DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Teen Titans characters, or the DC Comic Characters. Nor any of the brand names found in this story!
Summary: Kori Anders, news reporter, has seen a lot in her time. With the recent killing of civilians, Kori is putting away her papers, and testing out her investigation skills. Not only worrying about becoming the next target, she is worrying about her old flame Richard Grayson who seems to be appearing a lot more often, especially when she is with billionaire and rival to Bruce Wayne, Slade Wilson. Who is killing the people and will Kori be next? Oh, and who is Nightwing?
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Four
The sun peeked through the window curtains as a new day arrived. Kori groaned slightly as she rolled over only to bump into another body. Her dreams had taken her away from reality and to a happy world of a good time with her friends and family. As she sat up slowly, rubbing her tired eyes, she remembered her dreams were not real, and in fact last night she had seen a dead body not to mention the probable killer.
Kori looked next to her to see the sleeping Rachel. Rachel's chest fell up and down slowly, breathing ever so quietly. Kori smiled that her friend slightly before quietly slipping out of bed. She tip toed to the door, avoiding the creaks of the wooden floor. Her fingers found the brass doorknob as she turned the cold metal with her fingers. The door opened and she quietly stepped out.
Gar's loud snores could be heard from the couch, with the TV playing quietly in the background. Walking to the kitchen and checking the cabinets Kori got out the ingredients to make pancakes. After mixing in the powder, water, and other ingredients, the batter began to form as Kori stirred it all together.
The smell of pancakes awoke Rachel when she went out to the kitchen after seeing Kori wasn't there. Kori had a smile on her face as she flipped the pancakes on the pan, careful not to drop a single one. Her smile made Rachel feel more at ease.
"Gar still sleeping?" Kori asked. Rachel looked over the couch to see Gar still asleep. His hair fell into his eyes and Rachel moved it away gently. The touch of her fingers made him squirm slightly.
"Surprisingly yes, he probably hasn't smelt the pancakes yet of course…" Rachel moved to the kitchen where she got out three plates, forks, and knives. Setting them on the table she moved to the refrigerator where she got out butter, syrup, and orange juice.
"He can't resist food," Kori nodded in agreement. Her red hair fell in her face slightly. An annoyed sigh escaped her lips as she took a hair tie off her wrist and gathered her hair into a messy, curly ponytail.
"Well, he can resist yours…and Vic." Rachel referred to the ongoing war of Tofu vs. Meat. Neither would ever give up and you didn't want to go to any social event where the two were cooking. It was a situation to avoid. Gar also happened to be a little weary of Kori's cooking. She made foreign food that could be found on her ancestor's island of Tameran.
"That is true. Rachel, I have to thank you for last night." Kori turned off the burner of the stove and brought over the heaping plate of steaming hot pancakes and placed them on the table. She heard a yawn from the couch and knew Gar was up.
"Kori, don't mention it. You know you can come to me whenever you need to. Last night, you would've done the same for me, and probably even more. Let's just not talk about it too much…I don't want to upset you. You're boss just died, must be hard." Grabbing three glasses from the cabinet Rachel took her seat at the table and opened the orange juice, pouring herself a tall cold glass.
"I don't Rachel. I have to talk to the police about it today after all. It's not the fact that it's my boss that died, it's the fact I saw the body Rachel. Can I tell you something? You can't tell anyone."
Gar walked into the kitchen and immediately went over to Rachel. He kissed her neck gently before moving up to her lips which he repeatedly kissed. Rachel felt a smile on her face as she rolled her eyes.
"Don't act all sweet just because a guest is here." Rachel chuckled. Gar pulled away giving a dumb grin.
"Fine…be that way." His angry tone was replaced by a joking smile as they kissed one more time before Gar walked to the bedroom door.
"I'm taking a shower. Don't eat all the pancakes alright? I'll warm them up when I'm done." Opening the door he took off into the bedroom, closing the door shut behind him.
"So what did you want to tell me?" Rachel turned her attention to Kori again. She was biting her lip lightly.
