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?
- - - - - - -
Five
Richard Grayson looked in the mirror at himself as he got out of the shower. His handsome face often left women wanting to see the rest of his body, and the rest of his body was perfect. With a chiseled chest, and arm muscles to go along with that, he wasn't overly built, but had the body of a fit athlete.
He hummed a happy tune as he took his towel and wrapped around the bottom half of his torso. He walked out of the bathroom and to his large room. He couldn't deny that he was spoiled. His family was drowning in money, of course Bruce had taught Richard better growing up. Richard was made to be humble and giving person…even if he didn't show those virtues all the time.
"Richard…can you come here?" A voice called. Richard looked over to the intercom in his room. He walked over sighing.
"Bruce…I'll be there in a few minutes." Richard began to walk away when the voice was heard again.
"I need you down here now Richard. We need to talk." Richard rolled his eyes as he took his time walking over to his drawers. He pulled on a pair of black boxer briefs. He went over to his rather large closet putting on a pair of jeans with a red tee shirt. The shirt clung to his muscles, and as Richard walked past his mirror he stopped. He gently licked his fingers as he spiked up his black hair ever so slightly. He would need to complete this later for he knew Bruce was waiting. It was never good to make Bruce become angry.
Leaving his room Richard continued to hum the jolly tune as he walked down the hall. He went to Bruce's office. He knew anytime Bruce wanted to talk about something serious it was to the office. The large wooden doors opened and revealed Bruce sitting behind his desk.
"You called?" Richard walked past all of the paintings, statues, and books that would have left people in awe. He had been in here enough times to start to notice them blend in with the background.
"Take a seat Richard." Bruce nodded to the chair in front of him and Richard carelessly sat down. He slumped in the chair and as he was about to place his feet up on Bruce's desk he saw his glare. He rolled his eyes setting his feet on the floor, and staring Bruce in his chocolate eyes.
"What did I do now?"
"It's not what you did…it's what Nightwing did."
The sound of Nightwing made Richard cringe. What had he done now? The masked superhero hadn't been revealed to anyone had they? Was Richard at risk of the public finding out his other identity?
"Are you going to tell me?" Richard's angry tone was due to his nervousness. What had he himself Nightwing done? He hadn't remembered going out since the night of Bruce's party after he went out on duty. He remembered going into the newspaper building trying to stop Red X, the mysterious Deathstroke accomplice. His hands balled into fists.
"I got a call from Commissioner Gordon. He is currently residing in jump, and has taken over leading the Jump police department. He called Batman's number. Wanted to know if I had any information on Nightwing," Bruce saw as Richard relax slightly, and a smirk came to his face.
"What did you tell him?" Richard asked. He cocked an eye brow awaiting his adoptive father's response.
"I told him I heard you were a good guy, and that's it." Bruce said. He stood up walking over to a cabinet against the wall. He opened the door and took out a bottle of Jack Daniels and a small glass. He poured himself the drink, placing the lid back on. He took a sip and let out a satisfied breath.
"That's it? You couldn't have told him he was like the Batman of Jump?" Richard groaned slightly. If Bruce had done this it would have been a lot easier for the citizens of Jump to recognize him as a hero rather than a dark haunting figure.
"Richard I told you when you abandoned Robin, you became a new person. I am no longer going to assist you unless it's really necessary. You need to make a name for yourself here in Jump. You can't rely on Batman anymore." Richard rolled his eyes. "You can't seriously tell me you're angry at me. Richard I told you this when you became Nightwing."
"I'm not angry. Just a bit frustrated."
"By the Nightwing persona?" Bruce asked. He walked over to his big comfortable chair, taking a seat.
"I have other things on my mind." Richard wouldn't dare admit Kori was on his mind. He didn't need Bruce or anyone else he knew telling Richard he should talk to Kori, apologize to her, and possibly redeem her as a friend. It didn't help that Kori was now talking to Slade Wilson. He wasn't good news both Richard and Nightwing knew that.
"Like what?" Bruce raised an eye brow and Richard stood up and stretched. The sound of his back cracking could be heard.
