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?
Twenty-Eight
Dinner was quiet at first with everyone passing food around and stuffing their faces with the delicious meal that Alfred had prepared for everyone. Serving both turkey and ham, the meats were juicy as well as flavorful and Alfred doubted there would be a plentiful amount of leftovers. Corn, potatoes, stuffing, jam, rolls, green bean casseroles, beans, the list went on and on of how much food sat at the table. The aroma of the room was inhaled by all the guests, fully appreciating how delicious this Christmas dinner would be.
"This meat is delicious!" Victor stuffed a piece of turkey in his mouth and he looked over at Karen who gave him a disapproving look for talking with his mouth full.
"No, what's delicious is this tofu you prepared! Alfred, you are the man!" Gar piled more helpings of tofu on his plate. Being the only vegetarian in the room he was sure to have no competition when it came to people eating his food.
"Are you mad?" Victor commented to Gar. "You don't know delicious till you know meat!" He saw a warning look from Karen.
"Tofu," Gar declared. Rachel gave him a warning look as well.
"Its Christmas dinner, we will not start this now, gentleman." Rachel looked back and forth between the two men and each girlfriend nodded in agreement.
"Aw, come on Rae! Perfect time to start this!" Gar remarked.
"Listen to the little lady, Gar. You don't want to get into this with me!"
"I do"
"You don't."
"You want to fight?"
"Bring it on tofu man!"
"It's on meathead!"
"Boys, let us both agree that the tofu and meat are very delicious," Kori smiled. The boys lowered their spoons that were ready to fling food at the enemy. The utensils dropped to the plate where they sat. The two stared at each other ready for any minute to finally fling that food.
Everyone continued back to small conversation next to their dinner partners besides Kori. She sat quietly eating her Christmas dinner with her left arm. She scowled at the food as she had trouble fully picking it up being used to eating with the right arm. She sighed frustrated as the piece of turkey fell of her fork and into the gravy splashing up slightly against the table.
"Need some help?" Richard mused. Kori gave him a dirty look and tried to quietly scoot her chair over near Rachel. The entire table heard though as the chair screeched against the hardwood floor and Kori groaned as everyone gave her a look. Rachel broke the silence for her friend, taking the attention off the frustrated redhead.
"Everything is amazing, Alfred." Then everyone began to chirp to Alfred how delicious the food was and how they were all so thankful for him preparing this lovely feast. It was then Rachel mumbled to Kori, "Everything alright earlier?"
"I cut my good leg." Kori backed her chair away from the table and pulled her leg out for Rachel to see the fresh band-aids on Kori's legs.
"Nice, band-aids." Rachel smirked.
Kori looked down for the first time to notice that Richard hadn't put just any band-aids on her leg's cut, but he had put Christmas band-aids. She let out a giggle and the table looked at her. "Rachel told a funny joke," Kori coughed. Rachel glared over at her best friend as the table looked to her now.
"Rachel? She told a joke? This has to be good! Tell us baby." Gar laughed as he sat back in his chair.
"Well ugh…" Rachel began. She struggled on what to say and was a bit agitated that Kori had put her on the spot just like that. She was happy when one of Bruce's dates spoke up instead, instantly taking the attention off of her.
"Oh, so everyone, Cindy and I have a question!" Sarah looked around smirking.
"This should be interesting." Richard remarked and Bruce gave him a dirty look.
"What about the joke?" Gar pouted in his seat. He picked up the spoon filled with tofu. He didn't plan on flinging it at Victor, Garfield just happened on insisting to play with his food.
"Shut up about the joke," Rachel scowled.
"Ugh, Sarah, this is not the time to ask such a question!" Cindy giggled.
"Just go on with it," Bruce gave a weary smile wondering what his two dates were about to ask of his fellow guests.
"What do you think is the best threesome position?"
The room quieted as Bruce spat up his wine he drank. Karen looked away blushing at the question the girls asked and Vic had his mouth open at the bluntness of the two girls. Gar who was the most surprised by the question accidently flung the tofu into a stunned Victor's mouth. Victor began to choke as he spit up the disgusting tofu into a napkin. Karen stopped Victor from throwing meat at Gar and prevented World War Three from breaking out.
"With that said, I think it's time for dessert." Alfred stood up and left the baffled room.
