Chapter Twelve: Scarecrow

(Rachel Roth's POV)

There he sat... the one person I did not want to spend an evening alone with. He leaned back into the couch making himself far more comfortable than I would have liked. It was nice that Vic, Dick and Gar had come to New York... as they said, 'for Kori'... but I knew better. I knew this game they were playing, and yea, I knew because of my passed they had reason to worry .. it's not like I haven't gone over the edge at a time like this before. The difference?... right now I was focused more on the fact that I had abandoned Kori to the cold streets of New York. If I had not been so involved in my own world... I could have been there for her... but I wasn't ... and it would have been far too easy for me to have been too late. Any second later, and there's no telling where that scum of the earth man would have taken her.

Whats worse?... I knew she was hurting. She was scared... terrified even, and while she held her composure around me to ensure that I knew she was here for me, and it wasn't that she needed my attention... but I knew she did. Which is why... at this moment, I'm sitting by the very definition of annoying... Garfield Logan.

He knew I was in a mood... and while most people are smart enough to give me my space... he never did. He would focus that ridiculous smile of his in my direction... trying with all his might to get me to crack a smile... but I think we all know that isn't going to happen. Any minute Kori was going to walk through the front door and have an insane amount of questions and accusations about the gun I had in my possession... and while its clear its none of her business... that never stopped her before.

"Hey Rae..." Came that obnoxiously happy voice. I shifted my eyes in his direction, making no other movements, and he smiled at me, his eyes glowing in a green frenzy. "... how about some food?"

"No." I said without any amount of emotion and lifted my book from the black coffee table in front of me and buried my nose in it... hopefully to give off the obvious statement that I wanted to be left alone.

"You know... New York is way different from where we live..." He looked through a stack of restaurant menus with far too much enthusiasm. "I bet they even have the best vegetarian food."

I ignored him still... but like the Gar we all know... he kept at it. I swear he loved the sound of his own voice more than anyone I had ever met. A loud cackle escaped him, making me jump slightly. I lowered my book slightly, and peeked over the top of my book and gritted my teeth. Could he be any louder?

"Dude, check it out... pizza."

I could feel his eyes on me but I returned to my book in silence still, trying my best to stifle my growing frustration with his exhausting presence.

"Where's the phone in this place?" He paused and I could see beneath the lower part of my book that he had turned in his seat toward me, awaiting my response. "Hey Rae..."

I lowered my book now with a glare. "Just use your cell phone?" His expression changed drastically... he looked back at me with what I like to refer to as the Cheshire cat smile... it was far too enthusiastic for any situation,... no matter the reason. I was convinced nothing was as exciting as he tried to make it. But... exhaling slowly to calm myself I lowered my eyes to the book once more... beginning a new chapter. I read the first sentence four times... never fully comprehending its words... why? Because Gar was talking as loud as he possibly could to order the pizza. I tried to ignore him, but then he looked to me.

"Hey what's the address to this place?"

I could feel the vein in my forehead pulsating rapidly now. I gripped the edges of my book and forced my words out as calmly as I could manage. "Do I look like someone who would know the answer to that?" Just as I returned to my book, convinced he had taken the hint and would remain silent,... he didn't.

"Well, can you call Dick... or Bruce... or..."

I stood now snatching the phone from his grasp and yelling into the line now. "Its Bruce Wayne's apartment... figure it out."

As I hung up and threw the phone at him, he shrugged his shoulders. "Thanks..." he lifted a hand to that blinding green mop of hair and laughed. "Hadn't really thought that call through."

My eyes narrowed. "IT's fine... now... shut up."

I lowered myself upon the couch again, knowing that Dick had told him to keep an eye on me and if Gar were to follow me to my room I would have no other choice then to knock him upside the head. He hovered... actually, to be more accurate, he attached and sucked the life from you. Dramatic... I didn't think so. And yea I realize I'm more temperamental in this moment but who ever decided to put Gar in charge of keeping an eye on me would deserve every amount of attitude and sarcasm headed their way.