"How did the Commissioner know about Nightwing?" James Gordon had been a good family friend of Bruce Wayne and Richard Grayson back when they lived in Gotham. He was close as well with their other identities of the crime stopping heroes Batman and Robin. He often relied on them to save the city of danger. It took some time from him to trust the two, but once he had the city seemed safer. It had been awhile since either of them had seen each other. Gordon didn't know about their double identities.
"He didn't say. Did you meet anyone else there at the crime scene? You never did tell me the full story Richard."
Richard thought back to the night. He left Bruce's party early to attend to duties. He was perched on top of the factory next to The Jump City Post building. He saw someone breaking into the top level. He had followed in the intruder to only find that it was Red X. Nightwing knew Red X worked for the mysterious assassin Deathstroke. The public seemed to know these two as the "S" killer, for they had been behind the last five murders. The two had been killing off numerous people lately, and Nightwing was curious as to why. He would get his answers one way or another…
Following behind Red X he was too late for as he came in the same way X had he found an empty dark room. He turned on the light to see the dead body of Mod, the owner and editor of the Jump City Post. It had been then he heard the voice of Kori! That was it…Kori must have talked to Commissioner Gordon. He believed her remembered her mentioning something about a meeting with him later while they were at lunch.
"I have to go." Richard began to walk back to the doors to get ready to go meet Kori.
"Where are you off too?" Bruce asked. Richard turned to face Bruce.
"I have to talk to Kori."
"Finally going to tell her you love and miss her." Bruce chuckled.
Richard ignored the comment as he walked out of the office and back to his own room. He walked over to a flower vase in his room and pulled on the tallest fake flower. A small keyboard came out from under the table the flowered was housed on. Typing in the password of 4.15.87 the sound of a door opened. Richard grinned at Kori's birthday.
Richard walked back to his closet where he moved aside shirts and sweaters to reveal a secret door. Using his hand to unlock the metal door Richard was greeted to the secret lair of Nightwing. He walked over to the glass case that held the uniform.
"Hello Nightwing."
- - - - - - -
"Hello Slade." Kori greeted Slade as she arrived at his mansion. Wintergreen his ever faithful butler had opened the door and allowed her in. Kori was welcomed with a hug and kiss on her cheek. The kiss felt slightly awkward but nevertheless Kori kissed Slade's cheek as well.
"I'm glad you made it unharmed. Xavier come down please." Slade smiled at Kori as she watched Xavier come down slowly the grand steps of the foyer. He wore a smug grin on his face as he met Kori and Slade on the ground floor.
"Thank you Xavier for offering to fix my car." Kori gave me a small smile before it disappeared to an awkward lip bite.
"Actually Kori another person is fixing your car…" Slade trailed off.
"Oh, well then I thought you would do it. I would rather have someone I know fixing the car, and besides it would be too much trouble for them. Vic wanted to add some extra details to my car anyway."
"Kori the person is already here is name is ugh…" Xavier was deep in thought trying to come up with a suitable fake name. Luckily, Slade helped him out.
"His name is Mr. X. He is an up and coming mechanic. He is already here in the garage. You can hand Xavier your keys and he will bring it to Mr. X. Don't worry, he wants to add a few things as well."
The sly glace at each other went unnoticed by Kori who began playing with her car keys. After much decision she handed them off to Xavier who twirled them in his finger. He walked off whistling a merry tune, and soon disappeared out the large front doors.
"You must be cold Kori, let me get you some tea."
"Really no need to…" Kori began to speak but was cut off by Slade.
"Don't worry about it Kori. Wintergreen, please fetch Ms. Anders some tea here. We will be in the parlor." Slade spoke to his butler and the butler nodded and walked away. Slade brought Kori by the arm to a lovely looking green parlor.
"So who is this mechanic again?" Kori asked. Kori was sure she practically knew every mechanic there was in Jump. All of her cars in the past never seemed to go without any trouble. She knew every number of every mechanic there was, but Mr. X was an exception.
"His name is Mr. X." Slade said. He looked away quickly and suddenly found his golden watch more interesting.
"I see, where does he is he currently set up?" Kori had her curious side get the best of her as she asked questions. Being a reporter, it was in her nature.
"He currently just bought a building on the corner of Fern Street. Now I wonder where Wintergreen is with that tea?"
