Chapter Twenty: To The End

(Dick Grayson's POV)

"What was that?" I said to myself... watching in confusion as Kori lowered herself into Rachel's car.

"Dick..." Vic shouted, drawing my attention from my thoughts.

I looked to him with a shrug. "What?"

"Are we doin' this or not, man?"

I paused, my thoughts struggled to focus on anything other than Kori's figure as she disappeared with Rachel. Before I could speak, I felt a slight shove upon my shoulder, and I immediately sent a glare to Gar.

"Seriously dude, this is perfect. Karen's off with her friends for the day... there's no more you and Kori drama... Rachel and her left anyhow... and..."

"What, Gar? Just get to the point already." I said, lifting my bike helmet over my head and positioning myself over the motorcycle... a feeling of frustration setting over me. It was Vic that would reply now... leaving Gar scratching at that green mop of hair of his.

"Can we come back to your place or not?" Vic asked, stepping toward me. "I haven't really had time to hang with you guys, but Karen's giving me the day off so... whadduh you say?"

I hesitated, it didn't sound like a horrible plan, in truth I had hardly spent time with the guys in a while. My mind was always focused on Kori and trying to fix things... and now,... now it was narrowed in on why she was being so strange. It didn't bother me that she wanted to keep this new shift in our relationship a secret... to be honest, I didn't want to have to deal with the jokes and teasing which was sure to ensue from Vic and Gar... not to mention the media would have field day over the matter. No,... what I wasn't comfortable with was Kori being viewed as... I guess you could say... available. Obviously, this fact directly conflicts with the entire point of keeping our relationship a secret but that didn't ease my mind in the least.

If you recall correctly,... I had to stifle my opinion and desired actions in response to Roy taking Kori aside during lunch, earlier today... the entire moment I wanted to go after her... but again... conflict. I felt myself gritting my teeth at the sight of his hands on her waist... the way he leaned into her... the entire moment still made my blood boil. In the end,... I don't know how long I'll be able to keep this whole act up... and even found myself, in certain instances, thinking of the secrecy as nothing short of pointless. I can understand Kori doesn't want the pressure of those around us while we're still figuring out exactly where we are relationship wise... but, for me... I wasn't hesitant or unsure about this new change at all...I already knew what I wanted... I just wanted her.

And yet,... now, ... now Kori was wandering off, leaving me with the a frustrated amount of hesitancy regarding above said confidence and expectation. I found myself thinking... maybe she wasn't as satisfied by our moment together earlier in school? ... maybe I was far more comfortable in this then she was? I paused as Vic lifted a closed fist toward me, sending a few knocks upon my helmet.

"Hello?... anybody in there?" He laughed.

I inhaled deeply, then starting my bike I gave Vic a quick nod before skidding out of the parking lot. When I arrived at the Manor, ... I found Vic, Gar,... and an unexpected Terra, sitting in the living room, their eyes tuned into the television. I gave them a brief nod, then headed to my room to change into fresh clothes.

I hesitated, looking down at my phone... I don't understand why Kori was ignoring my attempts to get ahold of her. I had driven to her house before arriving here, ... frustration setting in further as I realized she and Rachel were still gone. Where they went... what they were doing...? I don't know but I suddenly found that I was scolding myself for sounding so clingy... something I hated in relationships. Which only made myself hate this moment... I wasn't clingy... but then again, this is Kori. I had always been slightly more aggressive about where she was and what she was doing... the reality of this shift in our relationship only heightening these feelings.

I placed my phone in my pocket after changing and reentered the living room. The faces of my friends... and Terra... turned to me with smiles.

"Hey..."

It was all I said before sitting back upon one of the couches, Vic to my right. My eyes scanned over the tv... a roll of the eyes was my involuntary response... they were watching the same old compilation of shows they always watched... how they ever managed to finish an actual episode while constantly flipping back and forth between several channels was beyond me... but they were enjoying themselves... and I... I was waiting for my phone to go off. I kept telling myself things were fine... not to worry... just focus on the fact of what today represented in the grand scheme of things.

I caught myself smiling as this thought passed through my mind... after all these years... holding back around Kori... hesitant eyes which lay over her beauty... pent up desires... it was all over with now. Not over as in... these feelings had diminished... no, of course not,... actually quite the opposite. Because in the end... I was finally able to say the one thing I've always wanted to... Kori was mine.

And sure... that may come off as kind of creepy and very stalkereske... but assume what you will... in the end, Kori was right, I had a possession issue which clung to her. She knew it and I had denied it ... up until now. The fact was, she was mine to hold... to kiss... to love, and I can't ask for anything other than that. I was currently in a situation in which I never thought was possible. Kori had always been in my life and yet, now it was different... now it was intense. If not for the anticipation of her next touch... I would be completely at ease right now.