"Never mind…" Kori gave a small smile and then stuffed a small pancake in her little mouth. She was considering telling Rachel about Nightwing. For some reason though, she felt that she shouldn't tell anyone…it was her own little secret, for now anyway.
"Okay…So what did you want to do today? The others are worried about you." Rachel finished her plate and placed it into the sink, running the water for a minute to clean it while setting it in the dishwasher. Kori repeated her actions with her own plate.
"The others know?" Kori gasped and groaned. She loved her friends, they were her family. She hated the fact though that they all would treat her like a little kid when it came to some things. She was the youngest of the group being twenty-two. Everyone always looked out for her, and knowing the information last night would mean Kori would get countless questions.
"Ha, well Gar told them last night. Victor suggested we all go out for lunch this afternoon. What do you think?" Rachel took a seat back at the table and Kori thought for a moment. She wouldn't be meeting Commissioner Gordon again until later that afternoon around three. Being with her friends could do her well.
"Sounds nice, I could see them again. First though, can you take me home? I need a shower and need to get out of these clothes." Rachel and Kori both chuckled and Rachel nodded her head, and went to grab her keys. It was time to take Kori home.
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The Candlelight Diner was the best diner in all of Jump. The family diner was owned by Joe Jenson. An older man in his late fifties, he owned the dinner with his wife Mary. They had two kids and a grandchild on the way. They made the best food for low prices and made the atmosphere a friendly place.
Kori walked into the dinner wearing her dark blue jeans and a plain white tee shirt. A soft grey sweater was worn over the tee shirt to keep her warm in the cool weather. Her black boots kept her feet protected from the five inches of snow on the ground. Her smile was ecstatic as she saw her friends sitting at their usual table in the back of the restaurant.
"Kori," Karen exclaimed. She stood up to engulf her friend in a hug as she walked over to the table.
Karen was a beautiful woman. She was a firecracker though, and had an attitude. She was dating Victor for over two years. She had soft coco skin, and a curvy short body. Her black hair was often up in two buns or her "little afros" as she called them. She worked as a social worker helping children.
"Karen, I missed you last night! You did not attend Bruce's party." Kori jokingly reprimanded her friend and Karen let out a laugh. The two took their seats back at the table where the others sat.
The table sat six people, the perfect number of seats for their little group. Across from Kori sat Rachel at the end. Working from right to left the order went Rachel, Gar, and then Vic. Across from Vic sat Karen with Kori next to her. The last seat was empty. Kori had a feeling she knew who was going to be taking it.
"Let me guess…you invited Richard?" Kori sighed as she looked at her friends.
"He's worried about you believe it or not Kori. He heard what happened last night, Gar actually called him. Give him a break. I know you two hate each other, but with the holidays coming up you guys should maybe make up." Victor looked at Kori before looking back at his menu avoiding her glare.
"It's not me who needs to be nice. He is an arrogant asshole who doesn't give a rat's ass about anyone but himself, especially me. I blame him for making me hate him. That douche bag broke my heart." Kori crossed her arms, and she would've of continued her rant if she hadn't heard a cough and looked up to see Richard standing above her. He wore his signature sunglasses, covering his blue eyes. Her cheeks turned red as she looked away from him. The last part she let slip. After her break up, she had told everyone her heart was not broken, that she was just angry to be lied to. Rachel knew though better than that, as did the rest of her friends. They just choose not to say anything. Everyone knew this…except for Richard.
"You seemed to forget sexy, charming, rich, smoking body, and of course god like." Richard let out a chuckle as he took a seat next to Kori. He removed his sunglasses placing them on the table. "How is everyone?" He looked around acting unaffected from what he had just heard.
"Good," could be heard from all over the table in hushed whispers.
"How are you?" Richard turned towards Kori. The others kept their eyes on their menus while listening in to the two.
"Don't act like you care Richard, we both know you don't." Kori's words were harsh and she looked into Richard's eyes. They showed little emotion. His face however showed his irritated smile.
"Good saves me the trouble." He rolled his eyes as he picked up his menu.
The table was silent as everyone looked over the menu. A twenty-one year old Henry Adams approached the table. Wearing his black and white uniform he took out his order book and greeted the table.