Kori began to think about Fern street. Over the years of Jump Kori tried to get familiar with all of the places so she would never get lost. Fern Street came to mind and Kori couldn't remember if any of the buildings were for sale. Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps. Kori looked up to see Wintergreen with a tray in his hands. He brought the tray over to a table setting it down. He poured two cups of tea before excusing himself.
"How do you take you tea?" Slade asked.
"Some sugar and cream, thank-you," he handed her the hot cup and she took a small sip setting it back on the tray after. "Do you know how long they'll take? I have some errands I have to catch up on." Kori said politely. She began to feel a little nervous with Slade but that feeling was soon erased when the door opened in the foyer.
Xavier came out of breath into the house. He walked into the foyer and into the next room where the parlor was. Kori and Slade sat drinking tea and Xavier rolled his eyes at the two. He was sweaty and grease covered his fingers. Taking a rag from his pocket he wiped his fingers and leaned against the doorway.
"How's my car?" Kori looked at Xavier waiting his information about her baby. She had that car for awhile, and had a lot of memories in it.
"It's pretty screwed up Kori. Didn't you buy that car used? The engine is going already…I don't know what to tell you except you got ripped off." A frown came to Kori's face, she hated when people took advantage of her kind and naïve self. "I fixed it the best I could. I would be surprised if it makes it home. Mr. X couldn't do anything to save the car either…sorry Kori."
"It's fine." A small smile found its way on Kori's face. She stood up and smoothed out her shirt. "I should get going. I better try to get home before it gets too late. Tell Mr. X thank you for me, and thank you Xavier. How much do I owe?" Kori picked up her purse and began to sift through it.
"It's all free Kori. Don't worry about it. Just try to get home safely." A grin found itself on Slade's face as he walked Kori to the door.
"Thank you all so much. Good bye!" Kori smiled and gave a small wave as she walked down the large porch steps. She went to the driveway and found her car. A sad smile came to her face as she got in.
Sitting in her seat and putting on her seatbelt Kori just let out a small sigh. She felt exhausted. A buzzing noise sounded in her car and Kori looked through her purse. She took out her cell phone to find a new message from Rachel.
"Where r u"
"Leaving Slade's house y"
Kori forgot about texting after she waited a moment and got no response. She decided to leave. The car started up without a trouble and Kori pulled out of the driveway. She was careful as she got out on the road and she was glad that her car no longer stopped then started again. She drove down the road and smiled as she saw the sun setting in the distance.
- - - - - - -
Nightwing drove his black motorcycle. The cycle was fast and equipped with extra setting that is normal bike didn't have. The wind blew on his body and he felt almost weightless as he drove down the road.
He was on his way to find Kori, and both of Richard's personalities were nervous. What if she freaked out on him? What if she knew Richard was Nightwing. So many things could go wrong and Nightwing had to think of all the possibilities.
Going to Kori's apartment building first, he noted her car wasn't parked in its usual space in the parking lot next to the building. He felt annoyed as he pulled into her usual spot and pulled out Richard's cell phone. He dialed Rachel's number after taking off his helmet.
"This is Rachel." Music could be heard in the background. Rachel was in her house decorating the tree with Gar. She wouldn't admit it to anyone but she actually enjoyed decorating and the holiday of Christmas.
"Where is Kori?" Richard spoke quickly into the phone.
"Richard?" Rachel pulled the phone away from her as she looked at the caller ID, indeed it was Richard. "Why do you need to know?" Rachel asked. She set down the ornament on the tree and Gar gave her a look. She held up her hand and he rolled his eyes as he continued to hang stockings.
"Look, it's important. Can you just ask her for me?" Rachel heard his desperate voice and sighed.
"Why can't you ask her Richard?"
"You know as well as I do that she won't pick up if it's me calling." Rachel couldn't argue with him.
"Hold on," Rachel trailed off as she pulled her ear away from the phone and brought up her messenger. She texted Kori and got a response right back. "She is leaving Slade's house. Are you happy now?" Rachel asked.
"No," with that Richard hung up the phone before Rachel could go on with questions.
He felt a pang of worry knowing she had just been with Slade. Not trusting Slade or anyone else since Deathstoke and Red X, Richard felt worried for Kori. He slipped his phone back in his utility belt and slipped on his helmet. He started the bike and drove off to find Kori.
