I'm pretty happy with the reviews so thanks ya'll! I think it's funny that a lot of you think this is funny because I never really considered myself a funny person (shrugs).
Disclaimer- I do not own Teen Titans, and also last chapter I did not own the song Don't Let Me Down. No Doubt does. I don't own Love Stoned/I think that she knows justin Timberlake does.
-"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." Dead Poets Society,1989-
Dick stretched out atop of the queen sized bed, and did something he hadn't done in a long time: took a breath of fresh air. Instead of going immediately back to the city he rented a room in a small bed and breakfast. Kory lay next to him sleeping soundly, fully dressed mind you. If Kory hadn't somehow kidnapped him yesterday he'd be yanking himself out of his own bed and be begrudgingly pulling himself to the office. He didn't care much about how risky it was and unprofessional, all he could think about was the amazing night he had with Kory.
She wasn't like him, she was a free spirit. She would do her hearts desires without a second thought. Dick on the other hand played it safe. He was more of a rule follower. Driving to New Jersey on a whim was so totally out of character for him. It felt good. He knew the feeling wouldn't last he had to go back to New York, and every thing had to go back to normal. As normal as things were for Dick. He woke Kory up and they checked out. They were both still tired but they needed to go, so Dick drove.
"I'll be lucky if Raven doesn't put her foot up my ass for not going to work today." he said to Kory.
Kory leaned against the window pain and yawned. "So, you and Raven your like friends or just business partners?"
"No, I've known Raven since we were...nine I think. We went through all the teenage rebellion shit together. When were young and stupid we even got high together."
Kory gasped. "You guys did drugs?!" Dick nodded as he switched lanes.
"I know we both had a problem with authority, not that Raven really had any. We are both very ashamed of that. It's funny, you know, we I was getting way too out of control she was the one who sat me down and told me I needed to stop but, she couldn't stop herself. She could save me but not herself." he said somberly.
"What happened?" Dick didn't say anything. The truth was really too grave to say, and it was Raven's story to tell not his. He and Raven were a lot alike in that sense. He was upset with Bruce, so he ran away a few times. Her father didn't pay any attention to her at all, so she did dangerous thing for attention and it didn't work. When Dick runaway to China she called him everyday and convinced him too come home, and he was the one to help her break her addiction to cocaine. They took turns playing super heroes to each other. They eventually smartened up and stopped doing bad things, and taking care of themselves. Dick started to crack under the pressure of Bruce, and Raven gave up on all hopes of her father ever caring.
"Something bad happened, and she just stopped." he said finally.
What happened was horrible unmentionable, Dick hadn't thought about it in a long time. It was a turning point for the both of them and they both agreed to quit drugs cold turkey, and so they did. They had been clean for over eight years now. Dick was especially ashamed. He knew that Bruce was very disappointed in his wild escapades as a teen. he had caused Bruce all kinds of worry, and discipline. He never wanted to do it again.
The rest of the ride home was quiet. Kory slept the whole time until Dick arrived at her apartment. He decided it was too late to go to the office now and it was best just to go home, and get some rest. He would deal with whatever turmoil was going on tomorrow. Wow this was the first time he'd played hokey from work. And with Kory it almost defiantly seemed positive it would not be his last.
Dick came into the office, the next day, unprepared for life to go back to the way it was. Sure he'd only been gone two days, but still he had fun and most of all for thr first time in no one knows how long he relaxed and enjoyed himself. Going back to work just seemed like hell, compared to New Jersey. Dick rode the elevator, and kept sighing deeply. The annoying ding of the elevator, topped off, and Dick sludge down to Raven's office he could hear her voice from outside her door. She was apparently on the phone, speaking in German.
"Das wird gerade schlechter. Mein Haar fällt aus, die Arthritis ist wirklich schlecht, und ich bin mehr müde als üblich. Ich weiß nicht was zu tun, ich kann nicht meinen Job gerade verlassen. Ich will dazu nicht, aber wenn das schlechter wird, weiß ich nicht was noch zu tun... Ja kann ich in zwei Wochen eingehen. Für das Wochenende. Danke, auf Wiedersehen." and the she hung up.
It was weird to Dick, that Raven would be speaking German on the phone, she sounded concerned, but he wasn't about ask. Dick stood up straight and walked in. Raven's head snapped up the second he came in. She looked very, very mad. "Richard Grayson I should kick your ass right now!"
She said Richard, she was defiantly mad. Raven stood up from her chair, causing Dick to cower in the doorway. "Do you know how much covering I had to do for you yesterday? You didn't leave a message, no phone calls, you didn't even pick up your cell phone. You had better have a fucking explanation, and damn good one, for making me lie to Bruce!"
"Raven," Dick said slowly waving the air in front of him, thinking that somehow that would calm her down. As she slowly stalked towards him. "I can explain, I was out-"
"Out?" Raven repeated menacingly, slowly making her way toward Dick, who was now backed against a wall. Raven got close to his face. "Let me tell you something Dick, I don't want to hear your excuses and personally I couldn't give a damn what the hell you were doing yesterday. If you were sneaking around in some hotel room having a threesome with two other guys, keep it to yourself, because I don't want to know. However if you ever abandon your responsibilities again with no notice I will hunt you down, and gut you. Is that clear?" Raven turned away from Dick. He was shocked, just then Raven seemed like lady Godmother.
