Chapter Three: Look Alive Sunshine

(Dick Grayson POV)

The track was more of a smaller enclosed stadium... that was the bright side of having money, ... nothing was ever out of reach if you were willing to be patient. I had been nothing short of patient for this motocross track and it was perfect. I stood beside Kori, she was dressed and ready for the track ahead, anxious even, to try it out. I looked to her with a raised brow. "How many laps?"

"I only need one to sweep you." She said.

I loved it when she was competitive. That beautiful light that hung heavy behind her eyes darkened. I smiled, she was adorable in a moment like this. We both knew how this would end though. We hadn't rode in a few months but the habit never left me. She knew I would win, but her attempt at thrusting her competitive confidence on me sparked a fire in my veins. I was ready for her.

We raced around the track three times then came to a halt... me the victor, as expected. We looked to each other in gasps.

"That was intense." She said.

I nodded wiping sweat from my brow. "We should probably take a break. The others should be arriving soon."

As I said this I heard the rev of an engine. I looked to Kori who had taken off on the track again. I watched her with interest, her movements so fluid. It was made perfectly clear she wished it to be her and I for the day and as much as I should have changed my plans for her, I didnt.

She came to a halt to me now with a smile. "Your a lap behind Mr. Grayson."

I shook my head. "I'm serious Kori, I wanna meet up with Becca."

She nodded and even though I could see the disappointment in her face, I proceeded with my plans. We entered the living room, finding our friends, and Becca, waiting. They looked to us with narrowed eyes.

"You started without us?" Gar cried seeming slightly more offended then I thought he should have been.

I looked to Kori, we were both suited up, dirt clenched to our shoes proving we were fresh off the track. I ran a hand through my hair. "Becca, you eve ride before?" She shook her head with a smile. I took her hand avoiding Kori's look of disappointment as Becca and I disappeared into the hallway. I would have done anything to make Kori understand my true feelings for her but I had to be smarter then that. This was Kori after all, the mere idea of her relating to my feelings for her was ridiculous. It was because of this obvious fact that I had to be unchanged around her. I did not want to allow myself to step over the edge with Kori. All it would take is one slip up to turn that pretty little smile into a confused and awkward mess... a mess that would have been as a result of my actions alone. I never wanted anything to come between our friendship so I knew I had to watch myself with her. The sad part being,... I had to continue to be Dick Grayson, playboy, which mean't Kori was left on the sidelines.

Once Becca was changed into her racing clothes we joined the crowd back at the track. I smiled, Kori was in the middle of a race against Gar, and she was in the lead.

"She's gotten better," I heard Vic shout at the sidelines.

Becca and I stepped toward him, noticing Rachel sitting on the small bleachers. I nodded to her. "You're really not going to race?"

She didn't lift her eyes from her book as she spoke. "What's the point? I'd leave all you boys crying anyhow."

Vic turned to her now. "Is that a challenge, Rae?"

Her eyes lifted to his, slightly disturbed. "No... do not make this into a competition. I was..."

"Too late," Vic shouted, revving his engine at Rachel. There was a fire in his eyes. "You... me... now!"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "I said no Vic."

"And I said yes, Rea!"

There was a deafening silence between them. They both glared at each other, Vic with competitiveness and Rachel with stubbornness.

"You will not sway me."

Vic laughed now. "Fine, ... but just know, aint no woman or man beating me at my own game. If your scared I'm going to kick your butt across this track then fine..." he smiled, Rachel gritted her teeth at his arrogance. "...as long as you know I would."

"Your friends are... strange." I heard Becca whisper to me.

I ignored her comment and looked to Rachel, awaiting her response. The truth was, while I was attracted to Becca, I wasn't with her for the right reasons. Somewhere along the line, being Dick Grayson became this image that engulfed me. I wasn't a bad guy, although I could be and being Dick Grayson was an excuse, I had quickly learned, that was fine with everyone. While I often found myself enjoying the perks of being Bruce's ward, the fact is, it wasn't really about all the fame. As far as I was concerned, I had Kori and that was enough.

