Chapter 40

Dick sighed as he slipped his way through the crowd of talking people in search of Barbara. He really didn't want to dance with her, but he did need to keep up appearances. He spotted her among the crowd and had to admit she really did look miserable.

She looked surprised and a little hopeful as he approached, looking rather sweet in her yellow dress. Yellow really was her colour. He held out his hand for her and she smiled hesitantly at him, placing her drink on the table beside her and taking his hand, allowing him to pull her onto the dance floor.

"Don't get any ideas," he said quietly, placing his hand on her hip.

"Wouldn't dream of it," she replied as her hand slid up to his shoulder. "I don't fancy becoming a rice crispy."

He snorted, a smile twitching his lips as they began to dance together.

"Where is she?" Barbara asked quietly. "Does she know you're dancing with me?"

"Yes," he replied, his eyes shifting around the room. "Your dad basically told me to."

She sighed sadly. "I saw you dancing together before. There was a time when you looked at me like that."

He glanced at her as they spun on the floor. "I don't think I've ever looked at anyone the way I look at her."

"Yeah, well I guess that's true. It was rather intense between the two of you. It's almost like you two can communicate with a look."

He chuckled at that. "You have no idea, Babs."

She gave a small smile. "At least you're talking to me."

He glanced at her again. "Would you prefer that I ignored you?"

She shook her head before her hand tightened around his. "Dick, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you. I shouldn't have expected… well… not after so long. That was rather… impulsive of me… I guess. It's just that sometimes you need to be hit over the head before you notice things; you're not one for making the first move. If I'd known-"

"You wouldn't have done it, yeah I get that. Doesn't make it any easier." He sighed and spun her around. "Look, we're both a little at fault. I overreacted and I'm sorry too. You threw me for a loop, I didn't know you still felt about me that way."

Barbara chewed her lip. "I'm not sure what I feel for you anymore. You were right, we were friends first, so I'll always love you for that. But in love?" She shrugged. "I always thought that it was the distance that broke us up and maybe there might be something there still. And that maybe if we gave it another chance, something would grow."

He frowned. "You told me there was someone else."

"Oh, c'mon, Dick," she said, giving him that sassy you're-too-stupid-to-live look she usually gave him when he was being an idiot. "You seriously think I'd do that to you? When you left you said you were never coming back, you were so angry with him. And then the Titans were formed and I knew you were serious. What was I supposed to do? Leave us both hanging? See what became of us? You weren't about to accept the 'long distance relationships never work' thing on its own and its not like you would have broken up with me. You're too much of a nice guy for that."

"I guess so," he replied with a sigh.

"Besides," Barbara continued, looking contrite. "There was someone else."

Dick raised his eyebrows and waited.

"Not straight away, of course… but…" she cringed and looked away. "He burned me badly, Dick. I guess I thought I'd be better off with someone that really knew who I was."

"Who was he, and how hard can I kill him?" Dick said immediately.

"Thanks," she told him. "I appreciate the sentiment. I can take care of myself, y'know. Been doing it for years now."

He grinned at her then nodded. "I'm sorry, Babs, I should've taken the time to tell you about her." He grunted. "And I definitely should have told Star about you. Would have saved us a lot of hassle."

Barbara gave a quiet giggle. "She's the jealous sort?"

Dick rolled his eyes. "You have absolutely no idea. You got off lightly."

Barbara's eyes widened in surprise. "You call a couple of those green things in the chest lightly? I still have bruises."

Dick chuckled. "Yup. Those were baby ones. She was saying 'hands off'."

"Shit."

He laughed and shifted his grip on her, relaxing more into dancing with her.

"She's a nice girl? You're happy?"

"Extremely."

Barbara dropped her eyes.

Dick heard the tinkle of Kori's laughter and looked around. He spotted Garfield and Rachel waltzing together in time with the music, although Garfield was continually glancing at his feet and stumbling. Just past them, Victor was trying to dance with Kori. She was giggling every time he stepped on her feet and Dick wasn't sure if Victor was doing it deliberately or not. Dick grinned as Victor raised his eyes and winked at him.

"He's not a very good dancer, is he?" Barbara asked, following Dick's gaze.

"He's just keeping her busy." He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Unless you want her to be watching you like a hawk."

"No thanks." She grimaced before a thoughtful look crossed her face. "What alias is he using?"

"Victor Stone," Dick told her. "Garfield Logan for the green one, and Rachel. Star's is Kori."

