Chapter Eighteen: You Don't Know A Thing About This Life

(Richard Grayson's POV)

It's going to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better...

I read that somewhere... I'm not sure where... or when... but it definitely stung at my existence as of now. While its obvious this statement holds some amount of truth... it wasn't a guaranteed assurance... nor did it help that it didn't exactly specify how much worse things would get or how long I would have to endure the darkness before I would find my way into the light. As it were, it had been eighteen bitter days since I last saw Kori... her agonizing words and conflicted fury that directed itself upon me... it was as sharp a stab now as it was the very day it happened. I didn't know what to do with myself. At first I was angry... my pride shattered... my life in shambles. I couldn't come to terms with half the words she had said and while I would like to have hoped they were merely a result of her rage at the time... I was fairly certain most, if not all, held some amount of truth to how she really felt. I hadn't felt so scarred by anything this badly in my life then the day I learned of my parent's death. It sounds ludicrous to compare the two scenarios and yet... it was mainly because this is the exact opposite of what I wanted. I had mentioned the fear I had in the possibility of our friendship being destroyed by my feelings for her... but in no way did I ever envision the catastrophic end of our friendship to be at the hand of Kori, herself. In the end... even as she stood there ... angry and on the verge of tears... regardless of what she had said... I never wanted it to come to this... I never wanted to lose her. But I'm certain that I... as well as you... can tell that I didn't really have a choice in the matter.

Sure, of course I was angry at her for the same reasons I had been that day... I didn't want her with Roy, or anyone... and ... I knew I would remain firm upon this fact always. It was truly how I felt. I had given my all to attempt adjusting to her relationship with someone else... but... I just, no matter how much I fought the rage... the greed of jealousy became victor in the end. And... in the grand scheme of things... my jealousy was the last thing on my mind... which isn't to say it didn't still bother me, no... the vision of Roy and his hands on her, his lips against hers... it was cemented into my memory, refusing to fade. But that was a mere fragment of the amount of emotion I felt as of now. At first the jealousy was the strongest emotion, and yet...now... having spent so much time away from her, ... it was pain... hurt... loss that burned brightest in my life.

I wasn't upset with her anymore, and maybe that sounds pathetic... for I'm certain I was in my rights to be, but I just wasn't. The look upon her helpless face as she fled from me that very day woke me on more than one occasion in the middle of the night ... destroying any amount of acceptance in the situation I had forced upon myself. I spent my days in a constant fall... mentally, physically,... you name it and I was there. My greatest fear was losing her... and here it was. I was in the eye of a storm, everything around me collided and clashed in a destructive slaughter of my life... while I... I remained in the center of it all... never really awake, yet not asleep, just... numb. And there was still yet to be anything I could do to change it. As I said,... it wasn't so much that I was angry with her... I was in suffering. My pride may have been disposed of by her words but that doesn't mean its any less true when I say that I needed her. I wanted to fix things... change what ever I had to, to get back to myself... which, lets face it... I'm just not complete without her. Dramatic, pathetic, ridiculous...? ... definitely... I was all of these things and I had no intentions of denying it.

I can't deny though, that the first few days after the argument I was in a rage... I didn't attempt calling her, checking on her... nothing. I was too furious to even want to see her... knowing the sound of her very voice would only stain my memories of her in a darker perspective... strip the beauty I saw in her from my thoughts... and believe me, I wasn't proud of the thoughts that encompassed me during these few days... the mere mention of this dark time for me showers shame over me.

Now,... after this... I don't know maybe three... four days later... I was in my room, still angry, still vengeful, when the transition happened. I had just stepped out from the shower and quickly changed into fresh clothes. Crystal had already left due to the fact that it was the middle of the night and I didn't want her staying in my bed. To be honest,... I now knew why, but I refused myself the truth of it all at the time. The point being, the last girl to sleep beside me in my bed was Kori... the scent of her lingered upon the covers and pillows and since then I hadn't let Crystal in my room let alone stay the night in the bed.

Alright so... It was about two in the morning and I had just showered and dressed for the night when I stepped toward my dresser, a sharp pain striking from beneath my foot. As I lifted my leg at an angle to view the cause of the pain, I paused pulling a small fragment of glass wedged within my flesh. It was now that my eyes rest upon a picture frame in which I must have thrown in my fit of rage after leaving Kori's house. The picture was upside down, and while the annoying irritation of my foot throbbing now stung at me, I lifted the picture in my hands.

I swallowed hard, staring back at a picture. It was a photo taken of Kori and I during Christmas a few years back. It was now that the change in my emotions plummeted. I stared down at the picture for a long while... Kori was in my grasp, her arms folded sweetly around my neck as I kissed at her cheek... her alluring smile and entrancing eyes shed such happiness from the moment that I found myself fall still. The bright flame of anger inside me weakened to a flicker... a heavy sinking feeling ruptured within me now. The sensation seared through me at a relentless, unsympathetic force, and it hasn't left me even now.

