.
Disclaimer, reiterated: I do not own DC Comics nor Warner Brothers, the Teen Titans, or the characters this AU (alternate universe) fic is based on. I do, however, own the plot.
Double Take
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Chapter 75
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"It should have been us tonight, Star."
Kori sighed and dropped her forehead on his shoulder, "Oh Richard-"
He pulled her a bit tighter, but not too tight. He couldn't scare her aware, not now. "Shh, I know, I said we'd talk tomorrow. I didn't mean to say anything tonight."
Kori lifted her forehead, regaining her composure, "I offer apology, I did not mean to do the crumpling, and that must not have looked right-"
Richard leaned back quickly, "Star, really, it's okay, well more than... you can be close to me-"
"But we are in public and you are here with Barbara-"
"As a friend, yes I am. But if you feel uncomfortable..."
"No," Kori smiled and blushed, "I really enjoy the dancing with you, being in your presence once more."
"I'm glad." He loved those little speech pattern errors. God he missed her. What had he been thinking back all those weeks ago?
He touched her cheek, searching her face, wondering if he pressed her about 'it should have been us' would she agree? And would it be about being engaged or being married?
In that moment, he would have loved for it to be their wedding.
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Richard noticed Barbara stalking up to them from the corner of his eye and turned Kori so he could face Babs. How could he ward Barbara off? He did not want this moment with Kori to end.
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Xavier was amused by Dick and Kori's dance, although he wasn't entirely sure why. There was something unusual about the dynamic. Well, that was his read. He saw Barbara heading over to 'reclaim' Dick and he rolled his eyes and decided to intervene.
"Barbara-"
She pulled up short, "Xavier?"
"May I have this dance?"
Her eyes flashed in anger, looked back between the couple and then X again. "Fine."
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Xavier weaved his way through the crowd and away from Dick and Kori, leading Babs expertly.
"You are a lovely dancer, Babs."
"Cut the crap, X."
"Charming my dear as always, but really you are a wonderful dancing partner." Xavier's tone was sincere.
Barbara sighed. "Sorry. Thank you. I wish I got a chance to dance more. You aren't half bad yourself."
"We should have danced more when we were going out."
Babs snorted.
"Thanks, Barbara darling"
"Sorry Xavier, I never know with you if you're sincere or it's an angle."
He chuckled. "You do have a valid point there, Barbara."
"Like now. Why did you stop me from going over to Richard? You could have had another go at Kori?"
Xavier did a mock wince. "Now Babs, from what I've been observing tonight, they are going to do fine on their own confusing themselves. Here, let me turn you so you can see what's happening between them. Let's let them get into things a little further and then we can see if this is a good venue to pull them apart."
"But things were going so well with Dick tonight, and I don't want anything to ruin that."
"I'm glad things were going well. And remember where we are, and who's here. All the ER staff. All Dick and Kori's coworkers. Might not be the best place. But don't try so hard, play the understanding and unconditionally supportive longtime friend. Trust me."
Xavier looked over at the other couple, Kori slumping a bit against Dick more out of emotion and physical weakness than out of anything else. He spun Babs so she could look, "See? Kori's so fragile, Dick's somewhat better, not much. We can work with that."
"Hmm, I see."
"Have I ever steered you wrong?"
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"You okay, sweetheart?"
"Hmm?"
"Star?"
"Sorry, I am still so very tired, Richard. I do not wish to, but I best call it a night."
"All right. Let me let Barbara know I'll be right back so I can see you to your room."
"Richard, I-"
"Kori, please. Please."
"You are right. That would be helpful. I shall say some of the goodnights and get my things. I shall do the meeting of you at the head table."
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After telling a suspiciously understanding Barbara where he was going, with a promise of a speedy return, Dick went to meet up with Kori. He was briefly sidetracked by the newly engaged Rachael and Gar, the distaff partner promising to reign all sorts of fury down on Dick if he acted like anything other than a gentleman toward Kori as he saw her to her room.
He retorted he would hardly forgive himself either.
"On second thought, why don't we at least walk you over to the table so we can say good night to Kori."
"Good idea, Gar."
