Just Drabbles

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

Chapter 35: Gamble

"Koriana Janine Anadyr! Will you quit pacing and just go?!" Carmen Peterson formerly Anadyr and older sister of Kori scolded, fed up with watching her sister pace the room like a crazed maniac.

Kory stopped pacing, and removed the thumbnail she was biting from her mouth, worry etched in her normally sparkling emerald eyes. "Carmen, I can't just drop everything and go out to lunch! I'm working on two cases back to back plus there's that third one to think about and you know exactly what I'm talking about. And top of that, it's not just lunch with anyone, it's lunch with Richard. I mean, I have spoken to that man in nearly three years and he shows up pretty much out of the blue wanting to go out for lunch." She sighed, exasperated and ran a hand through her hair. "Don't you think…I don't know, this all so sudden and awkward?"

Carmen laughed, "Yes it's awkward, but hey, that's life."

"I wonder why he suddenly decided to come back into my life," Kory murmured. "Perhaps his firm is involved in one of my cases? No, that's not possible. Unless, he's a witness with…? No, no…"

"Kory!" Carmen cried. "You always overanalyze things! What I see is a former flame of yours apparently hasn't gotten you out of his head and wants a second chance. If I remember correctly, you yourself haven't gotten him out of your own mind." She softened her gaze. "Go on, go have fun. When was the last time you had fun?"

"Last Saturday when I was babysitting Natalie," Kory replied, lifting her chin slightly.

"I mean adult fun…less than rated R fun," Carmen added hastily. "Not that I love my niece, but come on Kory, go on, be a grown up and go out to lunch!"

Kory rolled her eyes and grinned, "Only you would think people believe your meaning to have 'gutter worthy insinuations'. All right, you win, I'll go. No promises of re-entering a relationship with the man."

Carmen grinned, "Thank you Counselor. Now go get ready and could you do me a favor while you're at it?"

Kory paused on her way back to her room, turned around and asked her sister, "Drop you off at Mom's?"

Carmen nodded, "It's been so long since I've seen Natalie."

Moving back to Carmen's side, Kory placed a hand on her sister's slightly burgeoning stomach and said, "Soon I'll have another niece or nephew to visit." Her eyes became cloudy. "I wish I could say the same for Ryan."

The Anadyr sisters' gaze fell on the picture of Ryan Anadyr which was perched on Kory's mantle. Ryan had cruelly been taken from the world when he was nearing his twenty fourth birthday, the victim of a hit and run accident.

"Even though Ryan's not with us anymore, it doesn't mean he won't be looking out for us anymore," Koma stated, rubbing her stomach as she spoke.

Kory sighed quietly, "You're right."

Carmen smirked, "Well what do you know, you've been wrong twice so far, eh little sis?"

Kory rolled her eyes. "Let's not make it three times, shall we?" She teased back, strolling into her room.

Within forty-five minutes, Kory found herself standing at the bar of Café Nevermore, nervously awaiting the arrival of her ex-boyfriend, corporate lawyer Richard Grayson. She constantly sipped on her glass of white wine, her throat continually going dry.

"Well, well, drinking before noon." Kory jumped at the sound of the smooth tenor voice. "Miss Anadyr, you've changed."

Spinning around, Kory wound up looking into the gorgeous sapphire eyes belonging to Richard. She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry," she croaked. "Erm, I've been kinda nervous about this meeting." She glanced down at her laced fingers, then back at Richard. She reached up and brushed a stray lock of shoulder-length ebony hair out of his face. "It appears that I am not the only one who has done the changing."

Richard grinned, "Touché, Counselor." He then placed a hand on the small of her back. "Come on, I got us a table."

Abandoning her drink, Kory allowed Richard to lead her over to their table. She fiddled with her napkin, adjusting the silverware with minute movements, chewed on her full lower lip ever so slightly before getting up the courage to ask, "So why the sudden desire to make a return into my life?" Her words held no loathing, but there was plenty of hurt to go around.

Richard didn't raise his gaze to meet hers. "Because I made a horrible mistake leaving you. I…I shouldn't have left you just because Bruce 'suggested' that I do so. There was no point in him saying that and there was absolutely no reason for me to listen to him." His expression became slightly fierce. "I'm nobody's puppet."

Kory couldn't help the wry smile. "So the puppet has become a man, hm?" She winked playfully as he raised his head to look at her. "You wish for a second chance between us, yes?"

Richard nodded. "That's exactly what I want. I missed you so much Kory, I've regretted every second I've been without you." He hesitated before continuing. "Um, i-is there someone else in your life right now?"

Kory shook her head. "No, but I don't know if I c-" But it's not as if I don't harbor any feelings for you Richard, I do. You have haunted nearly every dream of mine for the past three years. However…

"I bet I can earn your love again," Richard said quickly.

Kory blinked. "Um, what?"

"I bet I can make you fall back in love with me," Richard stated with more confidence. "And I'll bet that I can do it within five weeks."

Kory laughed. "Richard, no one can fall in love that quickly."

"Wanna bet?"

Kory realized how serious Richard truly was. She also then remembered how much was going on in her life. Could she also manage to balance a new chance at a relationship with the man who stole her heart years ago? "Richard, I…"

Okay, okay, I know, quite the cliffhanger and that there are a lot of plot gaps. However, this was just a preview for a new chapter story I was thinking about called Lover's Roulette. I'm in desperate need of a beta. Is there a kind soul out there who's willing to help?

Also, to Star of Airdrie if you're reading this, I realize there's some similarities to Politics As Usual, but I promise that this story will be completely different.