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-Nine
"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.
"Alfred, you scared the shit out of me!" Victor laughed.
"Oh I'm sorry, sir. I always wanted to try it. Well you must excuse me. It's bad but I most have a slice of that cheesecake I made. Two servings in one night is certainly not healthy, but absolutely delicious." The old man smiled. He walked over to the ground picking up the light and turning it back on.
"You have no idea how much you just freaked me out." Victor said still startled. He took the roll he had grabbed out of the cabinet to cut up and make a sandwich.
"You gave me quite the fright as well when you yelled. You actually happen to yell like a girl," Alfred mused. I hope we didn't awaken the others." Alfred commented. "Especially with that high pitched yell of yours," he jested. He went to the fridge where he pulled out the cheesecake. He got himself a plate and cut a large slice for himself. Offering some to Victor, he declined and Alfred simply put the cheesecake away.
"I thought you were, you know, Deathstroke."
"I pray he will not come to this house and disturb Miss Kori anymore. She has had so much to take already, she doesn't deserve anymore harm."
"Really, disturb her? I was thinking it was just a little fun."
The two men stared at each other realizing this was no guest staying at the house. They looked up to see Deathstroke in front of them. It only took a minute to push Alfred to the ground and to begin battling Victor that these two men realized Deathstroke was out for blood.
"Do you know him?" A voice asked.
Julia Heard looked up from her spot positioned in front of the Commissioner's bedside. She gave a small smile to officer she saw earlier before he leaned against the doorframe. His hands were in his pockets as he was no dressed in a pair of jeans, snow boots, as well as a green and white sweater. His brown jacket was under his armpit.
"No, I don't." Julia spoke honestly.
"Then why be here?" He stood up a little bit and strolled into the room.
"Like I said earlier, no one should be alone on Christmas."
Deputy Ronald Todd had taken the drive home to get changed and sit alone on his couch to realize the words of the woman he had earlier met in the hospital. He had driven all the way back to the hospital hoping the young woman was still there. She said nobody should be alone on Christmas. That was how Ronald felt sitting there on his couch staring out at the snow falling, his family was all the way in Seattle, Washington and the trip was too expensive for them to come out of for him to see them. He was alone, and nobody should be alone on Christmas.
"Aren't you alone now though?" He took the seat against the wall and moved it next to hers.
"Not anymore…" She drifted off.
"Todd, Ronald Todd," he smiled at the girl. He put out his hand and she put it in his, the warmth overwhelming her, bringing a blush to her cheeks.
"Julia Heard."
"Bruce, just relax!" Cindy smiled at him.
"Oh, trust me, I'm relaxed," he flashed a smile at the girl.
"We just want you to enjoy yourself." Sarah spoke out.
"I can do that when you two come back to bed," Bruce called out.
Cindy and Sarah moved from the couch where they sat kissing each other and moved into bed with the very wealthy Bruce Wayne. He smirked as he watched the two girls go beneath the covers and he let out a small groan of pleasure when they got back to business.
"Gar, this feels so good, please don't stop."
"Really, you like it, Rae?" Gar smiled as he continued on top of her.
"Oh, yes! Right there, keep it right there. Just a little harder though. God, Gar, this feels amazing."
"You sound quite sexual."
"Keep your mouth closed, and your hands moving." Rachel smiled against the pillow.
Gar straddled her back as his hands worked their magic, rubbing Rachel on the shoulders. He continued to rub her shoulder and moved on to her neck where his fingers worked into her skin causing a small moan from the girl beneath him. Gar smiled at his love as she rolled over and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Done already?"
"No, I was thinking we can do something else…"
"At Richard's house? You dirty girl!" Rachel let out a giggle and the two kissed once again before sinking deeper into the covers and deeper into a state of bliss.
"Are you settled in?" Richard asked.
"As settle as a girl can be while wearing casts," Kori gave the tiniest hint of a smile that disappeared.
Richard sat on the bed only dressed in a tight black shirt with silk black pants to match. He looked behind him at Kori who wore a pair of his boxers, not wanting to wear anything long that would get stuck around her cast. She wore a long-sleeved gray sweatshirt that was loose around her body. He dress and bra sat folded neatly on Richard's dresser, her sole heel on the ground.
"How long are you going to be mad at me?"
"How long is forever?" Kori sneered.
Richard sighed as he rolled into bed and scooted as close to Kori as possible. She was propped up on a pillow the covers kicked down to her feet at the current time. She sighed as well mocking Richard and the two met eyes as the hints of a smile crept onto their faces. Richard moved away from her and sat up in the bed as well.
"I still don't get why you're mad. You seemed quite happy when I came to save the day."
