Hi everybody! YAY FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! Sorry, had to get that out of my system. But bad news for me, on the first day I caught a cold… oh goody.

Some people got slightly confused about my last authors note. When I said 'petitioning about me quitting Torn Identities' I meant that my mate has put up a petition to STOP me from quitting because I was thinking about it DON'T HURT ME! I was thinking, and I won't quit. BUT BE WARNED – THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG STORY! Yes, quite a few more chapters to go yet.

Also, I actually wrote a poem quite a while ago but didn't post it, and then I found it today in my computer and thought about posting it here. I have, and its called "Locked Away" and its centered around Raven and her emotions, its short and slightly sad.

Well, heres the long awaited Chapter 22, enjoy!

Chapter 22

I couldn't help it, I cracked up laughing. Richard's look of horror and shock was just too much to handle, let alone Bee was biting her tongue to keep from laughing. Richard shot me a glare,

"Actually, maybe Kori could stay and help me out" he said calmly, although that bloody eyebrow was raised and he was giving me a suggestive look. My laughter ceased.

"Stop being sick Richard" I scolded, holding back a grin.

"What? You didn't mind last night"

Bee looked at me and I could feel my face growing red, typical Richard thing to do, turn the tables on me.

"No, I really think I should go and get washed up Richard" I said innocently, giving him an apologetic look.

"No, I really think that you should stay" his voice came out a little forced.

"Maybe you should stay Kori, Rich looks like he needs a little help" Bee said, cocking her head to the side and grinning at me.

I sighed; I was so going to need therapy after all this.

--

After I had helped Richard with his little 'problem' (Although truthfully it wasn't THAT little…) I had got washed up and changed, and was currently sitting beside Rachel. She was getting better, and the burn on her chest was healing by itself. Beast Boy had been in with her nearly all the time, and only left when he had to go to the bathroom or got hungry.

I noticed that she was beginning to frown, and she was starting to sweat. I grimaced and went and rinsed a cloth, placing it on her forehead. A few minutes later the frown disappeared.

'Thanks Kori'

I jumped about a foot in the air. That was Rachel's voice, in my head?

'Calm down, its me, just because my body's healing doesn't mean my mind is damaged, this just quickens the process. I should be fine by tonight'

'How do I know that its you?' I asked, aware of the fact that it could be someone posing as Raven.

'That over fed ball of fur of yours is a spoilt mutt'

Oh yeah, that was Rachel all right.

'How are you feeling?' I asked, watching her expressionless face.

'I'm fine, quite sore but fine. I could actually get up now, but I'll be quite tender. Its best to let this heal completely before I try and move'

'That's good. You'll never guess what happened this morning and last night'

'Try me'

'Well me and Richard got up to some… action last night, not the much action, we still had most of clothes on when Drake and Vic came in, and Drake saw Richard without his mask and went off his rocker, Ryan just happened to have told Drake about the hospital incident. And guess what, a laws been passed back where Ryan and Ena are, saying that any one who spotted Richard was to attack immediately.'

'Oh harsh'

'There's more'

'Brilliant'

'Well Richard fell out the bed, taking everything with him that was before Drake went off his rocker by the way. Vic stepped in, made it absolutely clear he would never want to know about what me and Richard were doing. The he calmed Drake and made him step outside. Of course me and Richard got back to our activities.'

'Ok getting a bit too much info here Kori'

'Sorry Rach. Anyway, we woke up the next morning he was all, mine, stay, and mine.'

Rachel snorted at this.

'So I let him pull me back into the bed and I started driving him insane by whispering in his air and stuff, and he was like 'you drive me crazy' and that and then Bee came in. She gave him a mouthful, but before she could point out his 'problem' I jumped up and gave her a hug, and then she kept winking at me and nodding to Richard, who looked positively shocked as she asked if he had me 'Eric Shin''

Rachel laughed.

'Well I had to help him with his little problem before he could leave the room of course'

'Kori you and him are a match made in heaven!'

'Hey, how come you never talked to Beast Boy like this, he's practically dying waiting for you to get better.'

'I don't know, I didn't know what to say if I spoke to him… I like him… a lot'

'OHHHH Rachel's got a crush on Gar!' I mentally said in a sing song voice. I could almost see Rachel scowling.

'Don't make me hurt you Kori' I laughed at her statement.

