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?

- - - - - - -

Twelve

Kori felt as if everyone knew she had just been kissed when she walked into the old Candlelight Diner. A blush was planted on her face as her friends came into view, and she was sure a smile was implanted on her face as well. She took her seat down to her friends. Everyone was already there, and the only seat left was next to Richard…something Kori didn't mind too much, which was weird especially after their last encounter when they took a trip down memory road.

"What's with that smile on your face?" Rachel raised an eyebrow and Kori blushed a bit; next to her Richard had his own smile that Kori was unaware of.

"There is no smile on my face." Kori lied horribly for the smile grew and she let out a giggle.

"Oh yeah…I don't see a thing." Karen laughed and Kori rolled her eyes in a joking way.

"It's nothing." Kori quickly picked up the menu and hid her face. Rachel pulled down the menu and look intently at Kori.

"Me and you…bathroom right now."

Quickly the two stood up. Karen stayed seated while Kori and Rachel walked into the ladies room. Kori took a seat on the sink and Rachel leaned against the wall. The two had a staring contest until Kori was the first to look away with a sigh.

"I met a guy." Kori's face immediately brightened at the thought of a guy. Rachel looked a bit shocked for a moment.

"Who is he?" Rachel quickly asked. She got off of the wall and walked to Kori so they were side by side.

"I don't know if I can tell you." Kori quipped. Beginning to walk towards the door, Rachel beat her to the door and stood in front of it arms crossed. Kori wasn't going to get away without an explanation.

"Tell," Rachel had a growl type tone to her voice. Of course Kori knew that it was Rachel's protective side. Kori has had a few boyfriends in the past…who haven't been the best to say the least.

"You aren't going to believe me." Kori bit her lip and her foot tapped nervously on the floor. They both looked at each other in the eyes again.

"Kori, I know you can't lie, especially to me. Who is he?"

"His name is Nightwing…" Kori looked away from Rachel as it took her a few seconds to figure out what Kori was talking about.

"You're really dating someone named Nightwing? Ha, I want to hear his last name." Rachel smirked and Kori rolled her eyes as she looked up.

"That's the thing…I don't know his real last name."

"What?" Rachel began to move forward causing Kori to back up into the wall.

"He sort of has a secret identity. I only know him as Nightwing."

Kori watched at Rachel finally got it. Once the thought clicked, Rachel looked up with shocked eyes and stared at Kori. "Like the guy in the news…the superhero?"

"Maybe…" A smile appeared on Kori's face as she thought of him again. His chiseled chest…his hot breath…

"You're not joking with me." Rachel shook her head in amazement.

"Nope not at all, look…I'll give you all the details later." Kori pushed past Rachel and as she pulled open the door.

"What about Richard?" Kori heard Rachel ask. Kori shut the door as she turned around.

"What about Richard?" Kori raised an eye brow and Rachel shrugged.

"Nothing…we'll talk later…hurry up the others are going to want to know where we are."

- - - - - - -

"I'm stuffed!" Gar leaned back in his chair grabbing a hold on his stomach. Rachel rolled her eyes at her boyfriend as Kori was the only one to laugh at of the small group of friends.

"Gar…just shut up." Victor chuckled and everyone mimicked Victor's laugh except for Gar who just grunted.

"So what's every one doing this weekend?" Karen asked. She looked around at everyone as she waited for replies.

"Well…I might have to go dress shopping. Slade Wilson's Christmas Eve Party is coming up, and you know how everyone dresses to those. I was hoping to get a nice dress." Kori was the only one to speak loud and clear.

"Well Rachel and I were going out of town…I'm taking her sight-seeing." Gar raised his eyebrows up and down and Rachel lightly shoved Gar. The table recovered from chuckles.

"This one and I are going to my dad's house." Victor ruffled Karen's buns and she clenched her fist from doing anything.

"Well that just leaves you Richard…what are you up too?" Rachel gave Richard a suggestive smirk which no one else caught. Richard shot a glare at Rachel knowing she was signaling him to do something with Kori.

"I was just going to run errands…nothing fun."

"Are you going alone?" Gar asked Richard. Richard gave a questioning look before nodding his head. "Kori you are going out alone too aren't you?"

"I guess?" Kori giggled in confusion, not catching on the Gar's little scheme.

"Well Kori, I certainly don't think you should be going out alone. After everything that's happened…it wouldn't be safe for you, you should go with someone."