My eyes remained frozen over the photo as my body tensed, the air in my lungs stifled in sharp, shallow rasps. Then... when I feared it couldn't get any worse,... a single drop spilled from my eyelid, gliding patiently down my cheek. The realization alone, that I was in fact vulnerable and in enough pain to convert my emotions into the life of tears... it didn't matter that it was only one... I knew that I was at my breaking point... anger was a thing of the past. It would only be Bruce shouting at me at the pool of blood which complied beneath my foot that brought me to life again. I lowered the picture to the dresser now, casually turning away as I cast the tear from my cheek. I was far too upset to pull off the amount of composure I had forced in front of Bruce... but somehow I managed.

Since that moment I had done everything I could to speak to Kori. She had stopped going to school, Rachel being the only one who was in contact with her at all. I called her cell phone several times, each time it went straight to voice mail... she wanted nothing to do with me and it was destroying me with each failed attempt. I hadn't seen her or talked to her since the argument and I was running out of patience. Which was a great thing since tonight I knew she would have no choice but to see me.

"Are you ready Richard?" a female voice called.

I looked back at myself in the mirror of my bathroom. Running my hand down the front of my black suit and adjusting my tie, I inhaled deeply, speaking to myself. "This is it."

Tonight was the anniversary of the founding of Wayne Industries, and everyone would be there... and as much as I knew Kori would probably want nothing more than not to attend, I knew she would. The simple fact being that Mrs. Anders attended this event every year... she felt obligated to... it was business... so Kori had no choice.

We were in the limo now, the event taking place in a large ballroom downtown. Abby, the female voice... who I might not have mention was just a random I had been with a few times this past week. I had ended things with Crystal, which would have happened all on its own eventually, but I had broken it off early... Kori's words and distaste for her ringing heavy on me. So yea.. Abby... she was this bitchy blonde I had met a while back... she was convenient at a time like this... she didn't have expectations or anticipated attachment... it was just sex... and now, tonight... I was glad to have her for the occasion. After all, I was Dick Grayson... I couldn't attend alone... it was expected of me to bring a date. Shallow...? I'm well aware.

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(Kori Anders' POV)

"You know... " Rachel's voice sounded... disintegrating the silence I once remained in. She stepped to me sitting beside me on my back porch. "... someone once told me that smoking wasn't really the best way to deal with stress."

I rolled my eyes, a cigarette firmly held between my fingers. I wasn't proud of this moment in my life, and yet I didn't make any attempt to stop myself. I found humor in the utter hypocrisy of this situation. Rachel preaching logic in result of my behavior and me sitting here in a depressed attitude, retorting back to her in sarcasm. It was all very mixed up and reversed but this was what my life had become.

"And yet something that shouldn't help... is."

The purpose behind my dazed, demented mindset was not without reason though. It had been a little over two weeks since I last spoke with Richard... each moment deepening the anguish I had been unable to adjust to. And while the days continued to operate around me, flying past me whether I wanted them to or not ... this depressed feeling never got any easier. The last time I spoke to him I was yelling at him, tearing his very existence down, stripping away his pride without mercy... I'm sure you all remember this moment... as if it's hard to forget. I can't even begin to explain it, nor did I want to even attempt to understand it... it was a mess... a complete and utter form of wreckage in which I was responsible for.

Since my fight with Richard everything had spiraled out of control, continuing to fall apart all around me. I kept telling myself that our friendship,... even without my help would have ended on its own. All the signs were there... and now, although I had personally sentenced it to death at my hand... it didn't make anything easier. What's worse... the entire city... somewhere along the line... just turned on me. I knew it was a result of the rumors which sprung to life, spinning in viscous circles around Dick and I... posing the possible reasons we were no longer on speaking terms or ever seen with one another... it was the main focus of the headlines recently. The subject of his and mine relationship alone was hard enough to come to terms with without the interference of the media... not like it mattered to them... they thrived off our suffering. The headlines which used to read... Princess Kori... they now burned in bold red font... Best Friend Betrayal... Clash of the Heirs... take your pick... those weren't even the worst merely the most liked amongst the litany of examples I could share with you... but I wont. In the end... while they were sitting behind their desks casting judgement on me and hating me... the obvious fact was that I was hating myself right along with them.

Now,... let me just be clear on one thing... it would be pathetic and sad if I hadn't realized, at least by now, after all this time... that I was in the wrong when in relation to Richard... but... the damage was done. What could I do? What could I say? I had hurt him... I had hurt myself and it wasn't as though I could say that neither one of us had taken any amount of initiative to correct any mistake let alone acknowledge the other,because that just isn't true. It had come to a point where I was pushing him away.

I tried to not let it bother me though, after all I had more issues aside from Richard, feeding off the small amount of sanity I managed to keep intact. My sister had accompanied a few friends to a party last week near the beach... where she was finally apprehended by the police and taken into custody. I say finally, because I was surprised Komi had been able to evade the law for such a long period of time... I mean, I couldn't check the mail without being swarmed by the reporters and paparazzi that camped right outside my estate shamelessly. Regardless, she was in jail now... and to be honest... I felt as though I might as well have been standing right beside her. I remained helpless as my life contorted into nothing more than a prison designed specifically for me. But this wasn't the reason for my present state of nerves... no, the real reason was because my mother was in town. Now, if you know anything about my mother it's that she never takes time to step away from her work unless it is for a highly important reason. Her reason?... tonight was the anniversary of Wayne Industries as a company... which, unfortunately was practically a holiday to my family, as well as the many other rich families that thrived in this community. It was an event which was to take place downtown in a half hour... and I was not looking forward to it in even the slightest.

