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?
- - - - - - -
Eighteen
Time was going very slow, slower than normal for Kori. Kori and Rachel had just finished lunch and the movies and now were at the salon. Kori had given up on Richard completely. Her calls were useless, going unanswered. Her tears had been shed silently in the car on the way to the movies.
"Kori, you keep jittering. You're acting like me now. I hate salons and you love them, now act like it." Kori knew that Rachel was trying. Kori knew that Rachel also knew that Kori was upset about something but didn't plan on telling her. Rachel was trying her best as a best friend to cheer Kori up.
"Yeah, okay." Kori gave a small smile. Though it was a little one, Rachel still saw it and felt like she hadn't completed failed.
"So are you ready to get beautified?"
"Yeah, have to look good for my date Slade tonight." Kori scrunched her nose as the two walked into Style Me Beautiful.
"I still can't believe you accepted. Oh well, it's too late to change your mind. Besides maybe you won't even have to be around him that much. You can just socialize a lot."
"I like the sound of that."
"I don't like the sound of getting waxed though." Rachel frowned as they walked up the desk and told the secretary they were there for their spa appointments.
"Well you get a massage, a manicure and pedicure, hair done, and a chance to sit in the steam room. So it's not all pain." Kori grinned this time and the lady led them to the back where their day of beautifying began.
- - - - - -
"Richard, what are you up to now?" Victor asked.
The boys walked into the locker room of the private gym. A towel was around each of their necks. Sweat glittered on their bodies. Their shirts clung to them and they caught their breath from their intense work out.
"I have to go home, shower, and then go to a business meeting. I told Bruce to reschedule, but no." Richard rolled his eyes. He took the towel off from around his neck and spun it slowly and hit the locker, creating a small cracking sound.
"Business on Christmas Eve?" Gar rolled his eyes. "Only Scrooges to that," Gar chuckled.
"Well work has to get done if I want any break. Besides its one meeting, should be a quick lunch…well, it better be." Richard added a grin at the end and tossed his towel into a hamper at the end of the lockers.
"Well I for one have better plans for Christmas Eve." Gar had a suspicious grin on his face.
"What's that pipsqueak?" Victor joked.
"Well, nothing much until later tonight. Slade Wilson's Christmas party is later on in the evening and I know one girl who is getting all dolled up just for me. I'll be giving and receiving the best present ever tonight." Gar winked and Victor gave a disgusted look.
"If you're going to the nasty with Rachel, I for one don't want to hear about it!" Richard chuckled at Victor's comment and Victor shot him a look.
"What neither do I," Richard clarified.
"Well if my plans are so gross, just what do you plan on doing with Karen later?" Gar shot back. He crossed his arms and had a satisfied grin on his face.
Victor let a blush creep on to his face. It was gone in an instance. "We are also going to Wilson's party. Then I got me a date with Karen, it's going to be a long Christmas."
"And you yell at me about details!" Gar whined. Richard rolled his eyes as he pulled out his phone from his gym bag.
He had twenty-seven missed calls. What the hell? As he began to scroll down, his phone shot off. He let out a hiss and a curse. The guys around him shot him a look and Richard rolled his eyes. He looked up to Victor and Gar.
"What? My phone just died on me."
"Why don't you ask Santa for a new one?" Gar chuckled. Richard just gave him a long stare before turning back to his locker.
"So what did you get for Rachel?" Victor asked. He was leaning against his own locker, now in a clean tee shirt and a pair of large gray sweat pants.
"Well I got her a new p-" Gar stopped short as he heard Richard's curse.
"What?" Vic quickly asked.
"I didn't get someone a present. Look, I've got to get going. I have to shower, business meeting, Christmas shopping, and then the party. I'll see you guys later!" Richard rushed out of locker room, thinking of what to buy that special someone.
- - - - - -
"I hate when you act like this." Rachel spoke. They sat together quietly enjoying their pedicures.
"Act like what?" Kori asked. She looked up from her magazine which she closed and placed on the side table.
"Like a grump. Look, I'm not going to pressure you to tell me what happened but you have to clue me in here." Rachel sighed. She bit her lip anxiously waiting for Kori to say something, say anything. When she looked over Kori looked as if she was debating with herself.
"If I had a secret…you would want to know right?" Kori visibly gulped. Rachel's heart rate flew up.