Nightwing had no trouble finding Slade's house. It was a large mansion in a secluded area of Jump. He watched as a black car pulled out of the driveway and began to race out onto the road. Richard swallowed knowing that was Kori's car.
Nightwing sped along hoping to catch up to talk to Kori. He was almost too distracted until he saw a red blinking dot. Feeling utterly confused Nightwing raced forward. The blinking dot was coming from Kori's car…underneath her car.
His heart raced as he sped up next to Kori's car. Kori looked to her side where she had given the motorcycle driver a strange look. Her heart pounded as the cycle came closer and closer to her window. She noted his outfit, and soon identified the person to be Nightwing…the guy from the night of the murder.
Kori's car sped up and Nightwing followed her in pursuit. He waved his hands around frantically trying to get her to stop her car, but to no avail. The light still blinked under the car and Nightwing had a feeling it was bomb.
He sped his motorcycle forward and skidded in front of Kori's car. He watched as Kori looked in front of her, her mouth ajar and her face panicked as she stopped her car. She pulled down the emergency break and closed her eyes…waiting for impact.
Impact never came as the car stopped a few inches away from Nightwing. Kori opened her eyes; her hands were gripped on the steering wheel. She would have cheered for joy she was alive and her car was fine if it hadn't been for the fact she was pissed off.
Nightwing hopped of his motorcycle quickly and pressed a button, sending the futuristic motorcycle home. He quickly hopped on the ground and looked under the car. Indeed there was a bomb, and the time was ticking down. He had less than one minute, forty-five seconds.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kori slammed her car door shut and Nightwing stood up and backed away from the car.
"Mam, please step away from the vehicle. There is a bomb, and I don't want you to get hurt." He deepened his voice hoping Kori wouldn't realize it was truly Richard under the mask.
"A bomb, you really expect me to believe there is a bomb under my car? Now tell me why the hell you almost wanted to total my car and possibly kill me in the process with a stupid move like that?" Kori was feeling outraged and she yelled. Nightwing looked to see the red light flashing faster and faster. If his calculations were correct he had twelve seconds, and he was correct.
11
10
"Kori please get away from the car!" His voice was pleading.
7
"How do you know my name? Who are you?" She stepped slightly away from the car.
4
"Move," His voice exclaimed. Kori stood her ground as Nightwing sighed. She had to choose right now to be stubborn.
2
1
A loud beeping went off as the red light blinked wildly. Kori looked behind her. The world went slowly at the moment for the two of them. Kori let out an ear piercing scream as the car began to set on fire and it was slowly expanding.
Nightwing jumped forward knocking Kori and himself out of the way. He landed swiftly on the ground holding her bridal style. He began to run forward away from the explosion, and Kori could only watch as it could have been her in that car.
The world paused as Kori looked up into the masked eyes of her savior. Richard stared back, his crystal blue eyes covered by the opaque fabric. Kori's heart worked over time as she tried to settle down and come back into reality. She felt herself slip away from the world as her eyes closed and the rest of the world drowned out. Nightwing now held the passed out Kori in his arms. He let out the breath he had been holding in, happy she was still alive.
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AUTHOR'S COMMENT
* I don't know what you guys celebrate but I celebrate Christmas so… MERRY CHISTMAS! I would like to wish everyone a very Merry, Safe, and healthy Christmas… or Kwanzaa, or Winter Solstice, or Chrismahanakwanzakasolstice. How was everyone's day? I'm not much of a family person but I had an okay day…my family was crazy and annoying as usual, but what else do you expect? What about gifts?! So, I am so excited about my gifts. I got ALL 5 seasons of Teen Titans, and the Movie on DVD, I love my family. That's the only thing worth mentioning since after all…teen titans story!
Hope you guys liked the chapter. Sorry if the Richard Nightwing was confusing. Because Richard is Nightwing I kept switching the names back and forth you know? Did you understand the countdown? I skipped a few numbers as they talked because that took away time. I also know nothing about cars. So I hope it made sense? So thanks for all the great feedback! You people are amazing! Hope to get another chapter up soon and hope you all had a great holiday!