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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Thirteen

It was only the 19th of December, a Saturday. There were five more days until Kori had to go to her Slade Wilson's famous party. Kori of course was nervous for the event, but at the same time completely excited. Over the last few days Kori had been a lot happier. Maybe it was Nightwing? Maybe it was Richard? Or maybe it was both of them?

It was near ten o'clock at night, and Kori was still at work. She had been working all day. Lately she had been quite the slacker as much as she hated to admit it. All day she had spent organizing files, reediting her piers' work, and so on. It was quite the uneventful day, but regardless of the boring day, there was some excitement.

Kori's article on the famous hero Nightwing had just been published. So far she had gotten all positive reviews from her friends, along with the rest of the public. The most surprising positive review of all came from her boss, the infamous Madame Rouge. Kori felt as if she was finally being accepted by her boss.

"Anders!" Kori looked up from her computer to see Madame Rouge at the door.

"Yes?" Kori was polite in her tone, no reason to piss off the boss who had given her a compliment.

"I'm going. You're the last one on this floor…make sure to turn off all the lights where you leave okay?"

"Yes that's fine with me. Goodnight." Kori turned away from her as the door closed, and focused back on her computer. It was only three minutes that after Madame Rouge left, that Kori found herself turning off her computer.

Kori stood up from her computer. She pushed in her chair and walked over to her door opening it. Leaving it open Kori examined around her to see no other office lights on. She had to admit she was a bit frightened. Since Mr. Mod's murder, Kori hadn't really been alone in this building since then. Security hadn't been doubled at all, and she was sure if anything at all happened, it would take awhile for them to get to her.

She fought the urge to go home right now. Instead, she walked over to the office next to her, the office that belonged to Mr. Mod's. No light was on, but the door was closed. Gently twisting the doorknob with her fingers, she pushed the door open.

Since the murder, they had fixed the window. Everything of his had been left untouched; it was still under police investigation. Though Kori had a feeling the Police weren't getting anywhere with their investigation. She had heard no reports from Commissioner Gordon.

Kori flipped on the light, and the room illuminated. She walked in checking behind her. She felt nervous going into the room. Papers were still everywhere. It looked just as if Mr. Mod was still working here. He had always had his office a mess.

Kori walked further into the room, and ran her fingers across the desk. She reached them up to examine them. Quite a bit of dust had collected. She walked further back to the window which had been replaced only two days after the murder. Looking out at the Jump skylights Kori sighed.

"Ms. Anders, I didn't take you as the type to enjoy haunted rooms."

A voice scared Kori and as she turned around she held in her scream. She closed her eyes as she used her other hand and held onto her heart. The rapid beating was a sign that indeed Kori had just got the shit scared out of her.

"Didn't hear me come in?"

"How did you get in?"

"No reason to be at alarm, Kori. I was just simply dropping by something for Madame Rouge."

Xavier stepped into the light of the room. A smile was evident on his face. He was dressed in black slacks, and a black trench coat. Kori saw a red scarf around his neck as well. His hair was disheveled from the wind outside, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"This isn't her office."

"It's not yours either." Xavier corrected. He walked further into the room and Kori could see him up close.

"That doesn't matter. You should drop off whatever you need to, and go." Kori had a sharp tone to her voice.

Xavier was definitely not Kori's favorite person. She had been heartbroken when they had broken up about two months ago…until she realized the reason he broke her heart…she refused to have sex with the bastard.

"What don't want to talk to an old friend?" Xavier chuckled.

Kori moved away from the window and walked past Xavier. He eyes followed her as she stood in front of the door. "You were never a friend…just a jackass."

Kori walked back to her office, and she Mr. Mod's light turn off, and door close. She walked back quickly to her office. Xavier was right behind her, and before she could turn the handle she was against the door.

The package in Xavier's hand was dropped carelessly to the floor, and he held Kori's body there. She closed her eyes as she felt him leaning in. He inhaled her hair, the smell of berries flooding his nose. His breathing was heavy, and Kori could smell some alcohol in his hot breath.

