Chapter Fourteen: The Light Behind Her Eyes

(Richard Grayson's POV)

I held her tightly in my arms, sending a kiss to her forehead. "What is it?"

She looked to me with those tantalizing eyes and I could see a sense of hesitation over her, making me somewhat nervous now. Had I been too obvious with her lately? Ugh... I hated myself at this moment. She seemed so nervous... and the million of possibilities for said nervousness incessantly swarmed through my thoughts. It had been a few weeks since New York and while I had managed to control myself around Kori, only as a result of forcing myself to occupy my 'needs' with Crystal... I admit I had slowly become more aggressive with Kori... and not in a good way, at least not for me.

Sure, I could control my desires to kiss Kori and ... other things as well,... but my mind was always focused on her... always... and right now, I was certain she was about to draw attention to the fact I had been entirely more affectionate toward her lately. The truth... I knew she believed it to be merely as a result of what she had been through in New York but that didn't change the fact that I was in fact becoming more loving toward her.

I swallowed hard as those perfect lips of hers gave life to words. "I...I..."

She fell silent as her phone sounded again... her phone which I was becoming increasingly frustrated with. I was here... who could she possibly be texting. "Who is it?"

"Oh...umm... Rachel..." She replied. I believed her... and yet something in her tone made me still uneasy with her.

I paused as her thin fingers danced across the phone's keys... then, as she sent the text, lowering the phone, ... I snatched it from her grasp. Her eyes went wide so I placed it in my back pocket then hovered over her, my hands tickling at her side as she erupted in an uncontrollable spasm of laughter. She shoved back at my hands but I remained persistent.. her giggling rising to my ears in a symphony of emotion.

"Dick... I'm serious..." She yelled.

I removed my hands from her fragile figure and lowered them on either side of her and paused. I was certain I was being obvious at the moment, but her eyes had captured me once again... I remained frozen in this moment... I could feel myself staring deep into her eyes... hers remained on mine hesitant. I began lowering my lips to hers then came to an extreme halt.

"Dick!"

Crystal's voice came from behind me. I rolled my eyes, then ignoring her I looked down at Kori, sending a kiss to her cheek... my lips lingering there longer then they probably should have. AS I pulled myself off of her, helping her to her feet, I looked to Crystal now. "What's up?"

I could tell the frustration Crystal felt as I acted as though the situation she had just barged into was normal... and to some extent it was, but... things with Kori were different now. If she hadn't walked in here... I think I might have even kissed Kori again... all I knew for certain, was that my patience was thinning. There was no denying it... I wanted Kori... and I wanted her bad... cheesy? ... call it what you will but I wasn't sure how long I would be able to hold back.

"Nothing..." Crystal replied in a clearly unsatisfied manner." I just... there's someone at the door... and to be honest... I'm a little afraid to answer it."

I laughed as Kori looked to me. "That must be Rachel..."

As she stepped passed me, I gripped her arm. She paused looking to me hesitantly and I lingered in a deep gaze invading hers. I didn't say anything, nor did I give any reason for this odd behavior,... in the end,... I wanted to look into those amazing eyes of hers for one more moment before she left. And within seconds, she pulled away, heading downstairs, leaving me with Crystal who was on edge.

"What was that about?"

I shrugged. "Nothing."

I walked passed Crystal, my thoughts still swarming with the emotion Kori sent over me. My limbs were numb to her touch... a touch that captivated me unintentionally. I had struggled with Kori's ability to draw me into her and ... right now... I was brimming with the anticipation of her next touch, her next smile,... her next anything... if she was in the room with me... or even the sound of her voice when over the phone... I was drowning in her essence.

When I entered the living room, sitting myself upon the couch, I found Rachel and Kori in a quiet discussion which quickly came to a halt as they noticed my presence. I didn't pay too much attention to their secretive behavior but... as Kori sat in the only chair in the room, I felt a lump in my throat. How was I suppose to endure this movie we were about to watch without her at my side. I was accustomed to her sweet scent settling over me by now, her gorgeous hair tickling at my side, ... her close giggle as it sounded throughout a movie,... everything was brought to a halt as Crystal sat beside me. Which, I know makes me sound like an ungrateful prick... but I was alright with it... and you should be too, after all... while I was with Crystal... the entire time my mind teasing me with images of Kori.

I paused as Rachel, who sat across from Kori in the small love seat, lowered her phone from her gaze. "Apparently... Gar and Vic will be showing up any minute."

