Hello everyone! It has been a very very long time since I've updated this story! For that I completely apologize! Some aspects of life become so consuming that certain projects are placed on the backburner, but this weekend I just had to write.
I hope that this post even comes with replies, as I'm afraid I've lost a lot of readers. But for those of you who continue to read the story thank-you so much! I appreciate that you care!
Here it is:
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans. I just ran with it.
Chapter 7: The Revelation
Intro
There are those who believe that we are all destined to be someone or something. That each individual life has its own determined before it is even given a life to live. For these people life is the actions we take in fulfilling those destinies to make destinies for those to come.
For others, however, destiny is simply a choice. Like a woven spiders web there are endless possibilities of design and route. Our lives here on this earth are to find the route best meant for us. We will have a period of trail and error, but eventually we will be on the right route to our self- chosen destiny. Even when it seems like we have no correct route, we are, in fact, on the route itself.
As for the latter, if destiny is a choice, then if one had chosen a different route how would have their destiny played out? And if our destinies are already chosen for us, can we change it? Or are we just meant to live without belief in destiny at all…
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS" Welcome to Star Labs! Welcome to the future!" said an unseen repeating monotone voice at the entrance of the Star Labs facility.
Sam the security guard made his morning rounds, to check up on all of the floors of the main building. He was an older mad of fifty-two who had just lost his wife a year back. He once worked for the first Star Labs as a security guard and when it reopened was offered his old job back.
Sam had seen some pretty interesting things while working at this facility. He had seen people come and go as the years past. Some would enter the building on a Tuesday and not leave until Saturday, where they would disappear to for all that time he did not now.
He found it interesting that the facility had re-opened on the same ground it was on and was re-built to look mostly the same. But what he found most surprising is that the public was so eager to take it back, especially after what happened the last time.
The day before Dr. Stone was killed all those years ago Sam had been working at the front desk as he usually did. It was when Mr. Slate walked past him that he looked up from the T.V monitors and smiled. Slate didn't see him, and kept walking muttering things under his breath.
Behind him came a young intern, Charles Swartz, who fumbled with files in his hands and quickly rushed to catch up with his boss. He stopped at Sam's desk, however, before heading on.
" I need you to call the fifth floor and tell them there will be an emergency meeting with Mr. Slate in his office," Charles said hurriedly.
Sam smiled softly, " I was just up there five minutes ago sir and only Dr. Stone was on the floor, it's Wednesday all the others are off."
Charles snickered, " I know Mr. Stone is the only one up on the fifth floor. Do think I'm incompetent, you old man? I asked you to call the fifth floor and tell him there is a meeting with Mr. Slate immediately! If you can't understand what I just said then maybe you should check yourself into a home, where you can be with other senile people!"
Charles walked away angrily and Sam grunted. That brat.
He called up to the fifth floor and informed Dr. Stone of the immediate meeting.
But when Dr. Stone reached the first floor, however, he seemed to be flustered.
" Hello Dr. Stone, how are you today?" Sam asked pleasantly.
When Dr. Stone looked up Sam would never forget the look in his eye, the one of fear.
Dr. Stone looked around nervously and muttered, " Fine." Then he sauntered away
Dr. Stone never came back that day, and the next day he was found dead. About a year later when the building was destroyed Sam had looked up from his safety in the parking lot and saw that that fifth floor was set a blaze and sighed. But what most disturbed him was that the fire seemed to be located underground as well….
Oh yes Sam knew that there was something wrong with this company, but he stayed. He stayed because it comforted him to know at least he was somewhere familiar.
He got into the elevator now, years later after doing his rounds on the new fifth floor. As the doors opened a young woman with blonde hair and green eyes quickly brushed past him and headed on to the end of the corridor.
Sam sighed, when would people ever learn to slow down?
However, what Sam didn't know was that this woman hurried because she didn't have much time.
Kori ran her fingers through her blonde wig as she took a Star Labs I.D. Card from her pocket.
Roberta Rangel had given her an actual key to the puzzle.
Kori slid it threw the slot and the door clicked open as the switched to green.
Kori gently pushed down the door's sliver handle and slipped inside. It was a normal lab with computers and clean tables with bottles and flasks on top of them. The room was a bland white that gleamed unnaturally with only one wide window built into the wall.