"You're drunk." Kori opened her eyes and stared into Xavier's golden ones.

"I had one drink. Not even close to getting me buzzed." A smirk came onto his face, and Kori sucked in her breath as she felt his hand trail down her waist to her but. He cupped her ass, and Kori was getting more and more impatient with him.

"Don't touch me." Kori was serious. She bit her lips as she felt his face drawing closer and closer to her.

"Are we still acting like the prude? Kori if I remember correctly you used to give it too Richard…all the time. And I couldn't even get a little of you without getting whacked. Now tell me…how was that fair to me?"

His lips touched her neck. His hot kisses leaving a trail up to her chin. Kori struggled against him, and before her hand was able to push her away, Kori's hands were brought up above her head, and secured there with Xavier's muscular arms. Kori struggled further against him, and was getting ready to kick him. His body pressed her closer against the door though and she could feel small tears prickling her eyes.

"Xavier…stop it." Kori's voice quivered.

"Come on Kori…you know you miss my kisses." His voice was teasing, and his lips kept kissing closer and closer to her own.

She closed her eyes again, and took in a deep breath. She could feel his breath coming closer and closer…until she felt nothing at all. His arms realized hers, his body moved away from hers completely. Kori breathed heavily and opened her eyes to see Richard above Xavier.

Kori watched as Xavier grabbed something and stabbed Richard right in his right shoulder. Richard let out a small cry of pain before Xavier got up and scrambled away. Kori ran over to where Richard was on the ground.

"Kori?"

- - - - - - -

"Richard…I need you to drop this off for me." Bruce walked into Richard's room. Richard sat at his desk reading a novel. He looked up, and marked his page, and then shut the book.

"Drop what off?" Richard got out of his chair and walked towards Bruce.

"This…" Bruce handed Richard a small brown cardboard box. Richard raised his eyebrow at the item.

"What is it?" Richard inquired. He took the box in his hands, it was a little bit heavy.

"You know Madame Rouge correct?"

"Yeah, she's Kori's boss."

"Right," Bruce chuckled looking down. He looked back up. "In here are some old newspapers I own from back in the day. Don't ask me why she needs them. So can you do me a favor and drop them off tonight?"

"Fine," Richard nodded his head and walked to the door where he grabbed his jacket and put it on. He was ready to go.

- - - - - - -

Upon arriving at the Jump City Post, Richard parked his car. He walked into the building, getting out his ID. A security guard stood by the door and let Richard in. He walked up to the desk that a guard was managing.

"I have to drop this off for Madame Rouge." Richard said quickly. He gave the security guard his ID, and the guard quickly gave it back when he realized who Richard was, a Jump Elite.

"Right…I gotcha. Well someone else had to drop off a package for Ms. Rouge as well. I sent the first guy up. You can go up as well."

"Thank you…top floor correct?"

"Yes sir."

Richard walked away from the guard thanking him. Going over to the elevator he pressed the up button. It took about a minute for the sleek silver colored doors to open. Richard walked in and pressed the top floor. The box was still in hand.

The elevator dang upon arriving at the top floor. It was completely dark up here accept for one office light on. It was a bit like déjà vu for Richard. Regardless he walked further into the room. He could see two shadows by the office lit up. He then heard voices.

"Xavier…stop it!" He could hear Kori's slight cry. Richard began to run to the back, being undetected by either Kori or Xavier.

"Come on Kori…you know you miss my kisses." Xavier's slight chuckle sounded.

This made Richard mad. He quickly reached the back and pulled Xavier off of Kori. He threw him to the ground, and Xavier noted it was Richard. Xavier quickly pulled something out of his pocket…it looked to be a pencil. Richard was a bit confused until he felt the pencil hit is right shoulder…the same place he was shot.

Letting out a slight cry of pain, Xavier got up and ran away, leaving Richard on the ground. He groaned slightly, his right shoulder still wasn't healed from the bullet wound, and now he got a pencil wound?

"Who the hell stabs people with pencils?" Richard cursed in his head. He looked over to see Kori approaching.

"Kori?"