"What the hell did you do?" Rachel immediately looked down to Kori's stomach.
"Rachel…no!" Kori scolded. "Just answer the question." Kori smoothed out her wrinkled shirt to show her flat stomach.
"Yeah, I guess I would want to know. Kori…what's going on?" Rachel leaned forward, ignoring the look and slight scolding from the woman who was working diligently on her toe nails.
"Nothing, nothing is going on with me. I want to tell you Rachel. I can't though. It's not my secret to tell. I don't, I don't even know if this is a real secret. I don't even know what to believe. You think you know someone. You think they would never lie, but the whole entire time they've been lying to you." Kori said the last part more to herself. She couldn't help but let a few tears slip from her eyes.
Rachel noticed Kori's distress and sighed sadly. She sat back in her chair. She didn't look at Kori. Too much was going through her mind. Too many thoughts of what Kori was talking about. Nothing added up. She knew she had to say something. No words came out though as she opened her mouth. Instead, she reached out her hand.
Kori looked at the hand questioning what she would do with it. As Rachel grabbed hers though, Kori realized that Rachel was just being a good friend. Kori gripped Rachel's hand. She felt a squeeze, and a small smile came to her face. Even through the tears, she knew Rachel was always going to be there, no matter what.
- - - - - -
"I trust you have everything prepared for when guests arrive?" Slade wore a simple pair of slacks and a white button down shirt. He wouldn't be getting ready until later on in the evening when everyone arrived.
"Yes, sir, everything is prepared for this evening." Wintergreen nodded. Slade's grin was seen by Wintergreen. The mischief was in his eyes, the burning passion for revenge showing.
"Excellent." Slade looked towards the door as the door bell was rung. Wintergreen excused himself as he walked to the door and opened it to reveal Xavier Redd.
Xavier wore his tux as well, looking quite dapper for the evening. A grin was on his face, as well as slightly purple cheeks that were fading out. They were bruised. He ignored Wintergreen and walked straight towards the grimacing Slade.
"What business do you have here, Xavier? You weren't to come until later in the evening." Slade's voice was slightly uneven.
"I need to know," he stopped himself. "Red X needs to know if you are switching plans or am I to follow the original orders?"
"You are to follow the original plans, but let's just leave it at later on Ms. Anders will have a different future from her previous one."
"What are you thinking?" Xavier was almost afraid to ask. As cold and heartless as he was, he still had a soul. He had limits; Slade knew this as well as himself.
"I'm just thinking Ms. Anders can get reconnected with Nightwing, before we kill them both."
- - - - - -
Her own beauty astounded herself. She was the picture of perfection, the picture of a beautiful, flawless painting never to be tainted at the hand of evil. Her red hair was whisked into an up do. Pieces of hair framed her face in wave and curls, as the back was an elegant yet both sexy and slightly unruly bun. Her skin was flawless as always. Blush tinted her cheeks. Her green dress fit her body perfectly, her curves showing, slight cleavage as well.
Kori had never felt more beautiful, not had she looked more gorgeous. She couldn't help but feel as if she was a princess. Her small girlish giggle released at the thought and she looked at the mirror again, eyes meeting eyes in the reflection. Sadness was seen with in as well as so many other emotions.
"Kori..." Rachel stopped as she walked into the room. She looked at Kori and a big smile came to her face. "Kori, you look amazing."
"Rachel, you are one to do the talking. You look stunning as well."
Rachel was wearing a champagne colored strapless dress. The top from her bust to her hip was in a corset type style, while the rest of the dress flowed freely. Her gold jewelry accented the dress perfectly, bringing out the slight golden colored tone in the dress. Beads adorned the bottom. It was a stunning dress that glittered in the light of Kori's dimly lit room, just wait until she was on a ball room floor with hundreds of lights hitting the beads.
"You're too nice. Anyway, I came in here to ask if you were accompanying Gar and I for the occasion." She paused for a moment and Kori just blinked at Rachel. "Well are you?" She smiled.
"No, I am going on my own tonight. I will be leaving shortly after you; I just need some time to myself."
"I understand what you mean. I'm leaving now. I'll see you soon okay?"
"Yeah…okay."
- - - - - -
"Sir, our store is closing."
"You're door was open." Richard pointed out.