'I won't. Besides, we all know you guys are head over heels for each other'

'Is it that obvious?'

'There's a large sign saying in red neon letters I LOVE BEAST BOY hanging over your head'

'Oh'

'Rae, he loves you, he'd die for you, you're his everything'

'That's just exaggerating Kori'

'Maybe, maybe not, I better go Rach; I'll come and see you later'

'By Kori'

I felt her presence leave my mind and I stood up and stretched. Thank god she was alright, I should tell Beast Boy. But then again he might feel hurt that she didn't talk to him, and I can't tell him that she likes him because that's for Rachel to do. Ugh, and people say that love is easy; they need a bloody brain check.

I walked out the room and towards Richard, who was once again staring out the window, I stood behind him and placed my hands over his eyes.

"Guess who"

"Kitten" was the reply.

I scowled and move din front of him,

"Now that's an insult" I said, slapping his arm playfully.

"I know"

"Well you're Mr Happy this morning" I said, rolling my eyes at him and moving away. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back,

"Maybe because I never got my morning kiss"

"Richard, you are such a big baby"

"Now who's insulting?" he asked, grinning playfully at me.

"Now who's being immature?" I retorted as he pulled me into him. I let my head rest against his chest, feeling it rise and fall as he breathed.

"I love our pointless bickering" he mused, resting his chin on the top of my head.

"So do I, until it crosses the line into stupidity" I said, grinning.

"Well that's just about all the time then isnt it?"

"Richard can we agree on anything?" I asked, sighing.

"Yes, we both agree that I'm sexy and totally irresistible"

I snorted,

"You wish"

"No, I know. Hey, I just remembered something"

I looked up at him,

"Like what?"

"Remember when we were at Rachel's movie premier, Love Kills? And you kissed me, and I said to you that you could resist me, and you disagreed. I think you've just proven yourself wrong"

I thought back to out little conversation in the cinema, once again, he had me, but I wasn't about to admit it.

"Really? I can't remember ever saying that" I said, looking thoughtful.

"You can so, you just don't want to give me the pleasure of being right!" he exclaimed, grinning down at me.

"Fine, I might" I said grudgingly.

Richard grinned down at me,

"I love being right"

"I hate being wrong"

"Opposites attract"

"Then we must be really opposite, because I'm attracted to you way more than you know"

He smirked,

"I knew you wanted me"

I sighed,

"I knew you'd say that"

"Why don't you just kiss me?"

"I like that idea a lot"

"For once we agree on something!"

I let him pulled me up to meet his lips, and I reveled in the warmth that he brought. His arms wrapped around my waist, and I let mine travel up his chest to the back of his neck, resting on the nape.

"I swear you two have GOT to stop doing that in public!" Bee grinned at us as she walked by, and Richard and I pulled apart quite quickly.

"I swear you have got to stop interrupting us!" Richard exclaimed, glaring at her in mock anger.

"Its not my fault that you two cant keep your hands off each other!" Bee grinned.

"And it's not our fault that you can't help watching" Richard retorted.

Bee raised her brows.

"Excuse me? I am the one kissing Kori in front of everyone?" she ask, hand on her hip. Uh oh, Bee's gone into debating mode, good luck trying to win this one Richard.

"No, but I can tell you I don't exactly care"

"Well I can tell you that watching you two drool over each other is not the sweetest sight in the world!"

"I do not drool!" I exclaimed, glaring at her in mock anger. Bee laughed and winked at me.

"No, but Richard does"

"I dot not!" he said, crossing his arms in defense.

"Well sometimes you do when you're sleeping" I said with a slight grin.

"Thanks Kori, side against me why don't you?" he said, rolling his eyes and glaring at me.

I shrugged,

"Whatever turns you on"

"In that case it would be you" he murmured huskily, raising a suggestive brow at me.

"Here they go again" Bee muttered as she walked off.

"Really?" I asked in mock astonishment, running a hand up his chest and around his neck.

"Very much so" he said softly, wrapping his left arm around my waist, pulling me against his hard body.

I looked up at him through my eyelashes, smiling slightly.

"I love you Kori"

"I love you too Richard"

---------------

Well that's it, I hope you all liked it, reviews are very much appreciated, and Flames will be sued to roast marshmallows in my back yard tonight!

Toodles,

Ell