"So..." Gar's voice chimed in, sounding far too suspicious to be taken lightly.

I turned to him,... he sat beside a silent Terra, his body leaned back into the couch in a slouch. His brows moving up and down. I rolled my eyes. "What?"

"I saw you get all upset when Kori didn't ride home with you."

"And?"

"Leave him alone Gar," Vic said.

"Thank you." I replied... both of us knowing perfectly well what Gar was getting at.

"Besides..." Vic said. "... I mean, we all know he's in love with her." He paused smiling at me as I looked to him with a glare. "... its only a matter of time before he gets up enough courage to make his move."

"Yea ,... which better be soon." Gar laughed... leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees now. "I saw Roy trying to get close with her again."

"That's true..." Vic said, he looked to me in a narrowed glance. "... you better just make your move already."

I laughed... masking the anger I felt at their comments. "Nah... Kori knows Roy was a mistake. I've got nothing to worry about."

My eyes widened as Gar and Vic broke into laughter... wait... what did I just say? ... Damn... I can't even remember...

"What so funny?" I asked in curiosity, my mind still wavering over my last words as I tried to fully recall them.

Gar shook his head, trying to calm his laughter. "You practically admitted it. Nice going dude..."

"All that denial for nothing." Vic laughed, sending a fist to Gars in triumph. He shook his head. "We've been trying to get you to admit it for forever."

I could feel myself blush slightly at the thought of Kori... Clearing my throat I shook my head. "You guys don't know what your..." I fell silent as their laughter dominated my words.

"Dude... who would have thought innocent little Kori would be the inner desire of Playboy Dick Grayson." Gar said.

"Right... our little Kori..." Vic shook his head,.. and I could feel my irritation in the subject becoming harder to control.

"Who says I feel anything for her? We're just..."

"...friends...we know."

I glared at Gar. "Its the truth." Ok, obviously not, but still.

"Sure... " Vic continued. "Don't think we haven't noticed that you've avoided most girls all together since you and Kori made up."

"That was ... last night."

"Sure, but that doesn't mean we can't tell when you're drooling over Kori. When she was in school today... I don't think there was even a small moment when your eyes weren't on her."

"Shut up Gar." I said with a sigh, looking down at my phone again... still nothing.

"Well... then... since you don't have feelings for her..." Gar continued. "... why is it you were staring Roy down at lunch when he was trying to get back with her?" I ignored him, my eyes on the tv. "You know... when he was caressing her cheek and putting his hands on her waist... and..." My eyes narrowed, but I tried my best to ignore the situation as it continued around me. "... and it certainly wont bother you that he kissed her..."

My eyes widened ... I looked to Gar now, leaning forward in his direction. "When was this? Did she kiss him back or...?"

Their laughter resumed once more and with a roll of my eyes I sighed, becoming well aware that I had been played a fool in this conversation. I tried to shrug it off... my eyes returning to the screen once more.

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(Kori Anders' POV)

"Rachel!" I shouted, her eyes focused on nothing more than the rode in front of her as she sped through the traffic. I inhaled deeply. "Answer me!" She paused, passing a quick glance of annoyance toward me. I rolled my eyes. "Rachel... I have to know whats going on?" She ignored me still... and while I knew she was in deep thought, ... that still didn't change the fact that I was completely consumed in fear at the moment. "Slow down!" I shouted as she sped around another corner, barely escaping that of a bicyclist beside us.

She came to an abrupt halt before her house in a loud screech, stepping from the car in a panicked rush. "How much cash do you have one you?"

I paused lifting my wallet from my purse, my hands shaking feverishly, fighting against my nerves as I followed closely behind her. "I... I have a twenty."

"A twenty?" She paused, her anger thrust in my direction now. I swallowed hard as she stepped to me with wide eyes. "You're a fucking heiress for crying out loud and all you have is a twenty?" She released a growl of frustration as I gave her a nervous nod. "Alright... whatever."

She stepped to her door, unlocking it quickly and leading me to her room. I paused, lingering in the doorway, trying to calm my stressed breath, which didn't ease in the slightest as my gaze observed her. She threw her knees to the floor before her bookcase, tearing the books from their place upon the shelves, casting them to fall to the floor behind her violently.

I hesitated, before speaking... knowing perfectly well it would only add to her frustration. "We... we need to go the police." An amused snort escaped her. Inhaling deeply, I stepped toward her, her hands still focused upon the bookcase. "I'm serious Rachel... if he's..."