I puffed at the cigarette once more, then looked to a, now, silent Rachel. My eyes wandered over her... she looked amazing, entirely prepared for such a occasion. She wore a long, dark blue gown, a pair of black heels to top off her glamorous attire. She hated wearing dresses but that didn't mean she didn't look stunning ant this moment. I smiled to myself briefly because despite my distraught mood lately, Rachel's had surprisingly lightened. She was more supportive and positive then I had ever seen her before, and while I know it was a forced attempt at drawing me from my sadness... it still didn't help regardless of how much I appreciated the effort.

"Kori... you better be ready!" My mom shouted impatiently from within the house. "Promptness is very important at an event such as this."

I rolled my eyes,... my mother was so clueless to the emotions I was drowning in. I couldn't blame her though... her life was a hectic one and even I felt stressed out when she would merely explain her days to me.

I paused as Rachel stood extending a hand down to me with a smirk. "Tonight's going to be fine... you'll see. This is going to be good for you."

I ignored her, extinguishing the cigarette and then stepping into the house, her following behind me. When we reached the front door, my mother was already shoving us out the door toward the stretched limo which was parked just outside my house.

The drive was a quick one,... surprisingly the traffic didn't really clam together until our destination was within sight. It was silent in the limo, aside from my mother who spent the time in several different phone calls... business... she said, but it didn't bother me, I preferred the silence. As it were... my mind... it was doing what it does best... cramming as many thoughts passed my comprehension as possible... the fear of having to be in Richard's presence set my nerves on fire.

During my time away from Dick, Rachel had continued to inform me, on a daily basis, that he had attempted to get a hold of me and begged to see me, but ... I just couldn't bear to face him. Not after what I had said to him,... and especially not that he now knew I had feelings for him... I was convinced it would be too much for me to handle. What can I say...? I was ashamed, ... embarrassed... lost. I hadn't spoken to him since our argument and now so much time had passed that I was afraid it was too late to fix anything. Which, I haven't even mentioned the unsurprising tale of Dick's actions during this time apart. The magazines which were brought to my attention by Rachel, who was constantly trying to pry me from my depression, showed a more than average amount of pictures of Richard. He seemed happy... at least to anyone who didn't know him as well as I did. I could see right through those falsified smiles and forced laughs the media managed to capture of him. And even though I could tell he was equally feeling the effects of our past confrontation... he went out of his way to make it seem as though he could care less... at least in the wide eyes of the public.

I learned he had ended things with Crystal a few days after our argument but that didn't stop him from finding someone new. I didn't even want to understand that decision, but it didn't matter because as far as I was concerned, a low profile was the best choice for me... he could do what he wanted.

When the limo finally pulled to a stop in front of the building, my heart began to race, a strange stiffness surfaced in my chest. The cameras sparked in a rage as Rachel and I surfaced from the car... us both, now, being on a side of the media which was liked only based on the fact that we were disliked... if that makes any sense at all. The offensive, harsh questions directed at us were no longer a surprise to me, yet I still couldn't get into the building fast enough... which is ironic since I would have rather had been anywhere then here.

"Here we go." Rachel said entering the large double doors beside me.

I inhaled deeply, the beauty and intensity of the festivity occurring before me immediately drawing a sigh from me. My plan,... it was to stay completely out of sight for as long as I could... who ever said playing the wall flower was a bad thing? ... I actually hoped I would be successful in my attempt at being just that.

"I'm off to mingle..." my mother said, disappearing into the crowd of fancy suits and elegant gowns.

I gave her a brief nod,... not that she acknowledged it, then I glanced around at the sea of faces around me... hoping to avoid Dick at all costs.

"There's Gar and Vic..." Rachel said drawing my attention to the left side of the grand ballroom. A growl escaped her now. "... I see Gar brought Terra."

I shook my head, giving her a nervous chuckle. "Go ahead, I think I'm going to grab a drink."

She hesitated then rolling her eyes headed for them. Me,... I released a sigh into the noisy air, my presence so far unnoticed. Stepping to the open bar I forced a smile to the bartender, who gave me a hesitant smile, his eyes checking around our surroundings then handing me a glass of champagne then quickly turning away. I was underage, and he knew it,... but I think he could tell I needed a little release... and I was merely thankful I didn't have to plead.

The moment I lifted the glass to my lips, I felt a hand upon my back. "Kori..."

I turned, knowing perfectly well it wouldn't be Dick,.. his voice was far too familiar for me to be confused. I turned, giving him a slight smile. "Roy."

His eyes wandered over me with a weak smile. "You look amazing."