The three walked over to the head table in silence, Dick a bit concerned that Rachael and Gar might change their minds and interfere, preferring to make sure that Kori made it to her room in one piece themselves.
"Oh, Rachael, Gar, congratulations, I am so very happy for you. You do the hiding of a secret very well! Although it must have been much more difficult for Gar; Rachael is very the low key." Kori was sincere, but her hugs were far less enthusiastic than ever before and her voice was soft, not reflecting the joy she surely felt.
"That's right. Now I get to howl at the moon, I'm getting married!"
"'Howl at the moon'? Is that a tradition? Yes?"
Dick chuckled and absently kissed Kori's temple before he stopped himself. Gar and Rachael's eyes went wide, but Kori didn't seem to mind. Maybe the estranged couple would fall back into their relationship easily again. "No, it's just Gar being Gar-"
"I'm an animal!"
Rachael rolled her eyes, "Fortunately, or unfortunately, that's my cue."
Kori knitted her brow a bit. Gar was unusual, but he was happy, and the dynamic between the couple worked for them.
Rachael gave Kori an uncharacteristic second hug. "Kori, I don't care about tonight – and either does the 'animal' here – if you need me, call."
"Thank you, Rachael, but it is a most romantic night, I will not disturb you-"
"Kori, it's no problem-"
"Thank you, Gar, but I cannot intrude."
"I'm here too guys, you can call me, Kori."
"But what about Barbara?" Rachael asked with an arched brow.
Now was the time for a 'back off' glare. Did everyone have to keep bringing it up? "Barbara came with me as a friend and she brought her own car and is going home shortly without me. I'm staying here at the hotel tonight, so Kori can call me if she needs to."
Kori tried not to wince. She was feeling weak, but didn't like the idea of appearing so, and had obviously shown that she was. "Thank you all, but I believe that I only need the sleep, so goodnight everyone." She gave anemic hugs to Gar and Rachael, who turned to go.
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Kori turned and headed out the door, Richard in her wake. She was almost a zombie, shuffling along in her heels until they made it to the large bank of the hotel's elevators.
Kori was silent and other than fidgeting with her fingers, barely moved. Richard thought he saw her sway just a bit.
"Baby, can you make it all right?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Should I carry you?"
"Ne'un rutha!"
"Of course you're not weak, Koriand'r, you're the strongest woman I know."
"My apologies, I am tired, I do not mean to do the snapping at you. I feel so warn out, and the sleepy... it is a rather peculiar feeling, I do not recall ever feeling this way before."
Finally an elevator car arrived at one of the closer banks. They stepped into it and Kori used her keycard to access the penthouse floor. Once they reached the top floor, they stepped off and Richard placed his hand on Kori's back and they walked to her room.
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"Kori, are you going to be all right tonight?"
"I believe so. I am just the tired, I believe. Oh X'hal, I cannot do the talking... I believe..." She added with a smile.
He smiled, but he wasn't convinced. "Can I stay with you, I mean, I can wait here, at least until you're asleep."
Her eyes grew wide.
He placed his hands out, gesturing that wasn't what he meant. "No, I mean, in case you need me. I mean, you trust me, still, don't you?"
"With my life, of course." She chewed her bottom lip. "I shall change. I will be right back."
Kori was unsteady and Richard had to help her stay standing. He moved in front of her, a hand placed on each shoulder, "Kori, it's fatigue, or jet lag, or a bit of dehydration, or you're coming down with something or perhaps a combination, but you can't be alone."
Kori's shoulder's slumped. "You are correct..."
Richard blinked. He had expected some sort of argument. "Oh. Can I... umm... can I stay? I mean, I can call someone for you of course, but really we should leave Rachael and Gar along-"
"And Tara seems to have done the meeting of someone, although she would not mind, I do not wish to look rutha... not even in front of you, perhaps it is worse to be rutha in front of you..." her head lulled back a bit.
He understood what she meant; she especially didn't want to look weak in front of Richard as a potential mate. It was cultural, and while he was sure they were passed that, given that they had been estranged, it was nice she was thinking that way again.
"Star, I'll stay. I'll never think of you as rutha, I assure you. Let's lay you back for now, okay?"
"Thank you, Richard."