"Richard…what are you doing here? And did you just get stabbed with a pencil?"

"Yeah…that's what I was thinking." He let out a chuckle and sat up, leaning against a desk. He looked down and pull out the pencil…it was stuck in his skin. He sighed as he pulled it out, and saw a little blood on it. Groaning he threw it into the trash can by his head.

"What are you doing here?" Kori asked. She reached out a hand and helped him up.

"I had to drop off some old newspapers for Madame Rouge. I'm guessing Xavier did as well."

The two turned their heads to see the box Xavier was formerly carrying on the ground, newspapers spilling out of it.

"Yeah…apparently," Kori released a small chuckle. She walked over to the box, picking it up and placing the papers back in. She then walked with Richard to Madame Rouge's office where they set the boxes down in front of the locked room.

"Thank you…" Kori gave a shy smile as she looked up at Richard.

"Don't worry about it Kori. I really think you need to start carrying something with you…like pepper spray or something. You keep kidding into these incidents." Richard gave a small laugh even though he was very serious.

"Trouble seems to like me." Kori answered.

"It does indeed."

They both looked at each other in front of her office. As their eyes met, Kori looked down to his lips. Richard seemed to get the hint, and he moved closer to her. Their eyes flicked shut as Kori leaned her head up getting ready to kiss him.

Then they both opened their eyes and looked away blushing. Kori thought it would be wrong to kiss Richard…what about Nightwing. What about the handsome hero who had stolen her heart upon two meetings? Where was he in all of this…certainly not here now.

"I have to get going. Would you like me to walk you out?" Richard asked. His hands were in his pockets, and he saw Kori shake her head.

"No, it's fine. I have to clean up my office a bit. I'll see you soon though okay?"

"Yeah…that sounds good. Goodnight Kori…please be safe."

- - - - - - -

"Goodnight Jeff!" Kori said goodbye to the security guard as she walked out of the building twenty minutes later. She had tidied up her office. It was now spotless, with no dust anywhere in sight.

"Goodnight Ms. Anders, be safe out there…it's late."

It was now ten thirty at night, and very few cars drove the streets. The street lamps helped illuminated the way to Kori's rental car. The only sound heard was the wind. The whirls sent leafs scattering across the ground, and pieces of trash from today rolling down the sidewalk.

"Ms. Anders." Kori turned around expecting to see Xavier again, or maybe Richard… Turning around though, she saw the face of Slade Wilson…one of the last people she wanted to see.

"Mr. Wilson…how are you?" Kori gave a polite smile.

"I've been quite busy. It takes a lot of work building an empire."

"I'm not surprised." Kori said. She bit her lip anxiously not really sure what to say to the man.

"So Kori…how have you been? It's been quite a long time has it not?" Slade's smile was fake, but Kori paid no mind to it.

"Work is quite occupying. Also with no recent exciting events I have to admit the news is lagging a bit." Kori leaned up against her car. Her feet hurt from being in heels all day.

"Ah, well I'm sure some type of news will come up soon. Perhaps even tonight…" Slade chuckled lightly. Licking his lips he stood up straighter. He looked at Kori in the eyes.

"I must say goodbye for the night Ms. Anders. Let me tell you how much I look forward to our date on the twenty-fourth."

"Good-bye."

As Slade Wilson continued walking down the street, Kori tried her best not to gag. She couldn't stand the thought of being his date. She had no idea on why she accepted his offer to begin with. When the repulsive man was out of sight, Kori got into her car, and went speeding into the night.

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AUTHORS NOTE

*So I updated a bit faster no? Probably not one of my bests….but I didn't think it was that bad! That was my goal during my bust week. To be completely honest I should have been studying for finals rather than writing a new chapter, but to be perfectly honest my French and bio finals don't mean anything to me. Regardless…new chapter!

So I wanted to explain this. I realize it was a bit weird for Richard to be stabbed with a pencil…there is a point to that though why it happened. So only about five more days until the party, and I swear when that comes up I am going to have some pretty amazing chapters!

Hopefully will be updating again soon. Thanks for the great feedback! Keep it coming!