She made her way over to an office in the back. Roberta's name was still located in the name slate. Then she once again used the I.D. card to open this door as well and slipped into the small office, locking the door behind her.
Roberta had only been dead for two days and yet all her things had been cleared from the office, all except for the computer.
Kori quickly turned it on and it loaded up. She went through files but everything had been deleted. Just as she was about to give up Kori went to the computers recycle bin and saw that some documents had survived someone's wipe of the computer.
She restored the files and attempted to open them. That's when she realized that these weren't files they were programs. They were locked programs.
She sighed and looked at the computer screen blankly. She wished she had brought Greg, the computer mastermind. The door to the lab started to open and Kori quickly reached into her bag. She knew a simple floppy disk couldn't possibly hold all these programs, but a flash drive could. Hopefully she could work it.
Footsteps sounded from the entrance of the lab and started to make their way towards her.
She inserted the flash drive and began to upload the files just as Greg had instructed her to do. She then quickly removed the flash drive and slid it back into her purse as the door to the office opened.
Two men came in and looked around the empty room.
" Bring it in," said one man to the other.
The other man wheeled in a lifter into the room as the other man quickly unhooked the computer and placed it on the lifter. After a few minutes they left with the computer.
Meanwhile Kori had looked upon them from against the ceiling. After they left she floated down and landed on the soft carpeting.
She had gotten the files before they had gotten the computer.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS" What do you mean you lost them?!" demanded Charles as he slammed his fists down on the oak desk.
The Stranger replied calmly, " I lost them when the police came."
" To whom, may I ask did you loose them to?" Charles inquired darkly.
" Nightwing, but I'll get them back," The Stranger assured his boss.
" You'd be best to do so, because I can assure you: fail and I'll bury you so deep not even the worms will find you," Charles threatened.
The Stranger nodded silently and left the office.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSThe elevator doors slid open and Kori stepped out, with a cup of coffee in her hand, and started to walk briskly towards her cubicle.
As she rounded the corner, and entered her cubicle Kori was met by the familiar face of Gotham's biggest playboy.
" Hey long time no see. Nice work environment, you could clean up a bit though," Richard said slyly.
" If this is a ploy to get me into bed with you, sitting in my chair and criticizing how I work isn't really good tact on your part," Kori said agitated.
" I'm sorry," he apologized, " I kept calling, and you never returned my calls. So I figured I'd just go straight to the source. Greg told me I could wait here."
" Great…now you're talking to my friends too," Kori moaned. She motioned for him to move, Richard stood up and bowed as she sat in the car. " Very funny wise guy. So what is it that you want?"
" Well two things: One I want to go out with you again tonight." Richard stated.
Kori raised an eyebrow, " Look the other night I only went out with you for the interview. So, unless you have any more to tell me, no more dates are necessary."
" Why can't we just go out on a date?" he asked playfully. " I'll behave, scouts honor."
Kori chuckled, " You're no more a scout than I'm a saint." She looked up at him. Richard leaned against the cubicle wall and smiled.
Smiling softly he said, " It'll be nice. Come and have dinner with me. I'm not trying to have sex with you, just genuine conversation."
"Alright. I'll meet you at Sopia at eight o'clock tonight. Don't be late," she answered turning to her computer. Richard smiled and tilted an invisible hat.
He left whistling.
Greg popped his head over the cubicle and winked, " I guess you're a hypocrite now."
Kori narrowed her eyes, " Revenge will be mine Greg, and when it comes it shall be shift."
He laughed, " You know you love me for doing it. You have to really put yourself out there Kori. No more hiding behind that mask of yours."
She rolled her eyes, " You have no idea."
"What's that?" Greg asked nodding to the flash drive she was now removing from her purse.
"This," she answered, "are program files I saved off Roberta Rangel's computer before it was dumped. They're locked. Can you open them?"
Greg snatched the flash drive from her hands and opened them on his computer. Kori looked on as he rapidly typed and winced.
" Kori, it's more than just a matter of me proclaimed 'open sesame'. The lock isn't the problem. It's encrypted. I can decode it but it may take a few days," Greg said looking up at her.
Kori sighed, " Do what have to do and get it done soon. Thanks Greg."
Greg smiled, "No problem." As she turned away he said, " Kori, how did you get this?"
