Updated chapter, thanks again for reading! Again, I do not own the Teen Titans.

Someone was throwing someone in a pool, followed by obnoxious giggles and shrills. Normally I would not mind that. It would mean their having fun goofing around in the pool. Except it was this Babs that seemed to have every boy's attention; including Dick Grayson. He sat on the edge of the pool dangling his feet in. While his brother Jason, who got away from studying and Wally were having fun play drowning her or whatever else they were doing.

I rested my chin on my knees and looked at the grass sneaking through the stones. Sighing, not having the fun I thought I would be. It seemed Dick had forgotten me, and Racheal was with Garfield. I was worried that this would be what Gotham Academy would be like, the boys loving Babs and my nose in books. Or some apparent unattractive thing I do at West Gotham High. I felt so defeated, having such hope for a place I had little chance of getting in, only to find out it would be similar to this. 'Kori that's dumb, this is social life. One party. It is the okay' a more reasonable part of my brain said. She...me was right, I should not stop trying to better my education. Dick did say he would help me get in did he not? Babs would not change that, we have not even met!

"Why you sitting here all alone princess?" Roy Harper said coolly.

"I was mostly thinking."

"When a girl says that I need to sit down."

"Why?"

"I'm hoping you'll talk to me, I'm a great listener. Especially if you're cute with green eyes and red hair."

"Oh? So it is my appearance and not my thoughts that interest you?"

"It's both cutie." His smile then softened, "no it has nothing to do with that, I just came over to make sure you're okay."

I blushed and hid my face "that is most kind. I am okay though, no need to be concerned."

He smiled then sipped his cup "do you want any of this?" He incurred.

"I have some of my own." I said a bit puzzled.

"This is special." He smirked.

"Special?" I got a weird feeling from the way he was smiling and the smell of the cup. Which most certainly was not soda.

"Take a sip and enjoy." He said handing me the cup. I had no idea what to do. Do I drink it? No one else seemed to be drinking. Did I really want to drink like the others...like my step father?

I slowly handed it back to him "I would rather not, thank you"

He sat back "eh more for me." Roy took a huge gulp and sighed staring into the cup. "I wish this stuff tasted better."

"Then why drink it?" He arched a brow "If it tastes so bad, then what is the pleasure of drinking?"

Roy returned his coy smiles and leaned towards me "oh princess you've never been drunk have you? Never took a sip of wine or a shot of vodka? This shit in my cup is grain beer, practically piss but it gets the job done and it's cheap."

"And it makes your breath smell." I said scrunching my nose. Roy then boldly half got up and sat next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder "yeah my breath smells but I can make you forget that."

I turned away from his touch and wrapped my arms around my knees. "I could just get you a breath mint?" I was sadly not unaware of horrible pick-up lines that Roy thought would work.

He looked towards the shrieking in the pool, my eyes following. Dick was sitting next to Garfield laughing about something while Rachael sat soaking wet and giving him death stares. I cannot believe he threw her in! And that his limbs were still intact!

Roy then looked over to my shocked face chuckling quietly "hey cutie I want to show you something."

"Um okay?" We both stood up and I followed him over to the pool. Quickly Roy spun around and pulled me over his shoulder. I began wriggling and screaming put me down but he loved it and I found myself emerged in water. Panic ran through me as he would not let me go up for air and I thrashed more, trying to pry his fingers from my grasp. He just tightened his hold and I remembered all of the times that I had been trapped under water not able to breath from my step-father, I screamed.

Horrible, terrible idea. Water filled my lungs and nose and it was getting harder to breath. I kicked out at him and he finally let go then I dashed to the surface gasping for breath only to be dragged down again. Water was everywhere and I just wanted out. I tried kicking him again but he would not stop until he wanted me to breathe again. I tried staying up long enough but he wouldn't let me. Before I went down I gave Rachael a panicked look and she dived in pushed Roy away and pulling me up to cling to her while I caught my breath. I heard two more splashes and Garfield and Dick were beside me.

"What the hell Roy! Can't you see she clearly didn't want to be in the pool!" Rachael hissed with venom. "You could have drowned her you asshole!"