It was quiet for a brief moment as he flipped through the television channels... I had quickly learned to block out the incessant clicking of the remote long enough to finish the first page of the chapter i had begun. But... as my fingers scraped at the page, turning to the next... it was as though a timer went off in his mind and he thought annoying me some more would be a good idea... who ever said ignorance is bliss... seriously... who said that? Because Gar was headed straight into my mind... poking at the trigger which would eventually send me in a rampage against him... which I would feel no regret for... its not as though I wasn't blatantly stating that I didn't want anything other then silence at the moment... he should know better.

"This show is the best. I've seen this one like fifteen times..." He chuckled in his high-pitched tone. I ignored it once more... but I could feel my concentration on my book slowly wavering. "This one is so good. Have you seen it before Rae? Rae?"

"I don't care Gar..." I snapped. "Isn't that obvious by now?"

"Aww c'mon I'm just trying to lighten your mood."

"That's funny because that's the last thing you're doing by talking nonstop. I just need some quiet before Kori gets here and the talking never stops."

"Geeze... alright."

I could feel my chest moving rapidly... I think it's safe to assume no one could annoy me quicker then this grass stain beside me. I inhaled deeply, shutting my eyes for a moment to calm myself down ... once more. It was a moment of silence and I shut my book, well aware that his childlike giggle would result in more conversation.

Before he could open his mouth I stood... "I swear Gar..." I fell silent as Kori entered the apartment... another person being here seemed to lighten my mood, directing my frustration off Gar... not entirely, but enough to were I didn't feel like striking him upon the head. "Hey Kor."

Her tired eyes looked to me... and I could tell she was still shaken by the night before. I told her to move on from it but... if it's not obvious by now, she and I were capable of similar reactions when it came to dealing with something such as this. She lifted a hand to her forehead and released a sigh. "I just need a shower."

I nodded,... I knew her long enough to tell when she wanted to cry... the strange thing... when it was something severe like this... and trust me this is going to sound ridiculous... but... she needed Dick around to cry. I think I mentioned before that they had latched onto each other surviving only through each others strength and right now... she needed his strength.

As she disappeared into her room I looked to Gar. "Where exactly did Dick and Vic say they were going?"

He looked to me with nervous wandering eyes. "You know what... they didn't say."

I raised a brow in annoyance. "Fine... don't tell me."

Gar and I sat alone for an additional half hour, resuming our disputing behaviors, before Kori appeared in the hallway. She looked to me and I could tell that she had been crying...

"Where's Dick?" She asked in a shaky voice.

I shrugged. "Ask Mr. untruthful here..." I smirked as Gar looked to me narrow eyed. "You're not as good a liar as you think."

I remained quiet as Kori looked to him with eager eyes and he became increasingly nervous. "I... I don't...know?"

"Is that a question or a statement?" I said with a muffled chuckle.

I heard a small whine escape him then he stood. "Look, Kor... I don't, not know where they are?"

I rolled my eyes, this attempt at a confusing response always worked on Kori, but I saw right through it. I looked to her as she released a drawn out sigh... she looked to me. "Can I talk to you?"

My brow raised again. "What for?" I knew what for but I was hoping to avoid the subject all together.

Her eyes moved nervously between Gar and I... "You know... about that... thing we were talking about... last night."

I lifted my book to my view again and shrugged. "I don't think there's really anything to say."

I could feel the tension between her and I in the room now but I did not look to her, ... trust me, it would only guarantee the conversation to pursue.

There was a small whimper from her then she said, "Well,... when you see Dick tell I went to bed already and that I'll talk to him in the morning."

I nodded as she left, then looked to Gar as he brought his voice to a whisper. "Something tells me she isn't feeling well."

"Really? What gave that away?"

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(Richard Grayson's POV)

Two blocks away... that's all I had to wait before I could make this son of a bitch pay. Vic stood beside me in an almost equally furious demeanor. My mind was racing circles around the thoughts of this pathetic excuse for a human being attacking my Kori. She was undeniable the most innocent person I had ever met, and the fact that this man singled her out and did what he did her... to be honest I didn't know the details or full extent of what he had done to her but right now it didn't matter. The point was that he put even one finger on her, scared her... and he was gonna pay.