"Garfield?" Barbara asked incredulously. "Really?"

Dick smiled. "Yup."

"Wow, poor guy. So, does 'Vic' have a girlfriend?"

Dick's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? Are you on the prowl or something? Can't get me, so go for my friends?"

Barbara blushed. "No. He's kinda cute that's all. He's very protective of her isn't he, kinda like a big brother sorta way. I just wondered if there would be anyone else to cast green energy at me if I asked him to dance."

Dick grunted. "No, no girl for him. And a warning, if you decide to get involved. Gar and I owe Vic so much payback, you'll never get to kiss him."

Barbara pulled a face at him and punched his shoulder. "Who said anything about kissing him? I just want a dance, since apparently you're unavailable. Smart ass."

Dick laughed as the music drifted to a close and the next song began. Something shifted inside him, a sort of acceptance. Things would never be the same between them, but they might just be okay. He broke away from Barbara and took her hand. "Come on," he said dragging her over to Victor and Kori. He plucked Kori from Victor's arms. "Mine," he growled playfully and gave Barbara a small shove toward Victor. "Victor, Barbara, Barbara, Victor. She wants to dance with you," he said before twirling Kori away, grinning at the astonished looks on both their faces.

Kori giggled quietly. That was rude.

Nah, not really. He placed his hands on her back to pull her closer and began to slowly sway in time with the music. She did want to dance with him. Besides, I was jealous. Can't have you dancing with Vic, you two might decide to run away together.

She rolled her eyes at him. Yes, I am secretly in love with Victor. We plan to do the running away together and have many of the cybernetic babies. We are just, as you say, 'stringing you along' so we can have your vast wealth at our disposal.

He grinned cheekily. Ha! I knew it. I will foil your evil plan by… um… something… hang on, it will come to me…

She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. A spanking, perhaps?

Oh no, I have something delightfully more wicked than a spanking in mind.

She gave him that alluring smile he loved, her eyes shining merrily. He loved flirting with her like this; it made him so thankful to share this bond with her.

Did you have a nice dance with Barbara?

He shrugged. We talked. Sorted a few things out.

That is good, she murmured in reply.

She sighed blissfully as he rested his forehead on hers, her hands tightening around his neck. Her body swayed with his in time with the music, and for the time being he were content just to be close to her. But he also desperately wanted to kiss her, her face scant centimeters from his own and he knew from the glazed look in her eyes that she wanted him too.

But he could feel the eyes of others on them as well, that strange little tickle between his shoulder blades that meant he was being watched. He silently cursed his fate, couldn't kiss her as Robin or Nightwing in public and now he couldn't kiss her as Dick either, not if he wanted to protect her from the media frenzy that would follow.

Bruce made it look so easy, having a different woman on his arm every time he came to one of these events. The ultimate playboy and the vigilant dark knight, that was his father. A secret identity so far removed from his public one that no one would ever guess.

But Dick had never been that, never wanted to be that. And now he held the perfect woman in his arms, the one that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and he couldn't close that minuscule distance to publicly announce it. Dancing with her was fine; dancing was acceptable at these events. And he'd seen couples kissing openly on the dance floor before. But he was Dick Grayson, son of Bruce Wayne; the billionaire playboy philanthropist and things were not so simple for Dick. He had to show decorum and restraint and not embarrass his father.

Her eyes cleared as she realised how close they were and she made the decision for him. She lifted her forehead from his and loosened her arms around his neck. Suddenly he didn't care what anyone else thought. The only thing that mattered was her and his need for her.

His hands tightened on her back, pulling her closer and he captured her lips with his. She made that adorable muffled squeak that he always got when he surprised her before melting against him. It was a searing kiss, one that made his toes curl and his heart pound within his chest. She was so sexy and sweet and tasted of chocolate and he briefly wondered where she found some. His head spun and he felt like he could kiss her forever and never get enough.

Dick needed Kori, just as Nightwing needed Starfire and he never going to be afraid to show his feelings for her again, enemies be damned.

He continued kissing her, his hands warm on her back as he pulled her against him and they swayed in time with music that he could no longer hear.

Someone bumped into them, hard. He snapped open his eyes, dragging his lips from Kori. She gazed at him starry eyed.

"Dick," Victor's hissed voice as he and Barbara danced past. "Feet!"