He held his hands up defensively "it was only a matter of fun, you had run right Kori?"

I shook my head coughing again trying to get the water out of my lungs and nostrils. "I am, I apologize, I just, water is something I am not friends with." It was a partial lie, I loved swimming but not like this

Garfield swam over and rubbed my back "it's okay Kori just breathe and calm down." I gave him a meaning glance and concentrated on my breathing and coughing away the water.

"But Babs-"

"Babs isn't Kori Roy, you can't just play drown someone in a pool who isn't expecting it." Dick said angry.

Yes I was no Babs, she would have joked around and enjoyed Roy's games and not have to be saved by her friends. Babs wouldn't be panicking or causing a scene...Babs was looking at me with her auburn hair dripping wet across her shoulder. She seemed to be laughing ...I assumed at me. I felt so stupid and I wanted to go home. Actually, anywhere but these two places.

"I'm sorry Kori I didn't realize," Roy sank back into the water. I looked at him and nodded then released my hold on Rachael, pulling myself out of the pool. Shivering and sopping wet, how in the hell could I get these dry in time, so my stepfather would not think I did not go to work? I looked around at everyone staring at me, eyes wide and some curious. Then lastly at Dick who stared at me with an unreadable expression. I turned around ashamed and headed for the house for a towel or too leave I don't know.

I heard three bodies following me and then one being shoved in the pool with an outcry of "dude that's not cool!" And a small laugh following it. I did not look back though I knew it was Garfield, he seemed okay I was not too worried.

"Hey Kori wait up," Rachael said placing a small hand on my shoulder, "I have to get dried up too." I then smiled at her and gasped when I says Dick beside her.

"I'll go get Victor and hopefully a change of clothes for you both." He them jogged off into the house and I slowly began following him.

"We should wait outside, even though were freezing to death! Dammit Gar!" She then looked to apologetic, "I'm sorry Roy threw you in, he goofs off too much. Doesn't think."

"I-it is the okay."

"No, it's not, you could have drowned."

"I don't think he would have let me, it was only scary." I sighed, "I know how to swim, but I am not strong enough to fight off everyone right now, nor was I prepared, and I got scared."

"I know." She said giving me loving and knowing smile.

Victor and Dick then opened the screen doors. Victor handed both if us towels and walked us into his home. "I'm sorry girls for boy's stupidity, but follow me upstairs I might have something warm for you to put on."

Dick let us go first, smiling sweetly at me while I went in front of him. My socks slipped a bit on the wood floors and dick grabbed my waist to balance me. Even though it was a minor slip that I quickly was able to recover.

"Whoa you okay?"

"Yes, just slipped." It took him a moment too long to release his hold on me, but I pretended I did not notice.

"Okay Rachael here's a huge blue shirt for you."

"Only a shirt? You know I don't want people seeing my butt."

"It covers your butt trust me, your only wearing it for a short time anyway." Victor huffed, "gram gram's clothes aren't any better, and I don't want yah wearing it either."

"Fine." She grabbed it and went to the bathroom to change.

"Here you go Kori," Victor said holding out a black t shirt. "I hope this is cool with you?"

"Yes thank you, I'm sorry I got your floors wet."

"Nothing to apologize for." He says giving a hearty laugh. "Just go and change so I can dry your stuff faster."

I smiled at him then walked into the next room yelping as two people were in the bed in a compromising position. "I am so sorry!" I shrieked before slamming the door shut and both Dick and Victor went looked at me.

"Is there someone in there?" Dick asked.

"Yes but I would leave them alone!" I said with red cheeks.

"Not in my house! In my Gram Grams room!"

Victor said huffing then marched over, pounding on the door.

"You two have to the count of three to get decent before I sonic boom your asses out of there!" He hollered. There was muffled cries and moving about going on.

Racheal stepped out with a towel wrapped around her hair and the blue shirt falling to her knees. Victor was not lying; his shirts were huge. But he was a pretty tall and muscular guy. "Something interesting going on?" She said monotone while arching a brow.

"Just some people who think they can do that nasty in my Gram Grams room!" He hollered. While the door opened and a disheveled couple appeared hanging their heads.