She slowly turned back to him and said winking, " I have friends in high places."
This time Greg narrowed his eyes, " Well, tell your friends that breaking into a highly guarded facility is dangerous. These files are not meant to be discovered and a company like STAR will do anything to protect its dirty little secrets. Anything. Be careful."
Kori smiled, " I'll pass on the message."
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSThe traffic light flashed to yellow and Dick began to slow down. When he stopped he took out his cell phone and dialed a number
"Y'ellow?" asked a voice from the other end of the line.
"Roy, hey it's Dick. I need you do me a favor." Richard said.
" I guess I owe you one," said Roy's voice. " What can I do for you?"
"I need you to find out someone's identity for me," Richard said calmly.
There was a pause. "Who?"
Richard sighed and under his sunglasses tightened his eyes, "I think Starfire's alive and in town."
Roy sighed and ran his fingers trough his hair, " Man, you've got to let this go. She died a long time ago. Whoever this chick is, it's not her."
Richard grew aggravated, " Don't you think Bruce has been feeding me the exact same line, Roy?! Look I fought her last night and-."
"Whoa! Now you're fighting dead chicks?!"
" She's not dead! I don't know how she survived that car accident, but she did. I need to find her."
" So, you're looking for her alter ego? And then what Dick? Are you just going to go to her house, knock on the door and everything will be happily ever after? It's not going to work like that man. She fought you last night. She's been alive for fifteen years and hasn't contacted you in anyway. She hasn't contacted any of the Titans as far as we know. Obviously she does not want to be found, especially by you." Roy argued.
Richard was quiet and then whispered, " Roy, fifteen years ago the one thing that I ever loved… the one thing that I ever loved was lost to me. And it was my fault. I can't change the past. But, damnit, if this is my second chance, if only to say I'm sorry, I have to take it. Wouldn't you take it? I wished that I could hold her again, just once more."
"Richard, we all lose people in this business."
"You see, that's why I ran when I should've stayed."
Silence.
Then Roy said, "I'll see what I can do. But if you can get a DNA sample off this girl I'll run it against some of Starfire's DNA, okay?"
"Thanks man," Richard said.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSopia was the newest and most popular restaurant in town. Its décor was modern and sleek. The list to get into this first-class establishment was over a yearlong and it guests were mostly high-class players. This included Richard Grayson.
Kori wore a green gown that flowed to her feet and complimented her form. As she stepped out the taxi the photographers in front of the building looked up to see if a starlet had arrived. But they quickly went back to talking after discovering it was an ordinary woman.
Kori entered the lavish foyer and approached the host.
"Do you have a reservation?" a man about fifty with a well to do accent and mustache asked without looking up from his book.
"Yes, its under Grayson."
The man looked up with a shocked look. " Yes, yes! Mr. Grayson has already arrived! Please right this way madam."
She followed the now lively man to a table in the private section of the restaurant.
There the playboy sat slowly drinking champagne in a tuxedo. Across from him lay her place with a single red rose laid across the places settings.
Richard saw her and stood up and proceeded to pull out her chair.
She sat and the host quickly gave them the menu. Then with many "sirs" and "madams" left them.
Kori smiled and raised and eyebrow, "You clean up nicely."
"Only what years of training by Bruce can deliver," Richard winked. They ordered and talked while they ate.
" I like talking to you," Richard said. "It's easy."
"You'd be first to think so," said Kori.
"Well I'm not saying it's easy to get you to talk, but once you do…amazing. It's like there's more than there is on the surface to you." Richard commented.
"Same goes for you actually," Kori said, " and here I thought you were a shallow spoiled brat."
"People surprise you if you just let them in."
"Do you ever let anyone see those eyes of yours?"
Richard's hand automatically felt his sunglasses and his finger softly traced the rim. "Some people."
"Makes me wonder what secrets your keeping." Kori said smiling. " What is Richard Grayson's dark mystery? We all have one."
Richard leaned across the table towards her and she felt herself follow suit.
When their noses were barely touching he stopped. "You first."
"I can't," she whispered.
"Than how can I?" he asked.
"Maybe we can work something out." They moved in to touch their lips and all of the sudden the world around them ceased to exist. But it came back with a jolt.
