Short chapter alert, a good stopping point although it is pretty much a bridge chapter.

Chapters on PAU and YGM and Chapter 83 of this fic are actually in the works plus a few other things. Lots of irons in the fire... and not lots of, what would it be? hammered out/smithed final products... You get the idea.

Also, check out all the wonderful RobStar oneshots for the contest Kryalla Orchid and I held. See my profile page for winners and all the entries!

Oh, oh and BREAKING NEWS! Chibi Teen Titan Cartoon Shorts are going to be featured next year during the new Batman series on Cartoon Networks. I'll put up that link on my profile page also! The legacy lives on!

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Double Take

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Chapter 82

"Thank you, Johnnie," Kori said with a smile as the orderly helped her into Richard's Escalade. Richard was a bit put out that someone else was helping Kori, but his hand was still healing and he was not supposed to lift with it. It was a high climb into the front seat and Kori would need assistance given how weak she was. Very weak, he noted, briefly concerned that two people really should be assisting her. Dick made a mental note to install running boards in the SUV; it hardly seemed necessary however, they had plenty of other things to drive and Kori would bounce back soon enough. And even though she was less defensive about being rutha, and there would be no need to remind her of her limitations, it would make it easier for him to get in and out of his favorite vehicle given his hand injury.

His hand, Richard thought bitterly - when would he make progress, could he make more progress? What a mess it was turning out to be a such a constant reminder of that horrible night with Barbara, the night he really strayed and Kori left...

"I hope to see you both back in the ER soon," Johnnie said as he went to shut Kori's door. "Get better quick!"

"I look forward to returning to work also and I will see you then," Kori said sweetly.

"I'm getting there Johnnie," Dick said, in a more friendly manner than Johnnie was used to from Dr. Grayson, even though Dick was uncertain it was the truth. Johnnie liked the 'new' Dr. Grayson - not that the ER doc was snobbish, he had been more reserved before he was with Kori. People remarked about it and were getting used to; these past couple of months not withstanding, it just took a lot to get used to.

"Alfred was disappointed that he was not the one to bring you home... I mean to the manor," Richard said as he helped Kori with her seat belt, reaching over with his left hand. "What a pair we are," he muttered with a smile. Even pulling the belt from behind her and across to buckle was an effort.

"No Richard, the manor is home." Kori touched his forearm.

That's wonderful she feels that way but not what she was feeling before she left... Not that I mind...

"Good, I'm so glad." After looking at her for a moment or two, Richard leaned over a gave her a lingering kiss, even if they were still right in front of the hospital. There were staff there still and likely a few reporters around.

Things were kept quiet about Kori's discharge and they had managed to go out a side loading area without obvious detection but in the periphery were a few photogs. Later that afternoon, the press and public would be officially notified of Kori's release.

The anthrax outbreak was still big news to say the least. The mastermind of the bioterrorist attack remained undetermined and at large. The fact that Kori's estranged sister was top of the list was fodder for the legitimate press and the more sensationalized press alike.

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The couple made small talk as they drove the rest of the way to Wayne Manor. Kori had grown quiet, and Dick grew concerned, finally asking, "Are you tired sweetheart?"

"A bit, but mostly I wish to do the discussing of something with you, Richard."

Dick pulled into a church parking lot, vacant given that it was a week day. "I know we have much to speak about, and I know that the nurse and physical therapist is coming today to make sure I am set up with all I need..." Kori dropped her head and fiddled with her fingers.

"What's on your mind?"

"The arrangements of sleeping," she responded shyly.

"Oh," Richard found himself saying. He wasn't sure what to expect her to say; he could understand her need to keep up appearances with any home care personnel, but then again she had no real memories of their most difficult times.

"We never finished our discussion. Are we officially engaged?" Kori looked up at Richard with hope and so much love in her eyes. His heart somehow broke for her because they weren't, yet melted because maybe they could be... it really wouldn't be a hard step but then it would be deceitful to not fill her in on all that they had gone through.

"Kori, we have so much to talk about, so much that happened that you don't remember, but officially engaged, no."

She was too raw from the physical and emotional aspects of her illness not to react with tears before she caught herself. "I offer apology, Richard. I do not know what has come over me."

He leaned further over the console to get closer. "C'mere," he pulled her into an awkward hug given where they were, his hand, her own aches and pains. "I gave you my mother's ring," he said softly as he held her gingerly, "and we certainly spoke about getting engaged and getting married as soon as we could."

Kori shook with silent sobs. Richard said nothing, unsure how to comfort her, being careful what he said. It was not the time to bring up Babs. Richard had anticipated a breakdown; Kori had remained so calm, almost stoic in her handling of her memory loss in the hospital but she had to feel a loss sooner or later.

Yes, he'd tell her everything, he vowed to himself he would, but he knew if his own behavior didn't make sense to him then, how could he explain it to Kori? With the chance that she would remember the last eight-to-ten weeks, he wanted to discuss it with her when he got his mind around it, and not make any misstep.

He felt there would be only one shot at working things out once the entire truth came out one way or the other.

"I love you Kori," Richard said in Tamaranian, and repeated a number of times, not sure what else to say. They sat there for a time until she ran out of tears, feeling even more fatigued, "We need to get you home. We'll talk more, I promise."

She nodded and looked for her purse, fishing out a tissue. When their eyes met again he could barely handle it. "I would not liked to have done the forgetting of your proposal, Richard."

"When I propose, I'll make sure it's one you won't forget."

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They were entering the gates of the Wayne Estate when Kori finally brought up her initial concern. "As I am doing the recouperating, will I continue to do the sleeping in your bed, or in mine?"

Dick's mouth went dry. "Um, that's up to you, sweetheart, where will you feel most comfortable?"

"I believe that I should be set up in your room with you," Kori said matter-of-factly, and Richard nearly hit the side of the garage pulling in; quite a feat given the size of the bay, and something that Kori did take notice of with some amusement.

"I'd like that."

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Alfred fussed over Kori and made sure that some of her things were moved to Richard's room. Kori did not feel particularly awkward about it, but was so tired that she fell asleep almost immediately when she got to Richard's bed. On the other hand, Richard ran on the treadmill for about 45 minutes until he had pushed himself as far as he could go, cursing himself out loud for letting himself for getting out of shape. He wasn't physically up to burn off all the frustration he felt.

Later in the afternoon the manor was visited by various home care professionals, setting up all the services Kori would need. She was accepting of the services and gracious, but it was a difficult situation for her to be in – needing physical therapy, nursing care and even help with personal care such as bathing. This was the type of care she was used to providing or ordering for her patients as a nurse; now she was so weak and still recovering from her bout from anthrax that she needed these services herself.

And if she were more intimate with Richard, he could provide some of her care, but that wasn't the case, and that should not be the impetus to become intimate.

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Richard walked into his bedroom to find Kori in his bed about 9:30PM. She had taken a nap after dinner but had awoken about twenty minutes earlier and was reading. He had taken a moment to look at her, trying to get his mind around what had transpired since she had returned from Greece. They were starting to work things through at Vic and Karen's wedding but there was so much ahead of them, and then for her to almost die...

Now she was there waiting for him in his bed... it was far too easy...

"Richard?"

"Hey Kori."

"Are you coming to bed already? I was not expecting you this early."

He smiled. "Where else would I be? Do you want to watch a movie or just go to sleep?"

Kori bit her lip, blushing. "Why do you not just do the getting ready for bed. I have been looking forward to being with you, Richard. It feels as though it has been too long since we have held each other. I wish to do the snuggling and being the close."

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

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To be continued...

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Thank you for reading and please review.

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To be continued...

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Thank you for reading, and reviews are always appreciated.