Victor chocked up a bit. "Bee? You're with Harold?" He said downcast.

"Yes, I'm sorry Victor I should have told you...and shouldn't be hookin up with him in your house...in your grandmothers room...we just...got carried away and Roy was handing out drinks and things got fuzzing and -"

"Wait what." Both Dick and Victor said seriously. While I stood confused, everyone seemed to know that Karen, er Bee was dating Harold. Except Victor?

"Roy's handing out drinks? What the hell." Dick said paying me a glance.

"In gonna' kick that orange haired butt!" Victor said angry, "as for you two don't hookup in a private room, do it somewhere else. NOT in my house."

They both scampered away while Harold muttered and apology and Victor took a moment to calm himself.

"Vic you okay man?" Dick asked.

"No I didn't know she'd do that to me, and Roy's running around with alcohol." He looked in the room with disgust and shut the door. "I thought she'd give it more time, am I that easy to get over?"

"It has nothing to do with you, but I thought you knew." Dick said with remorse.

I walked to Victor placing a hand on his chest. "I do not know you very well, but I understand you're hurt. You seem like a wonderful person, and I've only known you for a short time. Do not let the emotions of others affect you, what they feel for each other has nothing to do with how you feel about her or change who you are as a person. Now you know to try to get over them, for they have moved on themselves."

He smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug, soon pulling me away realizing I was still soaking wet "thanks little lady, that means a lot...now change so I can give you warmer hug." I blushed then went to the bathroom. Drying off and wrapping my wet clothes up in the now damp towel. Noting the shirt was a little shorter than Rachael's, I believe that had nothing to do with Victor's choice of shirts, more that I am taller than her. Still the shirt only went mid-thigh, not bad at all.

I walked out to Dick leaning against the banister that showed off the downstairs living space. He stood up once I approached. "You okay?"

"Yes, I am much better now that I'm dry...sort of." I said giving a small uncomfortable laugh.

"You sure? You seem a little off. I know being play drowned can really freak you out if you don't know it's for play. And if you did take a stupid whatever Roy have you, don't be upset a lot of people probably did."

"It is neither of those that trouble me. I did not take the drink from Roy, although he offered. Yes, I was scared at the time but now I am better."

"Then what could possibly trouble you?" He said very confused.

I looked out past the banister, where Garfield had his arm around Rachael and Victor was sitting on the far end of the couch throwing stuff at the couple that wasn't a couple.

"I wish you had told me about you and Babs. I do not want to get in between your relationship."

"What about me and Babs?" He said completely confused and bewildered.

"It is obvious you are together. Or are you truly the playboy everyone says you are?" I said angry, but it sounded more hurt, I hoped he was not. He was so kind to me before, I did not want to be someone he thought he could play with.

"Okay Kori for one, I'm not with Babs. I had a crush on her when I was younger.

It's gone now, she's not my type and my brother like's her...that's not saying much because he likes a lot of women. Still... I wouldn't do that. Two, I'm not the playboy my father is set out to be, I'm hurt you even thought that." Dick held his jaw tight as I looked at him feeling like a fool.

"I apologize for assuming, you both where so close I did not know."

"She does that with everyone, loves messing with guys. It annoys Jason and that's what she wants. God knows why, I don't." He then went closer to me, "look I see why you thought both of what you did. It's not true. I-" he then coughed nervously and ran his fingers through his hair "look I, there's something about you. It makes me want to be around you and share things with you and quite frankly it's freaking me out but I'm trying not to let that happen." He then stopped for a breath "I'm just going to play things by ear and see what happens."

"Um play things by ear?" Of course, that was what I asked. Not confirming that I too felt something for him. But no, I ask what an idiom is. Because I'm an idiot.

"Oh it means let whatever happens, happens."

"Oh... You...there's something about you too." I said blushing and rubbing my forearms, while he smiled showing all of his perfectly white teeth and blushing just as I was.

"Well that's awesome." He said and we both awkwardly laughed then stood kind of staring at each other. Unsure of what to say or do, till I moved.

