Chapter Nine: We'll Carry On

(Kori Anders' POV)

"Wake Up Dammit!"

The voice sounded, a coupled sensation of a harsh strike against my head following. My eyes opened slowly, glancing around at my surroundings... I wasn't home... I was still at Rachel's place. In fact I had not left the very spot where Richard had left me. The night, beyond the epic kiss we shared, was a complete blur to me now. How I even fell asleep... how the party ended... I had no idea. I just remembered him walking away... my legs feeling heavy, and as I lowered myself to the floor leaning back against the wall my insides remained frozen as if time... everything around me just came to a halt. There was no noise loud enough that could wake me from my daze, ... I was completely and utterly frozen in bliss.

"Kori!"

I lifted my eyes to find my sister hovering over me... right, actually I should probably get you up to date with all that's happening with her real quick. Alright so,... remember the day I went to the police station to retrieve her and I was turned away... well apparently Komi had called my mother shortly after I had left and my mother worked her magic... I'm assuming it took the form of money and a small threat from her highly respectable lawyers... but regardless Komi was set free on bail later that day. She was furious with me of course and while I tried to explain to her that I had done everything I could think of to get her out... yea ... she didn't really care... on the contrary, she was pissed. So I had spent this entire past week merely enduring her bitching and complaining to me about everything... and I mean everything. She knew I had gotten into a fight, or something with Dick, I didn't exactly give her the details, but she would go on ranting about how pathetic I was for him... and while I know this is true... as well as you do, by now, I'm sure... it didn't exactly help my situation.

My situation, as of last night, which ceased to exist. To be perfectly honest... this feeling... this undeniably amazing feeling is nothing short of indescribable... there aren't enough adjectives that exist in the world that could shed light to the amount of emotion I was submerged in right now. It reminded me of this painting I once saw... I can't remember where but its image stuck with me. It was nothing more than an explosion of colors and textures of paint that poured out from one solid point in every direction like the grand finale of a fireworks show all being released in one. To me the painting was beautiful... I saw it as nothing more than an emotion. It might sound strange or... I don't know... perhaps my interpretation of it was entirely wrong but I remember thinking that the artist responsible for this piece of work was trying to pour his soul into the painting trying to recreate not merely an image of something recognizable but an emotion he or she had once experienced... an emotion I felt at this very moment.

Even as Komi stood over me babbling about... whatever it is she was talking about... I couldn't really hear a thing... my mind... as always was elsewhere... that blinding light that was Dick Grayson set to full-screen over my mind.

...that is until Komi pulled me to my feet in a violent thrust.

"What?" I shouted. I felt pity on anyone who tried to revive me from my daze... I would not go willingly, and should you succeed I would not be in the greatest of moods.

She stared at me narrow eyed. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

I smiled... my mind slowly trying to drift back to...

"Haven't you been listening to a word I've said?" She yelled shoving me back.

I lifted a hand to my forehead, shaking my head slightly. "Not exactly."

"Can you two be any louder?" I heard Rachel mumble as she entered with tired eyes.

I gave her a smile then inhaling deeply I looked to Komi, my patience for her nonexistent at this point. "What? What is so important that you would go out of your way to find me?"

She paused, crossing her arms with a sinister grin. "So you haven't heard?"

I rolled my eyes. "Komi... come on... what is it?"

"I'm going away for a while... I'll be staying with mother."

It was now that I came to a stop, my gaze staring at hers dumbfounded. Was this really the important news she felt I needed to know? I sighed. "I will miss you ... hopefully your stay with mother is pleasant."

Her eyes narrowed at mine. "That's it? You don't care?"