"How is everyone? I'll be your server, my name is Henry. What can I start you guys off with…drinks?"
"Well, I'll have the Chicken Ceaser Salad, with a side of chicken noodle soup." Karen set down her menu and passed it the waiter. "Oh, and a water please," she gave a charming grin and Henry wrote it down smiling.
"I'll get the Deluxe Burger with fries, and a Sprite." Kori smiled at the waiter as he winked at her. Her cheeks heated up slightly which didn't go unnoticed by an annoyed Richard.
"I'll get the same thing as her." Richard pointed at Kori and the waiter rolled his eyes as Richard. He could feel a protective vibe coming from the ebony haired boy.
"Can I get an Ice-tea, and I really want the Pesto Chicken, with a side of a small Ranch Salad?" Rachel passed Henry the menu and he nodded his head towards her.
"And you sir?" Henry nodded towards Gar who was still scanning the menu.
"You don't happen to have anything Tofu?" As the words escaped his lips the whole table groaned. Rachel shot her boyfriend a dirty glare while taking his menu and slapping him lightly over the head with it.
"He'll get the Vegetarian Burger with fries, and a Coke." Rachel rolled her eyes at Gar. He had been a vegetarian all his life. He loved tofu probably as much as Rachel. Anywhere he went he would always ask for it, and not one restaurant ever had it. Victor laughed at Gar and Karen shot him a look.
"I'll get a coke, and the Meat Lovers Package Deal, and I want that with extra bacon!" Victor smiled excitingly like a little kid. Kori let out a laugh at him as Gar stuck his tongue after Victor.
Henry had left the table and people conversed quietly with each other. Karen talked with Kori about the party last night while Gar and Victor argued the nutrition of tofu. Rachel and Richard quietly whispered about last night incident.
"So Kori…how are you holding up?" Karen asked.
Kori didn't need to ask what Karen was talking about for she already knew. Of course everyone was curious to hear about Kori's terrifying night of finding Mod's dead body. The "S" killer was now in the news more than ever. Everyone wanted to know who would be next.
"Yeah Kori, are you going to tell us what happened?" Victor butted into the conversation, and soon all eyes were on Kori. She bit her lip nervously looking at her friends. It wasn't as touchy as a subject as it was last night, but Kori was still a little sensitive about it.
"There isn't much to tell. Slade brought me to my work. I went up to my office floor where I found his dead body on his desk." Kori avoided eye contact and stirred her straw around in her drink.
"That's so creepy!" Gar commented staring at Kori in shock. His expression made Kori giggle slightly.
"Indeed it was friend," Kori looked at her drink which now seemed to look very interesting right now. Condensation collected on the glass.
"Did you see the killer?" Vic asked. Kori gulped down a sip of her drink. She felt all eyes on her now, the most penetrating being Richard. Richard himself was curious to see what the red-headed girl would say.
"I don't know…" Kori trailed off trying to think what to say. Nightwing himself said he wasn't the killer, but that's what a killer would say…right?
"What do you mean you're not sure?" Rachel questioned.
Kori was thankful when Henry came that next minute with their food. He took his time setting down each plate in front of its rightful owner. The last plate he gave was to Kori, the smell of her food making her smile in delight. As his hand left the plate she felt him slip something on her lap before walking away, whistling a jolly tune.
Richard felt himself steam up at Henry's contact to Kori. He watched the beauty out of the corner of his eyes pick up whatever was on her lap. A small paper was in her delicate hands, a name and number was written down. Richard felt the need to grab for the number and rip it up. He didn't want Kori calling anyone, let alone go out with anymore.
"I don't love Kori…I just don't want anyone else to love Kori, or for Kori to get hurt by some Jump asshole. I'm just being a protective friend…or ex-boyfriend. Yeah, that's all." Richard let his thoughts wonder more while the others looked at him stir his fry in ketchup for countless minutes. They all stifled their laughs.
"Where's the mustard?" Kori asked looking around. Kori loved mustard on almost anything she ate. Her favorite thing to eat mustard was though in fact fries. Her voice snapped Richard out of his trance.