"I can save myself."
"Yeah, that's why you were tied on a rooftop beaten," his voice rose in anger. Not anger at Kori, anger at the fact that Slade had done this and gotten away with it. He looked down and back up to see tears in her eyes.
"I'm well aware of what happen, and I thank you for your service, Nightwing. However, you Richard, you lied to me, all this time. If you lied to me about this, I don't know what else you could have lied about!"
"If that's all your angry about, I won't bother spending any more time on this, Kori!"
"Yeah? Why is that?"
"I did it to protect you. Kori, I'm Richard Grayson, heir to Bruce Wayne's Enterprises. However, I am also Nightwing, protector of Jump City. I know I can trust me secret with you, I do. But I don't know who may hear that secret. I don't know who may come after you. I thought living these double lives, I could at least protect you from that, but that didn't work out. I didn't know Slade would use you against Nightwing. I could have never predicted that happening. I thought I could prevent it, Kori. I thought no telling you would somehow save you. It didn't though, and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry you were hurt by Slade and it is Nightwing's fault. However, I will not apologize for not telling you my secret. Not telling you, despite later dragging you into it, was safer for you. I could never risk losing you again. I love you, Kori. So damn much that I would do whatever I could to keep you safe."
Kori said nothing as a single tear slid down her cheek and fell to her cast. Kori closed in the space between her and Richard, crawling across the bed. She saw him look a bit taken a back as she closed her eyes and the space between them. Her lips touched his and warmness overtook each of their bodies, their hearts on fire and their tongues dancing as neither moved for breath, fearing to leave the others lips.
Richard leaned Kori back down onto the bed. He cradled her neck careful to keep their lips together. They continued to kiss, their bodies melted into each other. Richard forgot whether he took off his shirt or Kori did, either way it was now on the ground. He traced her figure endlessly with his fingers, while her hands ran through his ebony hair.
They were in that position for awhile till Kori cuddled up against Richard. He pulled the sheets up covering her body. They spooned as he watched her breath quietly. Not a word was spoken after he had ranted to Kori about keeping her safe. Neither felt the need to say anything. They both were frustrated at the whole situation. They took that frustration out on each other. Right now they were both content to be in each other's arms, once again reunited and in love.
"I love you too, Richard." Kori mumbled as she began to drift off to sleep.
"I know you do." He kissed her temple. At that same moment Richard heard a thump and sat up, careful not to wake the almost asleep Kori. He crawled out of bed and put his shirt on.
"Where are you going?" Kori asked.
"You didn't hear anything?"
"Pillows don't make noises." Kori snuggled further into her pillow and Richard sighed with a smile.
Opening his door he looked out to see the dark hallway. He walked out of the room with nothing catching his sight at first. He then heard yet another bang and he felt danger. Running back into the room he took out the ring on his black silk pajamas that he moved into there, after changing out of his jeans though. He placed the ring next to Kori's pillow.
"What's happening?" Kori was a little alarmed by Richard's quick movement.
"I don't know, but I'm going to go check it out." Richard kissed Kori's cheek before going to the doorway.
"Richard," Kori sat up in bed, her hand going to the pillow, the ring falling into her grasp. "Where are you going? What is this? Richard?" Kori had squinted to see in the darkness Richard was gone. She looked back to the ring in her hands. It was breathtaking in the light of the window. The white gold ring was simple with something engraved on the inside. On top sat a two stones intertwined, a black diamond and a green emerald. Slipping it onto her ring finger on her left hand, it was a perfect fit. She sat up in bed.
"I almost lost you once, I won't do it again."
Kori managed to get out of bed, and slowly but surely was able to make her way to the door, casts and all.
Richard ran to wear the noise was coming from, the kitchen. Making his way into the kitchen a flashlight illuminated the room as did the moon from the windows around. Richard only took a minute to look around to see that Deathstroke had been the source of trouble, otherwise, Slade. He noted Alfred on the ground knocked unconscious. He felt his hands turn into a fist. He then looked to Victor who was recovering from being shoved against the fridge.
"What are you doing here, Slade?"
"Ah, I see that Ms. Anders has revealed my identity," he reached to his face and pulled off the mask, revealing an eye patch covering his right eye.
"You'll have nothing to do with, Kori," Richard hissed.
"Oh, no? Looks like you're just as protective as that little Nightwing. If I remember correctly he failed at protecting her too. What will Wayne Enterprise do to save you now?"
Richard charged forward, his blood boiling with anger. Slade anticipating his attack held his arm out, Richard ran into his arm, bouncing backwards and losing his balance. Slade took his advantage to the kick Richard's feet from under him and he fell to the ground with a clash. Shaking this all off though, Richard rose from the ground backing away from Slade. He could see the faint image of Victor behind him, quietly creeping up.
