Chapter Twenty-Eight: Give 'Em Hell Kid

(Kori Anders' POV)

"What?" Rachel shouted. The volume of her voice reached me in a shockingly loud wavelength I had yet to ever hear from her. To be honest, previous to this outburst I had assumed Rachel, even when angered, was incapable of this must energy being exerted into her words. She stared back at me wide-eyed, the amount of shock and disbelief on her face lingering over mine, making me reconsider my decision to even have spoken to her about this.

I suddenly felt a wave of anxiety rush over me at an unbearable rate. I knew I probably shouldn't even be discussing this particular part of me and Dick's relationship with anyone but I just couldn't take it anymore. I was... embarrassed. This uneasy emotion heightening as Rachel began to pace before me in a more than interested amount of emotion.

She shook her head, a slight nasalized chuckle sounding. "I cannot believe of all people... Dick Grayson... Dick fucking Grayson turned you down for sex?"

I placed my hands over my ears lifting my feet to the edge of the chair in which I sat in, hugging my knees to my chest in discomfort. Just the way Rachel explained this scenario made me feel, I don't know, I'm not sure I even really understand how I feel and I wouldn't even be talking to Rachel about something like this if I wasn't feeling completely and utterly, well, ... desperate.

"Shhhhhhh!" I breathed loudly. "Someone could hear you."

I remained in my scrunched up position, my eyes wide against Rachel's. "Who? It's just Komi here. Besides, I just... I can't believe that he would turn you down. I don't get it. The guys a fucking playboy for crying out loud. He's been dreaming about the day he could get into your pants probably from infancy."

I exhaled heavily, lowering my head into my hands feeling like nothing more than a reject. "I didn't tell you this so you could rub it in my face." I looked up to her, her eyes had managed to find a more sympathetic mood against my pleading expression. "I really... really... really don't know what to do about this. I feel so stupid. How could I... how could he..." I released a small growl, my head in my hands again. "I don't know how to take this."

I didn't give her much detail about what happened between Dick and I nor what happened after but I was feeling far to overwhelmed at the moment. Dramatic right? Annoying? Self Pity? Yes, yes ... and yes. Perhaps I did over react but I truly felt, I don't know what I felt. I mean, I suppose this whole situation, he and I finally taking the next step in our relationship has crossed my mind now and then. Okay, maybe a lot but I think what really bothered me was less about Roy and more about the uncertainty that consumed him. He stared back at me as though it was something he truly needed confirmation on, and that alone killed me. And, excuse me but even if by some change of events in the past that I had slept with Roy, would he really have felt it necessary to completely allow it to affect our relationship? Somehow I got the feeling it would affect him, which is in no way fair. I mean, look at me, you don't see me asking exactly how many girls he had been with, and to be honest the thought of how high a number it was only disturbed me further; I didn't want to know. Above all this, I couldn't shake this feeling that Dick was struggling to see past certain obstacles in our relationship. Maybe it was just my own imagination but it was as though he couldn't see past the fact that I wasn't innocent little Kori anymore. Sure, we kissed, groped, all that but... I had practically thrown myself at him and it felt as though he was using Roy as an excuse to separate himself from the situation before going too far.

Which is why I'm here right now, sitting in my dinning room speaking with Rachel about all of this. I'm well aware that I tend to become so sucked into my own mind, my own thoughts and perceptions of things that my vision and interpretation can become somewhat tainted by my insecure outlook on things. I just didn't want to risk ruining things between Dick and I over... Roy... or worse over my own sketched out thoughts. I mean, I was feeling more myself everyday but that in no way meant I wasn't struggling still. I needed Rachel's advice on this and so far I was not pleased with the amount of sensitivity, or lack there of, she was sending my way.

"Look," Rachel began again, the confidence in her voice giving me some sort of relaxation. And as she surfaced a small bag from her sweater pocket she now clung over the chair behind her, my insides became somewhat tense. I hadn't expected her to be so open with her drug use. And even as she spilled a small amount of the white power on the granite table top which separated us, she seemed so unaffected by it and it was now that I realized her night must not have been going so well either. "Dick... he's... well, he's an idiot."

