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?

- - - - - - -

Fifteen

"What's today?"

"It's only Monday the twenty first."

"That bites."

"I completely agree." Kori threw a small red bouncy wall at her wall and caught it in her hand.

"Let me see that." Rachel held out her hand and Kori passed her the red ball. She threw it at the wall and didn't bother to catch it back. It fell down past Kori's bed and to the floor where Silkie went attacking it.

"Why didn't you catch it?" Kori sat up on her bed as did Rachel. Kori had an annoyed expression.

"Why are we still here? It's Monday…we both skipped work, and all we are going to do is sit here all day and bounce a ball?"

"Well for one I didn't skip work, Madame Rouge actually gave me the day off…something about working on my article." Kori chuckled as did Rachel knowing that Kori was not working at all. "Second of all it was your idea to come to my house." Kori noted to Rachel, and Rachel rolled her eyes.

"True, but I can't just sit here Kori. For once I don't want to be cooped up and reading a book or drinking tea…can we just do something fun?"

Kori looked over at Rachel. She really stared at her then. Kori got up from the bed and walked to the other side where Rachel was. She placed her hand on her forehead to feel that Rachel's temperature was fine.

"Why are you acting different from my Rachel?" Kori lightly pouted and Rachel rolled her eyes.

"I am not…okay a little. Kori I really just want to do something. Work is so boring and lately Gar has been boring, and now I am feeling boring."

"Well what do you want to do?"

"I have a few ideas."

- - - - - - -

"Commissioner Gordon, Slade Wilson is here to see you as you requested."

"Very good, send him in." James rubbed his tired eyes and took a long sip of his highly caffeinated coffee. He coughed once, clearing his throat before shuffling through the papers on his desk, creating a neat organized single pile.

There was a knock at the door, signaling someone was coming in. The oak door opened the next moment to reveal two shadows. The one person walked in, Slade Wilson. He wore an all black suit for work, with a burnt orange tie. He looked taller, and his hair looked whiter. He took a seat in front of Gordon's desk. The other shadow poked its head in, a fellow officer. He gave a nod before leaving the room, and shutting the door.

"Ahh Gordon, to what do I owe the pleasure? If this is more nonsense, I have no time for it. I have no time for any of this foolishness. I do have a job and a company to maintain." Slade Wilson spoke. His voice sounded deeper and more intimidating.

"Mr. Wilson patience is a virtue. I do believe you need more of it, we might be here for quite some time." Gordon stood up from his desk. He walked around the desk to the chair of Mr. Wilson.

"Don't press your luck Gordon. You requested me, and I came. It doesn't mean there are any rules stopping me from leaving anytime I want. So I suggest you get to the point."

"Who is the S Killer?" Gordon asked. He walked back around to his desk where he pulled out a large file. Then he slowly threw the files down. Slade raised an eye brow in question and Gordon nodded his head towards the file.

Slade opened the first file up and saw the pretty face of the young Kitten Moth. Skimming through the file he saw news documents of her death, even official police reports. He saw the picture of her death next, her helpless body, the giant S. A small smile came to face but disappeared as he looked up at Gordon.

"I don't know what you are talking about. No one knows who the 'S' killer is." Slade retorted.

"Oh, I can think of some people who know who he is." Gordon took a seat at his chair and leaned back.

"Well I wouldn't be one of them. Now is this what this meeting was all about?"

"Oh, there is more. Who is Deathstroke?"

Slade's mind flashed to the night he mentioned the name to Kori. He clenched his fists wondering if the little bitch had mentioned anything. He controlled his anger and looked back up at Gordon. His face was red, and he pants looked a little looser on his wide waist.

"I have to say again Gordon, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Last night our local hero Nightwing stopped the murder of a secretary…from Bruce Wayne's company. He said he got a hold of the killer… his name was Red X. After a bit of pushing him around a bit, Nightwing found out he worked for Deathstroke. So now tell me again…who is Deathstroke?"

Slade yet again clenched his fists in anger. This time to tight that is knuckles turned white. This went unnoticed by Gordon who got up and went to his side desk to pour more coffee for himself. So this is what Xavier had to tell him, what he had put off. Of course Xavier only wasted his time with reports he said were important…this one indeed was important.

"Why don't you ask your local hero Nightwing?" Slade sneered as he said the name.

"Well you see, he told us you have something to do with it. Now you tell me. Do you have something to do with the murders of these people?"

"I believe it's time for me to go." Slade stood up quickly. Gordon followed his actions.

"No, I believe it's time for you to stay!" Gordon walked around so he was by the chair.