I paused as my eyes met the table where the birthday cake once was... Dick's gift still sitting untouched where he had left it. My curiosity and excitement took over now. I moved passed an agitated Komi and a silent Rachel, stepping to the table as if I were a magnet to its presence. I lifted the gift into my hands... I knew it was jewelry just from the shape of the box. Which was great, although I hated when he spent money... a lot of money on me... but he always did. I smiled... a smile that didn't fade until the gift was unwrapped. I swallowed hard, staring down at the white-gold bracelet. A small charm in she shape of a star with the word 'Eternal' engraved in it sat before my eyes. I didn't really focus on the diamonds that were embedded in its fine design, ... I turned the small 'Eternal' charm over and my heart melted. It read: Grayson-Anders ... and below this was the date in which we first met, right down to the very day. I felt my eyes water again... but I did not cry tears of sadness, merely pure passion for him. I laced the bracelet around my wrist then wiping at my eyes... Komi's voice shouting at me again.

"I need you to drive me to the airport."

I nodded to acknowledge her... not even comprehending what she had said. I was in my daze again... and I felt light as a feather as I stepped out of the room, Komi and Rachel both following me. I paused... my hand went to my side... no phone? I looked down at myself and realized I was wearing the blue dress I had chosen to wear at the last-minute. I rolled my eyes... what if Richard had tried to call me after he left? I raced toward the front door, Komi yelling after me but I remained unaffected, remembering that I had chosen to leave my phone behind last night at the obvious predicament of not having pockets.

I sighed, the dress I wore was unnecessarily tight and I wished more than anything to be free of it at this point. As I reached for the front door handle I felt Komi's hand upon my shoulder, her turning my entire body to face her. A slight chuckle escaped me as I noticed how much anger she was really feeling for me, her red face and bug eyes were focused solely upon me and my easily distracted mood.

"I said I need you to drive me to the airport."

I laughed. "Of course, ...this is why you went out of your way to track me down? Sorry,... I don't think so. Just call for a car."

Her eyes narrowed again, the vein in her neck was pulsating violently in warning,... but it didn't bother me, nothing could bother me at this point.

"I can't just call for a car." She paused tapping her foot against the ground before me in a fit. "You have to drive me."

As I shrugged, I noticed Rachel hide a smile. "Sorry... I'm busy today." I placed my hand once again on the doorknob. "It's not my fault if you're trying to avoid the media..." I turned to Rachel now pausing... a smile plastered across my face , if there's one thing that could make this day better... its shopping. I know, I know... a completely girly thing to say but... doesn't a cup of coffee at hand while walking through the mall sound good to you? ... if not... you're not doing it right. "You want to go to the mall?"

It was obvious she was not the least bit interested but I could tell the eagerness in my expression was eating away at her. With a slight shrug she said, "Sure... as long as it doesn't take all day."

I jumped for joy, my excitement igniting again. I stepped to Rachel, leaving Komi behind, I took her hand and led her to her room. We paused before her door. Her being the reason for the hesitancy. She looked to me with a raised brow. "Why are we going to my room?"

I rolled my eyes, she was very temperamental about who entered her room, but I was far too excited to give in to her displeased expression on entering. I shrugged placing my hand upon the door handle, but immediately remained still as Rachel's hand was now braced upon the door. I looked to her. "You would think you would get over this ridiculous sensitivity about your room. It's not as though I haven't seen it before."

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(Rachel Roth's POV)

I rolled my eyes as she stared back at me with that grand smile of hers. Removing my hand from against the door I sighed. "Fine... just... don't touch anything."

It's weird, a pet peeve I guess, but I hated other people in my room. It wasn't so much that I had anything to hide merely that I viewed this as the one place I could call my sanctuary. Kori, while I didn't really mind her going in my room, and she was right, she had been in my room before, a mere handful of times, but regardless I was defensive about my personal space.

I followed her in as she stepped into my room, and spun in an overly excited twirl. I paused observing her as she made herself comfortable upon my bed with a drawn out sigh. My eyes narrowed, ... there was something different about her... something... more enthusiastic about her attitude. Normally, on the off-chance she was in my room the whole vibe within my room instantly made her ... I would say somewhat nervous... quiet, but not this time.

"Alright..." I said crossing my arms in front of her. She looked to me in innocence. "... spill... whats got you in such a good mood?"