"Great... so it's all of us." Kori added with much excitement.

"Plus one..." Rachel added, directing a glare to Crystal.

I sighed... 'I get it' I thought to myself. I know no one likes Crystal and to be honest... she wasn't that much fun for me either... beyond one very satisfying activity... and yet Rachel always had to draw attention tot he fact that Crystal annoyed her. Of course, it was expected... Rachel was Rachel. She smiled, finding comfort in Crystal's discomfort in the situation.

"I propose we watch the..." I smiled to myself as Kori tucked her legs beneath her, it being very clear to me she was in thought. A luscious grip of her scarlet hair being twirled between her fingers. "... perhaps The Hangover?"

A small chuckle escaped Rachel. "I don't really care..." She looked to me. "Why don't you and Miss Priss decide."

It was now that Crystal stood in a rage,... I knew she was frightened of Rachel,... even I was in some instances,... and I knew this situation would clear itself up without my help so I would just sit back and enjoy how it all played out in front of me.

"If you have a problem with me then say so... don't result to uncalled for outbursts." Crystal whined, her voice seeming much stronger than I anticipated.

I looked to Rachel, slightly excited at her response. Her eyes remained unaffected by Crystal's sudden attempt at confidence... a brow lifted in annoyance. "I do."

Crystal hesitated. "Well..." she paused again, a hand resting upon her waist now. "... get over it. I'm with Dick Grayson ... and he loves me... and I love him and..."

She fell silent as Rachel burst into laughter... "Please... keep going..." She rolled her eyes. "This is the best display of ignorance I've ever been apart of."

I looked to Crystal...she knew I didn't love her... and if she didn't... it would be made clear soon enough. "You are such a bitch Rachel... you act as though you..."

"Hold on!" Kori said standing in an innocent manner, her brows burrowed in hesitancy. "...I don't think you're striking the proper tone Crystal. Rachel is my friend and if you think you can just..."

"Oh great... the infamous Kori Anders... of course you'd interfere." Crystal snapped. I could feel a small amount of anger rising in me now.

Kori sighed. "Look... I'm trying to get along with you Crystal ... I really am... but... you can't just talk to my friends this way..."

"It's fine Kor..." Rachel said standing... immediately resulting in Crystal taking a step back from her. Rachel smiled. "Say what you want about me... let me just let you in on a little secret... if you so much as look at Kori the wrong way..." she stepped closer to Crystal, now, her teeth gritted. "... I'll deal with you myself. "She laughed again. "You think I'm a bitch now... just wait." As Crystal fell silent Rachel returned to her seat, her voice lowering, her anger subsiding. "Now sit down and shut the fuck up. No one wants you here... so just be quiet."

Crystal did as she was told and sat beside me, throwing a small comment back to Rachel. "That's what you think."

Now this... this comment, sent Rachel into a new-found amount of hysterics. "Don't tell me you really believe Dick actually wants you here?" AS she said this I found myself laugh, she was right, I was only waiting for the moment she and I had alone... other than that... Crystal caused irritation from my friends. "If you do then you're far more lost then I thought you were."

"Enough..." Kori said sadly. "Can we not simply enjoy one night without the drama of clashing egos?"

Rachel looked to her with a sigh. "Fine... just... she gets on my nerves."

Kori nodded. "Regardless... this isn't about anything aside from ..."

"Do you really think I enjoy any of your company? " Crystal added. It was now that I realized I would have to end things with her sooner than I had planned. I would have ended things with her right now if I wasn't in dire need of ... yea... intimate altercations to relieve the desires I had about Kori...

"You?" Crystal continued. "You Rachel Roth are one of the strangest people I have ever met. You freak me out... you're just... you're fucking weird..."

"Oh you're opinion of me is soooo important to me... how will I survive a comment such as this?" Rachel laughed with an obvious amount of sarcasm.

Crystal ignored it... turning to Kori. "And you... I have heard so much about you... not just from the papers, or magazines, or the news... but you... I have experienced your pathetic..."

"Hey!" I yelled, my anger fuming now. She hadn't had the chance to finish her sentence but I knew Kori and Rachel weren't all that thrilled to hear her finish. I took her hand pulling her down to the seat beside me. "Can you just shut up and watch the movie?" I didn't wait for her to respond... I looked to Kori and sent her a warm smile. "Choose any movie you want."