Vic paused looking down at his phone. "This is it..."

I shook my head, I was beyond words right now... my anger was fuming... I could feel it in every muscle... the only thing I wished I could change about this moment was that Vic was here. That's not to say I didn't want his help... the truth was I needed it. As much as I would love to be the one to bring this man down on my own... I still had a cast upon an arm which was still fairly recently broken.

I could hear Vic talking but I heard nothing but the beat of my heart as it increased in anticipation as we inched closer to this man's house. It was a small apartment complex,... a sketchy one at that. When we reached the door... I looked to Vic, who knocked hard against the rusted, slanted '7' which hung in the center of the door... the wait was stabbing at my nerves... I couldn't hold on much longer.

Vic knocked again... then again... but no answer. He turned to me with a shrug. "Maybe we could come back."

I lifted a brow in frustration. "Fuck that." I paused placing my ear against the door and knocked once more. There was a brief silence, then a muffled scream sounded from within the apartment. I looked to Vic with a smile.

"What are you doing?" He asked nervously. I could tell the amount of anger I felt was beginning to make him nervous.

Ignoring him I took a step back from the door and lifting a leg I kicked the door in. It broke through the main lock but there was a safety lock which remained. I laughed as the scream from within the apartment grew louder... all that was keeping me from this bastard was a tiny gold-colored chain at the upper part of the door. Kicking it again, I entered in a fury... Vic right behind me.

My eyes scanned over the trashed apartment which remained in shambles. I was too heated to notice much detail in the apartment other than the fact that this guy was still out of my sight. I strode through the apartment without a word. Finding the kitchen and living room empty I headed for the hallway... only to be stopped by a wide eyed Vic.

"Man... let's just think this through... what's the plan?"

I shoved him aside, taking to the hallway. "There is no plan..."

The shoved the first door to our right open... empty. I was beginning to become even more frustrated... was he really hiding? No matter... I'd find him soon enough. I entered the last room my eyes widening. The pathetic prick sat curled in the corner, hugging at his right leg which was draining blood all over the ground, a weak excuse for a bandage wrapped around it and coated in said blood. I paused... my eyes taking in his entire presence. This was the man, ... it was his face... his disgusting figure in which would haunt Kori now. The thought of his hands on her and how easy it must have been for him to manipulate her. The entire scene... while I didn't know the details, found a way into my head... as if I had been there... seen it all. I swallowed hard as I imagined Kori flee from him, and him attacking her. The anger I felt was now coupled with vengeful pain.

He looked to me with a forced glare as he tried to ignore the obvious pain in his leg. "Who the fuck are you? ...and why are you in my house?"

I paused lifting my phone and calling Kori... as her phone rang from beside him, the man's eyes widened on mine now. I smiled. "Ringing any bells?"

Before he could reply or stammer away I lunged at him... which would have been more effective had I been able to use my good arm,... but while I may not have been as strong with my left then my right ... that didn't mean I was any slower.

I placed a hand upon his collar dragging him to his feet against the wall and struck him in the jaw. I paused as he wavered from the blow... I didn't want even one hit to hurt any less. As he looked to me again I sent another blow... this time to his nose. His blood poured from his inflamed nostrils down upon me but I didn't care... it was only when he brought an arm down on my cast... low blow I know but he was desperate... that I stepped back momentarily. I felt the initial shock of the agony as his arm hit mine, but after that I went numb to any amount of pain... rage fueling me. As I looked up to him I came face to face with the underside of his boot, which knocked me back. I stammered slightly and as the man reached for a crowbar hidden beneath a stack of empty boxes it was now that Vic stepped in... but he held back his anger... this moment wasn't as meaningful to him as it was me.

The man cried out in pain as Vic sent a knee to his gut. I took this opportunity to charge toward him now. He swung the crowbar at me, sending me to duck quickly, barely escaping its wrath. Re-situating myself before him he tried to bring the crowbar down upon me again. I immediately sprung forward sending a jab to his throat and as his posture slouched at the pain I brought a leg behind his knee, making him fall back instantly to the floor with a loud cry. Burying a knee in his chest and quickly snapping his wrist, the crowbar fell with a heavy bang to the floor.