"All of you are…" Kori trailed off as she got the hint and stopped talking. She looked over to Richard who just shrugged. He gave a small smile and it seemed to be just him in the room. Looking away, heart racing, Kori looked at Victor.

"Not Richard."

"Well I don't mind…" Richard trailed off; he tapped his fingers on the table.

"Neither do I…." Silence took over as they looked again at each other in the eyes. She could practically remember feeling these butterflies only awhile ago with Nightwing. She was the first to tear her eyes away.

"Well then we know you'll be in safe hands." Karen gave a small wink as they began to get ready to leave from dinner.

- - - - - - -

"You don't have to come." Kori and Richard had just gotten out of his car, and began making their way on the sidewalks. They had parked the car a block away on order to shop on Golden Street. They were bundled up in warm winter coats, on this cold day.

"I don't mind."

"No, Richard, they kind of cornered you. I am going to be boring and take forever," Kori chuckled.

"Don't worry about it okay. It's good that someone is coming with you. Regardless of whom it is Kori, you shouldn't be alone. It's a dangerous city, especially at night." It was true; it was near dark, around five o'clock. It was either's idea to go out late of course they would have both preferred to go out early in the morning. Richard had a meeting, and Kori had a deadline…both were busy until now.

"That's true I guess." Kori chuckled a little. He looked over and she rolled her eyes. "Okay…it's very true."

"It is Kori…just be careful will you?"

It was weird to Kori that they were acting this way. For only a few days ago she had left him standing there. She left after not getting the response she wanted…after not getting a response at all. Of course neither had dared to bring up the subject in hopes of avoiding hurting their friendship they were having right now.

"I'll try. Now Richard…what do you need to get?"

"I can go many places to get whatever I need. Let's just go to look for dresses before those stores close."

"Okay…"

It looked as if the two were a couple, walking close together down the narrow sidewalk. Their hands would brush occasionally, and each would ignore the constant burning sensation they felt. Her giggles were loud, while his jokes were funny. His blue eyes were irresistible to look at; her sparkling smile could make anyone smile back just as big. They were a pair too look at all right, the beautiful woman, and the playboy man.

"This is the store!" Kori gave a light squeal as she pulled open the door to her favorite store, Starfire.

"Whoa take it easy Kori," Richard chuckled as she dragged him into the store. A little bell rang out, and footsteps in the back could be heard.

The store itself was rather small, but the perfect place for a dress store. The light blue on the walls was inviting to everyone, and the cream of the furniture made you think you were floating on clouds. In the back were two French doors that hid the dressing room, and tailor room. Mirrors were all over the store, along with jewelry, mannequins, and of course…dresses.

"Do you have any idea what you want?" Strolling into the store, hands in his pocket, Kori couldn't complain about the way Richard looked sexy as he walked in.

"A dress?" Kori blushed lightly at her silly answer.

"Well…that's a start." He looked down chuckling himself a little. Looking back up his eyes caught the light and sparkled.

"I need something fancy…I was hoping it would be long too." Kori's fingers grazed fabrics of all different kinds as she searched the racks.

"What about this?" Richard held up a long leopard print strapless dress. Fake gagging, Kori gave a thumbs down and Richard chuckled at her.

"How about I look for the dress and you tell me how it looks?"

"Sounds good…"

- - - - - - -

Richard tapped his fingers down on the table in the small waiting room area. He could see the outline of Kori's body through white silk curtains. Her legs were long and slender, she had the perfect curves of a real woman, and he wasn't going to complain about her perky chest.

"Almost done," Kori yelled out. He watched her slipping something on, and in a second she was out from behind the curtains.

Kori came out in a rose petal red dress that went to her thighs. It was spaghetti straps, and her body nicely filled out the dress. It was for that reason Richard stood up and pushed her into the fitting room. Kori giggled the whole time while Richard had to keep his eyes of her.

Finally giving up Richard took his seat again. Kori came out a small pout on her face. "What's wrong with it?" Kori did a quick twirl.

"I thought you wanted something long." Richard explained. He looked down at her long, golden legs.

"I thought these showed off my legs good though."

"Kori, don't get me wrong…you look good. Let's find something more appropriate for a fancy party like ball thing okay?"

"Well then, I think I know the perfect dress." Kori slipped back into the room and Richard was left alone again.

His fingers nervously tapped the table next to him again as he kept his eyes of the curtain. He couldn't explain the way he just wanted to grab her and kiss her every time he looked at her. He felt the need to beat up any guy that ever looked at her, and be protective. As much as the playboy Richard hated to admit it…he was falling for Kori once again.