The lights flickered in the Wayne Mansion as all the guests were gathered in the large living room where a Christmas tree sat sparkling with Christmas lights and ornaments. Smiles were on almost everyone's faces as they gathered close to the Christmas tree with the presents wrapped neatly beneath.
Farther away from the group, Kori sat on a large red chair which matched the red carpet beneath her feet. Her leg was up on a small ottoman the cast resting on a plush white pillow. Next to her Richard sat on the couch quietly as the two stared at their friends on the ground near the tree, passing around presents.
"Is it me or does it feel colder in here?" Gar asked. He looked around at the others and again the lights flickered.
"Probably you," Victor laughed.
"No, I feel it too," Karen added in.
All of a sudden the lights went off and a wind whirled outside and banged against the shudders causing a stir in the stomachs of all the guests. Sarah and Cindy let out small squeals as Alfred left the room careful not to run into anything to grab a flashlight. He came back in shining the light at everyone.
"Sir, I do believe we must go to the basement to see if we can get the generators to work." Alfred spoke up. Bruce moved from his position where he was sandwiched on the ground by Sarah and Cindy. Standing up, Victor did as well.
"I might as well come with you two. I'm good with this kind of stuff."
Alfred tossed Richard an extra flashlight and the three men left the room and their footsteps vanished when a door creaked open and they followed down the dark steps to the basement. It was now Richard and Gar left alone with Karen, Rachel, Cindy, Sarah, as well as Kori. They sat quietly for mere moments before one of the two ditz opened their mouths to speak. Richard flicked the light on and shined it towards the dark tree where the majority sat.
"Cindy!" Sarah screeched.
"God, Sarah, I'm right next to you, what?"
"We left our bags in the car!"
"Bags?" Richard asked.
"Bruce said we can stay the night." Cindy giggled.
"You might not want to go out now, its storming." Rachel spoke up.
"We should at least try!" Sarah sneered.
The two girls stood up together and looked around for a moment before settling their sights on Gar who sat playing with the small pieces of blonde hair that fell to his eyes. They looked at each other before looking at Gar and smirking. Pulling him up he protested, but they ignored it.
"Come help us, please." It wasn't a question, but a demand. Dragging him out of the room they all moved together to go to the front door and out to the cars.
"Oh no they don't," Rachel quickly followed behind the three worrying about what the two bimbos would do to her boyfriend. She mumbled curses while walking out o the room.
It was now Richard, Kori, and Karen all alone in the room, that was until Karen stood up as well. "I have to go to the bathroom. Mind passing the flashlight so I can find it?"
"Yeah, here you go," Richard passed her the flashlight and it landed in her hands and she walked out. Richard and Kori were now alone.
"We keep finding ourselves like this," Richard spoke up.
"What a shame that is."
"You know being mad at me won't solve anything."
"Oh so if we talk, you'll all of a sudden tell the truth?" Kori snapped.
"There is a bigger picture here, Kori," Richard hissed.
"Yes, I know." He heard her sigh.
Sitting in the darkness, Kori didn't notice Richard coming towards her till she felt a weight on the ottoman next to her left leg. She could almost make out the outline of his face due to the slight light coming from the window. For the most part though, the two of them were alone and in the dark and silent.
"I got you something."
"Richard this isn't the time to exchange gifts."
"So when is the time to do anything with you?"
"Well you lost that chance when you broke up with me. You also lost that chance when you lied."
"Are you really going to bring up when we broke up? Really Kori?" Richard sighed and she felt the weight lift of the ottoman and heard a squishing noise as Richard went back to the couch. "Do you not remember when we made up?"
"That was before I found out the truth."
"The truth about what? What's so bad about the truth?"
"The truth that you lied to me this whole time and you know how I felt for him and there you were being him the whole time. I'm hurt. I'm hurt I was dragged into this. Look at me!" Kori remarked. She sniffled slightly as she heard the front door open and footsteps come into the room. Everyone was coming back, but before they did, Richard whispered.
"I was trying to save you, because I knew I couldn't sit back and watch you get hurt or worse, even die."
"What?" Gar asked.
"It's best if you all stay the night," Alfred remarked.
Bruce, Victor, and Alfred were unable to restart the generator for the lights to come on, so they lit up candles around the room and gave everyone a flashlight to use. Gar, Cindy, Sarah, and Rachel, despite their coats were freezing when outside and when they came in were soaking wet from the snow. Karen had come back from the bathroom completely fine, not even going, just planning to take a walk and giving Richard and Kori time to talk.