The two men stared at each other's eyes for a long moment, both angry and having heated minds. Gordon was the first to break eye contact, and took a step away from the seat. Slade smirked, knowing he was victorious. He walked back over to Gordon and looked him in the eyes one last time. "

"The next time you want to speak with me, you'll be speaking with my lawyer as well." With that Slade Wilson marched out of the office, power on his mind, and anger in his heart.

- - - - - - -

"Your idea was to go to paint pots?" Kori looked stunned as the large building came into better view as the two approached. The place was called Happy Vase. What a clever name…

"Painting is fun, art is good, and most of all relaxing is very nice."

After greeting the owner and changing into smocks, the two girls headed to the back room for a private session to paint. On the wall were various sizes of all reddish brown colored pots. The two walked over to the wall, picking out a pot of their choosing. Rachel went for a large flower pot, while Kori found a small vase that she was delighted to paint. Supplies were all over the room. There were paint colors of the entire rainbow. Fabric wheels hung on the wall, and in different drawers there were a variety of beads, glitter, and more.

"How did you find this place?" Kori asked. She looked up from her vase which she began to paint all white.

"Oh, this is where Gar took me on our 'friend date' before we officially started going out on real dates." Kori watched as Rachel twitched, trying to hide her smile. She herself was painting the pot a single color before doing anything else. She was painting it black.

"That's pretty cute." Kori giggled.

"Watch it…" Rachel had a slight warning glare, but Kori knew she was joking. She was positive she knew Rachel was joking as her best friend's mouth turned upward in a smile.

"Isn't it going to snow tomorrow?"

"Yea, it's supposed to snow about eight to eleven inches they predicted."

"It would be nice to have snow on the ground before Christmas, just makes you remember the holiday so much more!" Kori drifted off, pausing and holding her brush steady in her hand. She loved snow, especially just the pretty white flakes that fell quietly to the ground, each one different.

"Yeah…sure," Rachel remarked and Kori rolled her eyes, though not in an annoyed way. Just a way knowing that her best friend was always going to be a bit sarcastic.

- - - - - - -

"Are you serious?" Richard shook his head as he looked outside to see his whole entire backyard filled with nine inches of snow. The weather man had made a correct statement, getting right that on December 22, there would be a lot of snow.

"Master Richard, a person on the phone for you."

"Who is it Alfred?" Richard looked away from his curtains and to Alfred.

"It's Miss Anders."

"Ok…I'll get it." Richard tried not to seem eager as he rushed to the phone, ignoring Alfred's knowing grin. He picked it up, and relaxed upon hearing her voice.

"Hey Richard," he could tell she was smiling from the other line.

"I didn't even talk. How did you know it was me?" Richard chuckled as he took a seat against his bed, getting comfortable.

"I heard your breathing."

Richard had to admit his stomach felt a little heated at her words. He just smiled on the phone, but didn't know what to say. "Hey, Kori, so why did you call?"

"Oh…I almost forgot! Do you have Victor's number? I really need to know when I will be able to get my car. This rental is horrible, and I don't think it would be able to make a journey out in a snow storm like this."

"Oh…Vic's number. If it's any help, Victor did tell me he probably wouldn't have your car ready for you until after Christmas. Sorry Kori. If you need anything though, I would be happy to help."

- - - - - - -

"Why exactly are we going to the grocery store?"

"Well, you said you would be happy to help. So help me get my groceries. I have no food in my house, and for the last two days I have been living off ramen. Though I am not complaining, it would be nice to have something other than the noodles yes?

"So wait your car isn't working right? The rental car?" Together they walked into Shoprite.

"The rental is being stupid! I did no damage to the car, and yet it taunts me by not working." Kori explained, and Richard couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's fine. I am a little surprised some stores are still open. It's terrible outside."

"It's because they know people like us will come and shop!" Kori grabbed her cart and began pushing them though the isles, Richard following her suit.

"So what did you exactly need?"

"Fruits and vegetables," walking to the right of the entrance, the produce section came into view.

"So what does Ms. Kori eat these days? Do you still love oranges?"

"How could you forget? Was it that long ago?" Kori looked at Richard who nodded his head, in a sad way.

"Yeah…it was that long ago," he added a smile to the end of his statement, which made Kori grin as well. She then picked up a bag and went over to the oranges.

"Yes, I still love oranges." She then took four juicy looking oranges, and placed them in the bag with a smile on her face.

- - - - - - -

"Here, let me help bring the groceries inside." Parking on the street, and getting out of the car, the trunk was popped open by Richard. Eleven bags of groceries were inside. Kori knew how to eat, she used to joke with her friends she had nine stomachs.