"Richard…this is the one."

Kori stepped out from behind the curtain. The first thing Richard looked at was the long red hair, the curls throughout the fire on her head. Next he looked at her tan face, she glowed like a goddess. Her emerald eyes glittered more than usual. His eyes trailed down to the dress.

The dress itself was beautiful on her body. It was emerald green, the same color as her eyes. It trailed down to the floor with a small train in the back. It was a spaghetti strap, V shape dress and ruching placed to accentuate her curves. She looked amazing…not human but a goddess.

"Richard is it that bad you can't say anything about it?"

"Kori, you look amazing. Slade is a lucky guy."

"I almost forgot I was going with him." Kori turned around and went to a mirror that was next to Richard. It was floor length, and Kori twirled in the dress.

"Do you not want to?" Richard piped up.

"I think you were right." Kori looked at Richard now. She walked closer placing a hand on his shoulder. "There is something off about Slade…regardless I made a promise that I have to keep."

"Well…I'll be there all night. So if you ever want to come home just find me alright?" Richard took her hand off his shoulder, and held it lightly.

"That hopefully will not be needed. If I'm going to spend money on this dress I will be out all night…no use in barley using it." Kori chuckled lightly and took her hand away from Richards. She looked down at the tag…at the price.

"How much is it?" Richard asked. He began to pull his wallet out of his jean pockets.

"No, no need to use money on me, Richard…I have money."

"I want to."

"I can't let you." Kori turned away from him and walked back into the room. Richard watched as the curtain closed and Kori was seen slipping out of her dress.

"I'll wait in the front of the store for you okay?"

"Yes, that's fine." Kori said.

Richard let out a chuckle as he opened the wide French doors, and closed them again as he walked out and went to the counter. Pulling back at his wallet he grabbed his Visa, and gave it to the woman.

"May I help you Mr. Grayson?" The older woman asked.

"Yes, please see that you use my card to pay for Ms. Anders dress."

"I can assure you I will."

- - - - - - -

"Richard you didn't have to pay for my dress." Kori laughed coming out of the dress store. The dress was in a bag neatly folded. Kori still couldn't believe Richard had bought her the dress. It cost over one hundred dollars, which certainly was a lot for a dress. Then again Richard came from a family with money…he had a lot of money on his own as well.

"Don't worry about it." Richard smiled at Kori. "I think you'll find a way to pay me back at some point."

"Is that so?"

"Yes…it is." Richard let out a laugh.

It was silent on the empty street. Surprisingly no one was out walking around. Store lights illuminated the street with colorful decorations of the Christmas time to come. The lights seemed to dance in the eyes of the two young adults. Their smiles were unmistakable.

"So…did you want to get going to your errands?" Kori let out a yawn. She chuckled as she quickly brought out her phone. It was only seven o'clock.

"You're tired…why don't we go out to eat? Then I'll take you home. I can do my errands on my own.

"Are you sure? I don't mind if I have to go with you," Kori gave a smile that Richard returned. He shook his head lightly though.

"Don't worry about it. Where do you want to go to eat?"

"What about that new Chinese restaurant? Their egg rolls are supposed to be amazing." Kori happily skipped down the sidewalk.

"Sounds like a deal…I'm starving."

- - - - - - -

AUTHOR'S NOTE

*It's been awhile has it not? Sorry for lack of updates…again. So I have finals the upcoming week so it would be a miracle if I will be able to update. After that I am going to try to update again. So I am hoping to finish this story before continuing on with the secret locket. This only has a few more chapters to go!

So Kori's dress…for those of you who have seen Atonement (I love that movie!), Keira Knightley I was inspired by her green dress she wore during dinner. SO basically that's what Kori's dress looked like in my mind. I thought it was a beautiful dress.

I hope this chapter wasn't too blah for you. I wanted you to see the love triangle going on between Kori, Nightwing, and Richard. Even though Nightwing and Richard are the same people… Ha, anyway I didn't think it was bad. I thought it was cute.

So I really just want to say thank you to all my readers! I do each and every chapter for you guys. I love your feedback…and I just basically love you. When I get feedback my whole day is better, like I can't wipe the smile off my face, and I usually look like a loon I'm not going to lie. So I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you guys. Also want to hear something sad? I just realized today you could comment on reviews! I didn't know how to before but now I do…so I might comment now on your review…how cool is that?

**SORRY FOR ANY ERRORS NO TIME FOR SPELL CHECK!