She paused before me, but I could see right through that smile she attempted to hide... why she even tried to hide it I wasn't sure... she wasn't very good at her attempt to do so.

She inhaled deeply. "I have something to tell you."

I hesitated in her following silence. "Ok..."

My eyes narrowed as she began to blush uncontrollably... this was when I immediately regretted having asked the question... it meant I was in for a long list of adjectives and an overly dramatic retrieval of memories.

She stood. "The boy... the one I told you about..." She paused, then continued as I nodded. "The most wonderful thing happened."

I rolled my eyes. "Please Kori... let's make this as simple as possible... skip the details... lets just hear what happened."

I could see her droop slightly... she was a fan of details and would gladly list as many as her mind could think of if you gave her the time.

"Well... he kissed me."

My eye brow raised in curiosity. "And does he ... have a name?"

I could tell she was brimming with hesitancy and excitement but as I rolled my eyes again I noticed her release a heavy sigh. I paused leaning back against the dark blue wall behind me and sighed. I knew she was going to say Dick, ... I never could understand how either of them could be so oblivious to each others attraction... but I guess being close friends might have made it difficult. They seemed numb to such an obvious truth. Either way... she sat across from me suspended in her usual stuttering whimper of thought. She always had this insane amount of inner dialogue she just loved to entertain... and this is what she did, she searched through her mind for the most relevant words... the thought of what it would be like to step into her mind, I imagined would be similar to walking down the streets of New York... everything moving too fast and too rushed. I sighed... this is why her and Dick were so close... they were alike in many ways. I knew behind Dick's usual reserved demeanor there was an inner dialogue that just never stopped.. and sometimes, around Kori of course, it would surface slightly.

I sighed again, looking around at my room. My patience, I found, was more lenient while in the comfort of my own surroundings. And as Kori wrestled with her own thoughts I merely enjoyed my current position... merely standing in my room I had become more calm.

Stepping into my room was like walking through an entirely different house,... it was far different than any other part of the house... and I was proud of it. Each wall was painted a dark blue tint, the ceiling and carpet... black. Sounds gloomy, ... but I would think this was expected of me by now... you should know better. A small smirk formed across my face as my eyes rest upon the bookcase which towered beside my bed... the amount of books I owned... I couldn't give you a number, there was no point in keeping track any longer. My gaze skimmed passed a still frantic Kori... her mind still wavering... and came to a halt at the mahogany desk beside me. The incense I had burned the night before still hung thick in the air ... maybe this was why I felt more calm around Kori at the moment... I usually found her inability to focus quite frustrating.

"It was... Dick." She finally said... my eyes turning to her now. I didn't speak, merely gave her a smirk. I knew she was confused by this by the look upon her face. "What's that look for?"

I shrugged. "It's about time."

She hesitated, her eyes lowering to the floor. "What do you mean?"

"Come on Kori... you can't really be this..." I sighed. Then inhaling deeply I forced a smile. "Forget it... so... what does this mean for you two?"

I was surprised at her behavior now. She shook her head lowering herself upon the bed once more, her eyes focused upon her fidgeting hands. "Nothing."

"What?"

She stood once more, returning to her excited demeanor. "I'm not as ignorant as you may think Rachel." She shrugged, but I could tell her mind was beginning to spin in circles once again as a result of my comment. "Dick may have kissed me... and... and I have every right to bask in the memory of it... but that in no way means anything between us is to result from it."

I rolled my eyes, these two made everything far too complicated for themselves. "Why not? Did he say this to you?"

She shook her head. "No... but I know him, he was just trying to fix things between us."

"By kissing you?" I laughed... I was over this conversation, it was clear it was going nowhere.

"It's strange ... I know... but..." she paused brushing back her bangs. "Dick and I... it just... it doesn't... no matter how much I want it..." she sighed. "...it's not worth risking our friendship over."

I stepped to the door now, her following close behind me. "Look... you know as well as I do, if Dick had intentions of starting a relationship with you beyond friendship..." I paused looking to her, walking backward in front of her along the hallway. "... you wouldn't be able to resist."