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To be honest, I'm not even entirely sure what movie was on... and I was beginning to suspect no one else did either. Vic and Gar had arrived with enough pizza and alcohol for an entire party... and as the dedicated teenagers we were... we got straight to it. It had been a few hours now, and the room was loud with conversation... unfortunately even Komi had joined our fun.

We all remained in the living room, scattered around the coffee table... empty cans of beer and half eaten pizza decorated before us. I knew I was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol now, ... my mind still focused on Kori's beauty. It was always a fun experience to be around her when she was drinking. Her giggles and movements seemed more dramatized and ... well... that blinding light that emanated from her eyes would stoop to a more devious gaze... one I learned long ago I was defenseless against.

"I do not think that is what it meant." Kori giggle, casting a wave of her hair behind her as she looked to Gar. "Terra seems like a... nice girl... but perhaps you are being to forward with her."

Gar rolled his heavy eyes. He was still his goofy self, the mixture of alcohol only magnifying his personality. "Terra is ... she is..."

"She's annoying if you ask me." Rachel mouthed off into the distance as she turned her gaze to the hallway.

There was a brief silence, one I spent casually removing Crystal's hands from me as she continued to paw me in a seductive manner. It was clear she had been feeling the alcohol for some time now, but I just wasn't ready to leave just yet. My eyes focused on Kori again.

"I think..." She began, lowering the beer can from her lips... a small hiccup escaping her. "I think you should not push Terra into anything too serious..." I smirked to myself as I caught her pass a glance to Rachel, who in turn narrowed her eyes in a glare of warning. Kori cleared her throat, coming to a pause as Komi interrupted.

"I wonder why you would have such strong feelings about the situation." My eyes narrowed as Komi directed her dark gaze to a now nervous Kori. "It's not as though you've had any experience in the matter of relationships. ... or do you?"

I my gaze slowly moved to Kori's. The look upon her face rose suspicion in me... she looked... guilty. Of what?... I don;t know, I just was not enjoying the stammering mess she had become. Kori paused, setting aside her beer and pouring a shot of tequila which Komi had been occupying the past few hours. My suspicion in Kori set in further as she cringed slightly at the harshness of the alcohol and returned her nervous demeanor toward Komi, lowering her voice.

"We had a deal."

It was now that my mind shifted from the conversation as my phone sounded. I rolled my eyes, it had to be Bruce... everyone else was sitting right here with me. I lifted my phone... nothing. My confusion shattered as a phone vibrated within my pocket. I remembered now, that I still had Kori's phone in my possession. I passed a quick glance back at Kori... good, she remained focused entirely on Komi now. Now,... I knew perfectly well that I was about to invade Kori's personal business... but I didn't care. I needed to know what was going on with her.

ROY: Did he leave yet?

An unexplainable amount of anger rose in me. Roy..? This was the reason Kori had been in such a good mood earlier? I looked to her once more, hiding the phone in my pocket then standing. I made my way to the kitchen, denying Crystal as she motioned to follow me. I was pacing... it was one thing to be in contact with Roy, ... it was an entirely other, if Kori was keeping it from me. I wasn't sure what to take from this text, it was too vague. All I knew is that Kori was lying to me about who she had been spending her time with... the whispered conversation between her and Rachel earlier became clear to me now.

I paused setting her phone down upon the counter in front of me. I was contemplating my move... or if I should have one in the first place. I leaned my hands upon the counter trying to calm the anger I felt. My thoughts were colliding with the many scenarios of Kori and Roy together... which didn't help my anger. Why? Why was she even talking to him...? Why did she keep it from me...? Why was she lying to me... Kori didn't lie?... and more importantly... why was this mother fucker trying to make plans with Kori this late in the night.

Sure... I suppose it wasn't that late... I looked to the clock... 6:30 pm... alright so not late at all... but still. The fact that Kori, my Kori, was lying to me sent me into a hurricane of conflict with myself and my emotions. My mind drew a blank as Kori entered the kitchen with worried eyes.

"What's wrong?"

I looked to her, my anger blatantly displayed upon my face. I glared into her oblivious eyes ... I had never looked at her with so much distaste. I was seeing her in a different... skewed light. She wasn't the least bit innocent to me at the moment. I paused, then without saying a word I tossed her phone to her, leaving her alone in the kitchen.

She remained there for a short while then returned to the living room with the rest of us... her composure submerged clearly in guilt and regret. I ignored her though, continuing the night with the rest of the others... not one word to her.

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I looked to the clock sitting upon the guest room desk across from the bed in which Crystal and I lay in.