I forced a laugh, my eyes watching closely as she leaned over the powder a dollar bill placed beneath her nose."No he isn't."

"Oh yes, yes he is." She inhaled deeply, her body leaning back now, her head tossed back in a form of ecstasy in which she received from the drug. "He... he's very sensitive when it comes to you." She looked to me now, a finger running back and forth beneath her nose. "I mean, you know this, I know this... the world knows this. And even though he knows what ever happened between you and Roy was nothing you could have anticipated... his mind is constantly working against him. Always getting him worked up." She shrugged. "He takes everything far too seriously."

"So what do I do?"

She shrugged, a devious laugh flowing now and I couldn't help but take notice of the slight increased pace of her speaking. "Let him flounder for a bit. He'll realize he's wrong."

"Okay... so I just ignore him until then? I mean I may be home right now but I'm technically staying in his house."

"Right, you along with a million other people. Just... don't worry about it tonight. Let's just take a pause... just for tonight." She paused, running a hand aggressively down the length of her face. "I really fucked up tonight. Gar... hes... he's really pissed."

Oh, that's right, this may be my life but I wasn't the only one in it. It was now that I recalled a very interesting exchange of smiles on the plane back from Oregon between Rachel and Gar. I wasn't really sure what was going on with them or if there was anything to report on but if she was talking to me about him then I knew something was more than wrong.

"What happened?"

"He just..." She sighed. "He wouldn't back off and I... " I swallowed hard as she began to fidget more, her fingers twitching with anger. "...in a fit of rage I revealed to him that I was on drugs but..." She shook her head in disgust. "The fucker wouldn't back off. What was I suppose to do?" She growled, bringing her fist heavily down upon the table. "I mean... can't he just... don't you think he would see me as nothing more than a monster after what I've done? Why can't he just go away? I don't want his sympathy... it ... it makes me sick."

I paused long enough for her to retreat back into her thoughts, allowing silence to calm around us before adding my opinion. "Well,... I think we all are worried." She snapped her neck toward me, her eyes narrowed. "No I just... we should all be worried, about all of us. I mean... things are ... hard right now."

Her laugh sent chills down my spine, and not in a good way. "What so you think because you got into a little argument with your bestie that the whole world is coming to an end?"

My eyes narrowed. "No... Rachel, I just..."

She stood. "For future reference... no one gives a shit about a little heiress and her boy troubles." She exhaled curtly, forcing her sweatshirt over her head. "There are a million more important issues happening all around us. It may be hard to take... but Kori... your life is easy alright. Don't preach to me about how I should be more endearing to someone... you know what I've done, you all do. I see the signs. The way all of you look at me as if I'm about to lose control and go on a killing spree."

I stood now, interrupting her. "Fuck you Rachel. I'm dealing with a lot more than just my relationship with Dick alright. I mean, I'm sorry if I'm making this night about me but... I thought you were asking me what was wrong, what was bothering me."

"That's fine. All I'm saying is that the world has bigger problems beyond the luxurious life of Miss Kori Anders."

As she stepped to the door I shoved at her arm. She froze and turned to me. "Don't you dare leave."

"What? What do you want from me?"

"I just..." I placed a hand upon my forehead, cringing involuntarily as my palm swept across the cut upon my brow. "I just want to talk with you. This isn't the way I wanted things to go tonight." I shrugged. "I'm sorry."

She hesitated. "You never told me what happened..." She motioned to my brow, a subject I was hoping to otherwise avoid. "Who did that to you?"

I shook my head. "I don't... it's not a big deal."

She stepped toward me now, directing my head back, her eyes narrowing over my cut and sighing. "If this has anything to do with Roy..." As I swallowed hard, refusing to respond, she shook her head. "Does Dick know about this?"