She looked to me offended her brows dipping. "That isn't true."

I opened the front door now, my train of thought falling to ash as we were rushed by a fleet of reporters, their flashing cameras brought both of us to a halt.

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(Dick Grayson's POV)

"Is he going to be alright?" Came a familiar yet muffled voice.

"Yes... he's going to be just fine. I'll give you two some time." another voice sounded, footsteps fading now.

My eyes were clasped shut... even as I tried to open them an immediate sense of pain rose in me. I could feel my senses slowly returning to me, pain becoming the most noticeable now. It was as if someone flipped a switch, sending every muscle, every fiber of my being into pure agony. That bitter taste of blood hung heavy over me and I felt myself grunt against the sharp pain which engulfed me. I lifted my eyelids with a struggle, ... immediately noticing Bruce sitting in a chair opposite me. Inhaling deeply I moved my eyes around the room and while my sight remained partially blurred and blotched I knew immediately where I was, ... I was in the hospital. As the realization hit me I immediately looked down at the rest of my body, the memory of last night flooding back to me. I opened my mouth to speak but receded into an agonizing cough, my throat was so dry it felt like I was coughing up needles.

"Dick..." I heard Bruce say.

I looked to him as he extended a glass of water toward me. By habit I attempted to lift my right arm,... attempted... and failed. I looked down at my arm, it was wrapped in a cast. I shut my eyes, allowing time for the pain which had surged through this action settle.

"Dick... your bike was totaled."

I rolled my eyes. "You..." I coughed again, conversation proving more difficult physically then I could have anticipated. I paused lifting my left arm now, noticing the I.V. needle securely in my flesh. Accepting the glass now I drank, coughing again slightly at its harsh cool temperature trailed down my sore throat . I paused, my mind becoming clearer now. I looked to Bruce again, I was angry... not about the bike, not about the pain... but about my ability to be so careless. I could feel my anger rise as I spoke in a raised voice.

"How could I make such a stupid mistake?"

"Dick... the bike is gone but it's not what I'm worried about right now. Your going to be alright, and that's what matters."

I looked to him, my anger still fuming. "You didn't have to come here. I can deal with this on my own."

"Yes but you don't have to." He replied. He paused, looking to his phone now. "I've tried to get a hold of Kori and... nothing... so I came here myself."

I shook my head. "What? How could you not get a hold of her?"

It was now that I realized how upset I was that she wasn't here. It was obvious she wasn't aware of my condition or else she would be here... I knew nothing would stop her from getting to me. And I also knew the minute she discovered my present state that she would be a mess. Regardless of my regret of kissing her and the awkwardness I was certain would pursue when I saw her again... I didn't care... I needed her.

I tried to focus on Bruce's words as he spoke but I found myself unable to comprehend any of it... my focus was on the aching muscles which tightened as I tried to adjust myself in the bed.

"Would you just relax, Dick? Don't over exert yourself."

I released a choppy sigh, my body jolting slightly at this action... I was becoming more and more inpatient with myself. I swallowed hard again, the pain returning as I did, and I looked to Bruce. "Look, I know your still needed in New York... and I appreciate you being here but..."

"Is it possible for you to just focus on yourself right now? I'll go back to New York when I'm certain your alright."

I rolled my eyes. "I will be..." my eyes focused on his again. "...go."

He opened his mouth to speak but fell silent, losing his train of thought as his phone sounded. He paused, lifting a finger at me announcing he needed a moment. AS he left the room I sighed once more, glancing around the room. If there was one thing the least bit decent about this event it was that I didn't have to share a room with anyone.

I paused noticing the gloomy day as rain poured down upon the window to my right. Of course it would be raining today... right now... just as I'm waking up.