"Here you mean? Are you sure? I know you guys are hospitable, but I wouldn't want to take advantage of that." Kori spoke up.
"We can't send you all out in the storm, that would be an accident waiting to happen. We have plenty of room and we can get you all settled in since its late and always exchange presents in the morning," Bruce gave a polite smile to his guests.
"We can give you your present tonight!" Sarah laughed and Cindy joined in with her. Bruce let out a breath.
"With that, I'm sure we can begin to get you all settled. Please follow me this way. Mr. Wayne will escort Cindy and Sarah. I'll show you Karen and Victor to your bed room, and you, Garfield and Rachel, can follow because you will be next to each other.
"What about me, Alfred?" Kori gave a hopeful smile.
"Master Richard can assist you." She saw the faintest hint of a smile on the old man's face that he quickly wiped off after receiving a slight glare from the girl.
Everyone left the room and yet again left Richard and Kori alone together. Kori remained on the chair and Richard remained on the couch. He eventually stood up, cracking his back and facing towards the girl he had come to know so well.
"Ready to go up?"
"Yes, just hand me my crutches, please." Kori asked of him.
"I have another idea."
Richard scooped up Kori, and she felt no need to struggle against his grasp. She wouldn't get out of this position no matter how much she protested. He left the crutches behind and walked down the hall, the two left their flashlights on the couch, Richard not needing it knowing where he was going.
They were headed towards Richard's room and Kori stopped him. "We aren't sleeping together."
"We already did," he smirked.
"No, I want to have my own room."
"Now, Kori, I would usually comply with your requests however I don't want to leave you alone."
"Well, you see, the funny thing is, I want to be left alone."
"As you wish."
Kori was a bit shocked on how easy it was to change Richard's mind about her sleeping arrangements. That was when he opened a door next to his with a large room that would be hard to maneuver in. The bathroom was far away and the bed high up. Kori would have trouble with the casts and it didn't help Richard had left her crutches downstairs.
"Actually, I might take up your offer."
"I figured you would," a smile appeared on his face.
Victor looked over at the sleeping figure of his love. Karen was fast asleep, her breathing light and easy. Victor sat up staring over at her, a smile coming to his face, but then he frowned. His stomach grumbled loudly and he sighed.
"Man I knew I should have stuffed myself fuller."
Getting out of bed and grabbing his flashlight he moved out of the room and into the hallway and walked down the dark hallway till he reached the stairs. He smiled in delight as he knew that everyone was asleep and the Wayne Mansion had some of the best food there was to eat.
Walking into the kitchen Victor held the light up and looked around finding it completely empty. He smirked as he walked over setting the light on the counter. It rolled slightly, but he kept it from falling and made sure the light was sturdy. He then walked over to the cabinet where he searched around to find what he was looking for.
Banging sounded outside. "Man that storm is bad," Victor muttered.
"Oh, but not as bad as me."
The light fell of the table crashing to the ground. The room was dark now, the storm at its prime. The night left the two men alone in the kitchen. Victor let out a yell.
*AUTHORS NOTE PLEASE READ
So this didn't come out exactly how I wanted too. Oh well, I was a bit out of it, but I wanted to post you guys something! I also wasn't too sure what to write for this chapter since it was a bit of a filler. No worries though, the next chapter… oh that's no filler! Comments are very much appreciated and I would like to know your opinion on this story idea of mine! Read below and tell me how you would feel if I would eventually write this and post it on here!
With the Titans happy and the city of Jump safe, Slade devises a plot to turn their world upside down. Breaking Warp out of jail, Slade uses his time travel device to go back in time and interfere with the day Starfire came to Earth. With Robin nor any of the other Titans coming in contact with the day Starfire met, the team never forms. Slade takes and creates Starfire to be his new apprentice who brings destruction to the city of Jump. Seven years after the Titans were supposed to be formed Robin, now Nightwing, discovers Slade's plot. Going against his morals with his back against the wall Nightwing struggles to bring the group together. With the clock ticking away, it's only a matter of time before everything turns into a disaster. Rated M for safety. R&R!
So what do you think? Would you read it? Trust me it would be a lot better than that summary! So yes please leave a review to tell me what you think of this chapter as well as this new story idea! - Michelle