Standing again I watched as he crawled toward the window doing his best to escape... struggling as he scraped his nails across the wooden floor. I paused looking down at his wounded leg. I could tell it was a result of having been in a confrontation with a gun. I smiled spitting a small amount of blood which had trailed down to the corner of my mouth from my eyebrow. His body convulsed slightly as he pulled himself to his knees with the help of his hands digging into the window sill. He looked up at me wide eyed as I lowered my foot to his wound, pressing hard against it and holding him still... his grip upon the frame loosening.

"Let me go!" He cried. I put more pressure on the wound... satisfied with his suffering. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry alright."

I laughed, my foot unmoving from his leg. "I bet you are."

"Hey man... " Vic said nervously. "I think that's enough. Let's get Kori's things and get out of here."

I ignored Vic as the man beneath me spoke through his straining pain, knowing perfectly well I had no intentions of stopping... not this soon. He laughed. "kori Anders..." he began, my eyes widened on him, daring him to continue. "... she's a pretty little thing isn't she." I slammed my foot against his leg now, hearing a loud pop which immediately sent him into writhing pain.

I stepped away from him as he curled up on his side reaching for his leg in a shout. I felt Vic's hand on my shoulder ... I tried to shove him away from me but he held a firm grasp on my now. "Dick... that's enough."

My breath was stressed and as I looked down at the whining man I nodded. "Get kori's things."

Vic immediately nodded, stepping to the edge of the room. I wiped at my cut brow trying to calm myself down... which the effort was soon lost for the man cried out again looking to me.

"Don't think this is over kid... I'll get out of this mess." He paused spitting a large amount of blood from his lips. "I made that little bitch a promise in which you ensured I will go out of my way to follow through on."

I lunged at him again a hand grasped tightly upon his neck as I lifted him back against the wall ignoring a scream that escaped him as I forced pressure on his leg. "Oh really?" I breathed heavily. "And what promise is that?"

He shook his head laughing at me. "I'm gonna cut that little bitches face off. I'll make sure she suffers every second until she's dead."

This is where I blacked out in a rage... I attacked him viciously and without hesitation even as he began to lose consciousness. I spun out of control his face purple and bruised pasted with blotches of his own blood. He was on the floor now gasping for air and I stepped to him without hesitation, my foot connecting with his face, ... then his gut... I ignored his leg which was obviously broken. I could tell just by the way it fell upon the floor in an unnatural manner. It was only as Vic raced to my side and pulled me back that my head cleared again.

"Come on Dick... you're gonna end up killing him!"

I turned away from the barely breathing man now, my entire body shaking in an extreme amount of adrenalin. I still wasn't satisfied but Vic kept pulling and shoving at me to leave. When I finally gave in and followed him I lingered for a moment at the door, looking back to the mans convulsing body as he cried out in pain. He looked to me with stained red eyes in desperation... all I could do was smile.

When we finally stepped out into the night again my adrenalin was still pounding at an alarming rate which only increased as Vic insisted we stop by a payphone to call the cops. He was afraid the man would end up bleeding out in the condition in which we left him and... in truth... I really didn't care.

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"Are you calm enough now?" Vic said with an annoyed tone as we stepped out of the car and made our way toward the apartment. I ignored him, a stern expression formed across my face. He released a heavy sigh. "You lost control back there."

I looked to him narrow eyed. I didn't reply, but not because he was wrong... because in fact... he was absolutely right. I can't explain it in any normal sense... the moment for me was fleeting and I felt an unattainable hunger in me. The vision of a frightened Kori played over in my mind the entire time... the fact that anyone would hurt her awakened a darkness in me which I wasn't proud of. I know how the night should have played out. We should have gone in there... knocked him around a bit and left... which obviously wasn't enough for me. This realization somewhat made me uneasy. I knew Kori wouldn't have wanted me to do what I did, and while I was never going to be satisfied with letting him get away with it... I had in fact lost control. A part of it, I knew, was because of my undeniable attraction to her... and I knew that this whole scenario was getting worse.