He didn't know what to say now. He was afraid saying the wrong thing would only further anger Raven, although that didn't seem possible. He rubbed the back of his head and reluctantly sat down in the chair across from her. Raven looked as though nothing happen. But why shouldn't she? She got her point across. "I am going to go down to Kory and Gar's place and give them their pay advancement." she said shutting down her computer.
"I'll go." Dick automatically offered, upon hearing the name Kory. Raven raised her ear brow at him. He said too much. Raven was sharp, and now she knew something was going on between Dick and Kory. She smirked at Dick.
"So that's what you were doing." she said nodding "OK, I see."
Dick's mouth was slightly open, she caught him. Should he fess up, or try and play it off? "I-I don't know what you're talking about. Raven rolled her eyes, as she streamed by him. Dick took a deep breath, maybe him and Kory should just lie low for awhile. Then Raven's head popped in the doorway again, which startled Dick.
"Are you too tired to go to the gym today?" she asked. Raven and Dick always went to the gym on Tuesdays. Dick almost forgot, he closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair.
"Yeah." he said "I'll be there.", and then she was off. Rickard leaned back into in his chair, he saw an envelope sticking out from under Raven's desk. He supposed Raven, dropped it on her way out. Curiosity over Dick. He knew this probably, defiantly a bad idea, but what she didn't knew wouldn't hurt her. He looked around to make sure that she wasn't coming back before he snatched up the envelope. It was already opened so this technically wasn't illegal. it read :
Dear Raven,
I am sorry to hear about your latest problems in your personal life. I am sure it is difficult to deal with your financial needs on such a low income, working as an assistant to Richard Grayson, is not the cast of advocation I would have hoped for you to choose for your profession. I would have thought that you have taken in my favor as a child to come work for me. To my dismay you took after your mother. I gave you everything you needed as a youth, and I find it very disrespectful that you have continued your estrangement from me, and have not called me or had the descents to communicate with me at all.
I am however willing to overlook your rebellion and give you a second chance, as I am your father and it is my duty to do so, and to make sure that you are well taken care of in the manner of my choosing. Additionally you will inherit my fortune, and empire, and the days when I am unable to but, how are you to do so if you are not properly instructed on how Roth Corps, is in process? It was my optimism that you would join me, as my apprentice, at the time that you graduated from Harvard, but by the time you were all but seventeen you terminated whatever relationship we had. It has been almost eight years since I have seen or heard from you, and your will most be done promptly after your thirtieth birthday, so your apprenticeship most be started very soon.
You mother had kept me updated in your latest woes, and for that I send my deepest sympathy. I know that it was your mother's dream that maybe some day we could have some sort of relationship, that her and I never really had. I am trying, but it is critical that you try also. I am very disappointed with the decisions you have made, daughter. A different part of me however is concerned that if you do not take up on my recommendation you will not know how to defend yourself against my rivals, who may be after you. You do not need to bee afraid, for I will not let them hurt you again. As I am sure that you do not think that I know about what happened that that lead to the events, that occurred in Italy, eight years ago.
I am also sure that you think that I don't know about the events that happened as a teen, including the partyinng, drinking, engaged cocaine use, and promiscuity. You can imagine my surprise when I hear about things that have occirred since we last spoke like your long term monagamous relationship with a Bristish boy named Malcolm Warren (had I known about it I would have researched him). I know that it was your mother's wish they you and I share the relationship that she and I never had. I am trying for my sake, but that goes both ways and I need your fill participation and cooperation. But if you decide not to join me, it matters not for in time you will joing me.
-Tristian Roth
Dick stared at the letter in disbelief. What kind of jerk would send his own daughter this type of letter. He suddenly started to feel a little dirty reading this letter. It was personal. Then Bruce and his entourage walked into the office, probably on their way to another meeting, because they were chattering like hens. Dick held the letter behind his back, stood up straight.
"Hello Richard." Bruce said to Dick.
"Hello Mr. Wayne how are you." Dick realized how kiss ass he sounded, but it was only Bruce.
"I'm fine but," Bruce leaned in closer to Dick so that the others couldn't hear him. "How are you. Did the surgery go well?"
Dick was confused. He squinted his eyes. "Surgery sir?" Bruce shook his head.
"Raven told me about the warts and I hope you'll be a little more careful next time." he said. Dick turned a bright red color. The next time he saw Raven, he was going to kill her. "I w-will sir." Dick said wondering if he should go along with this. Bruce nodded and then he was off again. Always so busy these days, they never had time to talk to each other like normal people. even since this internship started they'd had been so busy, and spent barely any time together. Sometimes Dick wondered if it was worth it but those were thoughts that quickly left his mind.
Raven took a cab to Kory and Gar's house. These days she just didn't feel like driving. The apartment was pretty shabby, but Raven was just going to give them the check and leave. She had to go meet Dick at the gym anyways. She stepped over some drunk guy on the stairs. Finally she made it to their door. The numbers were falling off, and the door bell was broken. Raven knocked on the door.
Gar looked through the peep hole in the door, and gasped. He quickly straightened his shirt and and brushed back his hair. He pulled a small bottle of breath mint, and spritzed it into his mouth. He cleared his throat before opening the door. "Oh Raven, hi come in."