Now if I hadn't made it apparent already... I had ended things with Roy... that was a week ago. And why not? ... I was losing everything else I had... why not contribute more to my misery? In truth... I couldn't be with anyone right now and I know you're probably assuming I broke up with Roy as a result of the guilt I had for Dick and that I was hoping by doing so he would continue to try to speak with me... but that just isn't true. I was a mess right now... I knew it... you expected it... the public fed off of it... and Dick... well he fought to change it. In the end, I wasn't happy and I wasn't capable of making Roy happy, so instead of him feeling guilt for staying with someone in my condition... I cut him loose. In fact I had separated myself from everyone ... aside from the occasional visit from Rachel... which wasn't too often for I had taken time off from school, ... that's not to say I just skipped or forgot about it, no, I was still doing the work from home, only I had an epic excuse in the shape of Komi as a distress signal that I needed to be home with my mother... who, aside from the event tonight, she wasn't actually even home... I just couldn't face the world I once belonged to.

I nodded, well aware that Roy resented my sudden break up with him. "Thank you... but, it's not necessary." As I tried to step away from him, he followed.

"I was hoping you'd show."

"I didn't really have a choice..." I paused pointing into the center of the crowd to my mom. "... my mother made me."

He nodded, a chuckle escaping him. I would have been somewhat charmed by his laugh had I not been so succumbed by fear in this moment. I had been away from the world, locked away in my house for some time now, ... well at least for me. I know if it was Rachel, she would have been perfectly unchanged but I,... I was different. Human interaction, I felt,... was more difficult than I had remembered. I felt... odd... powerless against the judgmental eyes of others. Now, of course, not all were judging me negatively, ... no, my mind had created that perception on its own.

He stepped in front of me now, his broad shoulders leaning toward me. "I was hoping you and I could..."

"No..." I said carelessly, my eyes focused on the crowd to ensure I was not surprised by the arrival of Richard, which I knew would occur if I was not careful. "... I told you Roy... I can't be with you... nor can I deal with being around you.. or anyone else for that matter." I looked to him now. "I don't even want to be here, so just pretend that I'm not."

The sadness that set over him would normally have stabbed guilt into me,... but I felt nothing. Inhaling deeply I stepped away from him, leaving him to his thoughts. I walked in silence, sipping at my champagne for a short while before a familiar,... haunting sound, one which instantly ignited the fear I felt at an alarming rate, sounded from a short distance from me. I turned to find Dick... he stood in conversation with one of the community's several rich men... I couldn't remember his name, yet it didn't matter. Dick's voice sounded very calmly in response to a question being tossed his way. I couldn't help but take notice of how handsome he looked in this moment... and it was now that I noticed an unfamiliar face beside him... this must have been the girl Rachel had mentioned before.

Before he could spot me, I quickened my pace in the opposite direction, pausing only as I raced around a corner. My eyes were shut now, my breathing strained as I leaned back into the corner.

"Kori..."

My eyes snapped open, a smile immediately forced. "Bruce..." I swallowed hard as he stepped to me. "... it's a beautiful celebration." My eyes avoided his as they glanced around at the surroundings. "It gets better every year... congratulations."

I fell silent as his steps came to a pause before me. I fought the urge to look at him, but his silence drew me into his gaze. He stared down at me with concern. His voice now settling over me in a sturdy manner. "Kori... it's great to finally see you. We've missed you around the house. Alfred asked that I give you a hello on his behalf."

I nodded, my nerves magnifying with each awkward passing second. My voice, no matter how much I fought it... it sounded shaky. "Thank you... I have missed all of you as well."

It was now that Bruce's demeanor softened, his voice, while still strong, filled with concern. "Listen... Kori... I don't know what happened between you and Dick... " he paused, sending a smile to a passing greeting from someone within the crowd. "... he's been a mess... and I know..."

I could feel tears rushing to my eyes, but I did not cry. "I don't know what to say about any of this... so... I think it's best if we just..." I fell silent... my voice too shaky to pronounce recognizable words.

I felt a firm hand upon my shoulder, and I looked up to find a comforting smile upon Bruce's face. "It'll work out... you two always figure something out." He cleared his throat, adjusting his tie now, and staring into the crowd. "Time will continue to prove this."

My chest cramped in a strong sense of pain... I knew I wanted to cry, and as he walked away... I wasn't sure I would be able to hold back.

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(Dick Grayson's POV)

My palms were sweating now,... I stood before one of Bruce's colleagues and my mind was focused on anything other than the conversation at hand. There... leaning back against the distant corner of the ballroom, standing in front of Bruce ... there she was. I had kept my eye on her since she first arrived, and they never really wandered away from her if only to smile, nod, or acknowledge someone in my presence.

She stood there, cowering before Bruce, as, what I was assuming, was the result of the conversation he had probably forced upon her. Since she had arrived she had kept mostly to herself,... I knew what she was doing. Her eyes scanned over the crowd in a worried gaze the majority fo the time, and I knew she was hoping to avoid me at all cost. I had looked away from her for a moment to acknowledge the gentleman speaking to me, and when I looked back she was running around the corner. It was clear she had finally spotted me, and while I knew this was my only chance at speaking with her... I hesitated.

She looked much thinner now then when I last spoke to her, she seemed weak, tired, sad... and I was struggling with the words I would say to her. Regardless, she looked nothing short of stunning in the black gown she wore... and it was hard not to notice that she still wore the bracelet I had given her upon her frail wrist... the realization alone giving me a fragment of hope. I wasn't sure what I would say, nor was I capable at this moment of anticipating her reaction to seeing me finally.