"No... I don't..."

"What happened? What did he do?"

"Nothing." I answered quickly.

"Kori!"

I sighed. "Look, it was... a misunderstanding."

"Tell me or I'll go find the son of a bitch myself and without explanation I'll kick his ass just to be sure there are no more misunderstandings."

I inhaled deeply then lowered myself back onto my chair. "I can't take this. I know you think I'm pathetic but I just..." I looked up to her shaking my head. "I can't take this anymore."

She smiled, her mood swings beginning to give me a headache. "Nah .. you're fine. You just need something to help you relax."

"I don't... I don't do drugs... or..." I wasn't really sure how to say this without offending her, or acknowledging the back of my mind that was saying 'fuck it.. go for it'. "I just... I can't."

She ran a hand beneath her nose in a sudden amount of enthusiasm. "No really, this is different. I wont be giving you the type of shit I take." She rummaged through her jacket pocket and surfaced a small pill bottle. "Here..." She removed a single yellow pill and placed it upon the table before me. "Trust me."

I hesitated. "I don't know... I mean, what is it?"

"It's a xanax. It will help you calm down. Make things a little easier to handle." She paused, pressuring me no further. "So ... Roy... what happened?"

"I just... he was... I mean..."

"Come on... just tell me. As little amount of detail as possible... please."

"He just... I was leaving Dick's room, looking for you and I ... I just ran into him in the hallway and he..." Her eyes widened. "No... I mean, he didn't actually do anything but... "

"But he tried?"

It sounded less like a question and more like a statement but I answered nonetheless. "Kind of. I mean he got a little grabby but I shoved him back."

"Right... so how do you explain the cut?"

"He shoved me back." I said, swallowing hard.

She immediately took to her feet heading for the door, her car keys tight within her grasp now. I stepped before her, blocking the exit.

"Not this again." She said rolling her eyes. "you'd be the second one to stand in my way tonight."

"I just don't think this is the way to go. I made him back off, it's over."

"This is why he keeps fucking with you, you realize that don't you? Your protecting him from all of us, your friends that would gladly knock some sense into him for you."

"I realize that but... Roy already has Dick looking for him and..."

Rachel laughed. "Perfect."

As she pulled out her phone, I sighed. "Please don't feed the fire that is Dick's anger. Trust me... he's upset enough. Please just... don't tell him."

She hesitated. "Fine... lets just watch a movie or something."

Now, even though she had returned her phone to her pocket, I was certain this was not the end of it.

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(Richard Grayson's POV)

"Is that all? Is that everything?" She nodded. "And you're entirely sure on all the details?"

"Yes, Dick. Can I go now?" Terra whined.

I hesitated. "Fine. Go... but go home, you're not welcome here." As she stepped to the door I called back to her once more. "And I don't want to find out later that you're speaking with Gar. Not one word, not even if it isn't about this."

She gave me a brief nod then disappeared behind the door I was finally left to myself. AS my phone Vibrated I released a growl into the dark room.

GAR: We need to talk. It's about Rachel.

DICK: I don't have time for this. Is it an emergency?"

GAR: Duh.

I rolled my eyes.

DICK: Fine. My room in five.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in an exhausted slouch. The night I was having was proving to be nothing more than overwhelming. All I wanted was to find Kori. I had handled the business I needed to attend to and with the insane amount of chaotic information Terra had released to me... I just needed to be with Kori.

Regardless, I quickly strode to my room, meeting Gar in the hallway at my arrival and entering beside him.

"What is it?" I said carelessly, my attention more focused on my phone as I text Kori.

DICK: Where are you?

"Seriously dude, I really don't know how to handle this. I mean..." I gave him my attention now as I waited for Kori's response. "... she's back on drugs again."

"What?" My eyes widened as he tossed a small bag upon my bed, the white powder staring back at me as confirmation. I sighed. "What the... this has Komi written all over it."

"It does?" He asked curiously as he leaned toward the small bag.