Now, the whole playboy scenario sparked my freshman year of high school. I welcomed it with a smile, like any guy my age would, passing through women as if it were my occupation. But... I don't always look back and remember being happy. I remember Kori, being happy with her, but not much else stuck firm in my memory. Eventually, I awoke one morning the title playboy burned across my forehead and an expectation to live up to this title. For some reason, in which I will never understand, with each new girl,... girl friend,... whatever they were to me at the time, came a sudden realization. Each of these women would enter into a relationship, no matter how brief, with me and would expect a committed Dick Grayson. It sounds pathetic to say out loud, but this just wasn't something I was capable of. I'm not sure if they had it in their head that they would be the one to change me or... I honestly don't know what they expected, but it was always the same. We were together, then I'd break up with them, they'd cry, or bitch, or... whatever,... and then they would try their hand at convincing me they were the one for me, completely blown away when I refused them. I couldn't understand this behavior and had no patience for it simple because they knew going into the situation with me that it would be brief, and yet... they keep finding their way to me, and I keep up the act. Who am I to refuse them... I was Dick Grayson, this was expected of me. At the same time, I wasn't innocent in the whole situation either. Even as I stood beside Becca I knew she was dying to be alone with me for a more intimate altercation, and I would oblige, but for now,...

Raven stood lowering her book to the seat. She did not speak but the frustration she felt was molded across her face, unflinching.

Vic looked to me, Rachel having disappeared through one of the doors to change her clothes. "This is gonna be good."

I nodded, then fell silent as Kori sped through the finish line, Gar a few seconds behind her. Becca and I stepped back as the two bikes came to a halt before us.

"Unfair!" Gar shouted.

Kori removed her helmet with a laugh, her hair whisking behind her beautifully as she spun her frail figure in a twirl of victory. "I hate to break it to you Gar, but that was all skill. There's nothing unfair about it."

Gar growled slightly. "You cut me off at the last corner."

"I'm sorry, I thought this was a competitive sport?" Kori laughed.

"She's right. I taught her everything she knows." I said, catching a cringe in the corner of my eye from Becca. Ignoring it I stepped to Kori. "Nice ride."

She nodded, the slight awkwardness in her glance remained, turning my stomach slightly. I still hadn't determined the reason for her distant behavior toward me but I was certain it would not continue for long. I just needed time with her to fix what I had done... what ever it was.

Korilooked to Becca. "Ever ride before?"

Becca hesitated, "No."

Kori paused, lifting a leg to eject the stand, and stepped away from the bike toward Becca. "Its real easy once you get the hang of it. Trust me, I was nervous at first..." she paused flashing a smile at me."... but you've got the best teacher around." I smiled as she did. "Well,... I suppose the only advice I can give you is to keep your head up. You'd be surprised how quickly you could lose control of the bike and find yourself flying over the handlebars."

"You would know." I teased.

Kori glared at me. "Thank you Dick, I'm well aware."

"Alright." Came Rachel's timid tone. We all turned to her. She had a smirk on her face, confidence screaming in her eyes. "Lets do this Vic."

We all sat back and watched as the two raced their hearts out. There were a few quick clashes between the two bikes but neither one got hurt and in the end, in surprise to all of us, Rachel came to a halt across the finish line first, an enraged Victor close behind. We could hear them bickering in the distance when a loud voice echoed off the stadium walls.

"Dick."

We all turned to see Bruce standing by the entrance.

"Looks like someones in for a long lecture." Kori giggled.

"You too Kori." Bruce chimed in again.

I laughed as her eyes went wide. "Partner in Crime."

She smiled, then followed as I led her to Bruce. He seemed overwhelmed as he stared down at us. It took a moment of silence before he spoke.

"It seems I am needed in New York for a few days." He looked to me unflinching. "Naturally that means while I'm away, appearances need to be kept up."

I rolled my eyes. "What now?"

Bruce cleared his throat, irritated by my uninterested tone. He looked to Kori knowing she would be more accommodating. "Kori, I need both of you to attend the charity event this weekend. As well there are several small appearances you with both need to make an appearance at. Alfred will give you all the details." His attention turned back to me. "I expect nothing but composure from you. No problems need to ensue while I'm away." He looked to Kori again. "I want you to make sure he remains his charming self."

Before I could object, Kori nodded. "Of course. Everything will be fine."

As Bruce left I turned to Kori with a sigh. "You always have to make things easy for him. I could have probably talked my way out of a few appearances if you hadn't..."