Raven stepped into the apartment and stood past the door. Gar hopped on the edge of his toes,with hie hands in his pockets. "So what do I owe this lovely visit?"
Raven sighed and set her brief case down and the floor. "I just came by to give and Kory your advance check." She pulled two envelopes out of her pocket and handed it them to Gar."Well, I have to go."
As Raven turned to leave Gar grabbed her hand, which caught her off guard. Gar blushed. "Uh, can I buy you coffee?"Raven bit her lower lip and shook her head. "Well, I feel awful about how things went on Sunday, and I want to make it up to you. Beside you have helped us so much, it's only fair."
Raven sighed, and thought about it for a minute. She could go for some coffee right about now, but she was on a tight schedule, and coffee with Gar was not on it. How about a rain check, I'm meeting Dick soon."
"Oh." Gar said, Raven gave him a sympathetic look before going out the door. Gar sighed as he slowly made his way towards Kory's room. She had been asleep all day, which was very unlike her. He knocked on her door."Kory?" he said before entering her room. She was laying on her bed under her messy, tangled sheets, with her pillow over her face, and she was fully dressed. The room was dark and vampirish. "Kory." Gar said again. Kory rolled over on her side and grumbled something. Gar sighed as he stepped on the side of her bed frame. He stepped on the bed, and started jumping up and down. "Kory! It's time to get up!"
A startled Kory fell out of the bed, sheets and all. Kory groaned agriliy. "Sorry Kor, I had to get you up." Gar said stepping off the bed and onto the floor.He pushed the letter to her face. "Look it's for you." he said.
Kory stood up and switched on the light. Gar plopped down in a moon chair next to the door, as his envelope fell to the floor. Kory saw the sadness in his eyes, He did this when he wa upset. He would mope around and sigh deeply. It was rather pathetic really. "Gar what's wrong?" Kory asked. Gar didn't say anything. "Is it Tara?" Gar shook his head no. "Stress?" no. "Hang over?" no. "Is it woman troubles?" Gar didn't move. "Hmm, Oh my Gawd! You have it hot for someone!" Kory yelled out of absolutely nothing.
Gar stuttered. "N-no. What would give you that idea?" Kory trolled over to Gar, looking at him through the corner of her eyes, accusingly. She leaned on the arms of the chair he was sitting in and came so close to his face they were almost touching noses. Kory and Gar sliently stared at each other not blinking. Kory was really good at that, Gar, however, eyes were started to wince. After about one minute, he blinked. "Shit." Gar cursed under his breath.
"Aha! It is a girl!" Kory yelled backing up from him. and standing up straight. "Is it someone I know?"
Gar rubbed his eyes "Kory-"
"Is it that college girl Amanda?"
"No it's-"
"No, wait, wait, wait I'll get it." Kory said stroking her chin "Is it Gia from the grocery store?"
"It's-"
"Rachella, from that coffee shop. I mean honestly Gar, Rachella? You lack some serious judgment. From now on I'm going to pick your girlfriends. You are a good man and you deserve the best, and Rachella is not exactly getting married in white if you know what I mean. Seriously she is like a virgin eight times removed this week." Kory went on with her senseless rambling. As she was Gar slipped out the room and Kory didn't notice.
He pushed open the door to his messy room. Honestly he was like a college student. Clothes were thrown everywhere, and dirty laundry mixed in with clean laundry. Raven's office was immaculate, and he was sure the rest of her life was like that too. Gar picked up some clothes and started to throw them from his bed into a laundry basket in the corner. He peeled back his sheets and neatly made his bed. He looked around at anything else that needed to be done. There were pictures of half naked bikini models hung everywhere, like he were some adolescent teen. Reluctantly he began to pull off the posters. He rolled them up and carelessly threw them into a pyramid in the corner. Wow that was the cleanest his room had ever been, and it only took him all of four minutes. Kory then walked into his room.
"Gar, I'm sorry. I'll be more attentive and-" Kory stopped short upon seeing his clean room. Her mouth hung open. "Gar, is..is that the floor I see?" she said amazed. Gar rolled his eyes.
"Geeze Kor, can't a grown man clean his room without making a spectacle of it!" he said rather angry.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I'm not good at being supportive right now." Gar's expression softened. Kory sat down next to him, and he put his head on her shoulder as she stroked his hair in a motherly way. They were silent for a moment, and then it hit Kory. Her mouth hung open again, only this time it was wider. She pushed Gar away from her shoulder so she could see his face. "You like Raven!"
"How do you know? Is it that obvious?" Gar said miserable.
"Raven, is like the cleanest person I've ever met in my life. It's funny how different you are whenever she comes around, and now all of a sudden you want to clean your room? So I guess, yeah it is that obvious."
Gar laid on his stomach, and out the pillow over his head. "Ah, Kory you wouldn't understand. I've never met a girl like her. She's mysterious, and she has her own way of...I don't know art or something. I can tell she's some sort of artist, like a writer or whatever. Anyways she has a way of her own and she takes control and she's strong, but behind that independence is someone who is sad and lost and she doesn't want to admit it. Plus she has a past. A past that no one but, Dick knows about, and you know how I like troubled girls that needed to be fixed. I don't know Kor, in a way, I feel like I've... found her but, she doesn't want to be found."