"Not literally." I snapped, my patience refusing an appearance. "Look, if Rachel's on drugs I know its Komi supplying it to her."

"So what do we do?"

"I don't... I don't know alright. I have a lot on my mind and..."

"This is Rachel, Dick. She's our friend. All of us... in this together... I thought that was the deal?"

I sighed. He was right, but shit, I did not want to deal with this right now. Exhaling heavily I hesitated momentarily. "Fine... no, you're absolutely right. I'll umm... I'll go talk to Komi tomorrow and..."

"And what about tonight? I saw Rachel leave with Kori earlier. What makes you think she wont get Kori into this type of stuff and..."

"Kori isn't foolish enough to do something like that."

"Oh... and Rachel is? You just assume because she feels the need to get help from a chemical substance that it makes her any less foolish than your precious Kori?"

My eyes narrowed. "Don't talk about Kori like that. Look, I said..."

"Yea yea, you said tomorrow. But I think we all know if it was Kori you would have been on this five minutes ago trying to make it right."

"And why the hell am I suppose to be the one to fix everything?"

"I don't know dude, you're kinda making me regret even coming to you with this. I thought you were someone I could trust, depend on and..."

I rolled my eyes. "You can Gar I'm just a little preoccupied at the moment."

"Forget it." He snapped, taking the bag back and stepping to the bedroom door. "I think I'd have better luck going to Vic with this."

"Gar come on..."

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The sun peaked through my window signaling the approaching dawn. Another day... another perfect execution of failure and misjudgment on my part. Even as my alarm clock sprung to life I remained wide awake, allowing it to sound without mercy against my tired mind. I had dismissed Gar without hesitation the night before when he clearly needed my help and to say I had made a mistake with Kori last night and the position I had put her in would be a understatement and what was worse was that it wasn't the only mistake of the evening. Well, at least in her eyes. For me I had done what I believed was necessary and while I had the satisfaction of bruises to prove it that didn't mean she would like it anymore then I expected her to.

The only thing strong enough to pull me from my stressed thoughts was the sound of my phone going off. I had text Kori several times within the night but was ignored each time so I was certain she was finally responding.

RACHEL: We need to talk.

I rolled my eyes. Is it so much to ask that I get a response from Kori?

DICK: I heard about your new hobby. Is that what this is about?

RACHEL: Fuck you... and no... this is about Kori.

I sat up within my bed leaning back against the headboard now.

DICK: Is she alight? What happened?

I could have gone without the prolonged lag within her response.

RACHEL: Don't worry lover boy, she can handle herself.

DICK: Then what? Can't you just be straight with me?

RACHEL: I'm just checking to make sure you payed a little visit to our old friend Roy.

I paused staring down at the scrapes scattered across my knuckles, then with a laugh I responded.

DICK: Definitely... why?

RACHEL: That's all.

I suddenly became suspicious. What reason would Rachel have to be concerned with me handling Roy?

DICK: What aren't you telling me?

RACHEL: Fine, but I'm only telling you this because you'll be able to tell the moment you see her.

RACHEL: I guess Roy tried to force himself on Kori in a drunken daze. She's fine though, handled him herself. I was just making sure you got a few punches in yourself.

DICK: Is she at home?

RACHEL: Yep

DICK: Keep her there. I'll be there as soon as I can.

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A new record of ten minutes, that's all it took for me to bring my motorcycle to a halt before Kori's house. I jumped from my bike and raced toward the front door. Rachel greeted me at the enrance, anticipating my arrival and didn't question me as I invaded the home in a fit of rage.

"Her room."

That's all she said, and that's all need be said at the moment. I came to a stop before Kori's door, only halting once I realized it was locked. I knocked loudly, my voice trying to hold back the anger I felt. "Open up."

"Go away." She whined in a groggy sleep.

I knocked more violently now. "Unlock the fucking door Kori."

