Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Teen Titans.

Kory

Koma walked up and plopped herself down on the loveseat neighboring the couch. Her pitch dark hair collapsed onto the cushioned seat as her coal eyes looked suspiciously at her younger sister. "I do live here too, you know."

"So what? Mom and Dad ordered you to check up on me?"

"Can you blame them? They probably figured you might've burned down the house by now."

"Koma, can you keep the quips down to a minimum? I'm not in the mood today."

Koma raised an eyebrow, "What's with you? You never pout this much."

Anxiety rose to the pits of Kory's stomach, especially since Koma always had such an impeccable way of showing up at the most inopportune time. "Because they always send the guardian of the watchtower to keep tabs on me," she answered, crossing her arms. "I'm seventeen. I can take care of myself."

Koma scoffed, "And I'm eighteen. What's your point?"

"You don't get it. You already have your freedom. You're going to college. You have your own dorm. You're living life with no inhibitions."

"Kory dear, you're perception of life is jaded. Life is never that easy. I know mine ain't." Koma snuggled deeper into the couch, indicating she had no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Realizing this, the redhead exhaled softly as she placed herself down next to her sister. Just act casual and maybe she won't mention anything about the car.

"Don't worry," she swatted Kory on her arm. "I won't be staying long. I too have a life."

"It's not that," Kory stated tiredly as she tilted her head towards the ceiling in a daze.

Watching her sister, Koma sat up on the couch, feeling trepidation creep up. She wasn't acting like her bubbly self. Koma waved her hand, trying to summon her out of her trance. "Hey!"

"What?" she shooed her away.

"Not to deter the subject or anything but like I was saying, I talked to the parental units yesterday."

"And?" she stressed, dreading where this conversation was heading.

"They said, and I quote, 'we flew up to Aspen'," she stated once more, though Kory could sense the hint of questioning in her words.

Great. So much for casual. "They did fly to Aspen," Kory confirmed.

"I can see that, dope brain," she quipped, to which Kory replied with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "So where the hell is Goldie?"

'Goldie' was what Myan decided would be the name of his precious Jaguar. To this day, his daughters never understood why men felt the need to name their cars, boats or any other of their fine possessions.

"What do you mean?" she asked, becoming increasingly nervous at the mention of the car that remained stranded at some auto garage. Just play along, maybe she'll…oh, who am I kidding? She's going to go apeshit on me.

Koma raised herself off the couch. "Kory," she warned, placing a hand on her hip. "I parked my car in the garage and it wasn't there. I even-" Koma paused realizing her sister hadn't the faintest idea about the absence of their father's vehicle. "Wait, you didn't know it was gone?" Her voice was laced with dread and before Kory could answer, she started again. "Damn it, Kory! Someone must've stolen it!" The first thing she did was reach for the phone in a panic. "I have to call the cops!"

Kory's eyes widened and she rushed out of her seat. "Koma, hold-"

With the phone still in her hand, it rang, starling the girls out of their place. They exchanged an ominous look of apprehension. Koma hesitated at first but answered, "Hello?" She paused, "Dad, hi." She quickly averted her eyes back to her younger sister, who's heartbeat began racing ever faster. What was she going to tell him?

Hang up the phone, Koma!

"No, Dad. We're fine. Yeah. Well, that's great. You both deserve a good vacation." Koma stared up to the ceiling as Myan spoke about what they had planned for their day. She was unsure of what to tell him, or how for that matter. "Actually Dad, there is a problem," she said finally. "No! No, I said we were fine. It's about-"

Kory approached her before she could finish her sentence. "Please don't," she whispered, her face inches away from Koma's. Her eyes begged at her to do the same. "Please don't tell Daddy about the car."

"What?" she mouthed. "Why not?"

"Because it wasn't stolen," she confessed so quietly that Koma had to strain to hear her. But when she viewed her jaw stiffen, she knew Koma had heard more than enough.

"Dad, hold on. Kory's buzzing something into my ear." Koma placed her hand over the phone which denied him of their conversation. She exhaled long and hard. Her black eyebrows furrowed fully, "What did you say?" It wasn't a question. It was more of a heeded warning.

