Footsteps Of An Angel

"Death Leaves a Heartache No One Can Heal, Love Leaves A Memory No One Can Steal"

Ch: 6 – Suspicions and Secrets

"Where is she?" Xavier breathlessly asked Barbra who was sitting in the waiting room of Gotham City General Hospital.

"In her room, the doctor will be here any minute" she replied, looking up at him, "We'll be able to see her then"

He looked at his watch impatiently as he took a seat beside Babs, "How did it happen?"

"Dunno, someone reported an accident. When the police arrived they realized it was her" Taking out a cigarette she lit it up.

"You can't smoke here Babs" Xavier muttered, his head in his hands, "Was it bad?"

"Damn it" she threw the stick into a nearby bin, "No, not really… At least that's what the doctor said"

It was another five minutes that Mrs. Logan, Gar's mother, entered the room.

"How is she doctor?" Xavier and Babs stood up, both eager.

"Well there's nothing to worry about, she has a few cuts here and there from the shattered glass and well the main injury was that she hit her head sideways with the door frame how that happened I'm not quite sure, but on the whole she's absolutely fine" the doctor smiled.

Xavier heaved a sigh of relief, "When will she be able to go home?"

"First thing in the morning if you want"

"Can I see her?"

"Go ahead, she's waiting for you"

Xavier nodded and exited the room as the doctor turned to leave as well.

"Excuse me, doctor?" Babs called after her.

"Yes, Miss Gordon?"

"I was wondering about… Um, the other thing" she hesitated, not sure what to say, "I believe she had conceived"

"Yes, um, about that" Mrs. Logan took off her glasses, "Well she wasn't wearing a seat belt and when the car crashed into the tree, she fell out on a pile of stones… And well even though it wasn't very long tests have shown signs of internal bleeding"

"Oh, and does she know about it?" Babs asked.

"Yes, she's asked me not to tell Xavier about it. Since he didn't know anything about the pregnancy"

"He didn't?"

"According to her it was supposed to be a surprise"

"Oh, well thank you doctor" Barbra smiled before turning away to grab her purse and coat, she needed to be somewhere, and that was her home.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" Emily asked setting down a glass of water onto Kory's nightstand.

"Not good" she groaned in reply, "I've got this awful headache and well, my mouth hurts"

"Well, here take your medicine at least it'll help you sleep" Emily took out some tablets from the drawer and handed them to her friend, "You have to rest"

Kory gave a weak smile in response, "How's Trevor?"

As if on cue Trevor walked into the room, the Beyonce CD clutched in one hand.

"What's the matter, honey?" Kory got up and walked towards him.

"Can I sleep with you Mom?" he put his tiny arms around her as she picked him up.

"Sure"

She settled her three year old onto the bed and pulled up the covers, settling down beside him she lightly stroked his forehead.

"What are you thinking, Kor?" Emily asked after a while when she guessed Trevor would be asleep by now.

"Roy…" she murmured, "He threatened to harm Trevor if I revealed who I really am"

"That's bad"

"He's planning something… And it has something to do with me and everyone whom I know" she continued frowning.

"What do you suppose that is?" Emily raised a brow.

"Revenge… And something against Richard"

Emily looked at her questioningly, Kory sighed, "As much as I know Roy… He hates losing what was his"

"Kory, you're making no sense"

Kory gave a sad smile and looked down at her son, "Before joining DisEnchanted I was presumably his"

"What shall we do? This isn't turning out as it should" Emily sighed.

"I think I should run away from all this… Far away, somewhere my life can never catch up with me"

"No, shit you're not doing that" Gar suddenly appeared in the room.

"When did you arrive?" Emily asked as he put his arms around her waist.

"Just now… And Kory how can you even think of leaving?"

"Gar, I have to protect my baby" Kory replied firmly, "If anything happens to him it will be the result of my foolishness"

"And so as usual you're gonna run away till everything comes back?" Gar asked sarcastically.

"I have to do it"

"Not this time, Kory, We're gonna face it together and don't worry we'll protect Trevor" Gar continued, "You're not alone"

Richard had just returned from a long day of searching for any suspects related to Roy's breakout but in vain they had gotten nothing and he was becoming paranoid over the situation.