It was obvious she could sense my mood by the tone in my voice for I heard her fumbling as quickly as she could before the door opened and she stared back at me. I took her into my arms without hesitation. I wasn't concerned with the probability of the amount of anger she possessed for me since our last conversation, her lack of response to my texts all night proved that, but I didn't care. All that mattered was she was in my arms again.

"Dick... what..."

I stared down at her now, my eyes narrowed. "I told you Kori... I told you I was to be the first one you called when something like this happens."

She rolled her eyes, speaking in a barely comprehensible mutter. "Rachel."

"You were really going to keep this from me?"

I noticed her eyes spark as she took the time to notice my appearance. I swallowed hard as she set her gaze on mine for a brief moment. Aside from the smile I gave her, she turned away momentarily and I knew she must noticed the slight bruise on my eye, the peeled back skin on my knuckles, all of it.

I lowered my voice trying to sound sincere yet I sounded more hurt and guilty than anything. "Kori..."

The moment my hand grazed against hers she spun around and forced her arms around me aggressively. I couldn't have expected any amount of passion from her in this moment, I expected anger, rage, yelling... not this. Her lips sent several adoring pecks to my mouth, cheeks, nose, chin, her hands latched onto my head keeping me still.

"Kori.." I mumbled through her lips, my hands against her hips trying to keep my balance as she continued to lean more aggressively into me. "Kori..." I repeated in a chuckle, finally getting a response from her.

Her breath was heavy and her eyes practically crying in front of me. "Are you alright?" She left no room for me to respond. I couldn't help but smile as her eyes snapped frantically over my bruises and scrapes, her lips finding their way to them sweetly. "Dammit, Dick! What happened to you?"

I inhaled deeply, and took her hands into mine. "I'm fine." She looked to me with a sense of desperation. I licked at my cut lip and brought her against my body. "I did what I had to. I did what I said I would do. And I know you are probably really upset but..." I shook my head. "Even if he ever speaks to you again I'll do the exact same thing." I could tell she was upset having hear me confirm that I had initiated a fight with Roy but for some reason all she did was smile. My eyes narrowed. "You're not upset?"

"Of course I'm upset... I just... " She ran a hand through my hair, drawing a surge of arousal from me immediately, and the devious look in her eyes wasn't helping either. "I'm glad you're okay."

To say I was stunned by her reaction wouldn't be enough. I was... floored. "Ummm... look I actually ... I wanted to ummm..." I paused as a wave of chills surged through my veins as her lips met my neck. "i wanted to umm, clear... uhh,, the air... about last night and..."

"I already spoke with Rachel." She said between the presence of her soft lips and tongue against my flesh now. "I'm not upset with you anymore."

"Hey Kor." Said Komi as she peeked her head into the doorway. Both of us stepped away from on another as if it were still unusual for us to be affectionate openly around others. "Hey I still wanted to discuss..." She paused as she noticed me.

It was Kori who broke the awkward silence as she stepped into the hallway and led all of us to the kitchen. She pulled a bottle of champagne from one of the cupboards. "Well, its just us here we might as well... enjoy ourselves."

She giggled popping the cork free of the bottle, a small scream of excitement leaving her as her body bounced up and down. Now, I was completely zoned into her body and they lack of sufficient clothing that covered her skin basking in her beauty as she stood in a small pair of shorts and a lavender tank top which stopped inches above her navel. I made my way toward her, ignoring the presence of Komi and Rachel who had suddenly remained in silence and I hugged at her from behind. I was angry, more angry than I had been with Roy last night but right now... I had to make Kori happy. I had to let her know I was here for her.

"What the hell happened to you?" Komi said looking to me with a smile.

"Him?" Rachel chuckled. "I can't wait to see what the other guy looks like."

I ignored both of them, my main concern was Kori now. Pouring four glasses of champagne, she giggled, enduring my hands upon her sides as I ran them along her sweet skin possessively.