2:30 am

Crystal had long since been asleep, ... something I could not quiet my mind long enough to do. I sighed heavily... my ears sparking at the sound of a soft knock on the door. If I had been asleep there was no way I wold have heard it... but as I said, I was wide awake. I hesitated... I knew I would find Kori on the other side of the door, her puppy dog eyes cowering before me... her lips anxious with an explanation. The issue wasn't whether I was mad at her or not, which of course I was,... but that I was hurt. It sounds pathetic and childish... but its how I truly felt.

Kori didn't lie to me, nor did she sneak around behind my back with someone I had made clear I never wanted her to be around,... and ... she definitely didn't come knocking at my door at this hour when she knew I was with someone. This last part... only frustrated me more... mainly because I knew she had to be guilty of something she really knew was wrong.

Standing I pulled my jeans on stepped to the door. I paused staring at its moonlight glow which emanated from it. I wasn't sure I wanted to see her at the moment... I mean, obviously I would never deny her anything... but, I was afraid of what she would tell me was going on between her and Roy. If it was what I was regretting, she would tell me they had been seeing each other for some time now, and ... while I would be furious... what could I do? Losing her right now is far worse than anything I could imagine. Since she was attacked in New York I had this unsubsiding feeling in which I could not ignore. I wanted to be around her all the time... and if that meant I would have to endure her being around Roy,... then I would just have to learn to deal.

I took in a long drawn out sigh, then tossing a quick glance back at a still sleeping Crystal, I stepped out of the room. I closed the door behind quietly and looked to find Kori who had begun making her way back down the hall. She paused looking to me with a terrified smile, almost as if she was hoping I was asleep.

I hesitated once more, running a hand through my hair. Then, inhaling deeply I extended a hand in her direction. She paused, then accepting it, she followed as I led her down stairs and out into the night. We sat at her back porch,... the chilled night waking both of us instantly.

"I... I..." she stuttered. "You shouldn't have done what you did. You can't interfere with my personal..."

"I don't care." I said in a gruff tone, openly displaying my frustration in the situation.

She sighed, looking up to the stars. "Dick,... I... there are no words to even begin explaining. "

"Try."

She looked to me now with a pleading gaze, but I remained unflinching. She drew another heavy sigh from her lips then said, "Roy and I... we've been spending time... that's all."

I knew she was lying... I could tell from the moment her eyes wandered to the night sky again.

"Until... recently."

"What are you saying?" I growled. "Are you saying you're actually with this prick?" All of my fears became realized as she looked to me with that gaze... a gaze I could read instantly. Her answer was clear enough to me,... she didn't need to answer,... her eyes had already sold her out. I lowered my head into my hands. I know I probably looked pathetic at this moment, but I didn't care... not right now. I was losing her... to Roy of all people. My eyes moved frantically upon the wooden patio below me. "Good..." I said inhaling deeply. I looked to her as she stared back at me hesitantly. I shrugged. "... I'm happy for you."

I stood to leave, then paused as she pulled back on my arm. "Dick... I don't understand why you're upset about this. Its... it's not a big deal... I mean... I'm allowed to be with someone."

My gaze lingered upon hers... I was far too upset to show any emotion to her right now. I was afraid if I did... I might lose control. "No... go ahead Kori. I'm fine with it."

Her eyes narrowed and she stood now, stepping to me. "This doesn't change anything." I felt my chest tighten as she lifted her soft hand to my cheek with a smile. "I'm still yours Dick." She shrugged, an adorable giggle escaping those lips of perfection. "I always will be. It'll just be the way you and your girlfriends are." As she said this I tense up, my anger brimming now. "Things aren't going to change between us. I'll still be here... around you... all the time."

I nodded... it was all I could bring myself to do in this moment. My eyes involuntarily closed and I felt my body succumb to a shudder as she raised herself upon her tiptoes and kissed me... no not on the cheek, not on the forehead... her lips kissed at mine in a heavenly peck. Before I could even return myself to reality,... her hand was on mine. She led me into the house once more... pausing at the end of the hallway before her door. She opened her door and looked to me nervously.

"Stay with me?"

No matter how drawn I was to her right now... no matter how angry I was... how jealous I felt... of Roy of all people... I could never deny her anything. I stepped into the room, shutting the door behind us and taking my place beside her on the bed. My senses ignited in a frenzy as she pulled my hand around her waist as she backed her small figure into me, her luscious hair falling just before my face, her fragrance consuming me... now... now I could sleep. As for Roy... I'd deal with him later.