Slade noticed Richard's stares and he turned around to begin to fight Victor. Victor and Slade repeatedly blocked their opponent's fists, neither making any progress. Richard saw his advantage and lunched behind Slade taking him down to the ground. On top Richard began to relentlessly punch Slade's face, blood began make a small trail down his mouth like a never ending river.
Richard continued to punch, his fists flying knocking into the same spot on Slade's jaw over and over. Slade began to lose his struggle, his body becoming stiff beneath Richard. Victor noticed this and running over he pulled Richard's bloody fists away from Slade.
"Richard, that's enough. He stopped moving. I think he might be dead."
Richard began to slowly back away from Slade's body. Victor's eyes looked down solely on the man dressed in the black of the night, his orange and black mask on the ground, blood on his face that ran down to the floor. He was motionless. Victor reached down to feel a pulse in the neck, but something took him by surprise, Slade moved!
Slade pulled a gun out of his left pocket and ramming it upwards into Victor's head, Victor fell back to the floor, a now oozing wound left in a dizzy state, his head whirling around, as he felt nauseous. Richard let out a groan as he went back to attack Slade, but he was now stuck, a gun pointed at point blank range. Victor was now passed out cold and Alfred was nowhere to be found.
"You're wound there," Slade smirked nodding to Richard's wrapped hand. Blood tainted the white gauze. "Looks similar to Nightwing's."
Richard let out a gulp. Slade circled him now, his prey in front of him. He saw Richard tense as the name was spoken. He couldn't help but smile, his teeth stained with blood revealed to Richard, a gruesome site.
"It makes sense now," Slade laughed. "Putting one and two together, and coming up with three. One, you have a lot of access to high tech equipment, Bruce Wayne enterprises after all is all so successful. Two, you have an undying love for Kori Anders, willing do anything to save her life. Now, let's put the two together and come up with three." The gun clicked and Richard closed his eyes awaiting death to come.
"Nightwing," Richard whispered.
"Is right here," A voice spoke.
Kori had made her way out of Richard's room. She began to craw realizing her small body was able to maneuver faster. She had crawled out of the room, a ring securely on her finger. Kori began to stand up as she reached the railing that led down to the stairs. Having balanced on her cast Kori could hear grunts downstairs and what she thought was the name Slade.
It only took Kori a minute to panic and tears came to her eyes as she thought of the horrible man. On that rooftop having been tied up and freezing cold was bad, but the thought of Richard at risk once again made Kori weak in the knees. She fell to the ground and she instantly knew what she had to do.
Crawling at an incredible speed to Rachel's room, Kori knocked on the door furiously. Kori was so glad she had been able to remember which room that was due to the overwhelming number of doors this mansion had. She figured it would be the room with the moaning. She was right.
"Gar, I think this is the longest you have ever last," Rachel mused.
"I take that both as an insult and as a compliment," Gar couldn't help but laugh a little.
It only took a minute or so until the couple moved from talking to kissing once again. Their lips were locked in a heated passion. The covers were drawn up over their naked bodies. The hint of smiles lined their lips, so happy to be with each other this interesting night. They were so lost in each other's bodies, until finally, a knock came to the door.
AUTHORS NOTE
Not exactly where I wanted to leave this, but I felt it was best to post this instead of not posting anything. I'm miserable lately and if I write anymore for a day or two, I might kill off another character, it has come to be that bad. You'll be happy to know I will have more time to write though because I did something stupid like usual. Just wondering if I should bother to keep mentioning Julia Heard and Ronald Todd? I probably will because i think its cute. Oh and I'm sad none of you that Slade had gotten glass in his eye so now he only has the one good eye like in the comics and show. Gosh, I thought I was being creative there!
So basically if you read this you're awesome, ha. The Secret Locket will be coming back out shortly from off hiatus. I'm rewriting every single chapter though because I reread everything I wrote and I feel so moody that I had written that. Gosh, forgive me! I'll make an announcement on here and there when I finish rewriting the 12 chapters there and when I add a new one.
Anyways, thanks for all of those who take time to review, I felt a special need to say thank you especially to the following: Bookworm, Robin – Nightwing, Mar'i Grayson, xxfadedscars97xx, Amelia Mariee, Titanlvr4evr, and KnKCullen. There are probably others and I apologize for not mentioning you those were just the first few names I found in the place where you review which I cannot think of the name of!
Well alright, long enough note. Sorry. New chapter hopefully soon. Maybe I won't kill someone off then.