Kory shut her eyes, mortified. "It's gone but it's not stolen," she gulped with every ounce of fear she could muster.

There was bizarre calmness about Koma, that it worried Kory when she remained silent. Instead, she returned her attention back to her father who was still left hanging on the phone. Myan's muzzled voice could be heard through the earpiece, demanding to know what horrendous news she had.

"About that problem, it's nothing really. Just that Kory," Koma waved off her sister's apprehensive gaze as she moved about the room, trying to escape Kory's earshot, "...let's just say she can be a bit impulsive. And frankly, she's driving me crazy, Dad."

She was obviously trying to unnerve her before she would bring down the hammer. Subconsciously, Kory bit at her sculpted nails, a habit that usually occurred when Koma was on the warpath in search of her. She couldn't catch much of their conversation, but cringed every time her sister sent her a cold stare. It wasn't until after their goodbyes, that Koma ended the call, as well as her fictitious sweet ambiance. She stomped over to her.

Here we go. Get the bipolar pill ready.

"What the hell did you do now, Kory?" she clenched through her teeth. "Where is Dad's car?"

Kory was well aware of her volatile behavior and decided to safely walk backwards as a way to evade her. "Just listen to me, Koma. Let me explain what happened. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing. And it happened so quickly that I-"

"You what?"

"I kind of…well, I rear ended someone," she attested, still continuing to escape her sister's wrath.

"What!" she gasped, suddenly stopping her chase. "Where's the car now, Kory!" she demanded, again following her around more fervently as she tried to get away.

"Will you calm down? It's getting fixed." She fumbled with a vase as she crashed into a nearby table.

"Calm down?" She looked to her as if it was the most asinine thing she'd ever said. "Calm down?! Are you crazy?! Mom and Dad are going to go ballistic when they find out. But what do you care? They're going to find a way to blame me for this."

"No they won't because they won't find out. They won't be back for another two weeks and for sure I should have Goldie back by then," she reassured with a nervous grin.

"How?!"

"This guy I met is going to help me fix it. Actually, he's the one I crashed into," she added with a faint-hearted smile.

"This is supposed to make me feel better? Who is this guy?"

"His name is Dick."

"Dick?" she echoed, shaking her head. "Are you kidding me? His name is Dick?" Things were so tense that she could feel a sardonic laugh rising. "So you're relying on a neanderthal, beer-bong-passing frat boy to get you out of this? Oh yeah, that's just like you, Kory."

"Please, ok. I'm already stressed enough as it is and I don't need you adding to it."

"You don't need me adding to it?" Koma exasperated. With all the words that she could have said, this sent her pulse racing into a simmer. Without thinking, she lunged at her sister, who in the process protected herself behind the couch.

"Look, Koma. I know you want nothing more than to tear me apart, limb from limb, but just hear me out. As long as we both keep our mouths shut about this, everything will work out fine. All we have to do-"

"No, stop!" Koma shouted, placing a stern hand in front of herself. "We aren't going to do anything. You are!" she pointed a finger. "This is your damn mess!"

Kory sighed dully. "I never meant for any-"

"Stop it, alright! No explanations! No reasons! I don't want to hear anything come out of your mouth, just get it done!" She turned to walk away but rounded and looked back at Kory with resent. "You've done a lot of stupid things in your life, Kory. But this..." she couldn't bare to finish her sentiment.

Kory's eyes had begun to welt, but she couldn't bring herself to cry. "I'm sorry, Koma. I guess I wasn't thinking," she said with a shameful frown.

"You guess!" she said, running her hand through her dark locks. "You never think…about anything! It's just like that day all over again! When will you learn to stop being so stupid!"

Kory's mouth dropped slightly at the horrific memory and her hurtful words. When Koma turned to face her, immediately her heart sank. Kory's bottom lip began trembling but still she refused to cry.

"Kory..." Koma tried moving closer to her, apologetically. "I'm…I'm sorry."