He frowned incomprehensibly for a moment, annoyed to be interrupted before he looked back at Kori, suddenly glad he'd been holding on to her so tightly. Star, ground yourself.

The glazed look in her eyes vanished in an instant; she glanced down and flushed red. I apologise.

He smiled and loosened his grip. Am I wearing your lipstick?

She looked at his mouth and smiled. No.

He took her hand and led her away from the dance floor, trying to ignore the knowing glances from the other dancers.

"Having fun?" a voice asked and Dick cringed, turning around to face his father.

"Um, yes?" he answered quietly, hoping that was the correct answer.

"You do realise that picture is going to make the front page tomorrow."

Dick swallowed. "What picture?"

Bruce chuckled. "You didn't see the flash? Dick, you've got it bad."

Dick reddened and rubbed the back of his neck.

Bruce held his hand out to Kori. "It must be my turn for a dance by now."

Kori cast a glance at Dick before accepting Bruce's hand and allowed him to take her back to the dance floor.

Dick sighed and went to fetch himself a drink, before watching his father dancing with his love.

"So, a little more than friends are we?" a voice asked and Dick turned to see Vicki.

"Hi Vicki," he said before draining his cup. "How are you?"

"Quite well, thanks for asking. Care to make a statement, or should I just make things up now that I have a smashing picture for tomorrows paper."

Dick sighed, returning his eyes to Kori. "What would you like to know?"

"Are you dating her?"

Dick rolled his eyes. "No, I just like to make out in the middle of the dance floor with random girls. Of course I'm dating her."

"Is it serious?"

He turned and regarded her. "We're seventeen. Everything's serious."

She chuckled. "Where's she from?"

Dick cracked a grin. "Outer space."

Vicki huffed. "Funny, Dick."

"I like to think so."

"Have a thing for redheads then?" she asked slyly. "First Barbara Gordon and now this Kori Anders."

Dick glanced at her hair. "You trying to line up to be next?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Which school are you attending?"

"Brutus' Academy for the Criminally Insane and Morally inept," he deadpanned.

"Oh ha ha, very droll. If you don't want to answer my questions, Dick, I might just have to make something up. Can you live with that?"

He poured himself another drink and picked up one for Kori too. "I always thought your fiction was better than your fact anyway, Vicki. Thanks for the chat." He walked away.

"She could be after your money," Vicki called after him.

He stopped and turned around. "Vicki, when we fell in love, she didn't know who Dick Grayson was; she doesn't care about money. Besides, I'm richer just by being near her. And that's something you can print."

TTTTT

"Stop looking down," Rachel hissed.

Garfield's head jerked up and he felt a blush creep across his face. "Sorry Rae, I just don't want to step on your feet that's all."

"Yeah, well, its making me think you're looking down the front of my dress. I can't imagine what other people are thinking."

Now the blush was spreading down his neck and his eyes widened with surprise and a touch of horror. "Sorry," he blurted.

Rachel's expression softened. "Look, we don't have to dance. Nobody is going to say anything if we don't."

Garfield swallowed nervously. "I want to dance with you, Rae," he said, meaning every word. He really did want to dance with her. It was nice doing things as a couple, just the two of them, even if he couldn't dance. And he didn't care about the teasing he was going to cop from Victor later for trying to dance with her.

Rachel chewed her lip. "Why don't we do that swaying thing that Kori and Dick were doing before? That looked easier."

Garfield raised his eyebrows. "I thought you said that was just glorified hugging?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, pressing her lips into a line.

He shifted his grip on her, pulling her arms up so she could wrap them around his neck and placed his hands on her back. He drew her closer as he slowed their movement until they simply swayed in time with the music.

She gave a small sigh and rested her head on his neck. "See, easier."

"I should listen to you more often," he murmured.

She snorted. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself if you actually listened to me."

He chuckled lightly before falling silent. He couldn't remember a time when he'd felt more content. She was genuinely trying in this relationship now, making leaps and bounds in expressing her emotions. Even though the same old Rachel still existed, bleak, moody, and gloomy, she didn't seem quite so dark. And he saw her smile so much more, especially at him. But it didn't matter; he had enough smiles for the both of them.

"Hey, Rae?"

"Hmm?"

"You know you look really beautiful tonight."

"You're just saying that," she replied tonelessly.

"I really mean it. You're the prettiest girl here."

She raised her head to look at him, her eyebrows arching. "So, you've had time to look at other girls?"

He frowned. "You're being difficult again. Take the compliment. I think you look gorgeous."