"Well I should get these dry..." I said moving towards the steps.

"Oh yea, that be good yea." He then nervously scratched the back of his neck and followed me down the stairs.

Victor stood up taking my clothes and giving me the warm hug he promised. Then Dick and I walked to the huge L shaped charcoal grey sofa and sat down.

"What are you watching?" Dick asked.

"Eh some weird show about fungus. It a really boring."

Boring? That was her favorite show, among other silly romantic dramas and forensic file shows. Oh and the one with the cute puppies and kittens. But "the world of fungus" was her favorite.

"On the contrary, I find fungus very interesting." Dick have a funny laugh, expecting me to be joking. While Garfield looked at me like I was an alien.

"You'd be the only one," Garfield sighed and changed the channel to some martial arts show that was interesting too.

"So you really are interested by that show?" Dick said whispering in my ear.

"Fungus grows on many things and in many ways, it is most interesting."

"That's so weird." He said laughing.

"Bad weird?"

"No, not bad weird. Just... Hmm I guess interesting that you find "The World of Fungus" so interesting.

"Oh okay I see how liking this show would be considered weird. I do like other things as well."

"I'm sure you do, you like martial arts movies? There my favorite kind." He said doing a small chop with his hand while I giggled in response.

"Yes I enjoy them, most times, as long as they do not have your poor moves." I teased.

His jaw dropped "me? I have poor moves. The chop is the best move." He said chopping the air again, making sure it sucked.

"You would make a horrible opponent."

"Sure bout' that?"

"Nearly positive."

"So there's a small chance you would be wrong."

"Possibly, I need to see the rest of your moves."

"Oh I'm pretty sure you've seen my other moves." He said winking, while Garfield gasped with a horrified expression.

"Dude that's just gross, common, already?" I then realized our conversation could be taken in very different directions if you had not known what happened Friday night.

"Gar she saw me show off my acrobat moves, not that." Dick gave him an annoyed stare. Even though it was his fighting skills that I saw instead.

I felt bold and whispered to him "Do you often show off your moves Dick Grayson?" I asked almost flirtatious while his eyes widened. Something warm swirled in my stomach, the flies of butter I believe.

"No! Not those kind!" he grew bright red and crossed his arms on his chest and scoffed.

I leaned over to him "oh don't be like that I was only teasing," I giggled.

"Theirs Dick teasing going on? And it's not me doing it." Dick's expression grew almost dark.

"That's not funny."

The auburn Babs lips quirked up "I think it is," she looked over to me and reached out her hand. "Hi I'm Barbara, although everyone calls me Babs." I took her hand and shook.

"Kori Anders."

"Nice to meet you." She then plopped down next to Dick placing a hand on his thigh. Which to my relief he moved. "Don't be that way, you know I'm just playing."

"And I don't like you doing it."

"Wow what's up your ass Grayson?" her eyes glanced to me and a knowing expression crossed her face.

"So cocktail how long have you known Grayson?"

Was she talking to me, what kind of nickname is cocktail? I looked at her with an arched brow. "Are you talking to me? I've been called lots of names but cocktail has never been one of those."

"I like nicknames, you remind me of a cocktail." She then huffed "or martini." I wasn't sure if she was making fun of me or simply messing around. Martini's tended to be a very dry drink, was she calling me dry?

"Well? How long have you known him?" she asked annoyed she had to wait.

"Only since last night."

"Seriously!" she sputtered, "god Grayson you act like you've known her your whole life." She then smirked at me "but wait that's me."

"Were just hanging out. Nothing you should be concerned of, since you know you should be watching out for Jason." Oh as if called, Jason waltzed into the room wearing what looked like a man tong and shaking his ass with Roy on his shoulder. They were singing some song about trackers and girls finding them sexy.

"You're fucking kidding me." Dick said.

"Guys are you drunk?" Garfield asked after him while Victor stood wide. I could feel the anger boiling in him, finding out about Bee and Harold; it did not take an idiot see that they had a past, finding out Roy was passing out alcohol and now both Jason and Roy were drunk. Barely wearing anything. Singing about sexy tractors.