The silence in the room was beginning to frustrate me, ... of course the constant beeping of the EKG machine didn't exactly help. I felt groggy, stiff, ... the room around me and its blinding white walls suffocating me now. I couldn't get comfortable and the pain never really subsided for too long. The scent of ... that scent hospitals are drowning in, antiseptic and sick people hung heavy in the air. My mind kept wavering over Kori. I was worried about where she was and how she would react to the news of my present state. The room seemed smaller and I could feel myself beginning to slightly hyperventilate,... the EKG machine confirming this as its incessant beeping became more rapid. Before I could lose control I heard her voice... it was muffled, and ringing with distress, ... but I could hear it... it echoed off the hallway walls... a sense of calm showering over me.

"What do you mean I can't see him?" I heard Kori cry. "If you think your stopping me from..."

She fell silent as another voice raised over hers. "Ma'am,... I need you to calm down. Mr. Grayson is in no condition to..."

I heard a slight shoveling within the hallway and then the door to my room flew open. Kori froze in the doorway now... the look of despair in her eyes as they met mine was more than I could handle. I knew she would find a way to blame this whole thing on herself and as I watched her scan over my appearance...I knew this is what was the sole focus on her mind. She lifted a hand to her mouth, her eyes overflowing with tears now as she shook her head in a whimper.

"I'm alright Kori."

She shook her head again, her eyes refusing to look to mine. I could hear her breathing as it became stressed. "I can't ... this... this is my fault..."

I shook my head. "Kori... don't do that to yourself just..." I paused as her eyes moved frantically over my bruised and blood coated wounds scattered across my entire body. Her face turned pale... extremely pale and I felt a tightness in my chest as those beautiful eyes of hers rolled back in her head, her body falling back upon the ground with a loud thud.

My eyes widened and I immediately called to her but she remained without movement on the floor. I pressed the button on the side of my bed to signal the nurse but no one showed quick enough. I gritted my teeth, then lifting the i.v. to my lips I pulled it from my flesh, sending it to the floor now. Using all the strength I could muster I forced my legs over the side of the bed... the pain, don't get me wrong, was intense and I could feel my vision becoming blurred and spotty, but I had to get to her.

As I stood my entire body erupted in a symphony of misery, my muscles strained, and pleaded for me to return to the bed, ... but she was only a few feet away. I fixed my hand upon the railing of the bed to my left and struggled with my footing as I made my way toward her... slowly and undeniably painful, but I was almost within her reach.

I took another step and my knees buckled beneath me, my hand upon the bed railing was the only thing keeping me from falling flat. My body jolted slightly as a nurse entered the room with wide eyes. She looked to me, ignoring Kori and immediately stepped to me placing a hand upon my left arm trying to get me to lay back upon the bed. Her words were nothing more then fogged, muffled sounds in which I couldn't grasp, nor did I care.

"Help her... help her first."

The room flooded with nurses now all looking to me with concern. My anger was rising now... how could they just ignore her?

"Help her!" I shouted, finally grabbing their attention.

One of the nurses finally turned to Kori, and receiving help she lifted her to the chair in the corner of my room. I could feel my body cry out again as the pain returned to its full magnitude. I lay back upon the bed again, with aid from the nurse beside me, who immediately plunged a new i.v. into my arm... the EKG machine sounding again.

I focused on my breathing now as it slowly came to a calm, my eyes never leaving Kori. My view of her was constantly changing as the nurses crowded around her now.

"Is she going to be alright?" I asked.

One of the nurses turned to me with a look of disappointment. "She'll be fine Mr. Grayson... it's you who needs looking after. Don't try a stunt like that again, do you understand me?"

I paused as Kori's voice sounded. I looked to her with worry... it was now that Kori looked up to me, those drowning eyes widening once again. She instantly stood, walking toward me, and shoving the nurse aside.

She shook her head, her own pain shoved aside as she looked down at me. "I'm here..." She sniffled slightly. "I'm here Dick."

"Ma'am you can't be in here." The nurse shouted, her temper well deserved, after all Kori had just shoved her out her way.

Kori's eyes narrowed. "If you don't get the hell out of my face..."