We all talked for a long while before Kori looked to me and announced she would be back soon. Now, she said soon, but I knew that if she was getting ready for the day it would be a long while before I actually saw her again. An hour minimum.

As I watched her step out of the kitchen, my eyes lingered, moving up and down her tanned skin before she could fall out of my view.

"Happy you can finally adore her from afar without judgment?" Rachel's voice sounded beside me.

I gave her a quick smirk then leaned myself upon the stool before the kitchen counter beside her. In truth, I knew Kori had been sweet with me this morning but I knew I wasn't off the hook entirely about last night and as Komi ventured back into the living room alone I turned to Rachel for advice. Advice I really didn't want to ask for. "I really messed up."

"What else is new?" She laughed.

I raised a brow at her suspiciously. "Did Kori say something?"

"Maybe."

Her shrug was not what concerned me but the half-smile that she attempted to hide. I immediately turned my body toward her, my eyes sporting a pleading look. "You have to tell me Rae. Look, I don't know what to expect from her. I mean she's obviously fine in front of other people but when it comes to time with just me and her..." I sighed. "She was... I mean... the look on her face... she was hurt, angry."

"She has every right to be." As I remained silent she rolled her eyes knowing perfectly well I was waiting for her to elaborate in her opinion. She lowered her book, shutting it with a sigh. "Why do I always have to be the middleman in everyone's arguments?"

"Please."

"Fine. She didn't say much, only that she basically threw herself at you and you denied her."

"That's not true." I said offended.

"Sure, but either way this is really bothering her."

"What do you mean?"

Rachel repositioned herself in front of me, leaning toward me slightly. "You're Dick Grayson for crying out loud, you'll sleep with anyone if they're attractive, and for Kori, if she believes she threw herself at you and you declined her..." she shook her head. "... what I took from her attitude was that she's not just angry, she's hurt and basically embarrassed. She feels inadequate to ..." she rolled her eyes, fighting through her desire to avoid the subject all together. "... inadequate to your... needs."

"What?"

"Look if she thinks she can't satisfy you, that she's not attractive enough for you... then..." she paused. "... she's going to lash out and end up pushing you away out of embarrassment. To be honest, she thinks you can't stop seeing her as innocent little best friend Kori."

"How do I make her see that this isn't what she thinks it is?"

"I give up. If neither of you are willing to give me the actual details of your argument then I can't help you... and I'm not going to beg for them so ,..."

As she reopened her book I placed a hand over it and forced it closed once more, her annoyed gaze returning to mine. "Come on."

"Spill."

I sighed. I didn't enjoy discussing anything that happened between Kori and I on a personal level but I really needed help. "We... well, the night everything happened with your father, I read a text on her phone from Roy asking her to meet him by the pool."

"And?"

"Well its bad enough for her to be talking to him and hiding it but the fact that she had told me that night she was going to find you when in realty she lied, she was going to meet up with Roy to allow whatever it is he was planning to do with her. "

"You sound like a child, you realize that don't you?"

I sighed heavily. "I don't care what I sound like. I need your help on this, don't make me regret asking for it."

She hesitated. "Fine... so she was supposedly going to meet up with Roy... so what? You don't actually believe that she would ever betray you, do you?"

"Why wouldn't I.. the proof was on her phone. Then there's word in the papers that while she was technically with me it was Roy who picked her up from the hospital and above all that he kissed her and..."

"Well, first off, your invasion of her privacy will eventually go too far, and maybe this is the time it has,... I don't know. What I do know is that she loves you Dick, she really does, this entire time she has and... you just need to understand that she's insecure. She may not be insecure about how others outside our circle of friends view her but when its you... especially you... she takes it to heart."

"I just asked her if she slept with Roy."

My stress tripled as Rachel's eyes widened. "So you're telling me that she basically asked you to sleep with her and instead of actually doing it you took a pause to discuss Roy, and not only Roy but whether or not Kori, our Kori, actually slept with him?"