Kory didn't know what to say, Gar was never so serious in his life. "Damn Gar, I don't know you were so deep."
Gar shrugged. "I know what will make you feel better, see what it was your lover dropped off." Gar smirked as Kory handed him his own envelope. "On the count of three one-"
"Two."
"Three!" they said in unison. They both ripped off the top of the envelope and anxiously pulled open the check. Kory opened hers a little faster and screamed when she saw the amount of money. Gar was about a second behind her, and he just gaped.
"This is a check for two hundred thousand dollars!" Kory screamed jumping up and down. "We can buy a new apartment!"
"We can get a car!" Gar joined in Kory happy dance.
"We can go on vacation!"
"We can invest in the automatic ear cleaner!" Gar shouted. Kory stopped jumping and gave Gar a strange and confused look. "It'll catch on." he insisted. Kory rolled her eyes.
"Lick it up Gar, this is just a small taste of our new life." Kory said giggling. She had no idea.
Dick leaned back on the yoga ball and steady rose as he did the his hundredth stomach crouch. Raven kneeled behind him, and steadied the ball. They did this every week together, for the past six years. It was very rehearsed. First they'd do stair masters, then treadmills, then yoga ball, and finally the pouching bag. They both liked to incorporate both of their styles into their workouts.
"So...we...went for... ice cream." Dick said through his tightened abs. Raven rolled her eyes for the millionth time that day. All day long she had to hear about Kory's electrifying smile, and charismatic personality. It was wearing old on her, and she was resisting the urge to kick the ball right from under him. "And we-"
"I know, I know. You drove out to New Jersey and got the best ice cream on God's green earth, and there we shared a mutual mental connection, with nothing physical at all. You told me this a million times, give it a fucking rest." Raven said quoting Dick.
"Dick stayed up from his latest crouch. "Raven, is that a little indisposition, I sense?" Dick said playfully. Raven then stood up and kicked the ball right from under him. Dick fell to the ground and his arm flew out wildly hitting a mirror. "What the fuck was that for?" Dick growled lowly.
"For being an ass." Raven said crossing her arms. "I thought you knew me better than that. I am not jealous of your-your fling with Kory Anders!" Dick stood up and glared deeply at Raven.
"It's not a fling, it's a-"
"Glorified bond, created by the heavens that even the angels envy. Yeah I heard it. Gawd, Dick you sound like a poem." With that Raven turned around and started to storm away.
"Wait, Raven I'm sorry." he said grabbing her arm. Raven turned and gave him an well -I'm-waiting look. "That was out of line, I shouldn't have said that. "Raven rolled her eyes and pressed her back against the yoga ball, as Dick balanced it. "It's just ever since I last saw her I can't stop thinking about her. And when I'm with her I want to be with her, and when I'm not I want to e. It's... I don't know I've have never felt this way about anyone before."
"Well..don't get to into it." Raven said rather quietly. "Well. if you.. miss her.. so much.. today is..your..lucky day."
"What do you mean?"
Raven pointed in the direction towards the reception desk. Low and behold there was Kory standing there talking to the secretary. She was wearing a pink and purple sweat suit. "Kory?" Dick whispered under his breath, he stood up and completely forgot about Raven. The ball rolled over and Raven fell onto the floor, on her stomach. Dick stepped over her and hid behind a pole so Kory couldn't see him. When she had her back turned he sat on a bench and picked up a forty pound weight. Then Kory spotted him.
"One hundred thirty-seven, one hundred thirty-eight, one hundred thirty nine-" Dick said his head dropped.
"Dick?" Kory said approaching him. Dick lifted his head.
"Oh Kory, I didn't imagine I'd see you here." he said.
" Gar and I work her with teens sometimes. He's around here somewhere. You?" Dick dropped the weight on the floor and stood up.
"Oh, Raven and I come here.." then his voice trailed off. "Oh my Gawd, I left Raven somewhere." Raven stalked up to Dick with a slightly angry look on her face.
"Thanks for dropping me." she said. "Hi Kory."
Then there was a crash, and all of their attention turned to the right direction. There were a bunch of towels laying on the ground. There was a figure hidden by an arm full of towel trying to sneak away. It was obviously Gar. Raven was suppressing her laughter. Dick was giggling like a little school girl, and Kory had a very confused look on her face. Gar knew his escape attempt was futile and just dropped the towels on the ground, and slowly made his way towards everyone else.
"Hey guys." he said miserable when he arrived. He avoided looking at Raven. Kory shook her head at his pathetic ness. Suddenly Raven's cell phone started to vibrate on her pocket, she pulled it out and looked at it.
"Excuse me, I have to take this." with that she went to behind a pair of glass. Gar watched her she past him. She didn't know it but he stole a whiff of her hair. It smelled like jasmine and white tea. She was pacing, and appeared to be upset. She crossed one arm, and kept moving back and forth. Then she came back. Her eyes were a little watery, which of course she tried to hide. "I have to go."
"Is everything alright." Dick asked.
Raven put on a slight, fake smile. "Yeah, I just have to leave."
"I'll take you home." Gar offered. He could see the look of unsure ness on her. She thought about it for a minute. Why was Gar trying so hard to get to her anyways? She nodded and then headed towards the women's' locker room, to change. Gar merrily skipped to the men's' locker room.