"Oh please,..." Kori said, ignoring my frustration and making her way back to the group. "You act as though its unexpected that Bruce would ask such a favor of you."

"It is unexpected."

"No... it really isn't. Its technically the opposite of unexpected. Short notice? ... maybe, but that's expected too. This has happened far too many times for you to still be shocked when it occurs again."

I rolled my eyes at her falling silent as Becca wrapped an arm around me, instantly drawing Kori's attention away from me.

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(Kori Anders POV)

beep, beEP, BEEP!

I lifted my drowsy arm to my phone, scraping it off my end table and bringing it to my view.

'Who the hell would be calling me right now?' I looked to my clock. ... 3:45 am

My eyes flashed back down to my phone. I intended on ignoring the call then paused as I realized it was Dick. I hesitated my response then lifted the phone to my ear with a tired voice. "What?"

His voice had a hint of excitement in it, and it was perfectly clear he had yet to go to sleep for the night. It had been an entire day since I last was at his house with the gang enjoying the new track. I had seen Dick at school, but since he had drove Becca to school instead of me, I had hardly spoken with him, our schedules scattered against each others. Which I knew was expected. I might have mentioned before how much I loathed the idea of Dick finding himself a new girlfriend, and yet... the fact was that it was an inevitable event. Now that they were together, Dick would be less attached to me. Not that he had stopped caring about me only that his mind was focused on something... or rather someone... who made him happy in a more satisfying way... if you catch my drift. But it was fine, I was fine, he was fine, Becca was fine... everything was fine. As a matter of fact everything was far better then fine. With my sudden feelings for Dick, now that I think about it, Becca had not come at a better time. I was given an opportunity to spend less time with Dick, not that I really wanted to, but it was for the best. I had to separate myself from him until I could fully focus on calming my emotions around him. Which... of course made the conversation I was about to have with him ever more frustrating.

"Kor, can I pick you up?"

My mind froze. I looked to the clock again... 3:46 am now. "What?"

"Bruce just left for the airport. Let me pick you up."

"Dick..." I growled. I lay to my side now, rubbing at my tired eyes. "I know you realize its almost four in the morning." He was silent. "...and that I was asleep when you called." Silence still. I sighed. "Dick,... why don't you call Becca? I'm tired."

"I just sent her home. Besides, its Friday night, you don't have to be at school tomorrow. Just let me come and get you."

"Correction, its Saturday morning, and no... I'm tired."

The truth being I would give anything to say yes to this request, although, as I have said before, I had recently put limits on myself when it came to Dick. I didn't want to be so needy around him, which I had come to learn I was. Needy, not only for his attention, but his love. A love that I knew would never be mine.

He chuckled. "Alright well, I'll be there in fifteen."

"No. Dick I'm serious..."

"Just get ready Kori." He replied, hanging up his phone before I could object.

There was a lag in my reaction as my mind struggled to understand what he had just said. Hugging my phone now, I shrugged. He hung up on me so I couldn't deny him which was fine, if he wanted to play that game, so could I. I'd just fall back asleep and leave him to himself waiting for me to answer the front door. I knew he hated when I said no to him, and he would try everything to get around my answer and convince me otherwise. I knew his tricks and even as he spun them ... I allowed them to pursue before my eyes, if only to see the spark in his as he won me over each time.

How long it had been... five minutes, the estimated fifteen? I didn't know, but I was asleep when I heard it. My mind was less then alert as the familiar sound of my door creeping open sounded. Sub-consciously my mind tried to wake itself but my exhaustion denied it. I heard my name, and then a hand was present upon my back.

"Kori." Dick whispered.

I turned to him with a sigh. He smelled of Becca's perfume which was clinging violently to my senses, his hair was flattened from I was certain was a night of excitement for him, and his eyes smiled down at me with the same innocence he had when he was younger. "How.. how did you get in here?"

My mind flashed wide alert as his smile washed over me. "You don't really think I don't have a key to this place, do you?"

I hesitated then exhaling slowly, buried my head into my pillow. "Let me sleep."

I felt his hand on mine as he pulled me into a seated position. I hung my head heavy, my hair frizzed and all over the place. My eyes were shut, and I had no intention of waking.