"You promised." Her shattered whisper was barely audible as she darted towards her bedroom, not wishing to be reminded of her thoughtlessness anymore.

Her sister made an attempt at stopping her but ceased once she reached the bottom of the staircase. "Kory!" She gazed up the stairs hoping she'd respond. "I didn't mean it!" She heard Kory's door slam shut, deaf to her warped version of an apology. Koma mumbled to herself bitterly, "Well, that certainly went well."

Gar

Gar opened the door to the archaic bookstore, the chime of the bell going off as he entered. Out of the dozens of applications he filled, he had one callback from the owner who was looking for a part-time cashier. He walked up to the counter and found an older girl with a reddish-brown boyish bob, a pierced eyebrow and deep red lipstick decorating her face, thoroughly reading her book.

After a few seconds of waiting, he cleared his throat causing her to tilt her head slightly upward.

"Can I help you?" she asked, visibly agitated from having been drawn away from her novel.

"Yeah, uh…sorry to bother you but I need to see Mrs. Meyer. I have an interview today."

"And you would be?"

"Gar Logan."

"Gar?" she repeated, deciding if the name suited him or not.

"Logan."

"Logan?" she echoed. "Hold on," she sighed, "let me get her for you." She slipped behind a red velvet curtain just behind her but took her time returning.

Gar waited patiently, looking around as he took in the whole conception of the bookstore. It was a little drafty and intimidating, resembling a place you'd expect to find a gypsy fortune teller who was about to read your future conducting her business. He turned behind him when his nose picked up on an aroma of green tea incense. Yet he failed to find anyone nor anything out of the ordinary. He stared back to the curtain, still waiting.

What the heck, dude? Are they having a séance back there?

He moved closer towards the counter, catching a glimpse of the book the girl was reading. "Love of the Crucifixion?" he read. His eyes bugged to the size of saucers, "What the heck kind of bookstore is this?" He shuddered as he backed away from the book, almost as if its weirdness was something contagious.

It was then that he saw the velvety curtain being lifted as the girl had returned, though the owner was not with her. Great! Turned down already.

"Ok, Garfield," she said, skimming through his job application. "You're hired."

"Hey, how did you know-" he was about to ask, stunned on her knowledge of his real name.

"Read your application," she answered, bringing up her clipboard. "My name's Orchid, by the way." She held out her hand for him to shake.

"What happened to the interview?" he asked in mid-shake, motioning to the curtain.

"I was the interview. My mother owns this place," she explained, waving about the store, "and from the looks of it, you'll do. You can start next week on Monday. Be here at 10 AM sharp. Delilah won't stand for tardiness."

"You mean, I got the job? Cool!" Gar fisted a hand in the air but quickly regained his composure. "Seems like my good looks do come in handy, huh?"

A small blush crept onto Orchid's cheek, something he thought couldn't be possible for the seemingly tough girl. He looked sideways, following her eyes as they stared off to his left, distracted. It was then that he noticed someone had stepped up beside him, only about three feet away.

"Orchid, did you get The Crow's Manifesto in today?" she asked.

"Oh," she snapped her fingers. "Let me see if those came in." She traveled away from the counter and moved over to some shelves out of sight.

Gar gazed at the profile of a girl who appeared to be in her late teens. Her deep violet hair contrasted gracefully with her pale milky skin. She had an essence of whimsicalness, he thought. But he must not have realized just how long and continuous his stare remained on her.

Turning to face him, "What?" she questioned in a bothered tone.

Ok, maybe not so whimsical. "Not-thing," he mumbled, turning his attention away from her. He decided he'd made enough of a fool of himself in front of this mysterious girl. Raising his voice, "I'll be seeing you, Orchid," he said, hoping his farewell reached his new colleague.

"See you, Garfield," she replied with a little snicker.

Gar rolled his eyes and groaned with embarrassment. No point in trying to impress her now.

Walking behind her, he couldn't help but take a quick peek from behind. He was still a hormonal growing teenage male after all. It was expected of him, right? At least that was his excuse. The door chimed again, indicating he was now gone out of the store.