Kory sighed. "Those two. So class is cancelled today and you just lost your sparring partner so you want to.. I don't know catch a movie or something?"
"I'd love to." he said. Wow was this another date?
Dick showered and got dressed and Kory changes out of her sweat suit. They walked to the movie theatre hand in hand discussing thing like that crazy pop star we all used to love until she went berserk, and what kind of suit were the most unpleasant to wear. Then they went to a movie, and if you think it was as innocent as it sounds that's because it was.
Gar walked down the street on the crowded, sunny New York sidewalk. Raven was oddly silent. She never looked at him. Gar supposed she had a lot on her mind. He just shuffled his feet, and walked along side her. It was then he saw a little coffee shop and the corner across the street.
"You want to know something?" Raven said unexpectedly. It caught Gar off guard again, so he just stared at her with his mouth hung open. "When I was on the phone I got some bad news, but I didn't have to leave."
This gave Gar a little more confidence. Raven didn't have to invite him to come with her, especially if she just didn't want to be around people. Here they were alone, and free, until tomorrow morning. Gar was not spontaneous like Kory, though. He was going to advantage of this opportunity to impress her and milk it for all it was worth. "So you want to get that coffee?"
Raven stared at him for a quick, second, and nodded. They waited on the opposite side of the street and waited for the traffic light to allow them to cross, the street, with the other civilians. After they crossed, Gar and Raven reached for the handle of the door at the same time. Gar's hand brushed over Raven's. An electric shock ran across the back of her hand, and through Gar's fingers. Gar took his hand off Raven's and laughed nervously. When they were in the mood of the coffee shop didn't go well with Gar. It was very artsy, like those places smart, college yuppies hung out to read books, and discuss literature. Gar was more of a go to wild party and meet some drunk chick kind of guy. But he was doing this for Raven, he was going to make sure she was damn well worth it. So ordered a green tea latte, and had never even tasted anything that sounded like that, but he tried a white tea cappuccino. They sat in total silence. Raven didn't really drink, she just kept staring into her cup and stirring it. Gar was repulsed someone could even drink a cappuccino, and abandoned it in total.
"Why do you like to be around me?" Raven asked still not looking at Gar. "I know I'm not a lot of fun to hang around, and not too many people get me."
Gar was glad she was finally speaking, this was his chance to get her to open up. "That's because you don't want them to." he said.
Raven dropped her spoon. "You want to get to know me?" Gar shook his head eagerly. This was new to Raven. A lot of people were very judgmental about her. Whether it be, because of her father or because she was a pretty dark, they weren't really interested in a real mental connection with her. Then her cell phone rang again, but this time it was a text message. "Oh, I have to get home, but you can come with me if you want to."
This was a definite yes. Outside Gar had trouble getting a cab to stop, then Raven stepped in and did it in an instance. "How are so good at doing that?" he asked when they were inside the cab.
"I have lived in New York most of life, I've had practice." she said. Gar tapped his fingers on the window ledge. Theses are the things that freaked him out, girls that were more experienced than him, and girls how were more dominate than him. Raven was most defiantly the kind of woman who like to be in control, and oddly enough he was OK with that.
"So did you have a childhood, or were you born than straight off to college?" he said with a smirk. Raven gave him a small laugh.
"My parents divorced before I was born, and I lived with my mother until I was eight, and my father sent me to boarding school, and when I was twelve I went back to my mother until I was fourteen. She got this job she had been working her whole life for and I couldn't let her not take it so, I had to go back to my father's and of course he sent me straight back to boarding school, and then in the second semester of my senior year he transferred me back home, and I don't know why." Raven said shrugging. She sighed and twisted the end of a piece of her hair. "So to answer your question I guess I really didn't have much of a childhood, I was always stuck between my parents."
This made Gar feel really bad about all the terrible thought he had about her before they had met. He assumed she would be just like her father, an be a spoiled, selfish little brat. Turns out she had it hard, like a lot of people. She was a human being with human emotions, well sort of. He knew they were there and he was going to fish them out of her. "Is that why you converted religions?"
Raven was surprised by this question and didn't really have an answer, so she didn't say anything. "Because you didn't want to be like your father?" Gar finished.
Raven looked out of window, and sighed before turning back to Gar. "I converted for a lot of reasons. I was really out of control as a teen, and enventually it caught up with me. But yes, that is part of the reason I converted."
The cab stopped in front of Raven's apartment. Raven actually looked disappointted. She fiddled with the strap of her bag. She then pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something down on it. "Here's my number... in case you have any questions about the..the deal... or something." she said.
Score!
Score!
Score!
Gar accepted the note, and watched as Raven disappeared into her house. Gar leaned his head back. "Yes." he said quietly to himself, as the cab slowly pulled away. Gar's hand ran over the seat, and he felt something. He opened his eyes and looked up. It was Raven's cell phone. Gar looked at this as if it were the holy grail. he stopped the cab, paid the driver, and hoped out. He was going to return the phone, but first he was going to have some fun. He leaned against the door. He found Raven's address book. "Hm, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Karen Breecher, Kory Anders, Malcolm Warren, Mom, Zacharias Sanders."