It had been two months since the engagement and the hectic routine. He had indulged himself into the investigation even though Commissioner Gordon had said not to, it was too personal.

Yeah, right.

The escape was done smoothly, without a trace. There was no witness or any lead. He hadn't been going to work and hadn't seen Vanessa.

Alfred had said Bruce wanted to see him in the bat cave in twenty minutes. He had just taken a shower and quickly changed into a pair of worn out jeans and a tee shirt. But as usual he was late and going to be busted.

Opening the door to go down he bumped into someone.

"Jesus Christ" he gasped, "What are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?"

"Whatever" Barbra shoved him aside and entered the room.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, "Batgirl was supposed to be on patrol tonight"

"Batman cut me some slack" she replied, lighting a cigarette, "And besides I want a break from my 'bitchy' demeanor"

"Demeanor? I thought you were a natural" he replied ironically.

"Hey, hey calm down Dick" she grinned, "What's up?"

"What do you think?" he gave her a dirty look and then picking up his laptop settled down on his bed.

She smirked as he became engrossed in his work. After a while she sat at the foot of his bed and took off her heels, crawling over to him.

Barbra took the laptop from him and set it aside, then settled down on his lap. He sighed defeated, closed his eyes and rested his head against the headboard.

"That's no way to treat your fiancé, you know" she murmured against his cheek as she leaned onto his chest.

"I'm sorry Babs" he replied back his voice tired, "I've just got a lot on my mind these days"

"I know…" she kissed and licked at his throat, "You work too hard"

"I need to catch Roy…" he opened his eyes and sat up straighter, "And put him behind bars along with the ones who helped him escape"

She observed his face, his eyes as he thought deeply about something. When he caught her staring she smiled and leaned forward for a light kiss.

Breaking away and she hugged him. Holding onto him she murmured, "I love you"

"Me too" he stroked her hair as she drew back and glared at him, "What?"

"Don't lie to me" she snapped.

"What are you talking about?" he asked completely bewildered.

"Richard, I've known you since Bruce brought you and Xavier here, we grew up together, went to school and you know that you both are my best friends, I fell in love with you, gave you my virginity at fifteen and then you left" she said.

He looked at her confused, "I know, but what is it?"

"Our life, my life… I know you better than anyone in a way no one can" Barbra stared into his eyes, "And still you're lying and thinking you can get away with it"

"Babs get to the point already" he replied annoyed by her talk.

"Don't pretend that you love me… I know you do, but then again 'In a way' not like you loved her" she sighed, "You talk to me but your mind is somewhere else, you kiss me, make love to me but that love to which I proudly declare is mine isn't, it's for one person only and that's her, that's Kory"

Richard was looking at her with narrowed eyes, "That isn't true Babs"

"Deny it… But we both know that only one person has claim over your heart, your love and that's Kory" she pecked his cheek and got up.

"See you later"

"Babe, do you have to go?" Rachel said her arms around Xavier's neck.

"Rea you're never this stubborn" he said embracing her.

"It's a special occasion X, don't go" she said their foreheads touching.

"Come on be nice - Vanessa needs help with some papers" he replied as she kissed his neck. "You're making it hard to leave"

Rachel smirked an unlike Rachel smirk and said naughtily "That's the point"

"Bye, Rea Rea" he kissed her lips and then left quickly.

After an hour it was near midnight and Rachel was lying on her bed, lost in thought, "I'm never going to get a better chance then this" she thought, smirking.

Walking out side her eyes scanned the entire area. Continuing her scanning she entered the study and saw Richard sitting near the fire with a book in hand, the lights were dim. He looked completely absorbed as he didn't notice her enter. She walked towards him the same naughty smirk on her face. She had just approached her prey when he looked up. His face was emotionless but he smiled a little looking at her.

"Hey Rachel, make your self comfortable" he gestured towards the seat in front of him.

Was this guy for real? No man ever looked away from her.

And what she was wearing always gave her an unfair advantage. It was a lose dress ending a little above her thighs, the neck was really deep. The dress did full justice to her slim, sexy figure. And it was deep red in color and she knew he loved red. The dumb look replaced it self by a smirk again as she walked in front of him taking the book lightly from his hands, bending a little extra. And as he looked up at her face she simply sat on his lap smiling.

"What are you doing?" he asked shocked.