The baffled girl looked around the bookstore, assuming it was free of any roaming eyes for the moment. She walked up to the glass door just in time to see Gar's retreating back carelessly parading down the sidewalk.

Dick

After his long ordeal, Dick finally reached the spacious circular driveway that led up to Wayne Manor. Turning off the ignition, he sat there clearing his mind of all the unforeseen circumstances that played out that day like a violin. Whether it was from its dramatic chords of the accident to the soft melodic notes of the surprising girl's laughter, it all made for a beautiful symphony.

In a mere hours, he managed to get himself in a minor car accident, meet one of the most astonishing females and now managed to end it with a genuine smile on his face.

From the time he dropped off Kory at her home, she was a constant reminder that perhaps there was still some sense of sincerity in his obscured world. She was a pleasurable character, he thought. He chuckled again at her mannerisms, however fetching and assorted they were.

Nah. Who am I kidding? She's probably just another pretentious queen. I've become quite used to dealing with those.

Releasing an exhausted sigh, he exited his rugged SUV, still rubbing lightly at his neck. The pain was pretty much gone now. He took one last look at the scrapes on his bumper but the beam on his mesmeric face spoke volumes. He should have been raging mad though it was the farthest temperament he was feeling.

He shook his head, again re-evaluating the redhead's character. No. She can't be a pretentious queen. But she is...something.

He made his way into the mansion. Entering the huge foyer, he decided to go and check in on Alfred, whose cold seem to be dwindling down to just a runny nose. Dick had been worrying about the old-age butler as far as he could remember. He considered him to be the father that Bruce could never be. Not to say that Bruce wasn't a great man, he revered him. Ethical. Smart as a whip. Loyal. Many would say that he was partly the reason why Dick is the man he is today, and perhaps they would be right.

Upon entering his quarters, Alfred sat upright as Dick brought him another helping of chicken soup, thanks to the assistance of their trusty microwave. He set the tray of soup on the end table.

"Thank you, Master Dick. I feel rather unjustly having you care for me," he said, the guilt in his voice straining to be heard with his British raspy accent. Dick helped him into an inclined position while fluffing his flat pillows, and chose not to hear any of it. "Don't worry about it, Alfred. Let someone watch over you for a change."

He sat back comfortably on the bed as Dick brought over the tray, placing it over his legs. "So how are you feeling?"

"Rather well, it seems. I decided to try and make the most of my ailment. At least I've been able to answer all the calls. In fact, you received a message from Master Bruce just earlier?"

"Message?"

"Oh, I suppose you haven't been informed. That charity ball for the new hospital wing in Gotham Memorial is back on again. It seems Master Bruce will be funding the rest of the project himself. It is set for this Friday evening at seven in the McKinley Hotel." Judging from the confused look Dick gave him, "I know it is rather short notice but-"

"Are you kidding? I think you underestimate our guests, Alfred. This should be a good opportunity for the crooked politicians to make their rounds within the elitists of Gotham. Not to mention, an elegant meal and booze to top it off...and none of it on their dime. You won't be able to swing a dead cat without hitting someone in the ballroom."

"I take it you're not too thrilled with the extravaganza?"

He shrugged. "Meh. You've been to one, you've been to all of them."

"Well, not all guests will be attending with ulterior motives, Master Dick." Dick smirked as Alfred too knew the lack of validity of his statement. "For example, Commissioner Gordon and Barbara have already RSVP'd their invite for the dinner." Just then, the butler side-glanced over to Dick wishing he had not mentioned the longtime family friends. He knew that Dick wasn't handling their breakup in the best of terms.

"Oh," was all Dick could say. He dug his hands into his pocket, "So Babs is coming to this, too?"

"But, of course. They made reservations for three."

"Three?" Dick echoed, wondering who the third guest could be, as if he didn't already know. He narrowed his eyes knowing full aware that Babs would be bringing along her new beau.

"It appears that way, Master Dick."