My eyes widened as she pulled up on the flat wooden surface of the bottom of the now empty book shelf, revealing a stack of money and a pistol. She shoved everything into a black backpack and moved toward me. "Lets go."

I paused looking to my phone.

DICK: C'mon... answer me.. I want to see you

"I need to call Dick." I said trying to keep Rachel's frantic pace back to the car.

It was now that she paused, stepping into me with a shove at my left shoulder. "No... are you kidding? Kori, this is you and me... that's all." She rolled her violet eyes, then entered the car with a slam of her door ... me following suit... and we took to the road again. After a few moments of silence, I noticed her look to me and release a sigh "Look,... I'm not trying to ... just... it is what it is ok. We can't put more people in danger. If you invite Dick, he will tell the others and it will be a big mess."

"I just think that the police should be involved in this. I mean you have the proof on your phone... that's enough to..."

"Don't you get it?" She yelled. Her anger returning again. "Kori... this is my father we're talking about. His obvious escape from prison hasn't even had one mention in the news... the paper... anywhere..."

"Which means...?"

"He..." She exhaled heavily, slamming a pale fist down upon the steering wheel. "...he's working with someone. He has help from someone on the outside. He... he's possibly more dangerous now." I remained quiet long enough for her to gather her composure. She exhaled heavily. "You know what this means don't you?"

I swallowed hard, giving her a brief nod. I knew exactly what this meant... this arrival of this moment crossed my mind far too often over the years. "So... where are we going?" I could see from the corner of my eye as she placed her hands over her eyes and released a growl of frustration... the traffic having come to a halt. "Please... just calm down. I cannot think when you are driving so fast... you're giving me such vague responses and..." I squealed as she pulled off the side of the road, increasing her speed, moving illegally off to the edge of the road, bypassing all the traffic. "Are you trying to kill us?"

"On the contrary,... I'm trying to keep us alive." She snapped her gaze in my direction. My eyes widened, as our car zoomed passed a red light, barely escaping the wrath of a semi as it entered the intersection.

I lowered my head into my hands... if we were going to crash... which I was surprised we had been so lucky as not to so far... I didn't want to see it happening. I lifted my feet upon the seat, tucking my knees into my chest now. "Where are we going?"

"Away." She replied coldly.

I kept my eyes shut, occasionally extending a foot or hand against the dashboard to re-balance my position as Rachel sped around corners. I didn't know where we were, let alone where we were going... I was only concerned about Richard. I knew he was completely thrown off by my disappearance in the school parking lot ... and I knew he would try to call me... actually he already had, but I had no choice but to ignore it... I needed to focus on Rachel right now. It wasn't until the car came to an abrupt stop once more, that I lifted my eyes to our surroundings... remaining behind as Rachel stepped from the car in a rush.

I exited the car, entering an old diner behind her. We sat in silence at a long booth for a while before I finally spoke. She sipped at a small cup of tea, her composure seeming far more held together then I could have expected.

"I think..." I swallowed hard. "I think we should talk about whats going on."

"There's nothing to say."

I sighed as her gaze remained upon her phone. I wasn't sure what she was looking at or what she could possibly be doing but her silence was beginning to annoy me now. "Rachel... I'm involved in this too." It was now that her eyes raised to mine. "I ... I need to know what to expect."

"That would involve your assumption that I actually know what I'm doing."

I paused, her statement throwing me off slightly... I hope she knows what she's doing, because I definitely do not.

"Look..." She paused taking a sip of her tea, then lowering her gaze back down to her phone. "I don't have any words that will comfort you. I don't know what we're doing or where we're going." Her frail shoulders lifted in a careless shrug. "I'm making this up as I go."

"But..." I paused in thought for a moment, I could feel my brows burrow in confusion. "... so then, we are fleeing?"

My eyes widened as she snapped her gaze to mine, her teeth gritted. "No! Of course we're not running I just... I need time to think. Which, I'm sure anyone could imagine, is difficult when your constantly nagging at me."

The space around us fell into an awkward silence now. I shrunk back into my seat with a shock of embarrassment as I noticed a few of the random people stared back at me narrow eyed.

We sat there for a long while, before Rachel stood asking if I was done eating. I nodded and followed her, which ... was a lie.. I had lost my appetite the moment I heard the voicemail of her father after school. We drove for a short while, the sun had already set, and I had begun to get a headache from the constant gaze I kept upon the world which blurred passed me out the window to my right. Then, sooner than I could have anticipated, Rachel's car came to a halt. I leaned forward in the passenger seat, my eyes falling upon a shabby motel. I sighed... I knew where we were now... this was a small hotel located on the outskirts of our city. Before my mind could even begin to process the exact situation I was in with Rachel... I felt my passenger door quickly opening. I looked up to find Rachel glaring down at me impatiently.

