Footsteps Of An Angel

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

Ch: 7 – Reality Check

Richard was standing in the kitchen again, completely shaken as he watched Alfred pour some milk into a mug.

"Our… Our son"

Kory's words echoed in his mind…

Kory, Kory Anders… Not some Vanessa Cole. The Kory who was supposed to be dead, supposed to have been burned to death three years ago in the hospital room.

His Kory.

But no, there she had been right in his arms a few minutes ago, crying her heart out.

"Master Richard?" Alfred interrupted his thoughts, he looked up at his butler, "Do you want me to take the milk up to Miss Co… Miss Anders?"

"No, I'll take it up to her myself" Alfred nodded, putting down the mug, "Oh, and add some chocolate into it… She uh, she likes hot chocolate"

Richard was now climbing the staircase to the first floor, the mug in his hands. He halted for a few seconds before opening the door to the guest room to find Kory standing in front of the fire, her back towards him.

Alfred had provided her with Rachel's night gown and taken her wet clothes down to dry them so that she could put them on later, on Richard's entrance she turned around to look at him with puffy eyes, tired and sore from crying.

He had never seen her like this… So weak and venerable… He studied her closely, she was thinner, much thinner than before, her hair was longer and blonde, bleached probably. Face, the same, she had taken off her blue eye lenses and he found himself looking at her striking emerald eyes, the ones he had longed for, the ones he had never hoped to see again.

The scar from Roy was still there, though it looked better now.

She had her arms around herself as she looked at him fearfully, afraid of what he'll say. He cleared his throat and came forward, closing the door behind him.

Richard walked in front of her and handed her the cup, which she took, reluctantly.

No one said anything, the silence was unbearable.

It was Kory who broke the barrier.

"Richard, I…" she halted as his eyes met hers; there was hurt and betrayal there.

"Just... Don't say that you're sorry, okay?" he quietly snapped at her, "I wanna know everything, and this time I want the truth, do you understand?"

She stared at him, not knowing where to start. He was looking at her expectantly.

"Well?"

"I moved back to Jump when my aunt died… And started working in a diner for money for college" she started, "One day I met Slade Wilson, he knew who I was but I didn't, he offered me a job but when I went to him he… blackmailed me into working for him, or he would kill Roy"

There was silence for a few moments as she sighed deeply, "I… I thought I still loved him and agreed but then one day I realized it was all a trick to get me into working for them… I was their toy, physically and mentally"

She saw him stiffen at the last part, sighing, she sat down on the bed.

"Eventually I got used to my new life… Considering I had no where and no one to go to. I stayed with them but Roy got careless and there was high chance of us getting caught… So we spilt up, and went undercover"

"That's when I met you all… And you know the whole thing from there" she took a deep breath, taking a sip of the hot drink.

"It was I who stole Bruce's ruby that night when we all were in the club. Do remember when I got that call from Clavin Klein, when we got the news of Malory's murder?"

He nodded.

"Well after my photo shoot… I kidnapped Mayor Garcia's daughter" she sighed, "I did it before I called you over"

Both of them were silent as memories came flooding over them, memories of the night when they came together for the first time.

"Why did you call me Kory? And why were you crying?" Richard asked.

"I told Slade I wanted to quit… But of course he wouldn't let me go, when I threatened to expose him he said he'd kill you" she replied, looking down at the carpeted floor, "I got upset, and I broke down… I couldn't bear to be alone, so I called you because I needed you"

She wasn't lying this time, the realization struck Richard as he listened to her story, she couldn't lie now, she had lost everything, she had nothing to be afraid of losing.

"You must be wondering how I managed to do these crimes… Actually I am trained in martial arts and acrobatics… And Slade trained me for advanced stuff later"

My parents were acrobats… He thought.

And so was I.

"The… The appearance of Slade and Roy meant it was time to join them properly again" Kory continued, "And that ring… It was the very same ring that Roy gave me in high school, as a promise ring"

Before Richard could ask Kory replied, "His way of torturing me, from time to time"

That bastard, he thought, his hatred for Roy greatening.

"I think I don't need to explain any further…" she replied, "And I'm ready to confess to the police and I'll turn myself in for every crime that I did… But, but, please just save Trevor… He'll kill him, or worse he will turn him against good into one of them"

Richard watched her for a while, before sitting down next to her.

He put his hand on top of hers as it lay on her lap, giving it a squeeze. A tear rolled down her cheek and down onto his hand.

"I'm so sorry Richard" she whispered, "I really am sorry for all that I did, I shouldn't have become a part of your life… But I couldn't help it… I fell in love with you"

"Kory?" he said as she cried silently, "Kory. Look at me" he gently turned her face towards him with his free hand.

"We both were young… We made some bad choices. But the truth is that…" he didn't finish as she stared at him, caught in the moment by her eyes as they caught the flames from the fire and reflected them.

"Yes?"

"The truth is that you were… Still are the best part of my life and… I love you" he said, bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it lightly.

One final sobbed escaped her lips as she fell into his strong embrace, holding onto him as he held her.

He felt complete and as if she belonged there, into his arms. And this time she was going to stay there.

He kissed her temple and soon had his mouth over hers, kissing her with longing and love that they both had missed over the years.

They drew apart, their heads pressed together against each others, eyes closed and living the moment.

"Richard?" she murmured softly.

"Hm?"

"Make me yours"

He opened his eyes and stared into hers, kissing her passionately, "You always were mine" he whispered against her lips.

Well guys there you have it =)

And I'm so so so sorry for the VERY late update, my computer had a virus and all. So hope you liked it, I know its short but hopefully the next chapter will be up soon and the rest of the plot will unwind ;)

Please review and let me know what you all think, thanks a lot!

RainWalker104