"See this is exactly how I felt and if Roy had never made that comment that night at the pool I wouldn't feel this way." I shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, obviously I didn't actually think she had slept with him but I had to ask. I had to get it off my chest."

"Right, and the option of merely explaining to her that Roy had made you feel uncomfortable about their previous relationship never crossed your mind?" As I hesitated, she returned her attention to her book. "Of course not. Sorry, I'm with Kori on this one."

"But..."

Both of us fell silent as the Kori's voice suddenly entered the kitchen as she approached us.

"Mind if I steal him from you for a moment?"

Rachel gave me a quick glance, then shook her head. "No, I was thinking about spending a little time Hunter S. Thompson. " As she gripped her book tightly, motioning toward it she retracted her attention from us.

For me, I wasn't entirely sure how to act around her. I wasn't exactly sure how upset she was with me, but from what Rachel had told me, I believed I had better be cautious as to not open my mouth and say something that would make all of this a lot worse.

She led me to her room, locking the door behind us as she situated herself upon her bed. "Lay with me."

Both of our eyes clashed in an awkward exchange of uncertainty. I tried not to let the fact that right now, in any normal circumstance, she would have lay herself back into my arms giggling at me with a kiss, but the truth was that it did bother me. As I lay beside her upon the bed, trying to place an arm around her, her body immediately tensed up. I Immediately became enraged by her awkward behavior with me and positioned my arm around her regardless. She paused for a moment, the tension in her body against mine lingered before she finally turned her head up at me.

"Is that okay if I steal away from the world today?" She asked, looking up to me nervously.

"Of course." I smiled, as she turned her attention to the large flat screen which clung onto the wall opposite us. Clearing my throat, I said, "Hey, Kori..." She gave me a quick mumble. "... I just... I wanted to talk about..."

"No way..." She said, her voice dominating over mine. She nudged my side with an elbow and motioned to the tv screen. "Do you remember this movie?"

I ignored her excitement and forced her gaze to mine, her eyes panicking before me. I inhaled deeply, taking a moment just to soak in the amount of beauty she held. To think Roy had ever put his hands on her, to think back to Mr. Roth and what he had done... it was all too much, and it was all my fault. I could see she was hesitant with me, hesitant, hesitant, hesitant... I hated it.

"I'm so sorry Kor... for everything."

I paused as her chest raised in a deep inhaled. "I understand why you..."

"No... no you don't. You didn't deserve to be put into the position I left you in." I shook my head. "To be clear... I never actually thought you had been with Roy. I just.."

"I know..." She rolled her beautiful green eyes with a giggle, her hand against my chest now. "Believe me... I know."

"I know but..."

"Relax," she laughed. "I shouldn't have been so hard on you. Rachel reminded me how ridiculous your brain works sometimes... well, most of the time."

I laughed. "Right... well... thanks." She held back a smile as I brushed a stray hair from her eyes, my voice taking to a more serious tone. "I just want to be sure that you understand how much you mean to me. I know how ... I know how I acted last night but..." I swallowed hard. "... I do love you..." I cupped my hand over hers, which remained against my chest. "... I'm just not so good with expressing it... sometimes."

She hesitated and I could read from her eyes that I had gotten my point across clearly. I knew she believed that I loved her but I wanted her to believe it without any doubt and more importantly without hesitation. I laughed as she placed a hand over her face, trying with everything she had to hide her intense blush, and attempt to suppress a smile.

"I just..." She shook her head with an embarrassed laugh. "All I wanted was sex..." My eyes widened at her forwardness. She looked to me with a giggle again. "I thought you were used to expressing yourself in that way. I didn't realize I would be shut down."

"No... I..." I suddenly felt extremely nervous now. "Shit Kori." She laughed, and I joined her as we basked in our utter embarrassment of the moment which clung thick to the air around us. "I just... with you... its different with you. I ... none of that, in the past, those girls... it wasn't... they didn't... " I sighed frustrated at my inability to speak in this moment. I found comfort instantly as I looked deep into her eyes which stared back at me so innocently. "I mean... It's not the same. I didn't feel anything with them. It was just... ugh... I really don't want to have to explain this."