"Did you have much alcohol?"
"Oh, X'hal no! I would not drink, not in my condition! I mean, a sip of champagne to keep up appearances, but no, that was it."
Richard head shot up at that remark, only to find Kori already drifting off to sleep, her eyes in that odd one-quarter open state, looking almost...
He considered her and tried to put it out of his mind. She was just tired, that's all, he misheard her. She said she wasn't pregnant. She couldn't be. Could she?
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After a quick text to Babs, that was followed up by – not surprisingly – an incoming call from her, Richard planned to spend the night, or at least until Kori insisted that he go back to his room making sure she was okay. He was surprised that his ring tone and conversation with Babs hadn't even caused her to stir. Beyond taking off Kori's heels and rolling Kori onto her left side and covering her with a blanket, he didn't do anything else, not wanting to disturb her. Not that anything seemed like it would.
Richard considered sitting in the chair and trying to stay awake to see if she needed anything. He knew he'd just sleep in the chair, he'd gotten so little sleep the night before and the day had been so long. Kori certainly wouldn't mind, the bed was huge, much larger than even a king size bed and if he'd lay on the other side, and laying on the bed, he'd surely waken the minute she needed him.
Taking off his cumberbund, shoes and tie, he got on top of the bed on the other side, and faced the sleeping young woman, concerned for her health but at the same time thrilled to be there no matter what the circumstances.
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Kori woke up at 3:20 AM, which she noted on the clock on the hotel's beside table. She was thirsty. She saw a bottle of water there, along with a glass of water, which she emptied in two gulp. Mistake. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood and began to run to the bathroom, making it to the toilet to vomit up much of what little she'd eaten that evening.
She then remembered that Richard was there, and wondered if he had heard her get up. No, he would have been on her heels the moment she moved in the bed. Maybe he was asleep. Good. Quickly she flushed the toilet, brushed her teeth and then changed out of her bridesmaids gown and putting on a tank and short pajama set. Suddenly feeling colder than she wondered if she should – maybe the a/c was on too high, that was fun to do on hot days in hotels – she put on one of the hotel's terry robes on over the pajamas.
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Still thirsty, but feeling better, she tipped-toed back to the bed, and stopped to look at Richard. The floor lamp he'd left on over by the window gave some light by the bed, and she couldn't help but look at his handsome features as he was stretched out on the bed.
Kori barely had the strength to open the water bottle which concerned her – she never had difficulty with even the most stubborn peanut butter or pickle jars, let alone twist tops. She knew as a practitioner that from the shaking and some muscle cramping she was experiencing as well as the thirst that she still had some degree of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. She took sips of water slowly this time, the tepid water was more tolerable and after taking in about three ounces, she settled in under the covers, and quickly fell back asleep.
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When Richard woke up at 8:35 AM, he wasn't sure if he should stay or if he should just leave a note for Kori and go back to his own room. He had slept straight through the night, but his dreams haunted him. He was certainly relieved that he was with Kori. After the dreams he'd had, he was relieved that she existed at all. His mind tortured him, telling him that she was all in his imagination: that she had never come back into his life at all.
Richard got up to use the bathroom, shaken by the string of dreams that had rewritten the reality. It had portrayed over and over that they had never had a solid relationship, that they never would work, that because she was Tamaranian and he was American, there was no way that it could work.
Of course he knew the truth in his rational mind, that they had a wonderful relationship and that they could easily could again. He messed it up. Why did I have to be such a dumbass? And that word is far too kind...
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Kori woke up with a start, looking over to where Richard had been on top of the covers, wondering why he had left without saying goodbye. She was so relieved when she heard him moving around as he walked from the bathroom.
"Good morrow, Richard," Kori said with a blush.
"Good morning, Kori." He smiled warmly. "I'm sorry I woke you. I hadn't meant to."
"You did not, I assure you."
"How did you sleep? Are you feeling any better this morning?"
"I was up once but that's all."
"I can tell, I didn't change your clothes," Dick said with a bit of blush when he thought about doing just that.
"I got something to drink." She paused, and decided to leave out the part about vomiting. "Otherwise, I slept well I believe. Did you?"
No. "Okay I guess."
"What happened?"