He pulled me onto my feet, ... I wavered for a moment, catching my own balance. With a small grunt of annoyance I lifted a hand to my head. "Come on Dick, ... I'm way too tired for this. Can't it wait 'til later?"

He didn't speak just merely took my hand and brought me out into the hallway. I ignored his laughter as I almost stumbled down the stairs in my tired daze. He kept his hand on mine as we stepped into the cold night. My eyes remained open now, moving my hands over my arms as I shivered.

"Your awake now," he said with a laugh.

"Really?" I said with frustration as I stared back at our mode of transportation. I turned to him while he stared at me confused. "You brought your bike? ... not a warm cozy car? Dick its four in the morning and I'm freezing."

He stepped to me without words, fitting the helmet over my unruly morning hair and placing his jacket around me. He sat on the bike looking to me. My mind was still lagging behind as I stared back at him refusing to move. He revved the engine a look of satisfaction on him as he noticed me jump at the sound.

Let me just pause to draw attention to the fact that I looked horrible at the moment. My matted hair spilled from the bottom of the helmet I wore in utter chaos, I wore a pair of black shorts and beneath Dick's leather jacket was an over sized sweatshirt. I knew I looked ridiculous and I could of sworn, as I stood before him in a fit, that a smirk resided beneath his helmet as he himself noticed my present appearance. The truth being I was far too tired to argue with him anymore,... he and I both knew I would agree to go with him, after all I was already outside.
I sighed then tossed a leg over the bike and brought my arms around his waist. As I rested my head upon his back, a sense of warmth settled over me. Even as he revved the engine again and took off at a quick speed, I felt safe with him.

We arrived at the Manor now, it stood tall and intimidating as ever, even in the dark night. Dick jumped off the bike and turned to me with a smile. "You awake now?"

I removed the helmet from my tired face and sighed. "I hate you right now."

"And yet..." he extended a hand to mine, pulling me up the steps now. "...you're still here."

We entered the house, the noise of the door shutting behind us echoed off the grand halls in the mansion. Dick looked to me with a lingering smile.

"Alfred's gone too isn't he?" I asked, his sinister grin far too predictable to me.

"That's right."

We sat in front of the tv now. Dick flipped through the channels as I scoped out the new magazines which lay on the table before me. Neither of us spoke for a good hour, just existing alongside each other in silence. I had been upset initially that Dick had awoken me for what seemed no purpose but now it was clear to me. This was something, now that I think about it, that he and I did often. We were perfectly capable, comfortable even, just sitting in silence. We had become so close over the years that moments like this comforted us, made us feel ... I don't know how to explain it in words but... it is what it is. It was normal for us. And it was right now I realized he was feeling lonely. It was a strange thing to acknowledge... Dick Grayson... lonely? He'd never admit it, no one would ever really believe it, but I was well aware. And as much as I hate the feeling, I knew I was apart of this.

During school, actually to be more accurate, since our last night in Miami I had been distant. It was not his fault it was mine, which hopefully you will agree was not intentional. I was transitioning with my feelings for him. What can I say, it was strange, awkward even, at times. Not because he acted any different, but that I felt inclined to. Dick had this way about him when it came to me. We were best friends, and while I was well aware he viewed me in a different light then most, his over attentiveness with me had now spawned feelings in which I could no longer ignore. All the limitations I had designated for myself and thoroughly explained to you... I was breaking every one of them just by being here.

My eyes scanned over the last magazine and a laugh escaped me.

"What is it?" He asked, his eyes not leaving the television.

I shook my head staring down at the picture. It, of course, was a picture of Dick and I. I remember where it was taken. It must have been about a week and a half ago, while we were in Miami. It was one of the first days since we had arrived in Florida and we were sitting on the beach. I was in my favorite bikini, Dick, shirtless behind me. The picture, and the words below it sent the wrong idea of what was really going on but that was the media for you.

I remember the conversation well. I had spouted a comment off to Dick for flirting with a much older lady that had passed and he lifted himself from behind me and whispered in my ear with a laugh. Now this was what the picture showed, a flirtatious Dick Grayson leaning over to my ear, all smiles, and I looked even less innocent in the photograph. I was mid giggle, slightly turned at an angle, our eyes staring into one anothers.

I laughed showing the picture to Dick. "Apparently you and I had a honeymoon."