"No..." I said silencing both of them. "Look, Miss... whats your name?"

The nurse hesitated trying to hold back her anger as she responded. "Tammy."

I forced a smile. "Alright, Tammy, I'm only gonna say this once..." I motioned to Kori now. "... when it comes to her... just let her be here."

"She isn't family, nor is she..."

My eyes narrowed. "Yes she is."

As I said this the nurse took one last look back at Kori, Kori glaring back at Tammy as she tried to muffle her weeping, then left with a nod, taking her army of nurses with her. I looked to Kori... her entire body shaking as she tried to hold back her tears. I lifted a hand to hers and smiled up at her, shaking my head with a slight... painful, laugh. "Well aren't you pleasant today."

She looked to me, her tears falling in a constant stream now. She shook her head. "I know what you're trying to do, Dick. And I wont have it. Don't pretend as though this isn't serious." I swallowed hard as her chest heaved slightly. "I... you know that I would have been here if only I knew... I ..."

I inhaled deeply, I hated when she cried, not because it annoyed me but that it was only as a result that I couldn't make her feel better about the situation. Her eyes focused on me as I turned slightly upon my left side, motioning for her to lay beside me. "Come on..."

She stared back at me hesitantly. "No... Dick, you're in pain. I don't..."

I rolled my eyes. "Would you just lay with me?"

She shook her head again, wiping at her eyes. "It's raining outside..." It was now that I took notice of her dampened hair and clothes. I smiled at how adorable she was as she shrugged in helplessness. "I didn't have an umbrella..." her eyes receded into tears again. "I'm drenched."

I took her hand and pulled her down toward me. I knew she wanted nothing more than for me to hold her, and I felt the same, and as she carefully nestled herself into my arms I smiled, sending a kiss to her forehead. This moment, ... it was more painful than I could ever explain but merely holding her in my arms as she poured her feelings and tears into my chest, it made it all worth it.

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She cried for what felt like forever,... I never knew someone was capable of crying so hard, or for so long. Each time I tried to speak to her she just cried louder,... until finally I raised my voice... not enough to really be considered a yell, but just enough to surprise her.

"Kori..." she looked up from my chest in a weak sniffle. "... I need you to stop crying." I smiled. "I'm fine, your crying for nothing."

She paused swallowing hard. "Are..." she paused pressing her bottom lip between her teeth as she held back another wave of tears. "... are you in a lot of pain?"

"I'll be alright. Its my own fault."

She shook her head. "No Dick, its not. If I had just gone after you... if I had..."

"Stop... stop Kori. I can't handle seeing you like this... I don't like it." I paused as she inhaled deeply trying to compose herself. I brushed a stray hair from her face and smiled. "Look... this isn't anyone's fault but my own."

She hesitated, her eyes moving over my bruised features frantically. "Can I stay here... with you?"

I smiled. "Where else would I want you?" I paused as she began to breathe heavy again, fighting back her tears as best she could. I had to think of something... anything to keep her calm. Her present state was more important to me then my own. "I see you're wearing the bracelet. I take it you like it?"

She nodded, then paused her eyes narrowing at me. "I know what you're doing Dick."

I smiled again. "Then just let me do it."

She hesitated, then looking down at the bracelet she said, "You know I love it..."

"I wanted to see you smile when you opened it. I was anticipating the argument we have every year when you tell me I spend too much on you. I had the best defenses lined up against you." It was now that a giggle surfaced from her. I laughed now, relieved she was calming down. "See... I don't forget anything you tell me."

She looked to me trying to hold back a smile now. "I know you don't..."

I smiled, holding her tighter. "I'm glad your here."

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(A/N) wow... I felt a lot of pressure for this chapter. I wanted it to be perfect... and hopefully it is. Sorry it took me a little longer to update I've been feeling a little under the weather... Regardless, here it is and I hope it lived up to any expectations. To be honest I realize this story is happening slowly but I wanted to make sure nothing felt rushed. So, for those of you still reading... I give you my thanx. (R/R)