"Oh... some bad dreams, nothing important. I'm concerned about you. Do you want to get some more sleep or do you want to go get some breakfast?"
Kori wanted to keep Richard with her. Even though she would at least be going back to the Manor before resettling at the Embassy at some point later that week, for now nothing was in place as far as security, so she would be there. Still, she wanted to talk to Richard at the hotel, on neutral territory.
"Would you mind if we just had breakfast here in the room?"
Mind, actually I...
"Richard?"
"I think that's a great idea."
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Richard got some more water as they waited for breakfast to come up. Kori was beginning to feel lightheaded, a rushing noise alternating with a buzzing in her ears. She felt flush – maybe it was just being alone with Richard after all these weeks – but deep down she knew that she was not 100%. Or even 50%.
Still, it was a chance to talk, and after all this time, some things couldn't wait. But where do you start this kind of conversation.
"Richard, should we begin the talking?"
"About us? Of course, Kori. What's on your mind?"
Kori was caught: profess your undying love and throw caution to the wind, risking pain and permanent rejection; or, hedge a bit, let him be able to let her down easy, or, hopefully not. Kori went with the latter.
"Richard, do... do you think that we are just the too young, or the too immature? I mean, perhaps we are just not ready for the commitment that we were trying to make to each other. I did the pushing for it because of not doing the giving of the up..." Kori had not meant it to come out like that.
Richard looked surprised and heartbroken. "What are you saying, Kori?"
"I should have let you make love to me. Then we would not find ourselves in this predicament."
Richard sighed and looked away. "So you left my mother's ring."
"No, no of course not!" Kori paused, trying to figure out what he was saying. "Wait – Richard, did you not get my letters?"
"No."
"I wrote you every day. I called your cell of phone. And once I realized the ring was not with me-"
"Once you realized it? Didn't you realize that you were missing my Promise Ring right away. And how could you leave it anyway?"
Kori teared up. "I did the taking for granted it was still on! It was already a part of me Richard! I crumbled, I was in agony when I realized it was not there! I was telling my friend Donna all about you and our love and how you had given it to me-"
"Oh, Kori," he said with softness, then his face hardened and his tone sharp, "But you had left it on the sink!" Richard got up and started to pace.
"I was still the out of it when I left that night for Paradise Island. The damn dissociative disorder-"
Richard stopped up short and spun and gaped at her. "What? What are you talking about? Kori, you have a dissociative disorder?"
"Yes, ever since the bombing... it happens quite rarely, but when something terrible happens."
"I saw you have the panic attack during that terrible thunder storm while we were down at Devon, I mean it makes sense with the bombings but... you never told me!"
"I guess I did not. Nor should I use it as an excuse for anything. I was the upset. I left your mother's ring, again I was so used to having it on but took it off to do the washing of my hair, so when I went to show it to my friend Donna, it was only then I realized that it was missing-"
"Wait, wait, so first, you didn't leave it because you were breaking up with me?"
"Of course not! And without an explanation, that would be the cruel, Richard! That ring, that promise means so much to me!"
"That's a relief, Star." Richard stood up and started pacing again. "And wait – tell me about the dissociative disorder."
"Oh, no one told you, surely Vic or Karen would have, or Xavier, he saw the most-"
Again Richard stopped to face Kori. "What? Xavier? How does he know something like that about you that I don't?"
Kori started to tear up, this was not how she pictured that they'd talk over things. "Uh, he was there... that night-"
"Where?" Dick demanded, ignoring the tears, letting his jealousy get the better of him.
Kori stared at Richard and saw a coldness that she hadn't expected. She channeled her sadness into anger and stood up and approached him, standing close. "Richard, stop being the angry and likely the jealous! Do you wish to know when Xavier found out? When Karen and Vic did as well? When perhaps others would have had Xavier not taken me to Vic's office?"
"Vic's office? The ER?" Richard thought for a moment, when were they all there. No, not then, but then again, when else- "God, Kori, you saw us. You were so upset when you saw me with Barbara that you went into a dissociative state? Sweetheart... God, what did I do to you?"
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To be continued...
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Thank you for reading and please review.
The next chapter is started and I do hope to post soon!