I could feel Abby tugging at my arm, but I was more focused on Kori, who, upon the departure of Bruce, had headed down the short hallway to her right. I immediately followed her, ... this was my chance... I knew where she was headed, and I couldn't let this opportunity alone with her pass. I ignored the whine Abby gave off as I removed her arm from mine and rushed toward Kori. By the time I reached the very spot she had once stood in, I looked down the hallway to find it empty. I stepped, every so carefully down the narrow hallway, as not to alert her that someone was following her. I stepped up the short staircase and paused at its peak, inhaling deeply, trying to stifle my nerves as I stood before the roof access metal door.

Lifting a hand to the door knob, I turned it slowly, trying to make as little amount of noise as possible. As I stepped out into the chilled night, my eyes wandered over the roof, .. Kori's muffled voice echoing in curses to herself. I swallowed hard when my eyes rest upon her. She sat against a bench-like slab concrete object to my left, ... this was it... my heart was beating feverishly now, but I had to keep moving.

It was only when I stepped closer to her,... her still unaware of my presence... that I noticed a thin cigarette pressed between her lips. Her attention was lowered to the purse within her grasp as her hands dug through its contents... I'm assuming for a lighter. I cleared my throat, her eyes immediately lifting to mine in surprise. Her entire body froze at my presence... no words forming.

"May I?" I asked, motioning to the space beside her. I hesitated in sitting with her as she remained silent... I wanted to keep my place in front of the door in case she tried to flee.

I could see her begin to shake, consumed in nerves, as she forced a nod. It was this that made me finally join her. We sat silent for a moment, the muffled sounds of the celebration happening below us prevented official silence aside from the breeze that swept around us. My gaze was focused on her, and hers was lowered to her purse, her posture conforming to a slouch.

"That's an awful habit." I said, slowly lifting my hand toward her, removing the cigarette from her lips. It was now that she looked to me. The look in her eyes tore at my composure... I knew she was conflicted in this moment, ... but I was thankful that she allowed me to be in her presence. I sighed, looking to the sky now and flicking the cigarette to the floor. "I ... uhhh..." I paused, inhaling deeply,... I was well aware this would be difficult, but this was almost unbearable... her silence deafening to me. "I see you're still wearing the bracelet I gave you..." A nervous laugh escaped me. "... you can't be too upset with me if your still wearing it."

It was now that she finally spoke, her voice caressing my senses. "I promised."

I was drawn to her suffering eyes now, a smile curling at the edges of my lips. I couldn't deny her words brought me comfort. "Are you... I mean..." I ran a hand through my hair in a stifled chuckle. "... are you enjoying the celebra..."

"I'm sorry."

A lump in my throat surfaced... my eyes moved to hers never feeling so relieved in my life. "I... I don't..." Damn,... I couldn't even speak... an apology from her was the last thing I expected.

I paused as she inhaled deeply, a small whimper escaping her as she looked to the night sky now. "I just... I know there's nothing I can ever say..." her voice became ever more shaken at this point. "... there's nothing I can do to change or take back what I said..." My heart raced again as she looked to me now, the glazing of her eyes sharpened the tenseness in my chest. "... and..."

"Don't..." I interrupted. True, her words she had left me with that day after the argument served as nothing more than daggers ... enough to leave permanent scars ... but I didn't care... not anymore. I just wanted to see her smiling again. I swallowed hard as she sniffled slightly. "... this was my fault Kori. And I don't want you to feel bad about..."

"Don't make this easy for me, Richard."

My eyes widened as she said this... she may have been speaking calmly with me, but the fact alone that she called me Richard meant that she was more than bothered by me still. "Kori... just listen to me... I don't care what you said... or whether or not you meant it ... I just can't keep going like this. Things have to change."

"That's what went wrong in the first place." She shrugged her petite shoulders, the breeze carrying her exotic scarlet hair behind her. "Something did change."

I exhaled deeply,... my gaze still upon hers. "Tell me what you want me to do Kori... because... it... its like you said, you rely on our friendship to get by... and me,... do you really think I don't depend on it any less than you do?" I shrugged, helplessly. "This can't be how things end... I wont let it."

"I can't change the way I feel, Dick. I'm never going to be able to come to terms with what I did."

I found myself smile as she lowered her gaze to her purse. I could tell I was beginning to ware her down. I cleared my throat, placing a hand upon her shoulder. "I'm not asking you to." She looked to me narrow eyed. "I'm only asking... begging... for a chance. I realize things can't ever really go back to the way they were... but I'd like to say we at least tried." The silence from her that followed my words plunged me back into fear. "I'm desperate Kor."

I stood immediately as she did, her frantic pacing in front of me didn't ease the situation in the least. It was silent, I gave her a moment to her thoughts which I was certain were spinning in a frenzy. Then,... my eyes widened as she came to a halt, facing me now.

"And if it doesn't work? ... what then? You can't expect me to believe that you just forgive me that easy... without explanation or..."