She studied him carefully and he kept his eyes fixed on hers. "Thanks," she said eventually. "It means a lot."

He gave her a bright smile. "You're welcome."

She allowed him a small smile and lay her head back on his neck. "This is nice," she murmured softly.

"Yeah," he mumbled, his arms tightening around her as he rested his cheek on her hair and they continued to sway, allowing the beat of the music to wash over them.

"Hey, Rae?"

"Yes, Gar?" she asked as she raised her head to look at him again.

He ducked his head close to her ear, giving her a small kiss on the skin just below it. "I love you," he whispered.

He pulled away to see a tiny dreamy smile form Rachel's lips and smiled contently to himself.

TTTTT

It was becoming too much. Too many people, too many different sounds.

The noises were overly loud and were beginning to echo, rolling around inside her head like the waves on the ocean. Voices crashed against each other and she could no longer differentiate the individual sounds. Laughter became hysterical, a clutter of silverware became an explosion of sound, and the music seemed to waver, speeding up and slowing down uncontrollably.

The sparkling light from the chandelier on the roof was suddenly too vivid and hurt her eyes. Strange colours cascaded through the air where there should be no colour; light appeared to flow liked a river, snaking through the air.

The ground seemed to roll beneath her feet. Her head spun and the world twisted on its axis, revolving around her with blinding speed.

So she looked at the only thing standing still within the swirling colours and the rolling sound. Concerned blue eyes stared back at her. He turned his eyes from her and his lips moved in slow motion, sound warbling from them. And then he was taking her by the hand and leading her somewhere and she could do nothing but follow compliantly, for he was her rock against the world that tumbled down around her.

He turned back to face her, gathering her into his arms, drawing her into a seat. Something pressed against the back of her head, directing her toward his chest. A hand caressed her hair in long leisurely strokes. She pressed her hands against his chest and closed her eyes allowing the motion of his hand and the beating of his heart to soothe her.

It was safe in the dark with only the sound of his beating heart thudding in her awareness.

Other sounds gradually filtered back into her consciousness. The music no longer wavered uncontrollably; the voices were no longer jumbled. The wild rolling of the floor halted.

She risked opening her eyes. The light no longer hurt her eyes and the colours had returned to normal.

The alcove around her was dimly light. A small lamp on a table against wall illuminated red walls. There was a small wooden coffee table before her and beyond that was a sofa. Rachel and Garfield sat together quietly talking to each other. Victor sat on an armchair near a curtained doorframe, the red curtain pulled across to give them privacy.

She was lying on Dick's chest; she could feel his leg up on the sofa against her back, his hand on her hair, the other on her stomach.

Kori flexed her fingers, before moving them down to wrap around his waist.

"Here she is," Dick murmured softly and his hand stopped caressing her hair to rest on her shoulder.

She tilted her head up to see him. There was a soft smile playing on his lips and a concerned look in his eyes.

"Hi Star," he whispered. "Feeling better?"

She blinked at him before lifting her head off his chest, a blush creeping along her cheeks. "I apologise," she said quietly. She hated these attacks, the feeling of being overwhelmed when around too many people. It was so much easier when she could just retreat and stare. But they didn't seem to be getting worse, they just sort of happened and then they were over.

He lifted his hand off her stomach and brushed her cheek. "You were overwhelmed. It happens. Don't worry about it. You've had to meet so many different people tonight and I know how crowds make you feel at the moment. You've done really well Star, you lasted a lot longer that we thought you would." He glanced over at their friends. "I think we were all glad to get away for a while."

"Yeah," Garfield added quietly. "Most of their jokes aren't even funny. I mean, c'mon. Batman jokes? That is so unoriginal."

Dick chuckled. "You wait until you hear some of the Robin jokes. I mean for God's sake, 'Holy haberdashery, Batman'? As if. Who would seriously say something like that?"

Kori leaned toward him, a smile playing on her face. "Richard, you just did."

The Titans cracked up laughing leaving their leader red-faced.

TTTTT

Dick sighed as he let the warm water of the shower wash over him.

He was glad that event was over and done with. It had actually been quite enjoyable having his friends there with him, but he'd still done his duty. He and Kori had mingled with the upper crust of Gotham, listening to them harp on about themselves and laughing at their jokes even though he was sure Kori didn't understand half of them. She had played her part amazingly, smiling prettily, remembering peoples names and tolerated the teasing flirting that some of Bruce's high society friends had inflicted upon her. And she'd never let go of his hand.