Dick stood up and grabbed his brother's shoulder to make him stop, which only made him angry and he lashed out throwing what looked like hard punches. That Dick expertly blocked, not like it was too difficult fighting a drunk. Yet Jason still had power behind his punches and soon both boys were hitting each other and Babs was yelling at them to stop while Roy cheered them on. Was this drama typical of a party!

"You boys need to stop this." Rachael said angry.

"Break it up! Now!" Victor screamed but neither of them heard anyone.

"Jase, Dick stop!" Babs screamed and then shoved Roy who only cheered them on more. Everyone from outside ran in, mostly dripping from the pool and all a little buzzed themselves.

"Dick Grayson please stop!" I said rushing to them and trying to pry either his or Jason's hands away, it was hard until strong arms grabbed me from the waist and put me down on the couch.

"Kori you don't want to get in between these two right now." Victor said then rushed in trying to pull them away from each other with Garfield and Harold's help.

"Knock it off or I'm calling Bruce!" Victor screamed and both boys stopped heaving and shoving arms off of them.

"Don't you fucking try to hit me again!" Dick sneered.

"They don't even pack a punch." Jason said smirking.

"Say that to your bloody lip." Jason then tasted his lips.

"You fucker!" and he charged Dick but I ran and shoved Jason away, pushing him down and sitting on top of him.

"CUT IT OUT JASON!" I screamed digging my knees into his forearms.

"This was soo notz how I pictured thisz mo-ment" he said in drunk slurs.

"You should not be drunk or the both of you fighting. You are family, you do not harm each other." My palm held him down, trying to get him to remember where he was and at least take a deep breath.

"Were not even related," he spat towards Dick, "he's just the perfect heir and I'm the one that runs up the bill." There was hurt behind Jason's words, family matters that I had no knowledge of. Possibly no one knew them but themselves, I wished to comfort him and comfort Dick. Though Jason was making that difficult by trying to wriggle his way out from under me.

"Damm-it Kor yours stronger than yo' look." Jason said stopping moving.

"You are the drunk. This is not difficult." I looked around to everyone, who all held concerned expressions. For Jason or me I had no idea. Then I looked to Dick who was being held back by Victor and Harold. He was angry and concerned all in one expression.

"N-not drunk." Jason said trying to ignore the pain my knees were placing on his elbows.

"Jason you are, I will only get off if you promise to stop fighting and drink some water."

"I'm not drunk!" he said in a very drunk voice.

"You are and I will not get off until you promise me you'll behave!" I said digging my nails into his shoulder. Our eyes locked all the fight leaving his.

"S'oky" he said stopping and I slowly got off of him and helped him up. Letting him put most of his weight on me.

"Victor please where is your kitchen?" I ignored the look Dick gave me and followed Victor into the kitchen. He got Jason a glass of water and some crackers while I sat him down on the chairs. I watched Jason accept the glass of water from Victor and crackers, munching on them and taking small sips. Dick was leaning against the counter near the fridge, which was on the far end of the kitchen. I assumed he was taking deep breathes or thinking. Probably both. I got up and walked over to him.

"Hey." I said with a small smile.

"Hey," he said with a grin then looked at his brother, "I was scared he'd hit you, but I'm glad you were able to calm him down." His beautiful blue eyes looked into my green ones with a saddened-knowing look.

"Why that look?" I whispered.

He glanced to Jason and then down on my bare feet and gave a small smirk, which soon returned to worry again. "I just hate to imagine how many times you've had to do that."

"Oh." My voice was a little defeated. I had always tried to calm my stepfather down or hide from his drunken rage. Missing the times when he was not a drunk and my mother was alive. Sometimes I would be able to stop him and other times I would end up with bruises. I knew it was child abuse physical and emotional, but I could not break the promise to my mother.

He reached out his hand and took mine, slowly running his tub over my knuckles. "I hope that was okay to say. If anything, it just proves how strong you are." I looked up to him smiling.

"Thank you, Dick but let us move on to happier topics." His smile grew in to a wide grin.

"I know just what everyone needs." He said turning around and looking through the cabinets till he found the one he was satisfied with. He pulled out packets of hot chocolate and then in another cabinet four mugs.