"Making my self comfortable" she replied innocently.

"Rachel, are you drunk?" he asked seriously after a few moments.

"You'd like me better drunk big boy - but I m not" she smirked

"…" Richard just kept staring at her wordless, what was wrong with her?

Rachel took full advantage of the silence letting her hands travel on his well toned chest and knotted them in his hair, bringing their faces closer.

"Speechless, Dick?" she said leaning on him making him rest his back on the sofa.

"Rachel, seriously, are you alright?" he said

"Never better" she said her voice turning seductive - their breaths mingled with each other. Richard took in her smell, it wasn't the sweet, warm, sexy and vanilla smell expected by Rachel. It was musky, feminine and playful. "Never better Dick, never better"

"Rachel -" he started but she stopped him by placing her finger on his lips. Her other hand traveled down his putting his hand on her waist. Running fully on his instincts he pulled her closer. Rachel could see lust burning in his eyes and him holding it back.

"Get a grip Richard" he thought "she's about to say 'I do' to your brother and she is drunk, you can't take advantage of her – even if she started it.'

"Dick…" she said her voice so appealing and inviting. She was on top of him, one hand playing with his shirt button other back in his hair, their faces centimeters apart.

Suddenly the light went off. 'Oh could it get any better' Rachel thought smirking.

The only thing they could hear was there silent breaths. Her hand left the shirt button tracing his bottom lip inching closer every second. Both of his hands arms were around her by now. Richard knew what was coming and he should be stopping it but he couldn't make the right move. Before he could say some thing to stop her, their lips locked with each other. Richard's hands explored her body as she moaned encouraging him.

They broke off taking in air "What the fuck? Rea this is wrong" Richard said breathless.

"Let me be in-charge of right and wrong babe" she purred. Rachel purring there was something incredibly wrong with her. And above of all she didn't sound at all drunk.

"You're not drunk are you?" he asked raising one eye brow.

"Not on your life big boy, not on your life" she smirked as he pulled her closer she was locked in his arms.

"Who are you?"

"Wouldn't you want to know handsome?" she replied "right now I m the best experience you will ever have. better then her and Babs" she replied pointing towards the fallen picture sticking out of the book he was reading. In it he was sitting against a tree with his arms around Kory who sat on his lap. She was laughing as he gently nibbled her ear.

Richard suddenly snapped out of it and lightly pushed Rachel off of him well tried to push her off. "Babe come on you want me too"

"Rachel, you're not in your senses, do not doing anything stupid" he said sitting up straight. Rachel's arms were still round him and now she sat clasped in him lap.

A pout formed her lips she thought he was depressed so he would be easy. And the lust in her was getting out of control. "Dick" she said moving in for the attack but this time she would play her cards right. She pressed their foreheads together "I m sorry I didn't know what came over me" innocent as she could be. Drawing patterns behind his back moving closer.

Richard just stared in her eyes they looked innocent but she was driving him insane. Was this girl really Rachel? If she was she was betraying Xavier. No he wouldn't let his brother suffer like him too. Meanwhile her hand massaged his shoulders and tracing patterns along his collar bone playing again with his buttons. 'I have him where I want him' Rachel thought. She undid his buttons without him noticing and made him lay back again so she was over him. She kissed his cheek then made her way to claim his lips. To Richard's shock they were back where they started with Rachel have an extra-extra advantage this time too. Richards's eyes wandered to the place where Kory's picture was fallen before lust consumed him completely.

Suddenly there was thunder outside and they both jumped slightly.

Now completely back in his senses he jerked up, into a standing position as Rachel fell off him and onto the floor.

"Dick, I thought-" she retorted as he cut her off.

"What the fuck did you think you were doing?" he hissed at her, his eyes narrowing dangerously, "You are sick! And be thankful Xavier won't know about it"

With that Richard stormed out of the room as Rachel smirked behind him.

She got up and picked up the fallen picture, 'Well, Kory… Guess you win' she said softly, raising her eye brows at the couple tauntingly.

Rachel ran her eyes over the photograph once again before throwing it into the fire place.

But the game has only just begun.

"What the hell just happened back there, Dick?" Richard asked himself for the thousand time while pacing around in his room.

Something was wrong, hell wrong. Rachel was not drunk, no way; he could tell it by the way she spoke.