Now Gar knew something, either Malcolm or Zacharias was an ex-boyfriend of Raven and he had all intentions of finding out. He went to the front desk , and had the repentant ring him up. As he was walking down the empty hallways he was feeling more anxiety. Maybe because he didn't know what he was going to say to her, or maybe because her house was so empty. Figures Raven would choose to live at an apartment with virtually no people. Then he realized something. Raven gave him, her number, and went out for coffee with him. If she didn't want to see him she would have blown him off long ago. When he knocked on the door, Raven automatically opened the door.
"Thank you so much." she said. Gar handed her th pone and put his hands in his pockets. "You want to come in?"
"Yeah." Gar said a little too quickly. He entered Raven's apartment he not to his surprise it was very organized, clean and modern. There wasn't too or too little furniture just enough, and hung from the walls were many renassiance paintings. They were jung everywhere on the walls. They not specifically themed, but they were beautiful. "So your an art fan?" Gar said as he examined the paintings.
"Oh," Raven said "Yes." Whenever people came into her house they were all fascinated with the many paintings. She personally didn't think she had that many only about thirty. "These are just replicas, but I love them. They tell as tory of sadness and rebellion, and their story is a mystery."
Gar was looking at a painting of Jesus on a cross. Their were a lot of people surrounding him. Some on horses, others on crosses as well, and there was a woman hugging the cross. "That one is called 'Crucixion' it's by Gerolamo di Romano." Raven said.
Gar continued to walk along the dining room and gazed at the paintings. There were paintings of angels, monks, lovers, semi, mostly nude woman with only long hair covering their private parts. he was sure it was artistic, and not perverted. Well for Raven it was, she was just mature like that. There was one painting that caught his eye. It was a girl crying under a tree, appearently in the woods next to a river. There were angels around her playing a harp. Gar was mystified by it, he could stop staring at it. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen on a canvas. "Who painted this one."
Raven came next to Gar. "I did." she said.
"You did?!" Gar said disbelivingly. "It's gorgeous."
"Hey if your so interested in art why don't you come to an art show with me tonight? It's called the Break of the kiss, and this really amazing artist is preveiwing his latest works for one night only, and he hasn't done a show in two years, so I'm really excited to buy some of his work. He painted that one." she said looking at a portait of a boy in a renassiance type of outfit giving a dog a bone, while pilling a wooden duck on a string.
"I'd love to." Gar said. His eyes wondered over to a black grand piano outside of the living room. It was im great condition, and the top was covered in framed pictures. A lot of them were Raven as a young teen with her mother, she looked happy. "Can you play?" Gar asked as he tapped on a few notes.
"Uh, I'm a little rusty but I'll see what I can do." Raven sat down on the small piano bench, She sighed and then quickly started to play The Entertainer. Her fingers moved very quickly and she hit every note perfectly. A little rusty my ass.
"That was so great." Gar said when she was finished. Raven shrugged. "So when did you buy this thing?"
"I didn't." she said dusting off one of the keys. "Malcolm bought it for me a few years ago, it cost something like seventy grand." she said irritable.
"Malcolm?" Gar said suspiciously. Raven picked a picture and held it to her face. Then she rolled her eyes at the very mention of his name. She had been very good at keeping him, and his name out of her home for the past three months and now she was going to have to bring it up again. She felt a little annoyed that Gar had been breaking down her safety wall, and get to know her. She was annoyed mostly at herself for letting him.
"Yeah, he was my last boyfriend. He was a magician like Criss Angel." Gar searched his mind. Where had he heard of that name before. "Anyways so you're in for that art show tonight?"
"Totally." Gar said simply.
"Alright so meet me at the gallery tonight at eight." Raven said handing him the invitation. It had a picture of a pair of red, red, red lips with a crack going through them, like broken glass. It said Break of the Kiss above it. Inside was a biography of the artist who's name was Paolo Kashu, and details about his latest work and about his inspiration. As Gar left he couldn't stop thinking about the painting Raven did. It was full of such pain and sadness. Like she said art tells a story. Hers had a story and he was going to find out what it was.
"That movie was boring." Dick said as he walked down the dark streets of New York with his arm around Kory's shoulder. They had gone to a movie but there was an independent movie festival an they saw a movie by a student about some guy and a girl who fell in love in a small town. Kory found it to be an interesting portrayal of forbidden love in a 'modern' society, and the desire to rebel against rules of thing that were not accepted. Not surprisingly she cried at the end. Dick fell asleep.
They were currently walking down Time Square where the street were littered with artsy film makers and their friends. The beautiful light were on and Time Square was as beautiful as ever. " I think it was romantic." Kory said with a playful pout.
Suddenly a whole bunch of people got into the street and started dancing like maniacs. "What's going on?" Kory asked. That's when they heard the pulsing music booming from a large video screen hung on a billboard. It was a flashy advertisement for Justin Timberlake's tour. Music played from the screen, and it was so loud it felt like the ground was vibrating.
Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I just stop and stare
She's got me love stoned
Man I swear she's bad and she knows
I think that she knows
Dick and Kory continued their walk. Kory sung the lyrics as they went along. Dick was just happy that Kory was happy, which was a strange sensation. He had never felt light before. Before he met Kory he felt like he literally was carrying around a seven thousand pound weight right on his shoulders. But tonight his shoulders were feather weight. He was shocked at his appearance. His tie was loosened, his jacket was unbuttoned and wrinkled. He had never done that before. He was so tight knit it was scary. He always lived by his little black book, so he was always in order, and always on time.