"I got it…" Richard reached over to the next table seeing as they had their own mustard bottle, while their table did not. He handed the mustard to Kori, their hands touching. Richard's hands were warm and soft as Kori felt a small spark when they touched. She kept her breathing slow as she took the mustard and poured it on her fries, nervously stuffing them in her mouth.
- - - - - - -
Leaving the warm doors of the Police Station, Kori noticed how cold it was as she hurried to her car on the street. Commissioner Gordon stood at the glass doors watching the girl go safely to her car.
He walked back to his office after seeing her drive off in the light snow. He sighed as he went to his desk, pulling open a drawer and taking some Tylenol. His hands were a bit shaky from age as he swallowed the little red and blue pills with his coffee.
He turned on the lamp on his desk and pulled out all of his notes from today, and yesterday. He skimmed the notes reading Kori's descriptions of the night her boss was murdered by the "S" killer. He took off his glasses and read over his messy notes.
"Wilson brought Anders to building after Wayne Party. Anders goes up to office finds completely dark except light in Mod's room. While question if someone was there, light goes off. Anders is terrified goes back to discover dead body of Mod.
"Anders meets "Nightwing"? Another man there as well. First man "X" jumps out window. Nightwing follows."
His memory better than his notes, remembered how Kori told of him of the other figure. The supposed man wore a red "X" on his mask as well as his torso. He along with this Nightwing character, were new news to Gordon.
Gordon himself had worked with legendary superheroes before such as Batman and Robin. Those were his glory days as he worked in Gotham, trying to fight off all the scum. His age slowed him down a bit as well as the new employees who were half his age. His move to Jump was to redeem himself after all of the lost years of losing villans. He was going to crack this "S" case, if it was the last thing he did.
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Kori's car was beginning to act up on the way home. She groaned at the car she had only owned for three years. Her frustration greatened as her phone began to ring. Looking frantically for the small device she finally found it before the call was ended.
"Hello?" Kori kept slamming on her gas pedal, and eventually the car took off.
"Kori…is everything alright?" The voice of Slade came and Kori found it was odd he was calling her. She then remembered how she had forgotten to cal him updating him on her previous situation.
"Oh yes Slade. I didn't mean to not call you; a lot was on my mind last night." Kori sighed as she gave up on her call and pulled to the side of the road.
"It's alright dear. So is everything okay there now? I hear a bit of grunting." Slade chuckled as dirty thoughts took over his mind. His smile only grew as he heard Kori sigh.
"You are funny. My car is having a bit of trouble."
"Would you like to stop by quickly? I have Xavier here we were going over business. You know how he is a mechanic genius."
"I can probably get Vic too check it out when I get home."
"Oh no need to worry Kori, Xavier insists!" Slade let out a chuckle and Xavier raised his eyebrow at his boss. Slade winked at him and Xavier rolled his eyes.
"I guess that would be nice. I do want to get home! Thank-you, I shall arrive in a bit." Kori hung up her phone as did Slade. He looked over at his apprentice.
"What did you sign me up to do?" Xavier asked Slade. He felt a bit annoyed that Slade continuously bossed him around.
"Kori is coming over…" Slade said. He waited for his partner to get his message.
"Slade, I don't want to hear about your "relationship" if that's what you are going to call it." Xavier sat further back in his chair trying to get comfortable.
"She is having car troubles. I think you know someone who may be able to help her."
"You know I know how to fix cars just fine." Slade groaned at Xavier. He didn't seem to catch on easily.
"I don't think you should fix her car. I was thinking maybe we can do more than fix her car. I know an excellent mechanic as well as expert in explosions; I hear Red X is available." A grin crossed both of their faces as mischief was about to stir.
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AUTHOR'S COMMENT
*Sorry for lack of updates! I was officially on break as of yesterday but I slept practically all day! This chapter is a bit dull I will agree, but obviously something good is going to happen soon! I thank you all for your supportive reviews! I am hoping to update a lot more with my break happening! Forgive me is I don't update tonight or tomorrow. After all, it's Christmas Eve, and then Christmas.
In advance I wish you a Merry Christmas! If you don't celebrate Christmas, then just Happy Holidays! I hope you have an amazing time!