And second Rachel would never betray Xavier, for his own brother too. It was damn risky for her as well. What was she thinking? That he would accept this… this secret affair?

No shit.

Rachel had been acting weird lately since her accident, he'd contacted Dr. Logan to ask if she had some kind of head injury, but she had denied.

He fell back on his bed; he was going to do something about it. First thing in the morning, he was going to raid her room when she was out for gym.

It was late into the night and Vanessa had fallen asleep on the living room couch when the door bell rang.

She jerked up into a sitting position and looked around. No one was at home; Emily and Gar had taken Trevor to some carnival in another town and were going to spend a night at some hotel.

The bell rang again and she stood up, yawning, to open the door. Looking through the peep hole she saw Xavier standing outside.

She opened up instantly to find a gust of cold wind against her face as Xavier pushed her inside and closed the door behind him.

"That is one hell of a storm stirring up" he exclaimed as he took off his jacket and hung it on a hook.

"Hey Xavier, how's it going?" Vanessa smiled, embarrassed at her dressing, "Sorry, I had forgotten that you were gonna come"

"No prob, Nessa" he chuckled, "So what is it that you need help with?"

She nodded gesturing him to follow her inside.

"A spider?" Roy laughed, "Your brilliant idea of a spy cam was a SPIDER?"

"You've laughed at this a million times before Roy!" the woman said irritated, her face appearing bored on the screen.

"If Kory ever finds it, she's gonna smash it at the spot" his laughter subsided.

"That little brat of hers saw it once but fortunately I hid the cam to a much safer spot" she replied, "So what do you want?"

"Kory has called Xavier to her house…" Roy lit up a cigarette.

"Yeah… So?" she asked, raising a brow, "What's the hunch?"

"She's gonna tell him"

"Tell him what?"

"Everything"

"Xavier… Actually I didn't call you here because of some papers" Vanessa confessed as they both were seated on the sofas.

He looked confused, "Then why-"

"I… I wanted to tell you something"

"Yeah, um, sure go ahead"

"It's not that easy" she twirled a lock of her blonde hair.

"How can you say that?" she asked.

"I can tell… And I can bet that I'm right"

"But that'll ruin our plans" she said.

"No… No" Roy murmured, breathing out smoke, "Not ruin… It means we'll have to simply… jump… a few steps"

"What are you thinking?"

"Do you remember the warning I gave her if she ever revealed her self?"

"What?" Xavier practically yelled.

"Yes… It's true" she said, "I am Kory"

"Why are you telling this to me now?" he asked, not believing everything she was saying.

"Roy… He threatened to hurt Trevor if I told anyone I was Kory" she sighed, "Knowing him, I know he'll hurt him none the less… I need help"

Xavier was quiet as he looked at his supposedly long dead friend. It was some time before he spoke again.

"And Trevor… Is he…?"

"Yes"

"What do want me to do?" Xavier asked, "Should I tell Richard?"

"No… Not yet at least" she replied, "I want you to help me… And protect my… Richard's and my son"

"Okay… Don't worry I'm always here" he said, his mind was bursting with questions he need to ask her, but seeing her start to cry he decided it was better to ask them later.

He got up quickly and sat down beside her taking her in his arms as she shook with sobs.

"I wish… I wish I was young again and I could tell my self what I know now" she muttered bitterly, "All the wrongs I did, and the choices I made"

After a few minutes she calmed down and hugged him, "Thank you, X, for understanding"

"Anytime" he smiled as she pulled back, giving him a weak smile in return, "I think you should go to sleep, I'll come back tomorrow so that we can discuss other things"

"Yeah, that'll be great" she nodded as he got up to leave.

"Bye, Kory" he said before turning.

"Wait" she called after him as he looked around at her.

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember the night of my birthday party?" she asked, a faint excitement in her eyes.

"Yeah…"

"Slade came with Roy and Astrid… Roy's latest girlfriend"

"What are you getting at?" he was still puzzled.

"Through out the whole night, she kept wearing this mask that covered the whole of her face" Kory continued, "She never took it off… I thought it was kind of strange but now that you think of it…"

"What?" Xavier asked curiously when she didn't reply.

"Everyone was caught regarding Roy, Slade and Joker-"

"Except her!" he finished for her, getting what she meant.

