Oh man, thought I posted this... but the good news it I discovered I hadn't posted this when I was working on Chapter 91...

Lots of emotion, more events coming up!

BTW, for those who didn't see it, I posted a new chapter for All Things Titan

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Double Take

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Chapter 90

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To say that Richard was shell shocked was an understatement. The turnaround was so sudden, getting back to the manor he felt as if part of him were missing when Kori wasn't there. It was different from when they were apart when she was in Europe, when he was in such a bad place. But would he have pulled out of that horrible depression if he read the letters? Would he have read them? Would he have still acted out?

There was no way of really knowing what might have been, but he knew the letters would bring up lots of emotions now: guilt over how he behaved, sadness over time lost, longing for Kori and what could have been. There was so much pain for both of them when Kori was gone.

Now the letters were both a reminder of that time and a beacon of hope.

Richard was going to go along with whatever Kori had dictated; whatever she needed, he would only support her. He had been a selfish bastard for too long in their relationship and now he had to win her back. Yes, whatever it took.

When Kori said she was moving out Richard found solace in that she wished to continue to work on their relationship, that the physical distance did not equate with emotional distance. Thank Heaven she mentioned that so quickly so that he had not protested her leaving the manor. He may have had a preference but given how she felt, Richard supported her decision to leave. He let Kori know how much he would miss her, not just in the evenings and overnight but every meal... but the pain and discomfort the situation caused her by being cooped up in Wayne Manor was something he never wanted for her and wished he had been more aware of.

He had so much guilt.

Richard had already apologized for not realizing appreciating her feelings about that and knew he would continue to for a long time. How could he have been so blind? Well, first off, Kori was too genteel if not just thoroughly kind to allow anyone to believe she was unhappy and secondly, any signs were lost to him.

Plus Richard had far too much of his attention diverted to Barbara...

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Kori was exhausted as she reacquainted herself with her bedroom in her suite in the family wing of the embassy. There were other similar living quarters but hers was especially nice. She had the things she needed all together: a good-sized bedroom with a carved antique wardrobe for her things, a bathroom that was beautifully appointed with everything she could want, an alcove that served as her study and an antesuite sitting area to receive guests or just sit and relax.

Everything about it reflected the unique culture of Tamaran. It was accented in the colors of royalty. Deep purples and mauve accented the room while not dominating it; the furniture was lacquered black and were heavy solid pieces. There was even the And'r family crest on a plackard on the wall of the sitting area, beautifully carved and maticulously painted with gold accents. That particular piece was rescued from the royal palace all those years ago. Galfore never wanted Kori to forget who she was. She may have never used her title since the bombing, never wanted to be known as the princess, but her royal And'r blood still coursed through her veins.

It had only been a few months since Kori had lived in the Embassy. As nice as her suite was, she never felt as though it were her home. Perhaps she was staying there rather than living there. Not that her place at Wayne Manor been a home. Her little studio in the Art Museum area of Philadelphia before she moved to Washington was as close as she ever came to having her own space. Certainly the places before that, Grad Towers A or at Harrison House or Hill College House at the University of Pennsylvania were just college housing. Before then it was her dormitory at her boarding school in Switzerland, summers out of suitcase. Although her school in Switzerland was as beautiful as any other place in that country with the least of its view of the Jura Mountains, being so young and recently traumatized, she could barely appreciate the beauty nor was it a home either.

Places to live only; she had almost lived a nomadic life she thought for a moment, only to stop herself from growing too melancholy. She had a wonderful and fulfilling life, and she knew she was lucky to be alive.

Fate had been, on that point at least, kind.

Kori hadn't had a had a true home since she was thirteen. A startling question shook her briefly: was that why she sought marriage and a home with Richard? No, what she had with Richard was more than that was because they had a connection. It was also not that she had been actively seeking a life partner when they met.

Richard was special, they were special, and that's why they were together. Their past together when they were barely more than children was an interesting piece to their complex relationship, but it hardly defined them: they had fallen in love before they realized the history the had together.

Kori considered if she should force the issue, take some time to be on her own, perhaps buy a condo or townhouse, prove to herself that she could do it. She certainly had the means to get her own place whether with her own funds earned from her inheritance or from her career. That wasn't necessary she decided, nor was it the time. She'd be fine at the Embassy with Galfore. She hardly needed the stress of finding a new place or moving again.

Ideal it was not. Not that she planned it as such, but it was a test not just for her but for Richard. She hoped they both could pass.

Still, she questioned the decision. It was certainly not the path of least resistance, well, save Galfore. She found herself already missing Richard. Desperately. She missed Bruce and Alfred and the amenities and everything that went with being in the manor. Not that she was dependent on all that, but it was nice.

Kori's emotions began to get the better of her, she was fatigued and having trouble teasing out her true feelings. She considered a nap, she would need rest but had more on her mind. She decided a text to Richard wouldn't hurt.

Hello

Hi Kori, so glad u txtd

I am not good at this. I miss you. How are you?

I'm fine. Miss u 2. R u ok?

I think so.

Why don't u call me on my cell? I'd much rather hear your voice.

Kori didn't have to be asked twice; she called Richard.

"Hello?"

"Kori? Star? Are you all right?" He tried not to sound too urgent, but he was surprised she contacted him so quickly.

"I am now. I am just getting used to being here."

There was silence when she went no further.

Richard's tone was reassuring. "I guess it has been a while since you've been at the embassy. The transition back must be difficult."

"It is certainly the different but difficult?"

Is everything all right with Ambassador Galfore?"

Kori paused. "It is... fine. He is the... civil. We will do the meeting at the middle ground at some point."

Richard had to cringe. What had he done? He had never intended to put Kori in this position. "Are you okay with things?"

"It is just the first few hours and I think things are the fine for now, Richard. There will be adjustment, yes, but it will work out."

"Let me know what I can do."

"What you can do is join me for lunch tomorrow. Perhaps we can review some of my letters? I am hoping we can do all of the reviewing of them together."

Richard hadn't been expecting that. "That's a good idea about the letters. Um, what time?"

"Lunch at 12:45? I'll have Frank prepare us a Tamaranian feast. And please have the letters copied so we can review them together."

Richard was going to go with whatever Kori wanted, but had a slight feeling of dread, not sure if the idea of going through the letters together or a Tamaranian feast was more daunting. "Will do."

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There was pain in Richard's right hand, a burning feeling that he hadn't felt before. He knew there would be so ill effects from taking out the motorcycle, but rather than pain and fatigue, it felt as if it had been stretched. Every therapy session began with a measure of his hand's strength and range of motion, strength that would come back to an extent while the range of motion had seemed have plateaued. He was fairly certain that pushing the hand by using it on the throttle and brakes had broken up some of the scar tissue allowing more stretching of the ligaments. He was so jacked up on adrenaline when he took the bike out that he had ignored the pain, not caring if damage was done. Richard wondered if the opposite had happened – had pushing the limits of the hand gotten a better result than therapy had. Maybe some more of the range of motion had returned.

He had to consult with Xavier. Richard couldn't help but be optimistic but he wanted Xavier to see the hand, he was overdue for an appointment anyway. He decided just to give one Dr. Red a call. His colleague had proven quite available if it meant stopping by Wayne Manor so he was certain he'd get it seen right away.

Maybe at least with his hand, things were looking up.

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To be continued...

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A good stopping point and the next chapter is started. Thank you for reading and reviews always appreciated.