Naturally, the last words Kory uttered before leaving his vehicle came to mind. This would be the perfect time to put their plan into action. A sly smirk fell on his lips and he turned to Alfred, who was busy slurping his soup. "Alfred, will you be needing anything else before I go?"

"No. No, you've attended to me just fine. Thank you, again."

"Alright. I'll be in my room if you need me. I have some things I need to take care of before this ball."

He hung around just enough to see Alfred nod politely before heading out the bedroom door. "And stay in bed," he scolded, peeking in before shutting the door behind him. He was able to reach the bottom of the staircase when the resonance of the phone in the drafty living room sounded, causing Dick to make a beeline for it. From the tired expression engulfed on the sickly butler's face when he left him, he didn't want any disturbances bothering the poor man.

"Hello?" he answered. With one listen, he automatically regretted even picking it up as he detected her distinguishable voice.

"Dick? Oh, I'm so glad I caught you," he heard her say.

Agitation had sunken into his bones, "Helena. It's you." He stared around the room, anything to take the focus off the fact that he was speaking with Helena Bertinelli. Never mind she was one of Babs best friends, Helena had long been pining for Dick since their prepubescent days. All she really desired was a better life for herself and Dick Grayson, ward and heir to the Wayne fortune was going to be her golden ticket.

"You're such a hard person to reach, Dick."

He was forced to listen to the woman's ramblings of condolences on his reported breakup with Babs, though he highly doubted her concern. Dick knew her too well. She was a huntress and he was the hunted, he thought.

Despite wanting to hang up the call, he deterred the subject away from the latest gossip around town. "So you've been trying to reach me, you say?" As if he really cared.

"Yes. I received my invitation to Bruce's banquet today."

Dick shrugged, "That's good. So are you attending?" He knew exactly what she was suggesting but he sure wasn't going to take the bait.

"Why, of course. Far be it from me to deny our guests the grace of my presence," she laughed, to which he rolled his eyes. But then an awkward silence lingered until he heard an embarrassing cough on the other line. He figured Helena must have gotten tired of waiting for him to respond. "I was wondering, is there any chance of us maybe attending together?"

Thank goodness for Kory. He breathed a happy sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry, Helena," he said, trying to hide the alleviation in his voice, "but I already have a date for the banquet." It had been more than several seconds and she had yet to respond, that he began to worry. "Helena? You there?"

Quickly, she cleared her throat, realizing her mistake. "Oh, yes. I was about to say that's…good to hear," she finished, a little resentful that Dick had possibly passed up the chance to date such a perfect specimen of a woman. "So who exactly is this lucky lady? Anyone we know?"

'We' meaning, is she someone in our social circle of snooty debutantes?

"No, I don't believe so. She's someone I'm dating," he answered ambiguously. He wasn't about to divulge any more information than needed, especially to her.

"I see," she huffed. "A girlfriend? …so soon after Babs?"

"Well, Babs dumped me, so I don't see the problem. Besides, if you met her, you'd know exactly why I snatched her up when I did." Dick couldn't help but grin broadly as Helena, once again, cleared her throat from their disconcerting conversation. It turned out he was very much enjoying this phone call.

"How charming she must be," she remarked, followed by her infamous condescending laugh. "Yes well, I certainly look forward to meeting her. As I'm sure Babs will be looking forward to it as well."

Dick didn't have time for her games. "Thanks. I'm sure she'll love meeting you. Who knows? You might even become good friends."

"I high-"

"What's that, Alfred? You need more soup?" he interrupted, raising his voice against her babbling over the phone. He could only imagine had he not intercepted with a lie just how long she'd have kept him on the phone. "I've got to go, Helena. Alfred is sick and needs me."

"But I-"

"We'll talk again later. Goodbye."

Kory

Kory took off the ear buds to her black Ipod, swinging them off to the side as she flipped through her music list for a preferred song. Her eyes were glassy, but not from crying. She was hurt, mainly because Koma had promised never to bring up the incident around her. Kory stared at her door, wishing her big sister would walk through ready to laugh at how foolish their argument had been.