He walked into the small jewelry shop. The outside windows shined in pride, but the inside, the inside sparkled like a lake as the sun's rays hit the water, or even a beautiful diamond. Of course, many diamonds surrounded Richard.
The dealer walked out from behind the counter. He was a short man, maybe the height of 5'3. His suit was too big, his black slacks being held up by a leather black belt. His purple shirt fit him awkwardly, for he was a slender man.
"My name is Winston." His smile was as fake as a Barbie doll. Richard's hearing caught the squeak in the floorboards as he approached closer, close enough to shake hands with Richard.
"Richard," they shook hands. He had a light grip, slightly girlish. Richard didn't dare say his last name in fear of the man recognizing him as the millionaire.
"Well, what can I help you with today, Richard?" Winston's cologne was strong and flooded Richard's nostrils. He coughed quietly.
"I need a gift. I expect the finest of quality as well." Richard began to speak. He scanned cases as he spoke, walking around the small room. Winston followed him like a dog on a leash.
"I can assure you, sir, we have the finest quality jewelry." Winston squinted slightly as he met Richard's eyes.
"That's why I'm here." Richard's eyes roamed. All of the gems sparkled and shined under their freshly cleaned glass cases. Colors of red, green, and purple caught his eyes the most.
"Well what are you interested in? I'm sure we can find something to suit your needs. We have a fine selection of watches…" Winston walked behind the counter and opened a case to pull out some watches.
"This is for a good friend of mine, a woman. Watches won't do."
"Oh, well that makes our search a bit easier." His tone sounded annoyed. Winston wasn't about to complain though. Richard seemed like a fine young gentlemen, with plenty of money to spare.
"Yes, well this needs to spectacular."
"We have plenty of marvelous jewelry. What exactly are you looking for?"
"I need a ring."
- - - - - -
The long black limo pulled up to the front of a large mansion. A white carpet led up to the steps. Flowers bloomed everywhere, even in the color winter air. The sky was cloudless, the stars shining bright with excitement. Christmas lights were strung throughout the property; it was like a house out of a magazine with the different colors that illuminated the night.
The limo driver got out of his door and walked around. He pushed through the paparazzi that surrounded the outside. Slade Wilson's Christmas Eve party would be one for the magazines. Every reporter, gossiper, and photographer had been there this evening. All of the hotels in Jump were filled. Reporters wanted to get the business information from Slade, finding out about his recent scandal that Kori Anders has published. Gossipers and fashion men and women wanted to know the latest hookup with the Jump elite, along with the newest fashions. Photographers were excited to see the beautiful landscape of Slade Wilson's large expensive estate.
The limo driver opened the door. Everyone waited impatiently to see which next Jump elite was arriving. Security was close by. The paparazzi here were savages. They gathered around the car, except for a few who interviewed other people of importance on the steps.
Kori looked out her window, seeing the camera flashes. She may have been a hot shot reporter, but this was new to her. She took a deep breath as the door opened and lights blinded her.
She avoided the paparazzi. She smiled at some camera, but completely ignored any questions. She sort of ran up the steps. Richard had been on her mind the entire car ride and she needed to hurry and find him to find out what was going on.
It was challenging to avoid the camera flashes until she got to the steps. The steps had been a safety zone for security guards in dark suits with black sunglasses watched everything in front of them. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking around from the outside, the place looked more beautiful than it had ever been before. The inside was even more gorgeous Kori had learned. For once she walked inside, her mouth opened in awe.
Everything was like Winter Wonderland for adults. It was a mature theme; a theme only adults would truly understand and appreciate. The rich aroma of French vanilla and gingerbread filled the air. The playful banter of the party guests was everywhere.
Looking around, Kori saw several large Christmas trees decorated beautifully. She also saw all of the people; they seemed to go in slow motion to her. They all laughed, talked, and smiled; happy it was the night before Christmas. Each person was dressed high class. It seemed like the uglier the dress, the more expensive it probably was.
"May I have your name?" A security man sat at a small table next to the door.
"Kori Anders." Kori gave a small nervous smile. Her eyes darted around looking for Richard.
"Mr. Wilson is looking for you. He expected you find his as soon as you got here." The guard's face was emotionless, as well as his voice.