"Wait we need to get Roy in here." He said just releasing there was more than one drunk.

"I'll get him, you keep doin' what you're doin'" Victor said leaving the room.

"Are chocolate food groups your solution for everything?" I questioned while sitting up on the counter.

"Yeup." He said going to the fridge for some milk, followed by turning on the stove next to me. "Watch it you might get burned." His voice was warning but I couldn't help but giggle.

"I'll be fine Mr. Grayson, chocolate man."

"Chocolate man?" I giggled, "Okay that was kind of lame to say, I sadly admit."

"Uh yes... You like the chocolates." He laughed for me rather than the horrible line.

"It is my solution to everything, except I can never make anything as good as Alfred's."

"You will get it someday." I had not realized I was leaning into him, so my fingers touched the burner. "Ouch!" I said placing my finger in my mouth.

"Shit Kori! Hold on." He then dashed out the room, only to return moments later with an aloe solution.

"May I have your finger?" I gave him my hand, showing him the burn marks on my fingers. It really was not that bad, but his sudden closeness had my heart beating out of my chest, and my stomach doing flips. He stood between my legs applying the lotion. His body being so close made me feel strange. I wanted to pull him closer, feel his touch and wrap my legs around him. Fell his breath on my neck, his lips… whoa. I hope he could not hear my change of breath.

The aloe did soothe the minor burns and prevent them from feeling worse. Dick applied it in an expert amount, he seemed to make sure he did not apply any extra pressure on my fingers but just enough aloe.

"It seems Dick Grayson I cannot help but become injured around you." I said teasing. Which he responded with a dark look the turned into a grin.

"Yeah you need to stop it." He said poking me in the ribs.

"Hey! Do not injure me again!"

"I'll just patch up back up again."

"What if I do not wish you to?" I said sticking my tongue out like a child.

"Then I will hold you down and fix you up again." He said laughing.

"That sounds more painful then helpful."

"Then let me help you," he said sticking out his tongue. Dick Grayson billionaire, "playboy" heir to a huge company was sticking his tongue out. I could not help but giggle about it, though around him I was always laughing.

"I should have listened to you," I said while he finished applying the aloe.

"Things happen but you're not sitting there." And with that he picked me up from the counter. I panicked and wrapped my legs around him and arms.

"Please do not throw me in the pool!" I said into his chest while he took forever to walk to wherever I was going.

"I don't know...getting you wet sounds nice." My eyes went wide and I leaned back to look at him. His mouth gaped wide with eyes to match.

"Shit not in the way, I didn't mean in that way!" His face become bright red, redder than I've ever seen him. Trust me when I say he blushes a lot.

"You are fine," I said laughing it off, "I would not mind that with you." He sort of dropped me an inch, losing feeling in his body while I grabbed on.

"What!" He squeaked.

"I meant like you throwing me in the pool, it would be nice..."

"I thought you did not like water?"

"I do, with you it would be nice."

My body was reacting to his, every touch, even him standing near me made me jittery. Not to mention now with my arms around his neck and legs around his torso. I could kiss him if I just tilted my head down a bit, less than inch. I grew dreamy eyed, his lips so close, his breath teasing my willpower. Never have I ever wanted to kiss someone so badly. My heart was racing with anticipation as his head slowly tilted towards mine. Is this happening? Dear X'hal my heart was racing.

"Seriously you guys are so lame, I'm getting a headache from watching you." Jason said breaking our daze. He put me on the opposite counter and coughed loudly, ignoring his brother and trying to not look at me. I placed my hands in my lap and looked at my bare feet, the stove, the marbled countertops, and tiled floors, anywhere that was not at Dick Grayson.

Dick returned to the stove, stirring the chocolate and milk while Jason groaned in the background. We were all silent for a while, I was trying to gather my thoughts…and feelings. Everything about the night and day was confusing and emotionally draining, yet I was still powering on. Dick, he made me feel out of control, antsy like I needed to see him. It was not unpleasant, merely unfamiliar. My mind always wandered to him or I would smile at something he said. I was also freaked out that he knew so much in such a short time of me knowing him. I felt like I crashed landed into another planet hanging around everyone, I've never been to a party like this. Seen so many faces or saw how comforting it was to have people around when someone's drunk. Maybe that was odd, but I have always been alone when everyone else was drunk. It was nice not having to clean up the whole mess alone.