She'd felt the need to retreat halfway through the night, so he and their friends had taken her back to one of the many alcoves used for privacy and she'd laid her head on his chest until she felt strong enough to continue. She'd done so well and he was incredibly proud of her. These anxiety attacks she was having were concerning but understandable and she wasn't letting them stand in her way. He was just glad she was finally recovering.

He placed his head under the water, letting it run through his hair and fill his ears.

Christmas day was only a week away and they still had two events to attend. At least the two remaining ones were at the Manor. One was a fancy dress ball and he was actually looking forward to that one. So was Garfield.

Richard?

In the shower. I'll be out in a minute. He turned around, lifting his face under the spray, water still clogging his ears.

Soft hands encircled his stomach, running its fingers lithely up his chest and he jumped, pulling his head out from under the water and blinking rapidly to clear his eyes. "Star?"

He heard Kori giggle, her hands on his hips as she spun him around to face her, before pressing him up against the tiled wall, her lips fastened on his. He made a small muffled sound of surprise before he brought his arms around to hold her, parting his lips to play with her tongue.

She lingered on his mouth for quite some time before she pulled away, a wicked grin crossing her features. She kissed her way down his chest, her hands trailing after her mouth, brushing over already sensitive skin. He blinked in confusion as she dropped her knees, her hands splayed across his stomach.

He bucked once; flinging his hands wide to grab onto the walls to brace himself as her moist mouth drew him inside. She grabbed onto his hips to hold him still as she began to lightly suckle, her tongue sliding along. She'd never done this before and he'd never realised it could feel this good.

His eyes closed and his head lolled back, resting on the wall and a strange keening sound escaped his mouth at the sensations that rocked through his body. She hummed against him, sending the vibrations tumbling down his organ and rippling through him, creating reactions he never dreamed possible.

He grabbed onto her shoulders as she gently began to bob, drawing more and more inside her mouth every time she moved. A long moan escaped him as his pleasure began building from within, threatening to spill over. Her teeth scraped him and he bucked against her. "Oh god, Star…" he moaned, his hands kneading her shoulders.

She shifted against him, drawing as much of him inside her mouth as possible, before he felt her tongue lightly slip along the skin beneath the tip. Pleasure jolted through him, sweeping through his body in a wave of ecstasy and making him dizzy. His knees went weak and he felt her fingers tighten around his hips to hold him up.

In ways he'd never dreamed possible, she began moving her tongue around.

The eminent explosion was coming; he could feel it gathering, a deep throbbing in his loins, a clenching of muscles and the quickening of his breath. She began to move faster, her lips and tongue sliding along and he struggled to hold it back. "Star… I need… I mean… I can't… oh god… please Star…"

Let it go Richard.

He groaned loudly, his hands grasping at her head, his body spasming in pleasure as he released himself into her mouth.

He felt her mouth move as she freed his member and moved away. Her hands still held fast on his hip and he peeked open his eyes to see her standing under the water with an opened mouth.

Dick went bright red. "Oh god Star, I shouldn't have… I'm sorry…"

She looked at him, amused. "I do not mind." She giggled and caressed his face with her fingers before stepping out of the shower. That was most enjoyable. You made the cutest little noises.

He groaned again turning around in the shower to thump his head against the wall, before turning the water off and getting out of the shower. She had a towel ready for him, that naughty little smile still lingering on her face. God he had missed that smile. What brought that on?

Kori smiled as she wrapped the towel around his shoulders and reached for the puddle of clothes she had quickly discarded. "I had a glorious night; it was truly wonderful dancing with you and being with our friends."

He dried himself quickly before pulling on his pajama pants that he'd left on the bench. "I had tons of fun too. Usually those things are really boring, but for the first time, I didn't want to come home." He eyed her. "But that doesn't explain why you just did that."

Her face fell. "You did not enjoy it?"

"Oh god, Star, you have no idea what you do to me do you? That was mind blowing."

She brightened again. "I am glad."

"What happened to my sweet and innocent, Star? The one who didn't understand the lustful and wicked ways of sex?"

"She was embraced by the wings of the night."

She smiled alluringly and he tackled her, his hands running up her back under her shirt, before he attached his mouth to hers. I hope you weren't planning on getting any sleep tonight.

Author's Note: That thing Star had was the Tamaranian version on an anxiety attack.