"It's just a wild guess but… It could lead to something" Kory said as he nodded.

"We'll track her down… Just in case and who knows she might be the one who killed Tara and got Roy out" she continued.

"Yes, but she's a girl and she alone… Isn't that a bit… You know unlikely?"

"No, its Roy we're talking about no matter how much careless he was… He always had backup and this time it was her, Astrid, I'm sure of it!" Kory said.

"Hm, okay" Xavier ran a hand through his hair, "Do you think its her real name?"

"I guess… But I don't remember her last name"

"It was Seacrest… But it could be wrong as far as I remember Roy told his last name wrong too, he said it was William, Roy William" Xavier thought hard.

"But its Harper… No matter what we have we have to stick to it, our hunch might be right"

The next day was stormy and it was raining continuously since morning. It was nearly ten at night when Kory parked her car outside Emily's house.

Taking out the strawberry ice cream bucket to make up for being late she ran towards the door through the pouring ran since she didn't have an umbrella with her. She was thankful it was Saturday and she was wearing casual clothes instead of office ones.

Taking the keys out of her jeans pocket she unlocked the front door and hurriedly got inside before the rain could.

"I'm home!" she called into the house as she slipped of her wet converse near the shoe rack.

"Hey! Anybody home?" carrying the ice cream she made her way towards the living room, "Emily? Trevor?"

By now Trevor would have come running towards her or Emily would have answered back.

"Okay, guys I get it" she smiled, settling down onto the sofa, "I know I'm late… But if you don't want the ice cream I'll eat it all"

That ought to have done it, but still no answer. Kory was getting anxious now.

She put the ice cream on a table and went upstairs. Entering Trevor's room first she turned the knob and opened the door.

A gasp escaped her lips as she took in the sight before her. The child's room was ruined, the bed turned over the pillows ripped, the sheets here and there even the toys were broken or shattered.

Kory was so shocked that she couldn't register what was happening. As her eyes traveled over to the bathroom door an unwilling cry tore her throat.

I told you to keep quiet.

It was written with Trevor's favorite blue crayon, which now lay broken in two near the door.

"Roy…" Tears blurred her vision as lightening cracked outside. She backed out of the room and ran downstairs, grabbing her car keys and putting on her still wet converse she ran out of the house towards her car.

The rain was falling harder now and the wind was strong. She fumbled with the car door before finally opening it and getting behind the wheel.

There was only one thing to do now, she thought, making her way towards the Wayne Manor through her unstoppable tears.

The clock was striking eleven when the door bell rang.

There was nobody in the house except Alfred and Richard, who both were standing in the kitchen.

"Well… Who can that be at this time of the night?" Alfred said to himself as Richard looked up from his untouched coffee.

The bell rang again.

"Master Richard, do you mind? I am a wee bit busy with the dishes" he looked at Richard who shrugged and got up to open the door.

Making his way out of the kitchen he reached the front door and unlocked it.

He was astonished to see Vanessa standing there, drenched in water; her hair was open, her blue Aeropostale T-shirt clung to her body and her converse had their laces untied.

"Vanessa, what are you doing here?" he asked as she kept on staring at him. He studied her face and realized that she was crying.

Before he could say anything else she ran towards him, putting her hands on either sides of his face she kissed him full on the mouth with such desperation that he had to take a step backwards to steady himself as he returned her kiss.

Vanessa broke away after a few moments and hugged him, clinging onto him for dear life.

Richard, bewildered by her actions put his arms around her, pulling her cold body against his warm one.

"What happened?" he asked her, kissing her hair and stroking her, "Jesus, you're so cold. We need to get you changed"

Before he could call Alfred or guide her inside she started mumbling something that sounded like 'I'm sorry'.

"Why are you apologizing?" he whispered, his heart pounding wildly to see her hurt and crying badly, "Please Nessa, say something"

But she only cried harder, "What happened? Why are you crying?"

"They… They took him" she said in between sobs, "They took h-him"

"Who?" he asked as she clung onto him more tightly, "Who, Vanessa?"

She was struggling with words as she cried venerably onto his shoulder, "They took… They took him… away"

"Who?" he was getting anxious with worry now, "Who, who are you talking about?"

"Our… Our son"