"Kor,..." I couldn't control the words now as they fled from my lips eagerly. I could tell she wanted nothing more than for us to be okay, and I was hoping I could convince her it was in fact possible. "... you're the most important thing in my life... there will never be a time where I will push you away. I'm just asking that you return to me... I need you to trust me." I hesitated. "I was angry ... and jealous and... the point is..." I stepped toward her, staring down at her intensely. "... I know now that I can't be selfish with you anymore,... and I wont be... I just need you know its hard. It's a struggle,... believe me... but I am trying." I took a step back my hands out at my sides. "You... You've been the one constant amount of happiness in my life and now... now that you're running from me... I don't know what to do... I don't who I am without you."

"I hurt you..." she shook her head, her eyes crying before me. "... I can't ever change that."

I looked to the ground, kicking my foot slightly as I placed my hands in my pockets with a shrug. "The only way you can hurt me is to push me away." I looked to her again... this felt like the last opportunity I had to sway her. "Don't push me away."

A small giggle escaped her... not a happy one, more of a cover up to a whimper. She lowered her head into her hands submerging herself in conflict. I knew as well as she did that we both wanted things to get better and sure, it would be hard, but we were never going to be content with the way things were as of now. "I don't... I don't even know where we would start. How do you continue a friendship so shattered?"

I smiled, taking a deep breath as if discarding every negative emotion I once felt, I took her hand. "I'll show you."

We walked in silence, her hand in mine as I led her back down to the party. The moment we stepped toward the crowd, I felt her hand leave mine. I turned to find her shaking her head nervously. "What's wrong?"

"I can't... I'm gonna... " I paused noticing her frantic gaze which lingered back at the gawking eyes and gasps that lingered upon us. "I'm gonna end up crying... or embarrassing myself... or..."

I took her hand pulling her toward me now, "I'm right here with you alright? You'll be fine... just breathe."

I left no room for her to debate with me over the situation. I merely kept my grasp upon her hand firm as we walked to the center of the dance floor. I could feel a slight blush develop over me as I faced Kori, sending her in a twirl then stepping into her as I initiated the dance.

"I thought you hated dancing?" She whispered, her hands meeting mine in proper execution.

I shrugged, leaning into her in a slight hug, my lips against her ear. "I can't make an exception for you?"

We fell silent now, my eyes giving way as I held her close in my arms while we danced. The sensation of her body against mine was one my memory could never fully bring justice to... the depth of emotion I felt at this moment was unexplainable... it was a healing moment. A shutter ran through my limbs as Kori finally rested her head comfortably upon my shoulder... the moment, everything around me, aside from her,... it cease to exist.

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(Rachel Roth's POV)

"Look at them..." I laughed as I passed a glance to Gar... there wasn't one person in the room, that was not dancing, whose eyes weren't on Dick and Kori. " ... they are too much sometimes."

Gar shook his head. "I knew they'd finally work things out. I just wish it didn't take so long."

"Do you think it'll last?" Vic asked, handing Gar and I a glass of champagne.

I shrugged. "We'll make sure of it."

We, along with everyone else in the room paused as the song came to a halt... a roar of clapping commencing. I kept my eyes on Kori and Dick as they slowly made their way toward us. Dick... he looked as happy as ever.. and yet, Kori seemed slightly flustered. That's not say she wasn't happy they had finally managed to talk... she just seemed hesitant about all that had happened. She told me she wished it could have ended any other way... and that she regretted the words she had said but that they had to be revealed in some way.

I smiled as Vic and Gar cheered for the two when they came to halt before us.

"It's about damn time," Vic laughed. He placed a hand upon Dick's shoulder. "You two aren't meant to be at odds." He looked to Kori now. "And you little lady, best not be pulling another stunt like disappearing for weeks at a time again." He shrugged. "We weren't a full group without you."

It was now that Kori smiled,... I had made it my goal of the evening to stay focused on her. I really needed her to get out of this depression phase she was swimming in... the truth being it was getting a little obnoxious. I'd have to go to her house and convince her that Dick still wanted to be her friend... then she'd deny the truth... then I'd be left with a nagging Richard, who would latch onto me expecting every detail of my time with her. How was she? ... Is she alright? ... Did you tell her I said... blah blah blah...

Which is why I was smiling now, a smile that lingered as Kori spoke... and while the nervousness in her voice had not faded entirely... I could tell she was truly happy in this moment.

"I... I'm so sorry..." she looked to me. "All of you. I was just..."

"You don't have to explain yourself Kor." Gar said stepping to her and placing an arm around her. "Just so long as you and Dick talking means your friends again and all is right in the world... and..." he looked to Vic in a far to excited attitude. "... and then that means we can all go back to that beautiful game system of yours."

Kori giggled as Vic joined now, his hands moving in an expressionistic manner. "Oh yeaa... big flat screen tv... all the junk food in the world... all at our demand."

"Right,... because that's what she missed most about you two... your nagging and fighting. What...your homes aren't stalked with any of those things?" I said, receding back into my monotone voice.

Gar shrugged. "Not back at my place... "

"And we already cleaned the kitchen out at my house." Vic cheered.

I rolled my eyes as the two grabbed their dates in excitement and headed onto the dance floor.

"So..." Kori said, clearing her throat. "... Rachel... I wanted to thank you... you know, for all the time you spent with..."