Across the room the wall had exploded and people inside the restaurant dashed for the exits screaming and pushing.
"What the hell?" Richard said standing up.
The dust began to clear, a figure moved into the room from outside of the hole, and stood in the center of the debris.
"Fun, fun, fun! Fun with my gun!" screamed a high-pitched voice of a short-mole like man. His clothes were tan leather and he wore a funny looking furry hat on the top of his head. He took out a rifle from underneath his coat and began to shoot.
"Kori get down!" Richard shouted as he pushed the floor and covered her. The remaining people in the restaurant rushed to leave.
After the shooting stopped Kori stood up.
"Exit through the kitchen!" she heard Richard shout at her and then he was gone.
"Wait, Richard?" she called out but he was nowhere to be found. Giving up she did exit through the kitchen, but only to return.
Meanwhile the short odd-looking man began to tromp through the remains of the restaurant, snagging every available object and putting into a burlap sack.
"You know, stealing is against the law," a voice said from behind him. The Mole quickly turned but with kicked in the face by a black boot, the sack went flying.
The Mole stumbled trying to stand, " First I can't get reservations and now this!"
Nightwing drew hid descrina sticks while dodging bullets the Mole fired.
"No, no! Naughty, naughty Nightwing!" The Mole said as he quickly shot a weapon at Nightwing, which made him hang upside down by invisible ropes
Nightwing struggled to find his invisible ropes.
The Mole curiously wobbled over to him and said laughing, "Why, why, why! Isn't it Robin all grown up. Very interesting. You imprisoned me once. Damn teenager!"
"Now I remember you. You pesky son of a bitch." Nightwing said angrily.
"You'd forgotten!? Now, that hurts. That really hurts. Makes me want to ruffle some feathers!" The Mole shouted.
Nightwing fell to the floor and quickly stood up. He threw attacks at The Mole who dogged them and shot attacks back at him. They fought vigorously and finally The Mole had the upper hand. He used a levitating gun to lift Nightwing up and threw him across the room.
"Hahahaha! Pathetic!"
"Not so fast." Said the voice of a woman.
The Mole turned around. "And who might you be? Superheroes are like the herpes of this town!"
"Cute attempt at an analogy!" said Starfire as she entered. "Now I know why you've turned to robbing for a living."
The Mole grew red, " I didn't know birdie had a friend."
"Not exactly." A green aurora appeared around her hands and she fired relentlessly.
By this time Nightwing had stood up. He looked on as Starfire and The Mole fought each other. At one point she flew into the air, grabbed the Mole, and let him fall.
The Mole fell and crashed into a table. He moved no longer.
"Starfire." Nightwing said.
She turned and looked at him from her place in the air. "Figures you'd be here."
"Why did you help me?" he asked.
She sniffed at him, "I helped Gotham, not you. Same as always, just caught up in yourself."
"Star wait!" he shouted.
"My name was never Star!" she shouted back as she broke though the ceiling and flew away.
After she left he looked down on the unconscious Mole. In his hand were strands of red hair. He picked them up and had them sent to Roy.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSA little while later outside of the restaurant Richard looked frantically around for Kori.
He soon saw he across the street and rushed toward her. Much to her surprise he hugged her tightly.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she answered. "Where did you go?"
"I held him off so some other people could get out before Nightwing arrived." He lied. "So much for dinner."
Kori smiled, " I had a good time anyway."
The moon shone through the trees as they drove toward Richard's mansion. They approached the iron gates, which opened automatically. There was no conversation between the two as they drove up to the front of the house. Only the crushing gravel under the wheels of the car could be heard.
Richard stopped the car and turned off its motor. Then he walked over to Kori's side to the car and opened her door.
He took her hand in his and they walked to the front door of the mansion. Richard opened the creaking door slowly. Kori took off her coat and handed it to him.
" This place is pretty much huge," Kori commented as they walked toward the master staircase.
"It's been in Bruce's family for a while. Not my really my style, but I don't complain. You should see the basement!"
Kori laughed and asked, "Wait, is Bruce here?"
Richard shrugged, "Probably not. He's out late most of the time. God knows where."
The couple reached the third floor and proceeded to walk to Richard's bedroom.
He opened the door and did a playful bow. Kori just rolled her eyes and walked in.
"Wow," she said, " It's very…."