"Then please... feel free to stop." She said with a laugh.

"Good... thank you. That was... difficult." I paused, noticing her hands over her eyes and her body jolting slightly as she fell prey to uncontrollable laughter. I couldn't help but laugh myself as she continued to try to catch her breath which had suddenly fell scarce against her incessant laughter. "What?"

She shook her head at me, her arm hugging at her stomach as her giggles continued. "It's just... you're face... you were so serious."

"Yes well... this isn't easy for me." I poked at her side only feeding the volume of her giggles. "I'm trying to get you to understand that..." I paused with a laugh again as she buried her head into my chest now. "I'm being serious now."

She pulled away from me, laying on her back now. Clearing her throat she tried to stifle her laughter by pulling her lips in between her teeth, but I could see it wouldn't last long. "Go ahead..." Her voice was shaky and struggling for composure. "... I'm listening."

"Alright well..."

She burst into laughter again which made me fall silent yet again. There was nothing more intoxicating then her symphony of giggles. I hadn't heard her laugh this hard in a long time and it was never more mesmerizing. Her cheeks were flushed, whether in embarrassment or from the laughter I wasn't sure but she was too adorable in this moment. I mean, I was angry, angry about a million things that were previously brought to my attention and burning bright in my thoughts and yet, this was all it took for her to make me forget it all. Her... her happiness, her laughter, everything down to the little scrunch in her nose mid laugh... it was all amazing to me.

Clearing my throat I leaned into her, a hand upon her hip as I turned her onto her side and into me. Kissing her forehead I said, "Well... you keep laughing, and I'll keep considering the perfect occasion to finally sleep with you." She looked to me now, her laughter coming to a pause. I shrugged. "What? I thought we were being forward with one another?" She shook her head with a small laugh to which I shrugged playfully at. "I mean, you've already got sex with you on my mind, leaving the option open so... I might as well enjoy the thought of its arrival."

She shoved at my shoulder. "That is not why I told you that. This doesn't mean you get to decide when we have sex."

I laughed confidently now. "Sure it does." Her eyes narrowed but it was no more than a game of arrogance between us now.

"No... it doesn't." She laughed.

A small squeal escaped her as I took hold over her waist, repositioning her upon my lap, my body leaned forward as I kissed at her lips. We remained in this kiss for a brief moment before I finally pulled away, an intense gaze up at her now. "Of course it does."

I lay back upon the bed now in laughter as she glared down at me. "You are such an ass."

"I'll take that as a 'you're right'." I said, tucking my hands behind my head as I leaned back in a sigh of triumph.

"Well... I wouldn't be so confident in yourself." She said, and I could tell from the way her eyes light up that she was up to something. "Especially when I know... a secret about you."

I chuckled, unsure where exactly she was going with this, but her teasing tone told me she was planning something. "Oh really?"

She nodded, and I watched as she resituated herself lower upon my lap. My body jolted slightly as she jabbed her thumb against the edge of my hip bone, now... don't ask, I don't know why I was susceptible to laughter when she did this, but I couldn't' control it. In one quick motion, my body twisted to the right and I had to quickly remove my hands from behind my head to catch her body before it could fall to the floor, all the while I was submerged in unsustainable laughter.

She was laughing now too and as I folded my arms around her back, having her lay forward, flat upon my chest now and everything just felt... right. I could stay in this moment forever if life would let me. The mere sensation of her chest heaving against mine as we tried to dull our laughter, her intoxicating heart beating against mine, the sweet fragrance that latched onto her silk skin, it was utter perfection.

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(A/N) If it isn't obvious... there's lemon right around the corner soo... hang in there. Like I always say... I don't want to rush things. Plus, I'm also excited for the confrontation which will happen yet again with Rachel and Gar... Please R/R