"Save it." I laughed. "I'm just glad you two aren't ignoring each other... I can't take another second of Dick begging me for the scoop on you. Now you two don't have to use me as the middle man... you can just ... I don't know... talk... like normal people."

"Very supportive Rae." Dick laughed.

I shrugged. "Yea well... I do what I can."

I remained silent,now, in the corner, observing the hesitant and nervous interaction between my two friends as they tried to adjust to being around each other again. It was obvious the two still had feelings for each other... the difference now, they knew it wasn't one-sided, which of course made things slightly more difficult... but they were trying. Which isn't to say there weren't awkward glances between the two now and then, or nervous laughs... but overall things seemed to be at a good start.

So yea... all seemed as it should have been in the world... birds chirping... childlike laughter in the air... rainbows and unicorns... all that stereotypical shit meant to resemble happiness... but in my mind I was only worried about tomorrow, and how things would play out then. It was Sunday... the last day before it was back to that oh so wonderful school we all couldn't wait to get back too... now if only there was a designated font as to relay sarcasm in its purest form...

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(Richard Grayson's POV)

"Let's get out of here." I said lowering my voice to Kori.

Her eyes narrowed, and while I knew she was still nervous around me, I only forced more confidence to flow from me to make her feel more comfortable in the situation to prove I was perfectly content with her presence... which of course, I was just as hesitant as she was... only I had to stay focused on preventing this night from being ruined... I had only once chance to fix this.

She shrugged. "Where would we go?"

"Does it matter?"

As she shook her head, I casually accepted her hand and slowly led her from the celebration. We drove for a short while, then I called to the driver to come to a halt.
I smiled as Kori's eyes focused back at the Manor. She looked to me with a raised brow. "Dick...?"

Leading her from the limo I shook my head with a laugh. "It's just a place where we can spend time together without interruption... get your mind out of the gutter." It was now that a giggle came from her... which caused me to turn in her direction, walking backward as I continued speaking. "I see someone's calming down now."

She shook her head, trying her best to seem comfortable in the situation... but I knew soon enough she would crack. "So what's the plan then?"

I shrugged. "I haven't seen you in what feels like forever... I could care less what we do as long as it's just you and me."

"Alright..." she came to a halt... her thoughts consuming her now. I raised a brow as she looked back at me with a suspicious gleam in her eyes. "Are you sure you don't mind what we do?" I hesitated, we may have been distant lately, but her expressions were still far too predictable to me... ones that I had grown to miss. I gave her a hesitant nod, which sent her into laughter. "Alright... if you're sure?"
I nodded again, my eyes wandering over her in pure desire as she removed her high heels, carrying them in her hands now. Her gorgeous body leading me into the house now. We stopped in the kitchen and she turned to me with pleading eyes. "How about that rain check?"

I felt my heart jump slightly... I don't know how she could make me feel this way but... she never failed to excite me. I nodded. "Sounds great."
Within a half hour we sat in my room upon the floor, a plate of spaghetti and two bottles of wine before us. I found myself captivated by her presence, her laugh alone as she spoke of Komi's inevitable capture by the cops, sent chills down my spine.

"So... how long is she there for?" I asked, smiling against her giggling which echoed around me.

She shrugged. "I don't even really understand all of it... my mother and I are suppose to go to the court-house next week, but I'll probably end up having to go alone... you know my mom, she probably already has plans to leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"I'll go with you."

I smiled as she did, then lifting the bottle of wine to her lips she stared around at my room. My nerves jolted as she noticed the broken picture frame on my dresser, you know, the one of us at Christmas time. I hesitated, unsure what she was thinking as she took it into her hands.

"Careful... there's broken glass."

She nodded. "I can see that." She smiled at me. "Someone was angry."

"I'm not anymore." I assured her.

Her eyes remained on the photograph for a prolonged period of time. It was at this exact moment, my fear of us falling apart completely faded. "This was a fun Christmas." her giggle sounded again. "Things seemed so much easier back then."

"It'll be that way again Star. I promise." Her eyes snapped to mine in what I took as pure passion... I knew why... I had just called her Star, which while I meant it in this moment... I wouldn't have noticed had she not been looking to me this way. I was about to push my luck... but I couldn't stop myself... I was finally happy again. I lowered my gaze nervously to the floor. "Stay here..." I swallowed hard as I glanced to her, her gaze was no longer on me but rather the wine in her hand. She was making this indecisive expression... one that always rose untamable excitement in me. She was in thought now, the edge of her bottom lip tucked between her porcelain teeth. "Stay the night with me."

"We have school tomorrow and..."

"So what?" I laughed. "It wouldn't be the first time you've stayed the night when we have school." I shrugged. "You can get ready here and in the morning we can stop by your house real quick to change. It'll be fine."

I raised a brow as she hesitated, and I could see her inhale deeply. "... alright... yea."

A sense of awkwardness settled over her once again and it was tainting the utter happiness I felt. "So..." I smiled as her eyes moved to mine. "... any regrets in being here so far?"

She shook her head, and our conversation quickened now. I was relieved at how excited she seemed to be in front of me. It was as if with every passing moment, she found it easier to allow herself to return to the old days. It helped that we were discussing past memories, but that didn't mean she was any less invested in each laugh or smile she sent my way.