I shouldn't have gone as far as I did... no the man didn't die but still... I wasn't acting myself. When Kori entered my mind... I had no amount of restraint... this alone was problematic. Because the fact was... while I was able to hold back on physical intimacy with her... it was obvious my mind had lashed out in violence to make up for any amount of restraint I had formed. The sad part... right now... I didn't care. I smothered these truths in the back of my mind... focused on nothing more than getting back to Kori and comforting her. There would be plenty of time after she was better that I could scold myself.

We stopped before Bruce's apartment door and Vic looked to me. "Are you sure you don't need a minute to..."

He fell silent as I grabbed Kori's purse from his hands and entered the apartment... immediately drawing the attention of Rachel and Gar who sat around a large pizza. They looked to me and I could tell the anger I felt was more than obvious to them.

"You alright?" Rachel asked.

"Yea dude..." Gar chimed in. "You don't look so good."

"Which room is Kori staying in?" I asked ... my tone barely masking the emotions I felt.

"She's... the last one on the left in the hall." Rachel said slowly.

I immediately took to the hallway and entered her room. She lay curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. I inhaled deeply lowering her purse to the foot of the bed and sitting beside her. It was now that I first realized the bruises on her arms from, I'm assuming, where the mugger had held her still in a fit of rage as she attempted to escape him. I did my best not to let this effect my calming mood which surfaced the moment my eyes lay upon her. She was in a sweet slumber but I needed to wake her.

I lowered a hand to her cheek and brushed her bangs from her face and whispered her name softly. She stirred for a moment then those large eyes opened with a smile. A smile which faded as she noticed the cut on my brow and the peeled back skin on my knuckles. I had done my best to smear the blood from the cuts but I assumed they was still too fresh to be easily disguised.

"What... what happened to you?" Her eyes melted into sadness and she lifted a frail hand to my face. "Dick... where were you?"

I paused tossing her phone onto her lap. I waited for her tired mind to process the fact that I had gotten it back for her and then I looked to her in disappointment. "Don't lie to me again."

She swallowed hard. Her voice becoming shaky now. "What did you do?"

Pulling the bracelet I bought her from my pocket I shrugged. "Don't worry about it." I watched her eyes lower to my hands as they fixed the bracelet securely upon her wrist. "Don't take it off again..." I placed a hand below her chin directing her now teary eyes to mine, I could tell my hands were still shaking from the intensity I felt at the moment but I tried to calm myself as best I could. "... can you promise me that?"

She inhaled deeply, and opened her mouth to speak but receded to a whimper as she nodded her head slowly.

"You don't have to worry about him again alright. He can't hurt you anymore."

"I was so scared..." It was now that her emotions let loose and tears began to pour from those gorgeous emeralds. I swallowed hard... if there was one thing that hurt me the most in this world it was a moment like this. When she looked to me with such sorrow. Kori was naturally an emotional person so when she hurt... really hurt, like this... her entire body trembled like a vicious storm.

I placed an arm around her, and leaning back against the headboard, I pulled her into me. She nestled her head upon my shoulder showering tears onto my chest. I could feel her heart beating rapidly against mine ... an instant sense of warmth coming over me... there was no where I'd rather be then here... in this moment with her. I held her as tightly as I could, the thought of her fear in the moment she was attacked hit me hard. I would have given anything... sacrificed anything to have been able to shield her from harm.

I kissed her gently upon the head. "If anything like this happens again I want me to be the first person you call." I felt her nod. "No more secrets Kori... you and I are closer than that. I don't care if I'm half way around the world... if you cal me... I'll be there... I;ll find you and I'll fix everything."

She looked up to me, her eyes lingering upon mine. I felt my body shutter as she lifted her lips to my cheek, kissing me gently. She was never the one to initiate a kiss, no matter how innocent it was... I was always the one finding my lips on her. So this moment framed itself in my thoughts... my feelings for her heightening now.

Her soft, sweet voice spoke heavenly now. "Thank you."

"You never have to thank me Kori... I'm your best friend... I will always be here for you."

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(A/N) This chapter was intense... hope you liked it... remember, please R/R =]