"Let's go back to my house." he whispered into Kory's ear. Kory smiled to herself. She seemed like a very clean, good girl, and basically was but she had her needs to.
"Don't you have work tomorrow. I mean Bruce is signing our contract-"
"Don't worry, I won't keep you up too late." And that was all Kory needed. Honestly she was pretty hot for Dick right now.
She shuts the room down
The way she walks and causes a fuss
The baddest in town
She's flawless like some uncut ice
I hope she's goin' home with me tonight
As soon as they were out of time square, Dick got a cab and told the driver to hurry. Kory put her hand on his cheek, and he tangled his hand in her hair, as she leaned back, and the kissed and whispered sweet nothings to each other the whole ride home. Now Kory wasn't so sure Dick could keep his promise about not keeping her up too late.
Gar walked up the stone steps of a very elite looking gallery. It was small looking because it was next to a very large library. The light flashed from the open window and doors. As soon as he entered the building, a girl in a black uniform (probably a waitress) handed him a flute glass full of champagne.
The room was all white and had cubic shelved in the middle of the room. There were paintings hung everywhere and placed in the cubes of the shelf. Gar walked around pretending to look at the paintings. He felt so out of place with the large crowd of intellect. Then he saw Raven looking at a painting of a mermaid on the beach, and a medievel boy gazing at her.
"Oh, hello again." she said turning her attention to Gar. The glass was twisted around her wrist and she held it up to her chest.
"Hey." Gar said. "See anything you like?" Raven was distracted by the portrait of the mermaid. She carefully looked over it at every detail. She felt something about this painting and Gar couldn't figure it out. Maybe art just wasn't his thing. Buying art was like wine tasting. You had to be interested, you have to test it out, and you had to check out everything else before you swallow. Having experience made this a whole lot less boring.
"I think," Gar started. It was at that moment Gar decided to become an art lover. If Raven liked art, he liked art. "I think it represent the cruelty and observation a stranger feels in a new world, and how being different makes people feel like an outsider."
Raven opened her mouth to say something but was stopped by the voice of a thick German accent. "Yah, that iz exactly whot I vaz thinkink ven I painted this. Eat vas a mahster piece." said the voice a small blonde man. His platinum blonde hair was cut like Victoria Beckham, and covered his eyes. He was wearing black, leather pant, and sky high boots.
"Uh, Hi?" Gar said confused.
"Gar, this is Paolo,, he's the artist I vas, I mean was telling you about." Raven said rimming the edge of her glass. Gar rubbed the back of his hand.
"Oh Raven you like a zis? I call it Medial Maiden." he said admirable gazing at his own work of art. "Ich wurde durch einen chuch begeistert, den ich in Deutschland sah. Das war alt, und klassische Carolina liebte es sie will sich dort verheiraten. Anyways ich war die Art sehr glücklich, wie das herauskam."
"What did he say." Gar whispered to Raven. She gave a small laugh and leaned into Gar's ear.
"He was speaking German, he said he was inspired by a church in Germany, and he is getting married there." she whispered. "Das ist schön. Ich denke, dass das derjenige ist, den ich will, aber ich werde noch eine Zeit brauchen, aber wenn ich es will, können wir einen Preis verhandeln." she said to him. Paolo then turned and spoke to others.
"What was that?" Gar said. Raven told him she just told Paolo that she wanted to buy the painting. Raven wondered around looking for art, while Gar felt strnge, and hot. The lights were huge. Gar abandoned Raven and went outside for some air. He finished off his champagne and sat on the steps. He inhaled the fresh air. He wasn't out too long before a sleek figure sat down next to him.
"You're not into this are you?" Raven asked. Gar laughed.
"No, I'm not."
Raven stretched out and sat her glass down. "That's OK. I bought the painting so we can go." She didn't need to say another word. Gar stood up so fast Raven didn't even realize it. He took her hand and gently pulled her up. Gar again tried and failed at getting a taxi to pull over. Raven watched with much pleasure s he struggled for ten minutes until she took over, and of course she got it on the first try. Raven yawned when they got in the cab and she leaned her head on Gar's shoulder. They silently rode in the car until they got to Raven's house. Gar found it strange that Raven was so tired since it was only nine-thirty. He walked her to her door, with his hand in hers but she didn't seem to notice.
"My apartment." Raven said as she got to her door. She lingered before she slowly reached inside her bag and got out her keys. Instead of unlocking the door, she tussled it in her hand. Gar saw this in a movie once. When a girl jingled the keys, she wanted the boy to kiss her. If she didn't want a kiss, she would have gotten the keys and went inside.
Gar was frozen in his place. Raven still played with the keys. "Good night." Gar said quickly before turning around and walking back down the hallway. Raven looked disappointed. She sighed as she slowly put the key in the key hole.
Gar was half way down the hallway, mentally kicking his own ass. Why? Why? Why? Why couldn't he kiss her? He knew she wanted it and he just froze up. Gar turned around to see Raven still at her door. "Raven?"