We had been in conversation for at least an hour... I'm just guessing though,... time wasn't exactly a priority to me as of now... and then suddenly, without reason... the mood around us changed... for me, not so much her. An unshakable focus settled over her. I remained still, admiring her every movement as she erupted into prolonged laughter. I wasn't quite sure I understood the full extent of the reason for her contagious laughter as it sparked but I figured it might have something to do with the amount of wine she had consumed, which surprisingly, was more than me. That angelic delivery of such bewitching sounds as they escaped from her tantalizing lips had mesmerized me... lingering over my emotions. I had decided in this moment, as her symphony of giggles continued, that I would do everything I could to refuse her departure from me before I had the chance to express these feelings I had told myself I would hold back on.

No... not anymore... I had all the proof sitting before me... I felt the urgency rush through me...I couldn't hold back this strenuous amount of emotion any longer. The weight of those agonizing eighteen days, filled with suppressed emotion for her, ... it all came rushing over me. My gaze never left her as I leaned forward,... the intensity in my eyes, which I was well aware encompassed every inch of me, was the only thing to draw her attention from her laughter. I ignored her uncertain posture as I continued to lean toward her, her jade eyes drawing me closer in a trance,... her body had fallen completely still. I swallowed hard then just let go of any amount of skeptical consequences that could rise at my actions. I was leaned over on my knees, hovering over her weak shoulders, my lips igniting as I placed them against hers in a tender kiss. I pulled away slightly, ... a smile escaping me as I felt her body shutter before me. I ran the backside of my hand gently across her cheek, the sight of her eyes still closed in the heat of the moment intensified my appetite for her. A crimson curl of hers brushed against my hand as I gently removed the elegant clip from her hair, setting her hair in a free fall as it framed itself around her thin figure. With one hand I laced my fingers through her hair gripping the back of her head as my lips met hers again... the other hand, aggressively shoving aside the empty plates and bottles of wine which separated us, discarding them as my body migrated closer to hers. Our lips cascaded against one another's and what began as a soft, gentle caress, quickly evolved into a passionate embrace. I took her bottom lip into mine, savoring her sweet taste,... my tongue teasing at her, begging to be acknowledged. Her once hesitant and guarded posture gave way, her hand met mine, which was fastened upon her waist. I could not suppress the small grunt which slipped from my mouth as her delicate touch trailed up my arm, fixing itself behind my elbow and pulling me into her. Everything in this moment occurred around us in a slow, heaven like daze which only amplified as her lips parted. Our tongues collided in a heated exchange of an, up until now, forbidden touch. The sensation awoke a fierce surge of an unimaginable vibration through my body... desire, passion, craving, obsession, all feelings which set fire to my senses. Her essence was one which indescribably remained lost to explanation. As the fire within me raged ever brighter I adjusted my position, guiding her, as well as myself to our feet and immediately I lifted her into my grasp. Her arms latched onto me as I delivered her to my bed, our lips and tongues determined to taste every inch of our mouths as I positioned myself over her now. I ignored the shutter that developed over me in continuous waves of unexperienced, relentless vibrations as I pressed my body against hers, her releasing a brief whimper of passion beneath me as I did this.

It was now that I had to pause... I was getting far too excited in this moment and refused myself the option to lose control. Which obviously is easier said then done, because believe me, ... I wanted her... I needed her, every nerve in my body was craving her,... and yet... I couldn't... wouldn't treat her like any other girl I had been with. I inhaled deeply lowering my forehead against her collar-bone, basking in her fragrance which had gone unnoticed in this distracting situation until now. A small laugh escaped me as I tuned in to her stressed breath which found its way in a gentle breeze through my hair. I didn't know what to do at this point... it took everything I had to ignore the seductive plead in her eager eyes to continue. And then it happened... the last thing I expected to fall from her lips...

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything." I replied, raising my gaze to hers once again.

She hesitated, her eyes moving frantically over my features. As she licked at her lips, something she did when she was nervous... a fragment of panic set over me. "Did you mean what you said?"

I removed my presence from atop her now, sitting at the edge of the bed, my gaze focused on hers in anticipation. "What do you mean?"

I extended a hand down to her, helping pull her to a seated position beside me. She ran a hand through her luscious hair then locked her eyes to the ground. "Did you mean it... when you said you loved me?"

I felt my eyes go wide in shock. I didn't realize she had been aware of the brief conversation we had had which seemed so long ago now. I had convinced myself she was oblivious to our exchange of words that sleepy morning. As her eyes cowered before mine in anticipation I inhaled deeply... I knew the answer... you know the answer... and a part of me is confident she knew the answer as well... but if she needed to hear me confirm it... I would. I leaned forward sending her a firm kiss, then looked up to her intently. "More than you know."

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(A/N) Alright so... YAY! After all this time it's finally here... RobStar moment sealed. lol Aside from that... sorry for taking so long to post this chapter... I just wanted to be sure it was perfect... I originally had this chapter spaced into two parts... but I figured what the hell just make it one, the anticipation was killing me anyway. So... I hope you enjoyed it... and please remember to R/R =]