Well, maybe it wasn't so foolish. I mean, I did wreck Daddy's car and all. She did have a good reason for wanting to rearrange my face.

She glanced off to a picture she kept framed atop her chest of drawers. It was one of those black and white pictures, the kind taken from those old photo booths. Luanne usually forced her girls to wear the same ridiculously frilly dresses, the kind one would die from shame if anyone ever caught sight of them.

Thinking back, their relationship was so much simpler when the two still played dress up together. Koma was her big sister, her protector. She always looked out for Kory, even when she was being a pain in her neck. But in recent years, they matured into two completely different women and Kory's spontaneity today was fine evidence of the strain their sister-ship had taken.

But now, she needed to let Koma cool off before she would pursue her again. She knew her sister wasn't really livid with her. Koma was trying to make her accept responsibility for her decisions, however careless they were.

Kory scooted further into her pillow, her head resting against the headboard. Over to her right was her cherished white ferret, Silkie, sleeping soundly. She smiled. Kory couldn't believe just how important Silkie was to her or how her parents agreed to let her keep him. But then again, how could they refuse?

She went to pet him when her cell phone rang, startling her. "You got me," she answered.

"Kory?"

"Yeesss," she drew out the word. "Who's calling?"

"It's me, Dick." Judging from the break in his voice, he was nervous about something.

"Hey, sexy," she greeted. "Didn't get enough of me earlier?"

"Well, I..." Struck speechless, he struggled with how to answer. "I was-"

Kory, sensing his tension through the phone, giggled. "I'm only messing with you, Dick. What's shaking?"

"Oh," he relaxed. "Not much. I just got home and I received some rather good news actually."

"Ooh..." She raised herself up, intrigued by his call. "Do tell."

"So Bruce is having some kind of charity-event-ball thing this Friday."

"Uh-huh."

"And well…" He didn't know how things could get any more embarrassing.

Kory guessed, "She's going to be there, am I right?"

He breathed out, "Yeah."

"Wow, this is good news. No, this is great news. Gorgeous, this is exactly the kind of opportunity we need for our plan to work." Dick couldn't understand the excitement in her voice. "It couldn't have come at a better time, too."

"There's something else. She's RSVP'd for a guest."

"You mean the new guy?"

"Who else could it be? She sure didn't waste any time grieving for us, did she?"

"Look, Dick. With your beauty and my unmistakable charm, we're going to give those stuffy elbowrubbers at that gala something to talk about." Before he could reply, she wondered, "Hey, does that mean I get to wear a tiara?"

With a toothy smile, he said, "Maybe just a little too formal for what we're planning Friday night."

Before she could laugh, a frown formed. "Friday...night?" Her plans for Friday already called for a romantic evening with Leon, something she had been dreaming about since he first arrived to Gotham. "You mean this Friday night?"

"Why? Is something wrong?" He paused for a moment. "Can you make it?"

She questioned in her mind on how to solve two dates at once. No. I can't screw up this bargain. Daddy's car...Goldie needs to get fixed. After all, there won't be a happy date with Leon if I'm not alive to enjoy it.

Beginning to worry, "Kory?" Dick questioned again.

"You know what, don't worry about it," she suggested, because there was really nothing she could do about her date with Leon. "It's nothing I can't reschedule."

And their conversation continued on for another hour before Dick realized just how much of Kory's time he had monopolized. But what surprised him the most was the overwhelming feeling of delectation when Kory would glee in laughter during one of his remarks or stories. In fact, it frightened the hell out of him to feel this way.

Rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants, he needed to shake away this odd feeling. "I didn't realize how long I kept you on the phone. I'm sorry, Kory."

"It's really not a-"

"Anyways, I should've checked on Alfred by now."

"That's right, he's sick. Well, tell the ol' stud I sure hope he feels better."

"Ol' stud?" Dick gave a little laugh at the idea of their Alfred as a bachelor. "I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that sentiment. Oh, I'll call the body shop first thing tomorrow and keep you updated on your car," he said, remembering not to forget mentioning the latter.

Moments later, the twosome were left in an awkward fleeting silence.