Within ten minutes she and I were shacked up in a two bed hotel room. She sat upon the far bed to my right in silence. Her eyes were shut, her backpack within her lap. I knew she was trying to process what our next move was but... I couldn't help but want a mere hint at exactly what she was thinking in this moment.

I cleared my throat, stepping toward her. "Why are we staying here ... of all places?"

She spoke, her demeanor remaining unchanged, her eyes still clasped shut and her voice responding in a much calmer tone. "We need to keep a low profile. I'm sorry it's not a Hilton like your used to... but.."

"No I just... I mean... this isn't very far from town. I mean... if he really wanted to find us..."

"He wont... not tonight anyway."

I hesitated, my phone going off again.

DICK: Please stop ignoring me

I ignored it and looked back to Rachel slightly on edge now. I was suppose to be with Dick right now... and yet... while I hated that I felt angry with her, especially in the situation, I pressed further. "I still don't understand why we aren't going to the cops about this?" A slight amused laugh escaped her, but beyond that she remained silent. Inhaling deeply I stepped to her, raising my voice. "The cops can help."

It was now that one of her eyes opened, glaring back at me. "The cops can't doing anything Kori. I mean... you heard the message... you know his voice just as well as I do...he's already on the loose... there's nothing that will stop him from finding me." She paused, her chest raising slightly as she then exhaled,... her voice calming now. "Besides... they'd only end up getting themselves killed as a result of me."

"That's their job... to protect us."

She stood now. "Kori... I'm not letting innocent people die because my father is a manic. I'm the only one who can handle him." She stepped to her backpack, retrieving a water bottle and drinking from it. "Just ... get the idea out of your head." She tossed the bottle back upon her bed. "It's not going to happen. We don't need their help."

"Rachel... if he finds us... he'll kill us... both of us. If you were afraid of him killing people then why did you bring me along?"

"Kori... listen to me alright. I brought you along because my father knows your my friend... he would have gone into town and when he realized I was gone... he'd go for you. The safest place for you is right here with me."

I inhaled deeply, shaking my head in frustration as my phone vibrated again.

DICK: If you're upset with me,... at least give me the chance to talk to you

I stepped to Rachel now. "This isn't funny anymore..." her eyes narrowed at me. "We aren't kids in fear of this day... planning and hoping we could stand up against him. Rachel... this is real now... this... this moment, everything happening around us... I'm scared." I shut my eyes, focusing on nothing more than my breathing... trying to clear my head as I lay back upon the bed. I wasn't sure what Rachel was doing, but I could hear her pacing slightly.

My phone sounded once more.

DICK: Please answer me... I'm beginning to worry

I paused, beginning to text him back when Rachel spoke. "Shhh... " I ignored her and continued texting. "I can't think with you making so much fucking noise. If you're going to talk to Dick... just call him."

I paused as lifting myself from the bed and making my way tot the hotel door. It was only at the sound of the squeaking doorknob as I placed my hand over it that I jumped at the sound of Rachel yelling at me again. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I looked to her innocently. "Kori... you can't go anywhere." She stepped toward me. "Its me and its you... neither of us ever leaves without the other... it jsut isn't safe."

I sighed. "No... of course... you're right." I released another drawn out sigh, then returned to my phone.

KORI: I'm not upset with you... it's... complicated.

DICK: Geeze, Kor... it's already getting late. Where have you been?

KORI: I'm with Rachel... something came up.

I paused, smiling to myself...t he memory of his touch instantly calming my nerves.

KORI: I miss you

DICK: I'm going to call you so please answer.

Within seconds my phone rang and I answered it immediately. "Dick?"

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(Dick Grayson's POV)

I released a sigh of relief. "Kori,... you had me worried there for a while." I paused, stepping from my place on the couch and making my way into the silence of the kitchen. "So... where are you? I wanna come get you."

My relief washed away as her voice replied... the happiness in her voice nowhere to be found. "I can't... I can't let you. Look... I'm with Rachel and..." She paused, no longer speaking to me but with Rachel. " I know... I wont tell him." I felt myself becoming further frustrated. I hated when she hid things from me. "Look... Dick... somethings happened and Rachel and I are going to be out of town for a few days... and..."

"What? Kori... where are you? I can be there shortly." I paused as a squeal escaped Kori... arising panic in me. "What? ... what is it?"

She didn't reply to me, and I listened closely as Rachel spoke to someone in the background.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Rachel growled. "Roy you son of a bitch. Why would you follow us?"