"Man Roy's chucking his guts out." Victor said walking into the room with a water bottle and shaking his head.

"Vic, dude please I don't want to hear that right now." Jason said gripping his stomach, as if that would stop him from feeling sick.

"Don't get drunk and you won't have to hear it."

I looked at Victor feeling like I should inform him that Jason not drinking, would not prevent him from hearing those words. Though I assumed Victor either did not realize he said something the wrong way or did not care because Jason was too drunk to notice. Or perhaps I misunderstood a translation of meaning.

"I never intended to get this drunk," he said putting his head in his hands, "I have no idea what Roy gave us."

"I'm pretty sure it was vodka mixed with beer." Dick said pouring the tantalizing chocolate drink into a couple cups, "and unless you're an idiot you know what vodka is."

"You know Dick you don't have to do that." Jason said annoyed.

"And, you don't always have to get drunk and party."

"I don't!" Jason said defensive.

"Oh really, where were you last night?" Dick gave his full attention to his brother, almost taunting him.

"With some ladies." Dick rolled his eyes.

"You were with strippers Jase, nothing good comes from strippers."

He laughed while I felt deflated. "Actually a lot of good comes from strippers, but you wouldn't know that would you?" Jason said smiling.

"You really think getting a sloppy blow job and wasting Bruce's money is an idea of a good thing?"

"I really think you two should stop." Victor said rubbing his temples, "I'm sick of you too fighting like children."

"Plus you know strippers aren't bad things Dick," Bee said walking in rolling her eyes. A small part of me lite up, knowing someone was standing for me…not knowing they were but it meant a lot. Although I was a dancer not a stripper, and strippers did not just give blow jobs. Other women who were not strippers gave blow jobs, they just sometimes happened to be at the same place.

"I'm not saying they themselves are bad," he said giving Bee an annoyed stare, "I was saying losing my father's money on strippers isn't a good thing. Not when I have to pick him up in the middle of the night when he's trashed."

"You know it be really great if you would stop broadcasting the fact that you hate me for taking part of your precious money." Jason spat.

"I'm not interested in the damn money Jason! I know he gives you an allowance but you could be spending it on more useful things." Dick said barring his teeth.

"Whatever, you hate that I took some of your spotlight."

"I don't, you're my brother. Your family, you can get diseases from that and it's in a shitty part of town." For the smallest second his eyes flashed to mine and then he returned his attention to Jason.

"I'm safe, the girls are safe."

"Wait you really get, you know head from strippers?" Bee said dumbfounded.

"No Karen, it's none of your business." Jason said angry at her intrusion, and everyone else's as well.

"Thanks' for the help guys, and Kori for calming me down… I'm going to nap or something." He looked to Victor, "If that's cool?" Victor nodded and we all watched Jason leave. Karen then turned her attention to Victor.

"Can we talk?" She with an air of nonchalance, though you could tell she was nervous.

"What do we have to talk about? There hasn't been a we in a long time." Victor said with a hard face.

"Please sparky, just for a bit," she looked around at us," alone." His jaw was taught but he walked out of the room with her following him.

I waited until I knew they were out of ear shot. I looked over to Dick cautiously seeing him deep in thought with conflicting emotions crossing his features. "Are these gatherings usually so dramatic?" I asked hoping it would not bother him too much, seeing as how he was one of the main sources of conflict that night.

He sighed heavily, "no not typically, but there's always something isn't there?" he asked as if I knew what he was talking about.

"Um I guess?"

"You know, there's always something happening that someone else is unhappy about or some conflict. Its life, especially with this amount of people there will be something."

"I've never truly gone to one of these things so I'm quite unaware of the drama that occurs."

"Really?" he said interested and not laughing at me for not having a huge social life.

"From what you know from my dad and the little from my past, you can assume why." I said sadness in my tone.