"Dick?"

Her voice was softer than he had heard her speak before. "Yeah?"

"Thank you."

He couldn't stop his modest grin if he tried. "There's no need to thank me."

"Yes there is. You practically saved my life today. I don't know where you came from but...thank you."

"So I'm your hero now?" he asked, surprised with his sudden dash of boldness.

"No."

She heard a low 'oh' through the phone. "You're more like my…" she thought about what word would suit him best, "-my superhero."

"Superhero?"

"Think about it. You saved my behind today. I'd be planning my own funeral if it weren't for you. I have to look up to you, you being tall and all. And I'm sure you look great in tights. Yep. All the qualifications of being a superhero." After hearing his small chuckle, she thought it would be best to end the call before she made another coquettish remark, one that was sure turn his face a beet red. "Alright, handsome. Looks like I'll talk to you later."

She shut her phone and held it in place, gazing at it. If only her thoughts could somehow get through to him. I promise, I'll get her back to you.

Koma

She sat before her vanity mirror, her face in her hand as it rested on the table. She scrunched her face in a scowl. "How could I have said that?" She groaned as her face fell into her forearm, wishing she hadn't lost her temper. Koma never meant to bring up one of Kory's worst recollections, but her frustration got the best of her.

Why does she always get herself into these kinds of situations?

She loved her sister, which is why she was protective of her. Growing up, Kory always seemed to garner attention everywhere she went, a lot of it unwanted. People would glance around and ultimately she was this bewitching soul looking like an innocent-eyed doe springing around in the wilderness. No one could keep their eyes off of her. She exuded so much sublimity and poise, she thought.

Not to say that Koma wasn't a stunning beauty. In truth, she had many admirers, just like her younger counterpart but lacked the free spirit that came naturally to Kory. It wasn't that she was jealous or envious, she just didn't understand her sometimes.

"Ugh!" she moaned, standing up and away from the vanity stool. She traveled to her closet and opened the door, grabbing various colors of paints and several paintbrushes. She looked under her bed for a small blank canvas, remembering how her mother always stored a fresh one for her personal use whenever she would come home.

Sitting Indian-style on her bed, she slipped open a small tin of red paint. For her motivation, she used her emotions, her turmoils, the desire for love that didn't consist of a steady stream of disappointments and she would let it spill onto her work.

Just as the brush could hit the canvas, there was a soft knock on her door. She sighed, "What?"

She raised a brow when the door slowly opened, though no one entered. Well, no one human anyways. The only thing visible was a forearm snaking its way inside through the door, holding onto something in its hand. Koma covered her mouth, trying to resist the wide grin already forming.

When she saw Silkie being held in a gentle grasp, she knew Kory was up to one of her adoring stunts. She used him as a puppet, or mediator if you will, when she mimicked her voice to sound like that of animated puppet. "Kory wants to know if it's safe to come in."

Koma said nothing, only looked on. Her anger had long subsided but she made a mental note. Maybe not understanding her younger sister was exactly why she loved her.

"She feels really bad, Koma," came the lively voice again. "We ordered a pizza, just the way you like it. You're not going to make a poor old ferret beg, are you?"

"Oh, just come in already."

So what do I think about this chapter…meh! I tried to do the best I could with what free time I had. I'm not too crazy with fillers but I needed to start building up the plots for the future chapters. So right now we know something is wrong with Gar and Kory…but what?

Now I'm really anticipating the next chapter…war of the redheads, anyone? And you haven't seen the last of Helena. Don't you hate it when you start dating a guy, then all of a sudden you get enemies you never knew existed. Well Kory will be able to relate. Damn it, Dick…what trouble are you getting her into.

Just on a side note, even the littlest things mentioned might play a factor in outlook of this story.

Now for the loyal reviewers who leave me feedback (and you know who you are)…I love you all. You guys rock harder than any meteors in freaking space. And I had some newbies: Stars lil girl, hannehbuns, T., cutiepie101, Crimson Black…thanks guys! You're awesome, now until next chapter…