"Boring," Richard filled in. "I'm not here much, so there's no point in really decorating it."
Kori looked around at the fine fixings in the room and the large furniture. The décor was most definitely classic and lavish. "It's classy though. Perhaps, it will rub off on you."
Richard walked over to the window and pulled the draperies back, "Cute. But the one thing I love about this room is that I can always fill it with light." Moonlight now slightly illuminated the room.
He walked towards her and stopped when he was in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "I believe we where here in the restaurant."
He then leaned in and kissed her softly. She kissed him back and they moved towards the bed.
"I'm kind of nervous," Richard admitted.
Kori smiled, " Gotham's biggest playboy is nervous?"
Richard put his forehead against hers and pulled away saying, "I don't do this often."
"Really?!"
Richard chuckled, "I am what the tabloids make me. But really, I normally just don't have enough time, or energy, to bring girls home every night…or any night."
"You're right. People can surprise you," Kori said softly kissing him again.
They sat on the silk sheets kissing for a few minutes when Richard stopped.
"I think I can take these off now," Richard whispered as removed his sunglasses and placed them on the nightstand.
Kori's eyes widened as she proclaimed, "Your eyes!"
He looked at her with crystal blue eyes with a solid black iris, gleaming with a hint of green that seemed to pierce her very being. She had only seen those eyes once before….
He leaned in to kiss her again and she pulled away. Standing up, she ran her fingers through her hair and looked at the carpet.
"Kori what's wrong?"
She looked back at him with teary eyes, "I just realized something…"
He stood and quickly walked over to her. He reached for her hand and she tried to pull away but he took hers in his. "What?"
She looked into his eyes, "I just—I just have to go. I can't do this."
He pulled her closer to him. "Please don't go." She looked up at him and brushed her cheek softly.
"Your name is Richard," she whispered softly.
"What does that mean?" he asked kissing her neck.
"I…I just like that name." Kori said slightly smiling. I never knew. Then she let him lead her, again, toward the bed.
A few hours later Kori woke up in Richard's arms. She looked up at her lover who was sleeping soundly. She positioned her body so she would be face to face with him.
She stared for a few minutes and gently ran her fingers though his hair. "Robin."
Yesterday if someone would've told her she was going to sleep with Richard Grayson she would've laughed. Yesterday, if someone told her that Richard Grayson was really Robin…
"I still love you," she whispered. "I'm sorry." Robin slept on.
But now she had to go.
She unraveled herself from him, slipped out from under the warmth of the covers, and slipped on her green dress, which rested across the room.
Before leaving she wandered back over to where Robin slept and kissed his lips. He smiled in his sleep and turned away. Then she made her way out the door.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS8/16/07
Dear Diary,
My lovelies met me when I arrived home today. Unfortunately for Oreo, Snappy ate his dinner again so he was very cranky.
Ma called. She's back in home in New York now after her trip from Rino and apparently she brought me a surprise back. It's probably another linen to add to my collection. When will she realize that those linens will never emerge from my closet? I'm never getting married. Marty was the one and now he's married with three children. My job is my marriage; I chose it over him didn't I?
Speaking of work, an interesting occurrence happened today. I was working when Charles entered my lab. You can imagine my surprise, since every order I've received from him came directly from an envelope.
'You've done well' he said. 'It has worked.'
Well, I thanked him and he purposed that I take a paid vacation. Of course I declined.
It's ironic isn't it? Here I am developing a micro- technology that will insure an infant's future when I can't have children. I take pride and joy; however, in knowing that lives will be saved because of my work, in that way I am a mother.
I must admit…despite my happiness in discovering the mRNA that will properly transfer, I'm a bit weary on what happens next.
Just the other day a man contacted me by the name of Dubose. He asked me several perturbing questions about my work. Well, since he was one of the investors I told him what my role was but said, truthfully, that once I discovered how to create the mRNA I gave it on to someone else. That someone else, whoever they are, goes from there.
He assured me that all was well, but the conference disturbed me. Who was this man telling me how to do my job? I told him so and then he expressed something even more interesting.
I won't write down the entire conversation but will leave you with the results: I think I'll leave the company soon. I feel like the entire truth hasn't been made clear to me. Whatever this truth is I'm not exactly sure I want to know. Dubose mentioned someone kind of underground room, but I've never seen one before… I just don't know what to believe!