"Okay, I will. Will you please tell me if by any chance, a Mr. Richard Grayson is here yet?" Her eyes pleaded to the guard and he only shook his head before telling Kori to move along, as he waited to help the next guest.
Kori wondered through the parlor, the dining room, and walked into a ball type area. Everyone danced together to the orchestra Slade had hired. Christmas songs were playing and by the sound of it, Silent Night was currently on.
"Kori!" Kori turned around praying to see Richard. A frown came to her face for it was not Richard, but rather Victor.
"Hello, Victor!" Kori's frown was erased. A smile was on her face as she gave her burly friend a kiss on the cheek. "I am glad to see you. Have by any chance you seen Richard?"
"I'm glad to see you too. Karen is with Rachel right now, they went to powder their noses or something. I haven't seen Dick at all." Victor raised an eye brow but said nothing else as he took a sip out of his champagne glass.
"Oh, I see." Kori's eyes saddened as she kept the smile on her face.
"I wish to talk more, but I have to find Richard."
Excusing herself from Victor in a gaze, Kori walked further into the ball room. She smiled and said hello to people who spoke to her, but never carried a conversation. Eventually Kori ended up on the middle of the floor, right next to Slade Wilson.
"Now there's my date!" Slade's grin wasn't the least bit friendly as he excused himself from whoever he was talking to and went to Kori.
"Hello, Slade." Kori nervously swallowed. She wondered if Slade had picked up a newspaper this morning.
"Might I say you look stunning this evening?" He picked up her hand. His hands were rough, his grip type. His lips smoothly touched the top of her hand before letting it go, to fall to her side.
"You do as well." Kori nodded. Her eyes still skimmed around the room, Richard was still not in sight. She sighed and looked back to Slade who nodded to someone on the other side of the ballroom. They stood in a dark hallway from what Kori could tell.
"That was such a nice article you posted about me." Slade's smile was cold. His voice was hard.
"It's the truth."
"Now, Kori, I think you are a bit too naïve to know the truth."
Kori was about to ask something, about if that question had a double meaning to it. She was ignored as a different song played. An unfamiliar beat came on and Slade had pulled Kori's hands to his for a dance.
She readjusted herself. Her hand found his as her other hand went instinctively to his shoulder. He held her waist, the green fabric gently bunching up there. Their eyes met and Slade led the dance with grace.
"You realize that you'll be going to jail." Kori swirled as the two continued to dance. They seemed float across the ball room as if they were on air. Slade happened to be a very good dancer as was Kori.
"You realize that you should know not to get involved with some things, Kori." His eyes pierced hers. Around them the laughs and voices faded as if it were just the two of them. Their steps were light and not once was someone out of synch.
"What is that supposed to mean, Slade?" Kori raised her eye brows. They seemed to be spinning faster. Since when did they get across the room to the dark hallway?
"It means that you made a big mistake." His eyes darkened, his voice deepened, and his grip grew harder as they went into the hallway without a single person noticing.
Kori grew nervous. She seemed to lose her voice as Slade's face was a shock. She struggled against his grip of steel with no luck. Her body panicked and as he mouth opened to scream she felt another set of hands. They were rough, black, gloved.
The world spun out of control. The music went to an unfamiliar tune even more so now, going too fast it was hard to make out anything. The lights flickered on and off, her body felt weaker. She swore on her life she let out a scream, she also swore that at the moment of panic, she saw Richard. Nothing mattered anymore as the world darkened, everything blanked out, as a rag of chloroform was placed over her mouth and she couldn't help but breathe in.
- - - - - -
AUTHOR'S NOTE
*I sincerely apologize for my late update. I have to admit my life has been a bit chaotic but it has been settling down quite a bit. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and got some excitement out of it? It had taken me awhile to write. Sorry if the end feels a bit rushed. Next chapter should be interesting no? What's going to happen to Kori?
So I was close to 100 reviews. Darn, I was so darn close. Ha, hopefully I will surpass 100 this time? Regardless, thank you to everyone who reviewed! You are all amazing and I know I say this every time but it makes me feel happy to know that I did something right for once.
I am hoping to finish this story up soon! Then I will work on Secret Locket! My life is just well…interesting. Ha, maybe quite not the right word. I am getting new furniture. It's black and I am so excited! Also my computer has been a bit of a bum. It always turns off on me from being easily overheated. That's enough to make you want to lose your marbles!