"Thanks Richard." Together they brought in all the groceries. The kitchen in the apartment was crowded, and Kori and Richard worked together to help put all the groceries away. They left out a package of chicken and a box of spaghetti.

"Well I guess I better get going…leave you to eat dinner at all." He glanced at the clock seeing it was six thirty.

Kori looked at the clock as well and then back to Richard. She picked up the package of chicken; she got the smallest portion size, with four chicken breast. It had written on the package that there was enough for two to three servings. She sighed. She would of course only eat this alone unless…

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Kori looked away. She felt her heart rate increase drastically. Had she really she asked Richard to stay for dinner. What was she doing? What was she thinking? What was Nightwing going to think?

"Kori, I don't know. I don't want to intrude and I have things to do at home." Richard wanted to say yes. He wanted to yes so much it hurt. He was giving her an out though. Seeing what she would do. He didn't know if she was saying it because it was something she seemed to have to do, or because it was something she wanted to do.

"Please, Richard, I insist. You can help me cook too! You know I have never been the best cook…" Kori looked down laughing. That was an understatement. Kori was a horrible cook; she had never mastered the ways of the stove.

"Well, what's for dinner then?" Kori smiled and let out a small excited squeal. Richard couldn't help but chuckle.

- - - - - - -

"You don't remember that?" Kori took a sip of her wine as she leaned back in her chair, full from her meal. Richard had made Chicken Parmesan, a favorite of Kori's. He also made whole made garlic bread as well as a fresh salad.

"When you slipped and fell on the ice? Of course I remember that!" Richard let out a hearty chuckle. "Your butt was bruised for days and you always whined when you had to sit on it!"

"I could be a bit of a child back then." Kori nodded as well.

Kori stood up then. Richard sat straighter in his chair. She grabbed her dishes as well as Richard's. He protested however and she shoved him down on his chair when she explained the rules of being a dinner guest. She walked to the sink while they talked.

"So, are you still going with Wilson to his party?" Richard had a tone of jealousy in his voice. He hated that man for more than one reason.

"Sadly yes, I would prefer to have gone with someone else but at the moment he asked I accepted I can't just reject his offer now. Have you found anyone to go with?" She had the pink sponge in her hands, scrubbing away at a pot. He stood up, and walked next to the sink, leaning back on the counter.

"Yeah, but she's already taken."

Kori almost thought it was her, but shook her head in denial. Her flame with Richard was long ago. He had moved on to better things, more beautiful women, developed a finer taste. She had the urge to ask who she was but decided that would be wrong of her. She had no business to pry into Richard's personal life.

"I'm sure she wants to go with you too. Who could resist the charm of Richard Grayson?" Kori looked at him, blushing slightly.

"I can think of a few people." Richard said. His gaze was on her, and she dropped the dish she was holding in the sink. Luckily it didn't break, but rather just startled Kori, causing her to knock out of the trance she was in. Richard smiled when Kori grew flustered.

"I'm meeting someone tomorrow night." The words slipped out of her mouth. She felt as if she had to tell someone. She felt that Richard was her best friend, the guy that understood her most. So why not tell him?

"Oh…really?" Richard raised his eye brows in surprise. He rubbed the back of his neck as well.

"I'm nervous. Can I tell you who it is? I know I can tell you anything Richard." Kori set down the sponge and dried her hands on the towel from the sink.

"Yeah…sure," they walked back over to the table, taking a seat.

"You know the superhero Nightwing? We are meeting tomorrow at Howard's Glass. I'm really nervous." Kori looked up from the table to meet Richard's gaze. His eyes were distant, his lips twisting into an unpleasant smile.

"Oh…do you like this guy?" Richard asked.

"Yeah…I do. I know it's stupid and cliché. He is pretty amazing thought Richard. You would like him."

Something clicked in Richard then. He stood up quickly. "I've got to get going. Thanks for dinner, everything was great." He gave Kori a light kiss on the cheek as well as a hug. He then walked out of the apartment quickly. His mind was fuming, his arms shaking. Kori would never see him as many more then a hero. He had to face the facts that Kori wasn't in love with Richard Grayson. No, she was in fact love with his counterpart…Nightwing.

- - - - - - -

AUTHOR'S NOTE

*Sorry for late updating! Good news I am going to have more time to update…hopefully, no promises. So I liked this chapter, hope all of you did as well. So the next chapter is going to be a bit boring in my opinion until the end at least. Then bam hopefully you guys will find what I write really exciting! Next chapter soon I hope. In the mean time I wrote a Valentine's Day One shot, Make You Happy. It was my first lemon ever so I am/was super nervous. So you guys should check that out! Thanks so much for your positive review and comments!

Michelle