…But…
I sent a copy of my files to him. Was that a mistake?
I think it was Diary! What will happen if they somehow how found out and traced it to me? But, I must reason! What are they going to do? Kill me? I think not.
I'll just leave. I'll just hand in my resignation tomorrow. That's what I'll do and I'll do it straight and put this whole mess behind me. Maybe I'll move back home…
A sense of dread has come over me. All I want is for someone to tell me that everything is all right and perhaps I can make it go away.
I'm leaving Gotham tomorrow night. I must.
Hopes for a better tomorrow,
Roberta Rangel
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKori wiped a tear that began to slide down her cheek. There was no sound in the taxi as it drove back toward the inner city.
She leaned her head back against the black leather seat and closed her eyes, inhaled, and exhaled. She lay like that for a few minutes with her finger tracing the stitching of the seating next to her.
Maybe she was just paranoid. There was a chance that she completely took the eye thing the wrong way and ran with it. She hadn't been intimate with anyone in a long time, she could've been just freaking out.
The thing was: she wasn't being paranoid.
Those eyes, those crystal blue eyes. No one had those eyes, except for one person and she had only seen them once. He had Robin's eyes and no one had Robin's eyes. No one.
It had to be him. It would make sense too, especially tonight at the restaurant. Nightwing had gotten there in a suspiciously short amount of time.
But did he know who she was?
No, he didn't know. She was sure of it. Nightwing had followed her all over town trying to talk and if he knew she was next to him in bed, he would've said something. All if a sudden she purposely slammed her head into the back of the headrest of the passenger seat.
"Hey lady take it easy on the upholstery!" yelled the cab driver.
She had slept with him, with Richard, with Robin. She knew who he was when she decided to go through with it too.
Anger began to come over her as she thought more and more about it. How could she not realize who he was to begin with? Now everything was at stake. Robin couldn't know who she was, he just couldn't. There were too many lies, too much history between them.
Now she had to go back to laying low. It was just a matter of time before he found out her secret. He probably already had someone tracking down Starfire. Why was every meaningful relationship she had so complicated? Better yet, why was every meaningful relationship she had with the same guy?
Just as she was about to scream her cell phone rang. The caller ID read: Greg.
"Hey Greg what's up?" she asked answering the phone.
"Hey I'm glad you're awake. I know that its three A.M. and your probably cuddled up in billionaire boy's arms, but I think you really need to get over to the office," Greg said urgently.
Kori sat up, " Did you decode it?"
"You bet I did, hurry," then there was a click.
Kori stuffed her phone back into her purse and said to the driver, "Change of plans. I'm going to need you to take a right."
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSMeanwhile back at the Wayne Mansion another cell phone began to ring.
Richard rolled over to feel for Kori and sat up immediately when he felt no one next to him. Ignoring the cell phone, he slipped back on his boxers, got up and looked around the bedroom. Her things were missing and she was nowhere to be found.
"Crap!" he moaned. She had slipped away while he slept.
The cell phone began to ring again and he walked back over to the nightstand.
"Hello?" he said answering it.
"Hey Rich it's Roy," said the voice on the other end.
Richard sighed and sat down on the bed, "Hey man."
"Okay tested that DNA sample you sent me and I have got major news!" Roy exclaimed spinning around in his leather computer chair inside of his office at the club.
"And?!"
"It's her alright. But we have another problem." Roy replied.
"Okay and…?"
"Are you ready for this?"
"On with it Roy!" Richard demanded.
"Okay, so I compared the hair sample with Starfire's DNA sample taken just after she came to Earth and it's perfect match. But, when I ran it in the local files another name came up. Kori Anders." Roy said hurriedly.
"What?" exclaimed Richard.
"Exactly my reaction! So I went back to sixteen years ago. Kori Anders has an old police file and had given DNA samples in another city after she was arrested. Turns out Kori had some drug problems when she was younger. I then went to Jump City's file of her and found another sample taken after she was arrested fro breaking an entry while writing a story for the newspaper. I compared the two. They're not the same. So, this chick was walking around and going on dates with you wasn't Kori Anders.