"Right, I'm sorry. Still happy you're here though." He turned around and handed me a cup of the hot chocolate. "Here."

"Thank you." I said accepting his offer and sipping this sweet drink.

"I'm sorry that so much happened tonight, and for my fighting with Jase." Dick said nervously.

"I understand that family member's argue. Especially after such situations occur." I took a sip to hide any small sign that I was a dancer. Not like me sitting here could give anything away, I just was worried. Paranoid is a better word. I would hate if he knew I worked there or even worse thought I gave out blow jobs for money. All I did was dance, there is not much harm in that and I never got naked. The outfits were revealing enough.

"I just want him to be smart, I get a lot of people like strippers. I get that they have lives too. But honestly it's dangerous you never know where their mouths have been."

"Not all strippers or dancers actually engage in sexual activity you know." I said trying to defend my occupation, not that I actually loved what I was doing. I still did put work into it.

"Yeah I heard that, I guess it could be true." He said shrugging.

"Anyway how late can you stay tonight?"

"Oh um well as long as I can honestly, my father expects me at home usually around three." Dick's eyebrows shot up.

"You're allowed out that late? That doesn't make any sense."

"That is usually when I get off from work."

"Oh where do you work again?"

"I'd rather not say at this moment." I said taking a big gulp of hot chocolate. He gave me a weird look but continued to drink his drink.

"Well you can crash at my place till you have to go home, if you want?" It was endearing how he came off like it wasn't a big deal if I went with him or not, but his voice sounded excited.

"I would love that actually, just have to get my clothes first." I laughed.

"Oh yeah I forgot." He laughed and then put his cup in the sink. "Want to continue watching the 'Great World of Fungus' or something that's actually cool?" he teased.

"Hmph it is a great show and you know it." I said crossing my arms, pretending to be mad.

"Yeah okay krazy Kori."

"Now are you not the clever." I said poking him and he tickled me back.

"It's not aren't you clever." He teased and I swatted his hand away and we walked to the T.V room with Rachael and Garfield still sitting watching some horror comedy film. We sat down, I tucked my feet under me while Dick sat close to me laughing when it was necessary or not so necessary to laugh. Halfway through the movie Victor came back red-faced and handing Rachael and I our clothing. We got up to change quickly to return to the movie.

I felt better in my dry clothes and decided to sit closer to Dick then I was at first. He tensed up a bit and I felt my heart race. There was warmth radiating from him almost like he was my own personal sun. With beautiful eyes that were trying to focus on the screen instead of his hand so close to mine. I could not stop looking at how close his fingers would slowly get to mine, I wished he would just hold my hand like he did those other times. But this felt different, challenging. More than just holding my hand, because holding his hand would mean more than comfort. I was scared for that too, but I craved his touch more than I have craved anything in my life before.

I inched my fingers closer to his, slowly tracing the veins on his hand till he turned it over and I traced his palm. My fingers getting caught between his and he gave me a soft squeeze. A smile spread across my lips and I hid behind my hair when he looked at me, a smile on his perfect lips.

"Hey Dick, Alfred's here," Wally said running into the room.

"Great." Dick muttered letting go of my hand. "Kori are you still coming with me?"

"If it's okay?"

"Of course, I'm going to get Jason I'll meet you outside." I smiled at him and then looked around the room to some wide eyes, smirks, and some happy smiles from Rachael and Garfield.

"It was great seeing you tonight Kori," Garfield said getting up and giving me a hug, followed by Rachael smiling and holding my hand briefly.

"I'm happy you were able to meet my friends, despite the drama." She said blushing of embracement.

"It is the O and K I enjoyed getting to know everyone." I then turned around to Victor giving him a huge hug. "It was wonderful meeting you tonight I hope to see you soon."

"Me too little lady," he said smiling and lifting me a bit off the ground. I giggled and then waved goodbye to everyone and headed out side. There was a black Cadillac with tinted windows parked in the drive way with Dick leaning against the door. He held it open for me and I greeted Alfred while Jason groaned, slumping in his seat tiredly. While Dick held my hand running his thumb over my knuckles the whole ride in silence.