He turned to the photo and snatched the magazine from me. His eyes skimmed over the bold font beneath the picture. "Watch out ladies, it appears Dick Grayson has taken more then just a friendly liking to Kori Anders, previously referred to as nothing more then a lifelong friend, in Miami this week. Just a friendly getaway or pre-honeymoon? You decide." He chuckled looking to me then tossed the magazine to the table again. "Well pre-wife, what are you hungry for?"

"I don't know..." I ran a hand through my frizzed hair. "Nothings open this late."

He nodded, "And Alfred's gone so..." he stood. "..we might actually have to make something for ourselves."

I looked to him with narrowed eyes. Dick was modest and never took advantage of the life he was privileged to but he was not one to ... cook. This was strange, but the smile on his face made me agree. I stood and followed him into the large kitchen.

"I..." he paused glancing around the kitchen, a hand remaining on his scalp as he rubbed at his thick locks. "I don't know where anything is."

I stepped before the fridge and sighed. Everything was labeled and organized to Alfred's specific liking. The inside of the fridge resembled, what I would assume, an office supply closet would look like. Containers lined every inch of the shelves, each with its own designated label. "This... is too much."

Dick stepped behind me, looking over my shoulder. "Yea.. I swear Alfred's got O.C.D."

I shut the fridge with a sigh, my stomach growling merely with the knowledge that there would be nothing to eat.

"Lets make this." He said, his head buried within one of the cupboards to my right. He pulled a small can of spaghetti sauce and a package of noodles.

"Spaghetti?" I said, my tone mirroring my lack of interest in the idea.

He paused surfacing a bottle of wine from the cupboard. "Are you sure you're not up for it?"

I smiled. This was the meal we had minimum once a month together. We would gather around a plate of spaghetti, wine sparking our conversation in laughter. We had started this small unspoken tradition years ago. I would cook and Dick would polish the bottle of wine off before I could even get a sip. We would then spend another ten minutes searching for Bruce's key to the cellar in order to retrieve another bottle, and by then Dick was a goner. This was undoubtedly my favorite time to have a conversation with him though. He wasn't trying to choose his words sparingly for my feelings or for any other odd reason, his lips were an endless river of honest conversation. Not that he was fake with me in any normal occasion, only that now, while he had liquid courage on his side, he was more open with me. He would revive memories, our memories, from the past that had last been neglected, and I often times discovered that he was far less emotionless then he acted. He would tell me of scenarios in his life, whether past or recent, and we would dissect the way he responded when faced with such a situation versus the way he would have liked to have acted.

I remember one night,... we were deep in our spaghetti and whine combination and he turned to me with a look I had never seen before. I remember every second in this moment as he struggled with his words. My eyes fell to his mouth, his lower lip pressed inward between his teeth as he remained suspended in thought. A hand moved toward me, ours intertwined now, his eyes more intense then I could probably be able to bare now. Then, with the crack of his uneven voice, he thanked me. I wasn't entirely sure for what at first but then he continued by saying he often felt as though he would disappear, the media slowly disintegrating the person he was on the inside, and that he would always be grateful to me for returning him to himself.

Now this... this undeniably romantic night... I was hoping to keep strictly friendship oriented and not allow myself to give in to his oh so tempting closeness that I was confident would ensue.

I nodded accepting the bottle from him and lowered it to the counter. "I'll handle the wine, you can deal with the spaghetti."

Ten minutes later there we were standing over the stove, each a glass of wine in hand, waiting for the spaghetti to be done.

"I'm serious..." Dick laughed. "... this charity event is going to be one big mess. Mark my words."

I shook my head. "Dick, you don't always have to be negative about these situations. Its a charity event... key word.. charity. You should be more..."

"Yea, yea." He replied silencing me. "Its not that I don't want to be there its that..." he paused then looked to me with a laugh.

"...its that you really don't want to be there?" I said, joining in his laughter.

"Kori?"

My head shot up... my eyes widened now at the figure that stood at the entrance of the kitchen. "Becca?"

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(A/U)... alright so here's chapter three, hope it continues to interest you. I've got chapter four written just need some to do some editing but it will be up shortly. Thanx for reading

krikanalo ... Glad you enjoyed. Thanx for the encouragement =]