I looked deeper into her file and found out a few more things about her past. And here's the kicker: fifteen years ago Kori Anders was involved in a car accident. That was interesting so I looked at the date: same date as Starfire's accident. Now I was getting pretty freaked out by all these coincidence. Turns out if you connect the dots it's not a coincidence at all.
I looked in the Jump City police report and confirmed that there were two passengers in the taxi the night: Starfire and Kori Anders. Both of the injured were taken to the same hospital where Starfire was declared dead and Kori Anders survived.
Then, I few hours ago I had Starfire's body exhumed. —."
"You dug up a body?!" Richard interrupted.
"I'm not done," Roy said continuing, " So I had a DNA test run from the body and guess what? The DNA is a perfect match to that taken from Kori Anders sixteen years ago. And! According to toxicology report "Starfire" had never been pregnant. There's no way it could be her!"
"So you're saying that Kori Anders really is…"
" Starfire! She completely stole the other chick's identity!" Roy exclaimed. " And this is way I love what I do."
Richard laid across the bed in complete shock. All this time she had been right in front of him. She had been right…
"Oh my God Roy she was just here! I have to go find her!" Richard exclaimed jumping up from the bed. "Thanks." He hung up the phone and quickly dressed. He didn't know where she was but he'd find her.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSThe elevator doors opened and Kori stepped out. The building was completely dark and from the elevator she could see light coming from one cubicle.
Greg sat staring at the computer screen and looked up when she came. "You look nice."
She came in and sat on his desk with the green dress still on. "It's been a long night. What do you have?"
Greg leaned back in his chair and looked at her, "Kori, walk away. Just walk away."
She titled her head and frowned, "Is it that bad?"
"I'm saying that it isn't your problem, if it's a problem at all." Greg said.
She nodded determinedly, "That probably means that I'll take it up. Show me Greg."
Greg frowned and turned the computer screen toward her, then proceeded to show her the program files.
Kori's eyes grew wider and by the end of the presentation she leaned back. "Okay…"
"Yeah…" Greg said rubbing his hair with his right hand.
"Somehow she got those files," Kori whispered. " And was idiot enough to store them on her computer. They killed her for it."
Both sat in silence for a few minutes and only the ticking of the clock above the elevator could be heard.
"Save it on a flashdrive," Kori ordered standing up.
"Kori, I--." Greg started but stopped when Kori looked at him. He took out a flashdrive, giving up the struggle, and saved the file.
She took it from him and put it in her purse. " Don't tell anyone about this. You probably should leave town for a little while just in case they've traced this, which they probably have since they killed Roberta for it. I'm sorry for involving you Greg, I'm just sorry."
Greg smiled sadly, "Never say sorry. You can come with me and we'll leave together, okay?"
"No Greg, I have to take care of this." Kori answered solemnly.
"Take care of what? This is going way beyond a news report now. You need to go!" Greg exclaimed. "I'm not letting you stay!"
"Greg please!," she shouted. He sat down and looked up at her. "Sometimes the people who can do something remain silent and let it happen. And they've done it for way too long. I've done it for way too long. I've to stand up now, or I'll never stand up. For so long I've been denying that part of me exists, but it does. I can't keep ignoring it. Sometimes I totally forget where I came from. I have to do this."
Greg nodded slowly, "I quit pretending to understand your madness a long time ago, so I'll just say: be careful."
Kori laughed, "Thank-you Greg. For being my friend."
She hugged him tight and turned to leave. Then Greg asked, "Will do this alone?"
Kori turned back and looked him in the eye with a determination he's never seen before, "I think I'm going to call a few old friends."
Then she quickly disappeared down the hall. As she left Greg heard the elevator ding as it closed and made out the lighted numbers begin to descend. He slumped back into his chair and looked at the computer in front of him.
He quickly wiped the files and loaded up the Alaska Airline web page.
He looked toward the elevator once more and said to no one in particular, "I wish this town had more heroes like you, Kori."
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It's been awhile!
Life has just gotten so consuming in other areas and I ended up drifting away from this project. For that I apologize.
I still hope I have some readers! And I promise I'll crank out another chapter as soon as I can!
Please no flames!
And by the way: the Twilight series is most awesome! I definitely recommend it. Stephenie Meyers is the author and she is really good!
PLEASE REVIEW!
Till next time,
Hay-hay