"Yes." she said automatically. Gar then quickly walked back up to her, and stood in front of her for a second. Then he kissed her. Raven was surprised but quickly got over it. she dropped the keys and relaxed her hands and his arms. Gar pressed his hands on her neck. They stood there kissing in front of her door, for two full minutes. Gar then broke away from the kiss, and then bolted down the hallway. Raven stood blushing to herself, and Gar was left giggling like an idiot in the elevator.
Kory lay in Dick's warm bed in his arms. He had his shirt off she had on nothing but black, lacey lingerie. They had been passionately making out in his dark bedroom for the past hour. Dick's hand laced her, as he kissed his way from her neck back to her lips. Kory threw her head back slightly while he lightly bit her collar bone. Kory was feeling more anxious as they got deeper.
Kory sat up and pushed Dick on his back. She slowly, and teasingly undid his belt. Dick gave a small alugh. Kory's hair came over her right eyes, and her hair shone in the dark. She kissed Dick six pack, and climbed on top of him. "Damn it, Kory." Dick whispered to her.
She swirled in head around, and looked slightly stripperish, but Dick didn't mind. She laid back on her side and let Dick's eyes wonder over her body. He locked their lips again, as he ran his hand up the side of her hips. His hands then roamed up her back, and ran over the clasp of her bra. He was about unclaps it when Kory jumped away from him.
"Wait, wait, stop." she said breathlessly as she jumped up from the bed. "I can't I'm really sorry." she said as she grabbed her clothes and clutched them to her body. Dick was shocked. She had been asking for it all night, and now it was time and she didn't want to. What the hell was wrong with this girl? Was she insane? Here was a hot, young, rich man who hadn't been laid in over a year, offering himself to her, and she was just going to pass him up?
"Kory what's wrong?" Dick said irratable. Kory grabbed her clothes and went for the door. Dick lay under the sheets very confused, and a little mad.
"I'm sorry." Kory said her eyes filling with tears as she ran out the room. Dick decided it was best not to go after her. Kory quickly pulled on all her clothes in the living room, then she grabbed her pockety book before closing the front door, living Dick alone. She steadily made her way to the lonely elevator. When the door closed she fell onto her knees and began to cry.
November 19 1999
Dick and Raven had recently promised each other to try and stop doing drugs. Dick was a little buzzed on pot. He had been calling Raven for the past hour with no response. His senses told him something was wrong, so he went to her father's mansion. All the lights were off, and it was Friday night so all the servants were at home. Dick rang the doorbell and he was very anxious from the drugs.
"Raven!" he yelled as he pounded on the door. He then took off his jacket and wrapped it around his hand, then a punch the window next to the door. He reached in and unlocked the door. He then turned the knob. He saw a faint light from upstairs. He ran up the stairs, and slowed down because moving fast was making him dizzy. The bathroom was locked but he could see the light from underneath the door. "Raven!" he yelled again.
He pounded his shoulder into the door and busted it open. Raven was sitting on the floor, leaning against the bath tub. She was all sweaty and her eyes were dilated. Dick crouched down next to her and grabbed her wrist and starting shaking her. "What did you do?!"
Raven didn't say anything for a minute, then she babbled something incoherently. Dick went over to the singk, and leaned on the edge. His heart was beating really fast. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them his eyes fell on a small packet of the white powdery substance that was cocine. Then he heard a small thud. Raven had fallen over and laying on the floor, with her eyes were half closed. Dick crouched beside her and lifted her by her shoulders, and roughly started shaking her. "How much did you take?!"
Raven shook her head, and sighed."I did...like..like.. six line." she whispered and started laughing like an idiot.
"Six lines! You did six lines!" Dick let go of Raven who fell over again. She was appearently unconcious. Dick was freaking out. He was pacing, and then he pulled a joint out of his pocket, and smiked it. everything became brighter and Dick felt more calm. "I'll be back I promise." he said to Raven's lifeless body, and then he left her high and unconcious.
Raven was still laying on back dead to the world by the time Dick came back the next day. He sobered up and returned to see if she was OK. He went into a mild panic whenhe found her still on the bathroom floor. He found a bucket filled it with ice cold water and threw it right on top of her.
Raven jumped in surprise, and gasped loudly. "What happened?" she saod groggily.
"You did too much." Dick said handing her a towel. "You were out for sixteen hours!"
Raven exhaled, and looked around. "I'm going to stop, I have to."
Raven awoke with a start in the middle of the night. It had been a long time since she had, had a dream about the past. She Put her head in her hands, and took deep breaths. suddenly she went into an, uncontrollable coughing fit. She reached for a glass of water on her night stand, and she took a long sip. It took three years of intense therapy to expel the past from her mind. That wasn't the worst of the past, to say the least but as long as Raven didn't dream of the horrible unmentionable thing that happened to her she was OK.
"Jesus, Gar what are you doing to me?" she said to herself. She took her rosary beads out of the nightstand drawer and blessed herself before laying back down. Hopefully her dreams would be better the second time around. But her mind was restless was an image of Gar and his giggle, that light up in her head, and Raven slept through the rest of the night.
Sorry I took so long to update, I was stuck for a few days and then I got lazy. This is the longest chapter I have ever written and it took be forever. Sorry for the lack of Kory and Dick there will be more next time.If you were wondering yes I am a hopeless romantic, which is weird becauseI've never even been on date before.
I will dedicate the next chapter to anyone who can tell me what movie that girls want be kissed if they play with their keys thing is from.