My anger rose. "Kori why the hell is Roy with you?"

Kori seemed too distracted at the moment, ignoring me completely. Her voice addressing, Rachel now. "Rachel,... calm down. Let me just talk to him and he'll leave."

"Make it quick." Rachel snapped... her voice fading now.

"Kori." I shouted... but there was no reply, her phone cut off.

I looked down to my phone... call ended. That was it... fuck suspicion or jealousy... I was pissed. I pulled the keys to my bike from my pocket then accessed, on my phone, ... the lock on Kori's location. My eyes narrowed... the possibilities as to what they were doing all the way on the outskirts of town was unnerving to me. Before I could head toward the door... my phone vibrated.

KORI: Sry... I'll call you when I can

DICK: Seriously? Kori... I already know where you are... I'll be there soon

There was a brief lag in her response, which only infuriated me more.

KORI: Fine... just hurry. I don't know how long Rachel plans on staying here

I paused... that was easier than I thought... I hesitated.

DICK: Should I be worried? What is this all about?

KORI: MR. Roth

I remained still for a moment, my eyes frozen upon Kori's response. I hesitated, then grabbing my leather jacket from the chair beside me I raced back to the living room.

"We have to go...NOW."

Vic and Gar hesitated for a moment then followed me out into the car.

"Whats going on?" Vic asked me in concern.

I passed him my phone... and as his eyes locked over the text, he looked to Gar. "I think its time your girlfriend probably went home."

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(Rachel Roth's POV)

I stepped to the front door, pulling Roy inside the room, then quickly locking the door behind him. "What the hell are you doing here?"

It was now that Kori regained her composure and looked up at Roy, placing her phone in her pocket now. I sighed as she shouted. "Roy?... you scared the shit out of us." Her eyes were wide in fear.

He hesitated in his response so I stepped to him... grabbing the front side of his collar and pulling him toward me as I raised my voice. "Answer the question!"

"Wh-what? What question?" He asked, his eyes focused more on the terrified demeanor of Kori.

I stepped to him shoving him back. "What the hell... are ... you doing here?" He hesitated. "I don't have time for this asshole ... answer the question."

I was burning with rage now, but fell into a state of calm as Kori stepped between Roy and I. She inhaled deeply, looking to me with kind eyes. "I'll take care of this... you just... go... think." She turned to Roy now. "How ... how did you find us?"

He chuckled. "I didn't realize you two were hiding."

I raised my voice in a violent manner now. "You think this is funny? Do I look like I'm laughing?"

I was somewhat comforted in the fear that settled over him now. Clearing her throat Kori placed a hand upon Roy's chest, leading him back to the opposite side of the room. I could still hear them speak even as I returned to my place upon the bed.

"Roy.. you can't ... you can't be here. How did you find us?"

"Look, Kori... I needed to talk to you and..." he shrugged. "I saw you two speed off... and I followed."

"Creep." I mumbled, returning to my place upon the bed, ignoring the glares from each of them in response to my comment.

I could hear their conversation as I lay back upon the bed, my eyes shut.

"Look..." Kori began in a whimper. "... Roy you can't be here... you have to go."

"I just want to talk with you."

"It can wait."

"What better time to talk then when Dick isn't around? Seriously... he has a hold over you that..."

I rubbed a hand against my temple as Roy and Kori spoke... their whining was getting on my nerves. The entire situation around me... Kori, Roy, my father... it was all feeling like too much. I knew this day would eventually come, that I would have to face him again... but right now, I wasn't sure what to do with myself. What was worse... I had to worry about Kori as well... I couldn't let anything happen to her, and I knew my father would do everything he could to make me suffer... even if it meant taking Kori's life. I paused, my phone sounding.

GAR: Dude... are you alright?"

I sighed, ... of course Kori told Dick what happened. I'm sure they'd all pull up to the hotel within the hour.

RACHEL: Where are you?

GAR: In the car

I rolled my eyes... isn't it obvious I'm already aware of the fact that he's headed here? I was in no modd for Gar.

RACHEL: When will you be here?

There was a lag in his response... surely spent confiding with the others as in how to reply.

GAR: Soon.

I placed my phone away again... this is what I was hoping to avoid. I growled in frustration as my phone went off again.

GAR: Don't worry Rae,... everything will get better.

My stomach churned... I did not need his sympathy at the moment.

GAR: I'm bringing Terra... hope that's cool

My blood was boiling now.

RACHEL: Of course you are

GAR: ?

I sighed tossing my phone beside me on the bed, laying back in silence now. This was going to be a long night.

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